JPH0319920Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to a device for controlling the display of a railway model signal.

[Prior Art] Conventionally used means for controlling the display of traffic lights in electric model trains include:
There are the following:

First of all, light emitters (for example, blue,
A mechanical detection switch contact corresponding to three types (yellow and red) is installed, and each detection switch is activated when the wheels of the model vehicle come into contact with each other as it passes, and the lighting of the light emitters is switched on and off in sequence. be.

In addition, instead of mechanical contact as described above, a reed switch is placed on or near the track,
There is also a means for controlling traffic lights by detecting the approach or passing of a vehicle using a non-contact system that is activated by a magnet mounted on the vehicle.

[Problems to be solved by the invention] However, the method using the above-mentioned mechanical detection switch has problems in that poor contact is likely to occur and adjustment is difficult; on the other hand, the method using the reed switch However, it is necessary to mount a magnet on the model vehicle, which may not be possible depending on the size and type of the vehicle, and in any case, it is unsatisfactory in terms of practicality.

[Means for Solving the Problems] The present invention was made in view of these conventional problems, and it is possible to accurately model a model vehicle without using a mechanical detection switch or modifying the vehicle. The object of the present invention is to provide a signal control device for a model railroad that can detect signals and operate the signal in the same way as the real signal based on the detection signal, and is configured as follows.

In other words, it is a device for controlling the display of a traffic light equipped with at least two colored light emitters that is arranged adjacent to a model railroad track including two power supply rails, and the position on the model track corresponding to the signal a model vehicle detector including a pair of optical sensors arranged at a predetermined interval in the direction of the track; a direction detector that detects the traveling direction of the model vehicle using electric power between two power supply rails; and a display control circuit that controls the light emission display of the traffic light according to the output of the direction detector and the model vehicle detector. The system lights up the light-emitting body of the traffic light for indicating permission to enter unless the model vehicle detector outputs a detection signal, and when the model vehicle detector outputs a detection signal, turns off the light-emitting body for indicating permission to enter the traffic light and restricts entry. The display light emitter is turned on, and after a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the model vehicle detector stopped outputting a detection signal, the light emitter for displaying permission to enter the traffic light is turned on again. When the vehicle is in the opposite direction, the light emitter for indicating entry restriction of the traffic light is turned on regardless of the presence or absence of a detection signal from the model vehicle detector.

[Example] Referring to the accompanying drawings, FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a model railroad track on which signals controlled by the device of the present invention are arranged. The elliptical model track, indicated by 1 in the figure, has two power supply rails 3a and 3b arranged in parallel on a track bed 2 made of an insulator such as plastic, and is a model equipped with a motor as a power source. In order to run the vehicle 4, a lead wire 6 is connected between the power supply rails 3a and 3b from a variable DC power source in the control box 5.
A DC voltage (for example up to 12 volts) is applied via a, 6b.

A traffic light 7 is placed at a predetermined position adjacent to the model track 1. This traffic light 7 has a light emitter 8 consisting of three light emitting diodes arranged vertically.
a, 8b, and 8c, and each light emitting body emits green, orange, and red light in order from the top to display entry permission, entry caution, and entry restriction.

A model vehicle detection unit 9 is installed at a position on the track 1 corresponding to the traffic light 7. A pair of small holes 9a are formed on the upper surface of the detector unit 9 at a predetermined interval in the direction of the track 1 (this is set larger than the interval d between the connecting surfaces of the plurality of model vehicles 4). , 9b are drilled, and optical sensors 10a and 10b (FIG. 2) made of phototransistors are arranged in each small hole with the light receiving portion facing upward. The optical sensor in the model vehicle detection unit 9 is connected to an electrical circuit housed in a control unit 12 by a lead wire 11 extending outwardly under the track 1 on which the unit is mounted.

Explaining with reference to FIG. 2, this electric circuit is connected to the optical sensor 1 in the model vehicle detection unit 9.
Model vehicle detector circuit 21 including 0a and 10b
and a traveling direction detector circuit 22 connected to the two power supply rails 3a and 3b, and each light emitting body 8 of the traffic light 7 according to the output from these two detector circuits.
a display control circuit 23 that drives a, 8b, and 8c;
It is comprised of a power supply circuit 24 that supplies a predetermined voltage to each circuit section.

