Saddle type monorail system

Abstract

To provide a saddle type monorail system obtaining double track and unmanned operation which is monorail replacing single track railroad with few users and using the existent railroad tracks as it is.SOLUTION: Monorail is run on one side rail of a railroad track by a rolling prevention means using a gyro moment generation mechanism. A single pair of narrow gauge (generally 1067 mm) tracks are used as double track for up / down by a small vehicle. Unmanned operation is facilitated by simplifying to an operation circulating between both ends like in a ropeway with no vehicle evacuation when passing. In addition, combination operation with the conventional railroad vehicle is possible by leaving the railroad tracks. Thus, it becomes a transportation means that allows easy adjustment of transportation capacity to such as time variation or seasonal variation in student passenger transportation and population variation.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a straddle-type monorail system that runs on a single rail. [Background technology]

[0002] Monorails have a transport capacity intermediate between trains and buses, and the construction costs of the line are cheaper than those of trains, making them a means of transport that can serve as an alternative to train and bus lines. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 3-31057 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, local railway lines that have become unprofitable due to depopulation and other factors have mainly been replaced by bus routes, and there are no known cases of them being converted to monorails. The main reason for this is that bus routes are based on the premise of free use of roads, whereas monorails cannot use railway lines that were closed before the line was closed, and require a large amount of track installation costs. On the other hand, even for local lines with fewer than 1,000 passengers per day, many of the users are students who travel at certain times of the day. In order to cover this with bus routes, large vehicles or multiple vehicles would be required, and the cost-saving effects of converting bus routes would be limited.

[0005] The present invention aims to construct a double-track straddle-type monorail system that allows the use of track facilities (sleepers, rails, ballast or concrete foundations, fasteners such as spikes for fixing the rails to the sleepers) and track gauge dimensions that are common in single-track local lines without changes, while also allowing trains to pass each other without interfering with each other. Furthermore, the object is to construct a straddle-type monorail system that allows conventional rail cars to enter the line in place of the straddle-type monorail cars during times of congestion. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the straddle-type monorail vehicle of the present invention is a straddle-type monorail vehicle installed on a single track rail and comprises: drive means for supporting, driving, and braking the wheels; rollover prevention means using a gyro moment generating mechanism; measurement means for measuring the inclination and position of the vehicle itself, and the distance to passing vehicles, preceding vehicles, and following vehicles; power supply means for the drive means and measurement means; and information transmission means for wirelessly transmitting information obtained by the measurement means.

[0007] In addition, the track rail is one of a pair of rails of a railway track, and has a rail branching device on which both straddle-type monorail vehicles and existing railway vehicles can run, and a straddle-type monorail system is configured that wirelessly receives information from multiple straddle-type monorail vehicles and the rail branching device and monitors and controls the straddle-type monorail vehicles and the rail branching device. Effect of the Invention

[0008] The straddle-type monorail vehicle of the present invention uses a gyro moment generating mechanism to maintain its posture in the rolling direction, so that the posture of the car body does not change due to rail span, height differences, or the inclination of each rail, which significantly reduces maintenance work (maintenance and management of rail span and height differences). In addition, because the gyro suppresses the rolling excitation force, the rail is not subjected to any lateral forces, which significantly reduces wear and collapse of the rail. This makes it possible to lay the rail on softer ground than before.

[0009] In addition, the vehicles used can be easily selected between straddle-type monorail vehicles, which are suitable for small-scale transport, and conventional vehicles, which are suitable for large-scale transport, depending on demand, which helps reduce energy consumption. Conventional vehicles can also be easily optimized by removing seats to increase capacity for school commuters, for example. Furthermore, the straddle-type monorail system of the present invention makes use of the existing single-track railway, allowing vehicles to run on only one of the rails for the outbound journey and the other rail for the return journey, realizing a double-track line that minimizes the transition costs from the conventional single-track railway line. In addition, by making the tracks double, there will be no need for vehicles to evacuate when passing each other, or for time adjustments to be made. The route will be simplified to a one-way circular route between the two end points, like a ropeway, so there will be no need for a timetable. For example, it will be possible to dispatch vehicles by calling them from passengers' smartphones. Since railway lines basically have the right of way over pedestrians and other modes of transportation, safe unmanned operation can basically be achieved by simply controlling the distance between the vehicle in front.

[0010] [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a straddle-type monorail vehicle according to the present invention. [Diagram 2] 1 is a cross-sectional view of the driving unit and platform 9 of an embodiment of a straddle-type monorail vehicle according to the present invention. FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a plan view of a first embodiment of a rail branching device for a straddle-type monorail system according to the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a plan view of a second embodiment of a rail branching device for a straddle-type monorail system according to the present invention. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a plan view of a first embodiment of a rail branching device for a straddle-type monorail system according to the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a plan view of a first embodiment of a rail branching device for a straddle-type monorail system according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, which are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. EXAMPLES

[0013] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a straddle-type monorail vehicle 1 of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the driving unit and its surroundings and a platform 9. As shown in FIG. The straddle-type monorail vehicle 1 comprises a driving means 3, a gyro moment generating mechanism 6 (rollover prevention means), a measuring means S for measuring the inclination and position of the vehicle itself, the distance to passing vehicles, preceding vehicles, and succeeding vehicles, a power supply means (not shown in the figure) for the driving means and the measuring means, and an information transmission means (not shown in the figure) for wirelessly transmitting information acquired by the measuring means.

