JP2003212122A - Railroad crossing obstacle detecting device and railroad crossing obstacle detecting method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To high-precisely discriminate an obstacle in the vicinity of a crossing rod. <P>SOLUTION: A radar processing means outputs a starting signal for a light transmitting and receiving means when an obstacle 18b is detected in the vicinity of the crossing rod 17, and the light transmitting and receiving means started by a starting signal transmits light beams and receives the transmitted light beams in parallel to the crossing rod 17 in the vicinity of the crossing rod 17 on the side closer to roadways 12 and 14 than the crossing road 17. A beams detecting means to which light beams received by the light transmitting and receiving means are inputted outputs a signal to detect an obstacle in vicinity of a railroad crossing when it is detected that the obstacle 18b is present in a railroad crossing 16 in the vicinity of the crossing rod 17. An alarm processing means inputs a railroad crossing obstacle detecting signal and a signal to detect an obstacle in the vicinity of the crossing when a train detecting signal is inputted and outputs an alarm signal when the obstacle is recognized. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a level crossing obstacle detection device and a level crossing obstacle detection method capable of detecting an obstacle such as an automobile or a pedestrian existing in the vicinity of a railroad crossing bar.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 3 shows, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-1304.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a conventional level crossing obstacle detection device described in Japanese Patent No. 12, and FIG. 4 is a layout view of a radar device that constitutes the level crossing obstacle detection device. 3 and 4, the radar transmitting / receiving means 1 is provided on an X-direction to Y-direction track 3 on which a down train 2 travels and a Y-to-X direction track 5 on which an up train 4 travels in a double-track section. It is installed outside the designated railroad crossing 6. Then, the radar transmitting / receiving unit 1 FM-modulates continuous electromagnetic waves of millimeter waves and sub-millimeter waves to generate a transmission wave, and transmits the generated transmission wave to the entire level crossing 6 while turning on a horizontal plane to cross the level crossing 6 Receives the reflected wave that is reflected inside. The radar processing means 7 is the radar transmitting / receiving means 1
The obstacle 8 is recognized by performing image processing on the cross-section image obtained from the reflected wave received by. Obstacles that the alarm processing means 9 recognizes from the size of the obstacle 8 based on the information from the radar processing means 7 when the train detection signal output when the train 2 enters the railroad crossing control section is input. Whether the object 8 is a car, a pedestrian, a bicycle, or the like is identified. As a result of the identification, when the obstacle 8 is an automobile, the alarm processing means 9 detects the automobile as the obstacle 8 even if a predetermined time has elapsed since the train 2 entered the railroad crossing control section and the railroad crossing alarm was started. If so, the alarm signal 9a is output to the output means 10. The output means 10 sends an alarm signal 9a to a railroad crossing alarm device (not shown) to cause a special signal light emitter (not shown) to emit light to transmit stop information to the train 2 to stop the train 2.

[0003]

Since the conventional railroad crossing obstacle detection device is constructed as described above, the railroad crossing is blocked by the blocking rod because the transmission wave of the radar has a predetermined spread angle. In this case, there is a problem that it is difficult to accurately determine whether or not an obstacle is inside the railroad crossing near the blocking rod. The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and provides a level crossing obstacle detection device and a level crossing obstacle detection method capable of accurately determining an obstacle in the vicinity of a blocking rod. It is intended.

[0004]

A level crossing obstacle detection apparatus according to the present invention transmits a radar transmission wave from a radar transmission / reception means into a level crossing blocked by a blocking rod and transmits / receives a reflected wave of the transmission wave to the radar transmission / reception. The radar processing means detects the obstacle inside the railroad crossing from the reflected wave and outputs an obstacle detection signal inside the railroad crossing, which is output when the train approaches the predetermined distance from the railroad crossing and enters the alarm section. When the train detection signal is input to the alarm processing means, and the alarm processing means recognizes an obstacle in the railroad crossing from the obstacle detection signal inside the railroad crossing, the alarm processing means notifies the train traveling in the railroad crossing direction. In a level crossing obstacle detection device that outputs an alarm signal, the radar processing means is activated by an activation signal output when an obstacle is detected near the blocking rod, and is closer to the blocking rod on the track side than the blocking rod. With a blocking rod Detects the presence of an obstacle in the railroad crossing near the blocking rod from the light transmitting and receiving means that transmits the light beam to the row and receives the transmitted light beam, and the light beam received by this light transmitting and receiving means When a train detection signal is input to the alarm processing means and an obstacle detection signal inside the level crossing and an obstacle detection signal near the level crossing are input The alarm signal is output to.

