GB2561464A - Rail vehicle equipped with LED headlight - Google Patents
Rail vehicle equipped with LED headlight Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2561464A GB2561464A GB1806500.3A GB201806500A GB2561464A GB 2561464 A GB2561464 A GB 2561464A GB 201806500 A GB201806500 A GB 201806500A GB 2561464 A GB2561464 A GB 2561464A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- light source
- region light
- region
- far
- connecting line
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
- 230000003287 optical effect Effects 0.000 abstract description 23
- 230000007547 defect Effects 0.000 description 22
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 7
- 239000003550 marker Substances 0.000 description 6
- 230000007423 decrease Effects 0.000 description 4
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 4
- 238000009792 diffusion process Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000001965 increasing effect Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000012544 monitoring process Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000002708 enhancing effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000005286 illumination Methods 0.000 description 2
- 102220565735 Acid-sensing ion channel 4_F21S_mutation Human genes 0.000 description 1
- 239000003795 chemical substances by application Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000002265 prevention Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000001629 suppression Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000725 suspension Substances 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60Q1/00—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor
- B60Q1/02—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to illuminate the way ahead or to illuminate other areas of way or environments
- B60Q1/04—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to illuminate the way ahead or to illuminate other areas of way or environments the devices being headlights
- B60Q1/14—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to illuminate the way ahead or to illuminate other areas of way or environments the devices being headlights having dimming means
- B60Q1/1415—Dimming circuits
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B61—RAILWAYS
- B61L—GUIDING RAILWAY TRAFFIC; ENSURING THE SAFETY OF RAILWAY TRAFFIC
- B61L15/00—Indicators provided on the vehicle or train for signalling purposes
- B61L15/02—Head or tail indicators, e.g. light
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60Q11/00—Arrangement of monitoring devices for devices provided for in groups B60Q1/00 - B60Q9/00
- B60Q11/002—Emergency driving lights in the event of failure of the principal lighting circuit
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B61—RAILWAYS
- B61D—BODY DETAILS OR KINDS OF RAILWAY VEHICLES
- B61D29/00—Lighting
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B61—RAILWAYS
- B61L—GUIDING RAILWAY TRAFFIC; ENSURING THE SAFETY OF RAILWAY TRAFFIC
- B61L2207/00—Features of light signals
- B61L2207/02—Features of light signals using light-emitting diodes [LEDs]
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Lighting Device Outwards From Vehicle And Optical Signal (AREA)
Abstract
A rail vehicle (10, fig 1) with an LED headlight that includes lights 21H, 22H, 23H for illuminating a far region and lights 31L, 32L, 33L for illuminating a near region in the traveling direction of the vehicle, e.g. using different optical axes (see figure 10). The sources are split into two groups, one including both near and far region light sources and the other including a near light source 33L. The groups can be selectively lit, e.g. using a switch 11, so that the either both regions or just the near region can be lit up, effectively dimming the lights to avoid dazzling drivers of oncoming trains travelling in the opposite direction. Standby light sources 22H, 32L are included to substitute for a light source that fails, with switches 91, 93, 101, 103 controlled according to the outputs of current detectors 41L,H and 43L,H. The light sources may be connected in parallel and may each include a plurality of LEDs connected in series.
Description
(71) Applicant(s):
Hitachi, Ltd.
(Incorporated in Japan)
New Marunouchi Bldg 5-1, Marunouchi 1-chome, ChiyodaKu, Tokyo 100-8220, Japan (56) Documents Cited:
JP 2010097829 A JP 2001023417 A
JPH04292231 (58) Field of Search:
INT CL B60Q, B61D, B61L, F21S Other: EPODOC, WPI (72) Inventor(s):
Isao Ishii
Suguru Yamanishi (74) Agent and/or Address for Service:
Mewburn Ellis LLP
City Tower, 40 Basinghall Street, LONDON, Greater London, EC2V 5DE, United Kingdom (54) Title of the Invention: Rail vehicle equipped with LED headlight
Abstract Title: Rail vehicle with near and far LED headlights including failsafe standby lights (57) A rail vehicle (10, fig 1) with an LED headlight that includes lights 21 Η, 22H, 23H for illuminating a far region and lights 31L, 32L, 33L for illuminating a near region in the traveling direction of the vehicle, e.g. using different optical axes (see figure 10). The sources are split into two groups, one including both near and far region light sources and the other including a near light source 33L. The groups can be selectively lit, e.g. using a switch 11, so that the either both regions or just the near region can be lit up, effectively dimming the lights to avoid dazzling drivers of oncoming trains travelling in the opposite direction. Standby light sources 22H, 32L are included to substitute for a light source that fails, with switches 91,93, 101, 103 controlled according to the outputs of current detectors 41 L,H and 43L.H. The light sources may be connected in parallel and may each include a plurality of LEDs connected in series.
FIG 11
S3103
V . .............
’+-22M
S3H -—--a,
51H
43H
41H '4 ~ϊ§.........N-21H
61L
41L
63L s~19
-811.
