Switch conversion unit

Abstract

To provide an inexpensive railroad switch conversion unit that converts a manual switch to an automatic switch with a simple structure.SOLUTION: A railroad switch conversion unit X for converting a manual switch to an automatic switch comprises a rotation mechanism 3 that rotates an operating lever 1 connected to a conversion shaft 2 of the manual switch that converts a tongue rail into a normal position or a reverse position. The rotation mechanism 3 has: a rotating rod part 31 that is coupled to the operating lever 1 via a coupling member 13; a drive source 32 that rotationally drives the rotating rod part 31; and a clutch part 33 that can disconnect the rotating rod part 31 from the drive source 32.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a switch conversion unit for converting a manual switch into an automatic switch.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a switch for operating a branch provided on a railway track to convert a tongue rail to a normal position or a reverse position is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Examples of such a switch include a manual switch operated by an operator using an operation lever and an automatic switch that converts a tongue rail by a driving force such as a motor.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses an automatic switch. In the automatic switch described in Patent Document 1, the rotational output of an electric motor is decelerated by a speed reduction mechanism unit and transmitted to a drive shaft, and the drive shaft rotates either forward or backward to perform a conversion operation to a normal position or a reverse position by an operating rod.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Conventional switches only include manual switches or automatic switches. For newly installed branch switches, an automatic switch can be introduced. However, for a large number of existing manual switches, operators still had to go to the site to perform operations. Therefore, the burden on the operators going to the site is large, and in order to eliminate operation errors of the switch, it is necessary to convert from a manual switch to an automatic switch. However, since it is costly to convert a large number of manual switches existing nationwide into automatic switches, development has not progressed at present.

[0006] Therefore, there is a need for an inexpensive switch conversion unit that can convert manual switches to automatic switches with a simple structure. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The characteristic configuration of the switch conversion unit according to the present invention is a switch conversion unit for converting a manual switch to an automatic switch, which includes a rotating mechanism for rotating an operating lever connected to the switching shaft of the manual switch that switches the tongue rail to the normal position or the reverse position, wherein the rotating mechanism has a rotating rod portion connected to the operating lever via a coupling member, a drive source for rotationally driving the rotating rod portion, and a clutch portion that can disconnect the rotating rod portion and the drive source.

[0008] In this configuration, the switch conversion unit is composed of a rotating mechanism, which rotates an operating lever connected to the switching shaft of a manual switch that switches the tongue rail to the normal or reverse position. Therefore, the conversion to an automatic switch is completed simply by installing the rotating mechanism and connecting the operating lever to the rotating mechanism. Consequently, it is possible to convert a manual switch to an automatic switch quickly and at low cost without requiring large-scale conversion work that would affect the turnout.

[0009] Furthermore, this configuration has a simple structure in which the rotating rod of the rotating mechanism is connected to the operating lever, so for example, it only needs to be connected to an existing operating lever, resulting in high conversion efficiency. In addition, since a clutch is provided that allows the rotating rod to be separated from the drive source, even if electronic equipment such as the drive source malfunctions, the clutch can be used to convert it into a manual switch, eliminating the inconvenience of not being able to branch the tracks.

[0010] Thus, it is an inexpensive switch conversion unit that converts manual switches to automatic switches with a simple structure.

[0011] Another notable feature is that the rotating mechanism has a measuring unit for measuring the switching state of the tongue rail.

[0012] As in this configuration, by providing a measuring unit that measures the switching state of the tongue rail, it is possible to confirm whether the tongue rail has been accurately switched to the normal or reversed position by the rotation mechanism. Therefore, even if a malfunction occurs when the switch conversion unit is functioning as an automatic switch, the clutch unit can be switched to a manual switch, minimizing disruption to train operations.

[0013] Another notable feature is that the axis of the pivot shaft of the rotating rod section and the axis of the conversion shaft coincide.

[0014] As in this configuration, by aligning the axis of the pivot shaft of the rotating rod with the axis of the switching shaft, the rotation radius of the rotating rod and the rotation radius of the operating lever connected to the switching shaft become the same, thus stabilizing the rotational position of the operating lever. As a result, the operating lever can be accurately rotated by the driving force of the rotating mechanism.

