In-garage vehicle traction control method

Abstract

The in-garage vehicle pulling control method comprises the following steps that S1, vehicle pulling preparation is conducted, specifically, a locomotive enters a vehicle pulling starting point, and vehicle pulling starting is prepared; s2, vehicle pulling is started, a vehicle pulling cable is electrically connected with a locomotive, a switching-on power source starts to pull the vehicle, and a telescopic cable starts to synchronously stretch along with advancing of the locomotive; s3, waiting for servicing in the garage, stopping pulling the locomotive after the locomotive is pulled into the servicing garage, and switching off a power supply to start servicing in the garage; s4, pulling the vehicle out of the garage, switching on a power supply after finishing reconditioning, and pulling the vehicle to run to a terminal point; s5, the traction cable is taken up, the electric connection between the traction cable and the locomotive is removed, and the traction cable is stored; and S6, the telescopic cable is taken up, and the telescopic cable is retracted to the traction vehicle starting point. By means of the vehicle pulling control method, operators can complete vehicle pulling operation efficiently, multi-stage interlocking control is carried out in the vehicle pulling process according to the actual working condition of the servicing yard in the garage, safety is guaranteed while the working efficiency is guaranteed, and potential safety hazards caused by human factors in the vehicle pulling operation process are greatly reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of in - depot repair operations of electric locomotives, and specifically to a control method for in - depot locomotive towing. Background Art

[0002] When electric locomotives are under maintenance, they need to enter the in - depot maintenance yard of the locomotive depot for repair operations. Since the depot is a non - powered area, the locomotive cannot be driven to run by receiving power through the pantograph, and a dedicated traction power supply is required to supply power to the locomotive for it to move in the depot. The applicant's previously applied utility model patent with the publication number "CN220129950U" and the name "A Locomotive In - Depot Traction Power Supply System" uses a telescopic cable for power transmission and a plug - socket for power connection. During the power supply process, operations such as starting and stopping, forward and reverse towing operations can be achieved through a handheld operation panel, eliminating the need for intermittent power - taking operations, improving the operation efficiency and the anti - impact ability of the equipment.

[0003] Figure 1 The following is the schematic diagram of the above - mentioned locomotive in - depot traction power supply system, including a ground towing power supply 1, which is fixedly installed. It also includes a telescopic cable 2 electrically connected to the ground towing power supply 1, and the telescopic cable 2 supplies power for locomotive towing. A cable track 4 is laid along the locomotive running direction, and the telescopic cable 2 is laid on the cable track 4. A towing trolley 5 is also slidably installed on the cable track 4, and the towing trolley 5 can move back and forth with the locomotive and drive the telescopic cable 2 to stretch and contract. The ground towing power supply 1, the power cable 7, the telescopic cable 2, and the towing cable 8 are sequentially electrically connected through plug - sockets, and the towing cable 8 is electrically connected to the locomotive through a plug. The power cable 7 is connected to the ground towing power supply 1 using a plug - socket, and the telescopic cable 2 is connected to the power cable 7 using a plug - socket. The towing trolley 5 is also connected to a towing rope 10, and the end of the telescopic cable 2 is tied to the towing rope 10 and electrically connected to the towing cable 8 through a plug - socket. After the ground towing power supply 1, the power cable 7, the telescopic cable 2, and the towing cable 8 are connected, the towing cable 8 is electrically connected to the locomotive, and starting the ground towing power supply 1 can continuously supply power for the locomotive to tow forward. During the towing operation using this traction power supply system, in order to improve the towing work efficiency and safety, it is necessary to propose improvements to the logical method of towing control for this power supply system. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Aiming at the deficiencies of the prior art, the present invention provides a control method for in - depot locomotive towing, including the following steps: S1 Towing preparation: The locomotive enters the towing starting point and prepares to start towing. S2 Start towing: Connect the towing cable to the locomotive electrically, switch on the power supply to start towing, and the telescopic cable starts to stretch synchronously with the locomotive's progress. S3 Wait for in - depot maintenance: After the locomotive is towed into the maintenance depot, stop towing, disconnect the power supply, and start in - depot maintenance. In step S4, tow the vehicle out of the depot. After the preparation is completed, switch on the power supply and tow the vehicle to the end point. In step S5, wind up the towing cable. Disconnect the electrical connection between the towing cable and the locomotive and wind up the towing cable. In step S6, wind up the retractable cable. Retract the retractable cable to the starting point of the vehicle towing.

