Railway model vehicle and its control device

Abstract

The model railway vehicle (1) includes a traction motor (12) that drives a car body (10) in response to a control signal flowing on tracks (2, 3), a lighting device (13) that selectively turns on headlights (13a) and taillights (13b) depending on the polarity of the control signal, and a decoder (14) that controls the traction motor (12) and the lighting device (13). The control device (14) includes a determination circuit unit (20) that determines the type of the control signal, an analog control unit (30) that outputs an analog control signal when the control signal is an analog signal, a digital control unit (30) that outputs a digital control signal when the control signal is a digital signal, and a polarity conversion unit (50) that converts the output form of the digital control signal for the lighting device (13) into the output form of an analog control signal and switches whether the lighting device (13) is controlled by the analog control signal or the digital control signal.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a model railroad vehicle and a control device therefor. [Background technology]

[0002] There are known model railroad cars that can run on a track using control signals transmitted through the track. These model railroad cars can run by driving a traction motor that receives analog or digital control signals output from a controller to the track using a decoder mounted on the car body.

[0003] For example, analog controllers use a transistor method, which uses transistors to variably control the DC voltage applied to the track, or a PWM method, which performs PWM control (Pulse Width Modulation) on the DC voltage applied to the track, to control the speed of a model train running on the track.

[0004] Furthermore, unlike analog controllers, which vary the DC voltage applied to the track, digital controllers control the speed of model railroad cars traveling on the track using high-frequency AC signals supplied to the track as digital packet signals. Digital control signals can contain multiple pieces of information, such as identification information for the car being controlled, operating information for the traction motor, and setting information for the direction of travel. Therefore, even if multiple model railroad cars are placed on the same track, the digital controller can control only the car body being controlled.

[0005] The technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 proposes a technology in which a structure is provided in which a decoder can be detachably attached to the vehicle body, and the analog system and the digital system can be switched depending on whether or not the decoder is present.

[0006] Owners of such model railroad cars often bring their own model railroad cars to tracked venues and run them together with other model railroad cars (jointly). In such cases, the owner of the model railroad car may mistakenly place a digital model railroad car on the track of a track that is analog, or may mistakenly place an analog model railroad car on the track of a track that is digital. In such cases, the difference in the system between the track and the model railroad car makes it impossible to properly control the running of the model railroad car.

[0007] Therefore, the technology disclosed in Patent Document 2 determines whether the control signal flowing on the track is analog or digital and automatically switches the control of the running motor, allowing the model train to run without having to worry about the type of track. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] JP 2007-000354 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2016-174688 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] In the model railway vehicle described above, it is necessary to control not only the traction motor but also the lighting devices, including the headlights and taillights, according to the direction of travel. However, the lighting devices of typical model railway vehicles are configured with a circuit that controls the current polarity of a control signal corresponding to the direction of travel of the vehicle if the circuit is analog, or a circuit that directly controls the headlights and taillights individually without switching the current polarity if the circuit is digital. For this reason, in conventional model railway vehicles, it is not possible to control the lighting devices if the control signal flowing through the track does not match the system of the lighting devices.

[0010] The present invention has been made in consideration of these problems, and its purpose is to provide a model railway vehicle and its control device that can properly turn on headlights and taillights regardless of whether the control signal flowing on the track is analog or digital. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] In order to achieve the above object, the model railway vehicle of the present invention comprises a traction motor that drives the car body in response to a control signal transmitted over a track, a lighting device that selectively turns on headlights and taillights depending on the polarity of the control signal, and a control device that controls the traction motor and the lighting device, the control device comprising a determination circuit that determines whether the control signal is a digital signal or an analog signal, an analog control unit that outputs an analog control signal to the traction motor and the lighting device when the control signal is an analog signal, and a digital control unit that outputs a digital control signal to the traction motor and the lighting device when the control signal is a digital signal, provided that the control signal targets the car body. When the determination result of the determination circuit unit is digital, the output form of the digital control signal for the lighting device is converted into the output form of the analog control signal. and a polarity conversion unit.