[0015] Other notable features include a notch formed at one end of the connecting member to accommodate a part of the operating lever, and a holding portion that encloses the other end of the connecting member in the rotating rod portion.

[0016] As in this configuration, by providing a holding portion that encloses the other end of the connecting member on the rotating rod portion, the coupling force between the operating lever and the rotating mechanism is increased, and the operating lever can be accurately rotated by the driving force of the rotating mechanism. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0017] [Figure 1] This diagram shows a turnout system equipped with a turnout and a switch conversion unit. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view of a switch conversion unit. [Figure 3] This is a plan view of the switch conversion unit. [Figure 4] This is a front view of the switch conversion unit. [Figure 5] This is a side view of the switch conversion unit. [Figure 6]Perspective view of a switch conversion unit according to other embodiments.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0018] Hereinafter, embodiments of the switch conversion unit according to the present invention will be described based on the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist thereof.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 1, the switch conversion unit X converts a manual switch that manually converts the tongue rail (not shown) of the brancher Y to the normal position or the reverse position into an automatic switch that automatically converts the tongue rail of the brancher Y to the normal position or the reverse position. The switch conversion unit X in the present embodiment rotates an existing operation lever 1 provided in a manual switch connected to a conversion shaft that converts the tongue rail to the normal position or the reverse position. Since the conversion mechanism of the tongue rail is a known technique (for example, see Patent Document 1) that converts the tongue rail to the normal position or the reverse position via a gear mechanism provided on the conversion shaft, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0020] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the switch conversion unit X includes a rotation mechanism 3 attached to the existing operation lever 1. The rotation mechanism 3 rotates the operation lever 1 connected to the conversion shaft 2 of a manual switch that converts the tongue rail to the normal position or the reverse position. The rotation mechanism 3 has a coupling member 13 for coupling with the operation lever 1.

[0021] The operation lever 1 is rotatable about the conversion shaft 2 as a rotation center, and its posture changes between a first lever posture corresponding to the normal position of the tongue rail and a second lever posture corresponding to the reverse position of the tongue rail (see FIG. 4). Hereinafter, the angle formed by the operation lever 1 in the first lever posture and the operation lever 1 in the second lever posture will be referred to as the lever rotation angle.

[0022] In this embodiment, the operating lever 1 has a first rod-shaped member 11 connected to the switching shaft 2 and a second rod-shaped member 12 connected to the first rod-shaped member 11 by overlapping it. The second rod-shaped member 12 is overlapped on the side of the first rod-shaped member 11 opposite to the switching shaft 2. The width of the first rod-shaped member 11 is formed to be the same as the width of the second rod-shaped member 12 (see Figure 4), and these first rod-shaped member 11 and second rod-shaped member 12 are sandwiched by a connecting member 13 (see Figures 2 and 3). The width of the first rod-shaped member 11 is the length of the first rod-shaped member 11 in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the switching shaft 2 and the extending direction of the first rod-shaped member 11. The same applies to the width of the second rod-shaped member 12.

[0023] As shown in Figures 3 and 5, one end of the first rod-shaped member 11 has a connecting portion 11a which is connected to the male threaded portion of the switching shaft 2 by screwing a nut 14 onto it, and the other end of the first rod-shaped member 11 is supported by a connecting member 13. The second rod-shaped member 12 is fastened and integrated with the first rod-shaped member 11 by a plurality of fastening members (not shown). The second rod-shaped member 12 is longer than the first rod-shaped member 11. One end of the second rod-shaped member 12 is adjacent to the connecting portion 11a, and the other end is a gripping portion 12a which is a free end, and is supported in the central part by a connecting member 13. With these configurations, one end of the operating lever 1 is configured as a connecting portion 11a which is connected to the switching shaft 2, and the other end of the operating lever 1 is configured as a gripping portion 12a which can be gripped by an operator.

