Integrated pantograph camera

Abstract

The utility model discloses an integrated pantograph camera, integrated pantograph camera includes: power panel, main control board, camera, light filling lamp, ultraviolet sensor and heating glass subassembly, power panel is connected with main control board, camera, light filling lamp, ultraviolet sensor electricity, the fault detection module of main control board is connected with heating glass subassembly control module and light filling lamp control module respectively electricity, camera and the video signal processing module communication connection of main control board, light filling lamp receives the pulse width modulation PWM signal of light filling lamp control module output, ultraviolet sensor and ultraviolet sensor data processing module communication connection, heating glass subassembly includes heating glass, temperature sensor and heating wire, heating glass sets up in the outside of camera and ultraviolet sensor, temperature sensor sets up in the adhesive layer of heating glass, heating wire is connected with heating glass, and is connected with heating glass subassembly control module electricity.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of pantograph camera technology, and in particular to an integrated pantograph camera. Background Technology

[0002] The pantograph camera is a specialized video surveillance device designed for the rail transit industry. Installed in cars 3 and 6, its main function is to capture the real-time status of the pantograph on the train using a high-definition camera and transmit the video data to a video monitoring server inside the car for storage. The installation of the pantograph camera facilitates timely observation of the pantograph and catenary status by the onboard mechanics and provides video evidence for troubleshooting, preventing situations where effective analysis of faults is impossible.

[0003] Early pantograph inspections primarily relied on manual visual checks or photographic photography, methods that were inefficient and difficult to detect problems promptly. In the 21st century, with the widespread adoption of network digital cameras, China's standard high-speed trains incorporated network digital cameras into their pantograph video monitoring systems. The pantograph camera on the China standard high-speed train includes a dome network camera, supplementary lighting, and heated glass. The dome network camera captures images, the supplementary lighting illuminates the camera at night and when the train enters tunnels, and the heated glass prevents fogging and snow accumulation on the camera lens, ensuring image clarity. The dome network camera used on the China standard high-speed train contains an image sensor, an ISP chip, video encoding and control chips, and a PHY chip. The image sensor converts the light signals captured by the camera lens into electrical signals. The Image Processing Module (IP) is used to process image signals acquired by the image sensor. This typically includes linear correction, noise reduction, white balance, and automatic exposure control. Pantograph cameras often operate in complex environments, such as direct sunlight, darkness, and tunnels. The IIP's image processing algorithms can process the images of the pantograph, overhead contact line, and background to accurately reflect the shape and color of the objects being photographed. The video encoding and control chip is primarily used to encode and compress video signals, reducing bandwidth for transmission over the Ethernet bus. The PHY chip mainly receives and sends Ethernet data frames, enabling communication with the in-vehicle video monitoring server.

[0004] like Figure 1As shown, the pantograph camera on the Chinese standard EMU has a relatively simple structure and limited functionality, primarily recording the pantograph's status via video monitoring. The supplementary lighting on the pantograph camera can only provide illumination at fixed brightness and frequency, and cannot be adjusted in a timely manner according to operational conditions after installation. Furthermore, the heated glass cannot provide feedback on its temperature. The pantograph camera also lacks self-diagnosis capabilities; if a module malfunctions, the entire pantograph camera must be returned to the factory for inspection, which not only fails to address the problem promptly but also wastes unnecessary time and manpower. Statistics show that removing and replacing the pantograph camera from the roof requires one person for 2.5 hours each time. With the development of China's high-speed rail industry and the increasing intelligence of EMUs, this current design is no longer sufficient to meet the operational and maintenance needs of the trains. Utility Model Content

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide an integrated pantograph camera to overcome the problems of low coupling, limited functionality, and inability to self-diagnose faults in existing pantograph cameras.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides an integrated pantograph camera, which includes: a power board, a main control board, a camera, a supplementary light, an ultraviolet sensor, and a heated glass assembly;

[0007] The power board is electrically connected to the main control board, camera, fill light, and ultraviolet sensor to provide operating voltage;

[0008] The main control board is equipped with a video signal processing module, a heated glass assembly control module, an ultraviolet sensor data processing module, a fill light control module, and a fault detection module; the fault detection module is electrically connected to the heated glass assembly control module and the fill light control module respectively.

