JPS6185257A - Train system - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to train systems, and more particularly to train systems that are guided by rails and are capable of traveling along the rails. The rail has a variable inclination angle with respect to the horizontal along its length, and a support system is used to support the train.
Keeping a vehicle or vehicles upright. The present invention can be used for trains of all sizes for transporting people, goods, etc., and can also be applied to toy train systems.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention One of the major problems with train systems is that there is no available track land or that the price of track land is too high. Such right-of-way for tracks is becoming increasingly expensive, indeed prohibitive, and in many instances not readily available. Therefore, there is a need for a train structure that takes advantage of narrow and/or special right-of-ways, such as above town streets, and that does not require the installation of extensive track or rail support systems.

(Means for Solving the Problems) The main object of the present invention is to provide a simple and compact train system that meets the above requirements. The concepts and devices of the present invention can also be used in toys. Basically, the system comprises: a) a train car and b) a support for the car adapted to be guided along a rail along its length and with varying angles of inclination with respect to the horizontal. , so that the support takes on the inclination of the rail; and C) is coupled between the vehicle and the support;
When a vehicle runs along the rail in the length direction of the rail,
It has a gimbal that allows the support to rotate relative to the vehicle, so that the vehicle remains straight even if the inclination of the rail on which the vehicle runs changes.

As can be seen, the gimbal specifically includes at least one
one, preferably two or three gimbal ring assemblies. The assemblies are spaced longitudinally of each vehicle and extend around the vehicle. For this reason, the axis formed by the ring or rings extends in alignment with the vehicle. Each assembly also specifically includes a guide unit mounted on a rail that engages the support and a second unit rotatable with the vehicle and rotatable relative to the guide unit. There is.

Another object of the invention is to provide a drive system which, in addition to the drive motor and the transmission connected to the rotating ring, includes an inclination sensor to control the operation of the motor in both forward and backward directions.

Furthermore, the sliding rails of the support are, in particular, twisted about a longitudinal axis along their length and fc'
) In other words, as shown in the figure, rails are laid across all buildings or held upside down to make them usable.

These and other objects of the invention will be better understood from the following description and drawings, together with details of the illustrated embodiments.

(Embodiment) In the figure, a train system 10 is provided with a vehicle 11 having a car body 12 of a desired design. The vehicle body is provided with a window of a desired design, indicated by 13, at a desired position. The interior of the vehicle can also be provided with a seat 14 and a central passage 15, as shown in FIG. An object of the present invention is to provide a rail or track 1 on which the train runs while the train is running.
6 is able to keep the vehicle straight even if it rotates or tilts.

Regarding this, if we look at the vehicle 11 of the sixth cause from FIG. 4, we can see that in FIG.
Despite the 90 degree inclination of the rails in FIG. 5 and the 45 degree inclination of the rails in FIG. 6, the vehicle remains vertical. The train rail consists of a vertical member 17 (in Figure 1) and a cross member 1.
8 and all can be prepared. The cross member is the vehicle support 3
7 langes 18α are formed to hold against the zero rail. Thus, the rails may also have a T-shaped cross section, as shown.

The legs 20 for the inverted elevated rail 16 are
While shown, uprights or struts 21 support the sloping rails of FIG. In FIG. 6, a 45 degree inclined rail post 22 projects from the side of a building or other structure. Prisoner 6 shows that rails can be run along or across town streets, and at the same time rails can be installed on adjacent buildings on the side of the street. Figure 3 shows that at 16α it is upright, at 16b it is gradually tilted, and at 16c
shows the rails 16 being reversed at , with the train still running along the rails. Any suitable drive system or means may be used to drive the train back and forth, such as, for example, reversible drive motor 25 in FIG. The reversible drive motor is connected to a reduction transmission 26
is operatively connected to gear 27 via. This gear meshes with a gear 28 on one side of the rail flange 18α. Other reversible drives such as linear induction motors may also be used.

