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Sensor solutions and electronics for the mobility of tomorrow

Rail vehicles, rail automation and autonomous, low-emission vehicles - the future of mobility lies in intelligent sensor solutions for traffic and transport on roads and rails. We are your partner for robust and reliable sensors and electronics - together we are shaping the world for sustainable mobility.

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Intelligent sensors - for rail vehicles through to autonomous vehicles

We offer you a wide range of technologies for the development of electronic solutions as well as sensors for rail and road traffic. Our Application Consults provide you with comprehensive and targeted advice on our sensor solutions and new development projects in the field of mobility.

Long-distance and local transport systems

Safety during the transport of people and goods

In mainline and mass transit, people and goods are transported by rail vehicles at high speeds. A high level of safety is essential here. Our acceleration sensors ensure that safety and efficiency are guaranteed during shunting operations and cornering, and that wear parts can be serviced as needed. Ride comfort also plays a major role in long-distance passenger transportation. To ensure this, the sensors are used to measure vibrations and shocks.

Safety and infrastructure

Railroad safety through early warning systems and derailment protection - Sensors according to DIN EN 50155

Sensors for curve detection as well as vibration and acceleration measurement fundamentally ensure driving safety through precise measurement data. Our sensor solutions provide the input so that dangers for rail vehicles of all kinds can be predicted and averted. Even under harsh environmental conditions, the instability of the bogie, for example, is monitored with high reliability. With this measurement data, electronic safety systems in the train can react in time and a possible derailment can be prevented. Our AccTRANS and CoriSENS safety sensors are designed in accordance with DIN EN 50155 directly for operation in the on-board network of rail vehicles and impress with their durability.

AccTRANS   CoriSENS

E-mobility

Charging electronics and environment detection by LiDAR

The future of e-mobility depends, among other things, to a large extent on high-performance electronics for the charging process of e-cars. As a key technology for energy conservation, it efficiently controls, regulates and converts electrical energy. We develop individual electronics solutions for such applications. Electronics are also used in the digitization of the environment using LiDAR as a component of autonomous driving systems: MEMS mirrors are core components of LiDAR sensors. In TO housings, these can be precisely placed and deflected with high accuracy in real time.

Traffic Management

Traffic monitoring and control

Sensor systems for traffic monitoring can improve traffic flows. Traffic data is effectively recorded and observed events (e.g. road works) are reported. With sensors in traffic management systems, traffic flows can be influenced by targeted control and optimized at the same time.  We offer vibration sensors that can provide the data basis for such systems as well as the development of customized measurement solutions.

Together with you or for you, we develop the optimal solution for your mobility project. We will be happy to advise you on all technical questions - whether on the subject of electronics or for the infrared components for use in the field of mobility.

Rail freight transport: Remote control systems for shunting

Shunting operations in rail freight traffic face many challenges. The coupling process in particular is a critical moment for the locomotive engine - if the locomotive collides with too strong an impact during the shunting process, major damage to the engine suspension can follow. Based on our established acceleration sensors AccTrans, we developed a sensor - AccSENS-Rail (currently in the prototype phase), which prevents damage resulting from a too violent impact from being overlooked.

During the coupling of the freight cars - an accident-prone and delicate moment - the train driver receives feedback thanks to our sensors as to whether the impact speed was too high, too low or just right. If an excessive collision has been registered, the traction unit is immediately checked for consequential damage and repaired if necessary. Damage due to unnoticed preliminary damage caused by the coupling impact to the entire traction unit is thus avoided.

Derailment protection through acceleration sensors

In rail vehicles of all kinds, critical accelerations pose a threat of danger and damage. Unstable running of the bogie can be detected in time thanks to our acceleration sensors. Our AccTRANS sensor continuously outputs the detected vibrations as an analog current signal. If the tolerable limit is exceeded, preventive braking or temporary speed limitation can be initiated. The dangers of derailing rail vehicles and damage to the vehicle are successfully avoided.

Similarly, the angular velocity of the train as it passes through a curve can be evaluated by CoriSENS sensors. The train crew can be signaled, e.g. in the form of a light signal, when the complete train has left the curve and can accelerate again without danger.

Train passing through curve in mountain region Curve detection

Development project PAV DT - Better planning of road network maintenance

This project deals with the development of our PAV-DT-3D MEMS sensor. The goal is to bring a system to market that consists of the following components:

  • Cloud platform,
  • software,
  • user interface and
  • necessary hardware,

to provide road network maintenance companies with data on the quality of their pavement.

 

Here, the state of the road is recorded by acceleration sensors. These record the vibration patterns that occur on a car's chassis while driving. The developed software then evaluates the vibrations in correlation with the position of the vehicle. By combining data from many passes of the same road, the condition of the road surface is evaluated. The aim is to identify focal points for upcoming maintenance work at an early stage and make maintenance easier to plan.

The special attraction of this system is that the hardware can be retrofitted to almost any standard vehicle without any modification effort. No additional registration effort is required.

Measuring principle: Acceleration

Acceleration is a relevant safety factor, especially in local and long-distance rail traffic. To protect people and material, oscillations and vibrations at the bogie of trains and rail vehicles must be constantly checked by means of AccTRANS sensors. Only with continuous monitoring can critical accelerations be detected and damage to the train or a derailment can be prevented.

Our AccTRANS sensors are designed to be robust so that they can be mounted outside the vehicle or directly on the bogie. The housing is extremely robust and - like the special cable - withstands extremely harsh environmental conditions. Despite stone chips, dust or weather, the sensor is reliable over its entire service life.

Our acceleration sensors protect against derailment through vibration analysis with electronics according to railroad safety standards DIN EN 50155.

Advantages of AccTrans accelerometers

 

  • Measurement of acceleration transverse to the direction of travel
  • Mounting directly on the bogie for sufficiently strong coupling with the mechanical components of the train
  • Reliable measured values as a data basis for evaluation systems and rail automation
  • Cost savings through optimization of maintenance intervals
  • Increased efficiency in planning maintenance, reliability and availability of the train fleet

Competence for sensor solutions in industrial applications

According to our customers' requirements, we develop and produce customized solutions for sensors and measurement modules. We can modify standard products, develop individual sensors from scratch or design integrated electronic systems with multiple components. Our electronic systems and sensors for measuring pressure, flow, level, position meet the highest quality standards. Infrared components and sensors for gas analysis of CO2, CO or other gases offer highest performance and stability.

 

Development, production and all areas of the value chain are regularly certified.