Train-information management device and device control method

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9387774-B2
Application number	US-201214417997-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 14, 2012
Priority date	Aug 14, 2012
Publication date	Jul 12, 2016
Grant date	Jul 12, 2016

Abstract

The train-information management device includes a position detection unit; a regenerating-condition detection unit that detects a regenerative-brake usage condition; a train-line-information holding unit that holds therein information on a section in which a train is more likely to use a brake; a residual-air-amount calculation unit that calculates the amount of residual air in an air tank; and a compressor control unit that controls a compressor. In a regeneration-preparation condition, if a train is running through a position where the distance between the position and a section in which a train is more likely to use a brake is equal to or less than a given value, if the train does not use a regenerative brake, and if the amount of residual air reaches 0%, the compressor control unit causes a compressor to start generating compressed air.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A train-information management device that is provided on a train, that manages information on devices provided in a vehicle, and that controls each of the devices, the train-information management device comprising:
a position detection unit that detects a position of the train;
a regenerating-condition detection unit that detects whether the train is in a condition of using a regenerative brake;
a train-line-information holding unit that holds therein information on a section in which a train is more likely to use a brake;
a residual-air-amount calculation unit that calculates an amount of residual air in an air tank that stores compressed air therein to be used for an air brake; and
a compressor control unit that controls a compressor that generates the compressed air on the basis of a detection result obtained by the position detection unit, a detection result obtained by the regenerating-condition detection unit, information held in the train-line-information holding unit, and a calculation result obtained by the residual-air-amount calculation unit, wherein
in a regeneration-preparation condition
where a train is running through a position at which a distance between the position and a section in which a train is more likely to use a brake is equal to or less than a given value and is running toward the section, and
where a train does not use a regenerative brake when the amount of residual air reaches 0%,

the compressor control unit causes the compressor to start generating compressed air,
in a regenerating condition where the train uses a regenerative brake, when the amount of residual air is less than 100%, the compressor control unit causes the compressor to generate compressed air, and
in a normal condition that corresponds neither to the regeneration-preparation condition nor to the regenerating condition, when the amount of residual air reaches a first threshold value that is greater than 0%, the compressor control unit causes the compressor to start generating compressed air, and when the amount of residual air reaches a second threshold value that is greater than the first threshold value and less than 100%, the compressor control unit causes the compressor to finish generating compressed air.

2. The train-information management device according to claim 1 , wherein in a case where the compressor control unit causes the compressor to generate compressed air in the regeneration-preparation condition, when the amount of residual air reaches a third threshold value that is less than 100%, the compressor control unit causes the compressor to finish generating compressed air.

3. A device control method in a train-information management device that is provided on a train, that manages information on devices provided in a vehicle, and that controls each of the devices, the device control method comprising:
a condition determining of determining, on the basis of a position of the train, a usage status of a regenerative brake, and information on a section in which a train is more likely to use a brake, which of
a regeneration-preparation condition in which the train is running through a position at which distance between the position and a section in which the train is more likely to use a brake is equal to or less than a given value, is running toward the section, and does not use a regenerative brake,
a regenerating condition in which the train uses a regenerative brake, and
a normal condition that corresponds neither to the regeneration-preparation condition nor to the regenerating condition,

the train is in;
a first controlling of causing a compressor that generates the compressed air to start generating compressed air when an amount of residual air in an air tank that stores compressed air therein to be used for an air brake reaches 0% in a case where the train is in the regeneration-preparation condition;
a second controlling of causing the compressor to generate compressed air when the amount of residual air is less than 100% in a case where the train is in the regenerating condition; and
a third controlling of, in a case where the train is in the normal condition,
causing the compressor to start generating compressed air when the amount of residual air reaches a first threshold value that is greater than 0%, and
causing the compressor to finish generating compressed air when the amount of residual air reaches a second threshold value that is greater than the first threshold value and less than 100%.

4. The device control method according to claim 3 , wherein at the first controlling,
in a case where the compressor control unit causes the compressor to generate compressed air, when the amount of residual air reaches a third threshold value that is less than 100%, the compressor control unit causes the compressor to finish generating compressed air.

Assignees

• Sawa Takuya
• Ikejima Tomoaki
• Komura Tetsuo
• Tatsumi Shogo
• Honda Shingo
• Kadono Toshiko
• Miyauchi Takashi
• Mitsubishi Electric Corp

Inventors

• Sawa Takuya
• Ikejima Tomoaki
• Komura Tetsuo
• Tatsumi Shogo
• Honda Shingo
• Kadono Toshiko
• Miyauchi Takashi

Classifications

• B60T1/10 Primary

  by utilising wheel movement for accumulating energy, e.g. driving air compressors · CPC title

• B60L7/18

  Controlling the braking effect (B60L7/12, B60L7/14, B60L7/16 take precedence) · CPC title

• B60L15/2045

  for optimising the use of energy · CPC title

• B60L9/22

  polyphase motors · CPC title

• B60L15/002

  for control of propulsion for monorail vehicles, suspension vehicles or rack railways; for control of magnetic suspension or levitation for vehicles for propulsion purposes · CPC title