Rail Vehicle Brake Control Synchronization via Interrupt Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
In rail vehicles with electrically-commanded brake controllers connected via Ethernet or CAN buses, there is a delay in transmitting braking commands, leading to a difference in actuation times of brake devices between vehicles or bogies, which can cause excessive load on wheels and couplers, reducing their lifetime.
Innovation Solution
A rail vehicle brake control device with brake controllers that include a communicator, command acquirer, timing controller, and start controller, where synchronization frames in communication frames trigger interrupt signals to synchronize the start of brake control, ensuring consistent timing across brake controllers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If brake controllers are connected via Ethernet or CAN buses with independent CPUs, then communication and processing capability are improved, but timing synchronization between brake controllers deteriorates due to transmission delays and independent processing
Solution Approach 1:
The timing controller detects the synchronization frame from the communication frame and generates an interrupt signal based on this detection, creating a feedback mechanism that ensures all brake controllers synchronize their brake control timing despite using independent CPUs and communication buses
Solution Approach 2:
A synchronization frame is introduced as an intermediary element in the communication protocol. This synchronization frame serves as a common reference point that all brake controllers can detect and use to align their timing, mediating between the independent CPU operations and the required synchronized brake actuation
2Object-affected harmful factors
If brake control timing is synchronized across all vehicles, then load on wheels and couplers is reduced, but device complexity increases due to synchronization requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The timing controller performs multiple functions: it detects the synchronization frame from the communication protocol and generates the interrupt signal that triggers brake control. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated synchronization hardware, thereby reducing overall device complexity while achieving synchronized brake actuation across all vehicles
Data Source
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AI summary
A timing controller (14, 24) outputs an interrupt signal each time the timing controller (14, 24) detects a synchronization frame included in a communication frame transmitted or received by a communicator (12, 22). A start controller (13, 23) starts, in accordance with a drive command most-recently acquired by a command acquirer (11, 21), brake control each time the timing controller (14, 24) outputs the interrupt signal. The start controller (13, 23) performs brake control by outputting a control command indicating pressure of a brake cylinder included in a mechanical brake (3, 4). A valve controller (15, 25) controls a magnet valve included in a pneumatic controller (16, 26) in accordance with the control command. The mechanical brake (3, 4) is actuated by air outputted by the pneumatic controller (16, 26) controlled by the valve controller (15, 25), thereby controlling the brake of a train.