Train control device

Abstract

To provide a train control device capable of performing seamless switching between an active system transmitter and a standby system transmitter while increasing a train control area.SOLUTION: In a train control device, a ground device 1 transmits an ATC signal to a plurality of track circuits 1T, 2T, 3T, etc. and an on-vehicle device 3 receives the ATC signal to control the traveling of a train 2. The ground device includes an active system and standby system transmitters 7a, 7b generating a plurality of ATC signals having frequencies different in each track circuit in a time shared manner. When at least one ATC signal generated by the active system transmitter 7a is abnormal, the active system transmitter is switched to the standby system transmitter 7b during a period of outputting normal ATC signals among the plurality of ATC signals to the other track circuit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a train control device that outputs speed limit information from a ground device to a track circuit, and receives it at an on-board device mounted on a train to control running of the train. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes an ATC transmitter for an automatic train control (ATC). In this patent document 1, when an abnormality occurs in the processing status of N pieces of main equipment (N: natural number), the system switches to one of M pieces of standby equipment (M: natural number where 2≦M≦N), making it less likely for the system to go down. In addition, by using a common standby system, the number of standby equipment can be reduced, thereby reducing installation space and power consumption. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-035801 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the train control device described above, in order to expand the train control area (to increase the number of tracks that can be controlled in the same space), it is possible to provide a transmitter that generates multiple ATC signals with different frequencies for each track in a time-division manner, thereby creating ATC signals for multiple tracks. In this case, two transmitters, a regular system transmitter (main system equipment) and a backup system transmitter (standby system equipment), are provided and switched between them. However, when a failure in the primary transmitter is detected and switching is made to the backup transmitter, the ATC signal being transmitted is temporarily distorted, which poses the problem of being unable to seamlessly switch from the primary transmitter to the backup transmitter.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a train control device that can seamlessly switch from a regular transmitter to a standby transmitter while expanding the train control area. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A train control device according to one embodiment of the present invention is a train control device that transmits ATC signals from ground equipment to multiple track circuits, receives them at on-board equipment, and performs running control, and is characterized in that the ground equipment is equipped with regular and standby transmitters that generate multiple ATC signals with different frequencies for each track circuit in a time-division manner, and when at least one of the ATC signals generated by the regular transmitter is abnormal, it switches to the standby transmitter while outputting a normal ATC signal from among the multiple ATC signals to another track circuit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, when at least one of the ATC signals generated by the regular transmitter is abnormal, the system switches to the standby transmitter while a normal ATC signal is being output to another track circuit. This allows for seamless switching from the regular transmitter to the standby transmitter while expanding the train control area, thereby improving safety. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a train control device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 2 is a circuit diagram showing an example of the configuration of the on-board device in FIG. 1. [Figure 3] 2 is a diagram showing an output signal of a signal generating unit in FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an output signal of the ATC transmitter in FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an ATC signal input to each track circuit. [Figure 6]The figures show the ATC signals when transmission switching is performed using a conventional transmitter in the ground equipment. Figure (a) shows the output signal of the regular ATC transmitter, Figure (b) shows the output signal of the standby ATC transmitter, and Figure (c) shows the output signal of the bandpass filter to each track circuit. [Figure 7] The train control device in Figure 1 shows conventional ATC signals when switching is performed on a transmitter-by-transmitter basis, with (a) showing the output signal of the regular ATC transmitter, (b) showing the output signal of the standby ATC transmitter, and (c) showing the output signal of the bandpass filter to each track circuit. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram of a train control device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] The train control device in Figure 8 shows the ATC signals when switching is performed on a track circuit basis, with Figure (a) showing the output signal of the regular ATC transmitter and Figure (b) showing the output signal of the standby ATC transmitter. [Figure 10] 9 shows an ATC signal when switching is performed in units of track circuits in the train control device of FIG. 8, and is a diagram showing output signals of a bandpass filter to each track circuit. FIG. [Figure 11] 8 shows an example of an ATC signal in the train control device, where (a) is a diagram showing an example of an ATC signal generated by one transmitter, and (b) is a diagram showing an example of an ATC signal output from this transmitter. [Figure 12] 9 is a diagram showing an output signal of a regular ATC transmitter when the transmitter is switched on a track circuit basis in the train control device of FIG. 8. FIG. [Figure 13] 9 is a diagram showing an output signal of a standby ATC transmitter when the transmitter is switched on a track circuit basis in the train control device of FIG. 8. FIG. [Figure 14] 9 is a diagram showing an output signal of a bandpass filter to each track circuit when the transmitter is switched on a track circuit basis in the train control device of FIG. 8. FIG. [Figure 15] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a failure determination operation for each frequency of a service ATC transmitter, for explaining a first switching timing when a service ATC transmitter fails. [Figure 16] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a transmitter switching operation for explaining a first switching timing when a service ATC transmitter fails. [Figure 17] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a failure determination operation for each frequency of the service ATC transmitter, for explaining a second switching timing when the service ATC transmitter fails. [Figure 18] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a transmitter switching operation for explaining a second switching timing when a malfunction occurs in a regular ATC transmitter. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. [First embodiment] FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a train control device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. This train control device is composed of a ground device (ATC ground device) 1, an on-board device (ATC on-board device) 3 mounted on a train 2, track circuits 1T, 2T, 3T, ..., nT formed on a rail 4, and the like. The ground device 1 is equipped with an ATC rack 5 and a matching transformer rack 6. The ATC rack 5 is composed of a regular ATC transmitter 7a, a standby ATC transmitter 7b, a speed information setting unit 8, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 9, a transmitter switch 10, and the like. External conditions for determining the speed information of each track circuit are input to the CPU 9. The speed information of the speed information setting unit 8 is set by this CPU 9.

