Hybrid Rail Driving System Power Source Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional diesel railcars lack the ability to seamlessly transition between electrified and non-electrified sections without requiring new facilities, such as oil supply equipment, and cannot operate with the same efficiency as electric trains due to their reliance on engine power in electrified sections.
Innovation Solution
A driving system that utilizes external, internal, and storage electric power supply means, along with position detection systems to determine the presence of electrified sections, allowing for dynamic switching between power sources and optimizing power distribution across the train formation, eliminating the need for new facilities in electrified sections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a diesel railcar uses engine power in electrified sections, then it can operate without trolley wire infrastructure, but it cannot achieve the same energy efficiency as electric trains with regenerative braking
Solution Approach 1:
The diesel railcar is equipped with both a diesel engine and an electric motor with regenerative braking capability, allowing it to function as either a diesel vehicle or an electric vehicle depending on the section. This multi-functionality enables the vehicle to operate in both electrified and non-electrified sections while achieving energy efficiency comparable to electric trains when operating in electrified sections with regenerative braking.
2Loss of energy
If a hybrid vehicle combines engine and electricity storage apparatus, then regenerative energy can be temporarily absorbed and reused, but the system complexity increases with multiple power sources and conversion apparatus
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the diesel engine, electric motor, electricity storage apparatus, and inverter into a unified hybrid powertrain system. The engine and motor share common components such as the transmission and drivetrain, and the electricity storage apparatus serves dual purposes for both regenerative braking energy recovery and engine start-stop operations, reducing overall system complexity despite the multiple power sources.
3Ease of operation
If position detection means is added to detect electrified sections, then dynamic power source switching can be optimized, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The position detection means provides real-time feedback information about the vehicle's location in electrified or non-electrified sections to the control system. Based on this feedback, the control system automatically switches between diesel engine and electric motor operation, and between regenerative braking and friction braking, optimizing power source selection without requiring complex manual intervention or overly sophisticated control algorithms.
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
Enables high mobility and efficient operation between electrified and non-electrified sections without additional infrastructure, allowing the diesel railcar to maintain consistent performance akin to electric trains by dynamically managing power sources based on location.
Implementation Method 1
a first railroad vehicle (101) including electricity generation means (110)... wherein the electric power storage means (150) stores electric power generated by the electricity generation means (110)
Implementation Method 2
the electric power storage means (150) stores electric power generated by the electricity generation means (110) and regenerative electric power
Implementation Method 3
uses the electricity generation means (110) and the electric power storage means (150) as power sources to drive the driving motor to drive the train
Implementation Method 4
a main motor is operated as an electricity generator during braking to obtain braking force. At the same time, regenerative brake control is performed in which the electric energy generated by the main motor is returned to the trolley wire
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is a high mobility railroad vehicle system configured to reciprocally carry out a direct drive between a non-electrically driven section and an electrically driven section without installing new facilities such as oil supply equipment and without considering distinction between the non-electrically and electrically driven sections. A railroad vehicle system is provided with an overall control apparatus to respectively control an external electric power supply means, an internal electric power supply means, an electricity storage means, electric power conversion means and a motor driving means. The railroad vehicle system judges or previously notifies as to whether the present driving railroad section is the electrically driven section or non-electrically driven section in accordance with driving position information received from a position information generation means such as a ground facility on a railroad equipped outside of the vehicle and a global positioning system (GPS). The system cuts off from an external electric power source in the non-electrically driven section and carries out a smooth shifting control in order to connect to the external electric power source in the electrically driven section.