Vehicle Component Coupling Detection Using Ultrasonic Signals
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle component networking technologies face challenges with wired connections, such as time-consuming decoupling and coupling, potential disconnection, and bandwidth interference between different train components or vehicles, especially when components are not physically coupled or belong to different networks.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for determining whether vehicle components are physically coupled using wireless signal transmission and reception, processing signals to assess coupling, and establishing directional wireless connections only when components are adjacent and facing each other, utilizing ultrasonic signals and directional antennas to ensure accurate adjacency and prevent cross-network interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If wireless communication is used to network train components, then connection establishment time is reduced and components can communicate without physical coupling, but unintended network connections may be established between components that are not physically coupled or belong to different trains
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback mechanisms where components transmit identification signals and respond to probe signals. The processing device analyzes these feedback signals to determine not only proximity but also whether components belong to the same train, enabling selective network establishment based on both physical coupling status and train identity
Solution Approach 2:
An intermediary processing device is introduced that mediates between wireless communication devices of different components. This processing device evaluates multiple criteria including signal strength, identification information, and coupling status before authorizing network connections, preventing direct unintended connections
2Ease of operation
If wireless communication devices transmit signals uniformly in all directions, then connectivity is simplified and no mechanical connections are required, but bandwidth is shared between different trains reducing available bandwidth
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements local quality control by having wireless communication devices adjust their transmission characteristics based on local conditions. Devices modify signal directionality and power levels according to the specific coupling status and proximity of neighboring components, concentrating bandwidth resources for authorized connections only
3Quantity of substance
If directional signal transmission is used to prevent cross-network interference, then bandwidth integrity is maintained, but components must be precisely aligned and facing each other to establish connections
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by having components continuously transmit identification signals and respond to probe signals before actual data transmission begins. This preliminary exchange of signals allows the processing device to pre-determine coupling status and train identity, enabling directional signals to be activated only when alignment and authorization conditions are met
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution reduces the risk of unintended network connections between uncoupled components, maintains bandwidth integrity, and ensures that data transmission occurs only between properly aligned and coupled components, enhancing operational efficiency and network management in multi-component vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
Each component 1, 2 is provided with a wireless communications device 5, which may include, for example, an antenna. It can be seen that each wireless communications device 5 transmits signals 6 uniformly in all directions
Implementation Method 2
a first transducer arranged to transmit a first ultrasonic signal from the first component of the vehicle to the second component of the vehicle
Implementation Method 3
determining a distance between the first and second components of the vehicle using the time of flight of the first ultrasonic signal
Data Source
AI summary
According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for determining whether first and second components of a vehicle are physically coupled together, the method comprising: transmitting a first signal from the first component of the vehicle; receiving a second signal from the second component of the vehicle; processing the second signal to determine whether the first and second components of the vehicle are coupled.