Vehicle Coupling Element Monitoring via Relative Movement Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for monitoring vehicle coupling elements, such as spring elements, rely on mileage or time-based replacement schedules, leading to potential premature replacement or continued use of damaged components, as the non-linear damage behavior due to mechanical stress, environmental influences, and time cannot be accurately predicted.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the determination and measurement of relevant relative movement directions for coupling elements, with data transmission and evaluation to assess damage and suitability for use, allowing for timely replacement of only damaged components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mileage or time-based replacement schedules are used, then coupling elements are replaced at regular intervals, but this leads to premature replacement of still-functional components or continued use of damaged components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical/time-based replacement schedules with a sensor-based monitoring system that uses relative movement measurements to detect actual damage accumulation. Sensors mounted on the vehicle body and coupling element track relative movements, and when a threshold is exceeded, it indicates damage requiring replacement, replacing components only when actually needed rather than on fixed schedules
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors relative movements of coupling elements and provides feedback through a monitoring device that compares measured movements against threshold values. This feedback mechanism enables real-time assessment of component condition, allowing replacement decisions to be based on actual damage accumulation rather than predetermined intervals
2Reliability
If all coupling elements are replaced during scheduled overhauls, then reliability is maintained, but resource waste and unnecessary costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the monitoring function from the replacement schedule itself, using sensors to independently assess each coupling element's condition. This allows the system to identify and replace only the specific damaged components rather than replacing all coupling elements during overhauls, eliminating unnecessary resource consumption while maintaining reliability
3Measurement precision
If coupling elements are monitored continuously, then actual damage can be detected, but system complexity and measurement requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the monitoring task by focusing measurements only on relevant directions of relative movement for each specific coupling element type. Rather than monitoring all possible movements comprehensively, the system identifies and measures only those directions that actually contribute to damage for each coupling element configuration, simplifying the measurement system while maintaining detection accuracy
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for monitoring coupling elements (1) of a vehicle (7), according to which at least one representative direction of relative movement (2) is determined for a coupling element (1) to be monitored and relative movements in the representative direction (2) of movement of the coupling element (1) to be monitored are measured and stored. The stored relative movements are then evaluated. The invention also relates to a device for carrying out the method according to the invention. Coupling elements (1) can thus be monitored and their suitability for use in a vehicle (7) can be determined.