JP2012091671A - Rail breakage detecting device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an inexpensive rail breakage detecting device capable of detecting breakage of a rail on a ground side.SOLUTION: A first sensing section L1 is constituted of one rail 11 of a pair of rails 11 and 12 and a second sensing section L2 is constituted of the another rail 12. A signal processor 4 is provided on the ground and a first voltage drop signal V1 generated in the first sensing section L1 and a second voltage drop signal V2 generated in the second sensing section L2 are input to the signal processor 4 by retrace line currents I21 and I22 flowing through rails 11 and 12 and breakage of the rails 11 and 12 is sensed from the first and second voltage drop signals V1 and V2.

Description

  The present invention relates to a rail breakage detection device that detects a breakage of a railroad rail.

  Conventionally, in a railway, the position of a train is detected by a track circuit, and rail breakage is detected as a secondary function of the track circuit. On the other hand, in recent years, as a new train control system, development of a moving block system that does not use a track circuit has been advanced. In a mobile block system, the position of a train is not calculated by the track circuit, but the train itself calculates the running position of the vehicle by, for example, the speed of a speed generator attached to the axle or wireless communication with a ground device. The current position is transmitted to other trains or ground devices by wireless communication.

  In such a system, rail breakage detection using a conventional track circuit cannot be performed. Therefore, as means for detecting rail breakage without using a track circuit, for example, Patent Document 1 detects each return current flowing through a pair of left and right rails, and obtains an unbalance from each return current, A technique for detecting rail breakage when an unbalance exceeds a preset value is disclosed. However, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for detecting a return current on the vehicle upper side, and only suggests the possibility of detecting the return current on the ground side, and there is no specific disclosure.

JP-A-6-321110

  The subject of this invention is providing the rail fracture | rupture detection apparatus which can detect a rail fracture | rupture on the ground side.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide an inexpensive rail breakage detection device.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, a rail breakage detection apparatus according to the present invention includes a first detection section, a second detection section, and a signal processing device. The first detection section is configured by a predetermined rail length by one of the pair of rails, and the second detection section is configured by a predetermined rail length by the other of the pair of rails.

  The signal processing device is provided on the ground, and a first voltage drop signal generated in the first detection section and a second voltage drop signal generated in the second detection section are generated by a return current flowing in the rail. The rail breakage is detected from an unbalance between the first voltage drop signal and the second voltage drop signal.

  The first voltage drop signal and the second voltage drop signal have voltage values determined by the impedance of the rail corresponding to the lengths of the first detection section and the second detection section and the return current flowing through the rail. When there is no rail breakage, the return current flowing out from the train to the pair of rails is a substantially balanced value, and is configured on one of the rails under the condition that the lengths of the first detection section and the second detection section are substantially equal. The first voltage drop signal generated in the first detection section and the second voltage drop signal generated in the second detection section constituted by the other of the rails also have substantially balanced values.

  However, when a rail break occurs in one of the pair of rails, the return current leaks into the ground on the broken rail side, and thus the return current flowing through each of the pair of rails is unbalanced, and the first detection section Also, the first voltage drop signal generated in step S2 and the second voltage drop signal generated in the second detection period are also unbalanced.

  The first voltage drop signal and the second voltage drop signal are input to the signal processing device. The signal processing device detects the breakage of the rail from the input first voltage drop signal and second voltage drop signal. That is, rail breakage is detected from an unbalance between the first voltage drop signal and the second voltage drop signal.

  As described above, in the present invention, the first detection section, the second detection section, and the signal processing device are installed on the ground, and rail breakage can be detected on the ground side.

  In addition, rail breakage is detected from the return current, and no special signal generation circuit or signal transmission circuit is used for detection. Accordingly, the equipment cost is reduced. The signal processing device can be constituted by a part of the ground device for train control, and the rail breakage detection can actually be executed by software. Since what is to be added is driving a terminal into the rail to define the first detection section and the second detection section, cable wiring work, etc., it is easy to implement.

  As a specific form, the first detection section includes a pair of conductor connection portions set at a distance from one of the rails. The first voltage drop signal is a voltage drop signal generated on one of the rails between the pair of conductor connection portions. The second detection section also includes a pair of conductor connection portions that are set apart from each other on the other rail. The second voltage drop signal is a voltage drop signal generated on the other of the rails between the pair of conductor connection portions.

  More preferably, a plurality of sets of the first detection section and the second detection section are provided in one occlusion section, and the signal processing device is provided for each set of the first detection section and the second detection section. It has a function of detecting the failure state of each set from the voltage drop signal.

