Electromagnetic Lateral Damping for Fast High-Speed Train Sway Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

High-speed trains experience tilting or shaking due to inadequate response speed of existing lateral vibration damping systems, leading to poor control accuracy when traveling on bumpy railways or turning, as these systems rely on mechanical devices for active force generation, resulting in slow operation and inaccurate damping.

Innovation Solution

An electromagnetic lateral initiative vibration damping system that includes an electromagnet controller, lateral acceleration sensor, and computing device, which determines a vibration damper target gap value based on train lateral acceleration, position, and speed to control an electromagnet initiative vibration damper electronically, improving response speed and accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If a lateral vibration damping apparatus is controlled by a mechanical apparatus or elastic element that generates active force or active torque, then the damping function is provided, but the response speed is slow and control accuracy is poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresponse speedVSAvoidcontrol accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical control system (apparatus or elastic element generating active force or torque) with an electromagnetic control system. The electromagnetic initiative vibration damper uses electromagnetic forces to generate the required damping forces, enabling faster response speeds and more precise control compared to mechanical systems. This substitution directly addresses the contradiction by improving response speed while maintaining or enhancing control accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If the lateral vibration damping apparatus operates timely with high control accuracy, then passenger experience is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The electromagnetic initiative vibration damper integrates multiple functions into a single device: it can generate both damping forces and restoring forces, and it can operate in different modes (initiative damping mode and passive damping mode). This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate mechanical components, thereby controlling system complexity while achieving high control accuracy and timely response.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts its operating mode based on real-time conditions. The controller switches between initiative damping mode (when active control is needed) and passive damping mode (when passive damping suffices), optimizing performance while managing complexity. This dynamic operation allows the system to achieve high control accuracy only when necessary, reducing the overall complexity burden.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Speed

If the electromagnet initiative vibration damper is controlled electronically to improve response speed, then the response speed increases, but the power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresponse speedVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The electromagnetic initiative vibration damper operates periodically rather than continuously. The controller activates the electromagnetic actuators only when vibration damping is required (during initiative damping mode), and switches to passive damping mode when active control is not needed. This periodic operation significantly reduces overall power consumption while maintaining fast response capability when active control is engaged.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system recovers and utilizes the elastic potential energy stored in the elastic elements during passive damping mode. When the damper operates in passive mode, the elastic elements store energy during compression and release it during extension, reducing the need for continuous electromagnetic actuation and thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining response capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

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

The system operates timely and accurately at positions where the train tilts or shakes, enhancing passenger experience by effectively damping vibrations through electronic control, thereby improving control accuracy and reducing power consumption through energy recovery.

Implementation Method 1

an electromagnet initiative vibration damper, and a computing device... the electromagnet controller is configured to determine a vibration damper target gap value of the electromagnet initiative vibration damper... and control, based on the determined vibration damper target gap value, the electromagnet initiative vibration damper to operate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic force: Lorentz Force

Data Source

PatentEP3831686B1Electromagnetic transverse active damping system, and control method and apparatus therefor
Publication Date: 2024.06.12 CRRC QINGDAO SIFANG CO LTD
  • EP3831686B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3831686B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3831686B1 patent drawing

AI summary

Disclosed are an electromagnetic transverse active damping system, and a control method and apparatus therefor. The electromagnetic transverse active damping system comprises an electromagnet controller, wherein the electromagnet controller can determine a value of a damper target gap for an electromagnet active damper according to acquired train transverse acceleration, train position information and train speed, and control the action of the electromagnet active damper according to the determined value of the damper target gap; and electrical control is employed during the control of the electromagnet active damper by the electromagnet controller. The response speed of the electromagnetic transverse active damping system is improved by providing the electromagnet controller, such that the electromagnetic transverse active damping system can timely act at a position where a compartment of a high-speed train leans or sways.