[0014] This straddle-type monorail vehicle 1 is intended to use the existing railway track as is. In other words, it is a straddle-type monorail vehicle that runs on one rail R1 of the existing track (rails R1 and R2 with gauge dimension G = 1067 mm (narrow gauge) using sleepers as ballast). When the cabin 4 is placed symmetrically on the left and right of the rail, the rail span RS of a standard conventional line (gauge dimension 1067 mm and 50N rail) is 1132 mm. Therefore, the vehicle spacing when passing each other with an outside cabin width of 1000 mm is 132 mm.

[0015] The driving means 3 is placed on a single track rail by multiple rotatable wheels 2 equipped with anti-run-off flanges 2a, 2b on both sides, and a driving and regenerative power generation motor accelerates and decelerates the wheels 2. A gyro moment generating mechanism 6 (rollover prevention means) detects the inclination of the car body, and applies a torque in the rolling direction to the straddle-type monorail car 1 so as to correct the inclination by applying a torque to the internal gimbal shaft (known in International Patent Publication No. WO 02 / 077369 A1). In the event of a long-term loss of power or failure of the gyro moment generating mechanism 6, the straddle-type monorail vehicle 1 is supported in an upright position by anti-rollover hydraulic cylinders 7a, 7b.

[0016] Measurement means S for measuring the distance and speed difference between passing vehicles and vehicles in the front and rear directions, the rolling inclination angle of the vehicle, remaining battery power, and the position of the vehicle using GPS or the like are provided at the front and rear ends of the cabin 4, and information from these is wirelessly transmitted by an information transmission means (not shown in the figure). The cabin 4 can be offset from the rail to increase the space between cars when they pass each other or to increase the width of the cabin. The cabin 4 is equipped with a door for boarding and alighting (not shown in the figure) and passenger seats 5.

[0017] While the straddle-type monorail vehicle 1 is parked at platform 9, the vehicle can be tilted by the gimbal axis of the gyro moment generating mechanism 6, or while the vehicle is stopped, the power supply contacts 8b and 8a from the platform 9 to the vehicle can be closed to charge the battery, and at the same time the distance between the cabin and the platform can be narrowed for passengers getting on and off.

[0018] Couplers 20 using magnetic chuck mechanisms or the like are provided at the upper front and rear ends of the cabin 4, enabling the vehicle to be operated by connecting to the coupler 20 of the succeeding (or preceding) vehicle in the event of a loss of vehicle power. In order to prevent the failed vehicle from overturning due to this connection even in the event of a failure of the gyro moment generating mechanism, the coupler 20 should be located preferably above the cabin, as far away as possible from the top surface of the rail, which is the center of rotation for overturning, and at least above the height of the vehicle's center of gravity. Furthermore, in order to accommodate the increased load on the gyro moment generating mechanism due to the connection, it is also possible to make the rotational speed of the flywheel of the gyro moment generating mechanism faster than normal.

[0019] Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. In the initial state, the vehicle is stopped in the position shown in FIG. 1 by placing its wheels on the rails of the existing railway and supporting the rolling direction with hydraulic cylinders 7a and 7b.

[0020] At the time of startup, the flywheel in the gyro moment generating mechanism 6 is rotated to a predetermined number of revolutions, and then the vehicle tilt control is enabled by applying torque to the gimbal shaft in 6, so that the hydraulic cylinders 7a and 7b can be separated from the ground. This state is called a stop during normal operation. When starting, the brake in the driving means 3 is released and electricity is applied to the motor, which transmits torque from the wheels 1 to the wheels, and the straddle-type monorail vehicle starts moving. The measurement means S, for example, detects the distance and speed difference between passing vehicles and vehicles in the front and rear directions using a view camera or laser radar, detects the rolling inclination angle of the vehicle itself using an angle sensor, measures the remaining battery charge using a current / voltage meter, and detects the position of the vehicle itself using a GPS, thereby obtaining information that enables unmanned operation.

[0021] Next, the operation during an abnormality will be described. First, regarding safe stopping, when the gyro moment generating mechanism fails, the rotation speed of the flywheel decreases, and the vehicle gradually becomes unable to maintain its position. Before the vehicle of the present invention reaches this state, the driving device 3 is stopped and the braking device is activated to stop the vehicle, and the heads of the pair of hydraulic cylinders 7a, 7b installed on both sides of the vehicle body are extended downward to abut against sleepers or ballast, preventing the vehicle from rolling over.

