Rail Brake Dual-Path Switching for Redundant Deceleration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing brake systems for rail vehicles, such as pneumatic and electrodynamic systems, face challenges in achieving high availability and safety integrity while minimizing system complexity and weight, with pneumatic systems requiring additional infrastructure and electrodynamic systems being dependent on electrical subsystems, and existing electromechanical systems being inflexible and prone to complete system failure.
Innovation Solution
A brake system with dual braking paths, one with low safety integrity and one with high safety integrity, allowing switching between them to ensure redundancy and flexibility, utilizing shared functional parts and an internal power supply for deceleration, and incorporating a brake control unit and braking force unit to manage switching between paths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pneumatic brake systems are used, then reliability and availability are improved, but device complexity and weight increase due to compressors and pneumatic infrastructure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the pneumatic mechanical system (compressors, air lines, reservoirs) with an electromechanical system using electric motors, electronic controllers, and mechanical brake actuators. This substitution eliminates the need for complex pneumatic infrastructure while maintaining brake functionality through electrical actuation of brake elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and removes the pneumatic subsystem components (compressors, air reservoirs, pneumatic valves) from the brake system, retaining only the essential mechanical braking function. This allows the system to achieve reliability through simplified electromechanical actuation without the weight and complexity of pneumatic infrastructure.
2Reliability
If a single braking path is used, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability decreases due to lack of redundancy
Solution Approach 1:
The brake system is segmented into multiple independent braking paths (first braking path with low safety integrity and second braking path with high safety integrity). Each path can operate independently or in combination, allowing the system to maintain functionality even if one path fails, thus providing redundancy without requiring complete system duplication.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between different braking paths based on operational requirements and system state. The control unit can activate the high safety integrity path when reliability is critical and use the low safety integrity path for normal operations, optimizing the balance between reliability and complexity in real-time.
3Device complexity
If electromechanical brake systems are used, then device complexity is reduced compared to pneumatic systems, but adaptability and flexibility decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The electromechanical system incorporates dynamic control capabilities through electronic controllers that can adjust braking force, activate different braking paths based on conditions, and respond rapidly to control signals. This dynamic control compensates for the reduced mechanical complexity by providing flexible, programmable braking behavior adaptable to various operational scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters (braking force magnitude, duration, distribution across different braking paths) based on detected conditions such as vehicle speed, load, and safety requirements. This parameter variability provides adaptability within the simplified electromechanical architecture, allowing the system to adjust its braking characteristics without mechanical reconfiguration.
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 system provides high availability and safety integrity with reduced system complexity, ensuring reliable deceleration by switching between braking paths and utilizing shared components, thus addressing the limitations of existing systems.
Implementation Method 1
generating a frictional braking force
Data Source
AI summary
A device and method for electromechanically braking rail vehicles use a brake system that includes a brake control unit configured to provide braking functions and output an actuation variable, a braking force unit configured to provide functions for generating a frictional braking force based on the actuation variable, a first braking path with braking functions that are active between control inputs by the brake system and the generation of a braking force, and a second braking path with braking functions that are active between control inputs by the brake system and the generation of a braking force.