Rail Vehicle Light Module Control for Flexible Installation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current rail vehicle lighting systems require significant effort for electrical installation and are inflexible in adapting to different vehicle types, with uneven illumination in emergency power mode and limited individual control over luminosity levels.

Innovation Solution

A rail vehicle lighting module with a control device that sets luminous intensities based on input signals, allowing for multiple luminosity levels, easy reconfiguration, and integration with various energy sources, including emergency lighting, without the need for power electronics on the vehicle side, and enabling plug-and-play connectivity of modules.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If individual lights are assigned to different circuits with permanent wiring, then redundancy in the event of a fault is improved, but the effort for electrical installation and reconfiguration increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveredundancyVSAvoidelectrical installation effort
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The lighting system is divided into modular lighting modules that can be independently installed and configured. Each module contains its own control unit and can be assigned to different circuits through software configuration rather than permanent physical wiring, maintaining redundancy while simplifying installation and reconfiguration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The circuit assignment of lighting modules is made dynamic and reconfigurable through control signals and software settings rather than fixed permanent wiring. This allows the system to adapt circuit assignments based on operational requirements while maintaining fault redundancy, eliminating the need for complex hardwired connections

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of manufacture

If lighting modules are permanently wired to specific circuits, then circuit assignment is simplified, but adaptability to different vehicle types and reconfiguration becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecircuit assignmentVSAvoidadaptability to different vehicle types
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The lighting modules are equipped with reconfigurable control units that can be dynamically assigned to different circuits and lighting scenarios through software configuration. This dynamic assignment capability allows the same hardware to be adapted to different vehicle types and operational requirements without complex rewiring, while maintaining simple initial circuit assignment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The lighting modules are designed as universal components that can function in multiple circuits and configurations. Through software-based control and configuration, a single module type can serve different vehicle types and lighting requirements, eliminating the need for vehicle-specific hardware variations while maintaining simple installation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If some lights are fed from emergency power supply, then emergency lighting capability is improved, but illumination uniformity in emergency power mode deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveemergency lighting capabilityVSAvoidillumination uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The lighting system dynamically adjusts the operational state of individual modules based on power supply availability. In emergency mode, the control units receive corresponding control signals that enable seamless switching and coordinated operation of modules on different power supplies, maintaining uniform illumination while preserving emergency lighting capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The control units continuously monitor the operational state and power supply status of lighting modules. This feedback mechanism enables the system to detect which modules are powered by emergency supply and coordinate their operation to maintain uniform illumination across the passenger compartment while preserving emergency lighting functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

4Measurement precision

If multiple control signals are required for luminosity control, then lighting control precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveluminosity control precisionVSAvoidcontrol circuitry complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex physical control circuitry with electronic control units that process control signals digitally. The control units receive control signals and convert them into appropriate dimming commands for the light sources, achieving precise luminosity control while minimizing the need for complex power electronics and control circuitry on the vehicle side

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables flexible and efficient lighting control with minimal installation effort, maintaining standard illuminance levels and allowing for adaptive lighting scenarios, including emergency modes, with seamless module connection and adjustable color and intensity.

Implementation Method 1

at least one light source (L) arranged in a housing (10)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight emission from light source: Light Emitting Diode

Data Source

PatentEP2691266B1Rail vehicle light module
Publication Date: 2015.09.02 SIEMENS AG OESTERR
  • EP2691266B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

The invention relates to a rail vehicle light module (100) comprising at least one illuminant, at least one input for electrical power supply (V1, V2), one control device and at least one electrical control input (N, L1, L2, L3), wherein the signals on the at least one control input (N, L1, L2, L3) are conducted to the control device, and the control device is designed to adjust the respective control signal states to the corresponding lighting strengths of the at least one illuminant.