Rail Propulsion Inverter Layout for Mixed Vehicle Unit Configurations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric drive systems for rail vehicles with fixed chassis structures are inefficient in adapting to varying vehicle configurations, leading to overpowered or underutilized motor and inverter components, which complicates cost optimization and flexibility in meeting performance requirements.
Innovation Solution
An electric drive system with a mixed motor-inverter configuration, where each vehicle unit can have a unique motor-inverter setup, allowing for flexible adaptation to different vehicle lengths and performance characteristics, utilizing identical motors and inverters for high utilization and cost-effectiveness, and incorporating mixed cooling systems for efficient thermal management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a uniform motor-inverter configuration is used across all vehicle units, then the system structure is simplified and easier to manufacture, but the system cannot adapt to different vehicle configurations leading to overpowered or underutilized components
Solution Approach 1:
The drive system is segmented into independent vehicle units, each capable of having its own motor-inverter configuration. This allows each unit to be optimized independently for its specific function and performance requirements, while maintaining overall system simplicity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
Different vehicle units within the same rail vehicle are assigned different motor-inverter configurations based on their specific requirements. For example, leading units may have different configurations than trailing units, optimizing each location's performance while adapting to the overall vehicle configuration.
2Device complexity
If the rail vehicle is designed with a fixed chassis structure, then manufacturing is simplified, but the drive system cannot be optimized for different vehicle lengths and configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The motor-inverter configuration is made dynamic and adjustable based on the actual vehicle configuration. The system can adapt its power distribution and control strategies according to the number of vehicle units coupled together, allowing optimization for different vehicle lengths without changing the basic chassis structure.
3Ease of manufacture
If existing portfolio components are combined with a specific motor configuration, then cost optimization is achieved, but performance requirements cannot be fully met for all vehicle configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses parameter changes in the motor-inverter configuration to balance cost and performance. By adjusting the ratio of motors to inverters and their distribution across vehicle units, the system can meet different performance requirements while maintaining cost-effectiveness through standardized component portfolios.
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
AI summary
The present invention relates to an electric drive system (14) for a rail vehicle (10), wherein the rail vehicle (10) has at least two independently driveable vehicle units (12), wherein the vehicle units (12) can each be driven by at least one motor (18) and the at least one motor (18) is supplied by an inverter (16) in a motor-inverter configuration that describes the ratio of the motors (18) per inverter (16), wherein at least two different independently driveable vehicle units (12) have a different motor-inverter configuration.