[0012] Furthermore, in order to achieve the above object, the control device of the present invention is a control device mounted on a model railway vehicle that includes a traction motor that drives the car body in response to a control signal transmitted over a track, and a lighting device that selectively turns on headlights and taillights depending on the polarity of the control signal, and includes a determination circuit that determines whether the control signal is a digital signal or an analog signal, an analog control unit that outputs an analog control signal to the traction motor and the lighting device when the control signal is an analog signal, and a digital control unit that outputs a digital control signal to the traction motor and the lighting device when the control signal is a digital signal, provided that the control signal targets the car body. When the determination result of the determination circuit unit is digital, the output form of the digital control signal for the lighting device is converted into the output form of the analog control signal. and a polarity conversion unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the model railway vehicle and its control device of the present invention, the headlights and taillights can be appropriately turned on regardless of whether the control signal flowing on the track is analog or digital. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing how a model railroad car is placed on a digital or analog track. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of a decoder. [Figure 3] 1 is an example of a waveform representing a digital control signal. [Figure 4] 10 is an example of a waveform representing a control signal of a transistor system. [Figure 5] 1 is an example of a waveform representing a PWM control signal. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram illustrating an internal configuration of a received signal determination circuit. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram illustrating an internal configuration of a write polarity conversion unit. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a waveform diagram showing a current supplied to a lighting device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present disclosure is not limited to the contents described below, and can be implemented with any modifications within the scope that does not change the gist of the disclosure. Furthermore, all drawings used to explain the embodiments are schematic representations of components, and may be partially emphasized, enlarged, reduced, or omitted to facilitate understanding, and may not accurately represent the scale, shape, etc. of the components.

[0016] 1 is a conceptual diagram showing a state in which a model railroad vehicle 1 is placed on a digital or analog track. The model railroad vehicle 1 can run on either a digital track 2 through which digital control signals flow, or an analog track 3 through which analog control signals flow.

[0017] The digital track 2 receives DCC (Digital Command Control) control signals from a digital controller 4 connected to the track. When an operation knob 4a is operated, the digital controller 4 generates operation information for the motor of the model railroad vehicle 1 according to the amount of operation. The digital controller 4 then supplies a high-frequency AC signal containing identification information for the controlled object, motor operation information, and travel direction setting information as a digital packet signal from a built-in digital transmission circuit 4b to the digital track 2. This allows the digital controller 4 to control only a specific vehicle at a specified speed, even when multiple vehicles are placed on the digital track 2.

[0018] A control signal as a DC voltage is supplied to the analog track 3 from an analog controller 5 connected to the track. Here, when an operation knob 5a is operated, the analog controller 5 generates a DC voltage corresponding to a speed command for the model railroad vehicle 1 based on the amount of operation. The analog controller 5 also controls the model railroad vehicle 1 on the track by applying the generated DC voltage to the analog track 3 from a built-in analog transmission circuit 5b. The analog controller 5 may be of a transistor type that variably controls the DC voltage applied to the track using a transistor, or may be of a PWM type that performs PWM control (Pulse Width Modulation) on the DC voltage applied to the track.

[0019] The model railroad vehicle 1 primarily comprises a car body 10, wheels 11, a traction motor 12, lighting devices 13, and a decoder 14 serving as a "control device." The model railroad vehicle 1 receives control signals from the track via the wheels 11 mounted on the car body 10, which is modeled after a real railroad vehicle, and drives the traction motor 12 to travel along the track at a speed corresponding to the control signal. As will be described in detail below, the model railroad vehicle 1 is also provided with lighting devices 13 at both ends of the car body 10, which turn on headlights or taillights included in each lighting device 13 depending on the direction of travel of the car body 10. The decoder 14 is a circuit board that comprehensively controls the operation of the model railroad vehicle 1, and can be retrofitted into an existing car body 10 in a limited space.