- „—831 s™] fo—..—................’fe 1
43L
......Ϊ8...... 33L
32L
1/11
2/11
FIG,
3/11
A
I
I i
FIG. 3
t t
f /
t
4/11
45/11
FIG. 5
6/11
FIG. 6
7/11
8/11
9/11
| X 4f | ||
| CM | ||
| 0 | ||
| I ! |
X V cm
10/11
11/11
_ 1 _
DESCRIPTION
Title of the Invention
RAIL VEHICLE EQUIPPED WITH LED HEADLIGHT
Technical Field [0001]
The present invention relates to a rail vehicle, and particularly relates to a rail vehicle equipped with an LED headlight having functions of: illuminating a wide range from a near side to a far region in the traveling direction; changing the amount of light emitted from a plurality of light sources and the irradiation direction (optical axis); and complementing, when a light source included in the headlight is lost, the lost function with another light source.
Background Art [0002]
For rail vehicles, facilities such as a platform where passengers and the like get on and off to the vehicles, rails, a signal, and power feeding equipment are typically arranged along the rails, and many staff work in these facilities. To enable the staff to easily recognize that a rail vehicle is approaching or moving away, train markers are provided at the front and rear of the rail vehicle. The train marker provided at the front facing the traveling direction is a headlight composed of an incandescent lamp or a high-pressure discharge lamp, and the train marker provided at the rear is a taillight composed of a red lamp.
[0003]
The headlight equipped in the rail vehicle has a function of varying the optical axis or a function of selectively lighting a plurality of light sources having different optical axes, to prevent dazzling the driver of an oncoming train or the platform staff.
[0004]
Though not an example of rail vehicles, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique in a lighting control apparatus made up of a plurality of light sources having different optical axes whereby, when any of the light sources fails, the failure is detected and another light source is forcibly lit to replace the failed light source.
Citation List
Patent Documents [0005]
Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H4292231
Summary of the Invention
-2Problem to be Solved by the Invention [0006]
The number of situations in which a light emitting diode (LED) that consumes less power and generates less heat is used in a lighting apparatus instead of an incandescent lamp or a high-pressure discharge lamp has been increasing in recent years. In the case where an LED element is used as a light source of a headlight equipped in a rail vehicle, since light emitted from an LED element has a property of high linearity and low diffusion as compared with light emitted from an incandescent lamp or a high-pressure discharge lamp, there are concerns about cases such as an increase in dazzlement, a failure to illuminate a wide range from a near side to a far region in the traveling direction as only the far region or the near side is illuminated, and the like.
[0007]
Accordingly, the use of the LED in the headlight requires: a function of selecting the optical axis or reducing the amount of light of the whole headlight, to prevent dazzling the platform staff or the crew of an oncoming train; and reliability of being capable of, when any of a plurality of light sources constituting the headlight fails, substituting the failed light source with another light source. It is also desirable that an operation for preventing dazzlement after any light source fails is not a complex operation.
[0008]
The present invention has an object of providing a rail vehicle equipped with an LED headlight that: illuminates a wide range from a near side to a far region; has a dimming function of reducing the whole amount of light and changing the optical axis to prevent dazzlement; has reliability of being capable of, when any light source fails, substituting the failed light source with another light source; and has operability such that an operation for reducing dazzlement after any light source fails is not complex.
Means for solving the Problems [0009]
To achieve the object stated above, a rail vehicle equipped with an LED headlight according to the present invention includes, as basic means, an LED headlight including: a plurality of far-region light sources for illuminating a far region; a plurality of near-region light sources for illuminating a near region; and a power source for supplying power to the far-region light sources and the near-region light sources, wherein one light source group is made up of the far-region light sources and any of the near-region light sources, and alternative light source group is made up of the other of the near-region light sources, and wherein the one light source group or the alternative light source group is selectively lit.
[0010]
The one light source group is made up of a first far-region light source, a
-3second far-region light source, and a first near-region Sight source, and the alternative light source group is made up of a second near-region light source. The rail vehicle equipped with the LED headlight includes: a first near-region light source connecting line for supplying power to the first near-region light source; a second near-region light source connecting line for supplying power to the second near-region light source; a connecting line for connecting the first near-region light source connecting line and the second near-region light source connecting line; a switch provided in the connecting line; and a current detector for detecting a current of the second nearregion light source, wherein the switch is controlled according to an output of the current detector.
Advantageous Effect of the Invention [0011]
According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a rail vehicle equipped with an LED headlight that: illuminates a wide range from a near side to a far region; has a dimming function of reducing the whole amount of light and changing the optical axis to prevent dazzlement; has reliability of being capable of, when any light source fails, substituting the failed light source with another light source; and has operability such that an operation for reducing dazzlement after any light source fails is not complex.
Brief Description of the Drawings [0012]
FIG. 1 is a front view showing an example of a headlight equipped in a railroad vehicle.
FIG. 2 is a front view showing a headlight in a first embodiment.
