WO2016039704A1

WO2016039704A1 - Train simulation system comprising switchable control unit

Info

Publication number: WO2016039704A1
Application number: PCT/TR2015/050085
Authority: WO
Inventors: Erhan ÖZTOK; Mehmet Kenan IŞIK
Original assignee: Savroni̇k Elektroni̇k Sanayi̇ Ve Ti̇caret Anoni̇m Şi̇rketi̇
Priority date: 2014-09-09
Filing date: 2015-09-02
Publication date: 2016-03-17

Abstract

The present invention is train simulation system, which comprises switchable control unit that is obtained by configuring and unifying the control units functioning in the same manner with the same sub-system in each train model in the train simulations, but differing in the notches of mechanic lever (1) in accordance with the train model/locomotive type, in terms of software, electronics and mechanics, and can be managed by means of simulation control software and is compatible to several train models thanks to adjustable property of notches thereof in accordance with the desired train model.

Description

DESCRIPTION

TRAIN SIMULATION SYSTEM COMPRISING SWITCHABLE CONTROL UNIT Technical Field

The present invention is related to train simulation system, in which several steer and control units that provide the control of a lower system and differ in accordance with the train model in locomotive/train simulation systems, are configured and unified in terms of software, electronics and mechanics in their own categories, and which comprise changeable control units in accordance with the train model.

The present invention is especially related to a train simulation system comprising changeable control unit, which enables the control units including mechanic lever that has different operation stages providing the control of lower systems (drive, brake, direction and etc.) that are on the same platform, but are different in train simulations, to be compatible with the simulation platform belonging to all kinds of train models and each of lower systems (drive, brake, direction and etc.) one by one. State of Art

There is not a mechanism that is provided in several train sets and unifies (gathering under single standard control unit) controls used for the same purpose (brake control, -traction, direction) in the present locomotive/train simulation applications. For example, driver's brake valve, traction/dynamic brake(master control) and direction lever have different models in different trains (MT 15000, E 23000, DE 33000, MT 5700, E 68000, E 43000, YHT 65000, DE 24000). The controls used for the same purpose have different notches, shapes/sizes and applications. When the train control platforms/environments are desired to be simulated by means of present methods, the need for excessive place and labor force arises.

As a result of the abovementioned drawbacks and the insufficiencies of the present solutions in relation to the subject, an improvement is required in the related technical field.

Objects of the Present Invention Developed by being inspired of the present conditions, the present invention aims to eliminate the abovementioned drawbacks.

The object of the present invention is to simulate all of different locomotive/train sets within a single simulator instead of installing separate simulators for each locomotive/train set.

Another object of the present invention is to enable switching a train set with different model on the same simulation platform without changing any mechanic or electronic components. An object of the present invention is to disclose a structure which consists of control units that can be managed in terms of electrics, mechanics and software, and provides an effective and efficient usage in simulation environment.

For example, traction/dynamic brake control unit that performs the similar function, but has different operation notches is provided in the driving control units operating on rail transportation. The system according to the present invention aims to achieve saving on the area used and to provide maximum performance by means of single control by unifying different designs of traction/dynamic brake control units in the different locomotive/train sets. Another object of the present invention is to enable the user to switch between different trains in a rapid and easy manner.

Another object of the present invention is to maintain the sense of reality at the highest level by simulating the notches, soft/hard switchings of the lever and mechanical lockings so as to create the same feeling in mechanically.

Another object of the present invention is to disclose a control unit that can adjust itself thanks to the software therein or can be used manually by means of the servo motors. The system according to the present invention is to support the driving skills of the trainee at the stage of learning controls so as to keep the mechanical feeling as during the real life experience and maneuvers and thereby, achieving interactive training.

Another object of the present invention is to record the driving performance of the master driver and to enable the trainees to be trained like master driver for several times.

An object of the present invention is to limit the movements of the levers during training, to prevent mistakes and to support training by means of conditional training. In order to achieve the abovementioned objects, the present invention is a train simulation system, which comprises;

- a switchable control unit that is obtained by configuring and unifying the control units in terms of software, electronics and mechanics, which fulfil the same function by controlling the same lower system in each train model in train simulations, but differ in the mechanic lever (1 ) stages in accordance with the train model/locomotive type; can be managed by means of a simulation control software (6); and is compatible to several train models thanks to its adjustable property of notches thereof in accordance with the desired train model, and

- a guide/bearing Indicator (7) showing the selected train model.

