Rail Turnout Snow-Melting Control with Universal CAN Modules
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing switch snow-melting control systems face issues of incompatibility between hardware devices, requiring device model identification for replacement, leading to inconvenient installation, maintenance, and increased time and labor costs, while also lacking scalability and data processing efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A switch snow-melting control system utilizing STM32 single-chip microcomputers with enhanced interfaces like CAN bus and RS485, enabling compatibility with existing systems, simplifying module replacement, and facilitating system expansion by adding communication and collection modules with dial switches for protocol switching and address setting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple types of control module boards (pluggable and integrated) are used in the switch snow-melting system, then the system can meet different functional requirements, but hardware device compatibility deteriorates and requires device model identification for replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a universal control module design where a single module type can replace multiple specialized modules. The control module includes configurable interfaces and parameters that allow it to adapt to different functional requirements (pluggable or integrated modes) without requiring physical replacement of the module itself, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The control module uses parameter configuration (such as dial switches for address setting and communication protocol selection) to change its operational characteristics rather than requiring hardware changes. This allows the same physical module to function in different modes (pluggable/integrated) by simply changing software or configuration parameters, resolving the contradiction between versatility and ease of maintenance
2Quantity of substance
If the switch snow-melting system includes eight circuit breakers and eight alternating-current contactors with twenty-four circuits, then the system can control heating circuits, but system expandability deteriorates and requires adding snow-melting control cabinets for more circuits
Solution Approach 1:
The control module is designed with universal interfaces and configurable parameters that allow it to control a variable number of circuits beyond the initial eight. By using modular collection modules that can be added or configured through software rather than requiring additional physical control cabinets, the system achieves easier expansion while maintaining controlled circuit functionality
3Reliability
If the switch snow-melting system collects state information of all electric heating elements with high collection frequency, then data timeliness is improved, but data processing complexity increases due to large amount of data generated
Solution Approach 1:
The data collection system is segmented into multiple independent collection modules, each responsible for specific heating elements. This segmentation allows parallel data collection from multiple sources simultaneously, maintaining high timeliness while distributing the processing load to reduce overall system complexity. Each collection module can process and filter data locally before transmitting to the central control
Solution Approach 2:
The control module acts as an intermediary between collection modules and the central control system. It receives raw data from multiple collection modules, performs initial processing and filtering, and then transmits processed data upward. This intermediary layer reduces the complexity at the central level while maintaining data timeliness through efficient local processing
4Reliability
If device model identification is required before replacement when a device malfunctions, then specialized replacement can be performed, but time costs and labor costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The universal control module design eliminates the need for device model identification during replacement. Since a single universal module type can replace any control module regardless of its specific function or configuration, maintenance personnel can directly replace malfunctioning modules without time-consuming identification procedures, thereby reducing maintenance time while maintaining equipment quality through standardized replacement parts
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure belongs to the technical field of rail transit, and provides a switch snow-melting control system and method. The system includes a communication module, a control module, and a collection module; the control module is provided with a CAN interface for information transmission and relay between a plurality of control modules, and the control module is connected to a plurality of collection modules; the communication module is configured to receive a command sent by a control terminal to the control module, and send the command to the control module; the communication module includes a dial switch for switching a communication protocol between the control terminal and the communication module; the control module is configured to control an alternating-current contactor in each heating circuit based on the received command; and the collection module is configured to send collected current information of each heating circuit, state information of the alternating-current contactor and state information of a circuit breaker to the control module. The present disclosure is compatible with existing standard switch snow-melting hardware systems, thus simplifying replacement of modules.