Railway Door Platform Detection Using Multi-Sensor Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing door control systems for railway vehicles often incorrectly identify objects other than platforms as platforms, leading to unnecessary door closure, such as poles or technical boxes, which poses no danger to passengers.

Innovation Solution

The system employs at least two distinct detection devices with multiple sensors each, capable of emitting waves of different frequencies, to confirm the presence of a platform by ensuring consistent distance measurements from multiple sensors, thereby preventing incorrect platform identification and allowing door opening only when a platform is confirmed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a single detection device is used to detect platform presence, then the door opening control is simplified and responds quickly, but the reliability of platform identification deteriorates because objects like poles or technical boxes are incorrectly identified as platforms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveplatform identification reliabilityVSAvoiddetection system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The detection system is segmented into multiple independent detection devices (at least two) positioned at different locations. Each device independently detects objects and provides distance measurements. This segmentation allows the system to cross-validate detections and distinguish true platforms from false objects like poles or technical boxes by comparing results from multiple vantage points.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The control system incorporates feedback from multiple detection devices to verify platform presence. The control means receives detection signals from at least two detection devices and uses this feedback to confirm whether an object is truly a platform before authorizing door opening. This feedback mechanism eliminates incorrect identifications while maintaining reliable control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If multiple detection devices are used to verify platform presence, then the reliability of door control improves by distinguishing platforms from other objects, but the device complexity and response time worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedoor control reliabilityVSAvoiddoor opening response time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The detection devices continuously monitor the area in front of the vehicle and pre-process detection data before the door opening sequence is initiated. By performing preliminary detection and verification actions, the system has detection results ready when the vehicle stops, eliminating the need for time-consuming verification during the door opening sequence itself.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes detection parameters such as frequency thresholds and distance measurement criteria to optimize the balance between reliability and response time. By adjusting these parameters, the system can quickly filter out false detections while maintaining high reliability in platform identification, thus reducing the time loss associated with multiple verification steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

This approach enhances the reliability of door control by accurately distinguishing platforms from other objects, allowing safe opening of doors when a platform is present and preventing opening when not, thus ensuring passenger safety.

Implementation Method 1

These detection means are generally adapted to emit pulses in a volume located above the working plane. Any obstacles, for example a platform, present in this volume return an echo corresponding to each pulse emitted.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEcho: Echo

Implementation Method 2

The detection means are also suitable for measuring the duration between the emission of a pulse and the reception of its echo returned by the obstacle. This duration makes it possible in particular to determine the distance between the obstacle and the transceiver.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTime of Flight: Time of Flight

Data Source

PatentEP2907721B1Device for controlling the opening of at least one door of a railway vehicle, vehicle comprising such a device and related control method
Publication Date: 2020.06.10 ALSTOM TRANSPORT TECH SAS
  • EP2907721B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP2907721B1 patent drawingFigure 4
  • EP2907721B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

This control device for opening at least one door of a railway vehicle, comprising means for controlling the opening of the doors, is characterized in that: - the control device comprises at least one detection unit (40), each detection unit (40) being associated with a respective door, each detection unit (40) comprising at least two devices for detecting the presence of a platform in a detection zone (35) opposite the corresponding door; - each of the detection units (40) is capable of emitting a platform detection signal towards the control means when at least two of the detection devices detect the presence of a platform in the detection zone (35); - the control means are configured to allow the opening of the door in the event of receipt of said platform detection signal.