[0010] The regular ATC transmitter 7a is composed of a signal generating unit 11a, a power amplifier 12a, and a transformer 13a. The standby ATC transmitter 7b is composed of a signal generating unit 11b, a power amplifier 12b, and a transformer 13b. The speed information set by the speed information setting unit 8 is input to the signal generating units 11a and 11b. The signal generating units 11a and 11b are composed of a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array).

[0011] The signal generator 11a generates a signal for track circuit 1T (frequency f1), a signal for track circuit 2T (frequency f2), a signal for track circuit 3T (frequency f3), ..., and a signal for track circuit nT (frequency fn). The signals for each track circuit are intermittent, and these signals are added together and input to the power amplifier 12a. The amplified output by the power amplifier 12a is output from the transformer 13a.

[0012] Similarly, the signal generator 11b generates a signal for track circuit 1T (frequency f1), a signal for track circuit 2T (frequency f2), a signal for track circuit 3T (frequency f3), ..., and a signal for track circuit nT (frequency fn). The signals for each track circuit are intermittent, and these signals are added together and input to a power amplifier 12b. The amplified output by the power amplifier 12b is output from a transformer 13b. During normal operation, the transmitter switch 10 selects the regular ATC transmitter 7a and deselects the standby ATC transmitter 7b. As a result, the ATC signal output from the ATC transmitter 7a is input to track circuits 1T, 2T, 3T, ..., nT formed on the rail 4 via the matching transformer rack 6.

[0013] The matching transformer rack 6 is provided with bandpass filters (BPFs) 21-1, 21-2, 21-3, ..., 21-n and transformers 22-1, 22-2, 22-3, ..., 22-n as transmission track discrimination filters corresponding to track circuits 1T, 2T, 3T, ..., nT, respectively. An ATC signal (digital transmission signal) "F1" is input to track circuit 1T via bandpass filter 21-1, which passes frequency f1, and transformer 22-1. An ATC signal "F2" is input to track circuit 2T via bandpass filter 21-2, which passes frequency f2, and transformer 22-2. An ATC signal "F3" is input to track circuit 3T via bandpass filter 21-3, which passes frequency f3, and transformer 22-3. Similarly, "Fn" is input as an ATC signal to track circuit nT via bandpass filter 21-n, which passes frequency fn, and transformer 22-n. The standby ATC transmitter 7b is selected by transmitter switch 10, and the ATC signal output from this ATC transmitter 7b is input to track circuits 1T, 2T, 3T, ..., nT formed on rail 4 via matching transformer rack 6, just like the service ATC transmitter 7a.

