Monitoring device, monitoring method, and program

Abstract

To provide a technique by which the locking state of a door panel of a railway vehicle and the state of a locking device for locking the door panel can be monitored.SOLUTION: A door panel control device 80 according to an embodiment of the present invention monitors the state of a locking device 30 comprising: a lock hole 32A moving in accordance with the opening and closing operation of a door panel 10 of a railway vehicle 1; a lock pin 31, which is disposed on the vehicle side of a railway vehicle 1 so as not to move in accordance with the opening and closing operation of the door panel, for realizing the locking state of the door panel 10 by being inserted into the lock hole 32A; and a solenoid 34 for allowing the lock pin 31 to move away from the lock hole 32A toward the upper direction. Specifically, the door panel control device 80 monitors the state of the locking device 30 on the basis of an electrical condition when a coil 34C of the solenoid 34 is electrified.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a monitoring device, a monitoring method, a program, and the like. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, there is known a method for monitoring the state of a locking device that locks and locks the doors of a railway vehicle by using the output of a limit switch (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-149880 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the above method can only utilize two states of the limit switch, that is, on and off, so there may be cases where the state of the locking device cannot be properly monitored.

[0005] In view of the above-mentioned problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a technology that can lock the doors of a railway vehicle and monitor the state of the locking device that locks the doors. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, in one embodiment of the present disclosure, A first member; a second member that, when moved toward the first member, establishes a predetermined positional relationship with the first member, thereby locking the door of the railway vehicle; and a solenoid for moving the second member in a first direction away from the first member; A monitoring device for monitoring the state of a locking device, monitoring the state of the locking device based on the electrical state when the first coil of the solenoid is energized; A monitoring device is provided.

[0007] In another embodiment of the present disclosure, A first member; a second member that, when moved toward the first member, establishes a predetermined positional relationship with the first member, thereby locking the door of the railway vehicle; and a solenoid for moving the second member in a first direction away from the first member. A monitoring method for monitoring the state of a locking device, comprising: a monitoring device that monitors the state of the locking device based on the electrical state when the first coil of the solenoid is energized; A monitoring method is provided.

[0008] In still another embodiment of the present disclosure, A first member; a second member that, when moved toward the first member, establishes a predetermined positional relationship with the first member, thereby locking the door of the railway vehicle; and a solenoid for moving the second member in a first direction away from the first member. A program that causes an information processing device to realize a function of monitoring the state of a locking device, an information processing device is caused to monitor the state of the locking device based on an electrical state when a first coil of the solenoid is energized; Programs are offered. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the above-described embodiment, it is possible to lock the doors of a railway vehicle and monitor the state of the locking device that locks the doors. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1]FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration for controlling and monitoring doors of a railway vehicle. [Figure 2] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing a first example of a door locking device. [Figure 3] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing a first example of a door locking device. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a first example of a drive circuit for a locking device. [Figure 5] 4 is a time chart illustrating a first example of a method for monitoring the state of a locking device. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing a first example of a configuration related to a function for monitoring the state of a locking device. [Figure 7] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing an example of the correlation between the protrusion amount of the plunger and the inductance of the solenoid coil, and a first example of a monitoring standard for the protrusion amount of the plunger. [Figure 8] 4 is a flowchart schematically showing a first example of a control process of the door control device. [Figure 9] 10 is a time chart illustrating a second example of a method for monitoring the state of a locking device. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram showing a second example of the configuration related to the function of monitoring the state of the locking device. [Figure 11] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing an example of the correlation between the protrusion amount of the plunger and the inductance of the solenoid coil, and a second example of a monitoring standard for the protrusion amount of the plunger. [Figure 12] 10 is a diagram showing an example of a state at the time of completion of the locking operation of the locking device when an abnormality occurs in the locking device; FIG. [Figure 13] 6 is a time chart illustrating an example of a locking operation of the locking device when an abnormality occurs in the locking device. [Figure 14] 10 is a diagram showing another example of a state at the time of completion of the locking operation of the locking device when an abnormality occurs in the locking device. FIG. [Figure 15] 10 is a time chart illustrating another example of the locking operation of the locking device when an abnormality occurs in the locking device. [Figure 16] 10 is a diagram showing yet another example of a state at the time of completion of the locking operation of the locking device when an abnormality occurs in the locking device. FIG. [Figure 17] 10 is a time chart illustrating yet another example of the locking operation of the locking device when an abnormality occurs in the locking device. [Figure 18] 6 is a flowchart schematically showing a second example of control processing of the door control device. [Figure 19] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a second example of a door locking device. [Figure 20] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a second example of a door locking device. [Figure 21] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a second example of a drive circuit for a locking device. [Figure 22] 10 is a time chart illustrating a third example of a method for monitoring the state of a locking device. [Figure 23] 10 is a diagram showing an example of the correlation between the amount of plunger protrusion and the inductance of a locking solenoid coil. FIG. [Figure 24] 10 is a flowchart schematically showing a third example of control processing of the door control device. [Figure 25] 10 is a time chart illustrating a fourth example of a method for monitoring the state of a locking device. [Figure 26] 10 is a flowchart schematically showing a fourth example of a control process of the door control device. [Figure 27] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a third example of a door locking device. [Figure 28] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a third example of a door locking device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0012] [Configuration for controlling railway vehicle doors] With reference to FIG. 1, a configuration relating to control and monitoring of a door 10 of a railway vehicle 1 according to this embodiment will be described.

[0013] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration for controlling and monitoring a door 10 of a railway vehicle 1. As shown in FIG.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 1, the railway vehicle 1 includes a door 10, a door drive mechanism 20, a locking device 30, an encoder 40, a lock detection switch 50, a full-close detection switch 60, a current sensor 70, and a door control device 80.

[0015] The railway vehicle 1 may be a single-car formation consisting of one vehicle, or may be a multi-car formation consisting of a plurality of vehicles connected in a chain.

[0016] The door 10 is provided in an opening (hereinafter referred to as "door opening" for convenience) on the side of the body of the railway vehicle 1. The door 10 is, for example, a double-swing sliding door.

[0017] The door drive mechanism 20 mechanically drives the door 10 in the opening and closing directions. The door drive mechanism 20 is provided, for example, above the interior side of the door opening in the car body of the railway vehicle 1. The door drive mechanism 20 includes, for example, an electric motor, and drives the door 10 in the opening and closing directions using the electric motor as a power source. The electric motor may be a rotary motor (for example, motor 22 described below) or a linear motor.

[0018] The door drive mechanism 20 operates under the control of the door control device 80. For example, the door drive mechanism 20 is electrically driven by power supplied from the door control device 80.

[0019] The locking device 30 locks and unlocks the door 10. Like the door drive mechanism 20, the locking device 30 is provided above the interior of the vehicle body of the railway car 1 on the passenger compartment side of the door opening, for example.

[0020] The locking device 30 operates under the control of the door control device 80. For example, the locking device 30 is electrically driven by power supplied from the door control device 80.

[0021] The encoder 40 outputs detection information related to the position of the door 10. For example, the encoder 40 detects the rotation position and rotation speed of the rotary motor included in the door drive mechanism 20 and the displacement position of the mover of the linear motor, and outputs the detection information. The detection information of the encoder 40 is input into the door control device 80.

[0022] The lock detection switch 50 is a momentary switch for detecting the locking state of the door 10 by the locking device 30. The lock detection switch 50 is attached, for example, directly or indirectly to the body of the railway vehicle 1. When the door 10 is locked by the locking device 30, the lock detection switch 50 is in an ON state because an actuator unit is mechanically pressed by a predetermined member of the locking device 30. On the other hand, when the door 10 is not locked by the locking device 30, i.e., when the door 10 is locked, the actuator unit is not pressed by the member, and the lock detection switch 50 is in an OFF state. A detection signal (i.e., an ON signal or an OFF signal) indicating the ON / OFF state of the lock detection switch 50 is input to the door control device 80. As a result, the door control device 80 can determine that the door 10 is locked by the locking device 30 when the detection signal of the lock detection switch 50 is an ON signal, and that the door 10 is locked when the detection signal of the lock detection switch 50 is an OFF signal.

[0023] The fully closed detection switch 60 is a momentary switch for detecting whether the door 10 is fully closed. The fully closed detection switch 60 is attached, for example, directly or indirectly to the body of the railway vehicle 1. When the door 10 is fully closed, the fully closed detection switch 60 is turned on by mechanically pressing an actuator unit by a member linked to the opening and closing operation of the door 10. On the other hand, when the door 10 is not fully closed, the actuator unit is no longer pressed by the member, and the fully closed detection switch 60 is turned off. A detection signal (i.e., an on signal or an off signal) indicating the on / off state of the fully closed detection switch 60 is input to the door control device 80. As a result, when the detection signal of the fully closed detection switch 60 is an on signal, the door control device 80 can determine that the door 10 is in the fully closed state, and when the detection signal of the fully closed detection switch 60 is an off signal, the door control device 80 can determine that the door 10 is not in the fully closed state, i.e., that the door 10 is in the open state.

[0024] The current sensor 70 detects the current of a solenoid 34 (described later) included in the locking device 30. A detection signal of the current sensor 70 is input to the door control device 80.

[0025] The door control device 80 controls the operation of the door 10 .

[0026] Specifically, the door control device 80 controls the operation of the door 10 by electrically driving the door drive mechanism 20 in accordance with the sequence of the opening or closing operation of the door 10. For example, the door control device 80 has a built-in power conversion device that converts direct current supplied from a predetermined power source of the railway vehicle 1 into three-phase alternating current of a predetermined voltage and a predetermined frequency, and controls the power conversion device to supply drive power to the door drive mechanism 20. The power conversion device may also be located outside the door control device 80.

[0027] The door control device 80 also electrically drives the locking device 30 in accordance with the sequence of the opening or closing operation of the door 10, thereby locking the door 10 and controlling the locking operation.

[0028] The functions of the door control device 80 are realized by, for example, any hardware or a combination of any hardware and software. For example, the door control device 80 is mainly configured with a computer including a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a memory device, an auxiliary storage device, an interface device for input / output with the outside, and the like.

[0029] [First example of a locking device] Next, a first example of the locking device 30 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0030] 2 and 3 are diagrams showing a first example of the locking device 30 of the door 10. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a first example of the drive circuit DRC of the locking device 30.

[0031] Specifically, Fig. 2 is a diagram showing a first example of the locking device 30 when the door 10 is in a fully closed position and is locked by the locking device 30. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing a first example of the locking device 30 when the door 10 is in a fully closed position and is locked by the locking device 30. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing a specific example of a drive circuit DRC for electrically driving the locking device 30 of Figs. 2 and 3.

[0032] 2 and 3, the door 10 disposed below the locking device 30 is not shown. In addition, in FIGS. 2 and 3, the left direction represents the opening direction of the door 10, and the right direction represents the closing direction of the door 10.

[0033] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, in this example, the locking device 30 includes a lock pin 31, an opening / closing interlocking member 32, a biasing spring 33, a solenoid , a vertical slider , and a horizontal slider .

[0034] The lock pin 31 is supported by a guide 31G so as to be movable in the vertical direction within a predetermined range (hereinafter referred to as the "movable range"). The guide 31G is attached to the body of the railway vehicle 1 as a fixed part directly or via another member such as a bracket.

[0035] The opening / closing interlocking member 32 is directly or indirectly connected to the door 10, and moves in the opening direction and the closing direction in conjunction with the opening operation and the closing operation, respectively, of the door 10. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, in this example, the opening / closing interlocking member 32 is connected to the mover 21 of the linear motor included in the door drive mechanism 20, and is interlocked with the movement of the mover 21 in the opening direction or the closing direction. The opening / closing interlocking member 32 is positioned below the lock pin 31 in the vertical direction, and has a lock hole 32A.

[0036] The lock hole 32A is a recess provided on the upper surface of the opening / closing interlocking member 32, and is positioned so that the lock pin 31 can be inserted from above when the door 10 is in the fully closed position. Furthermore, at the upper and lower stroke ends (i.e., the upper limit and lower limit positions) of the lock pin 31's vertical movable range, the lock pin 31 is positioned so that its lower end is above and below the opening of the lock hole 32A. Thus, when the door 10 is in the fully closed position, the lock pin 31 can be inserted into the lock hole 32A from above to restrict the opening and closing movement of the door 10 and lock the door 10. For example, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the lock hole 32A may penetrate the opening / closing interlocking member 32 from top to bottom, or it may be open only upward and not penetrate downward. Furthermore, the lock hole 32A may be a recess that restricts the opening and closing movement of the door 10 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, or it may have a structure that restricts movement of the door 10 only in the opening direction.

[0037] The biasing spring 33 is arranged to bias the lock pin 31 downward when the lock pin 31 is at least at the upper limit position of its vertical movable range. This allows the biasing spring 33 to bias the lock pin 31 so as to insert it into the lock hole 32A when the door 10 is in the fully closed position.

[0038] Specifically, as the door 10 closes, the opening / closing interlocking member 32 moves to a position corresponding to the fully closed state of the door 10, and the locking device 30 transitions from a state in which the lock hole 32A is not directly below the lock pin 31 to a state in which the lock hole 32A is directly below the lock pin 31. The state in which the lock hole 32A is not directly below the lock pin 31 is a state in which, when viewed from above, the locking device 30 does not include part or all of the lower end of the lock pin 31 within the range of the lock hole 32A, and corresponds to a state in which the lock pin 31 cannot be inserted into the lock hole 32A. On the other hand, the state in which the lock hole 32A is directly below the lock pin 31 is a state in which, when viewed from above, the locking device 30 includes the entire lower end of the lock pin 31 within the range of the lock hole 32A, and corresponds to a state in which the lock pin 31 can be inserted into the lock hole 32A. The locking device 30 transitions to a state in which the lock hole 32A is directly below the lock pin 31, and can lock the door 10 by the biasing force of the biasing spring 33.

[0039] In addition to the biasing spring 33, the weight of the lock pin 31 acts as a biasing force on the lock pin 31. Therefore, the biasing spring 33 may be omitted, and the locked state of the door 10 may be achieved only by the weight of the lock pin 31.

[0040] The solenoid 34 is an actuator that moves the lock pin 31 upward via a vertical slider 35. The solenoid 34 includes a housing 34A, and a plunger 34B and a coil 34C that are housed in the housing 34A.

[0041] When no current flows through coil 34C, plunger 34B has a zero or relatively small amount of protrusion of its upper end from housing 34A (hereinafter simply referred to as "protrusion amount of plunger 34B"). On the other hand, when current flows through coil 34C, plunger 34B is attracted to the fixed iron core magnetized by coil 34C, and moves upward, causing its upper end to protrude significantly upward from housing 34A.

[0042] For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the drive circuit DRC of the locking device 30 includes a power supply 90, a coil 34C, and an inverter circuit 81.

[0043] The coil 34C has one end connected to the A-phase output of the inverter circuit 81, and the other end connected to the B-phase output of the inverter circuit 81.

[0044] The inverter circuit 81 is, for example, built into the door control device 80, and can apply a voltage in a predetermined pattern to the coil 34C using power supplied from a power source 90 under the control of a control circuit 82 of the door control device 80, thereby energizing the coil 34C. The inverter circuit 81 may also be disposed outside the door control device 80. For example, the control circuit 82 can control the current in the coil 34C by appropriately turning on and off the switching element SW of the inverter circuit 81 using a PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) signal in accordance with a current command Ic.

[0045] The current sensor 70 detects the current Is in the coil 34C, and the detection signal is input to the control circuit 82. This allows the control circuit 82 to perform feedback control of the current Is in the coil 34C based on the detection signal from the current sensor 70.

[0046] The vertical slider 35 is attached directly or indirectly to the carbody of the railway vehicle 1 and can move up and down with the carbody serving as a fixed part as a reference. The vertical slider 35 is arranged to cover the lock pin 31 and the solenoid 34 from above, is connected to the lock pin 31 directly or indirectly via another member, and can abut against the plunger 34B. As a result, the plunger 34B of the solenoid 34 protrudes significantly upward from the housing 34A, thereby moving the vertical slider 35 upward, and as a result, the lock pin 31 upward. Therefore, when the door 10 is in the fully closed position, the solenoid 34 releases the state in which the lower end of the lock pin 31 is inserted into the lock hole 32A, and can transition the door 10 from the locked state to the unlocked state.

[0047] The horizontal slider 36 can move in the opening and closing direction of the door 10 in conjunction with the opening and closing operation of the door 10. In this example, the horizontal slider 36 can move in the opening and closing direction of the door 10 in conjunction with the operation of the movable element 21. In addition, the horizontal slider 36 can abut against the abutting portion 35A of the vertical slider 35 and support the vertical slider 35 from below. The horizontal slider 36 includes support surfaces 36A to 36C.

[0048] The support surface 36A is located below the abutment portion 35A of the vertical slider 35 when the horizontal slider 36 is in a position corresponding to the fully closed state of the door 10. The support surface 36A is positioned so as to be able to abut against the abutment portion 35A of the vertical slider 35 when the lock pin 31 is inserted into the lock hole 32A.

[0049] The support surface 36B is located below the contact portion 35A of the vertical slider 35 when the horizontal slider 36 has moved to a certain extent in the opening direction of the door 10, with the position corresponding to the fully closed state of the door 10 as a reference. The support surface 36B is located above the support surface 36A in the vertical direction, and is positioned so as to be able to contact the contact portion 35A of the vertical slider 35 when the plunger 34B of the solenoid 34 is at the upper stroke end (i.e., the upper limit position).

