Standby Power Supply Monitoring for Rail Vehicle DC Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Rail vehicles face reliability issues due to potential failures in current or voltage supply, which can compromise safe operation and require rapid safety measures.
Innovation Solution
A standby power supply device connected between the converter and internal DC network, along with a monitoring device processing control signals for DC voltage, output voltage, and stored energy state, generates state signals to detect component failures and trigger safety measures like emergency braking if necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a standby power supply device is connected between the converter and internal DC network with independent metrological detection of DC voltage and output voltage, then reliability of failure detection is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a monitoring device as an intermediary component that independently detects the DC voltage from the converter and the output voltage from the standby power supply device. This mediator processes multiple control signals (first control signal for DC voltage, second control signal for output voltage, third control signal for state of charge) and generates state signals to specify the state of the electrical assembly. The monitoring device acts as a mediator between the power supply components and the control system, enabling reliable failure detection without directly modifying the converter or standby power supply device architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the monitoring device continuously monitors the DC voltage, output voltage, and state of charge, then generates state signals that are fed back to specify the state of the electrical assembly. This feedback loop enables real-time detection of component failures and allows higher-level vehicle assistance devices or on-board control devices to take safety measures. The feedback principle is embodied in the processing of at least three control signals and generation of state signals that trigger emergency actions when critical states are detected.
2Loss of time
If the monitoring device processes three control signals and generates state signals for rapid safety measures, then response time to failures is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring the monitoring device to process multiple control signals simultaneously and generate state signals based on predefined criteria. The monitoring device is designed in advance to evaluate the first control signal (DC voltage), second control signal (output voltage), and third control signal (state of charge) and immediately generate appropriate state signals when failures are detected. This preliminary preparation of the monitoring logic enables rapid response without requiring complex real-time decision algorithms during actual failure events.
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring device implements immediate feedback by continuously processing control signals and generating state signals that trigger emergency actions without time delay. When the monitoring device detects a critical state through its signal processing, it generates corresponding state signals that can immediately trigger emergency braking or other safety measures through higher-level vehicle assistance devices. This feedback mechanism minimizes response time by eliminating intermediate decision-making steps.
3Reliability
If the converter is designed with reliable isolation to prevent overvoltages and faults, then safety of internal DC network is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The converter is designed with an intermediary isolation mechanism that prevents direct electrical connection between the external supply network and the internal DC network. This isolation barrier acts as a mediator that blocks the transmission of overvoltages, faults, and impermissible voltage spikes from the external network to the safety-loaded internal DC network. The isolation design simplifies manufacturing compared to complex active protection circuits while maintaining high safety standards through passive electrical isolation.
Solution Approach 2:
The converter design transforms the potential harm of external supply network faults into a benefit by using the isolation mechanism to convert harmful overvoltages and faults into blocked signals that cannot reach the internal DC network. The isolation design converts what would be harmful voltage transients and faults into safe, contained electrical events that are prevented from affecting the internal system, thereby improving safety without requiring complex active protection systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle includes a converter with a connection on the input side for a vehicle-integrated or vehicle-external supply network and which can generate a DC voltage on the output side; and an internal DC network which can be operated using the DC voltage of the converter. A standby power supply device is connected between the converter and the internal DC network. The input voltage of the standby power supply device is formed directly or indirectly by the DC voltage of the converter and the standby power supply device feeds its input voltage or alternatively an auxiliary operating voltage supplied by a stored energy source into the internal DC network as output voltage. The vehicle has a monitoring device which is configured to process at least three control signals.