The motor 25 and the transmission 26U, 31 can also be supported by a vehicle support. In FIG. 2, the support 30 is shown as having a full C-shape with laterally projecting arms 31. The arm is provided with a recess or slot 29 which fits snugly into the rail flange 18a. It can also be held by arms 31 on low friction "slipper pads 32-34' and joined to opposing surfaces of the rails as shown. As a result, the supports can be attached to the rails as the train travels. The groove that is in perfect contact with the rail is guided along the rail and runs smoothly.Instead, a roller support that contacts the rail is provided at the position of the pad, thereby positioning the support 30 with respect to the rail. Alternatively, it can also be centrally aligned and transmitted to the entire rail with as little friction as possible.Longitudinal extension to the support ft29α,
All magnetic couplings, shown at 36 in FIG. 1, can also be used to couple successive vehicles together so that the vehicles can pivot.

According to an important aspect of the invention, the vehicle 11 is connected to the support 30 of the vehicle in order to allow the support to rotate relative to the vehicle as the vehicle travels longitudinally along the rail. An open sound gimbal 37 is connected. As a result, the vehicle remains straight even if the rails on which the vehicle and support run are inclined. Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, 7 and 7a, gimbals 37 have at least one gimbal 37', such as a yoke 38, having an axis 39 aligned with the vehicle. ing. Therefore, the gimbal yoke 38, which is integral with the support body 30, partially protrudes around the vehicle and into the interior 40 of the vehicle. Further, the gimbal is rotatably supported by a yoke 38 and includes an N'J ring 41. The ring 41 is attached to the vehicle or its frame and rotatably guided by the yoke 38.

For example, in FIG. 7, refer to the roller support 42) between the arm 38α of the yoke and the surface 41α of the ring 4.
sea bream. As the track and yoke 38 change inclination, the vehicle's center of gravity below axis 39 acts to keep the vehicle straight and allow ring 41 to rotate within the yoke.

Alternatively, as shown in factor 7, a drive system can be coupled to the entire vehicle to provide controlled rotation of the vehicle in response to the gradually changing inclination of the rails to keep the vehicle straight. The explanation will proceed to FIG. A tilt sensor 44, such as an accelerometer, is carried on the support 30 to sense the full extent of lateral tilt of the support and yoke as it travels along the rail. The output 45 of the sensor for 1" degree of inclination is 4
6, and the amplifier drives a drive motor 47, as also shown in FIG. Regarding this,
See the pendulum sound on the wiper 70α of the voltage divider 71.

If the accelerometer on the support tilts clockwise, the motor is energized and rotates the vehicle fully counterclockwise to keep it straight, and vice versa.

Feedback control methods can also be used.

The motor is powered through a reduction transmission 49ffi.
A spool gear 48 is driven, and this gear 48 is connected to the ring 4.
The ring gear 50α on the outer periphery of the ring gear 50α is driven. Other drive mechanisms may be used in place of those shown. Note that ring gear 50α projects annularly outwardly between arms 38α of yoke 38 and engages spool gear 48.

A plane 54 perpendicular to the axis 391 divides the vehicle 11 and the support 30 into two halves, as seen in FIG. . The rings 38 and 41 share the entire axis around the axis 39.

FIG. 1 also shows a second gimbal 37', similar to gimbal 37, located near the opposite end of the vehicle;
Thus, two similar gimbals are installed near each end of each vehicle. Figure 8 shows the gimbal 37'
and the second motor 47' attached to the drive ring 41', the ring 41 and the motor 47 are driven to the same extent. A third gimbal or multiple gimbals can also be used in the same way.

Also, supports 30 and 30' are placed at positions such as 51 and 51'.
hinges or articulating pins are provided to prevent the vehicle from pitching within a limited range relative to the support when traveling along a rail that may be slightly curved in the shape of a "crown" or "inverted crown." It can also be done.

The hinge has an axle offset transversely to the rail at a position such as 60 (in FIG. 2). Note in FIG. 3 that the rail is twisted along its length and about its longitudinal axis.