First, the model vehicle detector circuit 21 is connected to the power supply circuit 2.
Parallel resistors R1, R2, R3, R5 with different resistance values are connected between each optical sensor 10a (10b) and the sensor sensitivity adjustment between the constant voltage output terminal A of No. 4 and the ground.
(R2, R4, R6) are connected in series through the switching contacts 25a (25b), and a resistor-capacitor circuit R7-C1 (R8- C2), diode D1 (D2) and resistor R9 are connected. By moving the slide knob 13 placed on the top surface of the control unit 12 shown in FIG. 1, the switching contacts 25a and 25b can be connected to a resistor R2 of the same value when one is connected to the resistor R1. They are designed to be switched in conjunction with each other.

Therefore, when there is no model vehicle 4 on the model vehicle detection unit 9, external light hits the optical sensors 10a, 10b from the small holes 9a, 9b, and each optical sensor is in the ON state, so the current is Flows from terminal A to each optical sensor 10a, 10b, and the output voltage of this model vehicle detector circuit 21 (voltage applied to resistor R9)
is L (low level). On the other hand, when the model vehicle 4 is located on the model vehicle detection unit 9, the small hole 9
When the light to a, 9b is cut off, each optical sensor 10a, 10b is turned off, so the output of the model vehicle detector circuit 21 becomes H (high level).

In addition, when two or more model vehicles are connected, when the connecting surface of the two vehicles is located above the small hole 9a or 9b, light hits the corresponding optical sensor 10a or 10b, but as mentioned above, As shown, the distance between the two small holes 9a, 9b is larger than the distance d between the connecting surfaces of the model vehicle, so as long as the model vehicle 4 runs on the detection unit 9, the two optical sensors 10a, 1
The H output of the model vehicle detector circuit 21 is maintained by preventing light from hitting the two sensors 0b at the same time and blocking light from reaching at least one of the optical sensors 10a or 10b.

Next, the traveling direction detector circuit 22 connects the diode D5, the resistor R12, and the light emitting part 28 of the photocoupler 27 in series in the illustrated direction between the power supply rails 3a and 3b via lead wires 26a and 26b, respectively. A smoothing capacitor C5 is connected in parallel to the light receiving section 29 of the photocoupler 27, and is connected to the constant voltage output terminal A of the power supply circuit 24 via a resistor R13.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 1, when the traveling direction of the model vehicle 4 is in the positive direction (direction indicated by arrow
When the voltage polarity of the outer power supply rail 3b is (+) and the voltage polarity of the outer power supply rail 3b is (-), a voltage in the opposite direction is applied to the diode D5 of the traveling direction detector circuit 22 and the light emitting part 28 of the photocoupler 27. Almost no current flows from then on, and the photocoupler 27 is in an OFF state. Therefore, the output voltage of the traveling direction detection circuit 22, that is, the voltage applied to the capacitor C5 is H (high level).

In contrast, the traveling direction of the model vehicle 4 is at the traffic light 7.
in the opposite direction (direction shown by the arrow), that is, when the inner power supply rail 3a is (-) and the outer power supply rail 3b is (+), the diodes D5 and Since current flows through the light emitting section 28 of the photocoupler 27 and it emits light, the light receiving section 29 of the photocoupler 27 is in an ON state. Therefore, when the photocoupler 27 is turned from OFF to ON, the output voltage of the traveling direction detection circuit 22 changes from H to L (low level), and then remains at L.

Next, the display control circuit 23 will be explained.

First, the outputs from the model vehicle detector circuit 21 and the direction detector circuit 22 are sent to the first AND circuit 3.
It is input to 0. The output of this AND circuit 30 is
Resistor R10 in parallel with diode D3 – capacitor C3
The signal is inputted to the NOT circuit 31 via the circuit, inverted thereby, and inputted to the second NOT circuit 32 and the second and third AND circuits 33 and 34.
Note that the capacitor C3 is connected between the output end of the NOT circuit 31 and the ground for the following reason. In other words, when the input of the NOT circuit 31 (voltage due to resistor R10 and capacitor C3) changes (when the light emitted from the traffic light changes from red to orange as described later), the output of the NOT circuit 31 actually oscillates and the traffic light changes. Since there is a problem in that the light emitting body blinks, the oscillation output is removed by interposing a capacitor C3.

The output of the second NOT circuit 32 is input to the third NOT circuit 35 via a resistor R11 and a capacitor C4 in parallel with another diode D4, and its inverted output is input to a fourth AND circuit 36. On the other hand, it is supplied to another input terminal of the second AND circuit 33 via yet another NOT circuit 37. As inputs to the third and fourth AND circuits 34 and 36, in addition to the outputs of the NOT circuits 31 and 35, respectively, the output of the direction detector circuit 22 described above is added.

