JPH04314669A - Railroad crossing obstructing detector - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve safety in a railroad crossing part by generating an alarm by detecting an object such as damaging a train when the object is left to stay in a railroad crossing even after it is closed. CONSTITUTION:In the case of a crossing obstructing detector for detecting an obstacle when it is provided in a railroad crossing 9, a plurality of pressure detecting parts 1a to 4b for detecting passing of right/left wheels of a vehicle of in-out moving in the railroad crossing 9 and a decision part (processor) for deciding whether the vehicle is left or not in the above-mentioned railroad crossing based on a result of detecting these pressure detecting parts 1a to 4b are provided.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a level crossing obstacle detection device for detecting and notifying the presence of an obstacle within a railroad crossing to ensure safe passage of railroad vehicles.

0002

[Prior Art] In a traffic management system that manages the operation of railway vehicles such as trains, an ultrasonic type level crossing obstacle detection device or an infrared type level crossing obstacle detection device is installed at the level crossing section, and the system is equipped with an ultrasonic level crossing obstacle detection device and an infrared level crossing obstacle detection device. When there are obstacles such as people or cars remaining at the level crossing, this obstacle detection device inside the level crossing detects the presence of the obstacle and notifies the train driver or management facility such as the station to stop the train. In many cases, necessary measures such as stopping the train are taken to ensure safe operation.

[0003] An ultrasonic or infrared type obstacle detection device at a level crossing has a transmitter and a receiver that generate ultrasonic waves or infrared rays placed across the level crossing, and detects the presence of a vehicle or the like within the level crossing based on the received content. Generally, when there is an obstacle such as a car within a railroad crossing, it is detected and the detection results are sent to a traffic control system or the like.

[0004] Also, in the ultrasonic system, a system has been used in which an ultrasonic transmitter/receiver is integrated so as to detect the reflection of a signal emitted to a certain part of a railroad crossing from an obstacle.

However, the above-described conventional level crossing obstacle detection device has the following problems.

[0006] In other words, in the ultrasonic level crossing obstacle detection device, it is difficult to narrow the directivity of the emitted ultrasonic waves, so it is difficult to accurately determine the detection range. Therefore,
It was impossible to limit the detection range to the entire area within the railroad crossing. In addition, when using a method that detects the number of obstacles remaining in a railroad crossing by subtracting the number of obstacles entering the railroad crossing and the number of obstacles leaving the railroad crossing, it is possible for people to enter and exit without taking a predetermined route. Because of the large number of alarms, false alarms were sometimes issued.

[0007] In addition, since the beam of an infrared type obstacle detection device in a railroad crossing is narrow, precision is required to align the optical axes of the emitter and receiver, and a slight shift in the transmitter/receiver position may prevent the device from functioning properly. There was a drawback that it stopped working.

[0008] Another major problem with such an infrared type obstacle detection device at a railroad crossing is that the optical system must be maintained periodically because its performance is degraded by fog, snow, etc. Ta.

Furthermore, when a car becomes stranded at a railroad crossing due to engine trouble, etc., the driver and passengers can evacuate quickly, but if it is difficult to move the car, the train may be damaged by a collision with an oncoming train. Not only that, but the passengers often suffer damage as well, and there has been a desire for reliable detection and notification means for obstacles that can cause damage to trains and their passengers.

0010

[Object of the Invention] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances. When an object that could damage a train remains inside the crossing even after the crossing is closed, this invention is reliably detected and a warning is issued. An object of the present invention is to provide a level crossing obstacle detection device that can detect obstacles in a level crossing, thereby improving the safety of the level crossing area.

[0011]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a level crossing obstacle detection device which detects an obstacle within a level crossing when the obstacle is present. A pair of left and right pressure detection units are arranged on the road surface on the entrance side and the exit side of the level crossing, respectively, in order to detect the right and left wheels of a vehicle exiting the level crossing. a determination unit that determines whether or not a vehicle remains within the railroad crossing based on the detection result, and the pair of left and right pressure detection units are arranged in the front and rear directions in order to individually detect the passage of the left and right wheels of the vehicle. They are arranged at a predetermined interval t, and the determination section performs the determination based on detection signals from the two pairs of pressure detection sections.

0012

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be explained in detail below based on embodiments shown in the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a level crossing obstacle detection device according to the present invention.

The level crossing obstacle detection device shown in this figure has a plurality of pressure detection units 1a, 1b, 2a arranged at the entrance and exit of the level crossing.
, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, a processing section 6 connected to each pressure detection section by a plurality of connection cables 5, and an output cable 7 for outputting alarm signals etc. from the processing section 6 to a traffic management system etc. Each pressure detection section 1a to 4b is equipped with
Heavy objects (e.g. vehicles) entering and exiting the railroad crossing 9 due to
When detected, the processing unit 6 processes the detection result and notifies the operation management system or the like.