[0014] The ATC signals F1, F2, F3, ..., Fn transmitted from the ground equipment 1 are received by an on-board unit installed on the train 2, and based on the ATC signals, the on-board equipment 3 controls the brakes of the train 2, thereby performing running control.

[0015] Fig. 2 shows an example of the configuration of the on-board device 3 in the train control device shown in Fig. 1. The ATC signal received from the antenna is input to a bandpass filter group 32 via a transformer 31. The bandpass filter group 32 is made up of bandpass filters for frequencies f1, f2, f3, ..., fn. A bandpass filter that passes n waves can also be used instead of the bandpass filter group 32. The output of the bandpass filter group 32 is amplified by a power amplifier 33, passed through a bandpass filter 34, and then subjected to analog-to-digital conversion by an A / D converter 35.

[0016] The digital signal output from the A / D converter 35 is input to a processing device 36 configured with a DSP or FPGA, where software processing is performed. The processing performed by this processing device 36 is equivalent to a processing device configured with a group of band-pass filters and a group of demodulation circuits. The output signal of the processing device 36 (group of demodulation circuits) is supplied to a CPU 37, where the demodulation results are determined and speed information is determined. The speed information from the CPU 37 is supplied to a speed verification unit, where braking control of the train 2 is performed.

[0017] Next, the operation of the train control device configured as described above will be described. External conditions for determining the speed information of each track circuit 1T, 2T, 3T, ..., nT are input to the CPU 9 of the ATC rack 5. The CPU 9 sets the speed information in the speed information setting unit 8 based on the input external conditions. The speed information setting unit 8 controls the signal generating unit 11a to output ATC signals F1, F2, F3, ..., Fn at normal levels. These ATC signals are added together and amplified by the power amplifier 12a, and then input to the transformer 13a. The ATC signals F1, F2, F3, ..., Fn output from the transformer 13a are input to the matching transformer rack 6 via the transmitter switch 10.

[0018] The ATC transmitter 7a transmits ATC signals for each of the track circuits in a time-division manner, with the frequency of the ATC signal being different for each of the track circuits 1T, 2T, 3T, ..., nT. For example, as shown in Figure 3, the ATC signal output from the ATC transmitter 7a is cyclically transmitted at frequencies f1, f2, f3, ..., fn, f1, f2, f3, ..., fn, .... Also, time-shifted signals f1, f2, f3, ..., fn, f1, f2, f3, ..., fn, ... are similarly cyclically transmitted. At this time, the same frequency in two cyclic signals is prevented from overlapping in time.

[0019] Then, as shown in Figure 4, cyclic signals are added and superimposed. These ATC signals F1, F2, F3, ..., Fn are equivalent to signals generated in a time-division manner for n orbits. These signals are power-amplified by power amplifier 12a and input to matching transformer frame 6 via transformer 13a.

[0020] When the ATC transmitter 7b is selected, it basically operates in the same manner as the ATC transmitter 7a. On the other hand, when it is not selected, the speed information setting unit 8 controls the signal generating unit 11b to output standby level (low level) ATC signals F1, F2, F3, ..., Fn.

[0021] Conventionally, one ATC transmitter was assigned to each track circuit, so when focusing on one track circuit, the waveforms of the ATC signals F1, F2, F3, ..., Fn were transmitted continuously at all times. However, in train control systems that use wireless LAN, information is sent in a time-division manner, so the receiving side receives the information intermittently.As long as the system is designed so that train operation is not affected by this intermittent reception of information, there is no particular problem even if the waveforms of the ATC signals F1, F2, F3, ..., Fn are intermittent.

