Vehicle Communication Control for Loss Detection and Safe Transition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Communication systems in vehicle consists face challenges due to the lack of redundant communication paths, leading to performance degradation or non-functionality when primary paths fail, and differing communication protocols between vehicles hinder interoperability, requiring all vehicles to be of the same type and use the same protocol, limiting consist formations and increasing operator workload during communication losses.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle control system with a controller that detects communication losses or quality decreases, generates transitional plans to restrict movement, switches to auxiliary communication paths, and adjusts operational settings to ensure continued functionality, and reverts to normal operations when communication is restored, allowing for protocol conversion and bandwidth adaptation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple communication paths are provided for redundancy, then system reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by enabling communication subsystems to serve multiple functions: the primary communication path handles normal operations, while the same subsystems can switch to auxiliary paths for redundancy. The controller dynamically assigns different communication paths based on operational needs, allowing a single communication infrastructure to provide both primary and backup functions without requiring completely separate systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics through the controller's ability to dynamically switch between primary and auxiliary communication paths based on real-time conditions. When communication quality degrades or loss is detected, the system automatically transitions to alternative paths. This dynamic adaptability ensures reliability without permanently maintaining complex redundant infrastructure, as paths are activated only when needed.
2Adaptability or versatility
If protocol conversion is implemented between vehicles, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the intermediary principle by introducing a protocol conversion layer or gateway that mediates between vehicles using different communication protocols. Rather than requiring every vehicle to support multiple protocols directly, the intermediary translates messages between incompatible protocol formats, enabling heterogeneous vehicles to communicate while each vehicle maintains its native protocol stack, thus limiting the complexity increase to the intermediary component only.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle control system includes a controller that detects a communication loss between a first vehicle and a second vehicle and/or a monitoring device in a vehicle system. The controller operationally restricts movement of the vehicle system based on the communication loss. The controller obtains or generates a transitional plan that designates operational settings for the first vehicle and/or the second vehicle based at least in part on a location of the first vehicle and/or the second vehicle. The controller selectively changes movement of the first vehicle and/or the second vehicle via the transitional plan to reduce a speed of the first vehicle and/or the second vehicle responsive to the communication loss being detected.