Lighting control device and lighting control method

Abstract

To ensure smooth running of a railway vehicle.SOLUTION: A lighting control device according to an embodiment, which is provided in a railway vehicle and controls a lighting device that illuminates an area ahead of the railway vehicle includes: a determination part for determining a state regarding a running of the railroad vehicle; and a control part that controls an illumination state of the lighting device in accordance with a situation related to the running of the railroad vehicle.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to a lighting control device and a lighting control method. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, lighting devices such as headlights that illuminate the direction of travel of railway vehicles in dark places or at night have been installed on railway vehicles. Such lighting devices generally emit fixed light in the direction of travel of the vehicle. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2007-238072 A [Patent Document 2] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 4-19335 [Patent Document 3] JP 2019-48512 A [Patent Document 4] International Publication No. 1996 / 018524 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] For this reason, it would be beneficial if the manner in which illumination is provided by a lighting device could be changed depending on the circumstances relating to the running of the railway vehicle. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The lighting control device of the embodiment is a lighting control device that is provided on a railway vehicle and controls a lighting device that illuminates the area ahead of the railway vehicle, and includes a determination unit that determines a situation related to the traveling of the railway vehicle, and a control unit that controls the lighting state of the lighting device in accordance with the situation related to the traveling of the railway vehicle. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a lighting control system according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the front surface of the railway vehicle in the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the structure of the lighting device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of an illumination range of the lighting device according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the lighting control device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a route on which a railway vehicle in the first embodiment runs. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the illumination range of the lighting device when the railroad vehicle is traveling around a curve in the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure of the illumination control process according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure of the curve start determination process according to the first embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure of the curve end determination process according to the first embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a lighting device according to the first modification. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure of the curve start determination process according to the second embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure of the curve end determination process according to the second embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure of the curve end determination process according to the third embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a lighting unit according to the second modification. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the front surface of a railway vehicle in the fourth embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the structure of the lighting device according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of an illumination range of an illumination device located to the right of the illumination device in the traveling direction according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of the illumination range of a lighting device on the right side of a lighting device on the right side in the traveling direction when a railroad vehicle is traveling around a position that curves to the left in the traveling direction in the fourth embodiment. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of the illumination range of a lighting device when a railway vehicle is traveling around a curve in the prior art. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0007] Hereinafter, a lighting control device and a lighting control method according to embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0008] (First embodiment) FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a lighting control system according to a first embodiment. The lighting control system 10 according to the present embodiment is mounted on a railway vehicle 1, and mainly includes an antenna 300, a positioning device 310, a camera 400, a lighting device 700, a lighting control device 100, an inertial sensor 600, a storage device 500, and an on-board device 200. Here, the railway vehicle may be referred to as a vehicle. In the present embodiment, the vehicle is a one-car train, but is not limited thereto, and may be a two or more-car train.

[0009] Antenna 300 is installed near the center of railcar 1 in the width direction, and receives radio signals transmitted from positioning satellites. The radio signals are signals that include information for measuring the position of railcar 1.

[0010] The positioning device 310 is mounted on the railway vehicle 1 and is capable of measuring the position of the railway vehicle 1 based on radio signals received by the antenna 300 from artificial satellites. The position of the railway vehicle 1 is position information about the vicinity of the center of the left and right rails of the track. The positioning device 310, for example, constitutes a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), performs positioning (satellite positioning) of the railway vehicle 1 based on radio waves received by the antenna 300, and outputs position information (also referred to as positioning information) as a measurement result to the lighting control device 100 and the on-board device 200.

[0011] Here, GNSS is a general term for satellite positioning systems such as the US GPS, Japan's Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS), Russia's GLONASS (GLO), the European Union's Galileo (GAL), and China's Beidou (BDS). Therefore, the receiver constituting the antenna 300 and the positioning device 310 is configured to be capable of performing positioning using any of these satellite positioning systems.

[0012] The inertial sensor 600 is, for example, a self-contained sensor such as a three-axis acceleration sensor, a three-axis gyro sensor, a three-axis geomagnetic sensor, etc. The inertial sensor 600 outputs output data of each sensor to the lighting control device 100.

[0013] The camera 400 is provided at the front of the railway vehicle 1 and captures an image ahead of the railway vehicle 1. The camera 400 transmits captured image information to the lighting control device 100. The camera 400 is an example of an imaging device. The captured image information is referred to as a captured image.

[0014] The storage device 500 is, for example, a storage medium such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid state drive (SSD). A map database 510 (referred to as "map DB 510") is stored in the storage device 500. The map DB 510 is information on a map of an area including the travel route of the railcar 1, and position information, i.e., position coordinates, for each point on the travel route is registered.

[0015] The lighting control device 100 controls the lighting of the lighting devices installed in the railway vehicle 1. The lighting control device 100 will be described in detail later.

[0016] The on-board equipment 200 is a device that controls the running of the railway vehicle 1 based on the position of the railway vehicle 1 measured by the positioning device 310 and the map DB 510. The on-board equipment 200 corresponds to, for example, a train management system (TCMS), a driver assistance control device for automatic driving, an on-board monitor, etc.

[0017] The lighting device 700 is installed on the front of the railway vehicle 1. Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the front of the railway vehicle 1 in the first embodiment. As shown in Fig. 2, in this embodiment, two lighting devices 700 are installed separately on the left and right under the front of the railway vehicle 1. Here, the lighting devices 700 may also be referred to as headlights 700.

[0018] Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the structure of the illumination device 700 according to the first embodiment. As shown in Fig. 3, the illumination device 700 according to this embodiment is composed of a circular illumination device 710 in the center and two substantially rectangular illumination devices 720a and 720b on the left and right sides of the circular illumination device 710.

