JP2010274832A - Transmitter for track circuit - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a transmitter for a track circuit capable of preventing a potential failure in untransmitted state. <P>SOLUTION: The transmitter for the track circuit 1 is constituted by including: an ATC signal output controller 3; an ATC carrier wave generator 4 and an inspection signal wave generator 5; a selector 7 for outputting, by the indication of the ATC signal output controller 3, output or non-output of an input signal from the ATC carrier wave generator 4 or the inspection signal wave generator 5; a modulator 9 for frequency modulating according to ATC information 8 transmitted from the ATC signal output controller 3; an amplifier 10 for power amplifying output of the modulator 9; a voltage detector 12 for detecting an output voltage of an output signal and outputting it as voltage feedback information 11; and a current detector 14 for detecting an output current of the output signal and outputting it as current feedback information 13. The transmitter for the track circuit outputs an ATC signal when a train is on-rail, and also outputs an inspection signal as needed according to an on-rail condition of a train when the train is not on-rail. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a track circuit transmitter used in an automatic train control device (hereinafter referred to as an ATC (Automatic Train Control) device) which is a railroad security device.

  In the ATC device, as shown in FIG. 8, the transmitter 18, 19 installed for each track circuit is transmitted to the transmitter 18, 19 based on the control signal transmitted from the logic unit 2 via the communication network 24. 19 outputs a train detection signal (hereinafter referred to as a TD (Train Detection) signal) and an automatic train control signal (hereinafter referred to as an ATC signal). The TD signal is transmitted to the TD signal receiver 20 through the track circuit, and the ATC signal is transmitted to the on-board device 22 through the track circuit.

  The TD signal transmitter 18 and the ATC signal transmitter 19 have a function of monitoring the feedback information of the transmission signal and determining that the transmitter is faulty if it differs from the expected value.

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a track circuit transceiver that includes two CPUs (central processing units), a relay circuit, and a power amplifier circuit, and transmits and receives ATC signals and TD signals. The stand controls the output of the ATC signal and the TD signal, inputs the feedback signal of the output voltage / output current of the power amplifier circuit to the CPU, and each CPU monitors the level of the voltage / current, and outputs the power amplifier circuit. A technique is disclosed in which when the level is out of a prescribed range, it is determined that the transmitter / receiver is out of order and the output of the ATC signal and the TD signal is stopped.

  There are two types of track circuits, an insulated track circuit in which an insulator is interposed between adjacent track circuits and a non-insulated track circuit in which no insulator is interposed. In the insulated track circuit, since each track circuit is electrically insulated, the transmission signal does not leak to the adjacent track circuit. Therefore, it becomes possible to always transmit the TD signal and the ATC signal regardless of the train line status. Further, as shown in FIG. 9, in the insulated track circuit, the ATC signal and the TD signal can be configured with the same signal, and the system configuration can be simplified.

  In recent years, since the installation cost and maintenance cost of an insulator in an insulated track circuit are high, for example, as shown in FIG. 10, an automatic train control device to which an uninsulated track circuit is applied has attracted attention. In the non-insulated track circuit, adjacent track circuits are electrically connected. Therefore, it is necessary to prepare a plurality of different frequencies for the TD signal and assign them to each track circuit. On the other hand, the ATC signal transmitted to the on-board device is transmitted only to the track circuit where the train is present, thereby preventing interference between the ATC signals in the adjacent track circuits.

  In a non-insulated track circuit, the TD signal transmitter always outputs a signal, but the ATC signal transmitter does not output a signal unless the train is stepped on and there is a line. There is a problem of potential failure. When a failure is latent, the failure does not become apparent until the train steps into the track circuit and outputs an ATC signal. The transmitter has a multi-system configuration for improving the operating rate, and when a failure is detected, the operation is switched to the transmitter that has been on standby. The time from when the train is on line until the ATC signal is actually output from the amplifier from the switched transmitter is the ATC no signal time when viewed from the on-board device. If the ATC no-signal state continues for a certain time or longer, the on-board device brakes and stops the train, so it is desirable that the no-signal time is short.

  As a countermeasure against potential failure in the ATC signal transmitter, as described in Patent Document 2, there is a method of outputting a signal even when the train is not present. For example, if a signal having a frequency different from that of the ATC signal is output, the on-board device will not mistakenly recognize it as an ATC signal, so that a failure can be detected safely.