The output from the second AND circuit 33 is the resistor R15
is applied to the base of transistor Tr1 via. On the collector side of this transistor Tr1, the orange light emitting body 8b of the traffic light 7 and the resistor are connected.
R19 is connected in series, and another transistor Tr2 is connected to the emitter side, so that the output at the rectified voltage terminal B of the power supply circuit 24 is added to the series circuit from the light emitter 8b to the A-type transistor Tr2. It's summery.

The output of the third AND circuit 34 is first supplied to the transistor Tr4 via the NOT circuit 38 and the resistor R18.
added to the base of. The collector and emitter of this transistor Tr4, together with the red light emitter 8c of the traffic light 7 and the resistor R21, are connected to the power supply circuit 2.
It is connected in series between the rectified voltage terminal B of No. 4 and the ground. Moreover, the output of the third AND circuit 34 is
It is also applied to the base of the transistor Tr2 via another NOT circuit 39 and a resistor R16.

The output of the fourth AND circuit 36 is applied to the base of the transistor Tr3 via a resistor R17. The collector and emitter of this transistor Tr3 are connected to the green light emitter 8a of the traffic light 7 and the resistor R20.
It is also connected in series between the rectified voltage terminal B of the power supply circuit 24 and the ground.

Next, the power supply circuit 24 half-wave rectifies the AC voltage from the AC power supply 40 with a diode D6, smoothes it with a capacitor C6, and outputs the rectified voltage from the terminal B, while also applying a filter and a A constant voltage (for example, 12 volts) obtained by the Zener diode D7 is output from terminal A.

Finally, to illustrate the values of the resistor and capacitor (in Ω and F, respectively) in the circuit of Figure 2,
It is as follows.

R1 = 100K, R2 = 100K, R3 = 10K, R4 = 10K, R5 = 1K, R6 = 1K, R7 = 1M, R8 = 1M, R9 =
10M, R10 = 1M, R11 = 1M, R12 = 1K, R13 = 1M, R14 = 1K, R15 = 10K, R16 = 10K, R17 = 10K, R18 = 10K, R19 = R20 = R21 = 1K to 3K (this is ), C1 = 0.1μ, C2 = 0.1μ, C3 = 3.3μ, C4 = 3.3μ, C5 = 3.3μ, C6 = 50μ, C7 = 100μ, C8 = 0.1μ. Since the circuit shown in FIG. 2 is constructed as described above, its operation is as follows.

First, if the output of either the model vehicle detector circuit 21 or the direction detector circuit 22 is L, the output of the first AND circuit 30 of the display control circuit 23 is L.
It is. As already explained, the output of the model vehicle detector circuit 21 is L when there is no model vehicle 4 on the model vehicle detection unit 9, and the output of the direction detector circuit 22 is L. , model vehicle 4
This is a case where the direction of travel is opposite to the traffic light 7.

In the latter case, since the output from the third AND circuit 34 is L, the H output from the NOT circuit 38 turns on the transistor Tr4 and lights up the red light emitter 8C, while the output from the NOT circuit 39 H
The output turns off transistor Tr2. Furthermore, since the output of the fourth AND circuit 36 is also L, the transistor Tr3 is also off. Thus, only the red light emitter 8c of the traffic light 7 lights up.

Next, when the traveling direction of the model vehicle 4 is in the positive direction with respect to the traffic light 7, the direction detection circuit 22 outputs H. In this case, as long as there is no model vehicle 4 on the model vehicle detection unit 9, the output of the detector circuit 21 is L, so the output of the AND circuit 30 is L,
Therefore, the output of the third AND circuit 34 becomes H,
Transistor Tr4 is off, and red light emitter 8C does not light up. Also, due to the L output from the NOT circuit 39, the transistor Tr2 is on, but NOT
Due to the L output from the circuit 37, the output of the second AND circuit 33 is L, so the transistor Tr1 is turned off, and therefore the orange light emitter 8b does not light up either. On the other hand, both inputs to the fourth AND circuit 36 are H.
Therefore, its output is H, so the transistor
Tr3 is turned on and only the green light emitter 8a lights up.