[0019] The circular lighting device 710 is a lighting device that illuminates the straight ahead direction in front of the railcar 1. The lighting device 710 is an example of a first lighting device. This lighting device 710 may be referred to as a lighting device 710 for the straight ahead direction or a main light.

[0020] Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of an illumination range of the illumination device 700 according to the first embodiment. As shown in Fig. 4, the illumination range 410 of the straight-ahead illumination device 710 is the straight-ahead direction in front of the railcar 1.

[0021] Returning to Fig. 3, the straight-ahead direction lighting device 710 has a plurality of LEDs, for example 10 LEDs, arranged in three rows. A plurality of LEDs, for example 4 LEDs, are arranged vertically in the central row 712, and a plurality of LEDs, for example 3 LEDs each, are arranged in the left and right rows 711. The LEDs in the central row 710 are LEDs that are irradiated as a high beam. The LEDs in each of the left and right rows 712 are LEDs that are irradiated as a low beam.

[0022] The two substantially rectangular lighting devices 720a, 720b are lighting devices that illuminate the curve direction in front of the railway vehicle 1. The two lighting devices 720 are provided corresponding to the curve direction. The two lighting devices 720 are an example of a second lighting device. The two lighting devices 710 may be referred to as lighting devices 720a, 720b for the curve direction or auxiliary lights.

[0023] 4, the curve direction lighting devices 720a and 720b each have an illumination range 420 in the curve direction ahead of the railcar 1. The illumination ranges of the lighting devices 720a and 720b are controlled by the lighting control device 100, which will be described later.

[0024] Returning to Fig. 3, each of the two curve direction lighting devices 720a, 720b has four LEDs arranged vertically. These LEDs are LEDs that are emitted as high beams. Note that the curve direction lighting devices 720a, 720b are not provided with LEDs for low beams.

[0025] The above-described configuration of the lighting device 700 is merely an example, and is not intended to be limiting. Also, the number of LEDs is merely an example, and is not intended to be limiting.

[0026] Next, the lighting control device 100 of the present embodiment will be described in detail. Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of lighting control device 100 according to the first embodiment. As shown in Fig. 5, lighting control device 100 according to the present embodiment mainly includes acquisition unit 101, curve start determination unit 103, curve end determination unit 105, lighting control unit 107, and color temperature control unit 109.

[0027] The acquisition unit 101 acquires from the camera 400 an image captured by the camera 400. The acquisition unit 101 also acquires from the inertial sensor 600 the lateral acceleration of the railcar 1 detected by a three-axis acceleration sensor of the inertial sensor 600.

[0028] The curve start determination unit 103 determines a situation related to the traveling of the railway vehicle 1. In this embodiment, the curve start determination unit 103 determines, as a situation related to the traveling of the railway vehicle 1, whether or not the railway vehicle 1 is traveling just before the start of a curve on the traveling route. Specifically, the curve start determination unit 103 analyzes the captured image acquired by the acquisition unit 101, and determines whether or not a landmark indicating the position of a curve is present in the captured image. Then, when a landmark indicating the position of a curve is present in the captured image, the curve start determination unit 103 determines that the railway vehicle 1 is traveling just before the start of a curve.

[0029] Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a route on which a railway vehicle 1 in the first embodiment runs. As shown in Fig. 6, the railway vehicle 1 runs on a rail R from a departure station to a destination station. Landmarks such as signs are set around the rail R. Of these landmarks, a landmark L1 indicating the start of a curve is set at a position just before the curve as shown in Fig. 6. In Fig. 6, P1 indicates a set point. The setting points P1 are set at predetermined intervals on the rail R.

[0030] Returning to FIG. 5, the curve end determination unit 105 determines a situation regarding the traveling of the railway vehicle 1. In this embodiment, the curve end determination unit 105 determines whether or not the railway vehicle 1 is traveling just before the end of a curve on the traveling route. Specifically, the curve end determination unit 105 determines whether or not the lateral acceleration acquired by the acquisition unit 101 is equal to or less than a first threshold value. Then, when the lateral acceleration becomes equal to or less than the first threshold value, the curve end determination unit 105 determines that the railway vehicle 1 is traveling just before the end of a curve.

[0031] The curve start determining unit 103 and the curve end determining unit 105 are an example of a determining unit.

[0032] The lighting control unit 107 controls the lighting of the lighting device 700 as the lighting mode of the lighting device 700 according to the situation related to the traveling of the railcar 1. In this embodiment, when the curve start determination unit 103 determines that the railcar 1 is traveling just before the start of a curve as the situation related to the traveling of the railcar 1, the lighting control unit 107 controls the lighting device 700 to illuminate the traveling path in the curved direction. Also, when the curve end determination unit 105 determines that the railcar 1 is traveling just before the end of a curve as the situation related to the traveling of the railcar 1, the lighting control unit 107 controls the lighting device 700 to stop illuminating the traveling path in the curve direction.

[0033] More specifically, when it is determined that the railcar 1 is traveling just before the start of a curve, the lighting control unit 107 turns on the lighting device 720 for the curve direction, and when it is determined that the railcar 1 is traveling just before the end of a curve, the lighting control unit 107 turns off the lighting device 710 for the curve direction. The lighting control unit 107 turns on the lighting device 710 for the straight direction in either case.

[0034] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the illumination range of the lighting device 700 when the railcar 1 is traveling around a curve in the first embodiment.

[0035] In this embodiment, in addition to the straight-line lighting device 710 (main light 710), lighting devices 720a, 720b (auxiliary lights 720a, 720b) ​​for curved directions are provided on the left and right of the straight-line lighting device 710, so that the curved rail R is also included in the illumination range 420, as shown in Fig. 7. Fig. 7 shows an example in which the lighting device 720b for the curved direction on the left side is turned on, since the railcar 1 curves to the left.

