This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from the prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2015-198458, filed on Oct. 6, 2015, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
The embodiments of the present invention relate to a regenerative power-amount estimation device and a brake plan plotting device.
In the operation of railway vehicles, a driver operates a brake notch of a master controller provided in a cab to stop a train at a target position. A command of the master controller is transmitted to a vehicle controller, and the vehicle controller calculates a brake force required for decelerating and stopping the train corresponding to the brake notch operation. A brake includes an electric brake and a friction brake. Basically, the electric brake takes a priority, and if a necessary brake force cannot be obtained, the friction brake assists the electric brake. The electric brake uses a braking system for causing the electric brake to work (regenerate) as a generator normally by inversely spinning the electric brake with respect to a motor that outputs a rotative force. Therefore, an amount of regenerative power increases by using the electric brake as much as possible, thereby enabling to contribute to the energy saving operation.
Conventionally, in order to acquire the amount of regenerative power as much as possible, there has been proposed a method of performing switching determination of a brake notch so as to utilize an electric brake to a maximum extent, and displaying a determination result on a cab or applying the determination result to driving control. However, a response of the electric brake to the switching operation of the brake notch has a different time delay (a transient response) depending on circuit formation, transmission delay, or the like. According to this conventional method, regarding the transient response time, processing is omitted by a timer. Therefore, estimation of the amount of regenerative power including the transient response and that of switching determination of the brake notch are not possible.
A regenerative power-amount estimation device according to an embodiment includes a regenerative power-amount estimation model for each brake notch switching configured to include a transient response of an electric brake corresponding to a switching operation of a brake notch for each switching operation of the brake notch in an operation of railway vehicles. A regenerative power-amount estimation part is configured to estimate an expected amount of regenerative power acquired for a brake plan being temporal transition data of the brake notch, based on the regenerative power-amount estimation model for each brake notch switching.
Embodiments will now be explained with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following embodiments, same constituent elements are denoted by like reference characters and redundant explanations thereof will be omitted.
A regenerative power-amount estimation device according to a first embodiment is described.
Therefore, in the first embodiment, a model of estimating the regenerative power for each switching operation of the brake notch is established, while focusing on that the transient response occurs due to switching of the brake notch, and that the characteristic of the transient response changes according to a combination of the brake notch before switching and the brake notch after switching in the switching operation of the brake notch.
In this manner, by using the relation of
A process is started (S601). First, the regenerative power-amount estimation device 500 acquires temporal transition data (the brake plan 503) of the brake notch for which it is desired to estimate the amount of regenerative power (S602). The regenerative power-amount estimation part 501 estimates an expected amount of regenerative power that is acquired by the input brake plan 503 based on the regenerative power-amount estimation model 502 for each brake notch switching (S603). The regenerative power-amount estimation part 501 outputs the estimated expected amount of regenerative power to the display 504 (S604). The process is finished (605).
In the configuration described in the first embodiment, by having the regenerative power-amount estimation model for each switching operation of the brake notch, the expected amount of regenerative power can be estimated highly accurately, taking the transient response into consideration.
In a second embodiment, a regenerative power-amount estimation device including acquisition parts of various pieces of information is described.
The gradient/curve information is information of gradient and curve unique to a track. The vehicle speed is the operating speed of a vehicle, and normally it has the same value in a formation not by a vehicle number. The vehicle weight indicates a weight of a vehicle including passengers and other equipment, and has a value different by a vehicle number. Weather indicates information such as rain and snow in an operating place. The trolley voltage indicates a voltage applied to a motor from an overhead line through a pantograph, and has a value different by a vehicle number according to the characteristic of the motor or the like. Regarding the sliding state, a slipping phenomenon caused by weakening of the adhesive force of vehicle wheels with respect to the rail is referred to as sliding, and the sliding state indicates information of presence of occurrence and prediction of occurrence of sliding. In the vehicle control, the brake force is controlled so that sliding does not occur. The vehicle connected state indicates information whether a formation of a different system is connected.
In the second embodiment, the regenerative power-amount estimation part uses these pieces of information together to estimate the expected amount of regenerative power.
A process is started (S801). First, the regenerative power-amount estimation device acquires temporal transition data (the brake plan) of the brake notch for which it is desired to estimate the amount of regenerative power (S802). The regenerative power-amount estimation part acquires information of gradient, curve, vehicle speed, vehicle weight, weather, trolley voltage, sliding state, and vehicle connected state from the respective acquisition parts (S803). The regenerative power-amount estimation part estimates an expected amount of regenerative power that is acquired by the input brake plan based on these acquired pieces of information and the regenerative power-amount estimation model 502 for each brake notch switching (S804). The regenerative power-amount estimation part displays the estimated expected amount of regenerative power on the display together with the brake plan (S805). The process is finished (S806).