[0050] The support surface 36C is formed as a slope that connects the support surface 36A and the support surface 36B in the opening and closing direction of the door 10.

[0051] When the door 10 starts to open, the locking device 30 transitions the door 10 from the locked state to the unlocked state, causing the plunger 34B to protrude significantly from the housing 34A. Therefore, with the abutment portion 35A of the vertical slider 35 above the support surface 36A of the horizontal slider 36, specifically at the same height as the support surface 36B, the horizontal slider 36 starts to move in the opening direction of the door 10 in conjunction with the opening operation of the door 10. When the door 10 moves a certain distance in the opening direction from the fully closed state, the support surface 36B of the horizontal slider 36 is positioned below the abutment portion 35A of the vertical slider 35. Therefore, even when the coil 34C of the solenoid 34 is de-energized and the upper end of the plunger 34B no longer protrudes from the housing 34A, the abutment portion 35A of the vertical slider 35 is supported by the support surface 36B, so the vertical position of the vertical slider 35 is maintained.

[0052] On the other hand, during the closing operation of the door 10, as the door 10 moves from the fully open position to the fully closed position, the location of the horizontal slider 36 with which the abutment portion 35A of the vertical slider 35 can abut changes in the order of support surface 36B, support surface 36C, and support surface 36A. Therefore, as the door 10 closes, when the lock hole 32A reaches directly below the lock pin 31, the lock pin 31 is automatically inserted into the lock hole 32A by the action of the biasing force of the biasing spring 33 and the weight of the lock pin 31. As a result, the locking device 30 can lock the door 10 in accordance with the closing operation of the door 10.

[0053] For example, the lock detection switch 50 is disposed adjacent to the side surface 35B of the vertical slider 35. The lock detection switch 50 includes a main body portion 51 and an actuator portion 52.

[0054] The lock detection switch 50 is a momentary switch, and a biasing force acts on the actuator part 52 so that the actuator part 52 is kept separated from the main body part 51, that is, kept in an OFF state.

[0055] 2, when the lock pin 31 is inserted into the lock hole 32A and the door 10 is locked, the tip of the actuator part 52 abuts against the side surface 35B of the vertical slider 35 and is pressed against the main body part 51. As a result, the lock detection switch 50 is turned on in accordance with the locked state of the door 10.

[0056] 3, when the lock pin 31 is not inserted into the lock hole 32A and the door 10 is locked, the tip of the actuator part 52 and the side surface 35B of the vertical slider 35 are not adjacent to each other in the opening and closing direction of the door 10. Therefore, the state in which the tip of the actuator part 52 abuts against the side surface 35B of the vertical slider 35 is released, and as a result, the lock detection switch 50 is turned off in accordance with the locked state of the door 10.

[0057] A lower end surface 35C adjacent to the lower end of the side surface 35B of the vertical slider 35 is inclined downward in a direction away from the lock detection switch 50. Therefore, when the door 10 is locked by the locking device 30, the tip of the actuator unit 52 of the lock detection switch 50 continues to abut against the lower end surface 35C of the vertical slider 35 after being released from abutment against the side surface 35B. As a result, the lock detection switch 50 switches from ON to OFF while the tip of the actuator unit 52 abuts against the lower end surface 35C of the vertical slider 35 in response to the upward movement of the vertical slider 35. Furthermore, when the door 10 is locked by the locking device 30, the tip of the actuator unit 52 of the lock detection switch 50 abuts against the lower end surface 35C of the vertical slider 35 in response to the downward movement of the vertical slider 35 after the lock pin 31 starts to be inserted into the lock hole 32A. Then, in response to the descent of the vertical slider 35, the tip of the actuator portion 52 of the lock detection switch 50 approaches the side surface 35B while abutting against the lower end surface 35C of the vertical slider 35, and transitions to a state in which it abuts against the side surface 35B. As a result, in response to the descent of the vertical slider 35, the lock detection switch 50 switches from OFF to ON while abutting against the lower end surface 35C of the vertical slider 35.

[0058] [First example of how to monitor the status of a locking device] Next, a first example of a method for monitoring the state of the locking device 30 by the door control device 80 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0059] In the following, this example will be described on the premise that the locking device 30 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 and the drive circuit DRC shown in FIG. 4 are configured.

[0060] Fig. 5 is a time chart illustrating a first example of a method for monitoring the state of the locking device 30. Fig. 6 is a functional block diagram showing a first example of a configuration related to a function for monitoring the state of the locking device 30. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the correlation between the protrusion amount A of the plunger 34B and the inductance L of the solenoid coil (coil 34C), and a first example of a monitoring standard related to the protrusion amount of the plunger 34B.

[0061] Specifically, Fig. 5 includes Figs. 5A to 5F. Fig. 5A is a time chart showing the flow of operation of the drive circuit DRC when the locking device 30 unlocks the door 10. Figs. 5B to 5F are time charts showing an example of the unlocking operation of the locking device 30 when the locking device 30 is operating normally. Fig. 5B is a time chart showing the change over time in the voltage applied to the solenoid coil (coil 34C) when the locking device 30 unlocks the door 10. Fig. 5C is a time chart showing the change over time in the current of the solenoid coil (coil 34C) when the locking device 30 unlocks the door 10. Fig. 5D is a time chart showing the change over time in the vertical position of the plunger 34B when the locking device 30 unlocks the door 10. Fig. 5E is a time chart showing the change over time in the vertical position of the lock pin 31 when the locking device 30 unlocks the door 10. FIG. 5F is a time chart showing the change over time in the detection signal of the lock detection switch 50 (hereinafter referred to as the “lock detection signal”) when the door 10 is unlocked by the locking device 30. As shown in FIG.

[0062] In addition, in FIG. 7, the average value of the current Is of the coil 34C (average current I s_mean 3 shows the correlation between the protrusion amount A of the plunger 34B and the inductance L of the solenoid coil (coil 34C) when the inductance L is seven different values ​​from Is0 (=0 [A]) to Is6.

[0063] 5A, at time t11, the drive circuit DRC, under the control of the control circuit 82, transitions from a discharging operation state to an operation for unlocking the door 10 (unlocking operation). In the discharging operation of the drive circuit DRC, both of the switching elements SW of the lower arms of the inverter circuit 81 are turned on, thereby discharging the energy stored in the coil 34C.

[0064] 5B and 5C, during the unlocking operation of the drive circuit DRC, a DC voltage of a predetermined pattern is applied to the coil 34C under the control of the control circuit 82, and a DC current of a predetermined pattern is applied by feedback control. As a result, as shown in FIG. 5D, at time t11, the plunger 34B starts moving upward. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 5E, the plunger 34B abuts against the vertical slider 35, causing the lock pin 31 to start moving upward. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 5F, the lock detection signal switches from ON to OFF as the plunger 34B moves upward.

[0065] As shown in Fig. 5D, when the coil 34C is energized, the plunger 34B continues to move upward and reaches its upper stroke end (i.e., upper limit position). As a result, as shown in Fig. 5E, the lock pin 31 reaches its upper limit position in accordance with the upward movement of the plunger 34B, and the locking device 30 can achieve a completely unlocked state of the door 10.

[0066] After the plunger 34B reaches the upper limit position, at time t12, the drive circuit DRC, under the control of the control circuit 82, shifts from the unlocking operation to an operation for monitoring the state of the locking device 30 (hereinafter referred to as "monitoring operation").

[0067] 5B and 5C, in the monitoring operation of the drive circuit DRC, an AC voltage of a predetermined amplitude and a predetermined frequency based on a constant voltage is applied to the coil 34C under the control of the control circuit 82, and an AC current flows through the coil 34C. In this case, the constant voltage is, for example, the voltage applied to the coil 34C at the end of the locking operation, as shown in FIG. 5B.

[0068] As shown in FIG. 5A, when the monitoring operation ends, the drive circuit DRC transitions to a discharging operation state at time t13.

[0069] For example, the door control device 80 executes the unlocking operation and monitoring operation according to this example in synchronization with the opening operation of the door 10 during actual operation of the railway vehicle 1. This allows the door control device 80 to monitor the state of the locking device 30 in real time during actual operation of the railway vehicle 1. Furthermore, the door control device 80 may execute the unlocking operation and monitoring operation according to this example in synchronization with the opening operation of the door 10 during inspection of the railway vehicle 1 at a rail yard or the like.

[0070] The door control device 80 monitors the state of the locking device 30 based on the voltage value and current value of the coil 34C during the monitoring operation of the drive circuit DRC.

[0071] For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the door control device 80 includes a monitoring unit 801 as a functional unit for monitoring the state of the locking device 30.

[0072] The monitoring unit 801 includes a current amplitude detection unit 8011, an average current calculation unit 8012, an inductance estimation unit 8013, a protrusion amount estimation unit 8014, and a determination unit 8015. These functions may be realized by a hardware calculation circuit or the like, or may be realized by loading a program installed in the auxiliary storage device of the computer described above into a memory device and executing it on the CPU.

[0073] The current amplitude detection unit 8011 detects the current I of the coil 34C during the monitoring operation of the drive circuit DRC based on the output of the current sensor 70 and the carrier frequency of the PWM signal of the inverter circuit 81. s The amplitude of the current (ΔI s ) to detect.

[0074] The average current calculation unit 8012 calculates the current I of the coil 34C during the monitoring operation of the drive circuit DRC based on the output of the current sensor 70 and the carrier frequency of the PWM signal of the inverter circuit 81. s The average value of (average current I s_mean ) is calculated.

[0075] The inductance estimation unit 8013 estimates the current amplitude ΔI s , average current I s_mean , and the applied voltage V of the coil 34C during the monitoring operation of the drive circuit DRC. s The inductance L of the solenoid coil (coil 34C) is estimated based on the applied voltage V s may be a voltage command value or a measured value.

[0076] During the monitoring operation of the drive circuit DRC, the current amplitude ΔI of the coil 34C s , the voltage V applied to the inductance of the coil 34C L and the time t during which the voltage is applied to the coil 34C by the PWM signal, the relationship of the following equation (1) is established.

[0077]

number

[0078]

number

[0079]

number

[0080] The protrusion amount estimation unit 8014 estimates the protrusion amount A of the plunger 34B from the housing 34A during the monitoring operation of the drive circuit DRC, based on the estimated value of the inductance L of the coil 34C estimated by the inductance estimation unit 8013. When the vertical position of the plunger 34B changes, the length of the magnetic path in the solenoid 34 changes, and therefore the protrusion amount estimation unit 8014 estimates the vertical position of the plunger 34B from the estimated value of the inductance L by utilizing this characteristic.

[0081] The protrusion amount estimation unit 8014 uses, for example, information indicating the correlation between the inductance L of the coil 34C and the protrusion amount A of the plunger 34B (hereinafter, for convenience, referred to as "correlation information") to estimate the protrusion amount A of the plunger 34B from the estimated value of the inductance L of the coil 34C. The correlation information is, for example, a conversion formula or a lookup table.

[0082] For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the correlation between the inductance L of the coil 34C and the protrusion amount A of the plunger 34B is expressed as follows: s_mean Therefore, the average current I s_mean Correlation information according to the magnitude of the inductance L of the coil 34C is prepared in advance. Furthermore, before applying the correlation information, the estimated value of the inductance L of the coil 34C may be corrected by gain compensation or offset compensation in consideration of the variation in the inductance L of the coil 34C. For example, the protrusion amount estimator 8014 corrects the estimated value of the inductance L by gain compensation or offset compensation in accordance with the variation in the inductance L between the components of the solenoid 34. Furthermore, in consideration of the variation in the inductance L of the coil 34C, s_meanFor example, a plurality of pieces of correlation information corresponding to variations in the temperature environment in which the locking device 30 operates may be prepared in advance, and the jump-out amount estimation unit 8014 selects appropriate correlation information according to the temperature environment in which the locking device 30 operates (for example, the temperature around the locking device 30).

[0083] The determination unit 8015 determines whether the door 10 has been unlocked by the locking device 30 based on the estimated value of the protrusion amount A of the plunger 34B during the monitoring operation of the drive circuit DRC, which is estimated by the protrusion amount estimation unit 8014.

[0084] For example, the determination unit 8015 determines whether the protrusion amount A of the plunger 34B is equal to or greater than a threshold value Ath1. As shown in FIG. 7, the threshold value Ath1 is a positive value (Ath1>0) and is set in advance as a value between the maximum value Amax and the minimum value Amin of the protrusion amount A of the plunger 34B (specifically, 0≦Amin <Ath1<Amax)。

[0085] For example, the threshold value Ath1 is set as the lower limit of the protrusion amount A of the plunger 34B for realizing a state in which the lock pin 31 is not inserted into the lock hole 32A. Specifically, the threshold value Ath1 is set as the sum (i.e., the added value) of the initial value of the protrusion amount of the plunger 34B, the gap between the plunger 34B and the vertical slider 35, and the overlap amount in the vertical direction between the lock pin 31 and the lock hole 32A when the door 10 is locked. The initial value of the protrusion amount of the plunger 34B refers to the upward protrusion amount of the plunger 34B from the housing 34A in the initial state when the coil 34C is not energized, i.e., at the lower stroke end (i.e., the lower limit position) of the plunger 34B when the solenoid 34 is normal. The initial value of the protrusion amount of the plunger 34B corresponds to the minimum value Amin. The gap between the plunger 34B and the vertical slider 35 refers to the vertical gap between the vertical slider 35 at the lower stroke end (i.e., the lowest position) and the plunger 34B at the lowest position. The vertical overlap between the lock pin 31 and the lock hole 32A when the door 10 is locked refers to the vertical insertion depth of the lock pin 31 into the lock hole 32A when the lock pin 31 is at the lowest position. Thus, if the estimated value of the protrusion amount A of the plunger 34B is equal to or greater than the threshold Ath1, the determination unit 8015 can determine that the lower end of the lock pin 31 is at the same vertical position as or above the opening of the lock hole 32A, and that the door 10 is properly unlocked. On the other hand, if the estimated value of the protrusion amount A of the plunger 34B is smaller than the threshold Ath1, the determination unit 8015 can determine that the door 10 is not properly unlocked by the locking device 30.

[0086] The judgment unit 8015 outputs to the outside a flag indicating the judgment result, i.e., a lock OK flag indicating that the door 10 has been unlocked normally, or a lock NG flag indicating that the door 10 has not been unlocked normally.

[0087] For example, the determination unit 8015 transmits a flag indicating the determination result to a host device of the railway vehicle 1. This allows the host device to output the determination result from a display device or a sound output device in the driver's cab or conductor's cab of the railway vehicle 1. This allows crew members such as the driver or conductor of the railway vehicle 1 to be notified of whether the door 10 has been unlocked normally.

[0088] Furthermore, the determination unit 8015 may transmit to the higher-level device, in addition to the determination result of the determination unit 8015, various pieces of information (hereinafter, "accompanying information") acquired by the monitoring unit 801 during the monitoring operation of the drive circuit DRC. The accompanying information includes not only information calculated or estimated by each function of the monitoring unit 801, but also raw information for acquiring this information. This allows the higher-level device to accumulate a log composed of a combination of the determination result and the accompanying information in a storage device installed in the railway vehicle 1, or to transmit the log to an external device and accumulate it in the external device. Therefore, for example, an inspector can check the accumulated log after the fact and confirm the status of the unlocking operation of the door 10 by the locking device 30 while the railway vehicle 1 is in operation. Furthermore, the door control device 80, the higher-level device, or the external device may analyze the accumulated log to predict the deterioration state and lifespan of the lock pin 31, the solenoid 34, etc. of the locking device 30.

[0089] In this way, in this example, after the unlocking operation of the drive circuit DRC is completed, the door control device 80 causes the drive circuit DRC to perform a monitoring operation in which an AC voltage is applied to the coil 34C. Then, the door control device 80 can monitor whether the door 10 is properly unlocked by estimating the inductance of the coil 34C based on the voltage and current of the coil 34C during the monitoring operation of the drive circuit DRC.

[0090] [First example of control processing for door control device] Next, a first example of the control processing of the door control device 80 will be described with reference to Fig. 8. Specifically, a specific example of the control processing of the door control device 80 including a processing flow corresponding to the first example of the above-described method for monitoring the state of the locking device 30 will be described.

[0091] FIG. 8 is a flowchart schematically showing a first example of the control process of the door control device 80. As shown in FIG.

[0092] This flowchart starts, for example, when a command to open the door 10 is input to the door control device 80 from a higher-level device.

[0093] 8, in step S102, the control circuit 82 of the door control device 80 controls the inverter circuit 81 to cause the drive circuit DRC to perform an unlocking operation. At this time, the control circuit 82 performs current feedback control of the coil 34C in accordance with a predetermined current pattern based on the output of the current sensor 70, as described above.

[0094] When the process of step S102 is completed, the door control device 80 proceeds to step S104.

[0095] In step S104, the control circuit 82 of the door control device 80 controls the inverter circuit 81 to cause the drive circuit DRC to perform the monitoring operation. At this time, the control circuit 82 applies an AC voltage to the coil 34C by the drive circuit DRC as described above.

[0096] When the process of step S104 is completed, the door control device 80 proceeds to step S106.