As described above, according to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.
(A) A rail breakage detection device capable of detecting a rail breakage on the ground side can be provided.
(B) It is possible to provide an inexpensive rail breakage detection device.
(C) Rail breakage that can permanently maintain the soundness of the system through failure detection and subsequent maintenance when it has a function of detecting a connection failure in the conductor connection portion from the voltage drop signals of multiple detection sections A sensing device can be provided.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the rail fracture detection apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows another structure of the rail fracture detection apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the rail fracture detection apparatus shown in FIG.

  Referring to FIG. 1, a train 2 traveling in the direction of arrow F <b> 1 is on the pair of rails 11 and 12. A current collector (pantograph) 22 is attached to the roof of the vehicle body 21 of the train 2, and the power supplied to the overhead line 3 from the power supply facility 5 such as a substation is contacted by the current collector 22 that contacts the overhead line 3. A motor or the like (not shown) is driven by the electric power introduced into the train 2. The current I1 introduced into the train 2 from the overhead line 3 through the current collector 22 is guided to the rails 11 and 12 through the axle 23 and the like, and returns to the power supply facility 5 through the rails 11 and 12. Therefore, the return currents I21 and I22 flow through the rails 11 and 12, respectively. The feature of the present invention resides in that the breaks of the rails 11 and 12 are detected on the ground side using the return currents I21 and I22.

  As its means, the rail breakage detection apparatus according to the present invention includes a first detection section L1, a second detection section L2, and a signal processing device 4. The first detection section L1 is configured by the rail 11, and the second detection section L2 is configured by the rail 12. The length of the 1st detection area L1 and the 2nd detection area L2 should just be the range of about 3m-6m, for example. At least one such detection section is provided in one closed section. The installation positions of the first detection section L1 and the second detection section L2 are not particularly limited. It may be in the middle of the closed section or on the end side.

  In setting the first detection section L1, the conductor connection portions P11 and P12 are set at appropriate distances such as the side portion of the rail 11 with a distance L1 from each other, and cable conductors and the like are connected to the conductor connection portions P11 and P12. The conducting wire 61 is connected. Similarly, even when setting the second detection section L2, the conductor connecting portions P21 and P22 are set on the side of the rail 12 at a distance from each other, and the conductor 62 such as a cable wire is connected to the conductor connecting portions P21 and P22. To do. The conducting wires 61 and 62 are led to the signal processing device 4. It is not necessary for the conductive wire connecting portions P11 and P12 and the conductive wire connecting portions P21 and P22 to face each other. The rails 11 and 12 may be displaced in the length direction.

  The signal processing device 4 is provided on the ground, and the first voltage drop signal V1 generated in the first detection section L1 and the second generated in the second detection section L2 due to the return currents I21 and I22 flowing in the rails 11 and 12. The voltage drop signal V2 is input, and the breakage of the rails 11 and 12 is detected from the first voltage drop signal V1 and the second voltage drop signal V2. The first voltage drop signal V1 and the second voltage drop signal V2 are the impedance of the rail according to the length of the first detection section L1 and the second detection section L2, and the return currents I21 and I2 flowing in the rails 11 and 12, respectively. The voltage value determined by.

  When there is no rail breakage, the return currents I21 and I22 flowing from the train to the rails 11 and 12 are almost balanced, and the lengths of the first detection section L1 and the second detection section L2 are almost equal. The first voltage drop signal V1 generated in the first detection section L1 configured by the rail 11 and the second voltage drop signal V2 generated in the second detection section L2 configured by the rail 12 have substantially balanced values.

  However, when a rail break B occurs in one of the rails 11 and 12, for example, the rail 11, the return current I21 leaks into the ground in the rail 11 on the broken rail side, so that the return current flowing through each of the rails 11 and 12 is returned. The line currents I21 and I22 are unbalanced, and the first voltage drop signal V1 generated in the first detection section L1 and the second voltage drop signal V2 generated in the second detection section L2 are also unbalanced.

  The first voltage drop signal V1 and the second voltage drop signal V2 are input to the signal processing device 4. The signal processing device 4 detects the breakage of the rail 11 from the input first voltage drop signal V1 and second voltage drop signal V2. That is, the break of the rail 11 is detected from the unbalance between the first voltage drop signal V1 and the second voltage drop signal V2. Specifically, it is possible to obtain a disequilibrium ratio (V1−V2) / (V1 + V2) or the like, and take a judgment method such that there is a break when the imbalance ratio is higher than a preset unbalance ratio. it can.