[0009] The camera is communicatively connected to the video signal processing module; the fill light receives a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal output by the fill light control module; the ultraviolet sensor is communicatively connected to the ultraviolet sensor data processing module; the heated glass assembly includes heated glass, a temperature sensor, and a heating wire; the heated glass is disposed outside the camera and the ultraviolet sensor; the temperature sensor is disposed within the adhesive layer of the heated glass, used to collect temperature data of the heated glass and send it to the heated glass assembly control module; the heating wire is connected to the heated glass and electrically connected to the heated glass assembly control module.

[0010] Preferably, the main control board includes a core board and a carrier board; the carrier board and the core board are connected by a connector.

[0011] More preferably, the connector includes a plug-socket connection and a screw-nut connection.

[0012] More preferably, the hardware configuration of the core board includes an 8-core system-on-a-chip (SoC), 8GB of DDR RAM, and 256GB of eMMC storage space, and the core board runs a Linux operating system.

[0013] More preferably, the carrier board integrates multiple interfaces, multiple peripheral circuits, and a microcontroller based on a 32-bit microcontroller with an ARM Cortex-M4 processor core.

[0014] More preferably, the multiple interfaces include a camera interface, a gigabit Ethernet interface, a temperature detection interface, and a heating wire interface.

[0015] More preferably, the plurality of peripheral circuits include an analog-to-digital conversion circuit, a fill light interface circuit, and a heating wire drive circuit.

[0016] Preferably, the heating glass is made of double-layered tempered and laminated glass.

[0017] Preferably, the temperature sensor is a PT100 temperature sensor.

[0018] Preferably, the pantograph camera further includes a protective cover, which is fixed to the roof of the vehicle;

[0019] The protective cover includes a housing and a back cover; the housing has parallel and equally spaced heat dissipation grooves around its perimeter; the back cover is fastened to the back of the housing; the housing has reserved windows for a supplementary light, a camera, and an ultraviolet sensor.

[0020] The integrated pantograph camera provided in this embodiment uses a new hardware architecture to send data from the supplementary light, camera, heated glass assembly, and ultraviolet sensor to the main control board, improving the product's coupling. Through the settings of the main control board and its various modules, the parameters of each functional module can be adjusted at any time, realizing video acquisition, supplementary light control, ultraviolet sensor data processing, and heated glass heating functions. Furthermore, by adding a fault detection module to the hardware, it can achieve self-detection of faults in the supplementary light and heated glass, maximizing the fulfillment of current needs. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of a pantograph camera on a conventional Chinese standard high-speed train is provided for an embodiment of this utility model.

[0022] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the structure of the integrated pantograph camera provided in this embodiment of the utility model;

[0023] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the appearance of the integrated pantograph camera provided in an embodiment of this utility model;

[0024] Figure 4 Block diagram of the power supply and control circuit for the supplementary light of the integrated pantograph camera provided in this embodiment of the utility model;

[0025] Figure 5 A block diagram of the heating glass temperature detection and fault detection circuit of the integrated pantograph camera provided in this embodiment of the utility model. Detailed Implementation

[0026] The technical solution of this utility model will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0027] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the structure of the integrated pantograph camera provided in this embodiment of the utility model is shown below. Figure 2 As shown in the figure, the integrated pantograph camera provided in this embodiment of the present invention may specifically include: a power board, a main control board, a camera, a fill light, an ultraviolet sensor, and a heated glass assembly.

[0028] The power board is the power supply module for this integrated pantograph camera. It mainly converts the external input power of the integrated pantograph camera into a suitable voltage to provide operating voltage for the electrical components.

[0029] The camera is the main component of this integrated pantograph camera that collects video monitoring data from the train's pantograph; it is electrically connected to the power board.

[0030] The supplementary lighting is mainly used to provide supplementary lighting for cameras at night and when trains enter tunnels, and it is also electrically connected to the power board.

