Fully automatic coupler safety protection method with on-vehicle autonomous confirmation

Abstract

The present invention discloses a fully automatic coupling safety protection method with vehicle-mounted autonomous confirmation. When the coupled train stops at a designated position according to an operation instruction, it starts to check whether the coupling conditions are met; the coupling conditions to be checked include: a) whether the parking has been completed in the coupling window area, and the safety position is not sure to meet the requirements; b) when the train stops at the platform, check whether the door is in a closed and locked state, and the door enable has been cancelled; c) whether the turnout in the expected possible running area in front of the train is locked; d) whether the vehicle has applied sufficient braking force; the coupled train continuously obtains and detects whether the coupled train meets the conditions through wireless communication. During the coupling process, if the coupled train does not meet the safety conditions, emergency braking is immediately applied. The present invention does not require manual participation, is safe and efficient, and because the inspection conditions are relatively comprehensive, it can effectively avoid the unexpected movement of the train during the coupling process, which will cause damage and loss to passengers and vehicle equipment.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention belongs to the technical field of rail transportation, and in particular relates to a fully automatic train coupling safety protection method. Background Art

[0002] The currently disclosed communication-based train coupling technology solution lacks the safety status check of the coupled train and the necessary safety protection against the unexpected displacement of the train that may occur during the coupling process. The unexpected movement of the train during the coupling process may cause damage to passengers and vehicle equipment. Summary of the invention

[0003] In view of the defects of the prior art, the technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a fully automatic coupling safety protection method with vehicle-mounted autonomous confirmation, so as to realize full system protection of the coupling process.

[0004] In order to solve the above technical problems, the present invention adopts the following technical solutions:

[0005] The fully automatic coupling safety protection method with on-board autonomous confirmation is as follows: when the coupled train stops at the designated position according to the running instruction, it starts to check whether the coupling conditions are met; when the coupled train completes the coupling permission check, it sends the coupling permission to the coupled train through wireless communication; after receiving the coupling permission information from the coupled train, the coupled train switches the protection mode to the fixed running distance and fixed speed limit protection mode calculated according to the inner position of the front train safety envelope, allowing the coupled train to move toward the coupled train at a fixed speed. The coupling conditions checked include:

[0006] a) Whether the vehicle has been parked in the window area and the uncertainty of the safe position meets the requirements;

[0007] b) When the train stops at the platform, check whether the doors are closed and locked, and the door enable has been cancelled;

[0008] c) Whether the switches in the area ahead where the train is expected to run are locked;

[0009] d) Whether the vehicle has applied sufficient braking force;

[0010] Before the train coupling collision is completed and the train stops steadily, the coupled train checks the conditions that allow coupling in real time and sends the information to the non-coupled train;

[0011] The coupled train checks the coupled train's coupling permission in real time. If the coupling permission fails during the process, the coupled train immediately applies emergency braking;

[0012] After applying the emergency brake and safely stopping the train, if the coupling permission of the coupled train becomes valid again, after manual confirmation, the coupling train continues to adopt the fixed speed limit protection mode, allowing the train to move towards the coupled train at a fixed speed.

[0013] Preferably, the checked coupling conditions also include whether the passenger clearance has been completed.

[0014] Preferably, after the coupled train sends the coupling permission to the coupling train via wireless communication, the coupling permission status is maintained within the communication timeout period.

[0015] Preferably, the coupled train sends the coupling permission to the coupling train, and the following two options are adopted according to different system types:

[0016] a) CBTC system with traditional architecture: The on-board controller of the coupled train sends the coupling permission to the ZC subsystem through the train-ground communication system. The ZC subsystem records this status and forwards this information to the subsequent coupling train according to the train tracking sequence;

[0017] b) CBTC system with train-to-train communication: When a direct communication is established between the coupling train and the coupled train, the coupled train sends the coupling permission to the following train.

[0018] Preferably, when conducting a trial pull test after the mechanical couplers of the coupling train and the coupled train are hooked up, a safety protection distance is reserved behind the coupling train to allow for possible backward movement and braking.

[0019] Preferably, when the coupling train continuously receives the coupling permission information of the coupled train, after running to the safety protection point from the coupled train according to the movement authorization, the coupling train is prohibited from moving forward.

[0020] The technical solution adopted by the present invention is that the on-board controller of the coupled train independently confirms whether the coupling conditions are met, without the need for manual participation, which is safe and efficient.

