Rail Vehicle Driving Assistance via Recorded Driver Behavior

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current driving assistance systems for vehicles, such as trains, are inefficient in reducing energy consumption as they do not account for the specificities of a journey, requiring extensive data measurement and complex simulations, leading to increased energy use, cost, and wear on vehicle components.

Innovation Solution

A method that involves an acquisition phase to determine and store driving instructions based on actual driver behavior, allowing for assistance phase guidance using stored data on vehicle location and energy consumption, enabling energy-efficient driving without the need for extensive data measurement or complex simulations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If simulation-based driving assistance systems are used to account for journey specificities, then energy consumption is reduced, but device complexity and setup cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a digital copy of optimal driving behavior by recording actual driver actions (acceleration, braking, throttling) and their corresponding energy consumption outcomes. This copied behavioral data is stored and reused for similar journey conditions, eliminating the need for complex simulation systems while achieving energy efficiency through proven human driving patterns.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables drivers to contribute to the knowledge base through their own driving actions. Each driver's behavior is automatically recorded and added to the collective experience repository, allowing the system to self-improve and expand its library of optimal driving patterns without requiring external data collection infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Measurement precision

If extensive data measurement and simulation are performed to account for journey specificities, then driving assistance accuracy is improved, but loss of time and implementation cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedriving assistance accuracyVSAvoidsetup time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary data collection during normal driving operations, continuously building the knowledge base in the background. By the time specific journey conditions are encountered, the optimal driving instructions have already been recorded and are immediately available, eliminating the need for time-consuming pre-trip setup or simulation processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements continuous feedback loops where driving instructions are issued, executed, and their energy consumption outcomes are measured and stored. This feedback mechanism automatically refines the knowledge base with real-world performance data, improving accuracy over time without requiring manual intervention or extensive measurement campaigns.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of operation

If speed regulator systems are used to maintain predetermined speed, then speed control is simplified, but energy consumption increases due to ignoring journey specificities

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespeed control simplicityVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from static speed maintenance to dynamic speed optimization by selecting driving instructions based on current journey conditions matching historical patterns. The recommended instructions dynamically adjust acceleration, braking, and throttling actions based on the specific route, terrain, and traffic conditions encountered, achieving energy efficiency while maintaining operational simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2708438B1Method and system for assisting with the driving of a rail-guided vehicle
Publication Date: 2018.02.14 SNCF MOBILITES
  • EP2708438B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2708438B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2708438B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The method involves iterating an acquisition phase (100). A control instruction is indicated (106) to a vehicle by a driver to meet a predetermined speed. Energy consumption of the vehicle to carry out the control instruction is determined (118). The vehicle at the time of indication consigns is localized. An indication of the control instruction in an assistance phase is stored for driving function. The location of the vehicle is localized with respect to nature and the localization of the control instruction. An independent claim is also included for a system for assisting driving of a vehicle.