[0031] The ultraviolet sensor mainly collects the pantograph-catenary arcing signal, which indicates the operating status of the pantograph-catenary system, and it is electrically connected to the power board.

[0032] The heated glass assembly may specifically include heated glass, a temperature sensor, and heating wires. The heated glass is positioned outside the camera and ultraviolet sensor. In a specific example, the heated glass can be implemented using double-layered tempered glass with adhesive.

[0033] Specifically, the temperature sensor can be a PT100 temperature sensor, which is placed inside the adhesive layer of the double-layered tempered and glued glass to collect temperature data of the heated glass and send it to the main control board.

[0034] The heating wire can be encapsulated within the adhesive layer of double-layered tempered and laminated glass, connected to the heated glass and electrically connected to the main control board, for heating the heated glass.

[0035] The main control board can utilize a software-defined interface to perform data processing, fault diagnosis, and communication with external devices. It includes a video signal processing module, an ultraviolet sensor data processing module, a fill light control module, a heated glass assembly control module, and a fault detection module. The video signal processing module communicates with the camera. The ultraviolet sensor data processing module communicates with the ultraviolet sensor. The fill light control module drives the fill light by outputting a pulse width modulation (PWM) waveform.

[0036] The heated glass assembly control module can receive temperature data of the heated glass collected by the temperature sensor and is electrically connected to the heating wire.

[0037] The fault detection module may specifically include a fill light fault detection module and a heating wire fault detection module. The fill light fault detection module is electrically connected to the fill light, and the heating wire fault detection module is electrically connected to the heating wire.

[0038] In this application, in order to integrate the functions of the pantograph camera, the main control board adopts a separate design, namely, it includes a core board and a carrier board. The various modules of the main control board are distributed on the core board and the carrier board, respectively.

[0039] The core board's hardware configuration specifically includes an 8-core System-on-Chip (SoC), 8GB of DDR RAM, and 256GB of eMMC storage. The core board runs a Linux operating system and is responsible for complex algorithm calculations, data storage, and network communication. Its ample storage capacity enables the pantograph camera to perform data storage; when the stored data exceeds 100GB, the oldest data is overwritten sequentially.

[0040] The SoC includes a video signal processing module, an ultraviolet sensor data processing module, and a heating component control module.

[0041] The video signal processing module is used to process the pantograph video monitoring data collected by the camera.

[0042] The ultraviolet sensor data processing module is mainly used to process the ultraviolet sensor digital signals sent by the carrier board, and to output the arcing rate, number of arcings and longest arcing duration of the pantograph-catenary section. The calculation results are then uploaded to the monitoring screen through the gigabit Ethernet interface, which facilitates real-time tracking of the pantograph-catenary system's operating status.

[0043] The heated glass assembly control module sends heating wire control commands to the carrier board based on the temperature data of the heated glass collected by the temperature sensor.

[0044] The carrier board and the core board are connected via connectors. These connectors may include plug / socket connections and screw / nut connections. The carrier board's onboard microcontroller integrates multiple interfaces and peripheral circuits around a 32-bit microcontroller based on an ARM Cortex-M4 processor core, facilitating subsequent core board upgrades or adaptation to new requirements by replacing the carrier board.

[0045] The multiple interfaces include, but are not limited to, a camera interface, a gigabit Ethernet interface, a temperature detection interface, and a heating wire interface. The camera interface is a communication interface, which may include a MIPI CSI interface or a USB interface, primarily used to receive pantograph video monitoring data captured by the camera and transmit it to the core board. The gigabit Ethernet interface is used for communication between the integrated pantograph camera and external devices.

[0046] like Figure 5 As shown, the temperature detection interface may specifically include temperature detection interface 1 and temperature detection interface 2. Temperature detection interface 1 is mainly used to receive the temperature data of the camera's heated glass collected by the temperature sensor, and temperature detection interface 2 is mainly used to receive the temperature data of the ultraviolet sensor's heated glass collected by the temperature sensor. The heating wire interface may specifically include heating wire interface 1 and heating wire interface 2. Heating wire interface 1 is mainly used to power the camera's heating wire, and heating wire interface 2 is mainly used to power the ultraviolet sensor's heating wire.