FIG. 3 is an A-A sectional view of the headlight shown in FIG. 2 (the first embodiment).
FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram of the headlight shown in FIG. 2 (the first embodiment).
FIG. 5 is a front view showing a headlight in a second embodiment,
FIG. 8 is a B-B sectional view of the headlight shown in FIG. 5 (the second embodiment).
FIG. 7 is a front view showing a headlight in a third embodiment,
FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a headlight in a fourth embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a headlight in a fifth embodiment.
FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a headlight in a sixth embodiment.
FIG. 11 is a circuit diagram of the headlight in the sixth embodiment.
Modes for carrying out the Invention [0013]
The following describes modes for carrying out the present invention, with
-4reference to drawings. The present invention relates to a headlight equipped in a rail vehicle that runs along one or more laid rails. Examples of the rail vehicle include a railroad vehicle, a tram, a monorail vehicle, and a new traffic system vehicle. In the embodiments described below, a railroad vehicle is used as a representative example of the rail vehicle.
[0014]
FIG. 1 is a front view showing an example of a headlight equipped in a railroad vehicle 10. A crew's cab in which a driver works is located at the front of the first car of the railroad vehicle 10, and is equipped with windows, wipers, a connecting door, and the like. Various facilities such as a platform where passengers and the like get on and off to the vehicle, a railroad switch, a railroad crossing, a signal, and power feeding equipment are arranged along a track (rails), and staff work in these facilities. To enable the staff to easily recognize that the railroad vehicle 10 is approaching or moving away, a headlight 1 and a taillight 2 are provided at the front and rear of the railroad vehicle 10 as a front marker and a rear marker, respectively.
[0015]
The railroad vehicle 10 travels along the rails, and so its traveling direction has only two types, namely, forward and backward. It is therefore assumed that each of the headlight 1 and the taillight 2 only needs to be a marker having a sufficient amount of light with which the presence of the railroad vehicle is recognizable from a distance. Since lighting the headlight 1 and the taillight 1 is mandatory when running at night or through a long tunnel, the operation of the railroad vehicle might be suspended in the case where the headlight 1 or the taillight 2 fails.
[0016]
The number of situations in which, in addition to the conventional function as a marker, the amount of light of the headlight 1 is increased or the headlight 1 is lit even during the daytime to alert pedestrians or cars crossing a railroad crossing and widen the field of front vision of the crew (especially the driver) has been increasing in recent years.
[0017]
FIG. 2 is a front view showing a headlight in a first embodiment. FIG. 3 is an A-A sectional view of the headlight shown in FIG. 2. The headlight 1 includes: a first far-region light source 21H and a second far-region light source 22H having an optical axis 12H and illuminating a far region in the traveling direction of the railroad vehicle 10; a first near-region light source 31L and a second near-region light source 32L having an optical axis 14L and illuminating a near region (near side) in the traveling direction of the railroad vehicle 10; and a cover 5 (see FIG. 3) for covering these light sources. The first far-region light source 21H, the second far-region light source 22H, the first near-region light source 31L, and the second near-region light source 32L are each composed of a plurality of light emitting diode (LED) elements
-518 that emit light when a forward voltage is applied.
[0018]
FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram of the headlight shown in FIG. 2 (the first embodiment). Each light source of the first far-region light source 21H, the second far-region light source 22H, the first near-region light source 31L, and the second near-region light source 32L has a plurality of LED elements 18 connected in series. The light sources 21 Η, 22H, 31L, and 32L are connected in parallel to a power source 15.
[0019]
A selection switch 11 for optionally switching between lighting one light source group made up of the far-region optical axis 12H and the near-region optical axis 14L applied from the headlight 1 and lighting the alternative light source group made up of only the near-region optical axis 14L is provided in the cab in the railroad vehicle 10, in order for the crew (especially the driver) to prevent dazzling the driver of an oncoming vehicle or the platform staff.
[0020]
The selection switch 11 includes: one contact group made up of a contact 51H, a contact 52H, and a contact 61L respectively for turning on and off the first farregion light source 21H, the second far-region light source 22H, and the first nearregion light source 31L constituting the one light source group; and a contact 62L which is the alternative contact group for turning on and off the second near-region light source 32L constituting the alternative light source group, [0021]
Light emitted from each LED element 18 has a property of high linearity and low diffusion. Accordingly, in the case where a circuit is formed to selectively light a group of the first far-region light source 21H and the second far-region light source 22H having the optical axis 12H and illuminating the far region or a group of the first near-region light source 31L and the second near-region light source 32L having the optical axis 14L and illuminating the near region, there are concerns about disadvantages such as the following: only the far region in the traveling direction is illuminated while the near side (near region) in the traveling direction is not illuminated and so someone or something running to the front (near region) in the traveling direction of the railroad vehicle 10 is hard to be detected.
