U.S. patent application number 15/265310 was filed with the patent office on 2017-04-06 for regenerative power-amount estimation device and brake plan plotting device.
The applicant listed for this patent is KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA. Invention is credited to Kozo BANNO, Toru EZAWA, Akihiro ITAKURA, Takahiro NISHIZAWA.
Application Number | 20170096153 15/265310 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 58446641 |
Filed Date | 2017-04-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170096153 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
EZAWA; Toru ; et
al. |
April 6, 2017 |
REGENERATIVE POWER-AMOUNT ESTIMATION DEVICE AND BRAKE PLAN PLOTTING
DEVICE
Abstract
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.
Inventors: |
EZAWA; Toru; (Kawasaki,
JP) ; ITAKURA; Akihiro; (Kawasaki, JP) ;
NISHIZAWA; Takahiro; (Kawasaki, JP) ; BANNO;
Kozo; (Yokohama, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA |
Tokyo |
|
JP |
|
|
Family ID: |
58446641 |
Appl. No.: |
15/265310 |
Filed: |
September 14, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B61H 13/00 20130101;
B61L 25/021 20130101; B61L 3/006 20130101; B60T 13/586 20130101;
B60L 7/10 20130101; B60T 13/665 20130101; B60L 2240/667 20130101;
B60T 17/228 20130101; F16D 61/00 20130101; B60T 1/10 20130101; B60T
2270/604 20130101; B61L 27/0038 20130101; Y02T 90/16 20130101; B60L
2250/16 20130101; B61L 15/009 20130101; Y02T 10/7291 20130101; B61L
25/025 20130101; B60T 7/18 20130101; B61H 13/34 20130101; B60L
2200/26 20130101; B61L 2201/00 20130101; B61L 15/0072 20130101;
Y02T 10/72 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B61L 27/00 20060101
B61L027/00; B61H 13/34 20060101 B61H013/34; B61L 25/02 20060101
B61L025/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 6, 2015 |
JP |
2015-198458 |
Claims
1. A regenerative power-amount estimation device comprising: a
regenerative power-amount estimation model for each brake notch
switching, the regenerative power-amount estimation model including
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; and a
regenerative power-amount estimation part estimating 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.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein at least one of gradient/curve
information, vehicle speed, vehicle weight, weather, trolley
voltage, sliding state, and vehicle connected state is set as an
input to the regenerative power-amount estimation part.
3. A brake plan plotting device comprising: a brake-plan generator
generating a plurality of brake plans capable of keeping on-time
performance based on time, diagram information, and position
information; and a brake-plan selector selecting a brake plan
satisfying a selection condition regarding the brake plans, based
on an expected amount of regenerative power estimated by the
regenerative power-amount estimation part of claim 1.
4. The device of claim 3, wherein at least one of gradient/curve
information, vehicle speed, vehicle weight, and weather is set as
an input to the brake-plan generation part.
5. The device of claim 3, comprising a selection condition input
part inputting the selection condition to the brake-plan
selector.
6. The device of claim 3, wherein the brake-plan selector outputs a
selected brake plan to a vehicle controller controlling vehicles
according to the brake plan.
7. The device of claim 6, comprising an execution instruction input
part inputting an execution instruction whether to control vehicles
according to the brake plane selected by the brake-plan
selector.
8. The device of claim 3, comprising the regenerative power-amount
estimation device of claim 1.
9. The device of claim 3, comprising the regenerative power-amount
estimation device of claim 2.
10. The device of claim 4, comprising the regenerative power-amount
estimation device of claim 1.
11. The device of claim 4, comprising the regenerative power-amount
estimation device of claim 2.
12. The device of claim 5, comprising the regenerative power-amount
estimation device of claim 1.
13. The device of claim 5, comprising the regenerative power-amount
estimation device of claim 2.
14. The device of claim 6, comprising the regenerative power-amount
estimation device of claim 1.
15. The device of claim 6, comprising the regenerative power-amount
estimation device of claim 2.
16. The device of claim 7, comprising the regenerative power-amount
estimation device of claim 1.
17. The device of claim 7, comprising the regenerative power-amount
estimation device of claim 2.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] 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.