[0047] The peripheral circuitry includes an analog-to-digital converter circuit, a fill light interface circuit, and a heating wire drive circuit.

[0048] Because the UV sensor outputs an analog voltage signal, when it detects a pantograph-catenary arcing signal, a discharge occurs within the sensor. This discharge is converted into an analog signal through signal processing. Since the SoC cannot directly acquire analog voltage signals, an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) circuit needs to be designed on the carrier board to convert the acquired analog signal from the UV sensor into a digital signal. This digital signal is then sent to the SoC via the SPI communication interface. The SoC's UV sensor data processing module filters the digital signal, removing small signals with low amplitude and short duration. Based on the characteristics of the UV sensor signal (amplitude, time, frequency, and statistical patterns), the number of arcing events and the duration of arcing are counted. The collected arcing data is then sent to external communication devices, such as a mechanic monitor, via a gigabit Ethernet interface for real-time monitoring of the arcing situation, providing data reference for determining the pantograph-catenary relationship. In this application, the ADC circuit has a 12-bit resolution and a sampling rate of up to 1 MSPS.

[0049] The fill light control module controls the fill light specifically through the fill light interface circuit, such as... Figure 4As shown, the microcontroller outputs a Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) waveform to drive the fill light. Specifically, the microcontroller on the carrier board uses a timer function to output PWM pulses, thereby achieving precise control of the fill light. When the driver chip inside the fill light receives a high level, it causes the LED to light up; when it receives a low level, the LED turns off. The frequency of the PWM pulse determines the flicker frequency of the fill light, while the pulse width determines the brightness. Both the frequency and pulse width of the PWM pulses output by the microcontroller can be controlled by the fill light control module of the SoC.

[0050] The fill light fault detection module can be implemented by setting up a fill light voltage detection circuit and a fill light current detection circuit within the fill light interface circuit. Specifically, the fill light voltage detection circuit uses a voltage divider method to attenuate the 24V input voltage and transmits the attenuated voltage divider signal to the microcontroller. The microcontroller calculates the actual 24V input voltage value based on this signal to determine whether the fill light power supply voltage is normal.

[0051] The fill light current detection circuit consists of a precision detection resistor connected in series with the negative power supply line of the fill light. Since the voltage drop across the resistor is in the millivolt range, the microcontroller cannot directly recognize it. Therefore, a current amplifier is used to amplify the signal, and then the microcontroller samples and reads the data. By analyzing the current data and combining it with the voltage data, the microcontroller can accurately determine whether the peak power of the fill light is within the rated range. Simultaneously, continuous current data can be used to assess whether the fill light flicker is normal.

[0052] like Figure 5 As shown, because the temperature sensor outputs different resistance values ​​according to temperature changes, the SoC cannot directly determine the temperature of the heated glass by detecting the temperature sensor's resistance value. A temperature transmitter needs to be used on the carrier board to convert the resistance value into a temperature value and send it to the SoC via the IIC bus. This allows the SoC to send heating wire control commands to the microcontroller based on the temperature value. The temperature transmitter supports dual-channel RTD measurement, which can simultaneously detect the heated glass temperature from both the camera and the UV sensor.

[0053] The SoC's heating component control module controls the opening and closing state of the heating wire primarily through the heating wire drive circuit on the carrier board. Specifically, it uses a highly integrated, wide-voltage input electronic fuse switch (referred to as an electronic switch). This electronic fuse switch supports overvoltage, overcurrent, short circuit, reverse current, and thermal shutdown protection mechanisms, ensuring circuit safety. It should be noted that the microcontroller can also control the on / off state of the electronic fuse based on the temperature of the heated glass.

[0054] The heating wire fault detection module can be implemented using a current sampling circuit, for example, by setting a current sampling circuit at each heating wire interface. With the heating function enabled, the current sampling circuit can collect the current magnitude at the heating wire pins. If the heating wire current is 0, it is determined that the heating wire is disconnected; if the heating wire current is higher than a set threshold, it is determined that the heating wire is short-circuited. The fault status of the heating wire is then reported to the SoC.