[0005] Furthermore, when starting to tow the vehicle in step S2 and making an electrical connection between the towing cable and the locomotive, it is also necessary to connect the towing rope to the locomotive to ensure that the towing rope is stretched and stressed during the locomotive towing process while the towing cable is in a free state; in step S6 of winding up the retractable cable, it is necessary to disconnect the towing rope before retracting the retractable cable to the starting point of the vehicle towing.

[0006] Furthermore, in step S1 of vehicle towing preparation, obtain the status of the barrier safety door before starting to tow the vehicle. After confirming that the barrier safety door is opened, execute step S2 to start towing the vehicle.

[0007] Furthermore, in step S1 of vehicle towing preparation, it is necessary to receive the vehicle towing dispatching signal. After confirming that the vehicle towing dispatching signal permits vehicle towing, execute step S2 to start towing the vehicle.

[0008] Furthermore, in step S2 of starting to tow the vehicle, obtain the signal of the lane where the vehicle is located. If the lane where the vehicle is located is incorrect, stop executing step S2 to start towing the vehicle.

[0009] Furthermore, during the step of waiting for in-depot preparation, obtain the interlock signal of the safety door of the three-layer working platform in the preparation yard. If the interlock signal of the safety door of the three-layer working platform is valid, disconnect the power connection.

[0010] Furthermore, in step S2 of starting to tow the vehicle, confirm the connection status of the towing cable and the towing rope. If the towing cable or the towing rope is not connected, stop executing step S2 to start towing the vehicle.

[0011] Furthermore, during the execution of step S2 of starting to tow the vehicle, step S3 of waiting for in-depot preparation, and step S4 of towing the vehicle out of the depot, it is not allowed to execute step S5 of winding up the towing cable and step S6 of winding up the retractable cable.

[0012] Furthermore, in step S4 of towing the vehicle out of the depot, it is necessary to disconnect the power connection before continuing to execute step S5 of winding up the towing cable and step S6 of winding up the retractable cable.

[0013] Furthermore, after the vehicle moves forward and stops at the maintenance depot in step S2 of starting to tow the vehicle, and after the vehicle moves forward and reaches the end point and stops in step S4 of towing the vehicle out of the depot, emergency stop can be performed immediately during step S2 of starting to tow the vehicle and step S4 of towing the vehicle out of the depot.

[0014] Compared with the prior art, the technical solution of the present application has the following beneficial effects: By using the tractor control method proposed in the present invention, operators can complete the tractor operation with high efficiency. Moreover, in view of the actual working conditions of the in-yard maintenance yard, multi-level interlock control is carried out during the tractor process, ensuring safety while guaranteeing the operation efficiency, and greatly reducing the potential safety hazards caused by human factors during the tractor operation. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Figure 1 : Schematic diagram of the locomotive traction power supply system; Figure 2 : Schematic diagram of the locomotive traction operation process; Figure 3 : Front view of the locomotive traction operation. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0016] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, rather than all the embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0017] This embodiment relates to an in-yard tractor control method, which includes the following steps: S1 Tractor preparation: The locomotive enters the tractor starting point and prepares to start the tractor operation; S2 Start tractor operation: Electrically connect the tractor cable to the locomotive, switch on the power supply to start the tractor operation, and the retractable cable starts to stretch synchronously with the locomotive's movement; S3 Wait for in-yard maintenance: Stop the tractor operation after the locomotive is towed into the maintenance yard, switch off the power supply and start the in-yard maintenance; S4 Tractor out of the yard: Switch on the power supply after the maintenance is completed, and tow the locomotive to the end point; S5 Reel in the tractor cable: Disconnect the electrical connection between the tractor cable and the locomotive, and reel in the tractor cable; S6 Reel in the retractable cable: Retract the retractable cable to the tractor starting point.

