EP0257662A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Method for automatically controlling a vehicle
Assignee: Hitachi Ltd
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Filing: 1984-01-16
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2004-01-16
Abstract
Abstract This invention relates to a method of automatic vehicle operation which fulfills multi-dimensional performance indices by presetting the weight for power consumption, the weight for the riding confort, and the like. The modifying running time relative to the standard running time to be spent between two stations, the allowable power consumption relative to the standard power consumption to be spent for the standard running between two stations, and the degree of improvement of riding confort for the standard running between two stations are set prior to the departure from a station so as to determine control parameters to be used for divided regions of distance between two stations, and the speed of the vehicle between two stations is controlled using the selected control parameters.
Inventors
- 👤 Seiji Yasunobu
- 👤 Shoji Miyamoto
- 👤 Hirokazu Ihara
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 06:28
CPC Classifications
B; B61; B61L; B61L15/00; B61L15/0062; Y; Y02; Y02T; Y02T10/00; Y02T10/60; Y02T10/72
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
289 words
A method for automatically controlling a vehicle in accordance with control commands for operating a traction controller and a brake controller of the vehicle in order to run with required speed patterns through a plurality of regions into which the distance between two stations is divided, comprising: (a) a step of preparing a first table (1013) containing standard train speeds relating to the respective regions, standard residual running time to the next station and scheduled power consumption estimated when the vehicle is run with a standard speed pattern, a second table (1014) containing increased running time and decreased power consumption in case the vehicle is run for a predetermined distance under a state in which its lower target speed is lowered as to each of the regions; (b) a step of designating a target running power which is required for the vehicle running to the next station before the vehicle departs; (c) a step of running the vehicle by said control commands in accordance with said standard speed patterns; (d) a step of substracting the time lapsed after the vehicle departure from said target running time to calculate a target residual running time permitting the vehicle to arrive at the next station; (e) a step of calculating a reduced target speed lower limit value for saving the power consumption corresponding to the surplus time equal to the difference between the target residual running time and the standard residual running time with reference to said first and second tables when the vehicle passes by the standard points relating to the respective regions; and (f) a step of running the vehicle at a speed of said reduced target speed lower limit value for a predetermined distance designated by said second table.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
289 words
A method for automatically controlling a vehicle in accordance with control commands for operating a traction controller and a brake controller of the vehicle in order to run with required speed patterns through a plurality of regions into which the distance between two stations is divided, comprising: (a) a step of preparing a first table (1013) containing standard train speeds relating to the respective regions, standard residual running time to the next station and scheduled power consumption estimated when the vehicle is run with a standard speed pattern, a second table (1014) containing increased running time and decreased power consumption in case the vehicle is run for a predetermined distance under a state in which its lower target speed is lowered as to each of the regions; (b) a step of designating a target running power which is required for the vehicle running to the next station before the vehicle departs; (c) a step of running the vehicle by said control commands in accordance with said standard speed patterns; (d) a step of substracting the time lapsed after the vehicle departure from said target running time to calculate a target residual running time permitting the vehicle to arrive at the next station; (e) a step of calculating a reduced target speed lower limit value for saving the power consumption corresponding to the surplus time equal to the difference between the target residual running time and the standard residual running time with reference to said first and second tables when the vehicle passes by the standard points relating to the respective regions; and (f) a step of running the vehicle at a speed of said reduced target speed lower limit value for a predetermined distance designated by said second table.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
91 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said second table memorizes the lower target energy corresponding to said reduced target speed, further comprising a step of preparing a third table representative of the relation between the running distance from the departure station and the potential energy of the vehicle, and a step of calculating said reduced target speed lower limit value on the basis of said lower target energy stored in said second table and said potential energy stored in said third table corresponding to the present position of the vehicle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
59 words
A method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said second table memorizes a relation among running distance under reduced speed from each of the standard points, increased running time and saved power consumption, so that the running distance under reduced speed from a standard point can include the running distance under reduced speed from the next standard point.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
28 words
A method according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein said standard points relating to the respective regions are determined on the basis of the departure station.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
32 words
A method according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein said standard points relating to the respective regions are detected by receiving signals from ground markers arranged between the two stations.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method according to claim 5, wherein said ground markers placed between stations are substituted by positional information derived from the running distance measured since the trains has started from the departing station.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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