[0022] Next, it is assumed that recovery of a broken-down vehicle is possible even in places that cannot be accessed from the road. In that case, the vehicle in front (or behind) of the broken-down vehicle is connected as a rescue vehicle by a coupler 20, and the heads of the hydraulic cylinders 7a, 7b of the broken-down vehicle are retracted using the power of the rescue vehicle and the attitude maintenance by a gyro moment generating mechanism, allowing the broken-down vehicle to move independently in the coupled state. If the wheels of the broken-down vehicle cannot rotate, it is also possible to connect rescue vehicles to both the front and rear and to provide a lift-up mechanism that lifts the wheels of the broken-down vehicle off the rails.

[0023] FIG. 3 is a plan view of a first embodiment of a rail switch device for a straddle-type monorail system according to the present invention. The two rails R1, R2 of the track are connected to rails R3, R4 installed on turntable T1, which rotates 180 degrees and carries a straddle-type monorail vehicle 1 (hereinafter referred to as the vehicle), and to rails R5, R6 at the stopping position for conventional railway vehicles to the right of the turntable.

[0024] If a vehicle traveling to the right of the diagram is an uphill train, and a vehicle traveling to the left is a downhill train, then the uphill train moves from rail R1 to rail R3 on the turntable and stops. By rotating the turntable 180 degrees, the rail position of the vehicle and the turntable is reversed to R4. Then, by moving the vehicle forward, it changes into a downhill train moving in the direction of rail R2 (the thin lines in the diagram indicate the vehicles every 45 degrees during the rotation).

[0025] Next, when conventional railcar D is to enter this line, first, the straddle-type monorails are moved from all rails R1 to R6 to the evacuation line described below. As a result, the rails from R3 to R1 and from R4 to R2 are left in a straight line, so conventional railcar D passes through rails R3 and R4 on the turntable and enters R1 and R2, becoming a conventional railcar D outbound.

[0026] Figure 4 is a plan view of a second embodiment of a rail switch device at the end of a single track of a straddle-type monorail system of the present invention, and the opposite end of the line of the first embodiment. The diameters of the three turntables increase from right to left, with T1 for reversing monorail vehicles (same as in Figure 3), T2 for evacuating monorail vehicles on the up line, and T3 for evacuating monorail vehicles on the down line. The operation of the three turntables is the same as in Figure 3, and involves transferring the rails for the monorail vehicles while rotating each vehicle by 180 degrees.

[0027] When the conventional railcar D parked at the left end of the figure is in use, turntables T2 and T3 are used to reverse the vehicle on the line and evacuate it to the evacuation line RX, connecting rails R1 and R2 with the vacant rails on each turntable, and the conventional railcar D is introduced onto the line via these rails. When the vehicle M is in use, the reverse operation is performed.

[0028] According to the first and second embodiments of the rail switchgear, the direction of the vehicle is automatically reversed when the vehicle moves back and forth between the up line and the down line, so that the door side of the vehicle can always be oriented in a direction that does not face the vehicle on the opposite rail.

[0029] FIG. 5 is a plan view of a third embodiment of a rail switch device at the end of a single track of a straddle-type monorail system according to the present invention. This connects one end of the rail at the end of an existing single track with the other end of the rail at a radius of curvature that allows vehicles to run on. It has the advantage of having no moving parts, but if conventional rail vehicles are to be used in conjunction with this, a separate means of evacuation will be required (the use of existing points may be considered).

[0030] 6 is a plan view of a traverser, which is a fourth embodiment of the rail switch device at the end of a single track of a straddle-type monorail system of the present invention. In this embodiment, the three turntables of the second embodiment can be realized with one traverser, but since the vehicle direction is automatically reversed when traveling back and forth between the up line and the down line, separate safety measures are required when used with vehicles that have boarding and alighting doors or windows on the side.

[0031] The above embodiment has been described with the introduction of a double-track automatic train on a single-track local line in mind, but the straddle-type monorail system of the present invention is not limited to this application, and the fixed gauge dimension is not a requirement. Also, it should be noted that the rolling attitude of the train is controlled by a gyroscope rather than by the rail, which greatly simplifies rail installation compared to conventional monorail systems and allows installation on soft ground. For example, this is suitable for a monorail for defense facilities installed in mine-buried areas, or a monorail for orchards. [Industrial Applicability]

[0032] INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be widely used as a monorail to replace railway lines with few users, or as a monorail to be installed on soft ground. [Explanation of symbols]

[0033] 1. Monorail vehicle 3...wheels 6. Gyro moment generation mechanism

Claims

1. A straddle-type monorail vehicle installed on a single track rail, comprising a driving means for supporting, driving and braking the wheels, a rollover prevention means using a gyro moment generating mechanism, and a power supply means for the driving means.

2. 2. The straddle-type monorail vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the track rail is one of a pair of rails of a railway track.

3. A rail switchgear on which both the straddle-type monorail vehicle and existing railway vehicles can run.

4. A straddle-type monorail system comprising a plurality of the straddle-type monorail vehicles, the rail switch device, and a measuring means for measuring the inclination and position of each vehicle, and the distance to passing vehicles, preceding vehicles, and succeeding vehicles, and monitoring and controlling the straddle-type monorail vehicles and the rail switch device using information acquired by the measuring means.

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