[0018] As Figure 1 and Figure 2 shown, after the locomotive enters the yard, it starts to tow and move from the starting point, stops to start in-yard maintenance after passing through the three-layer operation platform in the yard. After the maintenance is completed, it continues to tow out of the yard. During this process, the retractable cable 2 will stretch as the locomotive moves. When the locomotive reaches the tractor end point, disconnect the electrical connection of the tractor cable 8, reel in the tractor cable, and then retract the retractable cable 2 back to the tractor starting point to prepare for the next tractor operation cycle. During the entire tractor process, from the start of the tractor operation to the end of the tractor operation, it can be completed by one person, with high efficiency and high safety.

[0019] In a more preferred embodiment, when starting to tow the locomotive in step S2 and electrically connecting the towing cable 8 to the locomotive, it is also necessary to connect the towing rope 10 to the locomotive to ensure that the towing rope 10 is stretched and stressed during the locomotive towing process while the towing cable is in a free state; in step S6 of retracting the telescopic cable 2, the towing rope 10 needs to be released before retracting the telescopic cable 2 to the starting point of towing.

[0020] In this embodiment, the retraction of the towing cable 8 can be achieved by the winch 300 to wind and store the towing cable 8. When connecting the towing rope 10 to the locomotive, it can be connected to the locomotive head by a fixture. When the locomotive moves forward, the towing rope 10 is stressed and stretches the telescopic cable 2, so that the towing cable 8 is not stressed, preventing the towing cable 8 from being damaged or falling off due to stress. Since the towing cable 8 is used as a power supply line and the towing rope 10 is the main stress unit, which is crucial for the electrical reliability of locomotive towing, during the towing process, it is necessary to confirm the connection state of the towing cable 8 and the towing rope 10. If the connection state is normal, normal power supply for towing can be carried out; otherwise, power supply for towing will be stopped. The connection state of the towing cable 8 and the towing rope 10 can be confirmed manually by providing a confirmation button on the operation panel to prompt the operator to confirm the connection state. Another way can be to set an induction device at the connection of the towing cable 8 and the towing rope 10. If the connection fails and the induction device is disconnected, it will provide a signal for the control system to identify.

[0021] In a more preferred embodiment, in step S1 of towing preparation, before starting to tow, obtain the status of the barrier safety door, and after confirming that the barrier safety door is opened, execute step S2 to start towing. The barrier safety doors are located on the lane and are set at the starting point and the ending point respectively. When the barrier safety door is opened, it indicates that the situation inside the lane allows the locomotive to tow and move forward. If the barrier safety door is closed, the locomotive is not allowed to move forward for towing at this time, otherwise it may cause safety accidents. Therefore, in step S1 of towing preparation and in step S4 of towing the locomotive out of the warehouse, it is necessary to confirm the opening and closing status of the barrier safety door. In this embodiment, image recognition technology, or infrared induction can be used to obtain the opening and closing status of the barrier safety door, or the control signal of the barrier safety door in the in-warehouse dispatching control signal family can be docked.

[0022] In a more preferred embodiment, in step S1 of towing preparation, it is necessary to receive the towing dispatching signal, and after confirming that the towing dispatching signal allows towing, execute step S2 to start towing. During the in-warehouse towing operation process, the towing of each locomotive and the in-warehouse maintenance operations all need to be uniformly commanded by the dispatching. Therefore, during the towing preparation process, it is necessary to continuously confirm the towing dispatching signal, and only when the dispatching allows can it enter step S2 to start towing. The dispatching signal will be obtained from the in-warehouse dispatching control signal family.

[0023] In a more preferred embodiment, when starting to tow the locomotive in step S2, the signal of the lane where the locomotive is located is obtained. If the lane where the locomotive is located is incorrect, the execution of step S2 to start towing the locomotive is stopped. There are multiple lanes in the servicing yard, and the locomotives for towing operations need to travel in their respective lanes. If they cross lanes, it will lead to serious safety accidents. Therefore, it is necessary to confirm the lane signal when starting to tow the locomotive in step S2. Only when the lane signal where the locomotive is located is correct, is it allowed to execute step S2 to start towing the locomotive.