[0020] 2 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the decoder 14. The decoder 14 according to this embodiment includes a determination circuit section 20, a digital control section 30, an analog control section 40, and a write polarity conversion section 50.

[0021] The determination circuit unit 20 determines whether the control signal flowing on the track on which the model railroad car 1 is placed is digital or analog, and switches between the two control methods for controlling the model railroad car 1. The determination circuit unit 20 also includes a received signal determination circuit 21 and a signal switching circuit 22. The received signal determination circuit 21 determines that the control signal flowing on the track is digital if it is an AC voltage, and determines that the control signal flowing on the track is analog if it is a DC voltage. The signal switching circuit 22 switches the control method for each part of the decoder 14 depending on the determination result of the received signal determination circuit 21. The circuit configuration of the received signal determination circuit 21 will be described in detail below.

[0022] The digital control unit 30 is a module that digitally controls the model railroad car 1 on the condition that the control signals flowing on the track are digital, and includes a power generation unit 31, an integrated circuit unit 32, and a motor control unit 33.

[0023] The power supply generating unit 31 is an AC / DC converter that rectifies the digital AC power flowing through the track and converts it into DC power for the internal power supply, and supplies the generated DC power to the integrated circuit unit 32, the motor control unit 33, and the light polarity conversion unit 50. For example, the power supply generating unit 31 supplies DC power of 5 V or 3.3 V to the integrated circuit unit 32 according to its specifications, and supplies DC power of 12 to 16 V to the motor control unit 33 and the light polarity conversion unit 50.

[0024] The integrated circuit unit 32 is a semiconductor that executes digital control of the model railroad car 1, and includes an MPU 34 (Micro Processor Unit), a memory unit 35, etc. The MPU 34 is a processor that executes programs for digital control, reads information contained in control signals transmitted over the track, and outputs digital control signals to the traction motors 12 and the lighting devices 13. The memory unit 35 stores, for example, programs that the MPU 34 executes, and also stores identification information for the car body 10. By reading the identification information from the memory unit 35, the MPU 34 can thereby determine whether the control signal transmitted over the track is intended to control the MPU 34 itself.

[0025] The motor control unit 33 calculates a speed command value and a torque command value for the driving motor 12 based on the digital control signal input from the MPU 34, and converts the power supplied from the power generation unit 31 into power suitable for driving the driving motor 12 and outputs it.

[0026] The analog control unit 40 is a module that analogically controls the model train 1 when the control signal flowing on the track is analog, converts the control signal into power suitable for running the car body 10 and supplies it to the running motor 12, and supplies power to the lighting device 13 via the light polarity conversion unit 50 while maintaining the current polarity of the control signal.

[0027] The light polarity conversion unit 50 is a module that controls the lighting device 13 based on the output signal of the digital control unit 30 or the analog control unit 40, and selectively turns on the headlights 13a or taillights 13b (see Figure 7) included in the lighting device 13, as will be described in detail later.

[0028] Next, we will explain the digital / analog determination in the received signal determination circuit 21. Fig. 3 is an example of a waveform representing a digital control signal. The waveform shown in Fig. 3 is a DCC control signal output from the digital controller 4 to the digital track 2, and various information to be transmitted to the model railroad car 1 is encoded as a high-frequency AC voltage with a voltage range of ±15 V.

[0029] Figure 4 shows an example of a waveform representing a transistor-based control signal. The transistor-based control signal is a type of analog signal that controls the model railroad car 1 on the analog track 3 using only a voltage value. Therefore, when running the model railroad car 1 at a constant speed, the control signal has a constant waveform, such as +15 [V], as shown in Figure 3.

