DE19834885C2 - Addressable decoder for controlling model railroad vehicles - Google Patents

Description

It is known to start (accelerate) and stop (decelerate) model railroad vehicles (locomotives) in order to obtain the most realistic possible driving behavior, as with the correct railway operation. This driving behavior is obtained by increasing or decreasing the supply voltage of the drive motors in the locomotives in various stages (this stage setting is made in permanently set or variable acceleration and braking ramps). The change in supply voltage has since been achieved as follows:

• 1. by installing an addressable decoder in the vehicles (locomotives). Thanks to the modulation of Digitalsi achieved with the appropriate control The internal decoder that is controlled changes the driving voltage Supply voltage of the drive motor. See model railroad stores available che manuals, catalog descriptions and data sheets from z. B. Märklin Digital, Lenz Digital, Roco Digital,. . . . .
• 2. by a controller with built-in power amplifiers (correspond to the decoders) for the different rail sections. These output stages change the supply voltage the corresponding rail sections. See the model railway specialist retailer available manuals and catalog descriptions e.g. B. berg & bromann, Gahler + Wrestler,. . . .

Criticism of the state of the art in point 1

• - Each of the locomotive manufacturers listed in point 1 has a different manufacturer-specific system with which the locomotives of the newer type it has already equipped with 'its' decoders or are prepared for retrofitting with decoders 'of its' system.
• - To change the address setting, the locomotive must be used for one type of decoder ve opened, and soldered wire bridges on the decoder or conductor tracks under broken or the DIL switch setting can be changed with the other Art Deco dertypen becomes a so-called for address or ramp setting 'Programming track' required
• - if a locomotive is not already equipped with a decoder when purchasing it, must be familiar with the handling and handling of electronics or he must have the decoder installed by a specialist for a fee sen.
• - A decoder is required in each locomotive, this means that the retrofit at large locomotive collections becomes very expensive.
• - The space required for the decoder must be available for installing the decoder in the locomotive be present, what with small track gauges (track N, track Z and 'small' locomotives Gauge H0) is rare or not the case at all.
• - For small locomotives, reworking or milling is necessary to make room for to receive the decoder installation.
• - Existing valuable 'historical' locomotives are upgraded with decoration because of the conversion practically worthless. (Without modification, these can not be integrated on the model railroad system while driving)  
• - Decoders that are operated with modulated driving voltage require a high level Output power of the control which can only be modulated by expensive additional is achieved more. The control signals, the supply voltage of the drive motors and the voltage for the vehicle lights are modulated from this Driving voltage supplied,

Criticism of the state of the art in point 2

• - The plug-in cards required for operation with the control must be listed systems can be built into a computer.
• - Individual assemblies must be assembled and wired, in part even the boards themselves have to be populated, for this the model railroader has to Be familiar with electronics and their handling.
• - Changes or extensions to the model railroad layout are very difficult and complex because the required individual built-in power amplifiers (decoders) in the control difficult with a system that was already defined in the planning of the system extendable bus system more or less firmly with each other and with the individual Rail sections are wired
• - Very large amount of wiring under the model railroad system around the individual Connect rail sections to the corresponding output stages in the control system.
• - Changes or troubleshooting are due to the large number of lines from the control to the individual rail sections is very time-consuming and difficult.

The object of the invention is to provide a simple solution to that under 1. and 2. create problems discussed.

