Patent Application
20090243530
This disclosure pertains to the field of control systems for model and toy trains, and specifically a power system used to provide the operating power via the train track.
Model and toy trains have undergone numerous evolutions from the earliest forms of the electrically-powered trains, using a two track system for DC powered trains, and a three track system for AC powered trains in order to provide a source of power to the motors contained within the body of the model and toy trains. Generally, these elements were in the form of simulated track wherein the DC powered trains included two rails upon which the wheels of the train would ride, with the wheels acting as a conduit for the electricity used to power the motor located in the train. In the case of AC powered trains, a third rail was included in the center portion of the simulated train track, with one side (polarity) of the power provided to the center rail, and the other side (polarity) of the power provided on both outside rails of the train track. Wheels on the AC powered trains would pick up the outside rails that, along with the center rail pickup “shoe”, would provide the AC power for the motor located within the body of the model or toy train.
The power source for these trains includes a step-down transformer that steps down the household voltage to the necessary voltage used by the motors located inside the trains. Additionally, a means for adjusting the voltage to the motors is used to provide variable speeds to the trains, with adjustment provided by a control knob located on the power source or a separate controller that provides instructions to the power source This separate controller, sometimes located on a remote control device, can also be used to activate various other functions, and can also contain a display for indicating operation, speed, etc. of the train under control.
In the past, trains were often relegated to “toy” status, having cast bodies that simulated real trains, and crude lighting and smoke effects. Additionally, there was also provided some form of sound, usually a horn and/or a bell that included small, electrically driven devices in the bodies of the trains or associated cars. These types of model trains are generally referred to as analog trains insofar as the motors within these trains are directly powered by the train track voltages as a means to govern their speed and direction, and would include some means using the analog track voltage to operate the smoke and limited sound effects. Developments in the early 60's with HO-gauge trains directed an increasingly larger portion of the toy train enthusiasts to more highly detailed and train and cars. The 80's saw the development of digital control schemes for model trains, with highly detailed castings and add-on features, and with multiple sound, smoke, and light features that became increasingly the domain of the digital circuitry. These trains included what are known as digital decoders, or simply decoders, to denote the inclusion of an electronic circuit within the body of the train. Thus, a number of digital control schemes for the generation of control signals for the digital circuitry contained within the train bodies were developed. These schemes, such as the Lenz Digital Command Control, or DCC, Marklin's Digital Systems (for AC powered trains), Lionel's Trainmaster Control, and MTH's digital control system, among others, provide for huge improvements in the areas of prototypical sound, light, and smoke operations, and also provide for multi-train operation on the same electrically powered track. Generally, these systems have the track voltage, whether DC or AC, at full power, and incorporate digital signals into the track voltage. These signals instruct the digital-equipped train decoders to operate in the fashion desired by the model train operator through the decoders contained within the model train bodies, the power sources for these digital systems having an array of buttons to operate the various features on the thus equipped trains.
These digital systems, because of the necessity of providing full track voltage to operate the digital-equipped trains, will not allow operation of the older, analog trains that use a variable track voltage to operate the train motor, on the same track. Therefore, an operator that has both decoder-equipped trains and conventional, analog trains must change power sources when they run either digital or analog trains on the same track setup. This means that the power source, (for example, an analog system), must be electrically removed from the train tracks and replaced with a digital power source when it is desired to run decoder-equipped trains. Conversely, the power source for a decoder-equipped train must be removed from the train tracks and replaced with an analog power source when it is desired to run an analog train.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,536,716 (Ireland et al) introduces the concept of conversion of surplus or superseded older power packs or direct current control devices to become conversion throttles that then have the associated features of add-on digital throttles wherein the features of these add-on throttles are “exported” to the conversion throttles for operation of decoder-equipped trains.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,572,996 (Hanschke et al) introduces the concept of a control unit that allows the use of decoder-equipped model trains to be operated on an analog voltage track.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,142,954 (Neiser) discloses a model train controller interface device provides a user with the capability of operating model train engine, switch and accessories of one manufacturer with the handheld wireless device of a second manufacturer. Inserted between the command base units and controller devices of different model train manufacturers, the interface device allows the wireless remote of one train system to operate components of the other train system without loss of functionality by either model train system.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,281,606 and 6,624,537 (Westlake) discloses A plural output control station for operating electrical apparatus, such as model electric train engines and accessories. The control station employs a data processor for monitoring and controlling the signals generated at a plurality of transformer-driven power output terminals. An exemplary station includes two variable-voltage alternating current (AC) output channels (TRACK 1 and TRACK 2) and two fixed-voltage AC output channels (AUX 1 & AUX 2). The variable-voltage outputs are controlled by a data processor responsive to respective operator-controlled throttles for varying the AC output voltage and therefore the rate of movement and direction of electric train engines, typically three-rail O-gauge model trains.