[0022]
To resolve such concerns, the first far-region light source 21H, the second far-region light source 22H, and the first near-region light source 31L are set as one light source group and the second near-region light source 32L is set as the alternative light source group, and a circuit capable of selectively lighting the one light source group or the alternative light source group is formed.
[0023]
With this structure, for example when the railroad vehicle 10 runs between stations with no oncoming vehicle, the selection switch 11 is operated to close the
-6one contact group to energize the first far-region light source 21H, the second farregion light source 22H, and the first near-region light source 31L. As a result, the wide range from the near region to the far region in the traveling direction of the railroad vehicle 10 can be illuminated. This enables the crew to easily recognize an obstacle and the like in the wide range from immediately in front (the near side) of the railroad vehicle 10 to the far region.
[0024]
For example when the railroad vehicle 10 enters into a station or there is an oncoming vehicle, the selection switch 11 is operated to open the one contact group (the contact 51H, the contact 52H, and the contact 61L) and close the other contact 62L to light only the second near-region light source 32L. As a result, only the near region in the traveling direction of the railroad vehicle 10 can be illuminated to prevent dazzling the driver of the oncoming vehicle, the station staff, and the like. Here, the total amount of light of the other light source illuminating only the near region is smaller than the total amount of light of the one light source illuminating the near region and the far region. This assists the suppression of dazzling the driver of the oncoming vehicle, the station staff, and the like.
[0025]
Moreover, the plurality of far-region light sources and the plurality of nearregion light sources are provided, and these light sources are connected in parallel to the power source 15. Therefore, even in the case where a defect occurs in any of the plurality of far-region light sources or any of the plurality of near-region light sources, continuous light emission from a far-region or near-region light source that maintains soundness can prevent a complete non-lighting state and ensure a predetermined function. The operation of the railroad vehicle 10 can thus be continued.
A connecting line for supplying power to the first near-region light source 31L included in the one light source group and a connecting line for supplying power to the second near-region light source 32L included in the alternative light source group are connected via a contact (switch) 82L and a backflow preventing diode 19. The connecting line for supplying power to the second near-region light source 32L is provided with a current detector 42L for monitoring the current flowing through the connecting line, to monitor the soundness of the second near-region light source 32L.
[0027]
In the case where any of the plurality of LED elements 18 constituting the second near-region light source 32L is broken, the current flowing through the connecting line for supplying power to the second near-region light source 32L decreases. The current detector 42L detects the occurrence of the defect in the second near-region light source 32L, from the decrease of the current.
[0028]
Once the current detector 42L has detected the defect, a backup switch 102
..1..
is operated to close the switch 82L which is normally open. The backup switch 102 may be manually handled after the crew confirms the output of the current detector 42L, or automatically turned on without the operation of the crew.
[0029]
Suppose, after the backup switch 102 is turned on, the crew (especially the driver) handles the selection switch 11 to close the contact 62L in order to illuminate only the near region in the traveling direction of the railroad vehicle 10, As a result, power is supplied from the power source 15 to only the first near-region light source 31L (the one light source) via the contact 62L, the switch 82L, and the backflow preventing diode 19, to light only the first near-region light source 31L, in other words, the backup switch 102 lights the first near-region light source 31L instead of the second near-region light source 32L which has become unable to be lit. The near region in the traveling direction of the railroad vehicle 10 can be illuminated in this way.
[0030] in the case where the selection switch 11 is handled to close the contact 51H, the contact 52H, and the contact 61H after the backup switch 102 is turned on, the first far-region light source 21H, the second far-region light source 22H, and the first near-region light source 31L (the one group) are energized. The wide range from the near region to the far region in the traveling direction of the railroad vehicle 10 can be illuminated in this way.
[0031]
The above-mentioned handling of the selection switch 11 after the backup switch 102 is turned on is the same as the handling of the selection switch 11 before the backup switch 102 is turned on. The driver can switch between the irradiation of the range from the near region to the far region and the irradiation of only the near region (optical axis switching), by handling the selection switch 11 in the conventional manner. This has the advantageous effect in that the operation for preventing dazzlement is not complex.
[0032]
The backflow preventing diode 19 suppresses flow of current from the contact 61L to the second near-region light source 32L via the switch 82L in the case where the backup switch 102 is turned on by mistake, thereby preventing unnecessary lighting.
[0033]
FIG. 5 is a front view showing a headlight in a second embodiment. FIG. 6 is a B-B sectional view of the headlight shown in FIG. 5 (the second embodiment). In FIG. 5, the first far-region light source 21H and the second far-region light source 22H are aligned in the lower part, and the first near-region light source 31L and the second near-region light source 32L are aligned in the upper part.
[0034]
FIG. 7 is a front view showing a headlight in a third embodiment. Though
-8the headlight 1 in each of FIGs. 2 and 5 is rectangular, the headlight 1 has been changed from rectangular to circular in FIG. 7. The circular headlight 1 is divided into four equal sections in the fop-bottom direction and the left-right direction with respect to the center of the circle. The first far-region light source 21H and the second farregion light source 22H are located in the upper part, and the first near-region light source 31L and the second near-region light source 32L are located in the lower part.