[0022] As shown in Figure 5, for example, an ATC signal F1 with a frequency f1 that has passed through bandpass filter 21-1 is input to track circuit 1T via transformer 22-1 (ATC signal F1 for 1T). An ATC signal F2 with a frequency f2 that has passed through bandpass filter 21-2 is input to track circuit 2T via transformer 22-2 (ATC signal F2 for 2T). An ATC signal F3 with a frequency f3 that has passed through bandpass filter 21-3 is input to track circuit 3T via transformer 22-3 (ATC signal F3 for 3T). Similarly, an ATC signal Fn with a frequency fn that has passed through bandpass filter 21-n is input to track circuit nT via transformer 22-n (ATC signal Fn for nT).

[0023] This method makes it possible for one transmitter to provide ATC signals for multiple (in this example, n) track circuits. Analog ATC signals are generally transmitted continuously to prevent the receiving side from being unable to receive information and being judged as no signal. Also, because it is AM modulation, unnecessary signal components are generated when the signal is interrupted.

[0024] In contrast, in this embodiment, the ATC signal has a digital transmission message structure, so it can be separated into individual messages. For example, by using signals that are shifted by one period as shown in Figure 3, it is possible to receive signals on one track with a delay of one period. This is equivalent to a method of obtaining information from a LAN at regular intervals, and there is no problem as long as this method is used as a system that does not interfere with operation control.

[0025] Next, the operation when switching from the service ATC transmitter to the standby ATC transmitter will be described with reference to Figures 6 to 9. Figure 6 shows the ATC signals when switching is performed using a conventional transmitter, with (a) the output signal from the service ATC transmitter, (b) the output signal from the standby ATC transmitter, and (c) the output signal of the bandpass filter to each track circuit. As shown in Figure 6(a), when an abnormality occurs in the ATC signal F2 for the track circuit 2T, the transmitter switch 10 is switched under the control of the CPU 9, switching from the output of the service ATC transmitter 7a to the output of the standby ATC transmitter 7b, and as shown in Figure 6(b), the ATC signal F2 for the track circuit 2T is switched from the service system to the standby system. As a result, the output signals of each bandpass filter 21-1, 21-2, 21-3, ..., 21-n become as shown in Figure 6(c).

[0026] Figure 7 shows ATC signals when switching is performed on a transmitter-by-transmitter basis as in the conventional method. Figure 7(a) shows the output signal of the normal ATC transmitter, Figure 7(b) shows the output signal of the standby ATC transmitter, and Figure 7(c) shows the output signal of the bandpass filter to each track circuit. As shown in Figure 7(a), if an abnormality occurs in the ATC signal F2 to track circuit 2T, for example, the output signal of the normal ATC transmitter 7a is reduced from the normal level to the standby level. On the other hand, as shown in Figure 7(b), the output signal of the standby ATC transmitter 7b is increased from the standby level to the normal level. Therefore, the output signals of each bandpass filter 21-1, 21-2, 21-3, ..., 21-n become as shown in Figure 7(c).

[0027] However, if switching from the regular ATC transmitter 7a to the standby ATC transmitter 7b is performed on a transmitter-by-transmitter basis, the telegrams of the ATC signal F1 input to the track circuit 1T that has not detected an abnormality and the ATC signal F3 input to the track circuit 3T will be corrupted, as shown by the dashed lines BL1 and BL2.

[0028] [Second embodiment] FIG. 8 shows a schematic configuration of a train control device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the configuration of the transmitter switch. Specifically, the output signal of the active ATC transmitter 7a and the output signal of the standby ATC transmitter 7b are input to switches 10-1, 10-2, 10-3, ..., 10-n, respectively, for switching. The selected outputs of these switches 10-1, 10-2, 10-3, ..., 10-n are input to track circuits 1T, 2T, 3T, ..., nT via band-pass filters 21-1, 21-2, 21-3, ..., 21-n and transformers 22-1, 22-2, 22-3, ..., 22-n, respectively. As a result, ATC signals F1, F2, F3, ..., Fn are input to each track circuit 1T, 2T, 3T, ..., nT.

[0029] Other configurations are the same as those in FIG. 1, so the same components are given the same reference numerals and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.

