Vehicle Trip Simulation for Stop-Point Configuration Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle systems face challenges in accurately verifying their configuration before a trip, which can lead to unsafe operation due to discrepancies between the assumed and actual number of vehicles, affecting adherence to speed limits and stopping at required locations.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle control system that includes a trip simulation to determine how the vehicle system will operate based on obtained information, allowing or prohibiting movement based on the ability to stop at designated locations and adhere to operating thresholds, with the option to adjust vehicle characteristics to meet simulation criteria.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual verification of vehicle configuration is performed, then the assumed configuration can be checked against actual vehicles, but the process is time-consuming and labor-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical verification with an automated electronic system that uses sensors, communication interfaces, and processors to detect and verify vehicle configuration. The system automatically compares assumed configuration with actual vehicle composition, eliminating the need for manual counting and verification while maintaining high accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The vehicle system performs self-verification by automatically detecting its own configuration through onboard sensors and communication systems. The system independently verifies whether the actual vehicle composition matches the assumed configuration without requiring external manual intervention, enabling rapid automated verification.
2Reliability
If the vehicle system operates with incorrect configuration assumptions, then the system may fail to adhere to speed limits or stop at required locations, but manual verification processes are complex and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The verification system is integrated into the existing vehicle control architecture, serving multiple functions including configuration verification, safety monitoring, and operational control. The same communication interfaces and processors used for general vehicle control are leveraged for configuration verification, avoiding the need for separate dedicated verification equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors and compares assumed configuration with actual vehicle composition, providing real-time feedback to the control system. When discrepancies are detected, the system generates alerts and can automatically adjust operations to maintain safety, creating a closed-loop verification process that enhances operational safety without requiring complex manual procedures.
3Productivity
If automated verification systems are implemented, then verification speed and accuracy improve, but system complexity and initial costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the configuration verification function with existing vehicle control and communication systems. Rather than implementing a completely separate automated verification system, the invention integrates verification capabilities into the vehicle's existing electronic control architecture, sharing hardware resources such as processors, sensors, and communication interfaces to reduce overall system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A control system and method includes obtaining information associated with a vehicle system that includes one or more vehicles that are configured to move along a route. The vehicle system information is applied to a trip simulation to determine how the vehicle system is expected operate while the vehicle system moves along the route. The trip simulation includes one or more anticipated operating conditions of the vehicle system and/or anticipated route conditions the vehicle system is expected to be exposed to as the vehicle system moves along the route. It is determined whether the vehicle system will be able to stop at one or more locations along the route based on the application of the vehicle system information to the trip simulation. An alert is communicated responsive to determining that the vehicle system will be unable to stop at the one or more locations along the route.