[0035]
FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a headlight in a fourth embodiment. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a headlight in a fifth embodiment. In the headlight 1 shown in FIG. 8, each of the first far-region light source 21H and the second far-region light source 22H alternate with each of the first near-region light source 31L and the first near-region light source 32L in the horizontal direction. In the headlight 1 shown in FIG. 9, each of the first far-region light source 21H and the second far-region light source 22H alternate with each of the first near-region light source 31L and the second near-region light source 32L in the vertical direction.
[0036]
The form and arrangement of the light sources constituting the headlight 1 in each of the second to fifth embodiments shown in FIGs. 5 to 9 are an example for enhancing the degree of freedom when designing the front (end face) of the first car of the railroad vehicle 1. The headlight 1 shown in each of FIGs. 5 to 9 (the second to fifth embodiments) is provided with the circuit shown in FIG. 4, and so can achieve the following advantageous effects described in the first embodiment: the advantageous effect of compensating for the property of the LED, i.e. high linearity and low diffusion, and enabling the driver to recognize the wide range from the near side to the far region in the traveling direction, by the circuit configuration of lighting the far-region light sources and the near-region light source simultaneously; the advantageous effect of preventing dazzling the station staff or the driver of the oncoming train, by handling the switch for changing the optical axis and the total amount of light between the illumination of the far region and the near region and the illumination of only the near region; the advantageous effect of substituting a failed light source with a sound light source, by providing the device for detecting the failure of the light source and handling the backup switch based on the output of the failure detector; and the advantageous effect of enhancing the reliability of the far-region and near-region light sources, by providing the plurality of far-region light sources and the plurality of near-region light sources and connecting the light sources in parallel to the power source.
[0037]
FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a headlight in a sixth embodiment. FIG. 11 is a circuit diagram of the headlight in the sixth embodiment. The headlight 1 shown in FIG. 10 includes three near-region light sources 31L, 32L, and 33L arranged in the horizontal direction in the upper part and having the optical axis 14L, and three far-region light sources 21 Η, 22H, and 23H arranged in the horizontal
-9direction in the lower part and having the optical axis 12H.
[0038]
Each light source ofthe first near-region light source 31L, the second nearregion light source 32L, and the third near-region light source 33L, the first far-region light source 21H, the second far-region light source 22H, and the third far-region light source 23H has a plurality of LED elements 18 connected in series. These light sources 21 Η, 22H, 23H, 31L, 32L, and 33L form a parallel circuit on which the voltage of the power source 15 acts equally. The second near-region light source 32L and the second far-region light source 22H are each a standby light source used when a defect occurs in another light source.
[0039]
A connecting line for supplying power to the first near-region light source 31L and a connecting line for supplying power to the standby second near-region light source 32L are connected via a backflow preventing diode 19 and a contact 81L. A connecting line for supplying power to the third near-region light source 33L and the connecting line for supplying power to the standby second near-region light source 32L are connected via a backflow preventing diode 19 and a contact 83L.
[0040]
Likewise, a connecting line for supplying power to the first far-region light source 21H and a connecting line for supplying power to the standby second farregion light source 22H are connected via a backflow preventing diode 19 and a contact 72H. A connecting line for supplying power to the third far-region light source 23H and the connecting line for supplying power to the standby second far-region light source 22H are connected via a backflow preventing diode 19 and a contact 71H.
[0041]
The connecting lines for supplying power to the first near-region light source 31L and the third near-region light source 33L are provided respectively with current detectors 41L and 43L each for monitoring the current flowing through the corresponding connecting line, to monitor the soundness ofthe corresponding light source. Likewise, the connecting lines for supplying power to the first far-region light source 21H and the third far-region light source 23H are provided respectively with current detectors 41H and 43H each for monitoring the current flowing through the corresponding connecting line, to monitor the soundness ofthe corresponding light source.
[0042]
A selection switch 11 includes: one contact group made up of a contact 51H, a contact 53H, and a contact 61L respectively for turning on and off the first farregion light source 21H, the third far-region light source 23H, and the first near-region light source 31L; and a contact 63L which is the alternative contact group for turning on and off the second near-region light source 32L. Thus, the first far-region light source 21H, the third far-region light source 23H, and the first near-region light source 31L are set as one tight source group and the third near-region light source 33L is set as the alternative light source group, and a circuit capable of selectively lighting the one light source group or the alternative light source group is formed.
[0043]
With this configuration, for example when the railroad vehicle 10 runs between stations with no oncoming vehicle, the selection switch 11 is operated to close the one contact group to energize the first far-region light source 21H, the third far-region light source 23H, and the first near-region light source 31L. As a result, the wide range from the near region to the far region in the traveling direction of the railroad vehicle 10 can be illuminated. This enables the crew to easily recognize an obstacle and the like in the wide range from immediately in front (the near side) of the railroad vehicle 10 to the far region.
