Offset Position Marker Recorders for Rail Vehicle Localization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining the position of track-guided vehicles, such as rail vehicles, face inaccuracies in distance measurement due to technical errors and sensor failures, leading to delocalization, which restricts monitoring capabilities and requires manual intervention, especially in driverless operations.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a further position marker information recorder offset relative to the first recorder along the vehicle's longitudinal direction, which captures position marker information to generate additional distance measurement values, allowing for more accurate position determination by activating and readjusting a single or dual distance measuring device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single position marker information recorder is used for distance measurement, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to accumulated errors over distance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the vehicle into multiple segments by installing multiple position marker information recorders at different longitudinal positions. Each recorder independently captures position marker information and generates distance measurement values, allowing the system to segment the measurement task across multiple units rather than relying on a single recorder that accumulates errors over long distances.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates redundant copies of the position measurement function by deploying multiple position marker information recorders that perform identical measurement tasks. These duplicate measurement systems provide alternative distance measurement values that can be used to correct or replace erroneous measurements, thereby maintaining high measurement precision without significantly increasing overall system complexity.
2Measurement precision
If position markers are placed at short intervals to maintain accuracy, then the measurement precision improves, but the loss of time increases due to more frequent readjustments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary distance measurement actions by having multiple position marker information recorders continuously capture position marker information and generate distance measurement values in advance. This allows the system to pre-compute multiple potential position values, reducing the need for frequent real-time readjustments and minimizing time loss while maintaining high measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent ensures continuous position measurement by having multiple recorders operate simultaneously and continuously capture position marker information. This continuous operation eliminates gaps in measurement and reduces the frequency of interruptive readjustment operations, thereby maintaining measurement precision while minimizing time loss.
3Measurement precision
If multiple distance measuring devices are activated simultaneously, then the measurement precision improves through redundancy, but the use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic activation of distance measuring devices based on operational needs. Instead of keeping all devices continuously active, the system dynamically selects and activates only the necessary recorders at specific times or under specific conditions, thereby maintaining measurement precision through selective redundancy while reducing overall energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the distance measuring devices by adjusting their activation states. Rather than maintaining all devices at full power continuously, the system varies parameters such as activation frequency, measurement intervals, and power levels based on current operational requirements, achieving a balance between measurement precision and energy efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for determining the position of a track-guided vehicle, in particular a rail vehicle, includes readjusting a distance measuring device on the vehicle for obtaining position-determining distance measurement values based on position marker information available at position markers on the track, wherein the position marker information is captured by a position marker information recorder connected to the distance measuring device. In order to be able to carry out an exact determination of the position of a track-guided vehicle in a comparatively simple way, the position marker information of the same position marker is detected again by a further position marker information recorder being offset relative to the first position marker information recorder in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and a generation of further position-determining distance measurement values is initiated. A positioning device for determining the position of a track-guided vehicle is also provided.