FIELD
[0002] The embodiments of the present invention relate to a
regenerative power-amount estimation device and a brake plan
plotting device.
BACKGROUND
[0003] 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.
[0004] 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.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] FIG. 1 is a table showing an example of a relation between a
brake notch and expected regenerative power;
[0006] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the temporal
transition of the brake notch and the regenerative power;
[0007] FIG. 3 is a table showing an example of a relation between a
brake notch before switching and a brake notch after switching and
expected regenerative power according to the embodiment;
[0008] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of discrimination
between temporal transition and a transient response section of the
brake notch and the regenerative power;
[0009] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the regenerative power-amount
estimation device according to the embodiment;
[0010] FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the regenerative power-amount
estimation device according to the embodiment;
[0011] FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a regenerative power-amount
estimation device including acquisition parts of various pieces of
information according to the embodiment;
[0012] FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the regenerative power-amount
estimation device including the acquisition parts of various pieces
of information in the embodiment;
[0013] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a relation between
a vehicle speed and expected regenerative power;
[0014] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a relation
between a brake notch before switching and a brake notch after
switching and a vehicle speed and expected regenerative power in
the embodiment;
[0015] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a relation
between vehicle speed, weather, and expected regenerative
power;
[0016] FIG. 12 is a block diagram of the brake plan plotting device
including the regenerative power-amount estimation device according
to the embodiment;
[0017] FIG. 13 is a flowchart of the brake plan plotting device
including the regenerative power-amount estimation device according
to the embodiment;
[0018] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing examples of brake plan drafts
generated by the brake-plan generation part according to the
embodiment;
[0019] FIG. 15 shows examples of selection conditions used by the
brake-plan selection part according to the embodiment;
[0020] FIG. 16 is a block diagram of the brake plan plotting device
including the regenerative power-amount estimation device and
acquisition parts of various pieces of information according to the
embodiment;
[0021] FIG. 17 is a flowchart of the brake plan plotting device
including the regenerative power-amount estimation device and the
acquisition parts of various pieces of information according to the
embodiment;
[0022] FIG. 18 is a block diagram of the brake plan plotting device
including the regenerative power-amount estimation device and
capable of inputting selection conditions according to the
embodiment;
[0023] FIG. 19 is a flowchart of the brake plan plotting device
including the regenerative power-amount estimation device and
capable of inputting selection conditions according to the
embodiment;
[0024] FIG. 20 is a block diagram of a brake plan plotting device
including the regenerative power-amount estimation device and
capable of outputting a brake plan to vehicle control according to
the embodiment;
[0025] FIG. 21 is a flowchart of the brake plan plotting device
including the regenerative power-amount estimation device and
capable of outputting a brake plan to vehicle control according to
the embodiment;
[0026] FIG. 22 is a block diagram including the regenerative
power-amount estimation device and capable of outputting a brake
plan to vehicle control through an execution instruction according
to the embodiment;
[0027] FIG. 23 is a flowchart of a brake plan plotting device
including the regenerative power-amount estimation device and
capable of outputting a brake plan to vehicle control through an
execution instruction according to the embodiment;
[0028] FIG. 24 is a diagram showing an example of a GUI for
inputting an execution instruction in the embodiment;
[0029] FIG. 25 is a block diagram of the regenerative power-amount
estimation device and the brake plan plotting device having the
respective additional functions according to the embodiment;
and
[0030] FIG. 26 is a flowchart of the regenerative power-amount
estimation device and the brake plan plotting device having the
respective additional functions described above according to the
embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0031] 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.
[0032] 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.
First Embodiment
[0033] A regenerative power-amount estimation device according to a
first embodiment is described.
[0034] FIG. 1 is a table showing an example of a relation between a
brake notch and expected regenerative power. As shown in FIG. 1, by
ascertaining beforehand regenerative power that is acquired
(expected regenerative power [kW]) with respect to the brake notch,
an expected amount of regenerative power being a time integral
value of the expected regenerative power can be calculated from
temporal transition of the brake notch in an arbitrary operating
section. This is the simplest method, and an influence of
information other than the brake notch is not taken into
consideration. In the example of FIG. 1, the number of stages of
the brake notch is four stages from 0 to 3; however, in practice,
any number of stages can be used.