[0024] The connecting member 13 is a rectangular plate-shaped member in plan view, and has a base portion 13a and a notched portion 13k, which is a part of the short side opposite to the base portion 13a that is cut out. Specifically, the notched portion 13k is provided at one end of the connecting member 13, and the base portion 13a is provided at the other end of the connecting member 13. The size of the notched portion 13k in the width direction in plan view (in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the conversion axis 2 and the extending direction in which the first rod-shaped member 11 extends) is formed to be larger than the width of the first rod-shaped member 11 and the second rod-shaped member 12. The connecting member 13 fits the first rod-shaped member 11 and the second rod-shaped member 12 by accommodating a part of the first rod-shaped member 11 and the second rod-shaped member 12 in the notched portion 13k. When the connecting member 13 is fitted onto the first rod-shaped member 11 and the second rod-shaped member 12, the connecting member 13 and the first rod-shaped member 11 and the second rod-shaped member 12 are connected.

[0025] The base 13a of the connecting member 13 protrudes from the rod-shaped members 11 and 12 in the axial direction of the conversion shaft 2. Furthermore, since the base 13a is fixed to the rotating rod portion 31 described later, the base 13a of the connecting member 13 will be referred to as the fixing portion 13a below. The connecting member 13 may be integral with the rod-shaped members 11 and 12 that constitute the connecting portion 11a and the gripping portion 12a, and the fixing portion 13a may be composed of a protruding portion that extends from the rod-shaped members 11 and 12 in the axial direction of the conversion shaft 2. The fixing portion 13a is composed of a rectangle in cross-section, where the extending direction of the rod-shaped members 11 and 12 is the short side and the width direction of the operating lever 1 is the long side. The connecting member 13 may be fixed to the operating lever 1 with bolts or the like.

[0026] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the rotating mechanism 3 further comprises a rotating rod portion 31 connected to the fixed portion 13a of the coupling member 13, an electric motor 32 (an example of a drive source) that rotates the rotating rod portion 31, a clutch portion 33 that can disconnect the rotating rod portion 31 and the electric motor 32, and a housing 30 that houses the electric motor 32 and the clutch portion 33. The rotating mechanism 3 also further comprises a measuring unit S that measures the switching state of the tongue rail.

[0027] The rotating rod portion 31 is formed in the shape of a long plate and is rotatable about the pivot shaft 31a as the pivot center. The rotating rod portion 31 changes its posture between a first rotating rod posture corresponding to the normal position of the tongue rail and a second rotating rod posture corresponding to the reverse position of the tongue rail. Hereinafter, the angle between the rotating rod portion 31 in the first rotating rod posture and the rotating rod portion 31 in the second rotating rod posture will be referred to as the rotating rod rotation angle. One end of the rotating rod portion 31 is connected to the pivot shaft 31a which is rotated by the driving force of the electric motor 32, and the other end includes a holding portion 31b that encloses the fixing portion 13a of the connecting member 13. In this embodiment, the axis of the pivot shaft 31a of the rotating rod portion 31 coincides with the axis of the switching shaft 2 (see Figure 5). This makes it possible to make the rotation angle of the rotating rod section 31 (rotating rod rotation angle) and the rotation angle of the operating lever 1 connected to the switching shaft 2 (lever rotation angle) the same, thus stabilizing the rotational position of the operating lever 1. As a result, the operating lever 1 can be accurately rotated by the driving force of the rotation mechanism 3.

[0028] The holding portion 31b is formed in a rectangular C-shape in a front view, with a width equal to the long plate width of the rotating rod portion 31 (length in the axial direction of the conversion shaft 2 and in the direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the rotating rod portion 31) in a front view as shown in Figure 4, and has a thickness greater than the long plate thickness of the rotating rod portion 31 (length in the axial direction of the conversion shaft 2) in a side view as shown in Figure 5. The holding portion 31b has a notch formed on its upper surface and, as shown in Figure 4, is composed of a bottom wall 31b1, a pair of side walls 31b2 erected from both ends of the bottom wall 31b1, and a pair of top walls 31b3 extending inward from each of the pair of side walls 31b2. As shown in Figure 5, the connecting member 13 is inserted between the pair of side walls 31b2 by moving toward the rod-shaped members 11 and 12 along a direction parallel to the axial direction of the conversion shaft 2. A stopper member 34, such as an index plunger, is inserted between the pair of top walls 31b3 along the extending direction of the rotating rod portion 31. The stopper member 34 passes through the fixing portion 13a and reaches the bottom wall 31b1 of the holding portion 31b, thereby connecting the fixing portion 13a of the connecting member 13 with the holding portion 31b of the rotating rod portion 31. Specifically, the stopper member 34 at the boundary between the fixing portion 13a and the rotating rod portion 31 fixes the relative position between the operating lever 1 and the rotating rod portion 31. The first rod-shaped member 11 and the second rod-shaped member 12 are fitted into the notch 13k of the connecting member 13 connected to the rotating rod portion 31, thereby connecting the first rod-shaped member 11 and the second rod-shaped member 12 with the rotating rod portion 31 via the connecting member 13. In other words, the operating lever 1 and the rotating rod portion 31 are connected via the connecting member 13. As a result, the operating lever 1 rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the rotating rod portion 31.