[0030] Figure 5 shows an example of a waveform representing a PWM control signal. A PWM control signal is a type of analog signal format that controls a model railroad vehicle 1 on an analog track 3 with relatively high energy efficiency by controlling the ratio of the ON time to the OFF time of the applied voltage, i.e., the duty ratio. In the example of Figure 5, the speed of the model railroad vehicle 1 is encoded by the pulse width (on-duty) of a +15V pulse train.

[0031] The decoder 14 receives control signals such as those shown in Figures 3 to 5 from the track, and determines whether the control signals are digital or analog in a received signal determination circuit 21. Figure 6 is a circuit diagram showing the internal configuration of the received signal determination circuit 21. The received signal determination circuit 21 includes a pair of input terminals Vin(a) and Vin(b), a pair of output terminals Vout(+) and Vout(-), a first diode 23, a second diode 24, a first line 25, a second line 26, a third line 27, a first capacitor 28, and a second capacitor 29.

[0032] The first diode 23 has an anode connected to the input terminal Vin(a) and a cathode connected to the output terminal Vout(+) via a first line 25. The second diode 24 has a cathode connected to the input terminal Vin(a) and an anode connected to the output terminal Vout(-) via a third line 27. The first diode 23 and the second diode 24 are exemplified here as Schottky barrier diodes, but may be other types of rectifying elements such as general-purpose rectifying diodes. The second line 26 has one end connected to the input terminal Vin(b) and the other end connected to the first line 25 via a first capacitor 28 and to the third line 27 via a second capacitor 29.

[0033] With this circuit configuration, when a DC voltage with a voltage value of α [V] is input between the pair of input terminals Vin(a) and Vin(b), the received signal judgment circuit 21 outputs a DC voltage with a voltage value of α [V] as is between the pair of output terminals Vout(+) and Vout(-). Furthermore, when an AC voltage with an effective value of α [V] is input between the pair of input terminals Vin(a) and Vin(b), the received signal judgment circuit 21 outputs a DC voltage with a voltage value of 2α [V] between the pair of output terminals Vout(+) and Vout(-). In other words, when the input control signal is a digital AC voltage, the received signal judgment circuit 21 constitutes a so-called voltage doubler circuit that outputs a voltage twice as high as an analog DC voltage.

[0034] Here, the parameters of each element included in the received signal judgment circuit 21 can be determined based on the frequency of the high frequency included in the DCC voltage in the case of a digital system. For example, if the frequency of the input AC voltage is ω (=2πf), the capacitances of the first capacitor 28 and the second capacitor 29 are C, and the load resistance of the received signal judgment circuit 21 is R, the capacitance C of the capacitor is set so that ωCR (=2πfCR) is equal to or greater than a predetermined reference value. Note that although the first capacitor 28 and the second capacitor 29 are each illustrated as three parallel capacitor elements, the number of elements can be changed as desired.

[0035] Also, the output signal of the reception signal determination circuit 21 as the double voltage circuit is transmitted to the signal switching circuit 22. The signal switching circuit 22 can employ, for example, a mechanical electromagnetic relay, and compares the voltage value of the DC power output between a pair of output terminals Vout(+) and Vout(-) with a predetermined voltage threshold Vth.

[0036] Here, the predetermined voltage threshold Vth is a voltage threshold set in advance in the signal switching circuit 22 to determine whether the reception signal determination circuit 21 has converted and output the input voltage by doubling. That is, when the rated voltage of the control signal flowing in the track is α [V], the voltage threshold Vth is set in the range of α < Vth < 2α so as to be higher than the rated voltage and lower than twice the rated voltage. Therefore, when the voltage value of the DC voltage output by the reception signal determination circuit 21 is higher than the voltage threshold Vth, the signal switching circuit 22 can determine that the control signal is in the digital system, and when the voltage value of the DC voltage output by the reception signal determination circuit 21 is lower than the voltage threshold Vth, the signal switching circuit 22 can determine that the control signal is in the analog system.