[0036] Returning to FIG. 5, the lighting control unit 107 controls the forward illumination light that is emitted from the illumination device 700 in the forward straight direction to be switched between a low beam and a high beam depending on the traveling situation of the railcar 1.

[0037] In this embodiment, when the curve start determination unit 103 determines that the railcar 1 is traveling just before the start of a curve as a traveling situation of the railcar 1, the lighting control unit 107 switches the forward illumination light from the lighting device 700 from high beam to low beam. Specifically, the lighting control unit 107 turns off the high beam LEDs in the center row 712 of the straight-ahead lighting device 710 and turns on the low beam LEDs in the left and right rows 711.

[0038] When the curve end determination unit 105 determines that the railcar 1 is traveling just before the end of the curve as a traveling situation of the railcar 1, the lighting control unit 107 switches the forward illumination light from the lighting device 700 from low beam to high beam. Specifically, the lighting control unit 107 turns off the low beam LEDs in the left and right rows 711 of the straight-ahead lighting device 710 and turns on the high beam LEDs in the center row 712.

[0039] The lighting control unit 107 sets the curve illumination light emitted from the lighting device 700 in the direction of the curve ahead to high beam regardless of whether the curve starts or ends.

[0040] The color temperature control unit 109 controls the color temperature of the forward illumination light emitted from the illumination device 700 in the straight forward direction as the illumination mode of the illumination device 700 according to the situation related to the traveling of the railcar 1. Specifically, when the curve start determination unit 103 determines that the railcar 1 is traveling just before the start of a curve as the situation related to the traveling of the railcar 1, the color temperature control unit 109 sets the color temperature of the forward illumination light from the illumination device 710 for the straight direction to be equal to or lower than the second threshold. For example, the second threshold is set to 5000K, and the color temperature control unit 109 sets the color temperature of the forward illumination light from the illumination device 710 for the straight direction to 4000K when it is determined that the railcar 1 is traveling just before the start of a curve.

[0041] Furthermore, when the curve end determination unit 105 determines that the railcar 1 is traveling just before the end of a curve as a traveling situation of the railcar 1, the color temperature control unit 109 sets the color temperature of the light irradiated ahead from the straight-line lighting device 710 to be higher than the second threshold value. For example, when the second threshold value is set to 5000 K and the color temperature control unit 109 determines that the railcar 1 is traveling just before the end of a curve, the color temperature control unit 109 sets the color temperature of the light irradiated ahead from the straight-line lighting device 710 to 7000 K, so that the light is white. As a result, the light is irradiated up to a position 200 to 300 m ahead.

[0042] The lighting control unit 107 and the color temperature control unit 109 are an example of a control unit.

[0043] Next, a lighting control process performed by the lighting control device 100 according to the present embodiment configured as above will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure of the illumination control process according to the first embodiment. First, the curve start determination unit 103 executes a curve start determination process (S11). The lighting control unit 107 determines whether or not it is determined in the curve start determination process that the vehicle is about to enter a curve (S13). If it is determined that the vehicle is not about to enter a curve (S13: No), the process returns to S11.

[0044] On the other hand, if it is determined in S13 that the vehicle is about to enter a curve (S13: Yes), the lighting control unit 107 turns on the auxiliary light 720 on the curve side, i.e., the lighting device 720 for the curve direction (S15). Next, the lighting control unit 107 switches the main light 710, i.e., the lighting device 710 for the straight direction, from high beam LED to low beam LED (S17). Furthermore, the color temperature control unit 109 lowers the color temperature of the light emitted by the lighting device for the straight direction, i.e., the K (Kelvin) value, to a second threshold value or less (S19).

[0045] Next, the curve end determination unit 105 executes a curve end determination process (S21).

[0046] The lighting control unit 107 determines whether or not it is determined in the curve end determination process that the curve is about to end (S23). If it is determined that the curve is not about to end (S23: No), the process returns to S21.

[0047] On the other hand, if it is determined in S23 that the vehicle is about to reach the end of the curve (S23: Yes), the color temperature control unit 109 increases the color temperature of the light emitted by the main light 710, i.e., the lighting device for the straight-ahead direction, to a value greater than the second threshold (S25). Next, the lighting control unit 107 switches the main light 710 from the low beam LED to the high beam LED (S27). Furthermore, the lighting control unit 107 turns off the auxiliary light 720 on the curve side, i.e., the lighting device 720 for the curve direction (S29).

[0048] The above-mentioned processes from S11 to S29 are repeatedly executed until the railcar 1 stops moving (S31, S31: No). When the railcar 1 stops moving (S31: Yes), the process ends.

[0049] Next, the curve start determination process in S11 will be described. FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure of the curve start determination process according to the first embodiment.

[0050] The acquisition unit 101 acquires a captured image from the camera 400 (S41). Next, the curve start determination unit 103 analyzes the captured image acquired by the acquisition unit 101 (S43). Then, the curve start determination unit 103 determines whether or not a curve landmark indicating that a curve is approaching is included in the captured image (S45).

[0051] If a curve landmark is present in the captured image (S45: Yes), the curve start determination unit 103 sets the flag to ON (S47). On the other hand, if a curve landmark is not present in the captured image (S45: No), the curve start determination unit 103 sets the flag to OFF (S49). Then, the process returns to the caller.

[0052] Here, the flag indicates whether or not the vehicle is about to start a curve. ON indicates that the vehicle is about to start a curve, and OFF indicates that the vehicle is not about to start a curve.