[0044]
For example when the railroad vehicle 10 enters into a station or there is an oncoming vehicle, the selection switch 11 is operated to open the one contact group (the contact 51H, the contact 53H, and the contact 61L) and close the other contact 63L to light only the third near-region light source 33L. As a result, only the near region in the traveling direction of the railroad vehicle 10 can be illuminated to prevent dazzling the driver of the oncoming vehicle, the station staff, and the like. Here, the total amount of light of the other light source illuminating only the near region is smaller than the total amount of light of the one light source illuminating the near region and the far region. This facilitates the prevention of dazzling the driver of the oncoming vehicle, the station staff, and the like.
[0045]
Moreover, the plurality of far-region light sources and the plurality of nearregion light sources are provided, and these light sources are connected in parallel to the power source 15. Therefore, even in the case where a defect occurs in any of the plurality of far-region light sources or any of the plurality of near-region light sources, continuous light emission from a far-region or near-region light source that maintains soundness can prevent a complete non-lighting state and ensure a predetermined function. The operation of the railroad vehicle 10 can thus be continued.
[0046]
In the case where any of the plurality of LED elements 18 constituting the first near-region light source 31L is broken, the current flowing through the connecting line for supplying power to the first near-region light source 31L decreases. The current detector 41L detects the occurrence of the defect in the first near-region light source 31L, from the decrease of the current. Based on the output of the current detector 41L that has detected the defect, a backup switch 101 is operated to close the switch 81L which is normally open.
[0047]
Likewise, in the case where a defect occurs in the third near-region light
-11 source 33L, the current detector 43L detects the defect, and a backup switch 103 is operated to close the switch 83L which is normally open.
[0048]
Likewise, in the case where a defect occurs in the first far-region light source 21H, the current detector 41H detects the defect, and a backup switch 91 is operated to close the switch 72H which is normally open.
[0049]
Likewise, in the case where a defect occurs in the third far-region light source 23H, the current detector 43H detects the defect, and a backup switch 93 is operated to close the switch 71H which is normally open.
[0050]
Each of the backup switches 91, 93, 101, and 103 may be manually handled after the crew confirms the output of the corresponding one of the current detectors 41L, 43L, 41H, and 43H, or automatically turned on without the operation of the crew.
[0051]
Thus, the headlight 1 in the sixth embodiment shown in FIGs. 10 and 11 has: a circuit capable of, when a defect occurs in one or both of the first near-region light source 31L and the third near-region light source 33L, lighting the standby second near-region light source 32L instead of the near-region light source having the defect; and a circuit capable of, when a defect occurs in one or both of the first far-region light source 21H and the third far-region light source 23H, lighting the standby second far-region light source 22H instead of the far-region light source having the defect.
[0052]
The following specifically describes the lighting operation of the headlight 1 when the crew (especially the driver) handles the selection switch 11 after a defect occurs in the third far-region light source 23H and the backup switch 93 is turned on (the contact 71H is closed).
[0053]
When the crew (especially the driver) handles the selection switch 11 to close the contact 63L and open the contacts 51 Η, 53H, and 61L in order to illuminate only the near region in the traveling direction of the railroad vehicle 10, only the third near-region light source 33L is lit. As a result, only the near region in the traveling direction of the railroad vehicle 10 can be illuminated.
[0054]
Next, when the crew (especially the driver) handles the selection switch 11 to open the contact 63L and close the contacts 51 Η, 53H, and 61L in order to illuminate the wide range from the near region to the far region in the traveling direction of the railroad vehicle 10, the third near-region light source 33L is turned off and the first near-region light source 31L, the first far-region light source 21H, and the standby second far-region light source 22H are lit. As a result, the wide range from
-12 the near region to the far region can be illuminated.
[0055]
The above-mentioned handling of the selection switch 11 after the backup switch 93 is turned on is the same as the handling of the selection switch 11 before the backup switch 93 is turned on. The driver can switch between the irradiation of the range from the near region to the far region and the irradiation of only the near region (optical axis switching), by handling the selection switch 11 in the conventional manner. Thus, the operation for preventing dazzlement is not complex.
[0056]
The above description concerns the case where a defect occurs in the third far-region light source 23H and the backup switch 93 is handled. In the case where a defect occurs in the first far-region light source 21H, the first near-region light source 31L, or the third near-region light source 33L, too, a circuit that can close the contact (72H, 81L, or 83L) corresponding to the light source (21H, 31L, or 33L) having the defect as a result of handling the backup switch 91, 101, or 103 corresponding to the light source and light the alternative light source is equally formed, and so their description is omitted here.
[0057]
Each backflow preventing diode 19 in the sixth embodiment is provided to, in the case where the backup switch 91, 93, 101, or 103 is turned on by mistake, prevent unnecessary lighting of the light source corresponding to the backup switch.
[0058]
The inclusion of the standby light in each of the one light source group and the alternative light source group contributes to higher reliability. The operation suspension or the like caused by a defect in the headlight 1 can therefore be prevented.
