CN104709311B

CN104709311B - Device for measuring the position of a moving object

Info

Publication number: CN104709311B
Application number: CN201510059250.7A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 詹斯.格拉夫; 罗伯托.莫雷蒂; 希尔瓦诺.塞马; 马克.德福塞兹
Original assignee: SKF AB
Current assignee: SKF AB
Priority date: 2008-03-05
Filing date: 2008-03-05
Publication date: 2020-12-04
Anticipated expiration: 2028-03-05
Also published as: CN104709311A

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for connection to a rotating part (1) of a rail vehicle incorporating an arrangement, which device is adapted to detect and evaluate parameters related to the operation of the rail vehicle and/or a potential fault state of a wheel bearing (2) in the rail vehicle during movement of the rail vehicle, and which device (12) is arranged to emit signals representing the detected and evaluated parameters.

Description

Device for measuring the position of a moving object

The present application is a divisional application of the invention patent application having an application date of 2008/3/5, application number of 200880127847.9, entitled "device for connecting to a rotating portion of a rail shaft".

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a device for connection to a rotating part of a rail vehicle. More specifically, the present invention relates to a device for connection to a rotating part of a rail vehicle for detecting and evaluating different parameters related to the rail vehicle.

Background

The axles of rail vehicles are supported by bearings positioned in axle boxes and in order to determine the condition of the bearings and other parameters affecting the operation of the rail vehicle, it is necessary to monitor the condition of the bearings, the wheels and other parameters required to regularly check these conditions. Earlier, such control has been performed through predetermined maintenance intervals.

In EP1159182Bl a track hub unit has been proposed which is equipped with sensor means for detecting vibrations in the vertical and/or horizontal direction and/or bearing temperature and which is mounted on a stationary non-rotating support element, such as a metal sealing insert.

Disclosure of Invention

The object of the present invention is to provide a device for connection to a rotating part of a rail vehicle which has the ability to detect, evaluate and signal the current situation in the rail vehicle in a simple and reliable way.

Another object is to provide a connecting device for easily mounting the device to a rotating part of a rail vehicle.

The invention proposes a device for connection to a rotating part of a rail vehicle incorporating an arrangement, which device is adapted to detect and evaluate parameters related to the operation of the rail vehicle and/or to a potential fault state of a wheel bearing in the rail vehicle during movement of the rail vehicle, and which device is arranged to emit signals representative of the detected and evaluated parameters, according to the appended claim 1.

The invention is therefore based on the identification of a potential fault state of the wheel bearing, among other factors, and other parameters can also be reliably detected on the rotating part and/or such as without direct contact to the bearing. Further, another recognition of the invention is that the electronic and non-electronic components of the device and the sensors require a higher protection than in applications in road vehicles, due to other shock and vibration situations in general and due to the risk of mechanical damage, for example by stones being ejected from the track bed during rolling operations of the rail vehicle.

Drawings

Hereinafter, the invention will be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate non-limiting embodiments of the invention.

Figure 1 shows in perspective view a wheel set on an axle of a rail vehicle with an embodiment of the device according to the invention,

figure 2 is a corresponding wheel set with a second embodiment of the device according to the invention,

figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of the wheel assembly shown in figure 1,

fig. 4 and 5 show in perspective view the end cover forming part of the embodiment of the wheel set according to fig. 1, viewed from its side facing the axle end in the seated position and shown as the electronics before and after mounting.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the end cap according to FIG. 3, showing the inspection plug removed, an

Fig. 7 is a portion of a shaft end having an end cap and an electronic device connected to the outside of the end cap by a gasket.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 schematically shows in perspective view an axle 1 of a rail vehicle, which is rotatably supported at each end on a set of bearings 2, each set of bearings being arranged in an axle box, not further shown, and having a rail wheel 3 fixedly arranged around an axle adjacent to each set of bearings 2. The ends of the shaft 1 adjacent to each set of bearings 2 are covered by end caps 4 which are attached to the shaft by bolts 5. In this embodiment of the invention, the device according to the invention is placed inside the end cap 4 and is therefore well protected against moisture and dirt.

The device incorporates an electronic unit preferably equipped with a transducer adapted to detect and evaluate a parameter related to the operation of the rail vehicle and/or a potential failure state of a wheel bearing in the rail vehicle, and also incorporates means for evaluating said parameter and means for emitting a signal representative of the detected and evaluated parameter. In this way, the electronic unit is positioned so as to participate in the rotation of the axle of the rail vehicle. The device may therefore comprise at least one sensor for rotation detection, for example for the total operating range of the vehicle, one sensor for detecting vibrations related to the bearing performance and/or wheel conditions and structural vibrations and/or one temperature sensor.

In fig. 2 is schematically shown another embodiment, in which a ring 6 is arranged around the wheel axle 1 and in a position between the two wheels 3 so as to follow the rotation of the wheel axle. The ring 6 accordingly carries a box 7 incorporating an electronic unit similar to that described with reference to the embodiment according to claim 1.

Fig. 3 shows an exploded view of a portion of the axle 1 in fig. 1 with the end cap 4 removed from the axle end. The bolt 5 for connecting the end cap 4 to the shaft end is arranged to be guided and retained in a washer 8, the washer 8 having a plurality of holes for receiving the bolt and a central opening 9, said central opening 9 being located just in front of a hole 10 in the central part of the end cap 4 when the end cap is placed on the shaft end.

Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of the end cap 4, shown obliquely from the side of the end cap, which in the mounted state faces the shaft end. The hole 10 opens into a recess 11 inside the end cap 4. In this embodiment the recess 11 is substantially Y-shaped, although the recess may have other shapes, and in the embodiment shown in fig. 4 the shape is taken after the shape of the electronic unit formed as a printed circuit board 12 has been inserted into the recess in the direction of the arrow in fig. 4.

Fig. 5 shows a printed circuit board 12 inserted into a recess of the end cap 4. The printed circuit board 12 may also be covered by a layer of resin, not further shown, which is applied to the printed circuit board when the printed circuit board is positioned in the recess. In other embodiments, the printed circuit board may also be secured to the inner portion of the end cap in a known connection technique such as screwing, gluing, etc., rather than in the form of a fit described above. Another possibility is that the device can be constructed as a small block containing all the electronics and fixed to the inside of the end cap with known connection techniques.

Fig. 6 shows the end cap 4 according to fig. 4 in a perspective view, and here it can be seen how the protective plug 13 is removed from the bore 10. In this way, the protective plug 13 will protect the interior of the end cover 4 and the electronic unit 12 positioned there from external moisture and dirt during operation of the rail vehicle. As shown, the protective plug 13 can be removed and offers the possibility of inspecting the interior of the end cap, wherein suitable types of signaling means, such as LEDs, can have different colors for signaling different operating conditions of the rail vehicle and the bearing, as well as bearing temperature, rotational speed, etc. The protective plug may also be designed to trigger a switch of the device to release the signaling, e.g., a selected signal code provides the signaling once the plug is removed. In other embodiments, the signaling may also be designed in such a way that it is automatically started only when necessary, for example, if the plug is removed or if a potential fault condition is detected. This is advantageous for reducing the power consumption of the device.

The signaling means may also be arranged to transmit an optical code that can be read by a probe or other suitable means.

Finally, the signal transmitting means may be arranged to transmit signals representing different vehicle, wheel and bearing parameters via wireless transmission, e.g. transponder, radio, GPRS, etc.

In fig. 7 a part of a rail wheel 3 is shown in a perspective view with a set of bearings 2 and an end cap 4 fitted to the shaft end. If the end cap is not easily removable, or for other reasons, the electronics unit may be located in an electronics pocket 14 located in a special safety washer 15, which is therefore located on the outside of the end cap 4, but still in contact with the rotating shaft 1. The safety washer 15 is preferably connected to the end cap and the shaft end by means of bolts in the same way as the end cap in the embodiment shown in fig. 3.

The electronic unit may be powered by at least one battery (not further shown) positioned adjacent to or at a distance from the electronic unit. Alternatively, the device may incorporate at least one energy generator for powering the electronic unit, or an energy transforming device for powering the electronic unit, whereby, for example, vibrational energy may be transformed into electrical power via a piezoelectric element or temperature.

Alternatively, the electronic unit may have a combination of batteries, energy generators and/or energy conversion means for powering the unit. The invention is not limited to the embodiments shown in the drawings and described with reference to the drawings, but may be subject to various modifications and variations, which fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. Wheel set comprising a wheel axle and two wheels and provided with means for connection to a rotating part (1, 3) of a rail vehicle incorporating an electronic unit (12), the electronic unit (12) being equipped with a transducer adapted to acquire rotation-related signals for detecting and evaluating parameters related to the service of the rail vehicle during the movement of said rail vehicle, and the electronic unit (12) being arranged to emit signals representative of the detected and evaluated parameters;

characterized in that said means are provided in the form of a box incorporating the electronic unit and are connected to the hub (1) by a ring, said ring being arranged at a position between said two wheels around said hub and carrying said box so as to rotate with the rotation of said hub.

2. Wheel set according to claim 1, wherein the electronic unit (12) is equipped with a transducer adapted to collect signals related to at least one of vibration and temperature for detecting and evaluating at least one parameter related to a potential failure state of a wheel bearing (2) in a rail vehicle during movement of the rail vehicle.

3. Wheel set according to any of claims 1 to 2, wherein the electronic unit (12) is equipped with a transducer adapted to collect a signal related to vibrations as at least one parameter related to a potential failure state of a wheel bearing in a rail vehicle.

4. Wheel set according to any of claims 1-2, wherein the electronic unit (12) is provided with analysis means for evaluating at least one of speed, total driving range, vibrations related to bearing performance, vibrations related to wheel state, bearing operating temperature and structural vibrations.

5. Wheel set according to any of claims 1-2, wherein the device incorporates at least one battery for powering said electronic unit (12).

6. Wheel set according to any of claims 1-2, wherein the device incorporates at least one energy generator for powering the electronic unit (12).

7. Wheel set according to any of claims 1-2, wherein the device incorporates energy conversion means for powering the electronic unit (12).

8. Wheel set according to any of claims 1-2, wherein said means incorporate signalling means arranged to send signals representative of the status of the rail vehicle wheels and bearings.

9. Wheel set according to claim 8, wherein the signalling device is a light emitting diode and/or is arranged to transmit an optical code that can be read by a probe or other suitable device.

10. Wheel set according to claim 8, wherein the signal transmission means are arranged to transmit signals representing different vehicle, wheel and bearing parameters via wireless transmission.

11. A rail vehicle provided with a wheelset according to any one of claims 1 to 10.