[0037] Note that the signal switching circuit 22 is not limited to a mechanical electromagnetic relay, and may be, for example, an electronic switch such as a bipolar transistor or MOS-FET, or a semiconductor component having an IC (Integrated Circuit) or the like.

[0038] Then, when the control signal is in the digital system, the signal switching circuit 22 drives the digital control unit 30 and invalidates the analog control unit 40, and when the control signal is in the analog system, the signal switching circuit 22 drives the analog control unit 40 and invalidates the digital control unit 30.

[0039] Subsequently, the operation of the light polarity conversion unit 50 will be described. FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram showing the internal configuration of the light polarity conversion unit 50. The light polarity conversion unit 50 is a module that appropriately controls the lighting device 13 according to the polarity of the control signal, regardless of whether the control signal flowing in the track is in the digital system or the analog system.

[0040] Here, the lighting device 13 includes a headlight 13a, a taillight 13b, and a resistor 13c, and is configured to switch on and off the lights depending on the current polarity when an analog control signal is input. The headlight 13a and the taillight 13b are light-emitting diodes connected in parallel in opposite directions. In the lighting device 13 provided at the front of the vehicle body 10, a forward current is passed through the headlight 13a to turn on only the headlight 13a, while in the lighting device 13 provided at the rear of the vehicle body 10, a forward current is passed through the taillight 13b to turn on only the taillight 13b. The resistor 13c is a current-limiting resistor that prevents overcurrent in each diode.

[0041] When the control signal flowing through the track is analog, the light polarity conversion unit 50 outputs the analog control signal output from the analog control unit 40 to the lighting device 13 while maintaining the current polarity. When the control signal flowing through the track is digital, the light polarity conversion unit 50 converts the digital control signal output from the digital control unit 30 into the output format of an analog control signal and outputs it to the lighting device 13.

[0042] More specifically, the write polarity conversion unit 50 includes a first transistor 51 and a second transistor 52 as a "pair of transistors," and a first relay circuit 53 and a second relay circuit 54 as a "pair of relay circuits."

[0043] Here, when the lighting device 13 is a digital type, the MPU 34 is provided with a headlight output terminal Ch for directly turning on the headlight 13a and a taillight output terminal Ct for directly turning on the taillight 13b.

[0044] The first transistor 51 is a PNP transistor, and has a base terminal connected to the headlamp output terminal Ch of the MPU 34, an emitter terminal connected to the power supply generating unit 31, and a collector terminal connected to the first relay circuit 53.

[0045] The second transistor 52 is a PNP transistor, and has a base terminal connected to the taillight output terminal Ct of the MPU 34, an emitter terminal connected to the power supply generating unit 31, and a collector terminal connected to the second relay circuit 54.

[0046] The first relay circuit 53 is connected to one output line of the analog control unit 40 and is also connected to one end of the electrodes at both ends of the lighting device 13. Here, when the determination result of the determination circuit unit 20 is digital, the first relay circuit 53 brings the first transistor 51 and one end of the lighting device 13 into conduction and cuts off the conduction between the analog control unit 40 and one end of the lighting device 13. On the other hand, when the determination result of the determination circuit unit 20 is analog, the first relay circuit 53 cuts off the conduction between the first transistor 51 and one end of the lighting device 13 and brings the analog control unit 40 and one end of the lighting device 13 into conduction.

[0047] The second relay circuit 54 is connected to the other output line of the analog control unit 40 and to the other end of the electrodes at both ends of the lighting device 13. Here, when the determination result of the determination circuit unit 20 is digital, the second relay circuit 54 brings the second transistor 52 and the other end of the lighting device 13 into conduction and cuts off the conduction between the analog control unit 40 and the other end of the lighting device 13. When the determination result of the determination circuit unit 20 is analog, the second relay circuit 54 cuts off the conduction between the second transistor 52 and the other end of the lighting device 13 and brings the analog control unit 40 and the other end of the lighting device 13 into conduction.

