Rail Vehicle Sensor Fault Detection via Kinematic Reference
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing diagnostic methods for rail vehicles fail to accurately identify faults in sensors, particularly in assigning measurement errors to specific sensors, leading to potential safety and reliability issues.
Innovation Solution
A method that forms reference and test value sets by establishing kinematic relationships between multiple measuring points and a reference point, allowing for the detection of faults in sensors by comparing these sets, thereby eliminating the need for separate test devices and enhancing safety and availability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional sensor diagnostic methods are used, then measurement errors can be detected, but the ability to accurately assign errors to specific sensors is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a reference sensor as an intermediary element to mediate the diagnostic process. The reference sensor provides a baseline measurement that serves as a mediator for comparing and evaluating the status of other sensors, enabling more precise fault identification without requiring direct access to each sensor's internal state
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the measurement system by calculating expected sensor values based on kinematic relationships and comparing them with actual sensor readings. This copying approach allows diagnostic evaluation without physically duplicating sensors, maintaining system reliability while improving diagnostic precision
2Reliability
If separate test devices are used for each sensor, then diagnostic accuracy improves, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the existing sensor system multi-functional by enabling it to perform both its primary measurement function and its own diagnostic function. The sensors serve dual purposes: measuring physical quantities and providing self-diagnostic data through inter-sensor comparison, eliminating the need for separate dedicated test devices
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor system performs self-diagnosis by using its own members to evaluate each other's functionality. The sensors serve themselves diagnostically through mutual comparison and validation, reducing dependency on external diagnostic equipment and simplifying the overall system architecture
3Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are used for mutual monitoring, then fault detection capability improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the diagnostic function from the measurement function, allowing each sensor to maintain its primary measurement role while collectively providing diagnostic capabilities. This segmentation prevents the diagnostic system from becoming a separate complex subsystem, instead integrating diagnostics into the existing sensor architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the diagnostic function with the existing sensor system by combining measurement and self-diagnosis capabilities into a unified architecture. The evaluation unit integrates data from multiple sensors to perform both measurement and diagnostic functions simultaneously, reducing overall system complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A method and device for the diagnosing and monitoring vehicle components, wherein measurements with respect to a first measuring point, a second measuring point, a third measuring point and a fourth measuring point are performed and a first measured value set, a second measured value set, a third measured value set and a fourth measured value set are formed, where a reference value set is determined with respect to a reference point via the first measured value set, the second measured value set and the third measured value set, where a test value set is formed with respect to the fourth measuring point via the reference value set, and where a fault in or damage to the fourth sensor is detected by comparing the test value set with the fourth measured value set such that a high level of availability when used by a vehicle is achieved.