Wheel Diameter Measurement with Dual Vehicle Detection During Travel

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for determining wheel diameters in railway technology are cumbersome and require special measuring sections, are not easily adaptable to continuous monitoring, and lack efficient maintenance strategies.

Innovation Solution

A method utilizing detection devices at the front and rear of a vehicle to measure wheel rotation angle and diameter based on the distance between these devices, allowing for continuous monitoring during normal operation without additional infrastructure, and incorporating plausibility checks and statistical evaluations to ensure accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If special measuring sections are installed on the track, then wheel diameter measurement can be performed, but infrastructure complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewheel diameter measurementVSAvoidtrack infrastructure
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The vehicle itself performs the measurement function using its own detection devices and existing track points, eliminating the need for external specialized infrastructure. The vehicle's detection devices utilize ordinary track points to measure wheel diameter, making the system self-sufficient and removing the contradiction between measurement capability and infrastructure complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Loss of time

If measurement is performed during normal driving operation, then maintenance time is reduced, but measurement accuracy may be compromised due to wheel slip

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemaintenance timeVSAvoidwheel diameter measurement
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors wheel rotation and compares measured values against expected ranges, providing feedback to detect and correct for wheel slip conditions. This feedback mechanism allows accurate measurements to be obtained during normal operation by identifying and compensating for slip events, resolving the contradiction between continuous operation and measurement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs multiple measurements during normal operation and uses statistical evaluation to identify valid measurements. By taking excessive measurements and filtering results through plausibility checks, the system ensures accuracy even when some measurements are affected by wheel slip, while maintaining continuous operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Measurement precision

If detection devices are placed at both front and rear of the vehicle, then wheel diameter measurement is enabled, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewheel diameter measurementVSAvoiddetection device configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The detection devices serve multiple functions: they detect track points for navigation, measure wheel rotation for speed calculation, and enable wheel diameter measurement when positioned at front and rear. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by making the additional devices justified through their multiple uses rather than being purely complexity-increasing additions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4439007B1Method and device for determining the wheel diameter of a wheel of a vehicle
Publication Date: 2025.08.06 SIEMENS MOBILITY GMBH
  • EP4439007B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4439007B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4439007B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates, among other things, to a method for determining the wheel diameter of a wheel (11) of a vehicle (10). According to the invention, it is provided that, during travel, the passage of a road point (21) is detected as the first passing event by a detection device (101) located at the front in the direction of travel (F), and, during further travel, the passage of the same road point (21) is detected as the second passing event by a detection device (102) located at the rear in the direction of travel (F), the wheel rotation of the wheel (11) is measured, and a wheel rotation angle (U) indicating the wheel rotation between the first and second passing events is determined, and, based on the distance (A, A', A") between the front and rear detection devices (101, 102) and the wheel rotation angle (U), a current measured value (D) indicating the wheel diameter is determined.