[0048] As a result, when the control signal flowing on the track is digital, the light polarity conversion unit 50 converts the digital control signal from the MPU 34 into an output form of an analog control signal and outputs it as a lighting control signal to the lighting device 13. At this time, even if the digital control signal output from the MPU 34 is in an output form that individually controls the headlights 13a and taillights 13b, the light polarity conversion unit 50 can convert it into an analog signal having a polarity according to which headlight 13a or taillight 13b is to be turned on and output it.

[0049] In addition, if the control signal flowing on the track is analog, the light polarity conversion unit 50 can output it to the lighting device 13 in the same output format as the analog control unit 40, thereby turning on the headlights 13a or taillights 13b.

[0050] This allows the light polarity conversion unit 50 to appropriately switch the headlight 13a or taillight 13b to be turned on for the lighting device 13, which operates according to the current polarity, regardless of whether the control signal flowing on the track is digital or analog.

[0051] Before digital or analog power is supplied to the light polarity conversion unit 50, the analog control unit 40 and the lighting device 13 are electrically connected by the first relay circuit 53 and the second relay circuit 54. If a digital control signal is input to the track in this state, AC current flowing from the track via the analog control unit 40 will flow into the lighting device 13 during the period until the first relay circuit 53 and the second relay circuit 54 switch to digital control, and there is a risk that the headlights 13a and taillights 13b will be unintentionally turned on even for a short period of time, for example, about 1.5 ms.

[0052] Therefore, the light polarity conversion unit 50 according to this embodiment includes a current filter including an AC blocking capacitor 55, a first resistor 56, and a second resistor 57 as a circuit configuration for filtering the current from the pair of relay circuits to the lighting device 13. The AC blocking capacitor 55 is a ceramic capacitor having a capacitance of, for example, about 10 μF, and is connected in parallel to the lighting device 13. The first resistor 56 has a resistance value of, for example, 560 Ω, and one end is connected to the first relay circuit 53 and the other end is connected to the connection point between the AC blocking capacitor 55 and one end of the lighting device 13. The second resistor 57 has a resistance value of, for example, 100 Ω, and one end is connected to the connection point between the second relay circuit 54 and the other end of the AC blocking capacitor 55, and the other end is connected to the other end of the lighting device 13.

[0053] Fig. 8 is a waveform diagram showing the current supplied to the lighting device 13. More specifically, the upper diagram of Fig. 8 is a current waveform assuming a situation in which a DCC control signal having a voltage range of ±15 [V] as shown in Fig. 3 is supplied to the track and a current continues to flow from the analog control unit 40 to the lighting device 13 due to the control signal. The lower diagram of Fig. 8 is a waveform of a current flowing from the analog control unit 40 to the lighting device 13 due to a PWM control signal having a pulse train of +15 [V] (5 kHz) as shown in Fig. 5 is supplied to the track.

[0054] Here, if we assume a situation in which a DCC control signal is input to the light polarity conversion unit 50 that does not include a current filter, a rectangular wave current of ±20 [mA] will be supplied to the lighting device 13, and this current will unintentionally turn on the headlights 13a and taillights 13b as described above.

[0055] In contrast, in the light polarity conversion unit 50 of this embodiment, the AC blocking capacitor 55, the first resistor 56, and the second resistor 57 function as an RC filter, and as a result, the current supplied to the lighting device 13 can be limited to within a range of approximately ±1.5 mA, as shown in the upper diagram of Fig. 8. As a result, the light polarity conversion unit 50 can sufficiently suppress the illumination of the headlights 13a and the taillights 13b even if the current flows into the lighting device 13 for a period of approximately 1.5 ms, which corresponds to the response speed of the first relay circuit 53 and the second relay circuit 54.

