Rail Vehicle Energy Storage Management Strategy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rail vehicles require reference data from previous journeys to optimize energy management between different energy storage devices, limiting adaptability and efficiency in real-time energy distribution.
Innovation Solution
A rail vehicle equipped with a driving strategy determination device that calculates a driving strategy based on vehicle and route data, including a timetable, to optimize energy distribution between a fast-charging and a slow-charging energy storage device, without the need for prior reference runs, using a charging strategy determination device to manage energy transfer and a vehicle assistance system to ensure compliance with the strategy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If reference data from previous journeys are used to optimize energy management, then energy distribution can be optimized based on historical patterns, but the system lacks adaptability to real-time conditions and requires additional data collection time
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary calculations of the driving strategy based on available route data and vehicle state before the journey begins. The charging strategy is pre-determined by the charging strategy determination device based on the calculated driving strategy, allowing the system to be ready for real-time execution without needing to collect reference data during the journey.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own current state (state of charge of energy storage devices, vehicle mass, route characteristics) to determine the driving and charging strategies, rather than relying on external reference data from other vehicles or previous journeys. This self-service approach enables real-time adaptability while maintaining energy management efficiency.
2Loss of energy
If a complex charging strategy is implemented to optimize energy transfer between storage devices, then energy efficiency improves, but the system complexity and computational requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The energy management system is segmented into two distinct functional devices: a driving strategy determination device that calculates the optimal driving style based on route and vehicle data, and a charging strategy determination device that separately determines the optimal charging strategy based on the driving strategy and energy storage states. This segmentation simplifies the overall system architecture while maintaining comprehensive optimization capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The driving strategy is calculated in advance based on route characteristics, vehicle mass, and energy storage states. The charging strategy is then determined based on this pre-calculated driving strategy, allowing both strategies to be optimized without real-time computational complexity during vehicle operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If real-time driving strategy calculation is performed without reference runs, then adaptability to current conditions improves, but the precision of energy optimization may be reduced compared to systems using historical data
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors the actual state of charge of the energy storage devices during vehicle operation and compares it with the planned charging strategy. If deviations are detected, the system can recalculate and adjust the driving and charging strategies in real-time, ensuring both adaptability and optimization precision are maintained throughout the journey.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts key parameters such as the driving style (acceleration, speed profiles), charging power levels, and energy transfer rates based on current vehicle conditions, route characteristics, and energy storage states. This parameter optimization enables precise energy management without requiring historical reference data.
4Ease of operation
If the vehicle driver manually controls the vehicle without assistance, then operational simplicity is maintained, but deviations from the optimal driving strategy increase, reducing energy efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
A vehicle assistance device is introduced as an intermediary between the driver and the vehicle controls. This device provides the driver with guidance information based on the calculated driving strategy, enabling the driver to operate the vehicle simply while still adhering to the energy-optimized driving profile. The assistance device translates complex optimization algorithms into simple, actionable guidance for the driver.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates, inter alia, to a vehicle (10), in particular a rail vehicle, with at least one first and one second energy storage device (ES1, ES2), of which the first energy storage device (ES1) can be charged and discharged during travel and can provide energy (E) faster than the second energy storage device (ES2) when energy demand increases. According to the invention, the vehicle has a driving strategy determination device (30) which, based on at least vehicle data (FD) and route data (SD), calculates a driving strategy (FS) that determines the driving behavior of the vehicle (10) over time and defines the target driving behavior of the vehicle (10) over time in a next route segment extending to a next destination, wherein the vehicle data (FD) describes the vehicle (10) and the route data (SD) describes the next route segment, and the vehicle (10) has a charging strategy determination device (40).The vehicle determines a charging strategy (LS) for the journey to the next destination based on the driving strategy determined by the driving strategy determination device (30), which specifies the charging of the first energy storage device (ES1) during the journey with energy (E) from the second energy storage device (ES2), and the driving strategy determination device (30) is connected to or forms part of a vehicle assistance device (50) which acoustically and/or visually displays vehicle control data (FSD) to the driver of the vehicle (10) based on the driving strategy (FS) determined by the driving strategy determination device (30), enabling the driver to control the vehicle (10) in compliance with the driving strategy (FS) of the driving strategy determination device (30).