Rail Train HVAC Control Using Faulty Sensor Filtering

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing rail trains suffer from inaccurate temperature detection inside carriages due to faulty and false-alarm return air temperature sensors, leading to inadequate temperature control in air conditioning units.

Innovation Solution

A control method and device that identifies and removes faulty and false-alarm return air temperature sensors by detecting deviations and solar radiation effects, using multiple sensors to filter out incorrect data and regulate air conditioning units based on accurate readings.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If multiple return air temperature sensors are installed to improve temperature detection accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature detection accuracyVSAvoidsensor system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the temperature detection function into multiple independent sensors installed at different locations within the return air duct. Each sensor independently detects temperature at its specific position, allowing the system to segment the detection space and identify localized faults or false alarms by comparing readings from different segments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The control device continuously receives temperature data from all sensors, compares the readings, and uses feedback logic to identify faulty or false-alarm sensors. When a sensor reading deviates significantly from others or from expected temperature gradients, the system flags it as faulty and excludes it from control calculations, thereby maintaining accuracy despite increased sensor count.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Measurement precision

If faulty and false-alarm sensors are removed to improve temperature control accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but reliability may worsen due to reduced sensor redundancy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature detection accuracyVSAvoidsystem reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the set of active sensors based on real-time performance evaluation. Sensors are not permanently removed but temporarily excluded from calculations when their readings indicate faults or false alarms. This dynamic reconfiguration maintains reliability by keeping the sensor pool flexible while ensuring only reliable sensors influence control decisions at any given moment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operational status parameter of sensors based on detected anomalies. When a sensor exhibits faulty behavior or false alarms, its weight or inclusion in averaging calculations is adjusted. This parameter change allows the system to adapt to sensor performance variations without physical removal, maintaining both precision and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4682012A1Control method and apparatus for air conditioning unit in rail train
Publication Date: 2026.01.21 CRRC CHANGCHUN RAILWAY VEHICLES CO LTD
  • EP4682012A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4682012A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4682012A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present application provides a control method and apparatus for an air conditioning unit in a rail train. The method comprises: for each air conditioning unit, acquiring return air temperature values measured by a plurality of return air temperature sensors corresponding to the air conditioning unit; on the basis of the return air temperature values measured by the return air temperature sensors, removing the return air temperature value measured by a faulty return air temperature sensor, to obtain the return air temperature values measured by a plurality of first remaining return air temperature sensors; and on the basis of the return air temperature values measured by the plurality of first remaining return air temperature sensors, removing the return air temperature value measured by a false-reporting return air temperature sensor, to obtain the return air temperature value measured by a second remaining return air temperature sensor, to adjust operation parameters of the air conditioning unit. In this way, by sequentially removing the return air temperature value measured by the faulty return air temperature sensor and the return air temperature value measured by the false-reporting return air temperature sensor, the accuracy of compartment temperature measurement can be improved, thereby improving the accuracy of control on air conditioning units.