Autonomous Rail Vehicle with Individual Wheel Modules
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Rail vehicles for passenger transport often face limitations in maximizing passenger compartment size due to the need for driver cabs and traditional wheel configurations, which restricts capacity and increases energy consumption and pollutant emissions per passenger-kilometer.
Innovation Solution
A rail vehicle designed for fully autonomous driving with individual wheels, a sensor unit for environment monitoring, and a control device that evaluates sensor signals to control the wheels, allowing for a larger passenger compartment and efficient navigation through tight curves, while eliminating the need for a driver's cab and optimizing driving dynamics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If a driver's cab and traditional wheel configurations are used, then the rail vehicle can be operated with conventional control systems, but the passenger compartment size is reduced and passenger capacity is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel assembly is segmented into individually controllable wheels, each with its own drive unit and steering mechanism. This segmentation eliminates the need for a traditional rigid axle and driver's cab, thereby maximizing the passenger compartment size while maintaining operational control through distributed intelligence in each wheel module.
Solution Approach 2:
The driver's cab is completely extracted from the vehicle design, eliminating the need for manual operation. This extraction frees up significant interior space for passenger accommodation while the control functions are distributed to autonomous wheel control systems and central control units.
2Productivity
If individual wheels with separate drive units are used, then the passenger compartment can be enlarged, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Each wheel module is designed as a universal unit that combines drive, steering, and suspension functions in a single integrated package. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of separate components needed, simplifying manufacturing processes despite the advanced capabilities of each individual wheel.
Solution Approach 2:
The drive unit is nested within the wheel hub structure, with the motor integrated into the wheel assembly itself. This nesting eliminates the need for separate drive mechanisms and reduces the overall number of parts, making the complex system more manufacturable while maintaining high passenger capacity.
3Volume of moving object
If traditional four-wheeled bogie with axles is used, then the wheel assembly is simpler to manufacture, but the vehicle interior space is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The traditional rigid axle connecting multiple wheels is segmented into individual wheel modules that can be independently positioned and controlled. This segmentation eliminates the need for complex axle structures and wheel housings, thereby maximizing the vehicle interior volume while each wheel maintains its own simplified drive mechanism.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to a rail vehicle (4a, 4b, 4c) for transporting passengers, said rail vehicle being designed for fully autonomous operation and comprising a plurality of wheels (6), a sensor unit (24) for monitoring surroundings (26) of the vehicle, and a control device (10) configured to analyze sensor signals from the sensor unit (24) and control at least one of the wheels (6), the wheels (6) being independent wheels.