Rail Vehicle Delay Control for Uniform Deceleration

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing deceleration control systems for rail vehicles suffer from indeterminacy and underdetermination, leading to control variable drift and frictional inconsistencies between rail vehicles, which can be exacerbated by sensor tolerance issues and varying communication times, especially in decentralized systems.

Innovation Solution

A multi-variable delay control device and system that incorporates a delay controller and a manipulated variable controller to form a total control variable, which is fed into a control loop and feedback loop, with additional units for braking force determination and distribution, allowing for independent control of each rail vehicle unit while minimizing drift and frictional inconsistencies.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If a decentralized deceleration control system is used for each rail vehicle unit, then the control response time is improved and communication delays are reduced, but the control variables may drift apart due to sensor tolerances and system indeterminacy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol response timeVSAvoidcontrol variable consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where control variables from multiple rail vehicle units are continuously monitored and fed back to a central control entity. This feedback loop enables detection of control variable drift caused by sensor tolerances and allows for corrective actions to maintain consistency across the train consist, thus resolving the reliability issue while preserving the fast response advantage of decentralized control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The control system is segmented into decentralized control units at each rail vehicle and a central coordination entity. Each segment operates independently with fast local response, while the central entity ensures overall consistency through coordination algorithms. This segmentation allows the system to benefit from both fast local response and global coherence.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If a centralized deceleration control system is used for the entire train consist, then control variable consistency is improved, but communication time increases and control dynamics are negatively impacted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol variable consistencyVSAvoidcommunication time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by allowing each rail vehicle unit to have its own decentralized control unit that operates independently with local sensor data. This local autonomy provides fast response times, while a central coordination layer ensures overall consistency. The system thus achieves both fast local response and global coherence without the communication delays of fully centralized control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If tolerance bands are applied to prevent control variable drift, then control variable consistency is improved, but control accuracy is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol variable consistencyVSAvoidcontrol accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic adjustment of control variables through continuous feedback and coordination algorithms. Rather than applying static tolerance bands that reduce accuracy, the system dynamically adapts control variables based on real-time conditions, maintaining both consistency and high control accuracy. The dynamic coordination allows for precise control while preventing drift through active management rather than passive tolerance accommodation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Reliability

If control variable limits are implemented to prevent drift, then control variable consistency is improved, but frictional equilibrium between rail vehicles is disrupted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol variable consistencyVSAvoidfrictional inconsistencies
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The feedback mechanism continuously monitors control variables and their effects on frictional forces between rail vehicles. When control variables approach limits that would disrupt frictional equilibrium, the feedback loop detects this and adjusts control variables to maintain both consistency and frictional balance. This active feedback control prevents the harmful effects of arbitrary limits while maintaining control variable consistency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4377172B1Multivariable delay control device for a rail vehicle unit, multivariable delay control system for a rail vehicle unit or a train unit, and method for delay control of a rail vehicle unit of a rail vehicle
Publication Date: 2026.02.25 KNORR BREMSE SYST FUR SCHIENENFAHRZEUGE GMBH
  • EP4377172B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4377172B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4377172B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present invention relates to a multivariable delay control device (10) for a rail vehicle unit (1), comprising: - a delay controller (20), which is configured to determine a delay controller manipulated variable (ua,1) for the rail vehicle unit (1); and - a manipulated variable controller (30), which is configured to determine a manipulated variable controller manipulated variable (uc,1) for the rail vehicle unit (1); wherein the multivariable delay control device (10) is configured to form a total manipulated variable (u1) for the rail vehicle unit (1) from the delay controller manipulated variable (ua,1) and the manipulated variable controller manipulated variable (uc,1) and to feed the total manipulated variable (u1) to a control path (21, 22, 23) for a braking force generation unit (40) and to a return line (31, 32, 33) to the manipulated variable controller (30).