[0053] Next, the curve end determination process in S21 will be described. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure of the curve end determination process according to the first embodiment.

[0054] The acquisition unit 101 acquires the lateral acceleration (hereinafter referred to as "lateral G") acting on the railway vehicle 1 from the three-axis acceleration sensor of the inertial sensor 600 (S51). Next, the curve start determination unit 103 determines whether the lateral G acquired by the acquisition unit 101 is equal to or greater than a first threshold value (S53).

[0055] If the lateral G is equal to or greater than the first threshold (S53: Yes), the curve start judgment unit 103 sets the flag to OFF (S55). On the other hand, if the lateral G is less than the first threshold (S53: No), the curve start judgment unit 103 sets the flag to ON (S57). Then, the process returns to the caller.

[0056] Here, the flag indicates whether or not the vehicle is about to end the curve. ON indicates that the vehicle is not about to end the curve, and OFF indicates that the vehicle is about to end the curve.

[0057] In conventional railroad cars, lighting devices are installed in fixed positions and can only distribute light to the front of the railroad car, making it impossible to illuminate the area ahead of curves.

[0058] Fig. 20 is a diagram showing an example of the illumination range of a lighting device when a railway vehicle 1 travels around a curved position in the conventional technology. In the conventional technology, as shown in Fig. 20, since only lighting devices for the straight-ahead direction are installed on the railway vehicle 1, the lighting devices can only illuminate illumination range 410 in the straight-ahead direction, and as a result, the curved rail R is dark.

[0059] In recent years, some automobiles have headlights that illuminate the area ahead of a curve. In the case of automobiles, steering is required to steer around curves, so the structure changes the light distribution range around the curve according to the amount of steering wheel operation. In contrast, railway vehicles run along rails, so there is no operation required for curves. For this reason, a method that links with the position or distance can be considered to distribute light ahead of a curve, but because railway vehicles have steel wheels, they may spin when going around a curve, and even if such a linking method is adopted, there may be a discrepancy in the range that is determined to be a curve and illuminated.

[0060] In contrast, in this embodiment, the lighting control device 100 determines the situation regarding the running of the railway vehicle 1, and controls the lighting mode of the lighting device 700 according to the situation regarding the running of the railway vehicle 1. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the illumination mode of the lighting device is changed according to the situation regarding the running of the railway vehicle 1, allowing the railway vehicle 1 to run smoothly.

[0061] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the lighting control device 100 includes a curve start determination unit 103 that determines whether or not the railway vehicle 1 is traveling just before the start of a curve in the travel route, as a situation related to the travel of the railway vehicle 1, and a lighting control unit 107 that controls the lighting device to illuminate the travel route in the curved direction when it is determined that the railway vehicle 1 is traveling just before the start of the curve. Therefore, according to this embodiment, when the railway vehicle 1 travels around a curve, the direction of the curve ahead can be more accurately illuminated.

[0062] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the curve start determination unit 103 of the lighting control device 100 is provided in the railcar 1, analyzes a captured image acquired from a camera 400 that captures an image ahead of the railcar 1, and determines that the railcar 1 is traveling just before the start of a curve if a landmark indicating the position of a curve is present in the captured image. Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to more accurately turn on the curve direction lighting device 720 just before the curve.

[0063] In addition, in this embodiment, the lighting control device 100 includes a curve end determination unit 105 that determines whether the railcar 1 is traveling just before the end of a curve on the travel route, and controls the lighting device 700 to stop illuminating the travel route in the curve direction when it is determined that the railcar 1 is traveling just before the end of the curve. Therefore, according to this embodiment, when the railcar 1 starts traveling straight from the curve, illumination in the curve direction is not performed, so that the power consumption of the lighting device 700 can be reduced.

[0064] More specifically, in this embodiment, the curve end determination unit 105 of the lighting control device 100 determines that the railway vehicle 1 is traveling before the end of the curve when the lateral G to the railway vehicle 1 acquired from the three-axis acceleration sensor of the inertial sensor 600 becomes equal to or less than a first threshold value. Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to more accurately turn off the lighting device 720 for the curve direction before the end of the curve.

[0065] In addition, in this embodiment, the lighting control device 100 includes a straight-direction lighting device 710 that emits forward illumination light to illuminate the straight-direction ahead of the railcar 1, and a curve direction lighting device 720 that emits curve direction illumination light to illuminate the curve direction ahead of the railcar 1, and the lighting control unit 107 turns on the curve direction lighting device 720 when it is determined that the railcar 1 is traveling just before the start of a curve, and turns off the curve direction lighting device 720 when it is determined that the railcar 1 is traveling just before the end of the curve. Therefore, according to this embodiment, illumination in the curve direction is performed just before the start of the curve, and illumination in the curve direction is stopped just before the end of the curve, so illumination in the curve direction can be performed more accurately and the power consumption of the lighting device 700 can be reduced.

[0066] In this embodiment, the lighting control unit 107 of the lighting control device 100 controls the forward illumination light that illuminates the forward straight direction from the illumination device 700 to be switched between low beam and high beam depending on the situation related to the running of the railway vehicle 1. This makes it possible to efficiently switch the illumination between illuminating a distant object and illuminating a nearby object.

[0067] In this embodiment, the lighting control unit 107 of the lighting control device 100 switches the forward illumination light from the lighting device 700 from high beam to low beam when it is determined that the railcar 1 is traveling just before the start of a curve, and switches the forward illumination light from the lighting device 700 from low beam to high beam when it is determined that the railcar 1 is traveling just before the end of a curve. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the railcar 1 is traveling straight, it is possible to illuminate far in the straight direction, and when the railcar 1 is traveling a curve, only the nearby area is illuminated in directions other than the curve direction, making it possible to more accurately illuminate in the traveling direction and to achieve a reduction in the amount of power consumed by the lighting device 700.

