Wheelset Geometry Measurement for Conicity and Radial Run-Out

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wheelset processing and diagnosis systems lack the capability to accurately measure and evaluate geometric parameters such as equivalent conicity and concentricity, particularly in high-speed rail applications, which poses safety concerns.

Innovation Solution

The method involves recording point-by-point scan data using a control system in wheelset processing or diagnosis machines, with measurements taken from a measuring circle plane and processing algorithms to calculate equivalent conicity and concentricity, including polygon evaluation, allowing for visualization and logging of results.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional measurement methods are used for wheelset geometric parameters, then basic profile wear detection is achieved, but equivalent conicity and concentricity parameters cannot be accurately measured

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement capability for geometric parametersVSAvoidmeasurement system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The measurement system is designed to perform multiple functions: basic profile wear detection, equivalent conicity measurement, and concentricity/polygon evaluation. The control system integrates various measurement tasks into a unified platform that can acquire and process different types of geometric data using the same hardware infrastructure, thereby improving measurement precision without proportionally increasing device complexity

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

Solution Approach 2:

A measuring circle plane is introduced as an intermediary reference element. All measurements for profile wear, equivalent conicity, and concentricity are referred to this common plane, which serves as a mediator that enables accurate determination of multiple geometric parameters from a single measurement setup, resolving the contradiction between measurement capability and system complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If additional geometric parameters (equivalent conicity, concentricity) are measured, then safety assessment is improved, but measurement and evaluation time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety assessment reliabilityVSAvoidmeasurement and evaluation time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary data acquisition during the wheelset rotation, collecting all necessary measurement points for profile wear, equivalent conicity, and concentricity in a single pass. The control system is pre-programmed with algorithms that process the raw measurement data and calculate all geometric parameters simultaneously, rather than performing separate measurement campaigns, thus improving reliability without significant time penalty

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The measurement process continues uninterrupted during wheelset rotation. The control system continuously acquires measurement data at multiple points around the wheel circumference and performs real-time evaluation of all geometric parameters. This continuous measurement approach ensures comprehensive safety assessment while minimizing measurement time by avoiding stop-and-go procedures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Measurement precision

If point-by-point scan measurement is performed for equivalent conicity and concentricity, then measurement accuracy is improved, but data processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegeometric parameter accuracyVSAvoiddata processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The measurement data is segmented into distinct sets corresponding to different geometric parameters: profile wear data, equivalent conicity data, and concentricity data. The control system applies specific evaluation algorithms to each segment independently, processing measurement points according to the particular requirements of each parameter type. This segmented approach maintains high measurement precision while managing data processing complexity through systematic organization

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The measuring circle plane serves as an intermediary reference that simplifies data processing. All measurement points are coordinated relative to this plane, providing a common reference framework that enables straightforward calculation of equivalent conicity and concentricity parameters from the raw scan data, reducing the complexity of data processing while maintaining accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3430370B1Method for measuring and calculating geometric parameters of the wheels of a wheelset for rail vehicles
Publication Date: 2021.12.08 HEGENSCHEIDT MFD GMBH
  • EP3430370B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3430370B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3430370B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for measuring and calculating geometric parameters of the wheels of a wheelset for rail vehicles, wherein the wheelset to be evaluated is rotatably mounted in a wheelset machine tool or in a wheelset diagnostic system and wherein measured values for profile measurement with respect to profile wear to be detected are determined during rotational motion of said wheelset. The problem addressed by the invention is to expand already available measuring methods on known wheelset machine tools and wheelset diagnostic systems in such a way that further geometric parameters can be detected and evaluated. This problem is solved in that methods for measuring and calculating the equivalent conicity and the radial run-out property of a wheelset are integrated as new measurement functions, wherein solution approaches are proposed for these additional methods.