Train Braking Control Using Deceleration Feedback for Precise Stops

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing train stop control systems face accuracy issues due to discrepancies between predicted and actual vehicle characteristics, leading to suboptimal deceleration and reduced stop control performance, especially when there are temporary increases in load beyond the compensating device's limits.

Innovation Solution

A train control system that dynamically adjusts the brake notch pattern to match the actual deceleration of the train by comparing the target speed pattern with real-time speed changes, allowing for accurate stop control at the target position by adjusting the braking force accordingly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If fixed position stop control is executed using target speed pattern calculated based on vehicle characteristic data, then the train can stop at the target stop point, but stop control accuracy deteriorates when there is large error between characteristic set and actual vehicle characteristic

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestop control accuracyVSAvoidprediction accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system measures actual deceleration during train operation and feeds this information back to correct the brake notch pattern. The correction amount is calculated based on the difference between actual and predicted deceleration, thereby improving stop control accuracy despite initial errors in vehicle characteristic data

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically changes the brake notch pattern parameters based on measured actual deceleration. By adjusting the brake notch pattern correction amount according to actual vehicle characteristics observed during operation, the system adapts to discrepancies between predicted and actual vehicle behavior

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Quantity of substance

If temporary increase in boarding rate exceeds the limit of load compensating device, then more passengers can be accommodated, but actual deceleration becomes smaller than predicted deceleration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveboarding rateVSAvoiddeceleration accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously measures actual deceleration and compares it with predicted deceleration. When temporary increases in boarding rate cause actual deceleration to differ from predictions, the feedback mechanism calculates a correction amount to compensate for the discrepancy, maintaining accurate stop control despite varying load conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3778290B1Train control system and train control method
Publication Date: 2023.12.06 HITACHI LTD
  • EP3778290B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3778290B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3778290B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A train control system having provided therein: a speed detection unit that detects the current speed of a train; a position detection unit that detects the current position of the train; a calculation unit that calculates a speed difference indicating the difference between the current speed of the train and a speed specified on the basis of target speed information and the current position of the train, said target speed information defining the relationship between the train speed and the distance to a target stop point indicating a target point for stopping the train; a determination unit that determines the number of brake notches to be output, said determination being based on brake notch information, a speed specified from the target speed information, the current speed of the train, and the speed difference calculated by the calculation unit, said brake notch information defining the relationship between the number of brake notches and the speed difference between the train speed and the speed specified from the target speed information; and a correction unit that determines whether or not a deceleration speed in the target speed information and the train deceleration speed are within a prescribed allowable value range and, if a determination is made that the speeds are within the range, corrects the brake notch information so as correspond to the train deceleration speed.