In railway operations, damage to pantographs and overhead lines occurs frequently, mostly due to incorrect timing of pantograph raising and lowering. Hybrid - powered rail vehicles are vulnerable to this, and there is also a risk of electric shock during overhead line maintenance. Bosch Engineering's new catenary assistance system can accurately monitor the position of the pantograph. When the position is abnormal, it notifies the driver with an acoustic/visual alarm.
The system consists of a control unit, a compact sensor system, and a navigation antenna. It integrates position data from satellites and on - board sensors, matches the digital track plan, locates the vehicle, and determines the raising and lowering status of the pantograph in track sections. Warnings can be received in both the cab and the remote control unit.
The system operates independently and has a modular design, suitable for original equipment of new locomotives and retrofitting of existing fleets, enabling railway operators to easily access the field of rail vehicle assistance systems. Bosch has also developed the Rail Assist Suite to expand functions. Combining multiple types of sensors, it can achieve predictive monitoring such as catenary signal recognition, effectively reducing equipment damage, improving safety and economy, and optimizing railway traffic operation.
EN
