Train Route Approach Locking Across Distant Interlocking Sections

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current railway engineering lacks a method for determining the approach locking of a train route when the section is longer, especially at high speeds, leading to inefficiencies and safety concerns due to extended braking distances and complex route lengths.

Innovation Solution

A computer interlocking method and system that determines approach locking by establishing multiple scenarios based on the location of the route section, including first to fourth determination scenarios, and uses Ethernet or relay interfaces for communication between interlockings to ensure safe and efficient operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If train speed is increased to improve line carrying capacity, then passenger volume and operational efficiency are improved, but braking distance increases and route approach locking length must be extended

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveline carrying capacityVSAvoidroute approach locking length
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the approach locking determination into multiple scenarios based on the location of the approach locking section. It divides the determination process into: (1) determining whether the approach locking section is within the current station's interlocking jurisdiction, (2) whether it is within an adjacent station's interlocking jurisdiction, and (3) whether it is within a range's jurisdiction. This segmentation allows the system to handle different locking scenarios independently and efficiently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If route approach locking length is extended to accommodate higher speeds, then train safety is maintained, but the approach locking point may be located in distant sections or adjacent stations, complicating the determination process

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetrain safetyVSAvoiddetermination process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-establishing multiple determination scenarios and their corresponding judgment conditions before actual operation. The system pre-defines: (1) judgment conditions for approach locking sections within current station jurisdiction, (2) judgment conditions for sections in adjacent stations, and (3) judgment conditions for sections in ranges. When determining approach locking, the system directly applies these pre-established scenarios and conditions, avoiding complex real-time calculations and simplifying the determination process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If current determination methods using block section status or JGJ relay are used, then simple scenarios are handled, but they cannot determine approach locking when the train route section is longer

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetermination simplicityVSAvoidapplicability to long routes
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal determination method that can handle both simple and complex scenarios. The system establishes a multi-functional determination framework that: (1) can determine approach locking when the section is within the current station, (2) can determine when it is in adjacent stations, and (3) can determine when it is in ranges. This universal method replaces the limited traditional methods and adapts to various route lengths and configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4707117A1Train route approach locking determination method and system based on computer-based interlocking
Publication Date: 2026.03.11 CRSC RESEARCH & DESIGN INSTITUTE GROUP CO LTD
  • EP4707117A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4707117A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4707117A1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

Disclosed in the present invention are a train route approach locking determination method and system based on computer-based interlocking. The method comprises: first, on the basis of positions of train route approach locking sections, establishing a first determination scenario, a second determination scenario, a third determination scenario and a fourth determination scenario; then acquiring a first train route with a cleared signal, and determining all approach locking sections of the first train route and determination scenarios corresponding to all the approach locking sections; and finally, starting with the first determination scenario, sequentially determining in the corresponding determination scenarios whether the first train route meets an approach locking condition in the order from the nearest to the farthest approach locking section, and obtaining a determination result. While ensuring safety and operation efficiency, the present invention achieves effective determination for approach locking of high-speed train routes where approach locking sections are located in distant segments or interlocking stations.