JP 2004-237903 A JP 2008-162468 A

  However, in the non-insulated track circuit, if the inspection signal wave in the adjacent track circuit has the same frequency, the inspection signal may interfere and failure detection may not be performed normally. This can be dealt with by using a plurality of types of inspection signal waves, but there is a problem that the cost increases because it is necessary to prepare a plurality of inspection signal wave generators. In addition, since it is necessary to consider the influence of the intermodulation between the inspection signal wave and the TD signal or the ATC signal, it is necessary to reduce the types of inspection signal waves as much as possible.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a track circuit transmitter that prevents potential failure and realizes cost reduction.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, a track circuit transmitter according to the present invention is a track circuit transmitter that amplifies and transmits a signal modulated by changing the frequency of a carrier wave in accordance with automatic train control information. A carrier wave generator that generates a carrier wave for an automatic train control signal, an inspection signal wave generator that generates an inspection signal having a frequency different from that of the carrier wave, and an output of the carrier wave generator when a signal output instruction is given. , A selector for selecting the output or non-output of the inspection signal of the inspection signal wave generator, and a monitoring unit for performing feedback monitoring of the transmitted signal and comparing and monitoring the transmitted signal for detecting a failure in the transmission circuit And the inspection signal is output when the train is not present.

  Moreover, since the purpose of preventing the potential for failure is to shorten the ATC no signal time, it is only necessary to prevent the occurrence of failure at the timing when the train steps into the track circuit. Further, in order to prevent interference of the inspection signal wave, the inspection signal is not output simultaneously from the transmitters having influence, for example, adjacent transmitters.

  If the transmitter for the track circuit before the train is on line, or if the transmitter is selected periodically and inspection signal output is performed, even if a failure occurs when the train is not on the line, a normal transmitter before the train is on line The ATC no signal time can be shortened.

  According to the present invention, by outputting an inspection signal when the train is not present, there is an effect of preventing the potential of transmitter failure. In addition, it is possible to cope with an uninsulated track circuit by outputting an inspection signal only when necessary according to the state of the train.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a system configuration of an ATC signal transmitter according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an ATC system to which the ATC signal transmitter according to the first embodiment of the present invention is applied. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the transmission timing of the test signal of each ATC signal transmitter according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a system configuration of the ATC signal / TD signal transmitter according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of an ATC system to which the ATC signal / TD signal transmitter according to the second embodiment of the present invention is applied. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a system configuration of an ATC signal / TD signal transceiver according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of an ATC system to which the ATC signal / TD signal transceiver according to the third embodiment of the present invention is applied. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of an ATC system in a conventional insulated track circuit. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of an ATC system in an insulated track circuit when the same wave (ATC / TD signal) is applied to the ATC signal and the TD signal of the conventional example. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of an ATC system in a conventional non-insulated track circuit.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  Next, Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of an ATC signal transmitter as one of track circuit transmitters to which the present invention is applied. The illustrated ATC signal transmitter 1 includes an ATC signal output control unit 3 that performs ATC signal output control according to a control signal from the ATC logic unit 2, an ATC carrier wave generator 4 that generates an ATC signal carrier wave, From the ATC signal output control unit 3, the test signal wave generator 5 for generating the test signal and whether the input signal from the ATC carrier wave generator 4 or the test signal wave generator 5 is output or not output. A selector 7 that selects according to the instruction 6, a modulator 9 that performs frequency modulation in accordance with ATC information 8 transmitted from the ATC signal output control unit 3, an amplifier 10 that amplifies the output of the modulator 9, and an output of the output signal A voltage detector 12 that detects a voltage and outputs it as voltage feedback information 11, and a current detector 14 that detects an output current of the output signal and outputs it as current feedback information 13. It constitutes contain.

  In response to the ATC signal output instruction from the ATC logic unit 2, the ATC signal output control unit 3 outputs a signal 6 for selecting the output from the ATC carrier wave generator 4 to the selector 7, and the ATC signal is output to the modulator 9. Information 8 is output.

  The ATC signal output control unit 3 receives the voltage feedback information 11 from the voltage detection unit 12 and the current feedback information 13 from the current detection unit 14. If these are different from the expected values, the ATC signal output control unit 3 determines that there is an abnormality and outputs the ATC signal. To stop.

  In addition, the ATC logic unit 2 determines the on-line status of the train based on train detection information from a TD receiver (not shown), determines the output timing of the test signal according to the on-line status, and sends the test signal to the ATC signal transmitter 1. Give output instructions. In the ATC signal transmitter 1 that has received the inspection signal output instruction, the ATC signal output control unit 3 outputs the signal 6 for selecting the output from the inspection signal wave generator 5 to the selector 7. An inspection signal is output to

  When the test signal is output, the ATC information 8 from the ATC signal output control unit 3 to the modulator 9 may be information that does not make sense such as all zeros. As a result, even if the ATC carrier wave generator is selected by mistake, it is not received as normal ATC information in the on-board device, so that the safety of the system is improved.

  In addition, when there is no ATC signal output instruction or inspection signal output instruction from the ATC logic unit 2, the ATC signal output control unit 3 outputs a control signal 6 for cutting off the output to the selector 7, and a signal to the track circuit 16. Stop output.

