Rail Vehicle Brake Release Control During Door Closing

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for restarting rail vehicles after a stop with open doors result in delayed brake release, prolonging the time before the vehicle can start moving again.

Innovation Solution

Implement a method where the braking force is reduced before or during the door closing process, with roll-away monitoring activated, ensuring the brakes are fully or almost fully released by the time all doors are closed, and the braking force is reinstated if rolling is detected, allowing for immediate or minimal delay restart.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If the brakes are released immediately before the rail vehicle starts moving again, then the restart time is reduced, but the risk of the vehicle rolling away before doors are closed increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebrake release timeVSAvoidsafety against unintended movement

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The brake release is initiated in advance during the door closing process rather than waiting until doors are fully closed. The braking force is reduced to a reduced level before door closing completes, utilizing the time window created by early initiation to accelerate restart while maintaining safety through monitored conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors door closing status and vehicle movement conditions, using this feedback to control the brake release process. The brake control device adjusts braking force based on real-time information about door position and vehicle stability, ensuring safe release timing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If the braking force is reduced before door closing is complete, then the restart is accelerated, but the vehicle may roll away on gradients

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverestart speedVSAvoidrolling away risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The brake release is initiated in advance during the door closing process rather than waiting until doors are fully closed. The braking force is reduced to a reduced level before door closing completes, utilizing the time window created by early initiation to accelerate restart while maintaining safety through monitored conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system prepares for potential rolling by having the roll-away monitoring system ready and operational before brake release begins. Anti-skid valves are positioned to可以提供 immediate correction if rolling is detected, cushioning against the potential harmful effect of vehicle movement on gradients.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Reliability

If the brakes are held until door closing is confirmed, then safety is maintained, but the restart is delayed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety during door closureVSAvoidrestart delay

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The brake release is initiated in advance during the door closing process rather than waiting until doors are fully closed. The braking force is reduced to a reduced level before door closing completes, utilizing the time window created by early initiation to accelerate restart while maintaining safety through monitored conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors door closing status and vehicle movement conditions, using this feedback to control the brake release process. The brake control device adjusts braking force based on real-time information about door position and vehicle stability, ensuring safe release timing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4574623A1Method and vehicle control system for operating a rail vehicle

Publication Date: 2025.06.25 SIEMENS MOBILITY GMBH

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AI summary

The invention relates, inter alia, to a method for operating a rail vehicle (1), wherein in the method, in the event of a vehicle stop in which at least one vehicle door has been opened, the rail vehicle (1) is braked with a predetermined target braking force (Fsoll), before the rail vehicle (1) starts moving again, a door closing signal (ST1, ST2) is generated which triggers the closing of all open vehicle doors or announces an impending closing, the complete closing of the vehicle doors is monitored and the restart takes place at the earliest after confirmation that all vehicle doors are closed.According to the invention, it is provided that before, during or after generation of the door closing signal (ST1, ST2) and before confirmation is available that all vehicle doors are closed, the braking force (F) acting on the rail vehicle (1) is reduced, before or at the latest when the braking force (F) is reduced, and while the rolling away monitoring (WRU) is activated, the braking force (F) is increased again to the target braking force (Fsoll) if the rolling away monitoring (WRU) detects that the rail vehicle (1) is rolling away, and otherwise the reduced braking force (F) is maintained, wherein the rolling away monitoring (WRU) is carried out at least until confirmation is available that all vehicle doors are closed.