[0035] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the temporal
transition of the brake notch and the regenerative power. A
horizontal axis denotes time and a vertical axis denotes the brake
notch and regenerative power [kW], where a solid line indicates the
brake notch and a broken line indicates the regenerative power. As
shown in FIG. 2, the regenerative power with respect to a switching
operation of the brake notch has a time delay (a transient
response) resulting from circuit formation, transmission delay, or
the like with respect to the time just when the brake notch is
switched. When only the relation shown in FIG. 1 is used, the
transient response cannot be taken into consideration. Therefore,
estimation accuracy of the expected amount of regenerative power
with respect to the actual amount of regenerative power
deteriorates.
[0036] 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.
[0037] FIG. 3 is a table showing an example of a relation between a
brake notch before switching and a brake notch after switching and
expected regenerative power according to the embodiment. Rows
denote the brake notch (0 to 3) before switching and columns denote
the brake notch (0 to 3) after switching, where respective
numerical values indicate the expected regenerative power [kW]. For
example, it is assumed that the brake notch at a certain estimated
time is 2. If the relation in FIG. 1 is used, the expected
regenerative power becomes 1000 [kW]. If the relation in FIG. 3 is
used, the expected regenerative power at that time, that is, when
the brake notch after switching is 2 is different depending on the
brake notch immediately before that time. In the case of 0, the
expected regenerative power is 800 [kW], in the case of 1, the
expected regenerative power is 900 [kW], in the case of 2, the
expected regenerative power is held at 1000 [kW] because there is
no switching (based on FIG. 1 because it is not specified in FIG.
3). In the case of 3, the expected regenerative power is 1100 [kW],
and when taken together, the expected regenerative power is in the
range from 800 [kW] to 1100 [kW].
[0038] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of discrimination
between temporal transition and a transient response section of the
brake notch and the regenerative power. The transient response
gradually converges to a steady state according to passage of time.
Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, by defining A as a transient
response section and B as a section other than the transient
response, the relation shown in FIG. 3 can be used for the range of
A, and the relation shown in FIG. 1 can be used for the range of
B.
[0039] In this manner, by using the relation of FIG. 3 or using
both the relations of FIG. 3 and FIG. 1, the expected amount of
regenerative power can be calculated, while taking the transient
response of the regenerative power into consideration, based on the
temporal transition of the brake notch in an arbitrary operating
section. Therefore, the estimation accuracy of the expected amount
of regenerative power with respect to the actual amount of
regenerative power can be improved as compared to the case where
only the relation shown in FIG. 1 is used, by taking the transient
response into consideration.
[0040] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the regenerative power-amount
estimation device according to the embodiment. A regenerative
power-amount estimation device 500 includes a regenerative
power-amount estimation part 501 and a regenerative power-amount
estimation model 502 for each brake notch switching. A brake plan
503 is input to the regenerative power-amount estimation part 501
and an estimation result is output therefrom to a display 504. FIG.
5 corresponds to the configuration of respective functions
described above.
[0041] FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the regenerative power-amount
estimation device according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 corresponds
to a processing flow of respective functions described above. In
the first embodiment, it is necessary to establish the regenerative
power-amount estimation model 502 for each brake notch switching.
The model specifically refers to the table shown in FIG. 3 (the
relation between the brake notch before switching and the brake
notch after switching and expected regenerative power) and a table
shown in FIG. 10 described later (the relation between the brake
notch before switching and the brake notch after switching and
vehicle speed and expected regenerative power). For example, by
acquiring operation data of railway vehicles and aggregating data
for each switching operation of the brake notch, the model 502 is
established. The model can be stored in a memory device.
[0042] 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).
[0043] 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.
Second Embodiment
[0044] In a second embodiment, a regenerative power-amount
estimation device including acquisition parts of various pieces of
information is described.
[0045] FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a regenerative power-amount
estimation device including acquisition parts of various pieces of
information according to the embodiment. The regenerative
power-amount estimation device has a configuration in which
gradient/curve information 701, and respective acquisition parts
702 to 707 of vehicle speed, vehicle weight, weather, trolley
voltage, sliding state, and vehicle connected state are added as
inputs to the regenerative power-amount estimation part, with
respect to the configuration described in the first embodiment.