In this state, when the model vehicle 4 travels in the forward direction and its leading end is positioned above the model vehicle detection unit 9, the output of the vehicle detector circuit 21 becomes H. Therefore, the output of the AND circuit 30 changes from L to H.
The output of the third AND circuit 34 changes from H to L.
Therefore, the transistor Tr4 turns on and lights up the red light emitter 8c. On the other hand, due to the L output from the NOT circuit 31, the output of the second AND circuit 33 becomes L.
In addition to the transistor Tr1 being off, the transistor Tr2 is also turned off due to the H output from the NOT circuit 39, and the orange light emitter 8b still does not light up. On the other hand, since the output of the NOT circuit 35 becomes L, the output of the fourth AND circuit 36 becomes L,
Therefore, the transistor Tr3 is turned off and the green light emitter 8 is turned off.
Stop lighting a. Thus, the traffic light 7 lights up only the red light emitter 8c.

The rearmost part of the model vehicle 4 is the model vehicle detection unit 9.
When the vehicle passes above the vehicle, the output of the vehicle detector circuit 21 returns to the original L, and the output of the AND circuit 30 also returns from H to L. However, capacitor C3, which was previously charged, now starts discharging, so during this discharge, the second, third and fourth
The outputs of the AND circuits 33, 34, and 36 are held at L, and only the red light emitter 8C continues to be lit.

When the time (for example, 2 seconds) determined by the values of resistor R10 and capacitor C3 has elapsed, the output of NOT circuit 31 becomes H, so third AND circuit 3
The output of the transistor Tr4 becomes H, the transistor Tr4 is turned off, and the red light emitter 8c stops lighting. At the same time, the L output from the NOT circuit 39 turns on the transistor Tr2.

On the other hand, at the same time as the output of NOT circuit 31 changes, NOT
The output of the circuit 32 also changes (becomes L), but this time the capacitor C4, which had been charged until then, is discharged, so during that time (for example, the same 2 seconds as above)
The output of the NOT circuit 35 is held at L, and the output of the NOT circuit 37 is held at H. Therefore, during this time, the output of the second AND circuit 33 becomes H and turns on the transistor Tr1, so that the orange light emitter 8b is energized and lights up.

On the other hand, since the output of the NOT circuit 35 is L,
The output of the fourth AND circuit 36 is L, so the transistor Tr3 is still off, and the green light emitter 8a
does not light up.

Thus, only the orange light emitter 8b of the traffic light 7 lights up, and after a period of time (e.g. 2 seconds) determined by the values of the resistor R11 and the capacitor C4, the NOT
The output of circuit 35 is H, and the output of NOT circuit 37 is L.
It changes respectively. Therefore, the second AND circuit 33
The output becomes L, and by turning off the transistor Tr1, the lighting of the orange light emitter 8b is stopped. At the same time, the output of the fourth AND circuit 36 becomes H, turning on the transistor Tr3 and lighting up the green light emitter 8a.

By the way, when the rearmost part of the model vehicle 4 passes over the model vehicle detection unit 9, the model vehicle 4 is temporarily stopped and then driven in the opposite direction (the direction shown in FIG. 1), as described above. Direction detector circuit 22
Since the output of the third AND circuit 34 becomes L, regardless of the change in the output of the NOT circuit 31, the output of the third AND circuit 34 is L, and the red light emitter 8c continues to be lit. On the other hand, as mentioned above, after a predetermined period of time has passed after the rearmost part of the model vehicle 4 passes over the model vehicle detection unit 9,
When the output of the NOT circuit 31 changes from L to H,
Thereafter, the output of the second AND circuit 33 becomes H for a predetermined period of time, turning on the transistor Tr1.
Therefore, if only the transistor Tr1 is connected in series to the orange light emitter 8b as with the other two light emitters 8a and 8c, not only the red light emitter 8c but also the orange light emitter 8b will be lit. .

Therefore, in the illustrated embodiment, transistor Tr1
In addition, a transistor Tr2 is connected in series, and this is turned off by the L output from the third AND circuit 34 to prevent the orange light emitting body 8b from lighting up. In addition, actually the transistor Tr2
When using the same type of transistor as the transistor Tr1, it was not possible to turn each transistor on and off accurately due to product variations, so in this example, the NPN transistor Tr1
A PNP type transistor Tr2 is used, and as a result, a NOT circuit 39 is interposed to invert the output of the third AND circuit 34. However, it is of course possible to use transistors of the same type if there is no practical problem.

As described above, in the illustrated embodiment, when the model vehicle 4 moves forward or backward relative to the traffic light 7, each light emitting body of the traffic light 7 lights up according to the positional relationship of the model vehicle 4 with respect to the traffic light 7. The signal operation is exactly the same as the real thing.