[0097] In step S106, the monitoring unit 801 of the door control device 80 calculates the current amplitude ΔI of the solenoid coil (coil 34C) during the monitoring operation by the functions of the current amplitude detection unit 8011 and the average current calculation unit 8012. s and average current I s_mean Get.

[0098] When the process of step S106 is completed, the door control device 80 proceeds to step S108.

[0099] In step S108, the monitoring unit 801 of the door control device 80 estimates the inductance L of the coil 34C of the solenoid 34 during the monitoring operation of the drive circuit DRC, using the function of the inductance estimation unit 8013.

[0100] When the process of step S108 is completed, the door control device 80 proceeds to step S110.

[0101] In step S110, the monitoring unit 801 of the door control device 80 uses the function of the protrusion amount estimation unit 8014 to estimate the protrusion amount A of the plunger 34B during the monitoring operation of the drive circuit DRC.

[0102] When the process of step S110 is completed, the door control device 80 proceeds to step S112.

[0103] In step S112, the monitoring unit 801 of the door control device 80 determines whether the estimated value of the protrusion amount A of the plunger 34B during the monitoring operation of the drive circuit DRC is equal to or greater than a threshold value Ath1 by the function of the determination unit 8015. If the estimated value of the protrusion amount A of the plunger 34B is equal to or greater than the threshold value Ath1, the monitoring unit 801 proceeds to step S114, and if it is not equal to or greater than the threshold value Ath1, the monitoring unit 801 proceeds to step S116.

[0104] In step S114, the monitoring unit 801 of the door control device 80 determines, by the function of the determining unit 8015, that the door 10 has been normally unlocked by the locking device 30 (that is, "unlocked: OK").

[0105] On the other hand, in step S116, the monitoring unit 801 of the door control device 80 determines, by the function of the determining unit 8015, that the door 10 has not been normally unlocked by the locking device 30 (that is, "unlocking: NG").

[0106] When the process of step S114 or step S116 is completed, the door control device 80 proceeds to step S118.

[0107] In step S118, the monitoring unit 801 of the door control device 80 uses the function of the determining unit 8015 to output to the outside a flag indicating the determination result as to whether or not the door 10 has been normally unlocked by the locking device 30.

[0108] When the process of step S118 is completed, the door control device 80 completes the process of this flowchart.

[0109] [Second example of how to monitor the status of a locking device] Next, a second example of a method for monitoring the state of the locking device 30 by the door control device 80 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0110] In the following, in this example, similar to the first example of the monitoring method described above, the explanation will be given on the premise of the configuration of the locking device 30 in Figures 2 and 3 and the configuration of the drive circuit DRC in Figure 4. Furthermore, in this example, the same reference numerals are used for the same or corresponding configurations as in the first example of the monitoring method described above, and the explanation will focus on the parts that are different from the first example of the monitoring method described above, and explanations of the parts that are the same as or corresponding to the first example of the monitoring method described above may be omitted.

[0111] FIG. 9 is a time chart illustrating a second example of a method for monitoring the state of the locking device 30. FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram illustrating a second example of a configuration related to a function for monitoring the state of the locking device 30. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of the correlation between the protrusion amount A of the plunger 34B and the inductance of the solenoid coil (coil 34C), and a second example of a monitoring standard related to the protrusion amount A of the plunger 34B. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a state at the completion of the locking operation of the locking device 30 when an abnormality occurs in the locking device 30. FIG. 13 is a time chart illustrating an example of a locking operation of the locking device 30 when an abnormality occurs in the locking device 30. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating another example of a state at the completion of the locking operation of the locking device 30 when an abnormality occurs in the locking device 30. FIG. 15 is a time chart illustrating another example of a locking operation of the locking device 30 when an abnormality occurs in the locking device 30. Fig. 16 is a diagram showing yet another example of the state at the completion of the locking operation of the locking device 30 when an abnormality occurs in the locking device 30. Fig. 17 is a time chart illustrating yet another example of the locking operation of the locking device 30 when an abnormality occurs in the locking device 30.

[0112] Specifically, Fig. 9 includes Figs. 9A to 9F. Fig. 9A is a time chart showing the flow of operation of the drive circuit DRC when the locking device 30 locks the door 10. Figs. 9B to 9G are time charts showing an example of a locking operation when the locking device 30 is normal. Fig. 9B is a time chart showing the change over time in the voltage applied to the solenoid 34 (specifically, the coil 34C) when the locking device 30 locks the door 10. Fig. 9C is a time chart showing the change over time in the current of the solenoid 34 (specifically, the coil 34C) when the locking device 30 locks the door 10. Fig. 9D is a time chart showing the change over time in the vertical position of the plunger 34B when the locking device 30 locks the door 10. Fig. 9E is a time chart showing the change over time in the vertical position of the lock pin 31 when the locking device 30 locks the door 10. 9F is a time chart showing the change over time of the lock detection signal when the door 10 is locked by the locking device 30. FIG. 9G is a time chart showing the change over time of the detection signal of the full-close detection switch 60 (hereinafter referred to as the "full-close detection signal") when the door 10 is locked by the locking device 30.

[0113] 11 shows the same specific example of the correlation between the protrusion amount of plunger 34B and the inductance of coil 34C of solenoid 34 as shown in FIG. 6. FIG. 12 shows a state in which plunger 34B is stuck and stuck out of housing 34A by a relatively large amount. FIG. 14 shows a state in which lock pin 31 is not inserted into lock hole 32A due to sticking or the like, even though it is insertable into lock hole 32A. FIG. 16 shows a state in which lock pin 31 is inserted into lock hole 32A and the lock detection signal has switched to an ON signal, but the insertion amount of lock pin 31 into lock hole 32A is relatively small due to sticking of lock pin 31 or the like.

[0114] 13, 15, and 17 include FIGS. 13A to 13G, 15A to 15G, and 17A to 17G, respectively. FIGS. 13A, 15A, and 17A are time charts showing the same content as FIG. 9A. FIGS. 13B to 13G are time charts showing an example of a locking operation when an abnormality occurs in the locking device 30 (specifically, a specific example of a locking operation when an abnormality occurs in the locking device 30 corresponding to FIG. 12), and each shows a specific example of a change over time in the same observation object as FIGS. 9B to 9G. FIGS. 15B to 15G are time charts showing another example of a locking operation when an abnormality occurs in the locking device 30 (specifically, a specific example of a locking operation when an abnormality occurs in the locking device 30 corresponding to FIG. 14), and each shows a specific example of a change over time in the same observation object as FIGS. 9B to 9G. Figures 17B to 17G are time charts showing yet another example of locking operation when an abnormality occurs in the locking device 30 (specifically, a specific example of locking operation when an abnormality occurs in the locking device 30 corresponding to Figure 16), and each shows a specific example of the time change of the same observation object as Figures 9B to 9G.

[0115] As shown in Fig. 9G, when the door 10 reaches the fully closed position due to the closing operation of the door 10, the fully closed detection signal switches from an OFF signal to an ON signal. Immediately thereafter, as shown in Fig. 9E, the door 10 reaches the fully closed position, and the lock pin 31 descends into the lock hole 32A due to the biasing force of the biasing spring 33 and the weight of the lock pin 31. Then, while the lock pin 31 is inserted into the lock hole 32A and reaches its lowest position, the lock detection signal switches from an OFF signal to an ON signal.

[0116] As shown in FIG. 9A, at time t21, which is assumed to be after the lock pin 31 has reached its lower limit position, the drive circuit DRC, under the control of the control circuit 82, transitions from the discharging operation state to the monitoring operation state.

[0117] For example, time t21 corresponds to the timing at which a time equal to or greater than the maximum time required for the lock pin 31 to descend to its lowest position has elapsed, based on the timing at which the lock detection signal switches from an OFF signal to an ON signal. Alternatively, time t21 may be the timing at which a time equal to or greater than the maximum time required for the lock pin 31 to descend to its lowest position has elapsed, based on the timing at which the full-close detection signal switches from an OFF signal to an ON signal. Alternatively, time t21 may be the timing at which a time equal to or greater than the maximum time required for the lock pin 31 to descend to its lowest position has elapsed, based on the timing at which the door 10 reaches the fully-closed position, estimated based on the output of the encoder 40. This allows the control circuit 82 to execute the monitoring operation of the drive circuit DRC after the locking operation of the door 10 by the locking device 30 is completed.

[0118] Specifically, in this example, the monitoring operation includes operation mode 1, operation mode 2, and operation mode 3, and first, at time t21, the drive circuit DRC transitions from the discharging operation state to operation mode 1 under the control of the control circuit 82. Then, at time t22, under the control of the control circuit 82, the drive circuit DRC transitions from operation mode 1 to operation mode 2, and then, at time t23, from operation mode 2 to operation mode 3. Then, at subsequent time t24, under the control of the control circuit 82, the drive circuit DRC transitions from operation mode 3 of the monitoring operation to the discharging operation state.

[0119] In operation mode 1 of the drive circuit DRC, under the control of the control circuit 82, an AC voltage of a predetermined amplitude and a predetermined frequency relative to zero voltage is applied to the coil 34C, causing an AC current to flow through the coil 34C. At this time, as shown in FIG. 9D, the plunger 34B does not move. Therefore, the protrusion amount of the plunger 34B when the locking device 30 is normal is maintained at the initial value (i.e., the minimum value Amin).

[0120] In operation mode 2 of the drive circuit DRC, under the control of the control circuit 82, a constant DC voltage is applied to the coil 34C, causing a DC current to flow through the coil 34C. The constant voltage is set to a level that generates a thrust that moves the plunger 34B and prevents the vertical slider 35 from moving when the plunger 34B is in contact with the vertical slider 35. As a result, the plunger 34B moves upward by the vertical gap between the plunger 34B and the vertical slider 35 and remains in contact with the vertical slider 35. For example, as shown in FIG. 9D, when the locking device 30 is operating normally, the plunger 34B moves by the very small gap between the plunger 34B and the vertical slider 35 to contact the vertical slider 35. As shown in FIG. 9E, when the locking device 30 is operating normally, the vertical slider 35 does not move, and therefore the vertical position of the lock pin 31 does not change.

[0121] In operation mode 3 of the drive circuit DRC, under the control of the control circuit 82, an AC voltage of a predetermined amplitude and a predetermined frequency based on a constant voltage is applied, and an AC current flows through the coil 34C. At this time, the constant voltage is set to a level that can generate a thrust that prevents the vertical slider 35 from moving when the plunger 34B is in contact with the vertical slider 35. For example, as shown in FIG. 9B, the constant voltage is the same as the DC voltage in operation mode 2. As a result, in operation mode 3 of the drive circuit DRC, the vertical position of the vertical slider 35 is maintained, and the plunger 34B is maintained in contact with the vertical slider 35.

[0122] For example, the door control device 80 executes the monitoring operation according to this example in accordance with the closing operation of the door 10 and the locking operation of the locking device 30 during actual operation of the railway vehicle 1. This allows the door control device 80 to monitor the state of the locking device 30 in real time during actual operation of the railway vehicle 1. Furthermore, the door control device 80 may execute the monitoring operation according to this example in accordance with the closing operation of the door 10 and the locking operation of the locking device 30 during inspection of the railway vehicle 1 at a railyard or the like.

[0123] For example, as shown in FIG. 10, the door control device 80 includes a monitoring unit 801, similar to the first example (FIG. 6) described above.

[0124] In this example, the monitoring unit 801 includes a plunger movement detection unit 8016 in addition to a current amplitude detection unit 8011, an average current calculation unit 8012, an inductance estimation unit 8013, a protrusion amount estimation unit 8014, and a determination unit 8015. In the following, in this example, differences from the first example (FIG. 6) described above will be mainly described, and descriptions of the same or corresponding parts may be omitted.

[0125] As in the first example described above, the inductance estimation unit 8013 estimates the inductance L of the coil 34C in each of the operation modes 1 and 3 of the drive circuit DRC based on the correlation information.

[0126] The jump-out amount estimation unit 8014 estimates the jump-out amount A of the plunger 34B in each of the operation modes 1 and 3 of the drive circuit DRC.

[0127] For example, as shown in FIG. 11, the correlation between the inductance L of the coil 34C and the protrusion amount A of the plunger 34B is as follows: s_mean Therefore, the average current I s_mean and the average current I s_mean and correlation information corresponding to the operation modes 1 and 3 are prepared in advance, and the protrusion amount estimation unit 8014 selects correlation information corresponding to each of the operation modes 1 and 3. Also, similar to the first example described above, the estimated value of the inductance L of the coil 34C may be corrected by gain compensation or offset compensation before applying the correlation information, taking into account the variation in the inductance L of the coil 34C ... s_mean A plurality of pieces of correlation information corresponding to the above may be prepared.

[0128] The plunger movement detection unit 8016 detects whether or not there is a relatively large movement of the plunger 34B in operation mode 2 of the drive circuit DRC. Specifically, the plunger movement detection unit 8016 detects whether or not there is a decrease in the current of the coil 34C due to back electromotive force when a constant DC voltage is applied to the coil 34C in operation mode 2 of the drive circuit DRC, thereby detecting whether or not there is a relatively large movement of the plunger 34B. In other words, the plunger movement detection unit 8016 detects whether or not there is a relatively large movement of the plunger 34B to the extent that a decrease in the DC current of the coil 34C occurs due to back electromotive force.

[0129] The determination unit 8015 determines whether the door 10 is locked by the locking device 30 based on the estimation result of the jump-out amount estimation unit 8014 and the detection result of the plunger movement detection unit 8016.

[0130] For example, as shown in Figure 12, consider a case where, when the current to the coil 34C is stopped, the plunger 34B is fixed in a state where its protrusion amount A is relatively large, and as a result, the movement of the vertical slider 35 is restricted, and the lock pin 31 cannot move downward.

[0131] In this case, as shown in FIG. 13D, unlike when the plunger 34B is normal (FIG. 9D), the protrusion amount A of the plunger 34B is maintained in a relatively large state.

[0132] For example, the determination unit 8015 determines whether or not the estimated value of the protrusion amount A of the plunger 34B in the operation mode 1 of the drive circuit DRC, estimated by the protrusion amount estimation unit 8014, is smaller than a threshold value Ath2. As shown in FIG. 11, the threshold value Ath2 is a positive value (Ath2>0) and is set in advance as a value between the maximum value Amax and the minimum value Amin of the protrusion amount of the plunger 34B (specifically, 0≦Amin <Ath2<Amax)。

[0133] For example, the threshold value Ath2 is set as the upper limit of the protrusion amount A of the plunger 34B required for realizing a state in which the lock pin 31 is inserted into the lock hole 32A and the lock detection signal is an ON signal. Specifically, the threshold value Ath2 is set as the sum (additive value) of the initial protrusion amount of the plunger 34B, the gap between the plunger 34B and the vertical slider 35, and the difference in the vertical direction between the lowest limit position of the lock pin 31 and the position at which the lock detection signal is switched to an ON signal. This is because, from the viewpoint of safety, the lock detection signal is switched to an ON signal when the lock pin 31 is inserted to a certain extent into the lock hole 32A. As a result, when the estimated value of the protrusion amount A of the plunger 34B in operation mode 1 of the drive circuit DRC is equal to or greater than the threshold value Ath2, the determination unit 8015 can determine that the door 10 is not properly locked due to sticking of the plunger 34B, etc. On the other hand, if the estimated value of the protrusion amount A of the plunger 34B in the operation mode 1 of the drive circuit DRC is smaller than the threshold Ath2, the determination unit 8015 can determine that there is no abnormality in the position of the plunger 34B due to sticking or the like.

[0134] Hereinafter, for convenience, the condition that the protrusion amount A of the plunger 34B in the operation mode 1 of the drive circuit DRC is smaller than the threshold value Ath2 may be referred to as a "first determination condition."

[0135] Also, for example, consider a case where the lock pin 31 is fixed in a state where the lower end position of the lock pin 31 is above the opening of the lock hole 32A due to adhesion or the like, as shown in Figure 14, and as a result, the lock pin 31 cannot be inserted into the lock hole 32A.

[0136] In this case, as shown in Fig. 15E, unlike in the normal state (Fig. 9E), the lock pin 31 is positioned relatively far above its lowest limit position. As a result, as shown in Fig. 14, when the locking operation of the locking device 30 is completed, the vertical gap between the vertical slider 35 connected to the lock pin 31 and the normal, non-energized plunger 34B is very large. Therefore, as shown in Figs. 15C and 15D, the application of a DC voltage to the coil 34C in operation mode 2 of the drive circuit DRC significantly increases the protrusion amount A of the plunger 34B, and a decrease in the current in the coil 34C occurs due to the back electromotive force.

[0137] For example, if the plunger movement detection unit 8016 detects a relatively large movement of the plunger 34B under the premise that the first determination condition described above is met, the determination unit 8015 can determine that the door 10 is not locked properly due to, for example, sticking of the lock pin 31. On the other hand, if the plunger movement detection unit 8016 does not detect a relatively large movement of the plunger 34B under the premise that the first determination condition described above is met, the determination unit 8015 determines that there is no major abnormality in the position of the lock pin 31. A major abnormality in the position of the lock pin 31 means, for example, an abnormality in which the lock pin 31 is not inserted at all into the lock hole 32A.

[0138] Hereinafter, for convenience, the detection of a relatively large movement of the plunger 34B in the operation mode 2 of the drive circuit DRC may be referred to as a "second determination condition."