[0046] 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.
[0047] In the second embodiment, the regenerative power-amount
estimation part uses these pieces of information together to
estimate the expected amount of regenerative power.
[0048] FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the regenerative power-amount
estimation device including the acquisition parts of various pieces
of information in the embodiment.
[0049] 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).
[0050] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a relation between
a vehicle speed and expected regenerative power. For example,
regarding the vehicle speed, it has been found that as the vehicle
speed increases, the expected regenerative power increases.
Accordingly, the relation shown in FIG. 9 can be modeled by a
linear equation or the like. Therefore, by taking the vehicle speed
into consideration for estimating the expected regenerative power,
highly accurate estimation of the expected regenerative power can
be performed.
[0051] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a relation
between a brake notch before switching and a brake notch after
switching and a vehicle speed and expected regenerative power in
the embodiment. When the vehicle speed is taken into consideration
as shown in FIG. 9, the relation can be modeled by a relational
expression in which the vehicle speed is set as a variable for each
switching operation of the brake notch as shown in FIG. 10.
[0052] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a relation
between vehicle speed, weather, and expected regenerative power.
The weather information is further added to the relation shown in
FIG. 9, and a model of the relation in FIG. 9 can be switched for
example by weather such as fine, rain, and snow.
[0053] 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.
[0054] 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.
Third Embodiment
[0055] In a third embodiment, a brake plan plotting device is
described.
[0056] FIG. 12 is a block diagram of the brake plan plotting device
including the regenerative power-amount estimation device according
to the embodiment. The configuration thereof is such that a
plurality of brake plans are created and held with respect to the
configuration described in the first embodiment, to estimate the
expected amount of regenerative power in all the brake plans and
select a brake plan adapted to a selected condition.
[0057] 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.
[0058] 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.
[0059] FIG. 13 is a flowchart of the brake plan plotting device
including the regenerative power-amount estimation device according
to the embodiment.
[0060] 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.
[0061] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing examples of brake plan drafts
generated by the brake-plan generation part according to the
embodiment. In FIG. 14, a state where three brake plans, that is, a
brake plan draft 1, a brake plan draft 2, and a brake plan draft 3
are generated is shown. The brake plan plotting device according to
the third embodiment generates brake plans in this manner. In each
brake plan draft, a horizontal axis denotes time and a vertical
axis denotes brake notch.
[0062] 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.
[0063] 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).
[0064] FIG. 15 shows examples of selection conditions used by the
brake-plan selection part according to the embodiment. As the
selection conditions for selecting the brake plan, conditions shown
in FIG. 15 are set beforehand. These selection conditions can be
freely switched within a range capable of performing quantitative
evaluation. For example, the expression of "expected amount of
regenerative power is largest without braking hard suddenly" shown
in a selection condition 4 in FIG. 15 can be handled by specifying
an upper limit of operation of the brake notch with unit time
interval.
[0065] The brake plan plotting device displays the selected brake
plan and the estimated expected amount of regenerative power
(S1306). The process is finished (S1307).
[0066] 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.
Fourth Embodiment
[0067] In a fourth embodiment, a brake plan plotting device
including acquisition parts of various pieces of information is
described.
[0068] FIG. 16 is a block diagram of the brake plan plotting device
including the regenerative power-amount estimation device and
acquisition parts of various pieces of information according to the
embodiment. The configuration is such that gradient/curve
information 1601, and respective acquisition parts 1602 to 1604 of
vehicle speed, vehicle weight, and weather are added as inputs to
the brake-plan generation part with respect to the configuration
described in the third embodiment. Because a more brake force is
required for example if the vehicle weight is large, at the time of
plotting a brake plan, the brake plan is plotted by taking the
vehicle weight into consideration. 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.
[0069] FIG. 17 is a flowchart of the brake plan plotting device
including the regenerative power-amount estimation device and the
acquisition parts of various pieces of information according to the
embodiment.
[0070] 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).
[0071] 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).
[0072] 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).
