Rail Vehicle Compartment Energy Control via Occupancy Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a growing need to reduce energy consumption in track-bound vehicles, particularly rail vehicles, as existing technologies do not effectively utilize passenger occupancy data to optimize energy usage in compartments.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system that determines the number of passengers in each compartment and uses this information to control energy-consuming devices such as heating, ventilation, air conditioning, lighting, and passenger information systems, allowing for the reduction or cessation of energy consumption in underutilized compartments by switching them to standby mode or shutting them off.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If all energy-consuming devices are operated at full capacity in all compartments, then passenger comfort is maintained, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the operation state of energy-consuming devices variable rather than fixed. The control device dynamically adjusts the operational status of heating, ventilation, air conditioning, lighting, and passenger information systems based on real-time passenger occupancy detection. When a compartment is detected to be unoccupied or underutilized, the control device automatically reduces or stops the operation of associated energy-consuming devices, thereby adapting the system's energy consumption level to match actual usage requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback through a closed-loop control system. A passenger occupancy detection device continuously monitors the number of passengers in each compartment and provides this information to the control device. The control device processes this feedback information and automatically adjusts the operational status of energy-consuming devices accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures that energy consumption is continuously optimized based on actual occupancy conditions, resolving the contradiction between maintaining comfort and reducing energy use.
2Use of energy by moving object
If energy-consuming devices are reduced or stopped in unoccupied compartments, then energy consumption is reduced, but passenger comfort may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by enabling the vehicle's control system to automatically manage energy-consuming devices without manual intervention. The control device autonomously detects compartment occupancy status and independently decides whether to reduce or stop energy-consuming devices in each compartment. This self-service capability ensures that energy reduction actions are taken only when appropriate (i.e., when compartments are unoccupied), thereby maintaining service availability and passenger comfort in occupied compartments while reducing overall energy consumption.
3Use of energy by moving object
If compartments are taken out of service to reduce energy consumption, then energy savings increase, but operational flexibility decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains operational flexibility through dynamic control of compartment service status. Rather than permanently taking compartments out of service, the control device dynamically adjusts the operational status of energy-consuming devices based on real-time occupancy detection. This dynamic approach allows compartments to be quickly reactivated when needed, preserving operational flexibility while achieving energy savings during periods of low utilization. The system can adapt to changing passenger demands throughout the journey without requiring permanent service changes.
Data Source
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Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a rail vehicle, having a plurality of passenger compartments (C1, C2, C3), comprising: - at least one energy-consuming device (H, L, I), in particular a heating, ventilating and/or air conditioning system (H), a light system (L) for illuminating the compartment and/or a passenger information system (I), - a passenger number determining device for each compartment and/or an interface for receiving information about the passenger number, - a control device (TC) for controlling the energy-consuming devices wherein - the control device is adapted to control the energy-consuming devices (H, L, I) in such a manner that their energy consumption is reduced or stopped, if the passenger number of the compartment fulfils a first predetermined condition.