Description of Reference Numerals [0059] headlight taillight light source cover railroad vehicle selection SW (H-L)
12H far-region optical axis
14L near-region optical axis power source light source
LED element backflow preventing diode
21H first far-region light source
| 22H | second far-region light source |
| 23H | third far-region light source |
| 31L | first near-region light source |
| 32L | second near-region light source |
| 33L | third near-region light source |
| 41H | current detector |
| 42H | current detector |
| 43H | current detector |
| 41L | current detector |
| 42L | current detector |
| 43L | current detector |
| 51Hto53H contact | |
| 61Lto63L contact | |
| 71Hto73H switch | |
| 81Lto83L contact | |
| 91 | backup switch |
| 93 | backup switch |
| 101 | backup switch |
| 103 | backup switch |
1.
NUMBERED CLAUSES RELATING TO THE INVENTION
A rail vehicle equipped with an LED headlight comprising: a plurality of far-region light sources for illuminating a far region; a plurality of near-region light sources for illuminating a near region; and a power source for supplying power to the far-region light sources and the near-region light sources, wherein one light source group is made up of the far-region light sources and any of the near-region light sources, and alternative light source group is made up of the other of the near-region light sources, and wherein the one light source group or the alternative light source group is selectively lit.
2. The rail vehicle equipped with the LED headlight according io clause 1, wherein the far-region light sources and the near-region light sources are connected in parallel to the power source.
3. The rail vehicle equipped with the LED headlight according to clause 1, wherein the far-region light sources and the near-region light sources are each a plurality of LED elements connected in series.
4. The rail vehicle equipped with the LED headlight according to clause 1, wherein the one light source group is made up of a first far-region light source, a second far-region light source, and a first near-region light source, and wherein the alternative light source group is made up of a second nearregion light source.
5. The rail vehicle equipped with the LED headlight according to clause 4, comprising:
a first near-region light source connecting line for supplying power to the first near-region light source;
a second near-region light source connecting line for supplying power to the second near-region light source;
a connecting line for connecting the first near-region light source connecting line and the second near-region light source connecting line;
a switch provided in the connecting line; and a current detector for detecting a current of the second near-region light source, wherein the switch is controlled according to an output of the current detector.
6. The rail vehicle equipped with the LED headlight according to clause 4, comprising:
-15a standby far-region light source for substituting for the first far-region light source and the second far-region light source;
a standby near-region light source for substituting for the first near-region light source and the second near-region light source;
a first far-region light source connecting line for supplying power to the first far-region light source;
a second far-region light source connecting line for supplying power to the second far-region light source;
a first near-region light source connecting line for supplying power to the first near-region light source;
a second near-region light source connecting line for supplying power to the second near-region light source;
a standby far-region light source connecting line for supplying power to the standby far-region light source;
a standby near-region light source connecting line for supplying power to the standby near-region light source;
a first far-region light source standby connecting line for connecting the first far-region light source connecting line and the standby far-region light source connecting line;
a second far-region light source standby connecting line for connecting the second far-region light source connecting line and the standby far-region light source connecting line;
a first near-region light source standby connecting line for connecting the first near-region light source connecting line and the standby near-region light source connecting line;
a second near-region light source standby connecting line for connecting the second near-region light source connecting line and the standby near-region light source connecting line;
switches provided in the respective first far-region light source standby connecting line, second far-region light source standby connecting line, first nearregion light source standby connecting line, and second near-region light source standby connecting line; and current detectors provided in the respective first far-region light source connecting line, second far-region light source connecting line, first near-region light source connecting line, and second near-region light source connecting line, wherein the switches are controlled to light the standby far-region light source and the standby near-region light source, according to outputs ofthe respective current detectors.
Claims (3)
1. A rail vehicle equipped with an LED headlight comprising:
first and second far-region light sources for illuminating a far region: first and second near-region light sources for illuminating a near region; a standby far-region light source for substituting for the first far-region light source and the second far-region light source;
a standby near-region light source for substituting for the first near-region light source and the second near-region light source;
a power source for supplying power to the far-region light sources and the nearregion light sources, a first far-region light source connecting line for supplying power to the first far-region light source;
a second far-region light source connecting line for supplying power to the second far-region light source;
a first near-region light source connecting line for supplying power to the first nearregion light source;
a second near-region light source connecting line for supplying power to the second near-region light source;
a standby far-region light source connecting line for supplying power to the standby far-region light source;
a standby near-region light source connecting line for supplying power to the standby near-region light source;
a first far-region light source standby connecting line for connecting the first farregion light source connecting line and the standby far-region light source connecting line;
a second far-region light source standby connecting line for connecting the second far-region light source connecting line and the standby far-region light source connecting line;
a first near-region light source standby connecting line for connecting the first nearregion light source connecting line and the standby near-region light source connecting line;
a second near-region light source standby connecting line for connecting the second near-region light source connecting line and the standby near-region light source connecting line;
switches provided in the respective first far-region light source standby connecting line, second far-region light source standby connecting line, first near-region light source standby connecting line, and second near-region light source standby connecting line; and current detectors provided in the respective first far-region light source connecting line, second far-region light source connecting line, first near-region light source connecting line, and second near-region light source connecting line, wherein one light source group is made up of the first far-region light source, the second far-region light source, and the first near-region light source, and an alternative light source group is made up of the second near-region light source, wherein the one light source group or the alternative light source group is selectively lit, and wherein the switches are controlled to light the standby far-region light source and the standby near-region light source, according to outputs of the respective current detectors.