[0015] Furthermore, as shown in FIG.
Left and right lanes 21 separated by center line C,
22, and four pressure detection units 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b and the other four pressure detection units 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b constitute one set, respectively. There is. Note that the pressure detection units 1a, 2a, 3a, and 4a detect passage of the wheel on the right side of the passing axle, and the pressure detection units 1b and 2b
, 3b, 4b are for detecting the passage of the left wheel, and pressure detecting section 1a is used to avoid confusion of detection targets.
It is important to set the positional relationship between and 1b, 2a and 2b, 3a and 3b, and 4a and 4b, lengthwise dimension, sensor sensitivity, etc., as described below, for example.

Each of the detection units 1a to 4b includes a rectangular pressure sensor container 10 embedded in the ground as shown in FIG. 3, and two compression springs housed in the pressure sensor container 10 and expanding upward. 11, which is arranged so as to close the upper opening of the pressure sensor container 10, and whose lower surface is connected to the spring 11.
A movable lid 12 that is supported so as to be able to move vertically by being pressed upward by a pressure transmitting mechanism 13 that captures information regarding the vertical position of this movable lid 12; The movable lid 12 is provided with a pressure sensor 14 that detects the pressure applied to the movable lid 12 based on the pressure applied to the movable lid 12 and transmits the detection result onto the connecting cable 5 to be transmitted to the processing section 6.

Pressure sensor 1 in each pressure detection section 1a to 4b
The pressure detection sensitivity of No. 4 is adjusted so that when an object as heavy as a car is placed on each of the pressure sensing portions 1a to 4b, it is detected, but when a light object is placed on it, it is not detected.
Further, the width of the movable lid 12 is set to be narrow so that many lightweight objects such as people cannot ride on the movable lid 12 at the same time.

Further, the processing section 6 includes a central processing unit such as a microprocessor, a logic circuit board, etc., and each pressure detection section 1a supplied via each connection cable 5.
Based on the detection results from 4b to 4b, it is determined whether the vehicle that has entered the level crossing 9 has exited the level crossing normally. When a vehicle remains within the railroad crossing 9, this is detected and the detection result is transmitted onto the output cable 7 and transmitted to the traffic management system or the like. The pressure sensor 14 constituting the pressure detection section 13 is, for example, a pressure-sensitive rubber in which a large number of carbon grains are interspersed in rubber and whose electrical resistance changes according to changes in external pressure;
Various types of pressure sensors, strain gauges, etc., can be envisioned, such as a type of pressure sensor that seals air in a container and activates an actuator when the internal pressure increases due to external pressure.

The pressure transmitting means 13 may be any means as long as it is equipped with a mechanism for transmitting the pressure applied to the pressurizing lid 12 when the wheels of the automobile pass over the movable lid 12 to the pressure sensor 14. It's okay to have one.

Next, the obstacle detection operation of this embodiment will be explained with reference to FIGS. 1 to 14.

First, as shown in FIG.
When a vehicle advances in the direction of the arrow and enters the railroad crossing 9, large pressure is applied by the front and rear wheels of the vehicle to the movable lids 12 of the pressure detection units 1a and 1b at the railroad crossing entrance of the lane 21. , as shown in FIG. 4, the pressure detection section 1a,
Pressure detection signals as shown in FIG. 5 are outputted from these pressure detection sections 1a and 1b at a time difference corresponding to the interval "t" between the pressure detection sections 1b. That is, FIG. 5(a) shows the detection signal of one pressure detecting section 1a on the inlet side, and the other pressure detecting section 1b shows a time difference corresponding to the interval "t" and the speed of the vehicle, as shown in FIG. 5(b). Outputs a delayed detection signal.

When the vehicle that has passed through the pressure detection units 1a and 1b on the entrance side normally moves through the railroad crossing 9 and exits the railroad crossing, after a detection signal as shown in FIG. The pressures of the front wheels and rear wheels of the vehicle are detected by the pressure detectors 2a and 2b at the exit of the railroad crossing.
A and 2b output pressure detection signals as shown in FIG.

[0023] When the train approaches the level crossing, the processing unit 6
When closing the circuit breakers 8a and 8b, each pressure detection section 1
The output patterns a to 4b are checked to determine whether a vehicle remains within the railroad crossing 9. Then, as shown in FIG.
When a pressure detection signal is output from each pressure detection section 2a, 2b at the exit of the railroad crossing as shown in FIG. 6, it is determined that the vehicle that entered the railroad crossing 3 has exited normally.

Also, as shown in FIG. 7, when two pressure detection signals are output from only the pressure detection section 1a that detects the front wheel (right side) first among the pressure detection sections 1a and 1b at the entrance of the railroad crossing, As shown in FIG. 8, after the pressure detection signal is output from the pressure detection section 1a and the pressure detection signal is output from the pressure detection section 1b, the pressure detection signal is sequentially output again from this pressure detection section 1b and the pressure detection section 1a. When it is output, it is determined that the vehicle with only its front wheels in the railroad crossing 9 has moved backward and exited the railroad crossing 9.

Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the pressure detection section 1a that detects the front wheel first outputs a pressure detection signal, and then the pressure detection section 1b outputs a pressure detection signal that detects the front wheel. Pressure detection signals (rear wheel detection signals) are sequentially output from the pressure detection sections 1a and 1b, and the pressure detection sections 1b and 1
After pressure detection signals (rear wheel detection signals) are sequentially output from a, when a similar detection operation is performed, both the front and rear wheels of the vehicle enter the railroad crossing 9, then move backwards into the railroad crossing 9. It is determined that it came from.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 10(a), the left wheel pressure detector 1a located at the railroad crossing entrance continues to output a pressure detection signal, while the pressure detector 1b continues to output a detection signal as shown in FIG. 10(b). In the case of no output, after the pressure detection section 1a outputs the pressure detection signal as shown in FIG. 11(a), when the pressure detection signal continues to be output from the pressure detection section 1b for the right wheel as shown in FIG. After the pressure detection signals are output from the pressure detection units 1a and 1b as shown in FIGS. 12(a) and 12(b), the pressure detection units 2a and 2b at the railroad crossing exit are output as shown in FIGS. 13(a) and 13(b). When the pressure detection signal is not output from the pressure detection section 1a and 1b, and after the pressure detection signal is sequentially output from each pressure detection section 1a and 1b as shown in FIGS. 14(a) and 14(b), as shown in FIGS. When no pressure detection signal is output from each pressure detection section 2a, 2b at the exit of the railroad crossing, it is determined that a part or all of the vehicle is inside the railroad crossing 9 and has not come out, and an alarm signal is generated.

As described above, in this embodiment, it is determined whether or not there is a vehicle remaining in the level crossing 9 based on the output pattern of each pressure detecting section 1a to 4b, so that there is no possibility of damage to the train. If an object remains inside the crossing after it is blocked, it can be detected and an alarm will be issued, which will prevent trains running on the railway tracks,
The safety of vehicles passing through railroad crossings can be improved.

[0028] In this embodiment, a case is considered in which a part or all of a vehicle such as a car, which poses a high risk of causing great damage to trains and passengers, becomes stranded inside a railroad crossing due to a malfunction such as engine trouble or an accident. It is assumed that people and light vehicles such as bicycles and motorcycles are inside the crossing, but this is because people and light vehicles can be moved outside the crossing manually, so This is because it is easy to remove.

[0029] The detection device according to the present invention not only makes it possible to improve the detection accuracy by using the above-mentioned detection device using infrared rays or ultrasonic waves, but also detects people remaining in a railroad crossing. It also becomes possible.

Furthermore, in each of the above-mentioned embodiments, the present invention has been explained using an example in which a vehicle has four wheels, but it is also applicable to a large vehicle having six to eight wheels, such as a trailer or a bus. It is also possible to determine whether a vehicle remains within the railroad crossing 9 using a similar method.

Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, when an eight-wheeled large trailer straddles the railroad crossing 9 and stops, the same pressure detection signal is obtained from the four front wheels as when a four-wheeled vehicle passes. In this case, the circuit breakers 8a and 8b
Since the breaker does not close and a warning is output from this breaker, no problem will occur.

[0032] At a one-lane railroad crossing, when programming a detection pattern for determining the presence or absence of an obstacle, it is necessary to take into account vehicles approaching from the opposite direction. If one lane is considered, the reverse pattern recognition will be easy by simply replacing the detection unit 1a with 2b and the detection unit 1b with 2a.

[0033]

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, according to the present invention, when an object that could damage a train remains inside the crossing even after the crossing is closed, it can be detected and an alarm can be issued. This can improve the safety of the railroad crossing area.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an embodiment of a level crossing obstacle detection device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an example of the arrangement of the obstacle detection device in a railroad crossing shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a configuration example of each pressure sensor shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of arrangement of each pressure sensor shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a timing chart showing an example of the operation of the level crossing obstacle detection device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a timing chart showing an example of the operation of the level crossing obstacle detection device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a timing chart showing an example of the operation of the level crossing obstacle detection device shown in FIG. 1;

8 is a timing chart showing an example of the operation of the obstacle detection device in a railroad crossing shown in FIG. 1. FIG.

FIG. 9 is a timing chart showing an example of the operation of the level crossing obstacle detection device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a timing chart showing an example of the operation of the obstacle detection device in a railroad crossing shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 is a timing chart showing an example of the operation of the level crossing obstacle detection device shown in FIG. 1;

12 is a timing diagram showing an example of the operation of the obstacle detection device in a railroad crossing shown in FIG. 1. FIG.

13 is a timing diagram showing an example of the operation of the obstacle detection device in a railroad crossing shown in FIG. 1. FIG.

14 is a timing chart showing an example of the operation of the obstacle detection device in a railroad crossing shown in FIG. 1. FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

9 Level crossing 1a-4b Pressure sensor 6 Judgment unit (processing unit) 8a, 8b Circuit breaker

Claims (1)

[Claims] Claim 1: A level crossing obstacle detection device that detects an obstacle within a level crossing, which detects passage of the right and left wheels of a vehicle entering or exiting the level crossing, respectively. In order to do this, a pair of left and right pressure detection units are placed on the road surface at the entrance and exit sides of the railroad crossing at a predetermined interval t in the direction of axle travel, and based on the detection results of each pressure detection unit, the What is claimed is: 1. An obstacle detection device in a railroad crossing, comprising: a determination unit that determines whether or not a barrier remains.