Further, the transmission wave of the radar is transmitted to the inside of the railroad crossing which is blocked by the blocking rod, the reflected wave of the transmitted wave is received, and the obstacle in the railroad crossing is detected from the reflected wave, and the train determines a predetermined level from the railroad crossing. A railroad crossing obstacle is designed so that a train detection signal is output when a vehicle approaches a distance and enters an alarm section, and when an obstacle is recognized within the railroad crossing, an alarm signal is output to a train traveling in the railroad crossing direction. In the object detection method, when an obstacle is detected in the vicinity of the blocking rod from the reflected wave, a light beam is transmitted parallel to the blocking rod near the blocking rod on the line side of the blocking rod and the transmitted light beam is received. Then, when the train detection signal is output and an obstacle is detected near the blocking rod, and when it is detected that there is an obstacle in the railroad crossing near the blocking rod from the received light beam, It recognizes obstacles and outputs an alarm signal. That.

[0006]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiment 1. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the first embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a layout view of a level crossing obstacle detection device. In FIGS. 1 and 2, 11 is a track in which a downward train 12 travels from the X direction to the Y direction in a double track section, 13 is a track in which an upward train 14 travels from the Y direction to the X direction in a double track section, and 15 is both tracks. Railroad crossings provided on the tracks 11 and 13, and 16 are blocking bars, which block the passage of cars and pedestrians when the trains 12 and 14 approach the railroad crossing 15. 17a,
17b is an obstacle inside the railroad crossing 15 such as an automobile or a pedestrian,
Is a radar transmitting / receiving means installed in the vicinity of the railroad crossing 15 to generate a transmission wave by, for example, FM modulating a continuous wave of electromagnetic waves of millimeter waves and submillimeter waves, and while rotating the transmission wave on a horizontal plane, inside the blocking rod 16. Then, the signal is transmitted to the entire railroad crossing 15 and the reflected wave is received. Reference numeral 19 denotes a radar processing means, which is a radar transmitting / receiving means 18
The image of the railroad crossing surface obtained from the reflected wave received in step S1 is image-processed to recognize the obstacle 17a in the railroad crossing 15 and an obstacle detection signal 19a in the railroad crossing is sent to the alarm processing means 23, which will be described later. When an obstacle 17b is detected in the vicinity of, an orbit signal 19b for activating the light transmitting / receiving means 20 described later is output.

Reference numeral 20 denotes a light transmitting / receiving means which is activated by an activation signal 19b. Near the blocking rod 16 on the orbits 11 and 13 side of the blocking rod 16 and in parallel with the blocking rod 16, a narrowed infrared light or a laser beam. It is arranged so as to send out a light beam such as light and receive the light beam reflected by the light reflector 20a. Reference numeral 21 denotes a light detecting means, which determines whether or not the light beam received by the light transmitting / receiving means 20 is blocked by the obstacle 17b. When the light beam is blocked, it is determined that the obstacle 17b exists inside the railroad crossing 15. Then, an obstacle detection signal 21a near the blocking rod is output. Reference numeral 22 denotes a train detection signal, which is detected and output when the train 12 enters a predetermined section (railroad crossing warning section) of the track 11 for example. Reference numeral 23 is an alarm processing means, and when the train detection signal 22 is input, the obstacle 17a is recognized from the obstacle detection signal 19a inside the railroad crossing or the obstacle detection signal 19 inside the railroad crossing is detected.
a and an obstacle 17 from the obstacle detection signal 21a near the blocking rod
When b is recognized, the warning signal 23a is output to the train 12 traveling in the direction of the railroad crossing 15. Reference numeral 24 is an output means, which outputs an alarm signal 23a to, for example, a railroad crossing alarm device (not shown).
Send to. A railroad crossing warning device (not shown) causes a signal light emitter to emit light and transmits stop information to the train 12 to stop the train 12.

