Rail Vehicle Drive Mode Changeover Using Virtual Telegrams
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rail vehicle systems face challenges in managing flexible changeovers between different drive modes, particularly when trackside beacons are not installed, as they are unreliable and inflexible, and solely relying on GPS or tachometer information lacks the reliability of beacon infrastructure.
Innovation Solution
An onboard system that combines trackside beacon signals with a tracking system to generate 'virtual' changeover telegrams, allowing for flexible and reliable changeovers between various drive modes by using a train management system, signalling equipment, and a tracking system to identify and store predetermined positions, thereby prioritizing beacon and tracking data for seamless transitions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If trackside electronic beacons are used to signal changeovers, then reliability of changeover detection is improved, but adaptability to different drive modes and flexible changeover patterns is worsened due to fixed beacon positions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary component - the onboard system with tracking system and virtual telegram generation capability - that mediates between the fixed beacon infrastructure and the flexible changeover requirements. The tracking system continuously monitors train position and generates virtual changeover telegrams at appropriate locations, acting as a bridge that translates fixed beacon signals into flexible onboard control decisions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts changeover timing and location based on real-time train position data from the tracking system. Instead of being constrained by fixed beacon positions, the onboard system can dynamically determine optimal changeover points by comparing actual train position with stored predetermined positions, enabling flexible adaptation to different operational requirements while maintaining reliability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If solely GPS or tachometer information is used for changeovers, then adaptability and flexibility are improved, but reliability is worsened due to lack of dependable trackside beacon infrastructure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges two previously separate systems - the trackside beacon infrastructure and the onboard tracking system - into a unified changeover control system. The onboard system combines information from both sources: it receives actual changeover telegrams from beacons when available and supplements them with virtual telegrams generated from tracking data, creating a hybrid system that leverages the reliability of beacons and the flexibility of tracking.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by continuously obtaining tracking data and identifying when updated train positions coincide with predetermined track positions before actual changeovers are needed. This allows the system to prepare and generate virtual changeover telegrams in advance, ensuring reliable changeover execution even when physical beacons are absent.
3Adaptability or versatility
If existing systems are upgraded to support flexible changeovers, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity and upgrade cost are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The signalling equipment is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a beacon receiver for detecting actual changeover telegrams and as a tracking system interface for generating virtual changeover telegrams. This universal design allows the same equipment to handle both traditional beacon-based operations and new flexible changeover requirements, reducing the need for separate dedicated systems and minimizing upgrade complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
An onboard system is provided for operating a rail vehicle having plural drive modes powered by respective power sources, and further having train equipment to implement respective changeovers from any one of the drive modes to any other of the drive modes. The onboard system has a train management system configured to issue command signals to the train equipment to implement the changeovers. The onboard system further has signalling equipment configured to send changeover telegrams to the train management system, the changeover telegrams alerting the train management system that the rail vehicle is at a track position at which a changeover from one of the drive modes to another of the drive modes should be made. The signalling equipment further being configured to store predetermined track positions at which said changeovers should be made. The onboard system further has a beacon reader configured to detect changeover telegrams from trackside electronic beacons and to send the detected changeover telegrams to the signalling equipment. The onboard system further has a tracking system configured to obtain tracking data which are updated rail vehicle positions or which are data from which updated rail vehicle positions are derivable by the signalling equipment, and to send the tracking data to the signalling equipment. The signalling equipment is further configured: to relay the changeover telegrams from the beacon reader on to the train management system, to identify updated rail vehicle positions that coincide with any of the stored predetermined track positions, to generate further changeover telegrams on the basis of the identified rail vehicle positions, and to send the further changeover telegrams on to the train management system.