[0139] Also, for example, as shown in Figure 16, consider a case where the lower end of the lock pin 31 is inserted into the lock hole 32A and the lock detection signal has switched to an ON signal, but the lock pin 31 has not moved all the way to the lower limit position due to sticking or the like.

[0140] In this case, as shown in Fig. 16, a larger vertical gap exists between the vertical slider 35 connected to the lock pin 31 and the normal, non-energized plunger 34B than when the lock pin 31 is in the normal position. However, this gap is smaller than in the case of Fig. 14. Therefore, as shown in Figs. 17C and 17D, although the application of a DC voltage to the coil 34C in operation mode 2 of the drive circuit DRC increases the protrusion amount A of the plunger 34B, the current in the coil 34C does not decrease due to the back electromotive force.

[0141] For example, under the assumption that the first determination condition described above is satisfied, the determination unit 8015 determines whether the estimated value of the protrusion amount A of the plunger 34B in operation mode 3 of the drive circuit DRC, estimated by the protrusion amount estimation unit 8014, is smaller than the threshold value Ath2. As a result, if the first determination condition is satisfied and the estimated value of the protrusion amount A of the plunger 34B in operation mode 3 of the drive circuit DRC is equal to or greater than the threshold value Ath2, the determination unit 8015 can determine that the lock pin 31 has not fully lowered due to sticking or the like, and that the door 10 is not locked properly. On the other hand, if the estimated value of the protrusion amount A of the plunger 34B in operation mode 3 of the drive circuit DRC is smaller than the threshold value Ath2, the determination unit 8015 can determine that there is no abnormality in the position of the lock pin 31 at the completion of the locking operation of the locking device 30. Therefore, when the first judgment condition is met and the protrusion amount A of the plunger 34B in the operation mode 3 of the drive circuit DRC is smaller than the threshold value Ath2, the judgment unit 8015 can judge that the door 10 is locked normally.

[0142] Hereinafter, for convenience, the condition that the protrusion amount A of the plunger 34B in the operation mode 3 of the drive circuit DRC is smaller than the threshold value Ath2 may be referred to as a "third determination condition."

[0143] The judgment unit 8015 outputs to the outside a flag indicating the judgment result, i.e., a lock OK flag indicating that the door 10 is locked properly, or a lock NG flag indicating that the door 10 is not locked properly.

[0144] The judgment unit 8015 outputs to the outside a flag indicating the judgment result, i.e., a lock OK flag indicating that the door 10 is locked properly, or a lock NG flag indicating that the door 10 is not locked properly.

[0145] For example, the determination unit 8015 transmits a flag indicating the determination result to a host device of the railway vehicle 1. This allows the host device to output the determination result from a display device or a sound output device in the driver's cab or conductor's cab of the railway vehicle 1. This allows crew members such as the driver or conductor of the railway vehicle 1 to be notified of whether the door 10 has been locked properly.

[0146] Furthermore, the determination unit 8015 may transmit to the host device, in addition to the determination result of the determination unit 8015, various pieces of information (accompanying information) acquired by the monitoring unit 801 during the monitoring operation of the drive circuit DRC. The accompanying information includes not only information calculated or estimated by each function of the monitoring unit 801, but also raw information for acquiring this information. This allows the host device to accumulate a log composed of a combination of the determination result and the accompanying information in a storage device installed in the railway vehicle 1, or to transmit the log to an external device and accumulate it in the external device. Therefore, for example, an inspector can check the accumulated log after the fact and confirm the state of the locking operation of the door 10 by the locking device 30 while the railway vehicle 1 is in operation. Furthermore, the door control device 80, the host device, or the external device may analyze the accumulated log to predict the deterioration state and lifespan of the lock pin 31, the solenoid 34, etc. of the locking device 30.

[0147] Thus, in this example, after the drive circuit DRC completes the locking operation, the door control device 80 executes the monitoring operation in operation modes 1 to 3. Then, based on the voltage and current of the coil 34C during the monitoring operation, the inductance of the coil 34C is estimated and the presence or absence of movement of the plunger 34B is detected, thereby making it possible to monitor whether the door 10 is properly locked or not.

[0148] [Second example of control processing for door control device] Next, a second example of the control processing of the door control device 80 will be described with reference to Fig. 18. Specifically, a specific example of the control processing of the door control device 80 including a processing flow corresponding to the second example of the method for monitoring the state of the locking device 30 described above will be described.

[0149] FIG. 18 is a flowchart schematically showing a second example of the control process of the door control device 80. In FIG.

[0150] This flowchart is executed, for example, when a predetermined timing arrives at which it can be determined that the locking operation of the locking device 30 has been completed. The predetermined timing is, for example, the timing when a predetermined time has elapsed since the lock detection signal or the fully closed detection signal switched from an OFF signal to an ON signal.

[0151] 18, in step S202, the control circuit 82 of the door control device 80 controls the inverter circuit 81 to cause the drive circuit DRC to perform monitoring operations in the order of operation mode 1, operation mode 2, and operation mode 3. At this time, as described above, the control circuit 82 applies an AC voltage to the coil 34C in operation modes 1 and 3, and applies a DC voltage to the coil 34C in operation mode 2.

[0152] In step S204, the monitoring unit 801 of the door control device 80 determines the current amplitude ΔI of the coil 34C of the solenoid 34 in the operation mode 1 by the functions of the current amplitude detection unit 8011 and the average current calculation unit 8012. s and average current I s_mean Get.

[0153] When the process of step S204 is completed, the door control device 80 proceeds to step S206.

[0154] In step S206, the monitoring unit 801 of the door control device 80 estimates the inductance L of the solenoid coil (coil 34C) in operation mode 1 by the function of the inductance estimation unit 8013.

[0155] When the process of step S206 is completed, the door control device 80 proceeds to step S208.

[0156] In step S208, the monitoring unit 801 of the door control device 80 estimates the protrusion amount A of the plunger 34B in the operation mode 1 by using the function of the protrusion amount estimation unit 8014.

[0157] When the process of step S208 is completed, the door control device 80 proceeds to step S210.

[0158] In step S210, the monitoring unit 801 of the door control device 80 determines, by the function of the determination unit 8015, whether or not the estimated value of the protrusion amount A of the plunger 34B in operation mode 1 is smaller than the threshold value Ath2. If the estimated value of the protrusion amount A of the plunger 34B in operation mode 1 is smaller than the threshold value Ath2, the monitoring unit 801 determines that there is no abnormality regarding the position of the plunger 34B, and proceeds to step S212. On the other hand, if the estimated value of the protrusion amount A of the plunger 34B in operation mode 1 is equal to or greater than the threshold value Ath2, the monitoring unit 801 determines that there is an abnormality regarding the position of the plunger 34B, and proceeds to step S226.

[0159] In step S212, the monitoring unit 801 of the door control device 80 performs processing for detecting a relatively large movement of the plunger 34B in the operation mode 2 by using the function of the plunger movement detection unit 8016.

[0160] When the process of step S212 is completed, the door control device 80 proceeds to step S214.

[0161] In step S214, the monitoring unit 801 of the door control device 80 determines, by the function of the determination unit 8015, whether or not a relatively large movement of the plunger 34B in operation mode 2 has been detected. If a relatively large movement of the plunger 34B in operation mode 2 has been detected, the monitoring unit 801 determines that there is a major abnormality regarding the position of the lock pin 31, and the process proceeds to step S226. On the other hand, if a relatively large movement of the plunger 34B in operation mode 2 has not been detected, the monitoring unit 801 determines that there is no major abnormality regarding the position of the lock pin 31, and the process proceeds to step S216.

[0162] In step S216, the monitoring unit 801 of the door control device 80 determines the current amplitude ΔI of the coil 34C of the solenoid 34 in the operation mode 3 by the functions of the current amplitude detection unit 8011 and the average current calculation unit 8012. s and average current I s_mean Get.

[0163] When the process of step S216 is completed, the door control device 80 proceeds to step S218.

[0164] In step S218, the monitoring unit 801 of the door control device 80 estimates the inductance L of the solenoid coil (coil 34C) in operation mode 3 by the function of the inductance estimation unit 8013.

[0165] When the process of step S218 is completed, the door control device 80 proceeds to step S220.

[0166] In step S220, the monitoring unit 801 of the door control device 80 estimates the protrusion amount A of the plunger 34B in the operation mode 3 by using the function of the protrusion amount estimation unit 8014.

[0167] When the process of step S220 is completed, the door control device 80 proceeds to step S222.

[0168] In step S222, the monitoring unit 801 of the door control device 80 determines, by the function of the determination unit 8015, whether or not the estimated value of the protrusion amount A of the plunger 34B in operation mode 3 is smaller than the threshold value Ath2. If the estimated value of the protrusion amount A of the plunger 34B in operation mode 3 is smaller than the threshold value Ath2, the monitoring unit 801 determines that there is no abnormality regarding the position of the lock pin 31, and proceeds to step S224. On the other hand, if the estimated value of the protrusion amount A of the plunger 34B in operation mode 3 is equal to or greater than the threshold value Ath2, the monitoring unit 801 determines that there is an abnormality regarding the position of the lock pin 31, and proceeds to step S226.

[0169] In step S224, the monitoring unit 801 of the door control device 80 determines, by the function of the determining unit 8015, that the door 10 is normally locked by the locking device 30 (that is, "locked: OK").

[0170] On the other hand, in step S226, the monitoring unit 801 of the door control device 80 determines, by the function of the determining unit 8015, that the door 10 is not locked normally by the locking device 30.

[0171] When the process of step S224 or step S226 is completed, the door control device 80 proceeds to step S228.

[0172] In step S228, the monitoring unit 801 of the door control device 80 uses the function of the determining unit 8015 to output to the outside a flag indicating the determination result as to whether or not the door 10 has been normally locked by the locking device 30.

[0173] When the process of step S228 is completed, the door control device 80 completes the process of this flowchart.

[0174] [Second example of a locking device] Next, a second example of the locking device 30 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0175] Hereinafter, in this example, the same symbols are used for the same or corresponding configurations as the first example of the locking device 30 and the first example of the drive circuit DRC described above, and the explanation will focus on the parts that differ from the first example described above, and explanations of the parts that are the same or corresponding to the first example described above may be omitted.

[0176] 19 and 20 are diagrams showing a second example of the locking device 30 of the door 10. FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a second example of the drive circuit DRC of the locking device 30.

[0177] Specifically, Fig. 19 is a diagram showing a second example of the locking device 30 when the door 10 is in the fully closed position and is locked by the locking device 30. Also, Fig. 20 is a diagram showing a second example of the locking device 30 when the door 10 is in the fully closed position and is unlocked by the locking device 30. Also, Fig. 21 is a diagram showing a specific example of a drive circuit DRC for electrically driving the locking device 30 of Figs. 19 and 20.

[0178] 19 and 20, in this example, the door 10 is a double-swing sliding door and includes door panels 10A and 10B. In addition, in this example, the door drive mechanism 20 includes a motor 22 and rack portions 23 and 24.

[0179] The motor 22 is a rotary electric motor that operates under the control of the door control device 80. The motor 22 is driven by three-phase AC driving power supplied through the door control device 80, for example.

[0180] The rack portion 23 is connected to the door panel 10A by a connecting member 11, and is disposed above the door panels 10A and 10B. The rack portion 23 includes a rack bar 23A and a rack gear 23B.

[0181] Rack bar 23A is provided above door panel 10A to extend in the front-to-rear direction of railway vehicle 1, and has rack gear 23B provided on its underside. Rack bar 23A is provided above the door opening of the carbody of railway vehicle 1, slightly above the rotation shaft of motor 22, which is disposed so that its rotation shaft extends along the width direction (i.e., the left-to-right direction) of railway vehicle 1. This allows a pinion gear (not shown) that is disposed coaxially with the rotation shaft of motor 22 to engage with rack gear 23B on the underside of rack bar 23A. Therefore, rack bar 23A can be moved in the front-to-rear direction of railway vehicle 1 in accordance with the rotation of motor 22, thereby achieving the opening and closing operation of door panel 10A.

[0182] The rack portion 24 is connected to the door panel 10B by a connecting member 12, and is disposed above the door panels 10A and 10B. The rack portion 24 includes a rack bar 24A and a rack gear 24B.

[0183] Rack bar 24A is provided above door panel 10B to extend in the front-to-rear direction of railway vehicle 1, and has rack gear 24B provided on its upper surface. Rack bar 24A is provided above the door opening of the body of railway vehicle 1, slightly below the rotation shaft of motor 22, which is disposed so that its rotation shaft extends along the width direction (i.e., the left-to-right direction) of railway vehicle 1. This allows a pinion gear (not shown) that is disposed coaxially with the rotation shaft of motor 22 to engage with rack gear 24B on the upper surface of rack bar 24A. Therefore, rack bar 24A can be moved in the front-to-rear direction of railway vehicle 1 in accordance with the rotation of motor 22, thereby achieving the opening and closing operation of door panel 10B.

[0184] The movement of the door panels 10A, 10B in the front-to-rear direction of the railcar 1 is guided by slide rails provided around the door openings of the railcar 1. The connecting member 11 is also provided with a pressing portion 11A that can press an actuator 61 of the full-close detection switch 60. As a result, when the door panel 10A is in the fully closed position, the pressing portion 11A presses the actuator 61 of the full-close detection switch 60, thereby turning the full-close detection switch 60 on. On the other hand, when the door panel 10A moves from the fully closed position in the opening direction, the pressing portion 11A moves in a direction away from the actuator 61, thereby turning the full-close detection switch 60 off. Therefore, the full-close detection switch 60 can detect the fully closed state of the door 10.

[0185] In this example, the locking device 30 includes a lock pin 31, an opening / closing interlocking member 32, a solenoid , and a vertical slider .

[0186] The lock pin 31 has an upper end connected to the vertical slider 35, and is supported directly or indirectly on the body of the railway vehicle 1 so as to be movable together with the vertical slider within a predetermined range (movable range) in the up and down direction.

[0187] The opening / closing interlocking member 32 is provided at the end of the rack portion 24 in the opening direction of the door 10 and at the upper end of the connecting member 12, and moves in the opening and closing directions in conjunction with the opening and closing movement of the door panel 10B. As in the first example described above, the opening / closing interlocking member 32 is positioned below the lock pin 31 and has a lock hole 32A.

[0188] The lock hole 32A is a recess provided on the upper surface of the opening / closing interlocking member 32, and is arranged so that the lock pin 31 can be inserted from above when the door 10 is in the fully closed position. For example, as shown in Figures 19 and 20, the lock hole 32A has an opening only on the upper side of the opening / closing interlocking member 32. The lock hole 32A may also penetrate the opening / closing interlocking member 32 from top to bottom.

[0189] The solenoid 34 is a self-holding type and includes a housing 34A, and a plunger 34B, a locking coil 34C, and a locking coil 34D, which are housed in the housing 34A.

[0190] When current flows through coil 34C while plunger 34B is in its lowest position, it is attracted to the fixed iron core magnetized by coil 34C, causing it to move upward and its upper end to protrude significantly upward from housing 34A. Furthermore, plunger 34B is attracted to a permanent magnet built into housing 34A for maintaining the locked state, allowing it to remain in its uppermost position even after current flow through coil 34C is stopped.

[0191] Furthermore, when current flows through coil 34D while plunger 34B is in its uppermost position, it is attracted to the fixed iron core magnetized by coil 34D, causing it to move downward and be drawn into housing 34A. Furthermore, plunger 34B is attracted to a permanent magnet built into housing 34A for maintaining the locked state, allowing it to remain in its lowermost position even after current flow through coil 34D is stopped.

[0192] For example, as shown in FIG. 21, the drive circuit DRC of the locking device 30 includes a power supply 90, coils 34C and 34D, and an inverter circuit 83 built into the door control device 80.

[0193] One end of the coil 34C is connected to the U-phase output of the inverter circuit 83, and the other end is connected to the W-phase output of the inverter circuit 83. One end of the coil 34D is connected to the V-phase output of the inverter circuit 83, and the other end is connected to the W-phase output of the inverter circuit 83.

[0194] Under the control of the control circuit 82, the inverter circuit 83 can apply a voltage in a predetermined pattern to either the coil 34C or the coil 34D, thereby energizing the coil 34C or the coil 34D, using power supplied from the power supply 90. For example, the control circuit 82 can control the current in the coil 34C or the coil 34D by appropriately turning on and off the switching element SW of the inverter circuit 83 using a PWM signal in accordance with the current command Ic.

[0195] The current sensor 70 is disposed to detect the current of the W-phase output of the inverter circuit 83. As a result, the current sensor 70 detects the current Is in the coil 34C or the coil 34D, and the detection signal is input to the control circuit 82. As a result, the control circuit 82 can feedback control the current Is in the coil 34C or the coil 34D based on the detection signal of the current sensor 70.

[0196] As in the first example described above, the vertical slider 35 is attached directly or indirectly to the carbody of the railway vehicle 1 and can move up and down with the carbody serving as a fixed part as a reference. The vertical slider 35 is arranged to cover the lock pin 31 and the solenoid 34 from above, is connected to the lock pin 31 directly or indirectly via another member, and can abut against the plunger 34B. As a result, in the locking device 30, the plunger 34B of the solenoid 34 protrudes significantly upward from the housing 34A, thereby moving the vertical slider 35 upward and, as a result, moving the lock pin 31 upward. Therefore, when the door 10 is in the fully closed position, the solenoid 34 energizes the coil 34C to release the state in which the lower end of the lock pin 31 is inserted into the lock hole 32A, thereby transitioning the door 10 from the locked state to the unlocked state. Furthermore, in the locking device 30, the plunger 34B of the solenoid 34 moves downward from a state where it is widely protruded, thereby moving the vertical slider 35 downward by its own weight, and as a result, moving downward the lock pin 31. Therefore, when the door 10 is in the fully closed position, the solenoid 34 energizes the coil 34D to insert the lower end of the lock pin 31 into the lock hole 32A, thereby transitioning the door 10 from a locked state to a locked state.