[0024] In a more preferred embodiment, when waiting for in-yard servicing in the said step, the interlock signal of the safety door of the three-layer working platform in the servicing yard is obtained. If the interlock signal of the safety door of the three-layer working platform is valid, the power connection is disconnected. In this embodiment, as Figure 2 shown. When the locomotive is being serviced in the yard, it is necessary to check and maintain various indicators such as the various mechanical components and electrical safety of the locomotive. The three-layer working platform is the working platform for maintenance personnel. When the locomotive is being serviced, it is not allowed to supply power for towing. To ensure the safety during the servicing process, interlock control of the towing power supply is required when there are still maintenance personnel working. And during the in-yard servicing process, the opening and closing state of the safety door of the three-layer working platform represents the servicing operation situation in the yard. Therefore, during the process of waiting for in-yard servicing in step S3, by obtaining the opening and closing state of the safety door of the three-layer working platform, it can be ensured that the subsequent step S4 of towing the locomotive out of the yard is entered only after the in-yard servicing is completed. When the safety door of the three-layer working platform is open, it indicates that in-yard servicing operations are in progress. At this time, the interlock signal of the safety door of the three-layer working platform is valid, and the traction power supply of the locomotive is disconnected and towing is not allowed. When the safety door of the three-layer working platform is closed and the interlock signal of the safety door of the three-layer working platform fails, it indicates that the in-yard servicing operations are completed, and then the subsequent step S4 of towing the locomotive out of the yard can be continued.

[0025] In a more preferred embodiment, during the execution of step S2 to start towing the locomotive, step S3 to wait for in-yard servicing, and step S4 to tow the locomotive out of the yard, it is not allowed to execute step S5 to wind up the towing cable and step S6 to wind up the telescopic cable. During the entire locomotive towing operation process, the towing cable 8 and the telescopic cable 2 must ensure a reliable connection state. Therefore, step S5 to wind up the towing cable and step S6 to wind up the telescopic cable are allowed to be executed only after the locomotive reaches the towing end point.

[0026] In a more preferred embodiment, in step S4 to tow the locomotive out of the yard, the power connection must be disconnected before continuing to execute step S5 to wind up the towing cable and step S6 to wind up the telescopic cable. As mentioned above, during the entire locomotive towing operation process, the towing cable 8 and the telescopic cable 2 must ensure a reliable connection state. However, when the locomotive reaches the end point, after disconnecting the locomotive traction power supply, then step S5 to wind up the towing cable and step S6 to wind up the telescopic cable are carried out. This can ensure that the locomotive is in a power-off state during the cable winding process and there will be no situation of misoperation and forward movement.

[0027] In a more preferred embodiment, after the vehicle starts moving in the vehicle towing step of S2 and reaches the servicing depot, it stops moving. In the vehicle towing out of the depot step of S4, after the vehicle moves to the end point, it stops moving. Emergency parking can be performed immediately in the vehicle towing start step of S2 and the vehicle towing out of the depot step of S4. Since safety is of the highest priority during the entire vehicle towing process, when an unpredictable safety event occurs during the vehicle towing operation and emergency parking is required, during the entire vehicle towing operation, the emergency parking signal will have the highest safety priority, and power will be cut off and the vehicle will stop when the signal occurs. In addition, during the process of the vehicle towing reaching the end point, signals from distance sensing devices such as proximity switches and infrared rays at the end point can be obtained, and the vehicle can stop automatically after reaching the end point. Alternatively, time judgment can also be used, and the vehicle towing operation stops when the preset vehicle towing operation time is reached.