[0056] On the other hand, when a pulse train of +15 [V] is supplied to the track as a PWM-DC control signal, the light polarity conversion unit 50 supplies a current as shown in the lower diagram of Fig. 8 to the lighting device 13. At this time, although the rise of the current is moderated by the AC blocking capacitor 55, the light polarity conversion unit 50 is able to supply a sufficient amount of current to the lighting device 13 after the AC blocking capacitor 55 is quickly charged, and therefore it is possible to properly light the headlights 13a and taillights 13b.

[0057] Furthermore, the current filter of the light polarity conversion unit 50 has a resistive element divided into a first resistor 56 and a second resistor 57 arranged to sandwich the AC blocking capacitor 55. Therefore, the current filter can be set to separate the function of an RC filter that controls the charge current to the AC blocking capacitor 55 from the function of a current limiting resistor for lighting the LED, and to have optimal current values ​​for each of these functions. Note that, although the second resistor 57 is connected to the other end of the lighting device 13 in this embodiment, it may also be connected to one end of the lighting device 13.

[0058] As described above, the decoder 14 of the model railroad vehicle 1 according to the present disclosure determines whether the control signal flowing on the track is digital or analog using the determination circuit unit 20, and controls the traction motor 12 and the lighting device 13 using a digital control signal output from the digital control unit 30 or an analog control signal output from the analog control unit 40 according to the determination result. If the determination result indicates analog, the light polarity conversion unit 50 included in the decoder 14 outputs an analog control signal having current polarity from the analog control unit 40 to the lighting device 13. If the determination result indicates digital, the light polarity conversion unit 50 converts the digital control signal from the digital control unit 30 into an analog control signal having current polarity and outputs it to the lighting device 13. As a result, the decoder 14 of the model railroad vehicle 1 according to the present disclosure can appropriately light the headlights 13a and taillights 13b regardless of whether the control signal flowing on the track is analog or digital.

[0059] Furthermore, the light polarity conversion unit 50 of the decoder 14 according to the present disclosure is composed of a first transistor 51 and a second transistor 52 as a "pair of transistors," and a first relay circuit 53 and a second relay circuit 54 as a "pair of relay circuits." Therefore, the light polarity conversion unit 50 can convert the output format and switch between digital and analog systems using a small number of parts, as described above, and can achieve space savings that allow it to be installed in existing model trains.

[0060] Furthermore, the light polarity conversion unit 50 according to the present disclosure includes an AC blocking capacitor 55 connected in parallel to the lighting device 13, a first resistor 56 provided between the pair of relay circuits and the AC blocking capacitor 55, and a second resistor 57 provided between the AC blocking capacitor 55 and the lighting device 13, thereby preventing the lighting device 13 from being unintentionally turned on when a DCC control signal is input. Also, the light polarity conversion unit 50 divides the resistive element of the current filter into the first resistor 56 and the second resistor 57, thereby enabling the optimum resistance value to be set for both the function of the RC filter and the function of the current limiting resistor of the lighting device 13.

[0061] Furthermore, the determination circuit unit 20 of the decoder 14 according to the present disclosure uses a voltage doubler circuit that determines whether the control signal flowing through the track is digital or analog based on whether it is AC or DC, allowing it to appropriately distinguish between different types of control signals, even when multiple types of analog control signals exist (diode, PWM, etc.). Furthermore, the determination circuit unit 20 of the decoder 14 according to the present disclosure doubles the output difference between the analog and digital types to make the determination. Therefore, the determination circuit unit 20 of the decoder 14 according to the present disclosure can accurately distinguish between analog and digital types even when a voltage drop occurs in the control signal flowing through the track due to, for example, dirt on the wheels 11 or the track, increased contact resistance due to poor contact between metal parts connecting the track, or increased wiring impedance due to the length of the feeder wires or track. [Explanation of symbols]