[0197] 19 and 20, the lock detection switch 50 is provided below the vertical slider 35. The lock detection switch 50 includes a main body portion 51 and an actuator portion 52.

[0198] The lock detection switch 50 is a momentary switch, and a biasing force acts on the actuator part 52 so that the actuator part 52 is kept in a state where it projects largely upward from the main body part 51, that is, in an OFF state.

[0199] When the vertical slider 35 is at its lowest position, the lower surface of the vertical slider 35 comes into contact with the actuator unit 52, and the weight of the vertical slider 35 presses the actuator unit 52. This causes the vertical slider 35 to push the actuator unit 52 into the main body 51 against the biasing force, and as a result, the lock detection switch 50 can maintain its ON state. On the other hand, when the vertical slider 35 is at its upper stroke end (i.e., the upper limit position) in a state where it is pushed up by the plunger 34B, the lower surface of the vertical slider 35 does not come into contact with the actuator unit 52. This allows the lock detection switch 50 to maintain its OFF state due to the biasing force acting on the actuator unit 52. The lock detection switch 50 can transition from an OFF state to an ON state when the lock pin 31 connected to the vertical slider 35 is inserted into the lock hole 32A and the door 10 transitions from the locked state to the unlocked state. In addition, the lock detection switch 50 can transition from an ON state to an OFF state as the plunger 34B moves upward and the lock pin 31 transitions from a state in which it is inserted into the lock hole 32A to a state in which it is released from the insertion.

[0200] [Third example of how to monitor the status of a locking device] Next, a third example of the method for monitoring the state of the locking device 30 by the door control device 80 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0201] The following description of this example will be based on the configuration of the locking device 30 in Figures 19 and 20 and the drive circuit DRC in Figure 21. In addition, in this example, the configuration related to the monitoring function of the state of the locking device 30 may be the same as in the first example (Figure 6) described above. Therefore, in this example, Figure 6 will be used, and a functional block diagram showing the configuration will be omitted. In addition, in this example, the description will focus on parts that are different from the first and second examples of the monitoring method described above, and descriptions of parts that are the same as or correspond to the first and second examples of the monitoring method described above may be omitted.

[0202] Fig. 22 is a time chart illustrating a third example of the method for monitoring the state of the locking device 30. Fig. 23 is a diagram showing an example of the correlation between the protrusion amount A of the plunger 34B and the inductance L of the locking solenoid coil (coil 34D).

[0203] Specifically, Fig. 22 includes Figs. 22A to 22I. Fig. 22A is a time chart showing the flow of operation of the drive circuit DRC when the locking device 30 unlocks the door 10. Figs. 22B to 22I are time charts showing an example of the unlocking operation of the locking device 30 when the locking device 30 is operating normally. Fig. 22B is a time chart showing the change over time in the voltage applied to the unlocking solenoid coil (coil 34C) when the locking device 30 unlocks the door 10. Fig. 22C is a time chart showing the change over time in the current of the unlocking solenoid coil (coil 34C) when the locking device 30 unlocks the door 10. Fig. 22D is a time chart showing the change over time in the voltage applied to the locking solenoid coil (coil 34D) when the locking device 30 unlocks the door 10. Fig. 22E is a time chart showing the change over time in the current of the locking solenoid coil (coil 34D) when the locking device 30 unlocks the door 10. Fig. 22F is a time chart showing the change over time in the vertical position of the plunger 34B when the locking device 30 unlocks the door 10. Fig. 22G is a time chart showing the change over time in the vertical position of the lock pin 31 when the locking device 30 unlocks the door 10. Fig. 22H is a time chart showing the change over time in the lock detection signal when the locking device 30 unlocks the door 10. Fig. 22I is a time chart showing the change over time in the full-close detection signal when the locking device 30 unlocks the door 10.

[0204] FIG. 23 also shows the correlation between the protrusion amount A of the plunger 34B and the inductance L of the solenoid coil (coil 34D) when the frequency fc of the AC voltage applied to the coil 34D has six predetermined values ​​fc1 to fc6.

[0205] 22A, at time t31, the drive circuit DRC, under the control of the control circuit 82, transitions from a discharging operation state to an operation for unlocking the door 10 (unlocking operation). In the discharging operation of the drive circuit DRC, all of the switching elements SW of the lower arm of the inverter circuit 83 are turned on, thereby discharging the energy stored in the coils 34C and 34D.

[0206] 22B and 22C, during the unlocking operation of the drive circuit DRC, a DC voltage of a predetermined pattern is applied to the coil 34C under the control of the control circuit 82, and a DC current of a predetermined pattern is applied to the coil 34C through feedback control. As a result, as shown in FIG. 22F, at time t31, the plunger 34B starts to move upward. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 22G, the plunger 34B abuts against the vertical slider 35, causing the lock pin 31 to start moving upward. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 5H, the lock detection signal switches from ON to OFF as the plunger 34B moves upward.

[0207] As shown in Fig. 22F, when the coil 34C is energized, the plunger 34B continues to move upward and reaches its upper limit position. As a result, as shown in Fig. 22G, the lock pin 31 reaches its upper limit position in accordance with the upward movement of the plunger 34B, and the locking device 30 can achieve a completely unlocked state of the door 10.

[0208] As shown in FIG. 22A, after the plunger 34B reaches the upper limit position, at time t32, the drive circuit DRC, under the control of the control circuit 82, transitions to a discharging operation state.

[0209] 22B and 22C, in the discharging operation state of the drive circuit DRC after time t32, the applied voltage and current of the coil 34C decrease toward zero. After that, when the applied voltage and current of the coil 34C converge to zero, at time t33, the drive circuit DRC, under the control of the control circuit 82, shifts from the discharging operation state to an operation for monitoring the state of the locking device 30 (monitoring operation).

[0210] 22D and 22F, in the monitoring operation of the drive circuit DRC, an AC voltage of a predetermined amplitude and a predetermined frequency, with zero voltage as the reference, is applied to the locking solenoid coil (coil 34D) under the control of the control circuit 82, and an AC current flows through the coil 34D. At this time, the DC component of the AC voltage applied to the coil 34D is zero, so the position of the plunger 34B does not change, as shown in FIG. 22F.

[0211] As shown in FIG. 22A, when the monitoring operation ends, the drive circuit DRC transitions to a discharging operation state at time t34.

[0212] For example, the door control device 80 executes the unlocking operation and monitoring operation according to this example in synchronization with the opening operation of the door 10 during actual operation of the railway vehicle 1. This allows the door control device 80 to monitor the state of the locking device 30 in real time during actual operation of the railway vehicle 1. Furthermore, the door control device 80 may execute the unlocking operation and monitoring operation according to this example in synchronization with the opening operation of the door 10 during inspection of the railway vehicle 1 at a rail yard or the like.

[0213] For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the door control device 80 includes a monitoring unit 801 as a functional unit for monitoring the state of the locking device 30, similar to the first example described above.

[0214] Similar to the first example described above, the monitoring unit 801 includes a current amplitude detection unit 8011, an average current calculation unit 8012, an inductance estimation unit 8013, a protrusion amount estimation unit 8014, and a determination unit 8015. In the following, in this example, differences from the first example described above (FIG. 6) will be mainly described, and descriptions of the same or corresponding parts may be omitted.

[0215] The current amplitude detection unit 8011 detects the current amplitude ΔI of the locking solenoid coil (coil 34D) during the monitoring operation of the drive circuit DRC based on the output of the current sensor 70 and the carrier frequency of the PWM signal of the inverter circuit 83. s Detect.

[0216] The average current calculation unit 8012 calculates the current I of the locking solenoid coil (coil 34D) during the monitoring operation of the drive circuit DRC based on the output of the current sensor 70 and the carrier frequency of the PWM signal of the inverter circuit 83. s The average value of (average current I s_mean ) is calculated.

[0217] The inductance estimation unit 8013 estimates the current amplitude ΔI s , average current I s_mean , and the applied voltage V of the locking solenoid coil (coil 34D) s Based on this, the inductance L of the coil 34D during the monitoring operation of the drive circuit DRC is estimated.

[0218] The protrusion amount estimating unit 8014 estimates the protrusion amount A of the plunger 34B during the monitoring operation of the drive circuit DRC based on the estimated value of the inductance L output from the inductance estimating unit 8013.

[0219] For example, the protrusion amount estimating unit 8014 estimates the protrusion amount A of the plunger 34B from the estimated value of the inductance L using information (correlation information) that indicates the correlation between the inductance L of the coil 34D and the protrusion amount A of the plunger 34B.

[0220] For example, as shown in FIG. 23 , the correlation between the inductance L of the coil 34D and the protrusion amount A of the plunger 34B varies depending on the frequency of the voltage applied to the coil 34D. Therefore, correlation information corresponding to the frequency of the voltage applied to the coil 34D during the monitoring operation of the drive circuit DRC is prepared in advance. Furthermore, similar to the first and second examples described above, the estimated value of the inductance L of the coil 34D may be corrected by gain compensation or offset compensation before the correlation information is applied, taking into account variations in the inductance L of the coil 34D. Furthermore, similar to the first and second examples described above, multiple pieces of correlation information corresponding to the same frequency may be prepared, taking into account variations in the inductance L of the coil 34D.

[0221] The determination unit 8015 determines whether the door 10 has been unlocked by the locking device 30 based on the estimated value of the protrusion amount A of the plunger 34B during the monitoring operation of the drive circuit DRC, which is estimated by the protrusion amount estimation unit 8014.

[0222] For example, the determination unit 8015 determines whether the estimated value of the protrusion amount A of the plunger 34B is equal to or greater than a threshold value Ath3. The threshold value Ath3 is a positive value (Ath3>0) and is set in advance as a value between the maximum value Amax and the minimum value Amin of the protrusion amount A of the plunger 34B (specifically, 0≦Amin <Ath3<Amax)。

[0223] For example, similar to the threshold value Ath1 in the first example described above, the threshold value Ath3 is set as the lower limit of the protrusion amount A of the plunger 34B for realizing a state in which the lock pin 31 is not inserted into the lock hole 32A. Specifically, the threshold value Ath3 is set as the sum (additive value) of the initial value of the protrusion amount of the plunger 34B, the gap between the plunger 34B and the vertical slider 35, and the overlap amount in the vertical direction between the lock pin 31 and the lock hole 32A when the door 10 is locked. The initial value of the protrusion amount of the plunger 34B means the amount of upward protrusion from the housing 34A when the plunger 34B is at the lowest position when the solenoid 34 is normal, and corresponds to the minimum value Amin described above. The gap between the plunger 34B and the vertical slider 35 means the vertical gap between the vertical slider 35 at the lowest position and the plunger 34B at the lowest position. The overlap amount in the vertical direction between the lock pin 31 and the lock hole 32A when the door 10 is locked means the vertical insertion depth of the lock pin 31 into the lock hole 32A when the lock pin 31 is at the lowest position. As a result, when the protrusion amount A of the plunger 34B is equal to or greater than the threshold Ath3, the determination unit 8015 can determine that the lower end of the lock pin 31 is at the same vertical position as or above the opening of the lock hole 32A, and that the door 10 is properly unlocked. On the other hand, when the estimated protrusion amount of the plunger 34B is smaller than the threshold Ath3, the determination unit 8015 can determine that the door 10 is not properly unlocked by the locking device 30.

[0224] As in the first example described above, the judgment unit 8015 outputs to the outside a flag indicating the judgment result, i.e., an unlock OK flag indicating that the door 10 has been unlocked normally, or an unlock NG flag indicating that the door 10 has not been unlocked normally.

[0225] In this way, in this example, after the unlocking operation of the drive circuit DRC is completed, the door control device 80 causes the drive circuit DRC to execute a monitoring operation in which an AC voltage is applied to the locking solenoid coil (coil 34D).The door control device 80 can monitor whether the door 10 is properly unlocked by estimating the inductance of the coil 34D based on the voltage and current of the coil 34D during the monitoring operation.

[0226] [Third example of control processing for door control device] Next, a third example of the control processing of the door control device 80 will be described with reference to Fig. 24. Specifically, a specific example of the control processing of the door control device 80 including a processing flow corresponding to the third example of the method for monitoring the state of the locking device 30 described above will be described.

[0227] FIG. 24 is a flowchart schematically showing a third example of the control process of the door control device 80. In FIG.

[0228] This flowchart starts, for example, when a command to open the door 10 is input to the door control device 80 from a higher-level device.

[0229] 24, in step S302, the control circuit 82 of the door control device 80 controls the inverter circuit 83 to cause the drive circuit DRC to perform an unlocking operation. At this time, the control circuit 82 performs current feedback control of the unlocking solenoid coil (coil 34C) in accordance with a predetermined current pattern based on the output of the current sensor 70.

[0230] When the process of step S302 is completed, the door control device 80 proceeds to step S304.

[0231] In step S304, the control circuit 82 of the door control device 80 controls the inverter circuit 83 to execute the monitoring operation of the drive circuit DRC. At this time, the control circuit 82 applies an AC voltage to the locking solenoid coil (coil 34D) by the drive circuit DRC, as described above.

[0232] When the process of step S304 is completed, the door control device 80 proceeds to step S306.

[0233] In step S306, the monitoring unit 801 of the door control device 80 uses the functions of the current amplitude detection unit 8011 and the average current calculation unit 8012 to calculate the current amplitude ΔI of the locking solenoid coil (coil 34D) during the monitoring operation. s and average current I s_mean Get.

[0234] When the process of step S306 is completed, the door control device 80 proceeds to step S308.

[0235] In step S308, the monitoring unit 801 of the door control device 80 uses the function of the inductance estimation unit 8013 to estimate the inductance L of the locking solenoid coil (coil 34D) during the monitoring operation of the drive circuit DRC.

[0236] When the process of step S308 is completed, the door control device 80 proceeds to step S310.

[0237] In step S310, the monitoring unit 801 of the door control device 80 uses the function of the protrusion amount estimation unit 8014 to estimate the protrusion amount A of the plunger 34B during the monitoring operation of the drive circuit DRC.

[0238] When the process of step S310 is completed, the door control device 80 proceeds to step S312.

[0239] In step S312, the monitoring unit 801 of the door control device 80 determines whether the estimated value of the protrusion amount A of the plunger 34B during the monitoring operation of the drive circuit DRC is equal to or greater than a threshold value Ath3 by using the function of the determination unit 8015. If the estimated value of the protrusion amount A of the plunger 34B is equal to or greater than the threshold value Ath3, the monitoring unit 801 proceeds to step S314, and if it is not equal to or greater than the threshold value Ath3, the monitoring unit 801 proceeds to step S316.

[0240] In step S314, the monitoring unit 801 of the door control device 80 determines, by the function of the determination unit 8015, that the door 10 has been normally unlocked by the locking device 30 (i.e., "unlocked: OK"). It is determined that:

[0241] On the other hand, in step S316, the monitoring unit 801 of the door control device 80 determines, by the function of the determining unit 8015, that the door 10 has not been normally unlocked by the locking device 30 (that is, "unlocking: NG").

[0242] When the process of step S314 or step S316 is completed, the door control device 80 proceeds to step S318.

[0243] In step S318, the monitoring unit 801 of the door control device 80 uses the function of the determining unit 8015 to output to the outside a flag indicating the determination result as to whether or not the door 10 has been normally unlocked by the locking device 30.

[0244] When the process of step S318 is completed, the door control device 80 completes the process of this flowchart.

[0245] [Fourth example of how to monitor the status of a locking device] Next, a fourth example of the method for monitoring the state of the locking device 30 by the door control device 80 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0246] In the following, in this example, similar to the third example of the monitoring method described above, the explanation will be given on the premise of the configuration of the locking device 30 in FIGS. 19 and 20 and the configuration of the drive circuit DRC in FIG. 21. Also, the configuration related to the monitoring function of the state of the locking device 30 may be similar to that of the first example (FIG. 6) described above. Therefore, in this example, FIG. 6 is used, and a functional block diagram showing the configuration is omitted. Also, in this example, the explanation will be focused on the parts that are different from the first to third examples of the monitoring method described above, and explanations of parts that are the same as or correspond to the first to third examples of the monitoring method described above may be omitted.

[0247] FIG. 25 is a time chart illustrating a fourth example of the method for monitoring the state of the locking device 30. In FIG.