The slope control can also be adjusted to allow the train to travel on curved areas of the rail.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a side view showing the entire train embodying the present invention. FIG. 2 is an end view taken along line 2-2 in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a side view showing the entire track or rail rotated through 180 degrees in the longitudinal direction, and showing the train as it is with the vehicle straightened. FIG. 4 is an end view showing an inverted track or rail and a suspended nine train. FIG. 5 is an end view showing a 90 degree rotated track or rail with a train attached. FIG. 6 is an end view showing a 45 degree rotated track or rail with a train attached. FIG. 7 is a partial sectional view showing the vehicle rotation device. FIG. 7α is a sectional view taken along line 7α-7α in FIG. FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a drive motor responsive to rotation of a train support. FIG. 9 is a partial cross-sectional view showing one method of moving a train along the rails. 10: Train system; 11: Vehicle; 12: Car body; 16:
Rail or track; 18: Cross member; 18d: Flange;
25: Drive motor; 26: Reduction transmission; 2
7: Gear; 28: Gear; 29: Recess or slot; 30
．． 30': Support; 31: Arm; 32-34:
Pad; 36: Magnet connection part; 37, 37': Jinsle; 38: Yoke: 39: Axis; 41, 41': Ring; 42: Roller support; 44: Inclination sensor; 47,
47': Drive motor; 48: Spool gear; 49
: Reduction transmission; 5oα, b: Ring gear; 51: Hinge. (5 others) Procedural amendment (method) 1. Case display system, person making the amendment, relationship with the case, applicant address, name Kya, Shiku', -1 Nis, Dozare 4, agent

Claims (17)

[Claims] (1) In a train system, a) a train vehicle; and b) a support for the vehicle adapted to be guided along a rail along its length and having varying angles of inclination with respect to the horizontal. c) connected between the vehicle and the support so that the support takes over the inclination of the rail; A train system having a gimbal that allows the support to rotate, so that the vehicle remains straight even if the inclination of the rail on which the vehicle runs changes. (2) The train system according to claim 1, wherein the gimbal includes at least one gimbal unit having an axis aligned with the axis of the vehicle. (3) A train system according to claim 2, wherein the gimbal unit extends around a longitudinal axis of the vehicle. (4) In the train system according to claim 1, the gimbal includes two gimbal rings forming a common axis in the longitudinal direction aligned with the vehicle, and the two gimbal rings are connected to the vehicle. A longitudinally spaced train system. (5) In the train system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, when the vehicle travels along the rails, the support body responds to a gradual increase or decrease in inclination. A train system comprising a drive system coupled to a vehicle for effecting said rotation of the vehicle. (6) In the train system according to claim 5, the drive system includes a drive motor and a transmission device having a ring gear attached to the vehicle and connected between the motor and the vehicle. train system equipped. (7) A train system according to claim 6, comprising an inclination sensor, the sensor being effectively supported by a support and connected to a drive motor in a controlled relationship. . (8) In the train system according to claim 2, the gimbal further includes a ring rotatably supported by the yoke, and the ring is attached to the vehicle and supported by the yoke. Rotatably guided train system. (9) In the train system according to claim 8, the ring rotates in response to gradual changes in inclination of the support when the vehicle travels along the rail. A train system with effectively coupled drive systems. (10) A train system according to claim 9, wherein the ring carries a gear gear, the gear gear meshing with a drive gear rotated by a drive system. (11) Any one of claims 2 to 9
The train system according to claim 1, wherein the gimbal ring extends around the vehicle, and a vertical plane passing through the axis of the ring bisects the vehicle and the support. (12) The train system according to claim 1, comprising a hinge connected to a support body to enable the vehicle to pivot around an axis transverse to the rails. . (13) Claims 2 to 9 and 12
In the train system described in any one of the paragraphs,
A train system with rails supporting supports. (14) Claims 2 to 9 and 12
In the train system described in any one of the paragraphs,
a rail, the rail having a cross section in a plane orthogonal to its length adapted to receive and guide the support, the support extending around a cross member formed by a cross section of the rail; A train system extending slidably along said crossmember. (15) Claims 2 to 9 and 12
In the train system described in any one of the paragraphs,
A train system comprising a rail supporting a support, the rail having a cross-section twisted along its length about a longitudinal axis defined by the rail. (16) Claims 2 to 9 and 12
In the train system described in any one of the paragraphs,
For twisted rails, which have a rail supporting a support and are adapted to hold the rail by laterally extending structures or to hold the rail under partially or completely inverted conditions. A train system in which supports are provided. (17) In the train system according to claim 8, the car and the ring are free to rotate with respect to the yoke, and the car has a center of gravity below the level of the rotation axis of the car. train system.