Vehicle Control System Selective Traction Motor Activation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle propulsion systems face inefficiencies due to constant operation of all traction motors, even when not all are needed, leading to increased energy consumption and costs, especially in electric vehicles reliant on peak demand electricity sources.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle control system that determines the necessary traction motors to activate or deactivate based on real-time tractive load demands, operating temperatures, and energy availability, allowing for selective motor activation and deactivation to optimize energy use and reduce costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If all traction motors are kept actively generating tractive force, then the vehicle can maintain propulsion capability under varying load conditions, but energy consumption increases and operational costs rise
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the number of active traction motors based on real-time tractive load demands. The controller continuously monitors vehicle operating conditions and activates or deactivates specific traction motors to match the actual propulsion requirements, transitioning from a static all-motors-on approach to a dynamic adaptive configuration that optimizes energy consumption while maintaining necessary propulsion capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational state parameter of traction motors from a fixed state (all motors always on) to a variable state (selective motor activation). By monitoring tractive load demands and adjusting which motors are active versus inactive, the system optimizes the balance between propulsion capability and energy consumption based on actual vehicle needs.
2Ease of manufacture
If simulations are performed prior to trips to determine locomotive shutdown locations, then operational planning is simplified, but the system cannot adapt to real-time changing conditions during vehicle movement
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements real-time feedback by continuously monitoring actual tractive load demands during vehicle movement. The controller receives ongoing data about vehicle operating conditions, compares current needs against the simulated plan, and dynamically adjusts motor activation status. This feedback mechanism enables the system to adapt to changing conditions such as wind, adhesion, and cargo changes that were not present in pre-trip simulations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system combines preliminary simulation-based planning with real-time execution. Pre-trip simulations provide an initial operational framework and expected shutdown locations, but the system uses real-time monitoring to validate and adjust this plan during actual movement. This hybrid approach maintains the benefits of advance planning while enabling adaptive response to actual conditions.
3Power
If wayside electricity sources are added to increase energy supply capacity, then peak demand can be met, but infrastructure costs and implementation time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle system performs self-service by intelligently managing its own energy consumption through selective motor deactivation. Instead of relying on external infrastructure expansion to meet peak demand, the vehicle autonomously reduces its power requirements by determining which traction motors can be safely deactivated based on real-time load conditions, thereby avoiding the need for costly wayside infrastructure additions.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle control system and method include one or more processors that determine that a vehicle has or will have insufficient energy to power a propulsion system of the vehicle under a first set of operational settings to move the vehicle from a first location to a designated second location that is outside of an unpowered segment of a route along which the vehicle moves. Responsive to determining that the vehicle has or will have insufficient energy, the one or more processors change one or more of a throttle setting or a brake setting of the vehicle to operate the vehicle under a second set of operational settings while the vehicle moves within a powered segment of the route.