Wireless Relay Adapter for Railway Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for blocking a railway section to prevent train traffic, such as using a short-circuit lance, are cumbersome, time-consuming, and dangerous.
Innovation Solution
A B-relay associated with a track occupancy message is equipped with a switch for wireless communication, allowing remote control to interrupt the power supply, thereby simulating train presence without modifying the relay housing, using an adapter that fits between the relay housing and contact block, allowing quick conversion of existing setups.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a short-circuit lance is used to block a railway section, then train traffic can be prevented in the section, but the operation becomes cumbersome, time-consuming, and dangerous
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical short-circuit lance operation with an electronic control system. A switch device with wireless communication capability electronically controls the B-relay to simulate track occupancy, eliminating the need for physical insertion of short-circuit lances into rails. This substitution of mechanical operation with electronic control resolves the contradiction by maintaining reliable track blocking while dramatically improving operational ease and safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary switch device that acts as a mediator between the operator and the B-relay system. This switch device, equipped with wireless communication, serves as an intermediate control element that remotely actuates the relay without requiring direct physical intervention in the track section. The intermediary device resolves the contradiction by providing reliable blocking functionality while eliminating the cumbersome and dangerous manual operations associated with short-circuit lances.
2Extent of automation
If the relay housing is modified to add control functionality, then the B-relay can be controlled remotely, but the housing integrity is compromised and the relay may be rejected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the control system into separate functional components: the original sealed B-relay housing remains intact, while the switch device with wireless communication capability is mounted externally on the housing surface. This segmentation allows automated remote control functionality to be added without compromising the housing integrity or requiring modifications to the sealed enclosure. The B-relay maintains its factory-sealed status while gaining automated control capabilities through the external switch device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary switch device that mediates between the external control environment and the sealed B-relay housing. This intermediary component provides wireless communication and control functionality while being mounted on the exterior surface of the housing, thus adding automation capability without penetrating or modifying the sealed housing structure. The intermediary device resolves the contradiction by enabling automated control while preserving housing integrity and seal completeness.
3Adaptability or versatility
If an adapter is introduced between the relay housing and contact block, then existing setups can be quickly converted, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the adapter with universal mounting features that allow it to be attached to various B-relay housing types and interface with different contact block configurations. The adapter incorporates standardized mounting elements and electrical connections that provide multi-functionality, enabling quick conversion across different relay models without requiring custom-designed adapters for each specific configuration. This universality resolves the contradiction by providing broad adaptability while keeping the adapter structure relatively simple and standardized.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to railway safety. On the one hand, the proposal is to combine a vital relay (so called B-relay), inside a relay box or relay house which is associated with a railway, with an external, wireless remote from outside the relay box or relay house controlled switch inside the relay box or relay house, which switch is arranged to switch the B relay (1) between "on" and "off". On the other hand the proposal is to mount, in an existing assembly of vital relay (1) and associated contact block (4) an adapter (3), which adapter is provided with a means to extend the functionality of the relay.