The structural and characteristic features and all the advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood thanks to the figures given below and the detailed description written with reference to those figures; therefore, the evaluation needs to be done by taking these figures and detailed description into consideration.

Figures for Understanding the Present Invention

Figure 1 is the schematic view of the main rationale of the system regarding the present invention.

Figure 1 a is the view of common Traction/Dynamic Brake control unit disclosed with the rationale of the system regarding the present invention.

Figures 1 b, 1 c and 1 d are other views of the other parts of common Traction/Dynamic Brake control unit.

Figure 2a is the view of common driver brake valve control unit disclosed with the rationale of the system regarding the present invention.

Figures 2b and 2c are other views of the other parts of common driver brake valve control unit.

Figure 3a is the view of common direction control unit disclosed with the rationale of the system regarding the present invention.

Figures 3b and 3c are other views of the other parts of common direction control unit.

Figure 4 is the view of the system according to the present invention with train simulator system applied. Description of References

1 . Mechanic Lever 12 Bearing Providing Balls

2. Plunger Selection Indication and Bearing

3. Code Block 13

Block

4. Communication Module 14 Motion Shaft

5. Control Card 15 Motion Wheel

6. Simulation Control Software

7. Guide/Bearing Indicator

8. Servo Motor

9. Sensor

10 Servo Control Card D: Direction Control Unit

1 1 Lever Set Indicators T: Traction/Dynamic Brake Control Unit

M: Driver Brake Valve Control Unit

The drawings do not need to be scaled necessarily and unnecessary details may have been ignored for understanding of present invention. In addition, the elements that are at least identical to a great extent or at least have identical functions to a great extent are referred with the same number.

Detailed Description of the Invention In this detailed description, the preferred embodiments of the train simulation system comprising common control unit which is the subject of this invention are described only for better understanding of the subject. Train simulation system according to the present invention is a system, in which nine trains are used commonly on the same simulator console/platform.

In the figures, control units and the parts thereof, which are used in train simulator system and provide notching in traction lever, driver brake valve lever and direction lever units are illustrated.

The operation rationale of these notched control units (Traction/Dynamic Brake Lever, Driver Brake Valve Lever, and Direction Lever) is common in mechanically. The common control of the systems operating in different notches in different train types is enabled thanks to unified notched control units. In order to gather the control units that fulfill the same function, but differ in the notches in accordance with the train model/locomotive type, under a common and single control unit, the notches of which can be changed in accordance with the desired train model and can be managed by means of a simulation control software (6), mentioned train simulation system generally comprised the following;

In accordance with the selected locomotive type, servo motors (8) positioning the mechanic lever (1 ) automatically and providing the notch switchings of the mechanic lever (1 ) during automatic use, and servo control card (10) controlling these servo motors (8);

In accordance with the notches of the selected train model, mechanic lever (1 ) moving manually or automatically by means of servo motors (8);

Code block (3) having notches coded in accordance with the notches of mechanic lever (1 ) in the selected train model;

Spring plunger (2) that moves manually or automatically by means of servo motors (8) and is locked in code block (3), and forms the limits (notches) of the mechanic lever (1 ); Motion shaft (14) providing the motion of spring plunger (2);

Sensor (9) providing input for the simulation control software (6) in order to detect the angular position of mechanic lever (1 ); (An input is created when the mechanic lever (1 ) is switched to a different position by changing the notch on the mechanic lever (1 ). Voltage information of the position of the mechanic lever (1 ) is the output transferred to the simulation control software (6).)

Control cards (5) sending commands to the servo motors (8) upon the information it receives from the sensor (9);

Communication module (4) that provides communication between simulation control software (6) and control cards (5);

Guide/bearing indicator (7) showing the selected train model;

Lever set indicator (1 1 ) showing the current notch of mechanic lever (1 );

Selection indication and bearing block (13) labelled in accordance with the mechanic lever (1 ) notches in the selected train model and comprising bearing members therein;

Bearing providing balls (12) providing the interaction of guide/bearing indicator (7) with the selection indication and bearing block (13);

Motion wheel (15) providing the selection of train model manually.

