JPH02267069A - Obstruction detection device for railroad crossing - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To detect failures and the like in an optical system without being affected by vehicles, mans and the like that cross the railroad crossing by judging the output of a receptor with the light emission quantity of illuminants controlled during the period of time till a train arrives at the railroad crossing since information that the train came in, is inputted. CONSTITUTION:During the period of time till a train arrives at the railroad crossing 3 after information that the train comes in, is inputted, a crossing gate is lowered at the railroad crossing equipped with a railroad crossing fault detecting device so that traffic is interrupted. During the period of the time, abnormality in the railroad crossing fault detecting device is therefore detected without being affected by traffic crossing the railroad crossing. In this case, abnormality is detected by a control circuit 6 with the light emission quantity of illuminants 41 through 43 controlled. The control of light emission quantity is composed of two modes, that is, suspension of light emission and attenuation in light emisemission quantity. In case of suspension of light emission, abnormal failures are detected as if there were the output of the receptor inspite of no illuminants 41 through 43 operated. In case of attenuation in light emission quantity, degradation in the performance of the illuminants and the receptor is detected, and degradation in margin due to contamination in an optical system starting from the illuminants to the receptor and the like are also detected.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention <Industrial Application Field> The present invention relates to a level crossing obstacle detection device that includes a light emitter, a light receiver, and a control circuit. By controlling the amount of light emitted from the emitter and determining the output from the receiver until reaching the level crossing, the optical system can be controlled without being influenced by vehicles, people, etc. crossing the level crossing. It is designed to detect failures, margin reductions, etc.

<Prior Art> Optical level crossing obstacle detection devices using a light emitter and a light receiver are well known. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of a conventional level crossing obstacle detection device of this type. In the figure, 1 and 2 are the tracks on which the train runs, 3 is a level crossing, and 41-
43 is a light emitter, and 51 to 53 are light receivers. Light emitter 41
43 and the light receivers 51 to 53 are arranged to face each other in a one-to-one relationship so that a predetermined obstacle detection optical path is formed. For example, a light emitter 41 and a light receiver 51 are arranged as a pair, and these are arranged facing each other on both sides of the level crossing 3 outside the track 1.2,
An optical path A1 that crosses the level crossing 3 is formed in a direction parallel to the direction in which the track 1.2 is laid. The light emitter 42 and the light receiver 52 are connected to each other with the orbit 1.2 in between.
They are disposed outside the track 1.2 on the opposite side to the side on which the track 1.2 is disposed, and are arranged to face each other so that an optical path A2 that crosses the level crossing 3 is formed in a direction parallel to the direction in which the track 1.2 is laid. The light emitter 43 and the light receiver 53 are arranged opposite to each other on both sides of the level crossing 3 in a direction diagonally crossing between the tracks 1-2.
An optical path B1 that diagonally traverses is formed.

The optical paths A, . . . A2 mainly detect obstacles approaching the railroad crossing outside the railroad crossing, and the optical path B detects obstacles inside the railroad crossing. Obstacles are detected using optical path A, , A2 or B1.
Detected as a blockage. When a level crossing obstacle is detected, the detection signal drives a special light emitting device that notifies the train driver that there is an obstacle at the level crossing.

<Problems to be Solved by the Invention> In the above-mentioned optical level crossing obstacle detection device, an abnormal state may occur in which normal detection operation cannot be guaranteed due to aging, malfunction, or dirt accumulation of the elements. . Conventionally, in order to prevent such abnormal conditions, the optical systems of the light emitters 41 to 43 and the light receivers 51 to 53 were inspected by selecting a safe time when no trains were approaching.

However, the safe time period when no trains are approaching is also the time when cars and people cross the level crossing 3, which poses an obstacle and makes it impossible to conduct abnormality inspections smoothly. Furthermore, periodic inspection work was required, making it uneconomical.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems and to detect obstacles at level crossings that can automatically detect abnormalities such as failures and reduced margins without being affected by vehicles or people crossing the level crossing. The purpose is to provide equipment.

Means for Solving the Problems> In order to solve the problems described above, the present invention provides a level crossing obstacle detection device including a light emitter, a light receiver paired with the light emitter, and a control circuit, comprising: The control circuit controls the amount of light emitted from the light emitter after the train approach information is input until the train reaches the railroad crossing, and controls the amount of light emitted from the light emitter or from the output of the light receiver obtained at that time. It is characterized by determining whether the light receiver is normal or abnormal.

<Function> After the train approach information is manually input, until the train reaches the level crossing, at level crossings equipped with level crossing obstacle detection devices, the barriers are normally lowered and traffic crossing the level crossing is blocked. be done. Therefore, by detecting abnormalities in the level crossing obstacle/detection device after the train approach information is manually inputted and before the train reaches the level crossing, it is possible to detect level crossing obstacles without being affected by the traffic crossing the level crossing. It is possible to detect an abnormality in the object detection device.