[0068] In addition, in this embodiment, the lighting control unit 107 of the lighting control device 100 sets the curve illumination light from the lighting device 700 that illuminates the direction of the curve ahead to high beam regardless of the start and end of the curve. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the railcar 1 is traveling around a curve, the curve direction can be illuminated far away.

[0069] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the color temperature control unit 109 of the lighting control device 100 controls the color temperature of the forward illumination light emitted from the lighting device 700 in the straight forward direction in accordance with the traveling conditions of the railway vehicle 1. Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to realize illumination switching between distance and close distance in accordance with the color temperature in accordance with the traveling conditions of the railway vehicle 1.

[0070] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the color temperature control unit 109 of the lighting control device 100 sets the color temperature of the light irradiated forward from the lighting device to a second threshold value or lower when it is determined that the railway vehicle 1 is traveling just before the start of a curve, and sets the color temperature of the light irradiated forward from the lighting device 700 to a value higher than the second threshold value when it is determined that the railway vehicle 1 is traveling just before the end of a curve. Therefore, according to this embodiment, when the railway vehicle 1 is traveling straight, it is possible to irradiate far in the straight direction, and when the railway vehicle 1 is traveling a curve, only the nearby area is irradiated in directions other than the curve direction, so that the curve direction can be irradiated more accurately.

[0071] (Variation 1) The structure and number of the lighting devices 700 are not limited to those described in the first embodiment. For example, two lighting devices 720 for curved directions may be provided at different angles on the left and right of the straight-ahead lighting device 710.

[0072] Fig. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a lighting device 1700 according to Modification 1. Fig. 11 shows a diagram of the lighting device 1700 as viewed from above.

[0073] As shown in FIG. 11, the illumination device 1700 of this modification includes a straight-line illumination device 1710 and curved-line illumination devices 1720a1, 1720a2, 1720b1, and 1720b2 provided on each side of the straight-line illumination device 1710.

[0074] The curve direction lighting devices 1720a1 and 1720a2 are installed at different angles, and the curve direction lighting devices 1720b1 and 1720b2 are also installed at different angles. Therefore, the illumination ranges 420 of the illumination devices 1720a1 and 1720a2 are different, and the illumination ranges 420 of the illumination devices 1720b1 and 1720b2 are also different.

[0075] Therefore, in this modified example, the traveling direction can be illuminated within an appropriate range on curves with different curvatures.

[0076] Second Embodiment In the second embodiment, curve start and end determinations are made using the measured current position of the railway vehicle 1 and a map DB.

[0077] The configurations of the lighting control system 10 and the lighting control device 100 according to the second embodiment are similar to those of the first embodiment.

[0078] The acquisition unit 101 of this embodiment acquires the current position of the railway vehicle 1 from the positioning device 310. The acquisition unit 101 also acquires information from the map DB 510.

[0079] The curve start determination unit 103 of this embodiment determines whether the railway vehicle 1 is traveling just before the start of a curve, based on the current position of the railway vehicle 1 in the information of the map DB 510. Also, the curve end determination unit 15 of this embodiment determines whether the railway vehicle 1 is traveling just before the end of a curve, based on the current position of the railway vehicle 1 in the information of the map DB 510. Other configurations and functions of the lighting control device 100 are similar to those of the first embodiment. The overall flow of the lighting control process by the lighting control device 100 in the second embodiment is similar to that in the first embodiment described with reference to FIG.

[0080] Next, the curve start determination process according to the second embodiment in S11 of FIG. 8 will be described. FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure of the curve start determination process according to the second embodiment.

[0081] The acquisition unit 101 acquires information on the current position of the railway vehicle 1 from the positioning device 310 (S61). The acquisition unit 101 also acquires information by referring to the map DB 510 (S63).

[0082] Next, the curve start determination unit 103 determines, based on the information in the map DB 510, whether or not the current position of the railway vehicle 1 is just before the start of a curve (S65).

[0083] If the current position is just before the start of the curve (S65: Yes), the curve start determination unit 103 sets the flag to ON (S67). On the other hand, if the current position is not just before the start of the curve (S65: No), the curve start determination unit 103 sets the flag to OFF (S69). Then, the process returns to the caller.

[0084] Here, the flag indicates whether or not the vehicle is about to start a curve. ON indicates that the vehicle is about to start a curve, and OFF indicates that the vehicle is not about to start a curve.

[0085] Next, the curve end determination process according to the second embodiment in S21 of FIG. 8 will be described. FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure of the curve end determination process according to the second embodiment.

[0086] The acquisition unit 101 acquires information on the current position of the railway vehicle 1 from the positioning device 310 (S71). The acquisition unit 101 also acquires information by referring to the map DB 510 (S73).

[0087] Next, the curve end determination unit 105 determines whether or not the current position of the railway vehicle 1 is just before the end of the curve, based on the information in the map DB 510 (S75).

[0088] If the current position is just before the end of the curve (S75: Yes), the curve end determination unit 105 sets the flag to OFF (S77). On the other hand, if the current position is not just before the end of the curve (S75: No), the curve end determination unit 105 sets the flag to ON (S79). Then, the process returns to the caller.

[0089] Here, the flag indicates whether or not the vehicle is about to end the curve. ON indicates that the vehicle is not about to end the curve, and OFF indicates that the vehicle is about to end the curve.

[0090] Thus, in this embodiment, the curve start determination unit 103 of the lighting control device refers to the map DB 510 for the current position of the railway vehicle 1 acquired from the positioning device 310, and determines whether the railway vehicle 1 is traveling before the start of a curve. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the position before the start of the curve is determined from the actual current position and information in the map DB 510, so that the curve direction lighting device 720 can be turned on more accurately before the start of the curve.