[0248] Specifically, Fig. 25 includes Figs. 25A to 25I. Fig. 25A is a time chart showing the flow of operation of the drive circuit DRC when the locking device 30 locks the door 10. Figs. 25B to 25I are time charts showing an example of the locking operation of the locking device 30 when the locking device 30 is operating normally. Fig. 25B is a time chart showing the change over time in the voltage applied to the unlocking solenoid coil (coil 34C) when the locking device 30 locks the door 10. Fig. 25C is a time chart showing the change over time in the current of the unlocking solenoid coil (coil 34C) when the locking device 30 locks the door 10. Fig. 25D is a time chart showing the change over time in the voltage applied to the locking solenoid coil (coil 34D) when the locking device 30 locks the door 10. Fig. 25E is a time chart showing the change over time in the current of the locking solenoid coil (coil 34D) when the locking device 30 locks the door 10. Fig. 25F is a time chart showing the change over time in the vertical position of the plunger 34B when the locking device 30 locks the door 10. Fig. 25G is a time chart showing the change over time in the vertical position of the lock pin 31 when the locking device 30 locks the door 10. Fig. 25H is a time chart showing the change over time in the lock detection signal when the locking device 30 locks the door 10. Fig. 25I is a time chart showing the change over time in the full-close detection signal when the locking device 30 locks the door 10.

[0249] 25I, when the door 10 reaches the fully closed position due to the closing operation of the door 10, the fully closed detection signal switches from an OFF signal to an ON signal. This enables the control circuit 82 to determine that the lock pin 31 has transitioned to a state where it can be inserted into the lock hole 32A. Therefore, at a subsequent time t41, the drive circuit DRC transitions from the discharging operation state to the locking operation state under the control of the control circuit 82.

[0250] As shown in Figures 25D and 25E, during the locking operation of the drive circuit DRC, a DC voltage of a predetermined pattern is applied to the locking solenoid coil (coil 34D) under the control of the control circuit 82. Then, a DC current of a predetermined pattern is applied to the coil 34D through current feedback control by the control circuit 82. As a result, as shown in Figure 25F, after time t41, the plunger 34B starts to move downward, and accordingly, as shown in Figure 5E, the lock pin 31 starts to move downward. Thereafter, as shown in Figure 25H, as the plunger 34B moves downward, the vertical slider 35 abuts and presses the actuator portion 52 of the lock detection switch 50, switching the lock detection signal from ON to OFF.

[0251] As shown in Fig. 25F, when the coil 34D is energized, the plunger 34B continues to move downward and reaches its lowest position. Then, as shown in Fig. 25G, the lock pin 31 continues to move downward due to its own weight as the plunger 34B moves downward, and reaches its own lowest position immediately after the plunger 34B reaches its lowest position. This allows the locking device 30 to achieve a completely locked state of the door 10.

[0252] After the lock pin 31 reaches the lower limit position, at time t42, the drive circuit DRC, under the control of the control circuit 82, shifts from the locking operation state to the discharging operation state.

[0253] 25D and 25E, in the discharging operation state of the drive circuit DRC after time t42, the applied voltage and current of the coil 34D decrease toward zero. After that, when the applied voltage and current of the coil 34D converge to zero, at time t43, the drive circuit DRC, under the control of the control circuit 82, shifts from the discharging operation state to an operation for monitoring the state of the locking device 30 (monitoring operation).

[0254] 22D and 22F, in the monitoring operation of the drive circuit DRC, an AC voltage of a predetermined amplitude and a predetermined frequency, with zero voltage as the reference, is applied to the locking solenoid coil (coil 34D) under the control of the control circuit 82, and an AC current flows through the coil 34D. At this time, the DC component of the AC voltage applied to the coil 34D is zero, so the position of the plunger 34B does not change, as shown in FIG. 25F.

[0255] As shown in FIG. 25A, when the monitoring operation ends, the drive circuit DRC transitions to a discharging operation state at time t44.

[0256] For example, the door control device 80 executes the monitoring operation according to this example in accordance with the closing operation of the door 10 and the locking operation of the locking device 30 during actual operation of the railway vehicle 1. This allows the door control device 80 to monitor the state of the locking device 30 in real time during actual operation of the railway vehicle 1. Furthermore, the door control device 80 may execute the monitoring operation according to this example in accordance with the closing operation of the door 10 and the locking operation of the locking device 30 during inspection of the railway vehicle 1 at a railyard or the like.

[0257] For example, as shown in Fig. 6, the door control device 80, like the first and third examples described above, includes a monitoring unit 801 as a functional unit for monitoring the state of the locking device 30. In the following, in this example, differences from the first example (Fig. 6) described above will be mainly described, and descriptions of the same or corresponding parts may be omitted.

[0258] Similar to the first and third examples described above, the monitoring unit 801 includes a current amplitude detection unit 8011, an average current calculation unit 8012, an inductance estimation unit 8013, a protrusion amount estimation unit 8014, and a determination unit 8015.

[0259] As in the third example described above, the current amplitude detection unit 8011 detects the current amplitude ΔI s Detect.

[0260] As in the third example described above, the average current calculation unit 8012 calculates the current I s The average value of (average current I s_mean ) is calculated.

[0261] As in the third example described above, the inductance estimation unit 8013 estimates the inductance L of the coil 34D during the monitoring operation of the drive circuit DRC.

[0262] The jump-out amount estimating unit 8014 estimates the jump-out amount A of the plunger 34B during the monitoring operation of the drive circuit DRC, as in the third example described above.

[0263] The determination unit 8015 determines whether the door 10 is locked by the locking device 30 based on the estimated value of the protrusion amount A of the plunger 34B output from the protrusion amount estimation unit 8014.

[0264] For example, the determination unit 8015 determines whether the estimated value of the protrusion amount A of the plunger 34B during the monitoring operation of the drive circuit DRC is smaller than a threshold value Ath4. The threshold value Ath4 is a positive value (Ath4>0) and is set in advance as a value between the maximum value Amax and the minimum value Amin of the protrusion amount A of the plunger 34B (specifically, 0≦Amin <Ath4<Amax)。

[0265] For example, similar to the threshold value Ath2 in the second example described above, the threshold value Ath4 is set as an upper limit value of the protrusion amount A of the plunger 34B for realizing a state in which the lock pin 31 is inserted into the lock hole 32A and the lock detection signal is an ON signal. Specifically, the threshold value Ath4 is set as the sum (additive value) of the initial value of the protrusion amount of the plunger 34B, the gap between the plunger 34B and the vertical slider 35, and the difference in the vertical direction between the lowest limit position of the lock pin 31 and the position at which the lock detection signal switches to an ON signal. As a result, when the protrusion amount A of the plunger 34B during the monitoring operation of the drive circuit DRC is equal to or greater than the threshold value Ath4, the determination unit 8015 can determine that the door 10 has not been properly locked due to sticking of the plunger 34B, etc. On the other hand, if the protrusion amount A of the plunger 34B during the monitoring operation of the drive circuit DRC is smaller than the threshold value Ath4, the determination unit 8015 can determine that there is no abnormality in the position of the plunger 34B due to sticking or the like.

[0266] The judgment unit 8015 outputs to the outside a flag indicating the judgment result, i.e., an OK flag indicating that the position of the plunger 34B is normal, or an NG flag indicating that the locking of the door 10 has not been completed normally due to an abnormality in the position of the plunger 34B.

[0267] In this way, in this example, after the locking operation of the drive circuit DRC is completed, the door control device 80 causes the drive circuit DRC to perform a monitoring operation of applying an AC voltage to the coil 34D. Then, the door control device 80 can monitor a state in which the door 10 is not properly locked due to the position of the plunger 34B by estimating the inductance of the coil 34D based on the voltage and current of the coil 34D during the monitoring operation.

[0268] [Fourth example of control processing for door control device] Next, a fourth example of the control processing of the door control device 80 will be described with reference to Fig. 26. Specifically, a specific example of the control processing of the door control device 80 including a processing flow corresponding to the fourth example of the method for monitoring the state of the locking device 30 described above will be described.

[0269] FIG. 26 is a flowchart schematically showing a fourth example of the control process of the door control device 80. In FIG.

[0270] This flowchart is displayed when, for example, a command from a higher-level device instructing the door 10 to open is input to the door control device 80 and the full-close detection signal switches from an OFF signal to an ON signal.

[0271] 26, in step S402, the control circuit 82 of the door control device 80 controls the inverter circuit 83 to cause the drive circuit DRC to execute a locking operation. At this time, the control circuit 82 performs current feedback control of the locking solenoid coil (coil 34D) in accordance with a predetermined current pattern based on the output of the current sensor 70.

[0272] When the process of step S402 is completed, the door control device 80 proceeds to step S404.

[0273] In step S404, the control circuit 82 of the door control device 80 controls the inverter circuit 83 to execute the monitoring operation of the drive circuit DRC. At this time, the control circuit 82 applies an AC voltage to the locking solenoid coil (coil 34D) by the drive circuit DRC, as described above.

[0274] When the process of step S404 is completed, the door control device 80 proceeds to step S406.

[0275] In step S406, the monitoring unit 801 of the door control device 80 detects the current amplitude ΔIs and the average current I of the locking solenoid coil (coil 34D) during the monitoring operation by the functions of the current amplitude detection unit 8011 and the average current calculation unit 8012. s_mean Get.

[0276] When the process of step S406 is completed, the door control device 80 proceeds to step S408.

[0277] In step S408, the monitoring unit 801 of the door control device 80 uses the function of the inductance estimation unit 8013 to estimate the inductance L of the locking solenoid coil (coil 34D) during the monitoring operation of the drive circuit DRC.

[0278] When the process of step S408 is completed, the door control device 80 proceeds to step S410.

[0279] In step S410, the monitoring unit 801 of the door control device 80 uses the function of the protrusion amount estimation unit 8014 to estimate the protrusion amount A of the plunger 34B during the monitoring operation of the drive circuit DRC.

[0280] When the process of step S410 is completed, the door control device 80 proceeds to step S412.

[0281] In step S412, the monitoring unit 801 of the door control device 80 determines whether the estimated value of the protrusion amount A of the plunger 34B during the monitoring operation of the drive circuit DRC is smaller than a threshold value Ath4 by the function of the determination unit 8015. If the estimated value of the protrusion amount A of the plunger 34B is smaller than the threshold value Ath4, the monitoring unit 801 proceeds to step S414, and if it is not equal to or greater than the threshold value Ath3, the monitoring unit 801 proceeds to step S416.

[0282] In step S414, the monitoring unit 801 of the door control device 80 determines, by the function of the determining unit 8015, that the protrusion amount of the plunger 34B when the locking device 30 locks the door 10 is normal (that is, "plunger protrusion amount: OK").

[0283] On the other hand, in step S416, the monitoring unit 801 of the door control device 80 determines, by the function of the determining unit 8015, that the door 10 is not normally locked by the locking device 30 (that is, "locking: NG").

[0284] When the process of step S414 or step S416 is completed, the door control device 80 proceeds to step S418.

[0285] In step S418, the monitoring unit 801 of the door control device 80 uses the function of the determining unit 8015 to output a flag indicating the determination result in step S416 or step S146 to the outside.

[0286] When the process of step S418 is completed, the door control device 80 completes the process of this flowchart.

[0287] [Third example of a locking device] Next, a third example of the locking device 30 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0288] In the following, in this example, the same symbols are used for the same or corresponding configurations as the first and second examples of the locking device 30 described above, and the explanation will focus on the parts that are different from the first and second examples described above, and explanations of the parts that are the same or corresponding to the first and second examples described above may be omitted.

[0289] 27 and 28 are diagrams showing a third example of the locking device 30 for the door 10. In FIG.

[0290] Specifically, Fig. 27 is a diagram showing a third example of the locking device 30 when the door 10 is in a fully closed position and is locked by the locking device 30. Fig. 28 is a diagram showing a third example of the locking device 30 when the door 10 is in an open position and is unlocked by the locking device 30.

[0291] 27 illustrates only the door panel 10B of the door panels 10A and 10B included in the door 10. In addition, in FIG. 28, the door 10 and the like are not illustrated. In addition, in this example, the drive circuit DRC of the locking device 30 may have the same configuration as the first example (FIGS. 2 and 3) described above, that is, the same configuration as that shown in FIG. 4 described above. Therefore, in this example, FIG. 4 is used, and the drive circuit DRC according to this example is not illustrated.

[0292] As shown in FIGS. 27 and 28, in this example, the door drive mechanism 20 includes a rail 25 and a slider 26.

[0293] The rail 25 is arranged above the door opening of the body of the railway vehicle 1 so as to extend in the front-rear direction.

[0294] The slider 26 is held by a rail 25. The slider 26 can move along the rail 25 by the power of an electric motor (not shown).

[0295] The door panel 10B is connected to the slider 26 by a connecting member 12. This allows the door 10 to move along the rail 25 to open and close.

[0296] The locking device 30 includes a lock pin 31 , an opening / closing interlocking member 32 , a biasing spring 33 , a solenoid 34 , a driving member 37 , a restricting member 38 , and a torsion spring 39 .

[0297] The lock pin 31 is a member that corresponds to the tip of the plunger 34B of the solenoid 34. The lock pin 31 is movable in the longitudinal direction of the railway vehicle 1 by movement of the plunger 34B. A roller 31A is also provided at the tip of the lock pin 31. As a result, as will be described later, the roller 31A rotates when the lock pin 31 abuts against the outer circumferential surface (abutment surface 32D) of the opening / closing interlocking member 32, so that the lock pin 31 can continue to abut smoothly against the outer circumferential surface even when the opening / closing interlocking member 32 is rotating.

[0298] The opening / closing interlocking member 32 is attached via a rotation shaft 32X to a mounting plate 30A that is attached to the body of the railway vehicle 1, and is a cam member that is rotatable around the rotation shaft 32X, which has an axis along the width direction of the railway vehicle 1. The outer circumferential surface of the opening / closing interlocking member 32 is provided with a lock hole 32A, recesses 32B and 32C, and an abutment surface 32D.

[0299] The lock hole 32A is a recess provided so that the lock pin 31 can be inserted therein. When the lock pin 31 is not inserted in the lock hole 32A, the opening / closing interlock member 32 can rotate within a predetermined angle range, whereas when the lock pin 31 is inserted in the lock hole 32A, the rotation is restricted.

[0300] The recess 32B is provided so that the protrusion 37A of the driving member 37 can be inserted therein.

[0301] The recess 32C is formed in a predetermined circumferential range of the outer circumferential surface, and a restricting member 38 is disposed in the recess 32C.

[0302] The contact surface 32D is a portion of the outer circumferential surface excluding the portions where the lock hole 32A and the recesses 32B and 32C are provided, with which the lock pin 31 contacts when the door 10 is in the open state.

[0303] The biasing spring 33 biases the plunger 34B in a direction toward the opening / closing interlocking member 32.

[0304] The solenoid 34 is an actuator for moving the lock pin 31 in a direction away from the open / close interlocking member 32. As in the first example described above, the solenoid 34 includes a housing 34A, a plunger 34B, and a coil 34C (see FIG. 4).

[0305] As described above, plunger 34B is biased by biasing spring 33 in the direction toward opening / closing interlocking member 32, and when coil 34C is not energized, plunger 34B protrudes significantly from housing 34A toward opening / closing interlocking member 32. On the other hand, when coil 34C is energized, plunger 34B is attracted to the magnetized fixed iron core inside housing 34A and moves in the direction away from opening / closing interlocking member 32, thereby transitioning to a state in which most of it is housed within housing 34A.

[0306] The driving member 37 is connected to the slider 26 and moves in the opening and closing direction of the door 10 in conjunction with the opening and closing operation of the door 10. The driving member 37 has a protrusion 37A.

[0307] The protrusion 37A is inserted into the recess 32B of the opening / closing interlocking member 32 when the door 10 is in a state relatively close to the fully closed position.

[0308] The restricting member 38 is provided on the mounting plate 30A so as to be disposed in the recess 32C. The restricting member 38 abuts against both circumferential ends of the recess 32C, thereby limiting the range in which the opening / closing interlocking member 32 can rotate to a predetermined angle range.

[0309] The torsion spring 39 biases the opening / closing interlocking member 32 so that the position of the opening / closing interlocking member 32 about the rotation axis 32X returns to a predetermined standard state. Specifically, the standard state is the position of the opening / closing interlocking member 32 shown in Figure 28, where the lock pin 31 abuts against the abutment surface 32D.

[0310] For example, during the closing operation of the door 10, the drive member 37 moves from the state shown in FIG. 28 to the left in the drawing, and the protrusion 37A is inserted into the recess 32B. As a result, the movement of the drive member 37 in the closing direction (i.e., the left direction in the drawing) in response to the closing operation of the door 10 causes the opening / closing interlocking member 32 to rotate clockwise in the drawing. Then, as shown in FIG. 27, when the door 10 reaches the fully closed position, the biasing force of the biasing spring 33 acting on the plunger 34B causes the lock pin 31 to transition from a state in which it abuts against the abutment surface 32D to a state in which it is inserted into the lock hole 32A, thereby restricting the rotation of the opening / closing interlocking member 32. Therefore, in the locking device 30, the lock pin 31 is inserted into the lock hole 32A of the opening / closing interlocking member 32 in response to the closing operation of the door 10, thereby transitioning the door 10 from an unlocked state to a locked state.

[0311] Furthermore, when the door 10 is opened, the coil 34C of the solenoid 34 is energized, and the plunger 34B is drawn toward the housing 34A (i.e., toward the right in the drawing). This releases the restricted state of rotation of the opening / closing interlocking member 32, and the driving member 37 having the protrusion 37A can move in the opening direction of the door 10 (i.e., toward the right in the drawing) while rotating the opening / closing interlocking member 32. Therefore, when the door 10 starts to open, the locking device 30 energizes the coil 34C to move the plunger 34B in a direction away from the opening / closing interlocking member 32 (to the right in the drawing), thereby transitioning the door 10 from a locked state to an unlocked state.