Abnormality detection is performed by controlling the amount of light emitted from the light emitter by a control circuit. There are two ways to control the amount of light emitted: stopping the light and attenuating the amount of light emitted.
Including form. In the case of light emission stopping, it is possible to detect an abnormal failure in which the light receiver outputs even though the light emitter is not operating. The attenuation of the amount of light emitted can detect a decrease in the performance of the light emitter and the light receiver, and a decrease in the margin due to dirt in the optical system from the light emitter to the light receiver.

The present invention can also be applied to a multi-system level crossing obstacle detection device.

In this case, after the train approach information is manually input, until the train reaches the railroad crossing, the light emitters in each prefecture will be made to emit light in sequence.
From the output of the light receiver of each prefecture corresponding to the light emission of the light emitter, it is possible to determine whether the light emitter or receiver of each prefecture is normal or abnormal.

<Embodiment> FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of a level crossing obstacle detection device according to the present invention. In the figure, the same reference numerals as in FIG. 4 indicate the same components. 6 is a control circuit. This control circuit 6 sends a signal to the light emitters 41 to 43 to cause the light to emit light, a signal to turn off the light, and a signal to cause the light to emit light.
Alternatively, a signal for controlling the amount of light emission is supplied to control the light emission, and the light reception signals of the light receivers 51 to 53 corresponding to the light emission of the light emitters 41 to 43 are received. The signals given to the light emitters 41 to 43 and the light receivers 51 to 43 are
Based on the correspondence relationship with the light receiving signal manually input from
Detect abnormalities such as a decrease in the margin of the optical system up to 53.

For abnormality detection, train approach information given by track circuit conditions etc. is input to the control circuit 6. The control circuit 6 performs the above-described abnormality detection operation within the time from when the train approach information is given until the train arrives at the relevant railroad crossing 3. After the train approach information is input until the train reaches the level crossing 3, the barrier is normally lowered and traffic crossing the level crossing 3 is blocked. Therefore, by detecting an abnormality in the level crossing obstacle detection device after the train approach information is manually inputted and before the train reaches the level crossing 3, the level crossing 3 is not affected by the traffic that is disturbing it. It is possible to detect abnormalities in the emitter or receiver. Since the time required for the train to reach the level crossing 3 after the train approach information is input is known in advance, it is easy to have the control circuit 6 perform the above-mentioned abnormality detection operation within that time. be.

Abnormality detection includes two forms: stopping the light emission of the light emitters 41 to 43 and attenuating the amount of light emission. When the light emission stops, the light emitters 41 to 4
It is possible to detect a failure in which the light receivers 51 to 53 output even though they are not operating.

Further, by controlling the attenuation of the amount of light emitted, it is possible to detect a decrease in the performance of the light receivers 51 to 53 and a decrease in the margin due to dirt in the optical system from the light emitters 41 to 43 to the light receivers 51 to 53. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating margin reduction detection by light emission amount attenuation control.

First, as shown in FIG. 2(a), at the time of to, the control circuit 6
When train approach information is input manually, one or all of the light emitters 41 to 43 are set to the normal light emission level (attenuation amount O).
dB), the light emitter signal whose level is lowered by ΔdB is supplied for time A from time to to time t1, and then during time B from time t1 to time t2, the attenuation amount Od
A light emitter signal of the normal light emission level of B is supplied (FIG. 2(b)).

The attenuation amount ΔtlB is set within a range that can ensure a logical 1 reception level if the light receivers 51 to 53 and the optical system are normal. The specific value of attenuation △[IB is, for example, -27t
It is 1B. Therefore, there is no abnormality in the light receivers 51 to 53.
Further, if the optical system is also free of dirt, the outputs of the light receivers 51 to 53 become logical 1 outputs corresponding to normal conditions, as shown in FIG. 2(C). On the other hand, the light receivers 51 to 5
3, or if there is dirt on the optical system, as shown in Figure 2(d), during the attenuation amount ΔdB,
The light reception signal becomes a logic 0 output corresponding to an abnormality, and when it returns to the attenuation amount OdB, it becomes a logic 1 output. Therefore, normality and abnormality can be detected. In order to ensure the reliability of the detection operation, it is preferable to judge that an abnormality exists when the reception output shown in FIG. 2(d) is obtained for four consecutive trains, for example.

When an abnormality is detected, measures are taken such as lighting up a light emitting diode for indicating a decrease in the margin provided on a central monitoring monitor panel of the solid equipment.

FIG. 3 shows an example in which the present invention is applied to abnormality detection in a dual level crossing obstacle detection device. 411.421 and 431
indicates a 1-system light emitter, and 511, 521 and 531 indicate 1-system light receivers. Similarly, 412.422 and 43
2 indicates a 2-system light emitter, and 512.522 and 532 are 2-type light emitters.
The system photoreceiver is shown. 61 is the 1st system control circuit, 62 is the 2nd system control circuit
The system control circuit is shown.