Regarding other pieces of information, a specific method of consideration does not matter, for example, the pieces of information are considered as variables in the relational expression, or the pieces of information are considered by switching the relational expression.
In the configuration described in the second embodiment, by taking into consideration the gradient/curve information, vehicle speed, vehicle weight, weather, trolley voltage, sliding state, and vehicle connected state for estimation of the expected regenerative power, estimation of the expected regenerative power with higher accuracy can be performed.
In a third embodiment, a brake plan plotting device is described.
In a brake plan plotting device 1200, a brake-plan generation part 1201 generates a plurality of brake plans based on time acquired by a time acquisition part 1202, diagram information 1203, and position information 1204.
The regenerative power-amount estimation device estimates the expected amount of regenerative power in all the brake plans based on the regenerative power-amount estimation model for each brake notch switching in the regenerative power-amount estimation part. The configuration is such that a brake plan adapted to the selected condition is selected by a brake-plan selection part 1205. Various results are output to the display.
A process is started (S1301). First, the brake plan plotting device acquires pieces of information of time, diagram, and position (S1302). The brake plan plotting device generates a plurality of brake plans capable of keeping on-time performance based on the acquired pieces of information (S1303). At this time, as a method of generating the brake plan, the brake plan can be generated by temporally shifting the brake notch at random, or the brake plan can be generated based on the past brake historical data, and the specific method does not matter.
The brake plan plotting device estimates the expected amount of regenerative power in the generated brake plans based on the regenerative power-amount estimation model for each brake notch switching (S1304). The estimated expected amount of regenerative power is linked to the corresponding brake plan respectively and held.
The brake plan plotting device selects a brake plan satisfying the selected condition from the brake plans linked with the estimated expected amount of regenerative power (S1305).
The brake plan plotting device displays the selected brake plan and the estimated expected amount of regenerative power (S1306). The process is finished (S1307).
In the configuration described in the third embodiment, by generating a plurality of brake plans based on the acquired pieces of information, estimating the expected amount of regenerative power in all the brake plans, and selecting a brake plan adapted to the selected condition, not only the expected amount of regenerative power can be estimated by inputting a single brake plan but also a brake plan in which the expected amount of regenerative power further increases can be plotted.
In a fourth embodiment, a brake plan plotting device including acquisition parts of various pieces of information is described.
A process is started (S1701). First, the brake plan plotting device acquires pieces of information of time, diagram, position, gradient, curve, vehicle speed, vehicle weight, and weather (S1702). A plurality of brake plans capable of keeping on-time performance are generated based on the acquired pieces of information (S1703).
The brake plan plotting device estimates the expected amount of regenerative power in the generated brake plans based on the regenerative power-amount estimation model for each brake notch switching (S1704).
The brake plan plotting device selects a brake plan satisfying the selected condition from the brake plans linked with the estimated expected amount of regenerative power (S1705).
The brake plan plotting device displays the selected brake plan and the estimated expected amount of regenerative power (S1706). The process is finished (S1707).
In the configuration described in the fourth embodiment, by taking into consideration the gradient, curve, vehicle speed, vehicle weight, and weather for generation of the brake plan, a brake plan capable of keeping on-time performance more accurately can be generated.
In a fifth embodiment, a brake plan plotting device capable of inputting selection conditions is described.
A process is started (S1901). First, the brake plan plotting device acquires pieces of information of time, diagram, and position (S1902). The brake plan plotting device generates a plurality of brake plans capable of keeping on-time performance based on the acquired pieces of information (S1903).
The brake plan plotting device estimates the expected amount of regenerative power in the generated brake plans based on the regenerative power-amount estimation model for each brake notch switching (S1904). The brake plan plotting device acquires selection conditions (S1905).
The brake plan plotting device selects a brake plan satisfying the acquired selected condition from the brake plans linked with the estimated expected amount of regenerative power (S1906).
The brake plan plotting device displays the selected brake plan and the estimated expected amount of regenerative power (S1907). The process is finished (51908).
In the configuration described in the fifth embodiment, by enabling to input the selection conditions to the brake-plan selection part from outside, the selection conditions can be appropriately switched according to the operating status, and adaptive operation taking into consideration emphasis on energy saving property, emphasis on comfort, or the like can be performed.