Next, the operation will be described. 1 and 2
In the above, when the train 12 travels from the X direction to the Y direction and enters the railroad crossing warning section, the train detection signal 22 outputs the alarm processing means 23.
The railroad crossing 15 is blocked by the blocking rod 16 while being input to In this state, the radar transmitting / receiving means 18 receives the reflected wave of the transmitted transmission wave. Then, the radar processing means 1
9 detects an obstacle 17a in the railroad crossing 15 from the received reflected wave, and outputs an obstacle detection signal 19a in the railroad crossing. When the train detection signal 22 is input, the alarm processing means 23 receives the obstacle detection signal 19a inside the railroad crossing and recognizes the obstacle 17a in the railroad crossing 15 and then outputs the alarm signal 23.
Output a. The output means 24 sends the warning signal 23a to, for example, a railroad crossing warning device (not shown). A railroad crossing warning device (not shown) causes a signal light emitter to emit light and transmits stop information to the train 12 to stop the train 12.

Further, from the radar transmitting / receiving means 18, the blocking rod 1
When the radar processing means 19 detects an obstacle 17b by a radar beam emitted in the vicinity of 6 in a direction substantially parallel to the blocking rod 16, the radar processing means 19 outputs an activation signal 19b to activate the light transmitting / receiving means 20. . Light transmitting / receiving means 20
Receives the light beam sent in parallel with the blocking rod 16 and sends it to the light detecting means 21. The light detecting means 21 is an obstacle 17b.
When the light beam shielded by is input, it is determined that an obstacle 17b is present inside the railroad crossing 15 on the light beam, and the obstacle detection signal 21a is output. When the train detection signal 22 is input, the alarm processing means 23 receives the obstacle detection signal 19a inside the railroad crossing and the obstacle detection signal 21a near the blocking rod, and when the obstacle 17b is recognized inside the railroad crossing 15, an alarm signal is output. 23a is output. Then, the warning signal 23a notifies the train 12 of the danger through, for example, a railroad crossing warning device (not shown).

As described above, when the obstacle 17b is detected in the vicinity of the blocking rod 16, the radar processing means 19 outputs the activation signal 19b to activate the light transmitting / receiving means 20, and the blocking rod 16 causes the line 11 to travel. , 13 side, the light transmitting / receiving means 20 receives the light beam sent in the vicinity of the blocking rod 16 in parallel with the blocking rod 16, and the obstacle 17b exists near the blocking rod 16 from the received light beam. The light detection means 21 detects
When the train detection signal 22 is input to the alarm processing means 23, the obstacle detection signal 19a inside the railroad crossing and the obstacle detection signal 21a near the railroad crossing are input, and the obstacle 17 inside the railroad crossing 15 is input.
By outputting the alarm signal 23a when b is recognized, the obstacle 17b near the blocking rod 16 can be accurately determined. In addition, the radar processing means 19 includes the blocking rod 1.
By activating the light transmitting / receiving unit 20 when the obstacle 17b is detected in the vicinity of 6, the light beam generator (not shown) does not have to be constantly operated, so that the life of the light beam generator is extended. can do.