[0030] 9 and 10 respectively show ATC signals when switching is performed on a track circuit basis in a train control device according to a second embodiment of the present invention, with FIG. 9(a) showing the output signal of the active ATC transmitter, FIG. 9(b) showing the output signal of the standby ATC transmitter, and FIG. 10 showing the output signal of the bandpass filter to each track circuit. As shown in FIG. 9(a), for example, if an abnormality occurs in the ATC signal F2 to track circuit 2T, ATC signals F1 and F3 are not faulty (normal) and are therefore output from the active ATC transmitter 7a. On the other hand, ATC signal F2 is abnormal and is therefore transmitted from the standby ATC transmitter 7b. Furthermore, ATC signal Fn is switched to the standby ATC transmitter 7b at the same timing as ATC signal F2 in the space portion of the signal (telegram).

[0031] In this way, switching from the regular ATC transmitter 7a to the standby ATC transmitter 7b is performed at the timing (areas Ta, Tb) of the space portion of each signal (telegram).

[0032] As shown in Figure 10, by switching between signals on a track circuit basis in the spaces between them, it is possible to seamlessly switch from the regular ATC transmitter 7a to the standby ATC transmitter 7b without disrupting normal telegrams. As a result, there is no risk of temporary loss of running control function during switching, and reliability can be improved.

[0033] Figure 11 shows an example of an ATC signal in the train control device of Figure 8, where (a) shows an ATC signal generated by one transmitter and (b) shows an example of an ATC signal output from this transmitter. As shown in Figure 11(a), ATC signals F1, F2, F3, ..., Fn for track circuits 1T, 2T, 3T, ..., nT are cyclic signals (telegrams) with frequencies F1, f2, f3, ..., fn, respectively, and are superimposed and output as shown in Figure 11(b).

[0034] Next, switching from the regular ATC transmitter 7a to the standby ATC transmitter 7b will be explained with reference to Figures 12 to 14. Figure 12 shows the output signal of the regular ATC transmitter 7a when the transmitter is switched on a track circuit basis in the train control device of Figure 8, Figure 13 shows the output signal of the standby ATC transmitter 7b in the same manner, and Figure 14 shows the output signal of the bandpass filter to each track circuit in the same manner. As shown in Figure 12, when an abnormality is detected in the ATC signal F2 of the regular ATC transmitter 7a, switching from the regular ATC transmitter 7a to the standby ATC transmitter 7b occurs.

[0035] That is, in the train control device of Fig. 8, first, the output of the ATC signal F2 in which an abnormality has been detected in the normal ATC transmitter 7a is stopped. At the next timing of time t0, the switches 10-1, 10-2, 10-4, ..., 10-n are switched to select the ATC signals F1, F2, F4, ..., Fn for 1T, 2T, 4T, ..., nT of the signal generating unit 11b. At this time, the switch 10-3 maintains the selected state of the ATC signal F3 for 3T of the signal generating unit 11a. Then, at timing of time t1 when the ATC signal F3 for 3T has ended, the switch 10-3 is switched to select the ATC signal F3 for 3T of the signal generating unit 11b.

[0036] Note that the ATC signal F3 is currently being transmitted, so transmission by the regular ATC transmitter 7a continues. On the other hand, signals other than the ATC signal F3 (ATC signals F1, F2, F4, ..., Fn) are not being transmitted (because they are space portions), so switching is performed from the regular ATC transmitter 7a to the standby ATC transmitter 7b. Therefore, the ATC transmitter 7a of the normal system does not transmit an ATC signal to the track circuit, so it lowers its output level and outputs at the standby level.Since the ATC signal F3 is not transmitting a signal (because it is a space portion) while the ATC signal F4 is being transmitted, switching is now made from the ATC transmitter 7a of the normal system to the ATC transmitter 7b of the standby system.

[0037] This reduces the output signal of the regular ATC transmitter 7a from the regular level to the standby level as shown in FIG. 12, and increases the output signal of the standby ATC transmitter 7b from the standby level to the regular level as shown in FIG.

[0038] Therefore, as shown in FIG. 14, the transmission of the ATC signal F2 in which the abnormality has occurred from the normal ATC transmitter 7a to the track circuit 2T is stopped, but at the next transmission timing, the ATC signal F2 is transmitted from the standby ATC transmitter 7b to the track circuit 2T, and the train 2 is controlled based on this ATC signal F2. In this way, by switching in the space portion of the signal on a track-by-track basis, when switching between transmitters 7a and 7b, it is possible to switch without disrupting the normal signal (the telegram of ATC signal F3 in the above example), and the ATC signal can be transmitted to each track circuit seamlessly.