[0029] In this way, the holding portion 31b that encloses the fixing portion 13a of the connecting member 13 is formed in a rectangular C shape when viewed from the front, and this holding portion 31b is provided at the other end of the rotating rod portion 31. As a result, the coupling force between the operating lever 1 and the rotating mechanism 3 is increased, and the operating lever 1 can be accurately rotated by the driving force of the rotating mechanism 3.

[0030] The clutch unit 33 is a mechanism that switches between connecting or disconnecting the drive shaft (not shown) of the electric motor 32, which can rotate in both forward and reverse directions, and the rotating shaft 31a of the rotating rod unit 31. The drive shaft (not shown) of the electric motor 32 and the rotating shaft 31a of the rotating rod unit 31 are connected by a reduction mechanism such as a face gear, which transmits the driving force of the electric motor 32 to the rotating rod unit 31. The clutch unit 33 is composed of a known meshing clutch or fluid clutch, etc. When the drive shaft of the electric motor 32 and the rotating shaft 31a of the rotating rod unit 31 are connected by the clutch unit 33, the switch conversion unit X functions as an automatic switch, and when the connection between the drive shaft of the electric motor 32 and the rotating shaft 31a of the rotating rod unit 31 is disconnected by the clutch unit 33, the switch conversion unit X functions as a manual switch.

[0031] The measurement unit S is composed of known laser sensors, cameras, etc., for measuring the switching state of the tongue rail. The measurement unit S is fixed to the side of the housing 30 and can detect the normal or reversed position of the tongue rail. If the measurement unit S is composed of a laser sensor, it irradiates the tongue rail with laser light (light source) and automatically measures the degree of contact of the tongue rail with the basic rail from the angle at which the direction of the reflected laser light (light receiving unit) changes. If the measurement unit S is composed of a camera, it automatically measures the degree of contact from the image captured by the camera. The measurement unit S may also be composed of a pressure sensor or a capacitance sensor, and is not particularly limited. For example, after the rotating rod 31 rotates due to the driving of the electric motor 32, the measurement unit S measures the switching state of the tongue rail when the driving of the electric motor 32 stops and the rotation of the rotating rod 31 stops.

[0032] As described above, a measuring unit S is provided to measure the switching state of the tongue rail, making it possible to confirm whether the tongue rail has been accurately switched to the normal or reversed position by the rotation mechanism 3. Therefore, even if a malfunction occurs when the switch conversion unit X is functioning as an automatic switch, the clutch unit 33 can switch the switch conversion unit X to a manual switch, minimizing disruption to train operations.

[0033] As shown in Figure 1, the switch conversion unit X may further include a communication unit 5 capable of outputting the operating status of the rotation mechanism 3 in order to remotely control the operation of the rotation mechanism 3. This communication unit 5 is an interface that can communicate with the computer of the central control center C by wired or wireless connection. In this embodiment, the communication unit 5 is provided for each of the multiple switch conversion units X and can transmit information indicating the operating status of the rotation mechanism 3 along with the identification information of each switch conversion unit X. Furthermore, the central control center C is configured to be able to communicate wirelessly with the worker's mobile terminal T and can transmit information indicating the operating status of the rotation mechanism 3 along with the identification information of the switch conversion unit X to the worker. This makes it possible to centrally manage multiple manual switches even if multiple switch conversion units X are installed by converting multiple manual switches to automatic switches. Therefore, in addition to existing automatic points, automatic points converted by the point conversion unit X can also be centrally managed, significantly reducing the burden on workers and preventing operational errors.