[0062] 1. Model trains 2 Digital Orbit 3 Analog Track 4 Digital Controller 4a Operation knob 4b Digital Transmit Circuit 5 Analog Controller 5a Operation knob 5b Analog transmission circuit 10. Body 11 wheels 12. Drive motor 13 Lighting equipment 13a Headlights 13b tail light 13c resistor 14 Decoder 20 Judgment circuit section 21 Received signal determination circuit 22 Signal switching circuit 23 First diode 24 Second diode 25 First Line 26 Second Line 27 Third Line 28 First Capacitor 29 Second capacitor 30 Digital control section 31 Power generation section 32 Integrated Circuit Department 33 Motor control unit 34 MPU 35 Storage section 40 Analog control section 50 Light polarity converter 51 First transistor 52 Second transistor 53 First relay circuit 54 Second relay circuit 55 AC blocking capacitor 56 1st resistor 57 2nd resistor Ch Headlight output terminal Ct tail light output terminal

Claims

1. a driving motor that drives the vehicle body in response to a control signal transmitted through the track; a lighting device that selectively turns on headlights and taillights depending on the polarity of the control signal; a control device that controls the driving motor and the lighting device, The control device a determination circuit unit that determines whether the control signal is digital or analog; an analog control unit that outputs analog control signals to the driving motor and the lighting device when the control signals are analog; a digital control unit that outputs a digital control signal to the driving motor and the lighting device when the control signal is a digital signal and the control signal targets the vehicle body; a light polarity conversion unit that converts the output form of the digital control signal to the lighting device into the output form of the analog control signal when the determination result of the determination circuit unit is digital.

2. The write polarity conversion unit a pair of transistors that generate a lighting control signal based on the digital control signal output from the digital control unit; 2. The model railway car according to claim 1, further comprising a pair of relay circuits that switch between connecting both end electrodes of the lighting device to the pair of transistors or to the analog control unit.

3. The write polarity conversion unit an AC blocking capacitor connected in parallel to the lighting device; a first resistor provided between the pair of relay circuits and the AC blocking capacitor; 3. The model railway car according to claim 2, further comprising a second resistor provided between the AC blocking capacitor and the lighting device.

4. The determination circuit unit a voltage doubler circuit that outputs a DC voltage having a voltage value twice the effective value of the AC power when the control signal flowing through the track is AC power; 2. The model railway vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising: a signal switching circuit that switches between digital control and analog control by comparing the DC voltage with a predetermined voltage threshold that is higher than a rated voltage of the control signal but lower than twice the rated voltage.

5. A control device mounted on a railway model vehicle, the control device comprising: a driving motor that drives a car body in response to a control signal transmitted on a track; and a lighting device that selectively turns on headlights and taillights in response to the polarity of the control signal; a determination circuit unit that determines whether the control signal is digital or analog; an analog control unit that outputs analog control signals to the driving motor and the lighting device when the control signals are analog; a digital control unit that outputs a digital control signal to the driving motor and the lighting device when the control signal is a digital signal and the control signal targets the vehicle body; a light polarity conversion unit that converts the output form of the digital control signal for the lighting device into the output form of the analog control signal when the determination result of the determination circuit unit is digital.

6. The write polarity conversion unit a pair of transistors that generate a lighting control signal based on the digital control signal output from the digital control unit; The control device according to claim 5 , further comprising: a pair of relay circuits that switch between connecting both end electrodes of the lighting device to the pair of transistors or to the analog control unit.

7. The write polarity conversion unit an AC blocking capacitor connected in parallel to the lighting device; a first resistor provided between the pair of relay circuits and the AC blocking capacitor; The control device according to claim 6 , further comprising: a second resistor provided between the AC blocking capacitor and the lighting device.

8. The determination circuit unit a voltage doubler circuit that outputs a DC voltage having a voltage value twice the effective value of the AC power when the control signal flowing through the track is AC power; 6. The control device according to claim 5, further comprising: a signal switching circuit that switches between digital control and analog control by comparing the DC voltage with a predetermined voltage threshold that is higher than a rated voltage of the control signal and lower than twice the rated voltage.

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