[0073] The brake plan plotting device displays the selected brake
plan and the estimated expected amount of regenerative power
(S1706). The process is finished (S1707).
[0074] 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.
Fifth Embodiment
[0075] In a fifth embodiment, a brake plan plotting device capable
of inputting selection conditions is described.
[0076] FIG. 18 is a block diagram of the brake plan plotting device
including the regenerative power-amount estimation device and
capable of inputting selection conditions according to the
embodiment. A selection condition input part 1801 is added as an
input to the brake-plan selection part with respect to the
configuration described in the third embodiment. The selection
conditions as shown in FIG. 15 can be appropriately switched
according to the operating status.
[0077] FIG. 19 is a flowchart of the brake plan plotting device
including the regenerative power-amount estimation device and
capable of inputting selection conditions according to the
embodiment.
[0078] 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).
[0079] 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).
[0080] 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).
[0081] The brake plan plotting device displays the selected brake
plan and the estimated expected amount of regenerative power
(S1907). The process is finished (51908).
[0082] 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.
Sixth Embodiment
[0083] In a sixth embodiment, a brake plan plotting device capable
of outputting a brake plan to vehicle control is described.
[0084] FIG. 20 is a block diagram of a brake plan plotting device
including the regenerative power-amount estimation device and
capable of outputting a brake plan to vehicle control according to
the embodiment. A vehicle controller 2001 is added to the
configuration described in the third embodiment as an output
destination of the brake-plan selection part. In practice, vehicles
can be controlled according to the selected brake plan.
[0085] FIG. 21 is a flowchart of the brake plan plotting device
including the regenerative power-amount estimation device and
capable of outputting a brake plan to vehicle control according to
the embodiment.
[0086] 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).
[0087] 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).
[0088] 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).
[0089] 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).
[0090] 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.
Seventh Embodiment
[0091] In a seventh embodiment, a brake plan plotting device
capable of outputting a brake plan to vehicle control through an
execution instruction is described.
[0092] FIG. 22 is a block diagram including the regenerative
power-amount estimation device and capable of outputting a brake
plan to vehicle control through an execution instruction according
to the embodiment. An execution instruction input part 2201 is
added between an output of the brake-plan selection part and an
input of the vehicle controller, with respect to the configuration
described in the sixth embodiment. Before actually controlling the
vehicle according to the selected brake plan, confirmation of
execution intention can be performed with respect to a driver.
[0093] FIG. 23 is a flowchart of a brake plan plotting device
including the regenerative power-amount estimation device and
capable of outputting a brake plan to vehicle control through an
execution instruction according to the embodiment.
[0094] 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).
[0095] 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).
[0096] 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).
[0097] The brake plan plotting device displays the selected brake
plan and the estimated expected amount of regenerative power
(S2306).
[0098] 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).
[0099] FIG. 24 is a diagram showing an example of a GUI for
inputting an execution instruction in the embodiment. The top part
of FIG. 24 indicates temporal transition data of the selected brake
plan, and a table in the middle part of FIG. 24 indicates the
expected amount of regenerative power and the used selection
conditions when the brake plan has been executed. The bottom part
of FIG. 24 indicates a question for confirming the execution
intention to a driver or the like and buttons for the response
thereto. Other than these pieces of information, data required for
confirming the intention such as vehicle state and weather
information can be shown together.
[0100] 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.
Eighth Embodiment
[0101] In an eighth embodiment, a brake plan plotting device having
the respective additional functions is described.
[0102] FIG. 25 is a block diagram of the regenerative power-amount
estimation device and the brake plan plotting device having the
respective additional functions according to the embodiment. In the
configuration shown in FIG. 25, an operation combining all the
embodiments described above is performed.
[0103] FIG. 26 is a flowchart of the regenerative power-amount
estimation device and the brake plan plotting device having the
respective additional functions described above according to the
embodiment.
[0104] 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).
[0105] 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).
[0106] 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).
[0107] 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).
[0108] 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).
[0109] 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).
[0110] In the configuration described in the eighth embodiment, the
effects described in the respective embodiments described above can
be acquired comprehensively.
[0111] 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.
[0112] 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.
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