In the first embodiment, the light transmitting / receiving means 20
Has described the case of transmitting the light beam and receiving the light beam reflected by the light reflector 20a, but the same effect can be expected even if the light beam is received by the light reflector 20a side. . Further, in the first embodiment, the one in which the blocking rod 16 is arranged only on the track 11 side has been described, but the blocking rod 16, the light transmitting / receiving means 20, and the light detecting means on the track 13 side or both tracks 11, 13 side. Even if 21 is arranged, the same effect can be expected. In the first embodiment, the case where the continuous wave of the electromagnetic wave is FM-modulated to create the transmission wave has been described, but the same effect can be obtained even if a modulation method such as pulse modulation or spread spectrum (SS) modulation is adopted. Can be expected. Further, in the first embodiment, the case where the radar transmitting / receiving means 18 transmits the transmission wave while rotating the transmission wave in the horizontal plane has been described. However, it is prepared in advance so that a plurality of radar beams can be transmitted in the horizontal plane, and switching is performed sequentially. Even if it is transmitted, the same effect can be expected. Furthermore, the first embodiment
In the above, the explanation was given of a method of recognizing obstacles by image-processing a cross-section image obtained from reflected waves. Even if an object is recognized, the same effect can be expected.

[0012]

According to the present invention, when an obstacle is detected in the vicinity of the blocking rod from the reflected wave, a light beam is transmitted in the vicinity of the blocking rod on the line side of the blocking rod and in parallel with the blocking rod. The transmitted light beam is received, the train detection signal is output, an obstacle is detected near the blocking rod, and there is an obstacle in the railroad crossing near the blocking rod from the received light beam. When an obstacle is detected, an obstacle is recognized and an alarm signal is output so that it is possible to accurately determine whether an obstacle near the blocking rod is inside the railroad crossing or outside the railroad crossing. You can

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a first embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a layout view of the level crossing obstacle detection device of FIG. 1. FIG.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a conventional level crossing obstacle detection device.

FIG. 4 is a layout view of a radar device that constitutes the crossing obstacle detection device of FIG. 3;

[Explanation of symbols]

11,13 tracks, 12,14 trains, 15 railroad crossings, 1
6 blocking rods, 17a, 17b obstacles, 18 radar transmitting / receiving means, 19 radar processing means, 20 light transmitting / receiving means, 21 light detecting means, 23 alarm processing means.

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A radar transmission / reception means transmits a radar transmission wave into a railroad crossing blocked by a blocking rod, and the radar transmission / reception means receives a reflected wave of the transmission wave. The obstacle detection signal inside the railroad crossing is detected and the obstacle detection signal inside the railroad crossing is output, and the train detection signal output when the train approaches the predetermined distance from the railroad crossing and enters the alarm section is input to the alarm processing means. When the alarm processing means recognizes the obstacle in the railroad crossing from the obstacle detection signal inside the railroad crossing, an alarm signal is output from the alarm processing means to the train traveling in the railroad crossing direction. In the level crossing obstacle detection device, the radar processing means is activated by an activation signal output when the obstacle is detected in the vicinity of the blocking rod, and the blocking rod of the blocking rod on the line side of the blocking rod. Neighborhood A light transmitting / receiving means for transmitting a light beam in parallel with the blocking rod and receiving the transmitted light beam, and the light beam received by the light transmitting / receiving means in the crossing near the blocking rod. And a light detection means for outputting an obstacle detection signal near the railroad crossing when it detects that the obstacle exists, and the train detection signal is input to the alarm processing means, and the obstacle detection inside the railroad crossing is detected. A crossing obstacle detection device, wherein the alarm signal is output when a signal and the obstacle detection signal near the crossing are input. 2. A train crossing a railroad crossing by transmitting a radar transmission wave to the railroad crossing blocked by a blocking rod, receiving a reflected wave of the transmission wave, detecting an obstacle in the railroad crossing from the reflected wave. A train detection signal is output when the vehicle enters a warning zone by approaching a predetermined distance from, and when the obstacle is recognized in the railroad crossing, a warning signal is output to the train traveling in the railroad crossing direction. In the method of detecting a level crossing obstacle that is output,
When the obstacle is detected in the vicinity of the blocking rod from the reflected wave, a light beam is transmitted in parallel with the blocking rod on the line side of the blocking rod in the vicinity of the blocking rod and the transmitted light beam. The train detection signal is output, the obstacle is detected in the vicinity of the blocking rod, and the obstacle is present in the railroad crossing in the vicinity of the blocking rod from the received light beam. When it is detected that the obstacle is detected, the obstacle is recognized and the alarm signal is output.