• - The decoder must be short-circuit proof for the installation connection and use by the layperson
• - The handling of the decoder at the installation connection and the use must also be possible for electronic laymen
• - The decoder must be used on other devices without modification or expansion (e.g. installation of plug-in cards in computers) by the model railway operator himself to be possible
• - A change in the address setting must be done without opening the locomotives, without Ver Use of 'programming track', without solder bridges and without interrupting the conductor track to be possible
• - The use of the decoder must be independent of manufacturer-specific off-before armor suitable for all locomotives
• - The decoder must be used in order to avoid the costs of large collections Avoid retrofitting every single locomotive, regardless of individual lo be creative
• - The use of the decoder must be independent of the available space within the Locomotive may be possible  
• - The use of the decoder must be without changes such. B. milling the Locomotive may be possible
• - The decoder must be used without changing the locomotives and the associated loss of value for valuable 'historical' locomotives may be possible
• - The use of the decoder must be retrofitted, extended and converted. Allow modification of the model railroad layout in a simple form
• - The use of the decoder must be carried out without complex wiring the model railway be possible
• - the use of the decoder must be troubleshooting or replacement of the decoration simplify it even for the electronic layperson, or even in the first place possible
• - The use of the decoder must the forward-reverse driving different trains ge one after the other on the same rail section or over routes enable without the usual wiring effort with changeover relay
• - The decoder must have a control signal input and an additional voltage supply must be provided so that there are no locomotives running at the same time ne additional expensive amplifier are necessary
• - The decoder must be made with simple changes or adjustments to the equipment of the decoder for different track gauges and the different required thereby Driving voltages can be used to reduce the variety of types of the individual parts and thus simplify storage.
• - The decoder must be used without assembling individual components and without the assembly of boards by the model railroader

The solution is achieved with a decoder with the features listed in claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are given in claims 2 to 8.

In particular, the sophisticated configurations serve the following purposes

The advantages achieved by the invention are in particular that the decoder is to be used and installed in the simplest way, without any prior protection Take precautions to avoid destroying the components, as they would otherwise with decoders with MOS components are necessary, in addition the regulated output short-circuit proof due to the internal connection. In addition, the decoder with a trina dip switch, which even an electronic layperson can set the address to any address in the address range from 0-80. It is not necessary nimble to open a locomotive or the control system with solder bridges, conductor tracks breaks and s. w. to change the address setting, is still the Use of a programming track required. To simplify the wiring all connections required on the decoder are basically double as double Screw terminals executed. (See also explanation to claim 4). In addition due to the circuit structure all requirements listed in Appendix 6 claims 1-8 conditions, as well as all problem points listed in the Task section ben.

The decoder according to the invention enables a speed-controlled model to design rail operations without another device (e.g. a Compu  ter) must be rebuilt, changed or retrofitted. The control of the decoder is carried out by a standard control in Motorola data format, the single comm components put together by the electronic layperson as required den (e.g. from Märklin). The signal inputs of the decoder are then directly with the Output of this control connected.

The external arrangement of the decoder according to claim 1, which is installed in the rail section and not in the locomotive, enables:

• - Without assembling individual assemblies and the assembly of boards by the Model railroaders to get a speed-controlled driving operation
• - Realistic driving behavior without soldering or converting the locomotive achieve
• - The decoder for everyone, regardless of manufacturer-specific equipment or equipment To use locomotives of a gauge. Even the operation of locomotives ver different manufacturers at the same time on a model railway system is possible
• - Use the decoder independently of individual locomotives. It is not necessary nimble to equip every locomotive with a decoder, regardless of whether it Time in the collector's display case or on the layout (as is the case with known Sy stemen is necessary), it is sufficient only the rail sections with a decoder equip which are to be operated simultaneously. This configuration avoids for large collections, the expensive retrofit of each individual locomotive
• - Ver the decoder regardless of the space available within the locomotive turn
• - The decoder without changes to the locomotive such. B. mill out with small Gauge or small locomotives to use
• - the decoder for valuable 'historical' locomotives without changing them and the associated loss of value to use
• - Troubleshoot and replace the decoder, even for the layperson perform yourself

The development according to claim 2, that the regulated output by the internal circuit and the type of parts used is short-circuit proof, allows:

• - The connection of the decoder externally to a rail section by electronic Lay people without the risk of destroying the decoder if the polarity is reversed
• - That the decoder is not destroyed when the engine is blocked in the locomotive
• - That the decoder in the event of a short circuit through a conductive object current-carrying rails is not destroyed.