[0039] 15 and 16 are respectively intended to explain the first switching timing in the event of a failure (or abnormality) in the service ATC transmitter 7a, with Fig. 15 being a flowchart showing the failure determination operation for each frequency of the service ATC transmitter 7a, and Fig. 16 being a flowchart showing the switching operation of the transmitters 7a and 7b. This example is for the case where the switching timing in the event of a failure in the service ATC transmitter 7a is to be switched as quickly as possible, and the processing contents are described assuming software operating at an interrupt period shorter than one telegram.

[0040] The process shown in FIG. 15 is for determining whether or not a fault has occurred in the regular ATC transmitter 7a, and as shown in steps ST1 to ST3, fault diagnosis of the frequency fx for the ATC signal xT (x=1 to n) is executed in a loop for the number of signals (n). If a failure occurs in the ATC transmitter 7a of the normal system, the ATC transmitters 7a and 7b are switched (from the normal system to the standby system) during the space portion of each signal and at the earliest possible timing.

[0041] 16, it is determined whether or not a failure has occurred in the normal ATC transmitter 7a (step ST11), and if a failure has occurred, it is determined whether or not the signal for the track circuit xT of frequency fx has been switched to the standby ATC transmitter (step ST13). This operation is repeated for the number of signals (n) (step ST12). If no failure has occurred, the loop is terminated (step ST15).

[0042] If it is determined in step ST13 that the frequency fx has been switched, the frequency fx is not switched (the standby ATC transmitter 7b remains in a transmitting state) (step ST14), and the loop is ended (step ST15). If it is determined in step ST13 that the signal has not been switched, it is determined whether or not the signal for the track circuit xT of frequency fx is currently being transmitted (step ST16). If the signal is currently being transmitted, the signal for the track circuit xT of frequency fx is not switched, and the transmission state is maintained by the regular ATC transmitter 7a (step ST17). If it is determined in step ST16 that transmission is not in progress, the signal for the track circuit xT of frequency fx is switched, and transmission is carried out by the standby ATC transmitter 7b (step ST18). Then, the operations of steps ST12 to ST15 are repeated for the number of signals (n).

[0043] 17 and 18 are respectively intended to explain the second switching timing in the event of a failure (or abnormality) of the service ATC transmitter 7a, with Fig. 17 being a flowchart showing the failure determination operation for each frequency of the service ATC transmitter, and Fig. 18 being a flowchart showing the switching operation of the transmitters 7a and 7b. In this example, the switching timing in the event of a failure of the service ATC transmitter 7a can be freely determined, and the processing content is described assuming software operating at an interrupt period shorter than one telegram.

[0044] The process shown in FIG. 17 determines whether or not a fault has occurred in the regular ATC transmitter 7a, and as shown in steps ST21 to ST23, fault diagnosis of the frequency fx for the ATC signal xT (x=1 to n) is executed in a loop for the number of signals (n). If a failure occurs in the ATC transmitter 7a of the normal system, the ATC transmitters 7a and 7b are switched (from the normal system to the standby system) during the space portion of each signal and at any timing.

[0045] 18, it is determined whether or not a failure has occurred in the normal ATC transmitter 7a (step ST31), and if a failure has occurred, it is determined whether or not the signal for the track circuit xT of frequency fx has been switched to the standby ATC transmitter (step ST33). This operation is repeated for the number of signals (n) (step ST32). If no failure has occurred, the loop is terminated (step ST35).

[0046] If it is determined in step ST33 that the frequency fx has been switched, the frequency fx is not switched (the standby ATC transmitter 7b continues to transmit) (step ST34), and the loop is ended (step ST35). If it is determined in step ST33 that the signal has not been switched, it is determined whether or not a signal for the track circuit xT with the frequency fx is currently being transmitted (step ST36). If the signal is currently being transmitted, the signal for the track circuit xT with the frequency fx is not switched, and the transmission state is maintained by the regular ATC transmitter 7a (step ST37).

