Train Measuring Appliance External Mounting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing train-mounted measuring appliances face challenges in providing unobstructed sight for communication and environmental influence minimization while maintaining ease of mounting and operation, especially at high speeds and varying environments.

Innovation Solution

A measuring appliance designed to be externally mounted on a train's automatic coupling, utilizing a hooking and/or clamping mechanism for quick and tool-free attachment, equipped with sensors and communication systems, and featuring a rigid mechanical and electrical coupling for stability and data collection during high-speed operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If the measuring appliance is mounted externally on the train at a distance from the cabin wall, then unobstructed sight for wireless communication and GPS is improved, but the appliance becomes more vulnerable to environmental influences such as wind and rain

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveunobstructed sight for communicationVSAvoidenvironmental influence
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a housing with weather-proof characteristics that protects the measuring appliance from environmental influences while maintaining external mounting. The housing acts as a protective shell that shields internal components from rain, wind, and other environmental factors, resolving the contradiction between needing external exposure for unobstructed communication and protection from harmful environmental elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Ease of operation

If the appliance is designed to be mounted to the automatic coupling for quick attachment and detachment, then ease of operation and mounting speed is improved, but the mechanical stability and support during high-speed operation may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting and demounting easeVSAvoidmechanical stability at high speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The measuring appliance is designed as a self-contained modular unit that can be independently mounted to or removed from the automatic coupling. This segmentation allows for quick attachment and detachment operations while maintaining structural integrity during operation. The modular design separates the measuring functions from the train body, enabling easy deployment and removal without compromising the stability of either the appliance or the train during high-speed operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The automatic coupling interface utilizes a spherical or curved geometry that enables rotational movement for mounting and demounting operations. This curved interface allows the appliance to be quickly attached and detached through rotational motion, improving ease of operation while maintaining a secure, stable connection during high-speed travel through the rigid mechanical coupling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the appliance is mounted at the back coupling to limit environmental influence, then protection from wind and insects is improved, but the distance from the machinist room increases communication difficulty

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection from environmental factorsVSAvoidcommunication signal strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs wireless communication systems (such as radio communication, GPS, and other wireless technologies) as intermediaries to transmit data and commands between the measuring appliance mounted at the back coupling and the machinist room. These wireless intermediaries overcome the distance and obstruction issues, allowing the appliance to be positioned at the optimal location for environmental protection while maintaining reliable communication through wireless signal transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Ease of operation

If the appliance is designed with dimensions to fit within a 1 metre cube for manual handling, then ease of operation and manipulation by a single person is improved, but the space required for sensor deployment and communication antennas is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanual manipulation easeVSAvoidspace for sensor and antenna deployment
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The measuring appliance utilizes the third dimension (vertical space) by extending antennas and sensors upward from a compact base unit that fits within a 1 metre cube. This dimensional approach allows the main body to remain compact for easy manual handling while projecting necessary components (antennas, sensors) vertically to achieve the required deployment space. The appliance effectively separates the compact housing from the extended functional elements, resolving the contradiction between compactness for handling and space for operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP3330156B1Appliance, e.g. to measure rail geometry
Publication Date: 2020.06.10 FNV IP BV

AI summary

The invention relates to a standard train wagon at the free automatic coupling at the back of which an appliance is coupled in an easy disconnectable manner to be substantially carried by it externally from the train wagon and to be centred. The appliance is mounted to the automatic coupling in a hooking or clamping manner by a quick coupling, such that the appliance is mounted to the automatic coupling using the means at the automatic coupling to couple with a corresponding automatic coupling in a typical manner. The appliance is completely carried by the automatic coupling such that the appliance lacks an own carriage for supporting onto the ground. The appliance is designed for measuring the driving comfort for the passengers by measuring accelerations at the automatic coupling.