[0021] Since the inspection conditions include that the safety position uncertainty meets the requirements, excessive position uncertainty is avoided, which may lead to an overly large expected distance for the coupling train to move forward, resulting in an overly large impact force during coupling collision and unexpected train movement.

[0022] Since the inspection conditions include whether the doors are in the closed and locked state and the door enabling has been cancelled, casualties caused by passengers getting on and off the train during unexpected movement during coupling collision are avoided.

[0023] Since the inspection conditions include whether the turnouts in the expected possible running area in front of the train are locked, unexpected movement during coupling collision is avoided, which may lead to derailment or running off the track of the train.

[0024] Since the inspection conditions include whether the vehicle has applied sufficient braking force to avoid unexpected movement during coupling collision.

[0025] In addition, during the entire coupling process, the transmission and use of the coupling permission are supervised in real time. Before the train coupling collision is completed and the train stops stably, the coupled train checks in real time whether the conditions for being coupled are met and sends the information to the coupling train. The coupling train checks the coupling permission of the coupled train in real time. During the process, if the coupling permission fails, the coupling train immediately applies emergency braking to ensure the safety of the entire coupling process.

[0026] After the coupling train and the coupled train complete the mechanical hook connection, a trial pull test is also required to avoid the actual mechanical hook not being firm, resulting in possible backward movement of the coupling train. A safety protection distance for possible backward movement and braking needs to be reserved behind the coupling train.

[0027] The specific technical solution adopted by the present invention and the beneficial effects brought by it will be detailedly disclosed in the following specific embodiments in combination with the drawings. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0028] The present invention will be further described below in combination with the drawings and specific embodiments:

[0029] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the fully automatic coupling safety protection method for on-vehicle autonomous confirmation of the present invention. Specific Embodiments

[0030] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be explained and described below in combination with the drawings of the embodiments of the present invention. However, the following embodiments are only the preferred embodiments of the present invention and not all of them. Based on the embodiments in the embodiments, other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative efforts all belong to the protection scope of the present invention.

[0031] Combined Figure 1 As shown, for the fully automatic coupling safety protection method for on-vehicle autonomous confirmation, the on-vehicle controller of the coupled train autonomously confirms whether the conditions for being coupled are met. After the coupled train stops at the designated position according to the operation instruction, it starts to check whether the conditions for being coupled are met.

[0032] Among them, the inspection conditions include:

[0033] a) Whether it has completed parking within the coupling window area and the safety position uncertainty meets the requirements. Excessive position uncertainty may lead to an overly large expected distance for the coupling vehicle to move forward, resulting in an overly large impact force during coupling collision and unexpected movement of the train.

[0034] b) Whether the passengers have been cleared, and this condition can be selected according to the impact degree of the coupler collision. If the coupler collision process is relatively violent, passengers will have obvious discomfort on the train, resulting in injuries such as falling, then this condition needs to be checked.

[0035] c) Whether the doors are in the closed and locked state and the door enable has been cancelled. When the train stops at the platform, this condition needs to be checked. To avoid casualties when passengers get on and off the train due to unexpected movement during the coupler collision.

[0036] d) Whether the switches in the area where the train is expected to run ahead are locked. To avoid derailment and running off the track of the train due to unexpected movement during the coupler collision.

[0037] e) Whether sufficient braking force has been applied to the vehicle to avoid unexpected movement during the coupler collision.

[0038] After the coupler permission is checked for the train to be coupled and meets the conditions, the coupler permission is sent to the coupling train through wireless communication. And after the coupler permission is sent to the coupling train, the train to be coupled needs to maintain the state of the coupler permission within the communication timeout period. To avoid casualties and equipment damage caused by the coupling train not timely obtaining the invalid information of the coupler permission due to communication failure.

[0039] There are different choices for the transmission method according to different system types:

[0040] a) For the traditional architecture CBTC system: The on-vehicle controller of the train to be coupled sends the coupler permission to the ZC subsystem through the train-ground communication system. The ZC subsystem records this state and forwards this information to the subsequent coupling train according to the train tracking sequence.

[0041] b) For the train-to-train communication CBTC system: When the coupling train and the train to be coupled establish direct communication, the train to be coupled sends the coupler permission to the following train.

[0042] When the coupling train continuously receives the coupler permission information of the train to be coupled, after running to the safety protection point from the train to be coupled according to the movement authorization, the coupling train will be prohibited from moving forward to avoid the risk of continuous collision between the two trains.