  As described above, in the present invention, the first detection section L1, the second detection section L2, and the signal processing device 4 are all installed on the ground, and rail breakage can be detected on the ground side.

  Moreover, rail breakage is detected from the return currents I21 and I22, and a special signal generation circuit and signal transmission circuit for detection are not used. Accordingly, the equipment cost is reduced. The signal processing device 4 can be constituted by a part of the train control ground device, and the rail breakage detection can actually be executed by software using the train control ground device or the like. What should be added is the setting of the conductor connection portions (P11, P12) and (P21, P22) to the rails 11 and 12 for defining the first detection section L1 and the second detection section L2, and preparation of the conductors 61 and 62 Since it is connection and laying work, it is easy to implement and implement.

  By the way, in the case of the rail breakage detection apparatus shown in FIG. 1, when the connection of the conducting wire 61 or 62 is disconnected at any of the conducting wire connecting portions (P11, P12), (P21, P22), it is normal. Rail break detection cannot be performed. FIG. 2 shows an example of a rail breakage detection device that takes measures for that purpose. In FIG. 2, portions corresponding to the portions appearing in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same or similar reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

  Referring to FIG. 2, the first detection system A composed of the first detection section L11 and the second detection section L21 and a distance of, for example, 4 km from the first detection system A are included in one closed section. A second detection system B composed of a first detection section L12 and a second detection section L22 is set. However, the number of detection systems may be two or more, and is not limited to two.

  First, in the 1st detection system A, the 1st detection area L11 has conducting wire connection parts P11 and P12, and conducting wire 611, such as a cable line, is connected to these conducting wire connection parts P11 and P12. The 2nd detection area L21 has conducting wire connection parts P21 and P22, and conducting wire 621 is connected to these conducting wire connection parts P21 and P22.

  On the other hand, in the 2nd detection system B, the 1st detection section L12 has conducting wire connection parts P13 and P14, and conducting wire 612 is connected to these conducting wire connection parts P13 and P14. The second detection section L22 has conductor connection parts P23 and P24, and the conductor 622 is connected to the conductor connection parts P23 and P24.

  The signal processing device 4 includes voltage drop signals V11 and V21 in the first detection section L11 and the second detection section L12 that constitute the first detection system A, and the first detection section L12 and the second that constitute the second detection system B. From the voltage drop signals V12, V22 in the detection section L22, the conductors (611, 621), (612, 612, P22), (P13, P14) or (P23, P24) in the conductor connection parts (P11, P12), (612, 622) connection failure is detected.

  FIG. 2 shows a specific configuration of the signal processing device 4 as a block diagram, which includes a first signal processing unit 41, a second signal processing unit 42, and a third signal processing unit 43. These show the flow of processing and do not necessarily exist independently from each other in terms of hardware. It may be regarded as a concept as software.

  The first signal processing unit 41 detects the unbalance rate of the voltage drop signals (V11, V21) in the first detection section L11 and the second detection section L12 that constitute the first detection system A. The second signal processing unit 42 detects the unbalance rate of the voltage drop signals (V12, V22) in the first detection section L12 and the second detection section L22 that constitute the second detection system B.

  The third signal processing unit 43 determines the presence / absence of rail breakage from the signals S11 and S21 supplied from the first signal processing unit 41 and the second signal processing unit 42, and the conductor connection units (P11, P12), ( Connection failure and connection disconnection of the conductors 611 and 621 at P21, P22), and connection failure and disconnection of the conductors 612 or 622 at the conductor connection portions (P13, P14) and (P23, P24) are detected. Furthermore, disconnection of the conducting wires 611, 621, 612, and 622 is also detected.

  The conductive wires (611, 621), (612, 622) are normally connected in any of the conductive wire connecting portions (P11, P12), (P21, P22), (P13, P14) and (P23, P24). In this case, when a rail break occurs, the unbalance rate of the voltage drop signals (V11, V21) of the first detection system A and the unbalance rate of the voltage drop signals (V11, V22) of the second detection system B are , Almost the same value. At this time, the third signal processing unit 43 detects the rail breakage from the signals S11 and S21 supplied from the first signal processing units 41 and 42.

