Rail Vehicle Brake Control Device Adhesion Compensation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional rail vehicle braking systems with friction-dependent brakes face limitations in absorbing braking force due to varying adhesion conditions between wheels and rails, leading to potential wheel slip or locking, and an inability to apply the intended total braking force, especially in longer rail vehicles with differing rail conditions.

Innovation Solution

A control device for rail vehicle braking systems that detects a lack of adhesion and increases the actuating force on specific braking devices to compensate for insufficient adhesion, utilizing additional force generators and particle scattering systems to enhance friction and braking force transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If friction-dependent braking devices are used to brake rail vehicles, then braking force can be transmitted via wheel-rail contact, but the braking force absorption is limited by adhesion conditions and can cause wheel slip or locking

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebraking forceVSAvoidwheel slip or locking
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control device dynamically adjusts the actuating force parameter of braking devices based on detected adhesion conditions. When insufficient adhesion is detected, the system modifies the actuating force to prevent wheel slip or locking, thereby resolving the contradiction between achieving sufficient braking force and maintaining wheel-rail adhesion reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The control device receives lack of adhesion signals from detection systems and uses this feedback to adjust the actuating force of braking devices. This closed-loop control ensures that braking force is optimized according to real-time adhesion conditions, preventing wheel slip while maximizing braking effectiveness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Force

If adhesion-dependent brakes are used with limited adhesion, then wheel-rail contact braking is possible, but the intended total braking force cannot be applied and braking distance is lengthened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetotal braking forceVSAvoidbraking distance
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The control device increases the actuating force parameter of braking devices when lack of adhesion is detected, enabling the application of higher braking forces that would otherwise cause wheel slip. This parameter adjustment allows the system to achieve the intended total braking force while adapting to limited adhesion conditions, thereby reducing braking distance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The braking system transitions from static adhesion-dependent braking to dynamic braking force adjustment. The control device continuously adapts the actuating force based on detected adhesion conditions, enabling the system to optimize braking performance and reduce braking distance by applying higher forces when adhesion permits

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 control device effectively compensates for adhesion deficiencies by increasing the actuating force on specific braking devices, enhancing the rail vehicle's braking capability and preventing wheel slip or locking, thereby improving braking efficiency and reducing braking distance.

Implementation Method 1

The control device is designed to actuate the first and/or second braking device with an increased actuating force during braking if a signal from a lack of adhesion is present

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

utilizing additional force generators and particle scattering systems to enhance friction and braking force transmission

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectParticle scattering: Scattering

Data Source

PatentEP2753507B1Improved braking process for a rail vehicle
Publication Date: 2018.08.22 KNORR BREMSE SYST FUR SCHIENENFAHRZEUGE GMBH
  • EP2753507B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2753507B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a control device (60) for a brake system of a rail vehicle (10), the brake system having at least one first brake device (41-48) and a second brake device (41-48; 71, 72, 77, 78), which devices can be actuated by an actuating force during a braking process. The first brake device (41-48) and the second brake device (41-48; 71, 72, 77, 78) are adhesion-type brake devices. The control device (60) is capable of receiving and/or generating a loss of adhesion signal, which identifies insufficient adhesion for the first and/or second brake device (41-48), and is also designed, during a braking process, to actuate the first and/or second brake device (41-48; 71, 72, 77, 78) with an increased actuating force if a loss of adhesion signal is present. The invention also relates to a brake system for a rail vehicle comprising a control device of this type, to a corresponding rail vehicle and to a method for controlling the brake system of a rail vehicle using a control device.