Rail Vehicle Locking Circuit for Unauthorized Drive Enable Blocking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Rail vehicles lack effective and cost-efficient protection against unauthorized access due to varying and often outdated security mechanisms, with existing remote control systems lacking protection against abusive actions and requiring significant effort and cost to adapt or retrofit.
Innovation Solution
A secure release system that authenticates authorized personnel using a local release device connected via a binary connection, with a release code decoder initiating switch closure only after valid authentication, including time and personal identification verification, integrated into the rail vehicle's electrical control circuits to prevent unauthorized control of drive and high-voltage components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If standardized remote control concepts are used for rail vehicles, then ease of operation is improved, but security against unauthorized access deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
An authentication system is introduced as an intermediary between the operator and the vehicle control systems. The system includes authentication devices that verify the operator's identity and authorization level before allowing remote control access, thereby maintaining ease of operation while significantly improving security against unauthorized access
Solution Approach 2:
Authentication is performed as a preliminary action before granting access to vehicle control functions. The system verifies credentials and authorization in advance, establishing security protocols before the actual remote control operation begins, thus preventing unauthorized access while preserving operational convenience
2Reliability
If existing protective mechanisms are adapted or retrofitted to meet current safety standards, then security is improved, but manufacturing cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The authentication system is designed with universal interfaces and protocols that can be integrated into both new and existing rail vehicle platforms. The system can authenticate multiple types of operators (drivers, maintenance personnel, remote operators) and control various vehicle functions through a single unified architecture, reducing retrofit complexity and cost while meeting current safety standards
Solution Approach 2:
The authentication system is segmented into modular components including authentication devices, verification modules, and control interface elements. This segmentation allows for incremental implementation and retrofitting into existing vehicles without requiring complete system replacement, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity and cost while achieving improved security
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a rail vehicle (1) containing a vehicle control system (8). The vehicle control system (8) is connected to a drive enable device (9) which controls drive components for the operation of the rail vehicle (1). The vehicle control system (8) is connected to a high-voltage enable device (10) which controls high-voltage components for the operation of the rail vehicle (1). The rail vehicle (1) contains a locking device (4.3) comprising controllable switches (4.3.1 to 4.3.4). A first switch (4.3.1) is interposed between the vehicle control system (8) and the drive enable device (9) so that the control of the drive components can be prevented when the first switch (4.3.1) is open and executed when the first switch (4.3.1) is closed. A second switch (4.3.2) is interposed between the vehicle control system (8) and the high-voltage enable device (10) so that the control of the high-voltage components can be prevented when the second switch (4.3.2) is open and executed when the second switch (4.3.2) is closed. In order to control the switches (4.3.1 to 4.3.4), the locking device (4.3) is connected to an enable device (4.1, 4.2) which closes the switches (4.3.1 to 4.3.4) after an authorised person has been authenticated.