The development according to claim 3 with a trinary dip switch enables even an electronic layperson can set the address to any address in the Address range from 0-80. It is not necessary to set the switch dig a locomotive or the control to open with solder bridges, trace below refractions and s. w. to change the address setting, the Ver  a programming track is required. Also, by using electronic components clearly defined in the switch position, that the control is blocked by a short circuit on the address data line.

The development according to claim 4 makes it possible to interrupt only one Rail side and without the usual wiring effort with changeover relay, the forward-backward movement of different trains in succession on one track to be realized in sections or on routes. Only for reverse loops this must be interrupted at two points on both sides by a rail section isolate within the reverse loop. However, this is then with diodes on both Sides on the rail sections that lie in front of or behind the insulated part closed.

The arrangement of external decoders according to claim 5, decentralized directly to regulate the rail section and not built into a central controller, only requires a bus system to connect to the decoder, its 3 or 4-pole line is useful as a ring line under the entire model railroad System is operated. The use of decoders together with a bus system enables:

• - That the elaborate wiring under the model railroad system from the individual in the There is no need to control built-in amplifiers for the corresponding rail sections
• - Connect the individual decoder with minimal wiring. The one Construction and connection by inserting and screwing the cable into the pre-designated see double screw terminals can be done by the model railroader himself.
• - To change the entire control of the model railroad system in the simplest way expand or retrofit partial areas with the decoders. To only the ring line must be separated at the appropriate point and both En 'looped' through the decoder using the double screw terminals, or in the case of expansion, the additional line must be connected to the second connection of the double Screw terminals can be connected, this can even be done by the electronic Laypersons.
• - By using double screw terminals, the structure of the bus line can with simple strands according to the required length by the model railroader yourself, without any finished cables or extensions using special plugs to have to turn.

The development of the decoder according to claim 6 enables:

• - That he without the output power of the controller with expensive additional amplifiers to have to simultaneously operate several trains on the model railroad system that can
• - The decoder both with DC voltage in the range between ± 16 V and ± 24 V also to be supplied with AC voltage in the range between 14V ~ and 20V ~
• - the decoder with any existing voltage regulators or with price values to operate additional power supplies (voltage range in the previous point Are defined)

The development of the decoder according to claim 7 makes it possible to simplify the storage and thus also to significantly reduce its costs, since all decoders types:

• - Made from just a single type of circuit board with the same circuit layout become
• - for the most part uniform with the same electrical and electronic parts len are equipped
• - Except for the minimal use-specific remaining equipment (five resistors) manufactured as a partial encoder can be kept in stock
• - only the adjustment necessary for the track system-typical output voltage equipping with appropriate reference resistors (five resistors) must be done delivery can still be made.
• - through larger order quantities per part at more favorable purchasing conditions uniform assembly are cheaper to manufacture

The development of the decoder according to claim 8 enables, depending on the requirement, the circuit structure either in a simple form with conventional semiconductor components build or the functions / logic of the semiconductor components partially or completely to implement a programmable microcomputer.

Embodiments of the inventions are shown in the two drawings and are described in more detail below Image 1

Overall circuit diagram of the decoder, from this are the special features in the equipment visibly

Image 2

Assembly diagram of the decoder serves to clarify the shape and position of the particular units (scale approx. 2: 1)

The cable required for signal CON1 and CON2 and power supply CON3 and CON4 is connected to the double screw terminals, the rail section is connected to the regulated output CON5 ( Figure 2).

Fixed voltage regulators of the types UA78xx and UA79xx are used to generate the regulated output voltage for U3 and U4 ( Figure 1). These are short-circuit proof and have a thermal overload protection, which also makes the regulated output at CON5 short-circuit proof.

The desired address is set with the trinary switch S1 ( Figure 2). With S1, the trinary address inputs with 'plus', 'minus' or 'open' are set / set in the Motorola data format of the remote control receiver IC1A ( Fig. 1).

