Rail Process Data Transmission via Configurable Bus and Diagnostics

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems require time-consuming and costly software re-approvals and installations for changes in process data transmission between rail vehicles and stationary control points, hindering rapid adaptation to changing requirements and system modifications.

Innovation Solution

A configurable data processing system is implemented on the rail vehicle and diagnostic server, allowing for flexible transmission and processing of process data without requiring new software approvals, utilizing Ethernet, CAN, and MVB bus-bound transmission options, with configurable data processing modules and storage systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If dedicated software with software approval is used for process data transmission, then transmission reliability is ensured, but any change in process data requires time-consuming and costly re-approval and re-installation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesoftware approvalVSAvoidsoftware re-approval time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system separates the process data configuration from the core transmission software. The configurable connection allows process data parameters to be modified independently without changing the approved software, dividing the system into fixed (approved software) and flexible (configurable data) parts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables changes in process data parameters (such as sensor selections, value ranges, sampling intervals) through configuration rather than software modification. This allows parameter adaptation while maintaining the same approved software binary.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Stability of the object's composition

If dedicated software with software approval is used for process data transmission, then transmission stability is maintained, but adaptation to changing requirements becomes slow and expensive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesoftware stabilityVSAvoidprocess data adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides functionality into stable core software (which remains approved and unchanged) and flexible configuration data (which can be adapted). This segmentation maintains software stability while enabling process data adaptability through configurable connections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The configurable connection introduces dynamic adaptability to the otherwise static approved software. Process data parameters can be changed dynamically through configuration without requiring software re-compilation or re-approval, enabling the system to adapt to changing requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If software changes are made to accommodate new sensor technology or functions, then system functionality is improved, but installation time and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor technology integrationVSAvoidinstallation speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

New sensor technology and functions are integrated by changing configuration parameters rather than modifying software code. The configurable connection allows new sensors, value ranges, and processing functions to be added through configuration data, enabling rapid deployment without installation delays.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of installing new software for each modification, the system uses configuration copies or templates that can be rapidly deployed. The configurable connection allows replication of data processing patterns across different sensors and functions without repeating the software approval process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentEP4444595B1Arrangement for the transmission of process data
Publication Date: 2025.11.12 SIEMENS MOBILITY GMBH
  • EP4444595B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4444595B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4444595B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to an arrangement for the transmission of process data, having a rail vehicle (SFZ) and a control entity referred to as landside (LS). The rail vehicle (SFZ) has sensors (SEN1, SEN2), a controller (STG) and a diagnostics server (DIAGS). Sensor measured values determined on the rail vehicle are transmitted to the controller (STG) as process data. The controller (STG) has a configurable data processing system (DATV-STG) to prepare process data of a selected sensor (SEN1, SEN2) for transmission to the diagnostics server (DIAGS). The controller (STG) is connected to the diagnostics server (DIAGS) via a configurable connection (VERB-STG-DIAGS) for the purpose of process data transmission. This connection has bus-linked transmission options (Eth, CAN, MVB), one of which can be selected during the configuration. The diagnostics server (DIAGS) has a configurable data repository (DATH-DIAGS) and a configurable data processing system (DATV-DIAGS). Read-in process data is processed on the basis of functions (F1, F2, CONT) by these configurations. The process data processed in this way then reaches the landside (LS). The rail vehicle configurations can be adjusted from the landside (LS).