  By outputting an inspection signal from the ATC signal transmitter 1 as in the present embodiment, it is possible to prevent the potential of a failure that has occurred when the train is not present. As a result, it becomes possible to prevent the occurrence of a failure at the timing when the train is stepped on, shorten the no-signal time detected on the vehicle, and improve the operation rate of the system. When the inspection is unnecessary, the output signal is stopped to enable the output of the inspection signal in the non-insulated track circuit.

  It should be noted that when an ATC signal output instruction is received from the ATC logic unit 2 while an inspection signal is being output, it is desirable to prioritize the ATC signal so that no signal is detected by the on-board device.

  In an ATC apparatus, generally, an uplink ATC signal and a downlink ATC signal use different frequencies. Therefore, the inspection signal may be a frequency for a reverse line (or a down line if it is an up line). This eliminates the need to prepare a new frequency for the inspection signal.

  A DSP (digital signal processor) that implements signal processing may be used to realize an ATC carrier wave generator, a test signal wave generator, a selector, a modulator, a voltage detector, and a current detector. . As a result, the configuration can be simplified and the cost can be reduced.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an ATC system to which the ATC signal transmitter according to the first embodiment of the present invention is applied. In FIG. 2, ATC signal transmitters 1-1, 1-2, and 1-3 corresponding to the ATC signal transmitter 1 of FIG. 1 are arranged in each track circuit of the ATC system. The TD signal 28 transmitted from the TD signal transmitter 18 to the track circuit is transmitted to the preceding and following track circuits and received by the TD signal receiver 20 to detect the status of the train 22 being present. The standing line information is transmitted to the ATC logic unit 2 via the communication network 24, and the ATC logic unit 2 grasps the standing state of the non-insulated track circuit of the train 22.

  The ATC logic unit 2 determines the on-line status of the train based on the train detection information from the TD receiver 20, determines the output timing of the inspection signal according to the on-line status, and sends to the ATC signal transmitters 1-1 to 1-3. Instruct to output inspection signal. In the ATC signal transmitter 1 that has received the inspection signal output instruction, the ATC signal output control unit 3 outputs the signal 6 for selecting the output from the inspection signal wave generator 5 to the selector 7. Output inspection signal (double arrow).

  FIG. 3 shows the transmission timing of the test signal of each ATC signal transmitter according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Each ATC signal transmitter 1-1 to 1-3 receives an ATC signal output instruction from the ATC logic unit 2 when the train 22 is present, and the ATC signal output control unit 3 receives from the ATC carrier wave generator 4 Is output to the selector 7, and ATC information 8 is output to the modulator 9.

  Each ATC signal transmitter 1-1 to 1-3 outputs an ATC signal to the train 22 when the train is on the line, but the ATC logic unit at a predetermined timing when the train is absent corresponding to the non-train line. 2, the ATC signal output control unit 3 outputs the signal 6 for selecting the output from the inspection signal wave generator 5 to the selector 7 and outputs the inspection signal (duplex) to the track circuit 16. (Arrow) is output.

  The selector 7 has a non-output terminal that outputs neither an ATC signal nor a test signal. When neither the ATC signal output instruction nor the test signal output instruction is received from the ATC logic unit 2, the selector 7 The output terminal is selected and neither the ATC signal nor the inspection signal is output.

  As shown in FIG. 3, in response to an output instruction from the ATC logic unit 2, the ATC signal transmitter 1-2 in the non-existing track circuit immediately before the train 22 transitions from the non-existing state to the existing state. It can be set to output an inspection signal (double arrow) corresponding to the information. That is, the non-existing track circuit immediately before the track circuit where the train is located is selected, and the timing is set so that the ATC signal transmitter 1-2 of the track circuit outputs the inspection signal. This makes it possible to prevent the occurrence of a failure at the timing when the vehicle is stepped on, and to reduce the no-signal time detected on the vehicle.

  Further, in response to an output instruction from the ATC logic unit 2, a track circuit in a non-existing state where the train 22 is not present is periodically selected, and the corresponding ATC signal transmitters 1-1 to 1-3 are periodically selected. It is also possible to efficiently detect a failure with respect to each track circuit where the train 22 is not present, by setting a timing so as to output an inspection signal.

  FIG. 4 shows a configuration of an ATC signal / TD signal transmitter 40 having a function of outputting both ATC signals and TD signals according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The same elements as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted. In addition to the configuration shown in FIG. 1, the ATC signal / TD signal transmitter 40 of FIG. 4 includes a TD signal output control unit 30, a selection signal 32 from the TD signal output control unit to the selector 33, and a TD signal output. TD information 34 from the control unit 30 to the modulator 35, a voltage detection unit 37 that detects the output voltage of the output signal and outputs it as voltage feedback information 36, and detects an output current of the output signal as current feedback information 38. And an output current detector 39.

