FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
[See section 10, Rule 13]
ELECTRIC ROLLING STOCK CONTROL APPARATUS;
MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION, A CORPORATION ORGANISED
AND EXISTING UNDER THE LAWS OF JAPAN, WHOSE ADDRESS IS 7-3,
MARUNOUCHI 2-CHOME, CHIYODA-KU, TOKYO 1008310, JAPAN
THE FOLLOWING SPECIFICATION PARTICULARLY DESCRIBES THE
INVENTION AND THE MANNER IN WHICH IT IS TO BE PERFORMED

2
DESCRIPTION
Field
[0001] The present invention relates to an electric
5 rolling stock control apparatus.
Background
[0002] In the conventional train control, control has
been performed so as to reduce power consumption in which
10 the electric motors of selected power cars are driven with
load torque concentrated thereon, and the electric motors
of the other power cars are stopped. For example, Patent
Literature 1 discloses control in which a power car is
selected. Patent Literature 1 describes performing optimum
15 notch control so as to reduce power consumption in a
distributed traction system train.
Citation List
Patent Literature
20 [0003] Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent Application
Laid-open No. 2003-164004
Summary
Technical Problem
25 [0004] In the technique disclosed in Patent Literature 1,
a central control unit determines an operation suspension
command and a notch command, and transmits the operation
suspension command and the notch command as control
commands to each car. In addition, a control transmission
30 terminal device of each car controls a main electric motor
based on the control commands transmitted to the car.
[0005] However, in order to perform control with power
necessary for the entire train, the central control unit

3
needs to monitor whether the control commands transmitted
to each car match the control state of each car. Thus,
there has been a problem that the processing load of the
central control unit is large.
5
Solution to Problem
[0006] An electric rolling stock control apparatus
according to the present invention includes: a plurality of
propulsion control devices to each control an electric
10 motor for driving a car of a train, the electric motor
being installed on the car, the train including a plurality
of the cars; and a train information management device to
calculate power necessary for the entire train. The
propulsion control devices each determine power according
15 to a predetermined condition.
Advantageous Effects of Invention
[0007] An electric rolling stock control apparatus
according to the present invention includes: a plurality of
20 propulsion control devices to each control an electric
motor for driving a car of a train, the electric motor
being installed on the car, the train including a plurality
of the cars; and a train information management device to
calculate power necessary for the entire train. The
25 propulsion control devices each determine power according
to a predetermined condition. Thus, it is possible to
reduce the processing load of the train information
management device.
30 Brief Description of Drawings
[0008] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration
of a train according to an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a schematic

4
configuration of an electric rolling stock control
apparatus according to the embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a schematic
configuration of a propulsion control device according to
5 the embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a diagram describing operation of a train
information management device according to the embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a diagram describing operation of the
propulsion control device according to the embodiment.
10 FIG. 6 is a diagram showing examples of conditions for
determining power, according to the embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of operation of
the electric rolling stock control apparatus according to
the embodiment.
15 FIG. 8 is a diagram showing other examples of
conditions for determining power, according to the
embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing another example of the
operation of the electric rolling stock control apparatus
20 according to the embodiment.
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a general configuration
example of hardware that implements the electric rolling
stock control apparatus according to the embodiment.
25 Description of Embodiments
[0009] Embodiment.
An electric rolling stock control apparatus 1
according to an embodiment is installed on, for example, a
train 10 illustrated in FIG. 1. The train 10 includes a
30 plurality of cars including cars 40 and 50-1 to 50-4.
Although five cars are illustrated in FIG. 1, the number of
cars may be equal to or less than four, or may be equal to
or more than six. When the cars 50-1 to 50-4 are not

5
distinguished from each other, the cars 50-1 to 50-4 are
collectively referred to as cars 50. The train 10 is
operated by electric power supplied from an overhead line
90 via a current collector 80. Hereinafter, the embodiment
5 of the present invention will be described in detail with
reference to the drawings. The embodiment to be described
below is an example, and the present invention is not
limited to the embodiment to be described below.
[0010] A train information management device 11 is
10 installed on the car 40, and is connected to an automatic
train operating device 12 and terminal devices 30-1 to 30-4
installed on the respective cars via transmission lines.
When the terminal devices are not distinguished from each
other, the terminal devices are collectively referred to as
15 terminal devices 30. The train information management
device 11 receives an operation command from the automatic
train operating device 12. The train information
management device 11 transmits control commands to the
terminal devices 30. The train information management
20 device 11 receives responses to the control commands from
the terminal devices 30.
[0011] The automatic train operating device 12 generates
a notch command serving as an operation command necessary
for the running of the train 10, and transmits the notch
25 command to the train information management device 11.
Propulsion control devices 20-1 to 20-4 are connected to
the respective terminal devices 30 via transmission lines,
and receive control commands from the respective terminal
devices 30. When the propulsion control devices are not
30 distinguished from each other, the propulsion control
devices are collectively referred to as propulsion control
devices 20. The propulsion control devices 20 are each
connected to an electric motor (not illustrated) and

