Autonomous Trailer Wagon Operation for Flexible Rail Track Work
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rail vehicle maintenance methods are not flexible or efficient, as they rely on coupled operation for energy supply and require separate energy storage devices, limiting autonomous operation and increasing operational complexity.
Innovation Solution
A rail vehicle system where the trailer wagon can operate autonomously using its own energy storage for track treatment before and after decoupling from the track motor vehicle, with energy charging occurring during coupled operation, allowing for flexible and efficient maintenance without the need for additional charging devices and enabling emission-free operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the trailer wagon operates autonomously after decoupling, then operational flexibility and efficiency are improved, but energy supply reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The energy storage device is charged with electrical energy before the trailer wagon is decoupled from the track motor vehicle. This preliminary charging action ensures that the trailer wagon has sufficient energy stored to operate autonomously after decoupling, resolving the contradiction between operational flexibility and energy supply reliability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate energy storage devices are required for autonomous operation, then operational independence is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The energy storage device serves multiple functions: it stores electrical energy for the treatment device during coupled operation, and provides electrical energy for the traction drive and treatment device during autonomous operation after decoupling. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate energy storage devices, resolving the contradiction between operational independence and device complexity.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If the trailer wagon uses its own energy storage for autonomous operation, then emission-free operation is improved, but energy storage capacity requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The energy storage device is charged in advance during coupled operation when the track motor vehicle is connected to the overhead contact line. This preliminary charging accumulates sufficient electrical energy to power the trailer wagon's traction drive and treatment device during autonomous operation, enabling emission-free operation without requiring an excessively large energy storage capacity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution allows for flexible and efficient track maintenance by enabling autonomous operation of both the track motor vehicle and trailer wagon, reducing operational complexity and ensuring emission-free operation, while optimizing energy supply through shared charging and independent energy sources.
Implementation Method 1
the trailer wagon (3) comprising an energy storage device (16) for providing electrical energy
Implementation Method 2
the track motor vehicle is supplied with electrical energy from an overhead contact line via a pantograph
Data Source
AI summary
A method for carrying out work on a railway track by means of a rail vehicle, comprising a track motor vehicle with at least one electrically operable treatment device and an energy supply device for providing electrical energy, as well as a trailer wagon coupled to the track motor vehicle with an energy storage device for providing electrical energy, with the rail vehicle being driven to a track point to be treated, with the trailer wagon being decoupled from the track motor vehicle, and with the track point to be treated being treated by means of the track motor vehicle. Before and/or after treatment by means of the track motor vehicle, the track point is treated by means of the trailer wagon by supplying an electric traction drive of the trailer wagon and a treatment device of the trailer wagon with electrical energy from the energy storage device. In this way, the trailer wagon is used autonomously for track treatment.