However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the above embodiment controls three color signals of green, orange, and red, but in the case of two color signals, the circuit configuration for one color (for example, the orange light emitter and its lighting circuit) is omitted. Furthermore, even in the case of four or more colors, it can be easily realized by appropriately adding or changing the circuit configuration.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, when the rearmost part of the model vehicle 4 passes the vehicle detection unit 9 located at the traffic light 7 and a predetermined period of time has elapsed, the signal is automatically changed from red to orange, and then from orange to green. Since the signal changes sequentially, even if the model vehicle 4 stops at a place a little away from the vehicle detection unit 9, the signal will change to green after a predetermined time.
This can be regulated by adding a condition that a certain section beyond the traffic light 7 is a no-stop zone when using the above embodiment; As long as the model vehicle 4 is present (including when it is stopped), the traffic light may remain red and not change.

That is, another vehicle detection unit 9 is placed on the track a predetermined distance ahead of the position of the vehicle detection unit 9 corresponding to the traffic light 7, and this auxiliary detection unit 9 detects the vehicle. The configuration may be such that the detection output of the model vehicle detector circuit 21 is held as long as it is detected.

[Effects of the invention] As described above, the present invention detects a model vehicle using a pair of optical sensors placed on the model track corresponding to the positions of traffic lights, and detects the model vehicle based on the voltage between two power supply rails. Since it is equipped with a display control circuit that detects the traveling direction of the model vehicle and controls the light emitting display of the traffic light according to the detected output of the model vehicle and the traveling direction, there is no possibility of mechanical detection failure or machining of the model vehicle. The traffic light can be operated in the same way as the real one based on the detection of the model vehicle. In addition, each signal can be controlled accurately no matter what type of signal it is, and the configuration is especially suitable for computer control.When combined with an automatic train control system, it can further enhance the enjoyment of model railroads. It has the effect of improving

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a model railroad track including an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of the embodiment. 1... Railway model track, 2... Trackbed, 3a, 3b
...Power supply rail, 4...Model vehicle, 5...Control box, 6a, 6b...Lead wire, 7...
...Traffic light, 8a, 8b, 8c... Luminous body, 9...
Model vehicle detection unit, 10a, 10b... optical sensor, 11... lead wire, 12... control unit, 13... optical sensor sensitivity adjustment knob, 2
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Model vehicle detector circuit, 22... Traveling direction detector circuit, 23... Display control circuit, 24... Power supply circuit.

Claims (1)

[Claims for Utility Model Registration] (1) A device for controlling the display of a traffic light equipped with at least two colored luminescent bodies and arranged adjacent to a model railroad track including two power supply rails, the traffic light comprising: a model vehicle detector including a pair of optical sensors arranged at a predetermined interval in the direction of the track at a position on the model railway track corresponding to the model train; a direction detector that detects the direction of travel; and a display control circuit that controls the light emission display of the traffic light according to the outputs of the direction detector and the model vehicle detector; When the traveling direction is in the positive direction with respect to the traffic light, the light emitting body for indicating permission to enter the traffic light is turned on unless the model vehicle detector outputs a detection signal, and the model vehicle detector outputs a detection signal. When output, the light-emitting body for displaying entry permission of the traffic light is turned off and the light-emitting body for displaying access restriction is turned on, and after a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the model vehicle detector stopped outputting a detection signal, the light-emitting body for displaying entry permission of the traffic light is turned off, and the light-emitting body for displaying entry permission of the traffic light is again permitted after a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the model vehicle detector stopped outputting a detection signal. While the display light emitter is turned on, if the traveling direction of the model vehicle is in the opposite direction to the traffic light, the light emission for the entry restriction display of the traffic light is activated regardless of the presence or absence of a detection signal from the model vehicle detector. A signal control device for a railway model, characterized in that the body is configured to light up. (2) The above-mentioned traffic light is equipped with a three-color light-emitting body that displays entry permission, entry restriction, and entry caution, and the display control circuit is configured to: After a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the model vehicle detector stopped outputting a detection signal, the light emitter for indicating entry restriction of the traffic light is turned off and the light emitting member for indicating caution to enter is turned on, and further after a predetermined time has elapsed, the light emitting member for indicating entry restriction is turned on. A signal control device for a railway model according to claim 1, which is configured to turn off the display light-emitting body and turn on the entry permission display light-emitting body again.