Off-board Operator Control for Distributed Vehicle Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle systems with distributed power arrangements face inefficiencies and increased operating costs due to the time-consuming process of disconnecting and reconnecting control signals between lead and non-lead vehicles, especially when complex moves or segment changes are required, leading to decreased productivity and revenue.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that enables an off-board operator control unit to remotely control the movement of non-lead vehicles within a vehicle system by communicatively linking with a vehicle control system onboard the lead vehicle, allowing for automatic changes in operational settings such as throttle and brake settings without the need for on-board operator intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an operator manually disconnects and reconnects control signals between vehicles, then the vehicle system can be reconfigured for complex moves or segment changes, but the process becomes time-consuming and reduces productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-establishes communication pathways and control signal routes between vehicles. When reconfiguration is needed, the system automatically switches control signals between lead and non-lead vehicles through pre-configured communication channels, eliminating the need for manual disconnect/reconnect operations and reducing reconfiguration time
Solution Approach 2:
A centralized control system or communication network acts as an intermediary between vehicles, managing control signal routing automatically. This intermediary handles the complexity of disconnection and reconnection operations, allowing vehicles to be reconfigured without direct manual intervention and maintaining continuous operational efficiency
2Reliability
If an operator remains communicatively connected to the lead vehicle, then continuous control is maintained, but the operator cannot control non-lead vehicles when segment changes are required
Solution Approach 1:
The communication system dynamically adjusts connection pathways based on operational requirements. The operator's control unit can be automatically switched to communicate with different vehicles (lead or non-lead) depending on whether the operation requires continuous control or segment reconfiguration, providing both reliability and flexibility
Solution Approach 2:
The vehicle system is divided into segments with independent communication pathways. The operator can maintain communication with the lead vehicle for overall coordination while simultaneously establishing separate communication channels with non-lead vehicles for specific segment operations, enabling both continuous control and operational flexibility
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes one or more processors configured to communicatively link a first operator control unit (OCU) disposed off-board a vehicle system with a vehicle control system (VCS) disposed onboard the vehicle system. The vehicle system is formed from first and second vehicles. The VCS is configured to remotely control movement of the second vehicle from the first vehicle, wherein the one or more processors configured to receive a control signal communicated from the first OCU to a communication device that is onboard the first vehicle. The control signal dictates a change in movement operational setting of the second vehicle. The one or more processors configured to direct the communication device to communicate the control signal from the first vehicle to the second vehicle via the VCS, wherein movement of the second vehicle is automatically changed responsive to communicating the control signal from the first vehicle to the second vehicle.