  On the other hand, in any of the conductor connecting portions (P11, P12), (P21, P22), (P13, P14), (P23, P24), a connection failure of the conductors (611, 621), (612, 622) occurs. In this case, the voltage drop signals (V11, V21) of the first detection section L11 and the second detection section L21 that constitute the first detection system A, and the first detection section L12 and the second that constitute the second detection system B, respectively. Among the voltage drop signals (V12, V22) in the detection section L22, the voltage drop signal on the side where the connection failure has occurred changes, and the voltage unbalance rate increases. Therefore, the unbalance rate between the signals S11 and S21 supplied from the first signal processing units 41 and 42 also increases. The third signal processing unit 43 detects a connection failure from the signals S11 and S21 supplied from the first signal processing units 41 and 42.

  Thus, the ability to detect connection failures such as cable disconnection (bond dropout) is extremely important and technically valuable in train operation systems that require a high level of system safety. . This is because a rail breakage detection device capable of permanently maintaining the soundness of the system can be realized by failure detection and subsequent maintenance.

  In normal times when neither rail breakage nor conductor connection failure occurs, the voltage imbalance rates in the first detection system A and the second detection system B are small, and an equivalent relationship is maintained. At this time, the third signal processing unit 43 determines that neither rail breakage nor conductor connection failure has occurred based on the signals S11 and S21 supplied from the first signal processing unit 41 and the second signal processing unit 42. The determination signal S3 output from the third signal processing unit 43 is used as, for example, an alarm signal or a display display signal.

  Next, the operation of the rail breakage detection apparatus shown in FIG. 2 will be described in more detail with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Since the first detection system A and the second detection system B have the same configuration and the same operation, the first detection system A will be mainly described. When the voltage drop signal V11 detected in the first detection section L11 set on the rail 11 is input to the first signal processing unit 41, the first signal processing unit 41 has the voltage drop signal V11 equal to or greater than a specified value. In this case, it is determined that the voltage drop is due to the flow of the retrace current I21. Further, when the voltage drop signal V21 detected in the second detection section L21 set on the rail 12 is input to the first signal processing unit 41, the first signal processing unit 41 causes the voltage drop signal V21 to be greater than or equal to a specified value. If it is, it is determined that the voltage drop is due to the flow of the retrace current I22. Then, an unbalance rate between the voltage drop signal V11 and the voltage drop signal V21 is obtained, and it is determined whether or not it is larger than a reference value (for example, 70%). If the unbalance rate between the voltage drop signal V11 and the voltage drop signal V21 is not greater than a reference value (for example, 70%), it is determined that there is no unbalance, and if it is greater, it is determined that there is an unbalance. These determination results are supplied from the first signal processing unit 41 to the third signal processing unit 43.

  Also in the second detection system B, the same flow processing is executed in the second signal processing unit 42, and the determination result is supplied from the second signal processing unit 42 to the third signal processing unit 43.

  In the third signal processing unit 43, the unbalance determination result of the first detection system A supplied from the first signal processing unit 41 and the unbalance determination result of the second detection system B supplied from the second signal processing unit 42. Are not matched, and if not matched, a match judgment is output. That is, the determination result that there is no abnormality in the conductor connection is output. If there is a mismatch, a mismatch determination is output. This mismatch determination corresponds to a conductor connection abnormality, a conductor connection failure, a conductor disconnection, or the like. As described above, the mismatch determination signal is used as, for example, an alarm signal or a display signal. And it contributes to the operation | work which repairs conducting wire connection abnormality, conducting wire connection defect, conducting wire disconnection, etc.

  If a coincidence determination is made and the signals output from the first signal processing unit 41 and the second signal processing unit 42 indicate “unbalanced”, it is determined that the rail is broken. Will do.

  Although the contents of the present invention have been specifically described above with reference to the preferred embodiments, it is obvious that those skilled in the art can take various modifications based on the basic technical idea and teachings of the present invention. It is.

L1 1st detection zone L2 2nd detection zone
4 signal processing equipment

Claims (2)

A rail breakage detection device including a first detection section, a second detection section, and a signal processing device,
The first detection section is configured by a predetermined rail length by one of a pair of rails,
The second detection section is configured by a predetermined rail length by the other of the pair of rails,
The signal processing device is provided on the ground, and receives a first voltage drop signal generated in the first detection section and a second voltage drop signal generated in the second detection section by a return current flowing in the rail. Detecting a break of the rail from an unbalance of the first voltage drop signal and the second voltage drop signal;
Rail break detection device. The rail breakage detection device according to claim 1,
A plurality of sets of the first detection section and the second detection section are provided in one closed section,
The signal processing device has a function of detecting a failure state of each set from the voltage drop signals of each set of the first detection section and the second detection section.
Rail break detection device.

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