  FIG. 5 shows a system configuration of an uninsulated track circuit to which the ATC / TD signal transmitters 40-1 to 40-3 shown in FIG. 4 are applied. In this embodiment, the TD signal output control unit 30 of each of the ATC signal / TD signal transmitters 40-1 to 40-3 receiving the TD signal output instruction from the ATC logic unit 2 outputs from the TD carrier wave generator 31. Is output to the selector 33, and TD information 34 is output to the modulator 35.

  The ATC logic unit 2 instructs the TD signal output control unit 30 to always output. Therefore, the feedback signals 38 and 39 for the TD output control unit 30, the TD carrier wave generator 31, the selector 33, the modulator 35, the voltage detection unit 36, the current detection unit 37, and the amplifier 10 which are elements related to the TD signal. Fault detection is always possible by monitoring.

  The elements related to the ATC signal output are the same as in the configuration of FIG. 1, and the ATC logic unit 2 determines the on-line status of the train based on the train detection information from the TD receiver 20, and the inspection signal The output timing is determined and the ATC signal transmitter 1 is instructed to output a test signal. In the ATC signal transmitter 1 that has received the inspection signal output instruction, the ATC signal output control unit 3 outputs the signal 6 for selecting the output from the inspection signal wave generator 5 to the selector 7. By outputting the inspection signal to the train and outputting the inspection signal when necessary according to the train line status, the potential for failure can be prevented.

  FIG. 6 shows the configuration of the track circuit transceiver 42 having ATC / TD signal transmission and TD signal reception functions according to the third embodiment of the present invention. The track circuit transceiver 42 in FIG. 6 further includes a TD signal receiver 20 in addition to the configuration of the ATC signal / TD signal transmitter 40 shown in FIG. It has a transmission / reception function.

  FIG. 7 shows a system configuration to which a track circuit transceiver having an ATC signal TD signal transmission and a TD signal reception function according to the third embodiment of the present invention is applied. In this system, it is possible to configure a system in which the same transmitter / receiver is disposed in each track circuit.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Track circuit transmitter 1-1 Track circuit transmitter 1-2 Track circuit transmitter 1-3 Track circuit transmitter 2 ATC logic unit 3 ATC signal output control unit 4 ATC carrier wave generator 5 Inspection signal wave Generator 6 Selection signal from ATC signal output control unit to selector 7 Selector 8 ATC information from ATC signal output control unit to modulator 9 Modulator 10 Amplifier 11 Voltage feedback information 12 Voltage detection unit 13 Current feedback information 14 Current Detection unit 15 Output signal 16 Track circuit 17 Output instruction from ATC logic unit to track circuit transmitter 18 TD signal transmitter 19 ATC signal transmitter 20 TD receiver 21 Track circuit boundary (insulated)
22 Traveling train 23 ATC signal and TD signal 24 Communication network 25 ATC / TD signal transmitter 26 ATC / TD signal 27 Track circuit boundary (non-insulated)
28 TD signal 29 ATC signal 30 TD output controller 31 TD carrier wave generator 32 Selection signal from TD signal output controller to selector 33 Selector 34 TD information from TD signal output controller to modulator 35 Modulator 36 Voltage feedback information 37 Voltage detector 38 Current feedback information 39 Current detector 40 ATC signal / TD signal transmitter
40-1 ATC signal / TD signal transmitter 40-2 ATC signal / TD signal transmitter 40-3 ATC signal / TD signal transmitter 42 ATC signal transmitter / receiver for track circuit having TD signal transmission / reception function 42-1 ATC signal Track Circuit Transmitter / Receiver with Transmission TD Signal Transmit / Receive Function 42-2 ATC Signal Transmitter / Transmitter for Track Circuit with TD Signal Transmit / Receive Function 42-3 Track Circuit Transmitter / Receiver with ATC Signal Transmission TD Signal Transmit / Receive Function

Claims (3)

A track circuit transmitter that amplifies and transmits a signal modulated by changing the frequency of a carrier wave according to automatic train control information,
A carrier wave generator for generating carrier waves for automatic train control signals;
A test signal wave generator for generating a test signal having a frequency different from that of the carrier wave;
A selector that selects the output of the carrier wave generator, the output of the inspection signal of the inspection signal wave generator, or the non-output when the signal output is instructed;
In order to detect a failure of the transmission circuit, the transmitter for the track circuit including the monitoring unit that performs feedback monitoring of the transmitted signal and performs comparison monitoring with the transmitted signal.
A track circuit transmitter that outputs the inspection signal when a train is absent.   The track circuit transmitter according to claim 1, wherein a non-tracked track circuit immediately before a tracked track circuit in which a train is present is selected and the inspection signal is output.   The track circuit transmitter according to claim 1, wherein the train periodically selects one or a plurality of track circuits where the train is not present, and outputs the inspection signal.

Images