[0091] In this embodiment, the curve end determination unit 105 of the lighting control device refers to the map DB 510 for the current position of the railway vehicle 1 acquired from the positioning device 310, and determines whether the railway vehicle 1 is traveling just before the end of the curve. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the position just before the end of the curve is determined from the actual current position and information in the map DB 510, so that the curve direction lighting device 720 can be turned off more accurately just before the end of the curve.

[0092] (Third embodiment) In the third embodiment, curve end determination is performed based on an image captured by a camera 400.

[0093] The configurations of the lighting control system 10 and the lighting control device 100 according to the third embodiment are similar to those of the first and second embodiments.

[0094] The acquisition unit 101 of this embodiment acquires from the camera 400 a captured image captured by the camera 400 .

[0095] The curve end determination unit 105 of this embodiment analyzes the captured image acquired by the acquisition unit 100, and determines that the railway vehicle 1 is traveling just before the end of the curve when a straight-line rail (hereinafter referred to as a "straight rail") is present ahead in the captured image.

[0096] Other configurations and functions of the lighting control device 100 are similar to those of the first and second embodiments. The overall flow of lighting control processing by lighting control device 100 according to the third embodiment is similar to that of the first embodiment described using Fig. 8. The curve start determination processing according to the third embodiment is performed in the same manner as that of the first embodiment described using Fig. 9 or the second embodiment described using Fig. 12.

[0097] Next, the curve end determination process in S21 of FIG. 8 according to the third embodiment will be described. FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure of the curve end determination process according to the third embodiment.

[0098] The acquisition unit 101 acquires a captured image from the camera 400 (S81). Next, the curve end determination unit 105 analyzes the captured image acquired by the acquisition unit 101 (S83). Then, the curve end determination unit 105 determines whether or not a straight rail is captured in the captured image (S85).

[0099] If a straight rail is present in the captured image (S85: Yes), the curve end determination unit 105 sets the flag to OFF (S87). On the other hand, if a straight rail is not present in the captured image (S85: No), the curve end determination unit 105 sets the flag to ON (S89). Then, the process returns to the caller.

[0100] Here, the flag indicates whether or not the vehicle is about to end the curve. ON indicates that the vehicle is not about to end the curve, and OFF indicates that the vehicle is about to end the curve.

[0101] Thus, in this embodiment, the curve end determination unit 105 of the lighting control device 100 analyzes the captured image acquired from the camera 400 that captures an image of the area ahead of the railway vehicle 1, and determines that the railway vehicle 1 is traveling just before the end of a curve when a straight rail is present ahead in the captured image. Therefore, according to this embodiment, since the area just before the end of the curve is determined based on an actual captured image, it is possible to more accurately turn off the curve direction lighting device 720 just before the end of the curve.

[0102] (Variation 2) In the above embodiment and modified example, the lighting device 700, 1700 is composed of a plurality of lighting devices, namely, lighting device 710, 1710 for the straight-ahead direction and lighting device 720, 1720 for the curve direction, and when turning, the lighting device 720, 1720 for the curve direction is turned on, but the present invention is not limited to this.

[0103] FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a lighting unit according to the second modification. 15, it can be configured as an illumination unit including a single lighting device 2700 capable of changing the illumination angle according to the traveling direction, and a driving device 2730 that changes the angle of the lighting device 2700. In this case, it is only necessary to configure so that the lighting control unit 107 controls the driving of the driving device 2730 to change the angle of the lighting device 2700 according to the traveling direction of the railway vehicle 1, thereby switching the illumination range. This allows the illumination range to be changed more flexibly according to the curvature of the curve.

[0104] (Variation 3) In the configuration of the lighting device of the above variant 2 or variant 1, after the vehicle starts to turn, the acquisition unit 101 acquires the lateral G force relative to the railway vehicle 1 from the three-axis acceleration sensor of the inertial sensor 600, and the lighting control unit 107 can be configured so that if the lateral G force changes after the vehicle starts to turn, it is determined that the curvature of the curve has changed and the illumination range is changed.

[0105] (Variation 4) In addition, the curve start determination unit 103 may be configured to store identification information of a ground coil installed just before a curve, transmit radio waves to the ground while the railway vehicle 1 is traveling, and determine whether the identification information of the received wave from the ground coil is a ground coil just before a curve, thereby determining whether the curve start is determined.

[0106] (Fourth embodiment) In the fourth embodiment, when the railcar 1 goes around a curve, further lighting devices for curves are provided on the outside of the left and right sides of the lighting device 700, and the lighting devices on the opposite side to the curve direction illuminate the curve direction.

[0107] FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the front surface of a railway vehicle 1 in the fourth embodiment. In this embodiment, a pair of curve lighting devices 1600a1, 1600a2 are provided near the left and right side ends of the front of the railcar 1, respectively, and each emits light in the curve direction of the side end opposite the side end. Also, a pair of curve lighting devices 1600b1, 1600b2 are provided near the left and right side ends of the front of the railcar 1, respectively, and each emits light in the curve direction of the side end opposite the side end.

[0108] 16, curve lighting devices 1600a1, 1600b1, 1600a2, and 1600b2 are installed on the outside of the two lighting devices 700, one above the other. Specifically, two curve lighting devices 1600a1 and 1600b1 are installed on the right of the lighting device 700 on the right side in the direction of travel on the front of the railcar 1. In addition, two curve lighting devices 1600a2 and 1600b2 are installed on the left of the lighting device 700 on the left side in the direction of travel on the front of the railcar 1.