In order to operate the system, firstly, lever set indicator (1 1 ) is switched to zero "0" position by driving the mechanical lever (1 ) manually or by means of simulation control software (6). This position enables the selection of locomotive type or train model in mechanically. Except this position, locomotive type selection/change is not possible. Rotating the motion wheel (15) enables the motion shaft (14) create worm screw drive. Thanks to this drive, bearing indicator (7) and thereby, the spring plunger (2) mounted to bearing indicator (7) slide laterally on the selection indication and bearing block (13) by means of bearing balls (12). Therefore, when lever set indicator (1 1 ) is in zero position, locomotive type/train model, the drive of which will be simulated, is selected.

Meanwhile, when bearing indicator (7) shows the desired locomotive type in the selection indication and bearing block (13), mechanic lever (1 ) becomes ready for use in simulation system. For example, if E 23000 typed locomotive is driven in simulator control software (6); lever must be selected in accordance with the section written E 23000. These manually performed processes are made software-controlled thanks to servo motor (8) and control card (5). After locomotive selection process, mechanic lever (1 ) rotates the code block (3) at the same center with the sensor (9) and, the spring plunger (2) is positioned on the notch holes provided on the code block (3). This system is operated in a bidirectional manner by means of back and forth movements of mechanic lever (1 ). (For example, it serves as traction when pushed forwards, and as brake when pulled backwards.) After each drive, notch position information is detected by means of sensor (9) and signal output is provided in order to be used in the simulator system.

If the simulation is wanted to be run for a different type of locomotive, then lever set indicator (1 1 ) must be switched to zero "0" position by moving mechanic lever (1 ) and the abovementioned steps must be repeated. The switchings of mechanic lever (1 ) among the notches can be managed by means of software thanks to servo motor (8) provided on the axle of mechanic lever (1 ).

Thanks to the system according to the present invention;

- maximum performance is achieved by means of a single control and a saving of application area obtained by unifying the control units serving for the same purpose in different designs of locomotive/train sets;

- the user is enabled to switch between different trains in a rapid and easy manner;

- the sense of reality of the simulation is maintained as much as possible, and the notching, soft/hard switchings of the lever and mechanical lockings can be simulated so as to create the same feeling in mechanically in the system;

- the driving skills of the trainee at the stage of learning controls is supported by keeping the mechanical feeling as during the real life experience and maneuvers at the highest level and thus, interactive training can be achieved; - the movement of the levers provided in the control units can be limited during training and thus, mistakes are prevented and training is supported by means of conditional learning;

- these control units that can be managed in terms of mechanics, electrics and software have been designed for an effective and efficient use in simulation environment; they can be used on the same platform without changing any mechanic or electronic components.

Claims

1. A train simulation system, which comprises;

a switchable control unit that can be managed by means of a simulation control software (6) and is obtained by configuring and unifying the control units in terms of software, electronics and mechanics, which fulfill their functions by controlling the same sub-system in each train model but differing in the mechanic lever (1 ) notches in accordance with the train/locomotive type, and is compatible to several train models thanks to its adjustable property of notches thereof in accordance with the desired train model, and

a guide/bearing Indicator (7) showing the selected train model,

and characterized in further comprising the following in order to change the notches of mentioned switchable control unit in accordance with the desired train model;

In accordance with the selected locomotive type, at least one servo motor (8) positioning the mechanic lever (1 ) and providing the notch switchings of the mechanic lever (1 ), and a servo control card (10) controlling this servo motor (8); Code block (3) having notches coded in accordance with the notches of mechanic lever (1 ) in the desired train model;

Spring plunger (2) that moves manually or automatically by means of servo motors (8) and is locked in code block (3), and forms the limits (notches) of the mechanic lever (1 );

Motion shaft (14) providing the motion of spring plunger (2);

Sensor (9) providing input for the simulation control software (6) in order to detect the angular position of mechanic lever (1 );

2. The train simulation system according to Claim 1 , characterized in that said switchable control unit comprises control cards (5) which are sending commands to the servo motors (8) upon the information it receives from the sensor (9).

3. The train simulation system according to Claim 2, characterized in that said switchable control unit comprises communication module (4) that provides communication between simulation control software (6) and control cards (5).

4. The train simulation system according to Claim 1 , characterized in that said switchable control unit comprises lever set indicator (1 1 ) showing the current notch of mechanic lever (1 )-

5. The train simulation system according to Claim 1 , characterized in that said switchable control unit comprises motion wheel (15) providing the selection of train model manually.

6. The train simulation system according to Claim 1 or Claim 3, characterized in that said switchable control unit as the driver brake valve control unit and/or the traction/dynamic brake control unit and/or the direction control unit.