Vehicle Condition Monitoring With Adaptive Fault Thresholds
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for diagnosing and monitoring vehicles, particularly rail vehicles, lack reliable assessment and prediction of technical states, leading to ineffective servicing and maintenance due to the reliance on rigid limit values without considering operating conditions.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the use of statistical models, particularly machine learning, to classify and predict vehicle and route component states based on characteristic values, using adaptable limit values and probability assessments to reduce false alarms and improve detection accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If statistical evaluation methods are used to assess vehicle and infrastructure states, then measurement signals can be processed, but reliable assessments and forecasts cannot be provided leading to false alarms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the assessment approach by changing from fixed threshold parameters to adaptive statistical parameters. Characteristic values are evaluated against dynamically determined reference values and tolerances that adapt to operating conditions, thereby improving both reliability and measurement precision simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously comparing measured characteristic values with reference values and adjusting assessments based on deviations. This closed-loop approach allows the system to learn from past data and improve future assessments, resolving the contradiction between reliability and precision
2Ease of operation
If rigid limit values are used for detecting faulty states, then detection is simple, but false alarms increase and adaptability to operating conditions is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces static rigid limit values with dynamic reference values that adapt to changing operating conditions. The system automatically adjusts assessment criteria based on actual vehicle operation and environmental factors, maintaining simplicity while improving detection accuracy through adaptive thresholds
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameters used for fault detection from fixed values to variable parameters that respond to operating conditions. By dynamically adjusting reference values and tolerances based on measured data, the system maintains ease of operation while significantly improving reliability
3Loss of information
If extensive measurement signals are collected for comprehensive monitoring, then more information is available, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the most relevant characteristic values from extensive measurement signals for assessment. By identifying and focusing on key parameters that directly indicate technical states, the system maintains comprehensive monitoring capability while reducing processing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring system is segmented into modular components: sensor units, characteristic value extraction modules, reference value comparison units, and assessment modules. This segmentation allows comprehensive information collection while managing complexity through structured, independent functional blocks
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for diagnosing and monitoring vehicles, vehicle components, routes and route components, wherein at least one first sensor is used to perform measurements and at least one computing unit is used to effect signal processing, where the at least one computing unit is supplied with at least measured first signals, at least one first characteristic value is formed from the at least first signals, the at least one first characteristic value or at least one first characteristic value combination is classified via at least one first statistical model, or a prediction is performed, and where at least one technical first condition indicator for at least one first vehicle component or at least one route component is determined, such that safe detection of faults, damage, excess wear, etc., and effective, condition-oriented maintenance of vehicles and infrastructures are achieved.