The decoder is only connected to the controller with CON1 (ground) and CON2 (signal) ( Fig. 1 and Fig. 2).

The decoder is mounted directly under the corresponding rail section. The signal line coming from the controller is connected to the first decoder at the first connection of the double screw terminals to CON1 and CON2. Likewise, the power supply line to CON3 and CON4. A line (4-pin) is then laid from the second connection of the double screw terminals CON1 to CON4 to the second decoder and this is connected as to the first decoder. . . etc. until all decoders are closed (ring line with all decoders connected in parallel). If the model railroad system is expanded or modified, this ring line is interrupted at any point and an additional decoder is connected ( Fig. 1).

The 'potential boost' is obtained by first connecting the ground connection of the controller to the ground connection of the external additional power supply. When supplying AC voltage at CON3 or CON4 with a bridge between CON3 and CON4, one-way rectification with D2 and D3 and capacitors C2 and C3 produces a positive and negative DC voltage with respect to ground. When supplying with DC voltage, plus at CON3 and minus at CON4, you already have a positive and negative voltage related to ground. When the direction of travel is changed by the control, output 2 at CON5 on the decoder is switched with a relay K1 (switch (K1.2) on the circuit board according to the direction of travel between voltage regulators U3 and U4 (positive and negative). Output 1 on CON5 is always ground, so only one side of the rail has to be interrupted, except for reverse loops ( Fig. 1 and Fig. 2).

If AC voltage is supplied, range between 14V ~ and 20V ~, this is connected to CON3 or CON4, in addition, CON3 and CON4 are connected to each other by a wire bridge. The subsequent one-way rectification with D2 and D3 with capacitors C2 and C3 produces a sufficiently "smoothed" positive and negative DC voltage. When supplying with DC voltage, range between ± 16 V and ± 24 V, plus is connected to CON3 and minus to CON4. The one-way rectification with D2 and D3 serves as reverse polarity protection for the circuit, the capacitors C2 and C3 as additional screening. The DC voltage that is now available is regulated with the voltage regulators U1 and U2 to approx. 14 V and serves as a voltage supply for the voltage regulators at the 'output stages' U3 and U4 ( Fig. 1 and Fig. 2).

The circuit of the decoder is basically designed for all maximum driving voltages between 6 V and 14 V, each with 16 speed levels. The lane manufacturer lerspecific maximum driving voltage and the corresponding speed levels are adjusted by the DA conversion with amplification. A binary 4-bit digital signal is output on the remote control receiver IC1A pin D6-D9 according to the selected speed (corresponds to the 16 speed levels). The digital signal is converted into a corresponding analog signal by the four resistors R8 to R11 and is present at input pin 9 IC3C. The amplification of the signal in IC3C to control the subsequent stage and the voltage regulators is determined by R12. This means that only the resistors R8-R12 have to be adapted according to the track and manufacturer-specific requirements ( Figure 1 and Figure 2).

Claims (8)

1. Addressable decoder for controlling model construction vehicles, characterized in that the decoder is not installed in the vehicle, but on a track section supplying the vehicle with power and its output is connected to the conductors of the track section supplying the vehicle. 2. Decoder according to claim 1, characterized in that its regulated output is short-circuit proof. 3. Decoder according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that for setting egg Electronic components clearly defined in the switch position are provided. 4. Decoder according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that one of its two output connections has a fixed, raised potential and the voltage at the other output terminal higher or lower than the fe maximum potential is switchable. 5. Decoder according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that its connections with double screw terminals or double plug contacts for opening construction of a bus system or a ring line. 6. Decoder according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by an ex internal voltage supply with direct or alternating voltage. 7. Decoder according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by change bare resistors to adjust its gain to adjust the output voltage for different gauges. 8. Decoder according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is built up with conventional semiconductor components and / or one per has programmable microcomputers.