Virtually Coupled Train Set Control for Synchronized Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for controlling virtually coupled train sets (VCTS) struggle to maintain synchronous operation among train units due to departure delays and tracking errors, leading to unsynchronized arrivals and potential overspeed, which affects the safety and efficiency of train operations.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for VCTS control that includes acquiring actual states of train units, determining the need for a backup control strategy based on historical data, and calculating target state sequences to ensure synchronization, using synchronization relationships and speed adjustments to maintain consistent operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If all train units track their recommended driving curves to maintain desired following distance, then the utilization efficiency of train units and line resources is improved, but synchronous operation cannot be guaranteed due to departure delays and tracking errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the control system continuously monitors the actual positions and speeds of train units, compares them with the recommended driving curves, and dynamically adjusts control commands to compensate for deviations. This feedback loop ensures that even when tracking errors occur, the system can correct them in real-time to maintain synchronous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic control strategies where the recommended driving curves and safety protection distances are not fixed but adaptively adjusted based on real-time operational conditions. The system dynamically recalculates control parameters to account for departure delays and tracking errors, enabling the train units to maintain synchronization despite disturbances.
2Device complexity
If a conservative and simplified objective for following distance is used to ensure safety, then the complexity of real-time control is reduced, but the following distance between adjacent train units increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter representation of safety protection distance from a conservative fixed value to a dynamically calculated value based on actual train unit states. By using real-time position and speed data, the system calculates precise safety distances that are sufficient for safety but minimal for efficiency, avoiding the need for overly conservative fixed distances.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary calculations of safety protection distances and recommended driving curves before real-time control execution. By pre-computing these parameters based on predicted train behaviors and constraints, the system reduces the computational complexity during real-time operation while maintaining accurate and minimal safety distances.
3Ease of operation
If the following distance is increased to simplify control, then the control implementation is easier, but the time interval between train units stopping at a station increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses dynamic adjustment of following distance based on real-time operational context. During approach to stations, the system dynamically reduces the following distance to minimal safe values, enabling tighter scheduling and reduced arrival time intervals. The control system adapts the distance parameter dynamically rather than using a fixed conservative value throughout the journey.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for virtually coupled train set (VCTS) control is provided. The method includes following steps: determining whether to execute a backup control strategy based on an actual state for a current cycle of each train unit and a target state sequence for a first preset number of cycles before the current cycle to obtain a first determination result; if the first determination result is yes, executing the backup control strategy to control each train unit; if the first determination result is no, calculating the target state sequence for the current cycle of each train unit according to a position or calculating the target state sequence for the current cycle of each train unit by using a synchronization relationship; and controlling each train unit according to the target state sequence for the current cycle of each train unit, respectively.