[0043] After the coupling train receives the coupler permission information of the train to be coupled, it switches the protection mode to the fixed running distance and fixed speed limit protection mode calculated according to the inner position of the safety envelope of the leading train. The train is allowed to move towards the train to be coupled at a fixed speed.

[0044] Before the train completes the coupler collision and comes to a stop, the train to be coupled needs to continuously check the conditions for being coupled and send the information to the non-coupling train. The coupling train needs to continuously check the coupler permission of the train to be coupled. During this process, if the coupler permission fails, the coupling train needs to immediately apply emergency braking.

[0045] After applying the emergency brake and safely stopping the train, if the coupling permission for the coupled train becomes valid again, after manual confirmation, the coupled train continues to adopt the fixed speed limit protection mode, allowing the train to move towards the coupled train at a fixed speed.

[0046] After the coupled train and the coupled train complete the mechanical hook coupling, a draw test needs to be carried out. To avoid the situation that the actual mechanical hook is not firm, resulting in possible backward movement of the coupled train. It is necessary to reserve a safety protection distance for possible backward movement and braking behind the coupled train.

[0047] As described above, this is only the specific implementation mode of the present invention, but the protection scope of the present invention is not limited thereto. Those skilled in the art should understand that the present invention includes but is not limited to the content described in the drawings and the above specific implementation mode. Any modification that does not deviate from the functional and structural principles of the present invention will be included in the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A fully automatic coupler safety protection method with on-vehicle autonomous confirmation. After the train to be coupled stops at the designated position according to the operation instruction, it starts to check whether the coupling conditions are met. After the train to be coupled completes the check of the allowable coupling conditions, it sends the coupling permission to the coupling train through wireless communication. After receiving the coupling permission from the train to be coupled, the coupling train switches the protection mode to a fixed operating distance and fixed speed limit protection mode calculated based on the inner position of the safety envelope of the leading train, and allows the coupling train to move towards the train to be coupled at a fixed speed. It is characterized in that, The conditions for being linked to the system include: a) Whether the vehicle has been parked in the window area and the uncertainty of the safe position meets the requirements; b) When the train stops at the platform, check whether the doors are closed and locked, and the door enable has been cancelled; c) Whether the switches in the area ahead where the train is expected to run are locked; d) Whether the vehicle has applied sufficient braking force; Before the train coupling collision is completed and the train stops steadily, the coupled train checks the coupling conditions in real time and sends the coupling permission to the coupled train; The coupled train checks the coupled train's coupling permission in real time. If the coupling permission fails during the process, the coupled train immediately applies emergency braking; After applying the emergency brake and stopping safely, if the coupling permission of the coupled train is restored to validity, the coupled train continues to adopt the fixed speed limit protection mode after manual confirmation, allowing the train to move towards the coupled train at a fixed speed.

2. The fully automatic coupler safety protection method with on-vehicle autonomous confirmation according to claim 1, characterized in that, The conditions for being checked also include whether the evacuation of guests has been completed.

3. The fully automatic coupler safety protection method with on-vehicle autonomous confirmation according to claim 1, characterized in that, After the coupled train sends coupling permission to the coupled train through wireless communication, the coupling permission status is maintained within the communication timeout period.

4. The fully automatic coupler safety protection method with on-vehicle autonomous confirmation according to claim 1, characterized in that, The coupled train sends the coupling permission to the coupled train. Depending on the system type, the following two options are available: a) Traditional CBTC system: The onboard controller of the coupled train sends the coupling permission to the ZC subsystem through the train-to-ground communication system. The ZC subsystem records the coupling permission and forwards it to the subsequent coupled train according to the train tracking sequence. b) CBTC system with train-to-train communication: When the connecting train and the connected train establish direct communication, the connected train sends the connecting permission to the connecting train.

5. The fully automatic coupler safety protection method with on-vehicle autonomous confirmation according to claim 1, characterized in that, When the coupled train is conducting a pull test after the mechanical hook is completed with the coupled train, a safety protection distance is reserved for the rear of the coupled train for possible retreat and braking.

6. The fully automatic coupler safety protection method with on-vehicle autonomous confirmation according to claim 1, characterized in that, When the coupled train continues to receive coupling permission from the coupled train, it shall be prohibited from moving forward after running to a safety protection point at a distance from the coupled train according to the movement authorization.

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