On-Board Train Control Under Communication Failure Modes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current train autonomous circumambulate systems (TACS) face inefficiencies and safety risks when train communication devices fail, leading to manual and remote control of trains, which hampers real-time situational awareness and increases the risk of emergencies.

Innovation Solution

A train control method that detects communication failures and determines a corresponding control strategy, either remote control or autonomous control, based on the failure type, allowing for efficient and safe management of train travel even in degraded communication conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual and remote control is used when communication fails, then train safety is maintained through human oversight, but operational efficiency deteriorates due to delayed response and inability to learn real-time situation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetrain safetyVSAvoidoperational efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The degraded train autonomously applies for line resources and controls its own traveling without manual intervention. The on-board controller automatically detects communication failures, determines failure types, selects appropriate control strategies, and executes traveling plans independently, enabling the train to serve itself even in degraded communication conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The control strategy dynamically adapts based on the type of communication failure detected. The system transitions between different control modes (remote control strategy when ATS communication is available, autonomous control strategy when ATS communication is unavailable) according to the real-time communication status, optimizing both safety and efficiency for each specific failure scenario.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If manual remote planning is used for degraded trains, then control is maintained, but response time increases and real-time situational awareness is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol maintenanceVSAvoidresponse time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The train's on-board controller autonomously performs all control functions including detecting communication failures, determining failure types, selecting control strategies, applying for line resources, and executing traveling plans without requiring manual remote intervention, thereby eliminating response delays inherent in manual control systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors communication status between the train and ATS, as well as between ATS and object controllers, and uses this feedback to dynamically adjust control strategies. This real-time feedback mechanism enables the train to respond immediately to communication conditions without waiting for manual assessment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If autonomous control strategy is implemented, then operational efficiency improves through automated decision-making, but system complexity increases due to multiple control strategies and failure type detection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational efficiencyVSAvoidcontrol system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control system is segmented into distinct functional modules: communication status detection module, failure type determination module, control strategy selection module, and traveling execution module. Each module handles a specific aspect of the control process, making the overall complex system manageable and maintainable through clear functional separation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The control strategy is dynamically selected based on the detected failure type rather than using a fixed complex control architecture. The system adapts its control approach in real-time based on communication conditions, simplifying the control logic by only activating the necessary control pathway for each specific failure scenario.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Reliability

If remote control strategy is used when ATS communication is available, then centralized control is maintained, but autonomy is reduced requiring continuous ATS intervention

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecentralized controlVSAvoidtrain autonomy

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The degree of train autonomy dynamically adjusts based on communication availability. When ATS communication is available, the system operates in remote control mode with centralized supervision. When ATS communication fails but object controller communication is available, the system transitions to autonomous control mode, automatically applying for line resources and executing traveling plans without ATS intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS20250162628A1Train control method, storage medium, on-board controller, and train

Publication Date: 2025.05.22 BYD CO LTD

AI summary

A method for controlling a train, includes: detecting whether a communication failure occurs to a target train; in response to detecting that the communication failure occurs to the target train, determining a target failure type of the communication failure; determining a target control strategy of the target train according to the target failure type and a correspondence between a failure type and a control strategy; and controlling traveling of the target train according to the target control strategy.