The light emitted from the first system light emitters 411 to 431 is arranged so that it is also received by the self system light receivers 511 to 531 which are in an opposing relationship and the second system light receivers 512 to 532 which are in an opposing relationship. The light emitted from the second system light emitters 412 to 432 is also arranged so as to be received by the self system light receivers 512 to 532 which are in an opposing relationship and also by the first system light receivers 511 to 531 which are in an opposing relationship.

The control circuits 61 and 62 of each prefecture control their own light emitters (411 to 411).
431) or (412-432), and the self-system light receiver (511-5.31) or (512-532).

In the 1st and 2nd systems, paired light emitters (411
and 412), (421 and 422) and (431 and 432)
) does not cause simultaneous failure, and the system 1 light emitter 4
1 system light receivers 511 to 53 when 11 to 431 emit light
In addition to checking the outputs of the 1st and 2nd system light receivers 512 to 532, the 1st output when the 2nd system light emitters 412 to 432 emit light is checked.
System receivers 511 to 531 and second system receivers 512 to 532
By checking the output of each prefecture's light emitter (41
1 to 431), (412 to 432) and a light receiver (511
-531), (512-532) can be detected as normal or abnormal. The detection operation is performed after the train approach information is input until the train reaches the railroad crossing. Also,
The light emission control of the light emitters 411 to 431 and 412 to 432 is as follows:
As explained in FIG. 2, the attenuation amount OdB and the attenuation amount Δd
B (-27dB). Light emitter (411-431
), (412-432) light receiver (511
-531), (512-532) and the determination results are shown in Table 1.

In Table 1, 0 is the photoreceiver (511 to 531), (51
2 to 532) indicates that the output is logic 0, and 1 indicates that the output of the light receivers (511 to 531) and (512 to 532) is logic 1.
It shows that. The ○ mark indicates normality, and the x mark indicates abnormality.

In the first column (top column) of Table 1, the 1st system receiver output is
The logic is O both when the 1st system emitter emits light and when the 2nd system emitter emits light. In the 1st and 2nd systems, the paired light emitters (411 and 412) and (421 and 422)
Assuming that (431 and 432) and (431 and 432) do not cause simultaneous failures, the fact that the output of the 1st system receiver is a logic 0 even though the 1st system emitter emits light and the 2nd system emitter emits light is 1. It can be determined that the system photoreceiver is abnormal.

Next, in the second column, the 1st system light receiver output is logic O when the 1st system emitter emits light, but it becomes logic 1 when the 2nd system emitter emits light, so the 1st system emitter is abnormal. It can be determined that

By applying the above logic, the determination results in Table 1 are obtained.

<Effects of the Invention> As described above, the level crossing obstacle detection device according to the present invention is a level crossing obstacle detection device including a light emitter, a light receiver paired with the light emitter, and a control circuit. The control circuit controls the amount of light emitted from the light emitter after the train approach information is input manually until the train reaches the railroad crossing, and from the output of the light receiver obtained at that time, the amount of light emitted from the light emitter or receiver is determined. Since the system is designed to determine whether the level crossing is normal or abnormal, it is possible to automatically detect failures in the light emitting device or light receiving device, reduction in margin, etc., without being affected by vehicles or people crossing the level crossing. Furthermore, it is possible to reduce the number of regular manual inspections and improve economic efficiency.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a level crossing obstacle detection device according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating margin reduction detection by light emission attenuation control, and FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of a level crossing obstacle detection device according to the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of another embodiment, and FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of a conventional level crossing obstacle detection device. 1.2... Track 3... Level crossing 41.42.
43.411.421.431.412.422.43
2... Light emitter 51.52.53.511.521.531.512.
522.532... Light receiver 6.61.62... Control circuit first

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) A level crossing obstacle detection device including a light emitter, a light receiver paired with the light emitter, and a control circuit, wherein the control circuit detects when a train approaches a level crossing after train approach information is input. The level crossing obstacle is characterized in that the amount of light emitted from the light emitter is controlled until the light emitter reaches the obstacle, and whether the light emitter or the light receiver is normal or abnormal is determined based on the output of the light receiver obtained at that time. Detection device. (2) A level crossing obstacle detection device including a light emitter, a light receiver paired with the light emitter, and a control circuit, wherein the control circuit detects when the train approaches the level crossing after train approach information is input. A level crossing obstacle detection device characterized in that the light emission of the light emitter is stopped until the obstacle is reached, and the normality or abnormality of the light receiver is determined based on the output of the light receiver obtained at that time. (3) A railroad crossing obstacle detection device including at least two light emitters installed side by side, at least two light receivers arranged facing each other so as to receive light emitted from each of the light emitters, and a control circuit. The control circuit sequentially causes the light emitters to emit light after the train approach information is input until the train reaches the railroad crossing, and the control circuit sequentially causes the light emitters to emit light from the output of each light receiver corresponding to the light emission from the light emitters. , a level crossing obstacle detection device characterized by determining whether the light emitter and the light receiver are normal or abnormal.