2. The rail vehicle equipped with the LED headlight according to claim 1, wherein the far-region light sources and the near-region light sources are connected in parallel to the power source.
3. The rail vehicle equipped with the LED headlight according to claim 1, wherein the far-region light sources and the near-region light sources are each a plurality of LED elements connected in series.
Intellectual
Property
Office
Application No: GB1806500.3 Examiner: Monica Wright
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB1806500.3A GB2561464B (en) | 2012-06-07 | 2012-06-07 | Rail vehicle equipped with LED headlight |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB1420638.7A GB2517332B (en) | 2012-06-07 | 2012-06-07 | Rail vehicle equipped with LED headlight |
| GB1806500.3A GB2561464B (en) | 2012-06-07 | 2012-06-07 | Rail vehicle equipped with LED headlight |
Publications (3)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB201806500D0 GB201806500D0 (en) | 2018-06-06 |
| GB2561464A true GB2561464A (en) | 2018-10-17 |
| GB2561464B GB2561464B (en) | 2019-04-10 |
Family
ID=62236268
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB1806500.3A Active GB2561464B (en) | 2012-06-07 | 2012-06-07 | Rail vehicle equipped with LED headlight |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (1) | GB2561464B (en) |
Citations (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPH04292231A (en) * | 1991-03-20 | 1992-10-16 | Matsushita Electric Works Ltd | Lighting controller |
| JP2001023417A (en) * | 1999-07-12 | 2001-01-26 | Koito Mfg Co Ltd | Headlight for railroad car |
| JP2010097829A (en) * | 2008-10-16 | 2010-04-30 | Stanley Electric Co Ltd | Lighting system and vehicular lighting fixture |
-
2012
- 2012-06-07 GB GB1806500.3A patent/GB2561464B/en active Active
Patent Citations (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPH04292231A (en) * | 1991-03-20 | 1992-10-16 | Matsushita Electric Works Ltd | Lighting controller |
| JP2001023417A (en) * | 1999-07-12 | 2001-01-26 | Koito Mfg Co Ltd | Headlight for railroad car |
| JP2010097829A (en) * | 2008-10-16 | 2010-04-30 | Stanley Electric Co Ltd | Lighting system and vehicular lighting fixture |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB2561464B (en) | 2019-04-10 |
| GB201806500D0 (en) | 2018-06-06 |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| JP5951766B2 (en) | Rail vehicle with LED headlamp | |
| RU2006145960A (en) | METHOD FOR MANAGING LIGHT DEVICES OF VEHICLE VEHICLES | |
| US8536997B2 (en) | Vehicle lighting control apparatus and method | |
| CN102398544B (en) | Maneuvering aid for commercial vehicle | |
| US8007147B2 (en) | Vehicle door safety warning lamp | |
| CN201646539U (en) | Vehicle-mounted steering auxiliary lamp device | |
| GB2561464A (en) | Rail vehicle equipped with LED headlight | |
| KR101061215B1 (en) | Automotive Headlamp Control | |
| US8757856B2 (en) | Light warning device for emergency vehicles | |
| CN104780681A (en) | Lighting feedback system for headlamps for railway vehicles | |
| CN203298148U (en) | Bulb module structure for vehicle | |
| KR100561829B1 (en) | Device for on/off swiching and monitoring headlamps of rail car | |
| CN108237972A (en) | For the Assembled lamp and its application method of heavy construction transport vehicle | |
| RU86915U1 (en) | HEAD WAGON OF A SPEED PASSENGER ELECTRIC TRAIN | |
| CN106671871B (en) | A kind of preceding combined large lamp for automobile | |
| CN206598770U (en) | A kind of preceding combined large lamp for automobile | |
| KR100916585B1 (en) | Apparatus for controlling exterior lights of railway train | |
| CN218409696U (en) | Lamp mounting device suitable for evacuation platform between rail transit elevated areas | |
| CN212047106U (en) | Vehicle rearview mirror with daytime running lamp | |
| CN104385979A (en) | Side lighting LED lamp device of automobile | |
| KR20110031786A (en) | Headlight control circuit of railway tail car | |
| JPH03197248A (en) | Safety lamp of vehicle | |
| CN2756493Y (en) | Automobile lighting device | |
| JP2021151872A (en) | Index forming device, index forming system and method of stopping railway vehicles | |
| KR20040043552A (en) | Headlamp device of car with fail-safe |