[0047] If it is not currently being transmitted in step ST36, it is determined whether "fy=fz" (step ST38). Here, fy is the signal currently being transmitted, and fz is the signal at which fx is desired to be switched. The timing at which fx is desired to be switched to the backup ATC transmitter 7b in the event of a failure of the regular ATC transmitter 7a is set in advance as fz. If "fy=fz", the signal for the track circuit xT of frequency fx is switched, and transmission is performed by the standby ATC transmitter 7b (step ST39). If "fy=fz" is not true, the process proceeds to step ST37, where the signal for the track circuit xT of frequency fx is not switched, and the transmission state is maintained by the regular ATC transmitter 7a. Then, the operations of steps ST32 to ST39 are repeated for the number of signals (n).

[0048] As described above, the timing of switching when the regular ATC transmitter 7a fails can be set as early as possible as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, or can be freely determined as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18. Therefore, according to the present invention, when at least one of the ATC signals generated by the regular transmitter is abnormal, the transmitter is switched to the standby transmitter while a normal ATC signal is being output to another track circuit, thereby enabling seamless switching from the regular transmitter to the standby transmitter and improving safety.

[0049] The circuit configurations and operation procedures described in the first and second embodiments are merely schematic diagrams to enable the present invention to be understood and implemented. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the first and second embodiments described above, and can be modified in various forms without departing from the scope of the technical ideas set forth in the claims.

[0050] For example, the case where one of the ATC signals generated by the transmitter in the normal system is abnormal has been explained, but similar measures can be taken even if multiple ATC signals are abnormal. [Explanation of symbols]

[0051] 1...ATC ground equipment (ground equipment), 2...train, 3...ATC on-board equipment (on-board equipment), 4...rail, 5...ATC rack, 6...matching transformer rack, 7a...main ATC transmitter, 7b...standby ATC transmitter, 8...speed information setting unit, 9...CPU, 10...transmitter switch, 10-1 to 10-n...switches, 11a, 11b...signal generator, 12a, 12b...power amplifier, 13a, 13b...transformer, 21-1 to 21-n...bandpass filter (filter for distinguishing transmission track), 22-1 to 22-n...transformer, 1T to nT...track circuit, F1 to Fn...ATC signal

Claims

1. A train control device that transmits ATC signals from a ground device to a plurality of track circuits, receives the signals at an on-board device, and performs running control, The ground device is provided with a regular system transmitter and a standby system transmitter that generate a plurality of ATC signals with different frequencies for each track circuit in a time-division manner, and when at least one of the ATC signals generated by the regular system transmitter is abnormal, the train control device switches to the standby system transmitter during a period when a normal ATC signal among the plurality of ATC signals is being output to another track circuit.

2. A train control device that transmits ATC signals from ground equipment to multiple track circuits, receives them with on-board equipment, and controls running, The ground equipment is provided with a regular system transmitter and a standby system transmitter that generate a plurality of ATC signals with different frequencies for each track circuit in a time-division manner, and when at least one of the ATC signals generated by the regular system transmitter is abnormal, switching from the regular system transmitter to the standby system transmitter is performed on a track circuit basis, and switching is performed in the space between telegrams included in the ATC signal.

3. 3. The train control device according to claim 1, wherein the output of the transmitter in operation is input to a matching transformer rack having a transmission track discrimination filter to separate the ATC signal, and the separated ATC signal is transmitted to the track circuit.

4. 2. The train control device according to claim 1, wherein the transmitters of the regular system and the standby system each include a signal generating unit that generates and adds together a plurality of digital ATC signals of different frequencies, an amplifier that power-amplifies the plurality of digital ATC signals added together by the signal generating unit, and a transformer to which the amplified output by the amplifier is input.

5. The train control device according to claim 4, characterized in that the plurality of digital ATC signals having different frequencies generated by the signal generating unit are intermittent, and the digital ATC signals are arranged to fill each other's spaces and superimposed, and input to the amplifier for power amplification.

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