Rail Vehicle Positioning via Marking Detection and Satellite Navigation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for monitoring the position of rail-bound vehicles, such as magnetic levitation railways, face challenges with high interference and high operational costs due to the need for precise encoding on measuring strips, and satellite-based navigation systems provide insufficient accuracy for precise location determination.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus separates the functions of recording and identifying markings, using simple yes/no information on markings that can be detected reliably at high speeds, and employs commercially available satellite navigation systems with reduced accuracy demands, allowing for precise and interference-free location determination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If binary coded position information is recorded on measuring strips, then precise position information is obtained, but interference and noise increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveposition information accuracyVSAvoidinterference and noise

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The position determination function is segmented into two independent parts: (1) simple marking presence/absence detection on the measuring strip, and (2) satellite-based navigation for precise position calculation. This segmentation allows the marking system to use simple binary information (reducing interference) while the navigation system provides the required precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Satellite-based navigation systems serve as an intermediary between the simple markings and the required precise position information. The navigation system receives basic marking data and transforms it into accurate position signals, mediating between the simple marking system and the precision requirement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If high-precision encoding is used on measuring strips, then accurate position determination is achieved, but operational effort and expense increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveposition determination accuracyVSAvoidoperative effort and expense

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces expensive, complex high-precision encoding markings with simple, inexpensive markings that only indicate presence or absence. The cost and complexity of precise position determination are shifted to using commercially available satellite navigation receivers instead of complex marking systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The marking system is simplified to provide only basic presence/absence information, while satellite navigation receivers (designed for other purposes) are utilized to provide precise position determination. This multi-functionality approach uses off-the-shelf navigation technology to fulfill the precision requirement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If measuring strips with binary coding are used, then precise position and time data are obtained, but the embodiment and assembly become time-consuming and expensive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveposition and time data accuracyVSAvoidmarking assembly simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of encoding precise position information directly into complex markings, the system uses simple marking patterns that are copied from standard templates. The precise position information is not embedded in the markings themselves but is derived through satellite navigation, making the marking manufacturing process much simpler and faster.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

4Area of stationary object

If satellite navigation systems are used for position determination, then coverage area is expanded, but measurement accuracy is insufficient for long-stator linear motors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenavigation coverage areaVSAvoidposition accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary positioning using satellite navigation to get approximate position data, then uses this information in conjunction with simple marking detection to refine the position determination. The satellite navigation provides a preliminary framework that guides the more precise local marking-based determination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS8118266B2Apparatus for generating position signals for rail-bound vehicles, in particular magnetic levitation vehicles

Publication Date: 2012.02.21 THYSSENKRUPP TRANSRAPID GMBH

AI summary

An apparatus generates position signals to indicate the position of a rail-bound vehicle along a travel way throughout which travel way many markings are located. The apparatus includes at least one sensor located on the vehicle for scanning the markings and outputting signals and an evaluation unit that is connected to the sensor for generating the position signals by evaluating the signals generated by the sensor by scanning the markings. When the vehicle passes a marking, the sensor outputs a “marking present” signal and otherwise outputs a “marking absent” signal. The vehicle has a receiver of a navigation system that is connected to the evaluation unit and outputs current location signals. The evaluation unit is connected to a memory device (20) for storing position data associated with the markings, where, upon receiving each “marking present” signal, the evaluation unit outputs a position signal associated with the marking based on a comparison of the current location signal and the memory-stored position data.