[0312] The lock detection switch 50 is disposed adjacent to the solenoid 34 in the width direction of the railway vehicle 1. In this example, the lock detection switch 50 is switched on and off by the mechanical action of the plunger 34B when the lock pin 31 is inserted to a certain extent into the lock hole 32A in the radial direction centered on the rotation axis 32X.

[0313] [Fifth example of how to monitor the status of a locking device] Next, a fifth example of the method for monitoring the state of the locking device 30 by the door control device 80 will be described.

[0314] The following description of this example will be based on the configuration of the locking device 30 in Figs. 27 and 28 and the drive circuit DRC in Fig. 4. In addition, in this example, the configuration related to the monitoring function of the state of the locking device 30 may be the same as in the first example (Fig. 6) described above. Therefore, in this example, Fig. 6 is used, and a functional block diagram showing the configuration is omitted. In addition, in this example, the description will focus on parts that are different from the first to fourth examples of the monitoring method described above, and a description of parts that are the same as or correspond to the first to fourth examples of the monitoring method described above may be omitted.

[0315] In this example, the door control device 80 monitors the unlocked state of the door 10 using a method similar to the first example of the monitoring method described above.

[0316] Specifically, similar to the first example of the monitoring method described above, the door control device 80 causes the drive circuit DRC to perform an unlocking operation when unlocking the door 10. This causes a direct current to flow through the coil 34C of the solenoid 34, causing the plunger 34B to move in a direction away from the opening / closing interlocking member 32, thereby releasing the state in which the lock pin 31 at the tip of the plunger 34B is inserted into the lock hole 32A.

[0317] As in the first example of the monitoring method described above, after the unlocking operation of the drive circuit DRC is completed, the door control device 80 causes the drive circuit DRC to perform a monitoring operation. In the monitoring operation of the drive circuit DRC, as in the first example of the monitoring method described above, an AC voltage based on a constant voltage is applied to the coil 34C.

[0318] For example, the door control device 80 executes the unlocking operation and monitoring operation according to this example in synchronization with the opening operation of the door 10 during actual operation of the railway vehicle 1. This allows the door control device 80 to monitor the state of the locking device 30 in real time during actual operation of the railway vehicle 1. Furthermore, the door control device 80 may execute the unlocking operation and monitoring operation according to this example in synchronization with the opening operation of the door 10 during inspection of the railway vehicle 1 at a rail yard or the like.

[0319] As shown in FIG. 6, the door control device 80 includes a monitoring unit 801 as a functional unit for monitoring the state of the locking device 30, similar to the first to fourth examples of the monitoring method described above.

[0320] The monitoring unit 801 includes a current amplitude detection unit 8011, an average current calculation unit 8012, an inductance estimation unit 8013, a protrusion amount estimation unit 8014, and a determination unit 8015, similarly to the first to fourth examples of the monitoring method described above.

[0321] The protrusion amount estimation unit 8014 estimates the protrusion amount A of the plunger 34B during the monitoring operation of the drive circuit DRC, as in the first example of the monitoring method described above. In this example, the protrusion amount of the plunger 34B means the amount of protrusion of the plunger 34B from the housing 34A toward the opening / closing interlocking member 32, and this also applies to a sixth example of the monitoring method described below.

[0322] For example, similarly to the first example of the monitoring method described above, the protrusion amount estimation unit 8014 uses correlation information to estimate the protrusion amount A of the plunger 34B from the estimated value of the inductance L of the coil 34C.

[0323] As in the first example of the monitoring method described above, the judgment unit 8015 makes a judgment regarding the unlocked state of the door 10 by the locking device 30 based on the estimated value of the protrusion amount A of the plunger 34B during the monitoring operation of the drive circuit DRC, which is estimated by the protrusion amount estimation unit 8014.

[0324] For example, the determination unit 8015 determines whether the protrusion amount A of the plunger 34B is equal to or less than a threshold value Ath5. The threshold value Ath5 is a positive value (Ath5>0) and is set in advance as a value between the maximum value Amax and the minimum value Amin of the protrusion amount A of the plunger 34B (specifically, 0≦Amin <Ath5<Amax)。

[0325] For example, the threshold value Ath5 is set as an upper limit of the protrusion amount A of the plunger 34B required to achieve a state in which the lock pin 31 is not inserted into the lock hole 32A. Specifically, the threshold value Ath5 is set as a value obtained by subtracting the overlap amount in the radial direction about the rotation axis 32X between the lock pin 31 and the lock hole 32A when the protrusion amount of the plunger 34B is at its maximum from the maximum protrusion amount of the plunger 34B. As a result, when the estimated value of the protrusion amount A of the plunger 34B is equal to or less than the threshold value Ath5, the determination unit 8015 can determine that the tip of the lock pin 31 is at or further away from the opening of the lock hole 32A in the radial direction based on the rotation axis 32X. Therefore, when the estimated value of the protrusion amount A of the plunger 34B is equal to or less than the threshold value Ath5, the determination unit 8015 can determine that the door 10 is normally unlocked. On the other hand, when the estimated value of the protrusion amount A of the plunger 34B is larger than the threshold value Ath5, the determination unit 8015 can determine that the door 10 has not been unlocked normally by the locking device 30.

[0326] As in the first example of the monitoring method described above, the judgment unit 8015 outputs to the outside a flag indicating the judgment result, i.e., a lock OK flag indicating that the door 10 has been unlocked normally, or a lock NG flag indicating that the door 10 has not been unlocked normally.

[0327] As described above, in this example, similar to the first example of the monitoring method described above, after the unlocking operation of the drive circuit DRC is completed, the door control device 80 causes the drive circuit DRC to execute a monitoring operation in which an AC voltage is applied to the coil 34C. Then, the door control device 80 can monitor whether the door 10 is properly unlocked by estimating the inductance of the coil 34C based on the voltage and current of the coil 34C during the monitoring operation of the drive circuit DRC.

[0328] [Sixth example of a method for monitoring the status of a locking device] Next, a sixth example of the method for monitoring the state of the locking device 30 by the door control device 80 will be described.

[0329] The following description of this example will be based on the configuration of the locking device 30 in Figs. 27 and 28 and the drive circuit DRC in Fig. 4. In addition, in this example, the configuration related to the monitoring function of the state of the locking device 30 may be the same as in the first example (Fig. 6) described above. Therefore, in this example, Fig. 6 is used, and a functional block diagram showing the configuration is omitted. In addition, in this example, the description will focus on parts that are different from the first to fifth examples of the monitoring method described above, and descriptions of parts that are the same as or correspond to the first to fifth examples of the monitoring method described above may be omitted.

[0330] In this example, the door control device 80 monitors the locking state of the door 10 by using the second example of the monitoring method described above.

[0331] In this example, similar to the second example of the monitoring method described above, when the door 10 is being closed, the door control device 80 causes the drive circuit DRC to perform a monitoring operation after the locking operation of the locking device 30 is completed.

[0332] In this example, unlike the second example of the monitoring method described above, the monitoring operation of the drive circuit DRC includes only operation mode 1 of the above-described operation modes 1 to 3. That is, in this example, during the monitoring operation, the drive circuit DRC applies an AC voltage of a predetermined amplitude and a predetermined frequency, with zero voltage as the reference, to the coil 34C under the control of the control circuit 82. At this time, similar to operation mode 1 of the second example of the monitoring method described above, the plunger 34B does not move, and the position of the lock pin 31 does not change.

[0333] For example, the door control device 80 executes the monitoring operation according to this example in accordance with the closing operation of the door 10 and the locking operation of the locking device 30 during actual operation of the railway vehicle 1. This allows the door control device 80 to monitor the state of the locking device 30 in real time during actual operation of the railway vehicle 1. Furthermore, the door control device 80 may execute the monitoring operation according to this example in accordance with the closing operation of the door 10 and the locking operation of the locking device 30 during inspection of the railway vehicle 1 at a railyard or the like.

[0334] As shown in FIG. 6, the door control device 80 includes a monitoring unit 801 as a functional unit for monitoring the state of the locking device 30, similar to the first to fifth examples of the monitoring method described above.

[0335] The monitoring unit 801 includes a current amplitude detection unit 8011, an average current calculation unit 8012, an inductance estimation unit 8013, a protrusion amount estimation unit 8014, and a determination unit 8015, similarly to the first to fifth examples of the monitoring method described above.

[0336] The jump-out amount estimation unit 8014 estimates the jump-out amount A of the plunger 34B during the monitoring operation of the drive circuit DRC.

[0337] For example, similar to the first to fifth examples of the monitoring method described above, the protrusion amount estimation unit 8014 uses correlation information to estimate the protrusion amount A of the plunger 34B from the estimated value of the inductance L of the coil 34C.

[0338] The determination unit 8015 determines whether the door 10 has been unlocked by the locking device 30 based on the estimated value of the protrusion amount A of the plunger 34B during the monitoring operation of the drive circuit DRC, which is estimated by the protrusion amount estimation unit 8014.

[0339] For example, the determination unit 8015 determines whether the protrusion amount A of the plunger 34B is greater than a threshold value Ath6. The threshold value Ath6 is a positive value (Ath5>0) and is set in advance as a value between the maximum value Amax and the minimum value Amin of the protrusion amount A of the plunger 34B (specifically, 0≦Amin <Ath6<Amax)。

[0340] For example, the threshold value Ath6 is set as a lower limit of the protrusion amount A of the plunger 34B for realizing a state in which the lock pin 31 is inserted into the lock hole 32A and the lock detection signal is an ON signal. Specifically, the threshold value Ath6 is set to the protrusion amount of the plunger 34B when the lock detection signal switches to an ON signal. This is because, from the viewpoint of safety, the lock detection signal switches to an ON signal when the lock pin 31 is inserted to a certain extent into the lock hole 32A. As a result, when the estimated value of the protrusion amount A of the plunger 34B during the monitoring operation of the drive circuit DRC is equal to or less than the threshold value Ath6, the determination unit 8015 can determine that the door 10 is not properly locked due to sticking of the plunger 34B, for example. On the other hand, if the estimated value of the protrusion amount A of the plunger 34B during the monitoring operation of the drive circuit DRC is greater than the threshold value Ath6, the judgment unit 8015 can determine that there is no abnormality in the position of the plunger 34B due to sticking or the like, and that the door 10 is locked normally.

[0341] As in the first to third and fifth examples of the monitoring method described above, the judgment unit 8015 outputs to the outside a flag indicating the judgment result, i.e., a locking OK flag indicating that the door 10 has been unlocked normally, or a locking NG flag indicating that the door 10 has not been unlocked normally.

[0342] As described above, in this example, similar to the first to fifth examples of the monitoring method described above, after the unlocking operation of the drive circuit DRC is completed, the door control device 80 causes the drive circuit DRC to execute a monitoring operation in which an AC voltage is applied to the coil 34C. Then, the door control device 80 can monitor whether the door 10 is properly locked by estimating the inductance of the coil 34C based on the voltage and current of the coil 34C during the monitoring operation of the drive circuit DRC.

[0343] [Other examples of locking devices] Next, another example of the locking device 30 will be described.

[0344] The first to third examples of the locking device described above may be modified or changed as appropriate.

[0345] For example, in the first and second examples of the locking device 30 described above, the upper end of the plunger 34B and the lower surface of the vertical slider 35 may be connected to each other.

[0346] In this case, in the first example of the monitoring method described above, for example, the threshold value Ath1 is set as the sum (additive value) of the initial value of the protrusion amount of the plunger 34B and the overlap amount in the vertical direction between the lock pin 31 and the lock hole 32A when the door 10 is locked. This is because there is no gap between the plunger 34B and the vertical slider 35. Similarly, in the second example of the monitoring method described above, the threshold value Ath2 is set as the sum (additive value) of the initial value of the protrusion amount of the plunger 34B and the difference in the vertical direction between the lowest position of the lock pin 31 and the position when the lock detection signal switches to an ON signal. Similarly, in the third example of the monitoring method described above, the threshold value Ath3 is set as the sum (additive value) of the initial value of the protrusion amount of the plunger 34B and the overlap amount in the vertical direction between the lock pin 31 and the lock hole 32A when the door 10 is locked. Similarly, in this case, in the fourth example of the monitoring method described above, the threshold value Ath4 is set to the sum (additive value) of the initial value of the protrusion amount of the plunger 34B and the vertical difference between the lowest limit position of the lock pin 31 and the position at which the lock detection signal switches to an ON signal. Also, in this case, in the second example of the monitoring method, the door control device 80 causes the drive circuit DRC to execute only operation mode 1 as a monitoring operation, and omits execution of operation modes 2 and 3. This is because, when the tip of the plunger 34B is connected to the vertical slider 35, the normal position of the plunger 34B indicates that the position of the lock pin 31, which is linked to the vertical slider 35, is also normal. Also, in this case, in the fourth example of the monitoring method, the monitoring unit 801 of the door control device 80 may determine that the door 10 is properly locked if the estimated value of the protrusion amount A of the plunger 34B is smaller than the threshold value Ath4. This is because when the tip of the plunger 34B and the vertical slider 35 are connected, if the position of the plunger 34B is normal, it can be determined that the position of the lock pin 31 interlocking with the vertical slider 35 is also normal.

[0347] In the third example of the locking device 30, the solenoid 34 may be a self-holding type, as in the second example. In this case, the solenoid 34 includes a coil 34D that moves the plunger 34B in a direction toward the opening / closing interlocking member 32, in addition to a coil 34C that moves the plunger 34B in a direction away from the opening / closing interlocking member 32, and the biasing spring 33 may be omitted.

[0348] [Another example of how to monitor the status of a locking device] Next, another example of a method for monitoring the state of the locking device 30 will be described.

[0349] The first to sixth examples of the method for monitoring the state of the locking device 30 described above may be modified or changed as appropriate.

[0350] For example, in the second example of the monitoring method described above, the monitoring unit 801 of the door control device 80 may determine whether the door 10 is properly locked or not based only on the first and second determination conditions among the first to third determination conditions described above. This is because it is possible to determine that the door 10 is properly locked when the lock detection signal is switched on. In this case, the control circuit 82 of the door control device 80 may cause the drive circuit DRC to execute only operation modes 1 and 2 among operation modes 1 to 3 as the monitoring operation, and may omit execution of operation mode 3.

[0351] Furthermore, in the second example of the monitoring method described above, the monitoring unit 801 of the door control device 80 may determine whether or not the door 10 is properly locked based only on the first and third determination conditions among the first to third determination conditions described above. This is because the monitoring unit 801 of the door control device 80 can determine whether or not the position of the lock pin 31 is normal from an estimated value of the protrusion amount A of the plunger 34B when the drive circuit DRC is executing operation mode 3. In this case, the control circuit 82 of the door control device 80 may cause the drive circuit DRC to execute only operation modes 1 and 3 among operation modes 1 to 3 as the monitoring operation, and may omit execution of operation mode 2.

[0352] In the third example of the monitoring method described above, the control circuit 82 of the door control device 80 may apply an AC voltage based on zero voltage to the coil 34C instead of or in addition to the coil 34D during monitoring operation of the drive circuit DRC. In this case, the monitoring unit 801 of the door control device 80 estimates, for example, the inductance L of the coil 34C and estimates the protrusion amount of the plunger 34B based on the estimated value.

[0353] Furthermore, the door control device 80 may execute either one or both of the first and second examples of the monitoring method described above, based on the first example or its modified or altered examples of the locking device 30. In the latter case, the monitoring unit 801 of the door control device 80 employs the configuration shown in FIG.

[0354] Furthermore, the door control device 80 may execute either the third or fourth example of the monitoring method described above, or both, based on the second example of the locking device 30 described above or its modified or altered examples.

[0355] Furthermore, the door control device 80 may execute either the fifth or sixth example of the monitoring method described above, or both, based on the third example of the locking device 30 described above or its modified or altered examples.

[0356] The door control device 80 may also monitor a state of the locking device 30 other than the locked or unlocked state of the door 10 by the locking device 30 by energizing the coils 34C and 34D of the solenoid 34. For example, as described above, the door control device 80 monitors the deterioration state and lifespan of the locking device 30 based on the monitoring results of the locked and unlocked states of the door 10 and the accumulated log of associated information. The door control device 80 may also monitor whether the plunger 34B moves normally by energizing the coils 34C and 34D and checking whether the current decreases due to back electromotive force, regardless of the unlocking or locking operation of the locking device 30. Assuming that the plunger 34B is normal, the door control device 80 may also monitor whether the vertical slider 35 and the lock pin 31 move normally using a similar method. In addition, the door control device 80 may estimate the amount of movement of the plunger 34B by applying an AC voltage to the coil 34C or the coil 34D, regardless of the unlocking or locking operation of the locking device 30, and may monitor whether the amount of movement is appropriate or estimate the deterioration state from the amount of movement.

[0357] [Other embodiments] Next, another embodiment will be described.

[0358] The above-described embodiment may be modified or changed as appropriate.

[0359] For example, in the above-described embodiment, instead of setting a monitoring standard (e.g., a threshold value) for the protrusion amount A of the plunger 34B, the door control device 80 may directly set a monitoring standard for the inductance L of the coil 34C to monitor the state of the locking device 30.

[0360] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiments and examples of modifications and variations, the lock pin 31 is provided on the body side of the railway vehicle 1 (i.e., the fixed part), and the lock hole 32A is provided on the door 10 side (i.e., the movable part) that is linked to the opening and closing operation of the door 10, but the reverse may also be true.