In a sixth embodiment, a brake plan plotting device capable of outputting a brake plan to vehicle control is described.
A process is started (S2101). First, the brake plan plotting device acquires pieces of information of time, diagram, and position (S2102). The brake plan plotting device generates a plurality of brake plans capable of keeping on-time performance based on the acquired pieces of information (S2103).
The brake plan plotting device estimates the expected amount of regenerative power in the generated brake plans based on the regenerative power-amount estimation model for each brake notch switching (S2104).
The brake plan plotting device selects a brake plan satisfying the selected condition from the brake plans linked with the estimated expected amount of regenerative power (S2105).
The brake plan plotting device displays the selected brake plan and the estimated expected amount of regenerative power (S2106). The brake plan plotting device controls vehicles based on the selected brake plan (S2107). The process is finished (S2108).
In the configuration described in the sixth embodiment, by enabling to output the brake plan selected by the brake-plan selection part to outside, vehicle control according to the brake plan can be performed, thereby enabling operations irrespective of the operation ability of a driver.
In a seventh embodiment, a brake plan plotting device capable of outputting a brake plan to vehicle control through an execution instruction is described.
A process is started (S2301). First, the brake plan plotting device acquires pieces of information of time, diagram, and position (2302). The brake plan plotting device generates a plurality of brake plans capable of keeping on-time performance based on the acquired pieces of information (S2303).
The brake plan plotting device estimates the expected amount of regenerative power in the generated brake plans based on the regenerative power-amount estimation model for each brake notch switching (S2304).
The brake plan plotting device selects a brake plan satisfying the selected condition from the brake plans linked with the estimated expected amount of regenerative power (S2305).
The brake plan plotting device displays the selected brake plan and the estimated expected amount of regenerative power (S2306).
The brake plan plotting device acquires an execution instruction whether to execute the selected brake plan (S2307). In the case of the execution instruction (YES at S2308), the brake plan plotting device controls the vehicle based on the selected brake plan (S2309), to finish the process (S2310). In the case of not being the execution instruction (NO at S2308), the brake plan plotting device finishes the process (S2310).
In the configuration described in the seventh embodiment, by enabling to confirm whether to execute the brake plan selected by the brake-plan selection part by the GUI, vehicle control according to the brake plan can be performed after gaining the consent of the driver or the like. Accordingly, operations irrespective of the operation ability of the driver can be performed while excluding troubles, faults, accidents, or the like due to automatic execution of an unintended brake plan.
In an eighth embodiment, a brake plan plotting device having the respective additional functions is described.
A process is started (S2601). First, the brake plan plotting device acquires pieces of information of time, diagram, position, gradient, curve, vehicle speed, vehicle weight, and weather (S2602). The brake plan plotting device generates a plurality of brake plans capable of keeping on-time performance based on the acquired pieces of information (S2603).
The brake plan plotting device acquires pieces of information of gradient, curve, vehicle speed, vehicle weight, weather, trolley voltage, sliding state, and vehicle connected state (S2604).
The brake plan plotting device estimates the expected amount of regenerative power in the generated brake plans based on the regenerative power-amount estimation model for each brake notch switching (S2605).
The brake plan plotting device selects a brake plan satisfying the selection condition from the brake plans linked with the estimated expected amount of regenerative power (S2605). The brake plan plotting device acquires a selection condition (S2606).
The brake plan plotting device selects a brake plan satisfying the acquired selection condition from the brake plans linked with the estimated expected amount of regenerative power (S2607). The brake plan plotting device displays the selected brake plan and the estimated expected amount of regenerative power (S2608).
The brake plan plotting device acquires an execution instruction whether to execute the selected brake plan (S2609). In the case of the execution instruction (YES at S2610), the brake plan plotting device controls the vehicle based on the selected brake plan (S2611), to finish the process (S2612). In the case of not being the execution instruction (NO at S2610), the brake plan plotting device finishes the process (S2612).
In the configuration described in the eighth embodiment, the effects described in the respective embodiments described above can be acquired comprehensively.
As described above, according to the eighth embodiment, the amount of regenerative power can be estimated accurately to enable contribution to the energy saving operation, by holding the regenerative power-amount estimation model for each switching operation of the brake notch and taking into consideration a transient response in the respective switching operations of the brake notch, regarding the operating method and the operating system of the railway vehicles.
While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the inventions. Indeed, the novel methods and systems described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the methods and systems described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the inventions. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope and spirit of the inventions.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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2015-198458 | Oct 2015 | JP | national |