Rail Vehicle Braking Control Adaptive Lining Characteristic Curve

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current braking systems for rail vehicles are limited by the need for specific brake pad types, which restricts operator flexibility and increases technical effort when changing brake pads, as they are calibrated based on a single average coefficient of friction, making it difficult to adapt to different friction conditions.

Innovation Solution

A device and method that dynamically adjust the pressure characteristic of the braking system based on the friction characteristics of the brake lining, allowing automatic switching between different types of brake pads by shifting the pressure-velocity characteristic curve, eliminating the need for complex reprogramming or maintenance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the braking system is calibrated based on a single average coefficient of friction for a specific brake pad type, then the braking control is optimized for that specific pad type, but the operator flexibility and adaptability to different friction conditions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebraking control optimizationVSAvoidoperator flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the pressure characteristic curve based on the detected brake pad type. The brake control device switches between different characteristic curves (e.g., C1, C2, C3) corresponding to different friction coefficients, enabling the system to adapt its braking behavior to match the actual friction characteristics of the installed brake pads.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the pressure characteristic parameters of the braking system based on the brake pad type. By detecting the friction coefficient and selecting the appropriate characteristic curve, the system modifies its pressure-velocity relationship to optimize braking performance for each pad type without requiring physical recalibration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the pressure characteristic is fixed for a specific brake pad type, then the braking performance is consistent and reliable, but the technical effort and complexity increase when changing brake pad types

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebraking performance consistencyVSAvoidtechnical effort for pad type change
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The brake control device automatically detects the brake pad type through sensors (e.g., optical, magnetic, or RFID sensors) and autonomously selects the appropriate pressure characteristic curve. This self-service capability eliminates the need for manual intervention or complex reprogramming when changing brake pad types, reducing technical effort while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from sensors to detect the brake pad type and automatically adjusts the pressure characteristic curve accordingly. This closed-loop approach ensures that the braking control adapts to the actual pad type installed, maintaining consistent and reliable braking performance without requiring manual recalibration or increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple brake pad types with different friction characteristics are used, then the adaptability and operational flexibility improve, but the complexity of controlling and compensating for different friction conditions increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational flexibilityVSAvoidcontrol complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs dynamic switching between predefined pressure characteristic curves based on the detected brake pad type. Each curve (C1, C2, C3) is optimized for a specific friction coefficient range, allowing the system to adapt to different pad types while maintaining simple control logic through automatic curve selection rather than complex real-time calculations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3393869B1Braking control for rail vehicles with adaptive lining characteristic curve
Publication Date: 2020.03.04 KNORR BREMSE SYST FUR SCHIENENFAHRZEUGE GMBH
  • EP3393869B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3393869B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a device and a method for controlling a braking device of a rail vehicle, wherein a pressure characteristic curve of the braking device is changed by means of characteristic curve change device (13) as a function of a frictional characteristic of a type of brake lining used in the braking device.