[0034] In this embodiment, the switch conversion unit X is composed of a rotating mechanism 3, which rotates an operating lever 1 connected to the switching shaft 2 of a manual switch that switches the tongue rail to the normal or reverse position. Therefore, the conversion to an automatic switch is completed simply by installing the rotating mechanism 3 and connecting the operating lever 1 with the rotating mechanism 3. Consequently, a large-scale conversion operation that affects the turnout Y is not required, and a manual switch can be converted to an automatic switch quickly and at low cost.

[0035] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the structure is simple, with the rotating rod portion 31 of the rotating mechanism 3 being connected to the operating lever 1. Therefore, it is only necessary to connect the rotating mechanism 3 to the existing operating lever, resulting in high conversion efficiency. Moreover, since a clutch portion 33 is provided that can disconnect the rotating rod portion 31 and the electric motor 32, even if electronic equipment such as the electric motor 32 malfunctions, the clutch portion 33 can be used to convert it to a manual switch, eliminating the inconvenience of not being able to branch the tracks.

[0036] [Other embodiments] (1) The electric motor 32, which serves as the drive source, may be composed of a cylinder or the like that operates the rotating shaft 31a by fluid pressure such as air. (2) The axis of the pivot shaft 31a of the pivot rod portion 31 and the axis of the switching shaft 2 may be configured to be misaligned, so that the rotation angle of the pivot rod portion 31 (pivot rod rotation angle) and the rotation angle of the operating lever 1 connected to the switching shaft 2 (lever rotation angle) are different. In this case, the connecting member 13 may support the first rod-shaped member 11 and the second rod-shaped member 12 so that their relative positions to the first rod-shaped member 11 and the second rod-shaped member 12 shown in Figures 2 to 5 can be changed. Furthermore, the operating lever 1 to which the rotation mechanism 3 of the switch conversion unit X can be connected is not limited to that described in the embodiment, and may be an operating lever 1 having a through-hole 1a at the other end of the pivot rod portion 31 that can move up and down, as shown in Figure 6. In this case, the other end of the pivot rod portion 31 is engaged with this through-hole 1a. This makes it possible to rotate the operating lever 1 in conjunction with the rotation of the pivot rod portion 31. (3) The switch conversion unit X may further include an operating lever that is attached to the switching shaft 2 in place of the existing operating lever 1. (4) The retaining portion 31b does not have to be formed in a rectangular C shape when viewed from the front, but may simply be formed as a plate-like member and connected to the fixing portion 13a with bolts or the like. (5) The measurement unit S may be fixed to the box of the communication unit 5 instead of the side of the housing 30. [Industrial applicability]

[0037] The present invention can be used in a switch conversion unit for converting a manual switch to an automatic switch. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0038] 1: Operating lever 2: Axis of Conversion 3: Rotating mechanism 11a:Connection part 12a: Grip part 13: Connecting member 13a: Base (other end of connecting member) 13k: Notch 31: Rotating rod section 31a: Rotating shaft 31b: Holding part 32: Electric motor (power source) 33: Clutch section S: Measurement unit X: Switch conversion unit

Claims

1. A switch conversion unit for converting a manual switch to an automatic switch, The manual switch is equipped with a rotating mechanism that rotates an operating lever connected to the switching shaft of the switch that switches the tongue rail to the normal or reverse position, The aforementioned rotation mechanism includes a rotating rod portion connected to the operating lever via a coupling member, a drive source for rotationally driving the rotating rod portion, and a clutch portion capable of separating the rotating rod portion and the drive source. The axis of the pivot shaft of the aforementioned rotating rod section and the axis of the aforementioned switching shaft coincide. A notch is formed at one end of the connecting member to accommodate a part of the operating lever. The aforementioned rotating rod portion is a switch conversion unit having a holding portion that encloses the other end of the connecting member.

2. The switch conversion unit according to claim 1, wherein the rotating mechanism has a measuring unit for measuring the switching state of the tongue rail.

Images