[0109] Here, the pair of curve lighting devices 1600a1, 1600a2 and the pair of curve lighting devices 1600b1, 1600b2 are an example of a third lighting device. When the curve lighting devices 1600a1, 1600b1, 1600a2, and 1600b2 are not differentiated from each other, they are referred to as curve lighting devices 1600. When the curve lighting devices 1600a1 and 1600a2 are not differentiated from each other, they are referred to as curve lighting devices 1600a. When the curve lighting devices 1600b1 and 1600b2 are not differentiated from each other, they are referred to as curve lighting devices 1600b.

[0110] Fig. 17 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the structure of an illumination device 1600 according to the fourth embodiment. As shown in Fig. 17, the illumination device 700 according to this embodiment has three LEDs 1601 arranged in the horizontal direction. However, the number of LEDs 1601 is not limited to this.

[0111] In this embodiment, the curve lighting devices 1600a1 and 1600b1 on the right of the lighting device 700 are turned on when the railcar 1 is traveling around a curve turning left. The curve lighting devices 1600a2 and 1600b2 on the left of the lighting device 700 are turned on when the railcar 1 is traveling around a curve turning right.

[0112] FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of the illumination ranges of the illumination devices 1600a1 and 1600b1 located to the right of the illumination device 700 in the traveling direction according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of the illumination ranges of lighting devices 1600a1 and 1600b1 on the right of lighting device 700 on the right side in the traveling direction when a railroad vehicle travels around a position where a left curve occurs in the traveling direction in the fourth embodiment.

[0113] In this embodiment, the illumination range 1610 of the illumination devices 1600a1 and 1600b1 on the right of the illumination device 700 on the right side of the traveling direction illuminates the inside of the left curve. If the illumination angle of the illumination device 720b in the illumination device 700 of the first embodiment is, for example, 16° from the illumination center, the illumination angle of the illumination devices 1600a1 and 1600b1 of this embodiment is an angle inclined from the illumination center toward the left curve by, for example, 18°. Therefore, the illumination range 1610 of the illumination devices 1600a1 and 1600b1 of this embodiment illuminates the inside of the left curve as shown in FIG. 19. This makes it possible to prevent the illumination for the curve from hitting the overhead pole 1901 when the railcar 1 travels in the direction of the left curve.

[0114] Similarly, the illumination angles of the illumination devices 1600a2 and 1600b2 on the left side of the illumination device 700 on the left side of the traveling direction in this embodiment are inclined from the illumination center by, for example, 18° in the right curve direction. Therefore, the illumination ranges of the illumination devices 1600a2 and 1600b2 in this embodiment illuminate the inside of the right curve.

[0115] In this embodiment, when the railcar 1 travels in a curve direction, the lighting control unit 107 of the lighting control device 100 turns on the curve illumination devices 1600 near the side end on the opposite side to the side end on the curve direction side. That is, in S15 of Fig. 8, when the railcar 1 travels in a left curve direction, the lighting control unit 107 turns on the curve illumination devices 1600a1, 1600b1 on the right of the illumination device 700 on the right side in the traveling direction. Also, when the railcar 1 travels in a right curve direction, the lighting control unit 107 controls to turn on the curve illumination devices 1600a2, 1600b2 on the left of the illumination device 700 on the left side in the traveling direction.

[0116] Conventionally, when the railcar 1 is traveling in a curved direction, the lighting for the curve hits the overhead pole 1901, and the influence of the overhead pole 1901 makes it difficult to sufficiently illuminate the traveling direction.

[0117] In contrast, according to the present embodiment, the curve lighting device 1600 provided on the opposite side of the curve illuminates the curve at an angle. This prevents the curve lighting from hitting the overhead pole 1901 when the railway vehicle 1 travels in the curve direction, reduces the influence of nearby overhead poles, and more reliably illuminates the direction of travel.

[0118] The lighting control device 100 of the above embodiment and modified example is equipped with a control device such as a CPU, a storage device such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) or RAM, an external storage device such as a HDD or a CD drive device, a display device such as a display device, and input devices such as a keyboard and a mouse, and has a hardware configuration that utilizes a conventional computer.

[0119] The lighting control program executed by the lighting control device 100 of the above embodiment and modified example is provided as a file in an installable or executable format recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R, or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk).

[0120] The lighting control program executed by lighting control device 100 of the above embodiment and modification may be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided by being downloaded via the network. The lighting control program executed by lighting control device 100 of the above embodiment and modification may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

[0121] Furthermore, the lighting control program executed by the lighting control device 100 of the above embodiment and modification may be provided by being pre-installed in a ROM or the like.

[0122] The lighting control program executed by the lighting control device 100 of the above embodiment and modified example has a modular structure including each of the above-mentioned units (acquisition unit 101, curve start determination unit 103, curve end determination unit 105, lighting control unit 107, color temperature control unit 109), and in terms of actual hardware, a CPU (processor) reads out the lighting control program from the above-mentioned storage medium and executes it, thereby loading each of the above-mentioned units onto a main memory device, and the acquisition unit 101, curve start determination unit 103, curve end determination unit 105, lighting control unit 107, and color temperature control unit 109 are generated on the main memory device.