[0361] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiments and examples of variations and modifications, monitoring of the status of the locking device 30 in the same manner as described above may be performed by a higher-level device of the railway vehicle 1 or an external device of the railway vehicle 1 instead of or in addition to the door control device 80.

[0362] [Effect] Next, the operation of the monitoring device, monitoring method, and program according to this embodiment will be described.

[0363] In a first aspect of this embodiment, a monitoring device monitors the state of a locking device having a first member, a second member that locks a door of a railway vehicle by establishing a predetermined positional relationship between the first member and the second member as the second member moves toward the first member, and a solenoid for moving the second member in a first direction away from the first member. The monitoring device is, for example, the door control device 80 described above. The railway vehicle is, for example, the railway vehicle 1 described above. The door is, for example, the door 10 described above. The first member is, for example, the lock hole 32A described above. The second member is, for example, the lock pin 31 described above. The solenoid is, for example, the solenoid 34 described above. The locking device is, for example, the locking device 30 described above. Specifically, the monitoring device monitors the state of the locking device based on the electrical state when a first coil of the solenoid is energized. The first coil is, for example, the coil 34C described above.

[0364] In a monitoring method according to a first aspect of the present embodiment, a monitoring device monitors the state of a locking device having a first member, a second member that locks a door of a railway vehicle by establishing a predetermined positional relationship between the first member and the second member as the second member moves toward the first member, and a solenoid for moving the second member in a first direction away from the first member. Specifically, in the monitoring method of this aspect, the monitoring device monitors the state of the locking device based on the electrical state when a first coil of the solenoid is energized.

[0365] Furthermore, a program according to a first aspect of the present embodiment causes an information processing device to implement a function of monitoring the state of a locking device having a first member, a second member that locks a railway vehicle door by establishing a predetermined positional relationship between the first member and the second member as the second member moves toward the first member, and a solenoid for moving the second member in a first direction away from the first member. The information processing device is, for example, the door control device 80 described above. Specifically, the program according to this aspect causes the information processing device to monitor the state of the locking device based on the electrical state when a first coil of the solenoid is energized.

[0366] This allows a monitoring device or information processing device (hereinafter referred to as "monitoring device, etc.") to determine the state of the locking device, such as whether the plunger, second member, etc. are in the appropriate position, whether they are moving appropriately, etc., from the electrical characteristics when the first coil of the solenoid is energized. Therefore, the monitoring device, etc. can appropriately monitor the state of the locking device.

[0367] In addition, in a second aspect of this embodiment, based on the first aspect described above, a monitoring device or the like may monitor the state of the locking device based on the electrical state when alternating current is passed through the first coil.

[0368] This allows the monitoring device or the like to monitor the state of the locking device from the electrical characteristics when AC is applied to the first coil.

[0369] In addition, in a third aspect of this embodiment, based on the second aspect described above, a monitoring device or the like may estimate the inductance of the first coil based on the current value of the first coil when an AC voltage is applied to the first coil, and monitor the state of the locking device based on the estimated inductance value.

[0370] This allows the monitoring device or the like to grasp the position of the plunger, the position of the second member, etc., by using the correlation between the inductance and the position of the plunger, for example, and to monitor the state of the locking device.

[0371] In a fourth aspect of this embodiment, based on the second or third aspect described above, the locking device may perform an unlocking operation by energizing the first coil and moving the plunger in a first direction, thereby transitioning the second member from a state in which the predetermined positional relationship with respect to the first member is established to a state in which the predetermined positional relationship is not established. The plunger is, for example, plunger 34B described above. After the unlocking operation of the locking device is completed, a monitoring device or the like may monitor the unlocked state of the door by the locking device based on the electrical state when AC is applied to the first coil.

[0372] This allows the monitoring device or the like to monitor the unlocking state of the door by the locking device from the electrical characteristics when AC is applied to the first coil.

[0373] In a fifth aspect of the present embodiment, based on any one of the second to fourth aspects described above, a predetermined biasing force may act on the second member in a direction approaching the first member. The predetermined biasing force may be, for example, the elastic force of the biasing spring 33 described above. The locking device may perform an unlocking operation in which the second member transitions from a state in which the predetermined positional relationship with the first member is established to a state in which the predetermined positional relationship with the first member is not established by energizing the first coil and moving the plunger in the first direction against the predetermined biasing force, and a locking operation in which the second member transitions from an unlockable state to an unlockable state in response to a closing operation of the door by moving the second member closer to the first member, and then the second member is moved closer to the first member by the predetermined biasing force. Then, after the locking operation of the locking device is completed, the monitoring device or the like may monitor the locking state of the door by the locking device based on the electrical state when AC is applied to the first coil.

[0374] This allows the monitoring device or the like to monitor the locking state of the door by the locking device from the electrical characteristics when AC is applied to the first coil.

[0375] In addition, in a sixth aspect of this embodiment, in the fifth aspect described above, the monitoring device etc. may estimate the inductance of the first coil based on the current value of the first coil when an AC voltage based on zero voltage is applied to the first coil after the locking operation of the locking device is completed, and monitor the locking status of the door by the locking device based on the estimated inductance value.

[0376] This allows the monitoring device or the like to estimate the inductance of the first coil when, for example, an AC voltage is applied to the first coil so as not to move the plunger. Therefore, the monitoring device or the like can grasp the plunger position from the estimated inductance value using, for example, the correlation between the inductance and the plunger position, and can monitor whether the plunger position is appropriate.

[0377] In a seventh aspect of this embodiment, based on the sixth aspect described above, the locking device may, in the unlocking operation, energize the first coil, and move the plunger in the first direction so as to press the second member or the third member against the predetermined biasing force while the plunger is in contact with the second member or the third member connected to the second member, thereby transitioning the second member from a state in which the predetermined positional relationship with respect to the first member is established to a state in which the predetermined positional relationship with respect to the first member is not established. The member connected to the second member is, for example, the vertical slider 35 described above.

[0378] This allows the monitoring device or the like to monitor the state of the locking device in a state in which the plunger of the solenoid and the second member are not connected.

[0379] Furthermore, in an eighth aspect of this embodiment, based on the seventh aspect described above, a monitoring device or the like may estimate the inductance of the first coil based on the current value of the first coil when an AC voltage based on zero voltage is applied to the first coil after the locking operation of the locking device is completed, and then a voltage is applied to the first coil so that the plunger abuts against the second member or the third member and stops, and then an AC voltage of an amount that prevents the plunger from moving while maintaining the state of abutting against the second member or the third member is applied to the first coil, and monitor the locking state of the door by the locking device based on the estimated inductance value.

[0380] This allows the monitoring device etc. to estimate, for example, the inductance of the first coil when the plunger is in contact with the second member etc. Therefore, the monitoring device etc. can indirectly monitor the position of the second member etc. by determining the position of the plunger from the estimated value of inductance using, for example, the correlation between the inductance and the position of the plunger.

[0381] Furthermore, in a ninth aspect of this embodiment, based on the seventh or eighth aspect described above, a monitoring device or the like may monitor the locking state of the door by the locking device based on the time series change in the current of the first coil when, after the locking operation of the locking device is completed, an AC voltage based on zero voltage is applied to the first coil, and then a DC voltage is applied to the coil such that the plunger moves in the first direction without contacting the second member or the third member and does not move in the first direction while the plunger is contacting the second member or the third member.

[0382] This allows the monitoring device, etc. to determine, for example, from the time series changes in the current in the first coil, whether or not there is a decrease in current due to the back electromotive force that accompanies a relatively large movement of the plunger, and to monitor whether the position of the second member, etc. relative to the plunger is appropriate.

[0383] In a tenth aspect of this embodiment, based on the second or third aspect described above, the solenoid may be a self-holding type including a first coil for moving a plunger in a first direction and a second coil for moving the plunger in a second direction opposite to the first direction. The second coil may be, for example, coil 34D described above. The locking device may perform an unlocking operation by energizing the first coil to move the plunger in the first direction, thereby transitioning the second member from a state in which the predetermined positional relationship with respect to the first member is established to a state in which the predetermined positional relationship is not established. After the unlocking operation of the locking device is completed, a monitoring device or the like may monitor the unlocking state of the door by the locking device based on the electrical state when AC is applied to the first coil or the second coil.

[0384] This allows the monitoring device or the like to monitor the unlocked state of a locking device that uses a self-holding solenoid.

[0385] In an eleventh aspect of this embodiment, based on the second, third, or tenth aspect described above, the solenoid may be a self-holding type including the first coil for moving the plunger in a first direction and a second coil for moving the plunger in a second direction opposite to the first direction. Furthermore, the locking device may perform a locking operation by energizing the second coil to move the plunger in the second direction to move the second member closer to the first member after the positional relationship between the second member and the first member transitions from an unlockable state to an unlockable state in response to a closing operation of the door, as the second member moves closer to the first member. After the locking operation of the locking device is completed, a monitoring device or the like may monitor the locked state of the door by the locking device based on an electrical state when AC is applied to the first coil or the second coil.

[0386] This allows the monitoring device or the like to monitor the locking state of the locking device that uses the self-holding solenoid.

[0387] In a twelfth aspect of this embodiment, based on the eleventh aspect described above, a predetermined biasing force may act on the second member in a direction moving it closer to the first member. Furthermore, in the locking operation, the locking device may, after the positional relationship between the second member and the first member transitions from an unlockable state to an unlockable state in response to the door closing operation by moving the second member closer to the first member, energize the second coil to move the plunger in the second direction away from the second member or a third member connected to the second member, thereby moving the second member closer to the first member under the action of the predetermined biasing force. After the locking operation of the locking device is completed, a monitoring device or the like may monitor for an abnormality in the position of the plunger based on an electrical state when AC is applied to the first coil or the second coil.

[0388] This allows the monitoring device or the like to monitor whether there is an abnormality in the position of the plunger when the locking device that uses a self-holding solenoid is in the locked state.

[0389] In addition, in a thirteenth aspect of this embodiment, assuming any one of the first to twelfth aspects described above, a monitoring device or the like may monitor the state of the locking device based on the electrical state when direct current is passed through the first coil.

[0390] This allows the monitoring device or the like to monitor the state of the locking device from the electrical characteristics when a direct current is applied to the first coil.

[0391] In addition, in a fourteenth aspect of this embodiment, based on the thirteenth aspect described above, a monitoring device or the like may monitor the state of the locking device based on the time series change in the current of the first coil when a DC voltage is applied to the first coil.

[0392] This allows a monitoring device, for example, to determine whether or not there is a decrease in current due to back electromotive force accompanying a relatively large movement of the plunger from the time series changes in the current of the first coil, and to monitor the movement state of the plunger, etc.

[0393] Although the embodiments have been described in detail above, the present disclosure is not limited to such specific embodiments, and various modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the gist described in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0394] 1. Railway vehicles 10 doors 10A, 10B door panels 20 Door drive mechanism 31 Lock pin 32 Opening and closing interlocking member 32A Rock Hall 33 bias spring 34 Solenoid 34A housing 34B Plunger 34C coil 34D coil 35 Vertical Slider 36 Horizontal slider 37 Driving member 38 Regulatory Members 39 Torsion Spring 40 Encoder 50 Lock detection switch 60 Fully closed detection switch 70 Current Sensor 80 Door control device 81 Inverter circuit 82 Control circuit 83 Inverter circuit 90 power supply 801 Monitoring Department 8011 Current amplitude detection unit 8012 Average current calculation section 8013 Inductance Estimation Unit 8014 Protrusion amount estimation unit 8015 Judgment section 8016 Plunger movement detector

Claims

1. A first member; a second member that, when moved toward the first member, establishes a predetermined positional relationship with the first member, thereby locking the door of the railway vehicle; and a solenoid for moving the second member in a first direction away from the first member. A monitoring device for monitoring the state of a locking device, a state of the locking device is monitored based on an electrical state when a first coil of the solenoid is energized; Monitoring equipment.

2. a state of the locking device is monitored based on an electrical state when an alternating current is applied to the first coil; The monitoring device of claim 1 .

3. an inductance of the first coil is estimated based on a current value of the first coil when an AC voltage is applied to the first coil, and a state of the locking device is monitored based on the estimated inductance value; The monitoring device according to claim 2 .

4. the locking device performs an unlocking operation of transitioning the second member from a state in which the predetermined positional relationship with respect to the first member is established to a state in which the predetermined positional relationship with respect to the first member is not established by energizing the first coil and moving the plunger in a first direction; After the unlocking operation of the locking device is completed, the unlocking state of the door by the locking device is monitored based on an electrical state when an alternating current is applied to the first coil. The monitoring device according to claim 2 or 3.

5. a predetermined biasing force acts on the second member in a direction approaching the first member, The locking device performs an unlocking operation in which the second member transitions from a state in which the predetermined positional relationship with respect to the first member is established to a state in which the predetermined positional relationship with respect to the first member is not established by energizing the first coil and moving the plunger in the first direction against the predetermined biasing force, and a locking operation in which the second member transitions from an unachievable state to an achievable state in response to a closing operation of the door by moving the second member closer to the first member, and then moves the second member closer to the first member by the predetermined biasing force, and monitoring a locking state of the door by the locking device based on an electrical state when an alternating current is applied to the first coil after the locking operation of the locking device is completed. The monitoring device according to claim 2 or 3.

6. After the locking operation of the locking device is completed, an inductance of the first coil is estimated based on a current value of the first coil when an AC voltage based on zero voltage is applied to the first coil, and a locking state of the door by the locking device is monitored based on the estimated inductance value. The monitoring device according to claim 5.

7. In the unlocking operation, the locking device energizes the first coil, and moves the plunger in the first direction so as to press the second member or the third member against the predetermined biasing force while the plunger is in contact with the second member or the third member connected to the second member, thereby transitioning the second member from a state in which the predetermined positional relationship with respect to the first member is established to a state in which the predetermined positional relationship with respect to the first member is not established. The monitoring device according to claim 6.

8. After the locking operation of the locking device is completed, an AC voltage based on zero voltage is applied to the first coil, and then a voltage is applied to the first coil so that the plunger abuts against the second member or the third member and stops, and then an AC voltage of an amount that causes the plunger to maintain a state of abutting against the second member or the third member without moving is applied to the first coil, and the inductance of the first coil is estimated based on the current value of the first coil when this AC voltage is applied to the first coil, and the locked state of the door by the locking device is monitored based on the estimated inductance value. The monitoring device according to claim 7.

9. After the locking operation of the locking device is completed, an AC voltage based on zero voltage is applied to the first coil, and then a DC voltage is applied to the coil such that the plunger moves in the first direction without contacting the second member or the third member and does not move in the first direction while contacting the second member or the third member, and the locking state of the door by the locking device is monitored based on a time series change in the current of the first coil. The monitoring device according to claim 7.

10. the solenoid is a self-retaining type, including a first coil for moving a plunger in a first direction and a second coil for moving the plunger in a second direction opposite to the first direction; the locking device performs an unlocking operation of transitioning the second member from a state in which the predetermined positional relationship with respect to the first member is established to a state in which the predetermined positional relationship with respect to the first member is not established by energizing the first coil and moving the plunger in the first direction; After the unlocking operation of the locking device is completed, the unlocking state of the door by the locking device is monitored based on an electrical state when AC is applied to the first coil or the second coil. The monitoring device according to claim 2 or 3.

11. the solenoid is a self-retaining type, including a first coil for moving a plunger in a first direction and a second coil for moving the plunger in a second direction opposite to the first direction; the locking device performs a locking operation in which the second member approaches the first member by energizing the second coil to move the plunger in the second direction after the positional relationship between the second member and the first member changes from an unlockable state to an unlockable state in response to a closing operation of the door, After the locking operation of the locking device is completed, the locking state of the door by the locking device is monitored based on an electrical state when AC is applied to the first coil or the second coil. The monitoring device according to claim 2 or 3.

12. A predetermined biasing force acts on the second member in a direction approaching the first member, In the locking operation, the locking device moves the second member toward the first member in response to the closing operation of the door, and then, after the positional relationship between the second member and the first member changes from an unachievable state to an attainable state, the second coil is energized to move the plunger in the second direction away from the second member or a third member connected to the second member, thereby moving the second member toward the first member under the action of the predetermined biasing force, After the locking operation of the locking device is completed, the presence or absence of an abnormality in the position of the plunger is monitored based on an electrical state when AC is applied to the first coil or the second coil. The monitoring device of claim 11.

13. a state of the locking device is monitored based on an electrical state when a direct current is applied to the first coil; A monitoring device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

14. monitoring a state of the locking device based on a time series change in the current of the first coil when a DC voltage is applied to the first coil; 14. The monitoring device of claim 13.

15. A first member; a second member that, when moved toward the first member, establishes a predetermined positional relationship with the first member, thereby locking the door of the railway vehicle; and a solenoid for moving the second member in a first direction away from the first member. A monitoring method for monitoring the state of a locking device, comprising: a monitoring device that monitors the state of the locking device based on the electrical state when the first coil of the solenoid is energized; Monitoring method.

16. A first member; a second member that, when moved toward the first member, establishes a predetermined positional relationship with the first member, thereby locking the door of the railway vehicle; and a solenoid for moving the second member in a first direction away from the first member. A program that causes an information processing device to realize a function of monitoring the state of a locking device, an information processing device that monitors the state of the locking device based on an electrical state when a first coil of the solenoid is energized; program.

Images