None of the above listed patents disclose the simple application of a user operated control device to switch the output of a model train power source from a variable power source for use with analog trains, to a digital source for use with decoder-equipped trains, and vise versa. Additionally, the above patents do not disclose a circuit that can determine whether a train has a decoder and automatically switch the power source to digital operation mode.
The present power source solves the problems discussed supra. More specifically, a single power source and method of use are taught that is capable of operating either analog or decoder equipped trains on a model train track layout without the need for swapping power sources.
In one embodiment of the disclosure, a single user operation is provided to change from either a variable voltage output for use with analog trains or a full voltage output with digital signals for use with decoder equipped trains.
In another embodiment of the disclosure, a second circuit within the power source which includes the ability for detecting the presence of decoder modules in trains that are connected to the power source and automatically switch from variable voltage output to full voltage output with digital signals.
In one embodiment of the disclosure, the apparatus which provides electrical power for the operation of analog motors or decoder-equipped motors, said apparatus comprises a power source having variable voltage output for operating analog motors and/or fixed voltage output for operating decoder-equipped motors, a circuit for changing the output of the power source from variable voltage output to fixed voltage output and from a fixed voltage output to a variable voltage output, an electronic element to vary the analog voltage output; and a switch to actuate the circuit and thus the change from a variable voltage output to a fixed voltage output and from fixed voltage output to variable voltage output.
In another embodiment of the disclosure, the power source provides AC or DC power at full voltage and includes the capability to provide digital signals to operate decoder-equipped motors.
In another embodiment of the disclosure, the circuit is contained within the case of the power source.
In yet another embodiment, the circuit is electrically connected to a user operable electric switch to change the output of the power source from a variable voltage output to a fixed voltage output and from a fixed voltage output to a variable voltage output.
In yet another embodiment, the element for varying the analog voltage output includes a handle connected to a variable electronic element that is connected to the power source
In yet another embodiment, the switch comes from the list of pushbutton switches, toggle switches, and slide switches.
In yet another embodiment, the analog motors and decoder-equipped motors are located in models and toys.
In yet another embodiment, motor-equipped models and toys are in direct electrical connection with the power source.
In one embodiment, a second circuit is taugth for sensing the presence of decoder equipped motors and automatically placing the power source into fixed voltage output.
In yet another embodiment, the decoder equipped motors are located in toys and models and are in electrical connection with the power source.
The disclosure will accordingly comprise the features of construction and the combination and arrangement of elements which will be exemplified in the following detailed description.
While it is noted in the prior art to have a power source with both a variable voltage out put and a fixed voltage output, the fixed voltage output is always used for the operation of accessories, and not for the operation of decoder equipped trains.
Referring to
Thus, the same train layout can be used to operate either digital, decoder-equipped model trains, or older, analog trains without having to physically remove and replace the track power source. Also, the model train operator has need for only one power source for operation of both types of model trains, with the obvious savings in money and space provided by the disclosed equipped power source.
An additional aspect of the disclosure includes the provision of a remote control receiver circuit 600 that receives a signal from a wired or wireless controller 80, the output from circuit 600 connected to one of the input terminals of OR gate 110. When the output from circuit 600 is a positive voltage (high), the OR gate is set high, allowing voltage to flow from power supply 901 into optoisolator 220, which, in turn, latches relay 55 down, shorting out rheostat 35. This operation is similar in operation to the use of switch 500, whereas a positive voltage from circuit 600 sets one of the input gates of the OR gate high, allowing power to flow into the optoisolator 220 and activate the relay to short out rheostat 55. When no voltage flows from circuit 600, the OR gate is set low and no voltage flows into the optoisolator, and thus the relay is not latched and the rheostat is not shorted out.
An additional aspect of the disclosure shown in
It should be noted that disclosure provides for operation of a model train layout in either digital or analog mode with a single power source, there cannot be a mix of analog and decoder-equipped trains on the same model train layout. Additionally, the power source of the disclosure can also be used to operate model train layouts that include a mix of model trains and various accessories, including those accessories that include digitally-operated decoders, such as turnout switches, lights, motor operated cranes, and the like.
While the presently preferred embodiments have been described above, various other modifications and adaptations of the instant disclosure can be made by those persons skilled in the art without departing from either the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.