[0028] It should be noted that in this article, relational terms such as first and second are only used to distinguish one entity or operation from another entity or operation, and do not necessarily require or imply any actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Moreover, the term "comprising", "including" or any other variant thereof is intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, so that a process, method, article or device comprising a series of elements not only includes those elements, but also includes other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such process, method, article or device. Without further limitation, an element defined by the statement "comprising an..." does not exclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article or device comprising the element.

[0029] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, those of ordinary skill in the art can understand that various changes, modifications, substitutions and variations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the present invention. The scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A method for controlling a vehicle towing in a warehouse, characterized in that: The steps include: S1: Preparation for pulling the train, the locomotive enters the starting point of the pulling train and is ready to start pulling the train; S2 starts pulling the train, connects the pulling cable to the locomotive, closes the power supply and starts pulling the train, and the telescopic cable starts to stretch synchronously with the movement of the locomotive; S3 Waiting for maintenance in the depot. After the locomotive is pulled into the maintenance depot, the locomotive is stopped, the power is disconnected and the maintenance in the depot is started; S4 tows the vehicle out of the warehouse, switches on the power supply after preparation is completed, and tows the vehicle to the destination; S5: Reeling in the traction cable, disconnecting the traction cable from the locomotive and storing the traction cable; S6 telescopic cable retracts and retracts the telescopic cable to the starting point of the tractor.

2. The method for controlling a vehicle in a warehouse according to claim 1, characterized in that: In the step S2 of starting to pull the vehicle, when the towing cable and the locomotive are electrically connected, the traction rope and the locomotive must also be connected to ensure that the traction rope is stretched and stressed during the locomotive traction process while the towing cable is in a free state; in the step S6 of retracting the telescopic cable, the traction rope must be released and then the telescopic cable must be retracted to the starting point of the towing vehicle.

3. The method for controlling a vehicle in a warehouse according to claim 2, characterized in that: In the step S1 of vehicle pulling preparation, the status of the barrier safety door is obtained before starting to pull the vehicle, and after confirming that the barrier safety door is open, step S2 is executed to start pulling the vehicle.

4. The method for controlling a vehicle in a warehouse according to claim 3, characterized in that: In the step S1 of vehicle pulling preparation, a vehicle pulling dispatch signal needs to be received, and after confirming that the vehicle pulling dispatch signal allows the vehicle pulling, step S2 is executed to start the vehicle pulling.

5. The method for controlling a vehicle in a warehouse according to claim 2, characterized in that: In the step S2 of starting to pull the vehicle, a lane confirmation signal is obtained. If the lane is wrong, the step S2 of starting to pull the vehicle is stopped.

6. The method for controlling a vehicle in a warehouse according to claim 2, characterized in that: In the step of waiting for the maintenance in the warehouse, the interlock signal of the safety door of the three-layer working platform in the maintenance yard is obtained. If the interlock signal of the safety door of the three-layer working platform is valid, the power connection is disconnected.

7. The method for controlling a vehicle in a warehouse according to claim 2, characterized in that: In the step S2 of starting towing the vehicle, the connection status of the towing cable and the traction rope is confirmed. If the towing cable or the traction rope is not connected, the step S2 of starting towing the vehicle is stopped.

8. The method for controlling a vehicle in a warehouse according to claim 2, characterized in that: During the process of executing steps S2 of starting to pull the vehicle, S3 of waiting for preparation in the warehouse, and S4 of pulling the vehicle out of the warehouse, the execution of steps S5 of winding up the towing cable and S6 of winding up the telescopic cable is not allowed.

9. The method for controlling a vehicle in a warehouse according to claim 2, characterized in that: In the step S4 of towing the vehicle out of the warehouse, the step S5 of winding up the vehicle towing cable and the step S6 of winding up the telescopic cable can be continued only after the power connection is disconnected.

10. The method for controlling a vehicle in a warehouse according to claim 2, characterized in that: In the step of starting towing the vehicle in S2, the vehicle stops after reaching the maintenance warehouse. In the step of towing the vehicle out of the warehouse in S4, the vehicle stops after reaching the end point. In the steps of starting towing the vehicle in S2 and towing the vehicle out of the warehouse in S4, an emergency stop can be performed immediately.

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