[0123] Although some embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents described in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0124] 1. Railway vehicles 10 Lighting control system 100 Lighting control device 101 Acquisition Department 103 Curve start judgment section 105 Curve end judgment section 107 Lighting control unit 109 Color temperature control unit 300 Antenna 310 Positioning Device 400 Cameras 500 storage device 600 Inertial Sensor 700,1700,2700 Lighting equipment 2730 Drive unit 2750 Lighting Unit 710,1710 Lighting devices for straight ahead directions 720,720a,720b,1600a1,1600a2,1600b1,1600b2,1720a1,1720a2,1720b1,1720b2 Curve direction lighting device

Claims

1. A lighting control device that is provided in a railway vehicle and controls a lighting device that illuminates a front area of ​​the railway vehicle, A determination unit that determines a state related to the running of the railcar; a control unit that controls a lighting state of the lighting device in accordance with a situation related to the running of the railcar; A lighting control device comprising:

2. the determination unit includes a curve start determination unit that determines whether the railway vehicle is traveling just before the start of a curve in a travel route, as a situation related to the traveling of the railway vehicle; 2. The lighting control device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is further configured to control the lighting device to illuminate the travel path in the direction of the curve when it is determined that the railway vehicle is traveling just before the start of the curve.

3. An acquisition unit that is provided in the railway vehicle and acquires an image from an imaging device that images a front of the railway vehicle, the curve start determination unit analyzes the acquired captured image, and determines that the railroad vehicle is traveling just before the start of the curve when a landmark indicating the position of a curve is present in the captured image. The lighting control device according to claim 2 .

4. an acquisition unit that is provided on the railway vehicle and acquires a current position of the railway vehicle from a positioning device that measures a position of the railway vehicle, and an acquisition unit that is provided on the railway vehicle and acquires map information including a travel route, the curve start determination unit determines whether or not the railroad vehicle is traveling just before the start of the curve, based on the current position in the map information. The lighting control device according to claim 2 .

5. The determination unit further includes a curve end determination unit that determines whether the railway vehicle is traveling just before the end of a curve on the travel route, The lighting control unit controls the lighting device to stop illuminating the travel path in the curve direction when it is determined that the railroad vehicle is traveling just before the end of the curve. The lighting control device according to claim 2 .

6. an acquisition unit provided in the railcar and configured to acquire a lateral acceleration from an inertial sensor that detects a lateral acceleration relative to the railcar; the curve end determination unit determines that the railway vehicle is traveling just before the end of the curve when the acquired lateral acceleration becomes equal to or less than a first threshold value. The lighting control device according to claim 5.

7. an acquisition unit that is provided on the railway vehicle and acquires a current position of the railway vehicle from a positioning device that measures a position of the railway vehicle, and an acquisition unit that is provided on the railway vehicle and acquires map information including a travel route, the curve end determination unit determines whether or not the railroad vehicle is traveling just before the end of the curve, based on the current position in the map information. The lighting control device according to claim 5.

8. An acquisition unit that is provided in the railway vehicle and acquires an image from an imaging device that images a front of the railway vehicle, The curve end determination unit analyzes the acquired captured image, and determines that the railcar is traveling just before the end of the curve when a straight rail is present ahead in the captured image. The lighting control device according to claim 5.

9. the lighting device includes a first lighting device that emits forward illumination light that illuminates a straight ahead direction of the railroad vehicle, and a second lighting device that emits curve direction illumination light that illuminates a curve ahead of the railroad vehicle, the lighting control unit turns on the second lighting device when it is determined that the railroad vehicle is traveling just before the start of the curve, and turns off the second lighting device when it is determined that the railroad vehicle is traveling just before the end of the curve. The lighting control device according to claim 5.

10. the lighting device further includes a pair of third lighting devices provided near the left and right side ends of the front surface of the railway vehicle, each of which emits illumination light in a curve direction on the side end opposite to the side end, the lighting control unit turns on the third lighting device near a side end opposite to a side end on the curve direction side when the railroad vehicle travels in a curve direction. The lighting control device according to claim 5.

11. the control unit is a lighting control unit that switches and controls a forward illumination light that is emitted from the lighting device in a forward straight direction between a low beam and a high beam in accordance with a situation related to the traveling of the railcar; The lighting control device of claim 1 further comprising:

12. The determination unit includes a curve start determination unit that determines, as a situation related to the traveling of the railroad vehicle, whether or not the railroad vehicle is traveling just before the start of a curve in a traveling route; a curve end determination unit that determines whether the railway vehicle is traveling just before the end of a curve on a travel route, the lighting control unit switches the forward illumination light from the lighting device from a high beam to a low beam when it is determined that the railroad vehicle is traveling just before the start of the curve, and switches the forward illumination light from the lighting device from a low beam to a high beam when it is determined that the railroad vehicle is traveling just before the end of the curve.

12. A lighting control device as claimed in claim 11.

13. The lighting control unit sets the curve illumination light from the lighting device, which illuminates the curve ahead, to a high beam regardless of the start and end of the curve.

13. A lighting control device as claimed in claim 12.

14. the control unit is a color temperature control unit that controls a color temperature of forward illumination light that is emitted from the lighting device in a forward straight direction in accordance with a situation related to the traveling of the railcar; The lighting control device of claim 1 further comprising:

15. The determination unit includes a curve start determination unit that determines, as a situation related to the traveling of the railroad vehicle, whether or not the railroad vehicle is traveling just before the start of a curve in a traveling route; a curve end determination unit that determines whether the railway vehicle is traveling just before the end of a curve on a travel route, the color temperature control unit sets the color temperature of the forward illumination light from the lighting device to a second threshold value or lower when it is determined that the railroad vehicle is traveling just before the start of the curve, and sets the color temperature of the forward illumination light from the lighting device to a value higher than the second threshold value when it is determined that the railroad vehicle is traveling just before the end of the curve.

15. A lighting control device as claimed in claim 14.

16. A lighting control method for controlling a lighting control device that is provided in a railway vehicle and controls a lighting device that illuminates the area ahead of the railway vehicle. determining a situation related to the running of the rail vehicle; controlling a lighting state of the lighting device in accordance with a situation related to the running of the railcar; A lighting control method comprising:

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