[0055] like Figure 3 As shown, the pantograph camera also includes a protective housing, which is fixed to the roof of the vehicle. Specifically, the protective housing may include a housing 1 and a rear cover (not shown). The housing 1 has parallel and equally spaced heat dissipation slots 11 around its perimeter. The front surface of the housing 1 has a pre-drilled window 11 for a supplementary light, a camera window 12, and an ultraviolet sensor window 13. The rear cover is fastened to the rear of the housing 1.

[0056] The integrated pantograph camera provided in this embodiment uses a new hardware architecture to send data from the supplementary light, camera, heated glass assembly, and ultraviolet sensor to the main control board, improving the product's coupling. Through the settings of the main control board and its various modules, the parameters of each functional module can be adjusted at any time, realizing video acquisition, supplementary light control, ultraviolet sensor data processing, and heated glass heating functions. Furthermore, by adding a fault detection module to the hardware, it can achieve self-detection of faults in the supplementary light and heated glass, maximizing the fulfillment of current needs.

[0057] The specific embodiments described above further illustrate the purpose, technical solution, and beneficial effects of this utility model. It should be understood that the above description is only a specific embodiment of this utility model and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of this utility model. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of this utility model should be included within the scope of protection of this utility model.

Claims

1. An integrated pantograph camera, characterized in that, The integrated pantograph camera includes: a power board, a main control board, a camera, a fill light, an ultraviolet sensor, and a heated glass assembly; The power board is electrically connected to the main control board, camera, fill light, and ultraviolet sensor to provide operating voltage; The main control board is equipped with a video signal processing module, a heated glass assembly control module, an ultraviolet sensor data processing module, a fill light control module, and a fault detection module; the fault detection module is electrically connected to the heated glass assembly control module and the fill light control module respectively. The camera is communicatively connected to the video signal processing module; the fill light receives a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal output by the fill light control module; the ultraviolet sensor is communicatively connected to the ultraviolet sensor data processing module; the heated glass assembly includes heated glass, a temperature sensor, and a heating wire; the heated glass is disposed outside the camera and the ultraviolet sensor; the temperature sensor is disposed within the adhesive layer of the heated glass, used to collect temperature data of the heated glass and send it to the heated glass assembly control module; the heating wire is connected to the heated glass and electrically connected to the heated glass assembly control module.

2. The integrated pantograph camera according to claim 1, characterized in that, The main control board includes a core board and a carrier board; the carrier board and the core board are connected by a connector.

3. The integrated pantograph camera according to claim 2, characterized in that, The connector includes plug and socket connections and screw and nut connections.

4. The integrated pantograph camera according to claim 2, characterized in that, The core board's hardware configuration includes an 8-core system-on-a-chip (SoC), 8GB of DDR RAM, and 256GB of eMMC storage. The core board runs a Linux operating system.

5. The integrated pantograph camera according to claim 2, characterized in that, The carrier board integrates multiple interfaces, multiple peripheral circuits, and a 32-bit microcontroller based on an ARM Cortex-M4 processor core.

6. The integrated pantograph camera according to claim 5, characterized in that, The multiple interfaces include a camera interface, a gigabit Ethernet interface, a temperature detection interface, and a heating wire interface.

7. The integrated pantograph camera according to claim 5, characterized in that, The multiple peripheral circuits include an analog-to-digital converter circuit, a fill light interface circuit, and a heating wire drive circuit.

8. The integrated pantograph camera according to claim 1, characterized in that, The heated glass is made of double-layered tempered and laminated glass.

9. The integrated pantograph camera according to claim 1, characterized in that, The temperature sensor is specifically a PT100 temperature sensor.

10. The integrated pantograph camera according to claim 1, characterized in that, The pantograph camera also includes a protective cover, which is fixed to the roof of the vehicle; The protective cover includes a housing and a back cover; the housing has parallel and equally spaced heat dissipation grooves around its perimeter; the back cover is fastened to the back of the housing; the housing has reserved windows for a supplementary light, a camera, and an ultraviolet sensor.

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