6
perform control to drive the electric motor. A single
propulsion control device 20 may control a single electric
motor, or may control a plurality of electric motors.
[0012] The cars 50 are each a power car that can be
5 driven by the electric motor. In addition, the car 40 is
an unpowered car that is not driven by the electric motor.
Although four power cars are illustrated in FIG. 1, the
number of power cars may be equal to or less than three or
may be equal to or more than five as long as the number of
10 power cars is equal to or more than two. In the embodiment,
a case where there are four power cars will be described.
Furthermore, in the embodiment, in order to facilitate
description, a case where a single propulsion control
device 20 controls a single power car will be described.
15 [0013] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a schematic
configuration of the electric rolling stock control
apparatus 1 according to the embodiment. The electric
rolling stock control apparatus 1 for electric rolling
stock including a plurality of cars includes the train
20 information management device 11 and the propulsion control
devices 20.
[0014] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a schematic
configuration of the propulsion control device 20. The
propulsion control device 20 includes a communication unit
25 201, a processing unit 202, a storage unit 203, and an
electric motor control unit 204.
[0015] The communication unit 201 is an interface for
communicating with the terminal device 30. The
communication unit 201 receives a control command from the
30 terminal 30, and transmits a power determination result to
be described below to the terminal device 30.
[0016] The processing unit 202 determines power for the
propulsion control device 20. The processing unit 202

7
transmits a power determination result to the communication
unit 201. In addition, the processing unit 202 transmits
power necessary for driving the electric motor to the
electric motor control unit on the basis of the power
5 determination result.
[0017] The storage unit 203 stores in advance conditions
necessary for the processing unit 202 to determine power.
[0018] The electric motor control unit 204 controls the
electric motor on the basis of the necessary power
10 transmitted from the processing unit 202.
[0019] Next, operation of the electric rolling stock
control apparatus 1 will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram
describing operation of the train information management
device 11 of the electric rolling stock control apparatus 1.
15 The train information management device 11 acquires a notch
command from the automatic train operating device 12 (S11).
When no notch command is acquired (S11: No), the process
returns to the start. When the notch command is acquired
(S11: Yes), the train information management device 11
20 transmits, to the propulsion control devices 20,
information necessary for the propulsion control devices 20
to determine power (S12). The train information management
device 11 acquires results of power determination made by
the propulsion control devices 20 from the propulsion
25 control devices 20 (S13). The train information management
device 11 compares the notch command acquired from the
automatic train operating device 12 with the power
determination results acquired from the propulsion control
devices 20 (S14). The train information management device
30 11 checks whether the power determination results match the
power necessary for the entire train, based on the
comparison (S15). For example, when the train information
management device 11 determines that the sum of the power

8
determination results does not match the power necessary
for the entire train as a result of comparing the notch
command with the sum of the respective power determination
results acquired from the propulsion control devices 20
5 (S15: No), the process ends. For example, when the train
information management device 11 determines that the sum of
the power determination results matches the power necessary
for the entire train as a result of comparing the notch
command with the sum of the respective power determination
10 results acquired from the propulsion control devices 20
(S15: Yes), the process returns to the start to repeat the
processing. In S15, the train information management
device 11 compares the notch command with the sum of the
respective power determination results acquired from the
15 propulsion control devices 20, and checks whether the sum
of the power determination results matches the power
necessary for the entire train. Thus, the train
information management device 11 monitors that the entire
train can be controlled with the power necessary for the
20 entire train, based on the command from the automatic train
operating device 12.
[0020] Here, examples of the information necessary for
determination of power, transmitted from the train
information management device 11 to the propulsion control
25 devices 20 include the notch command from the automatic
train operating device 12 and information on the power
necessary for the entire train based on the notch command
from the automatic train operating device 12.
[0021] FIG. 5 is a diagram describing operation of the
30 propulsion control device 20. The propulsion control
device 20 acquires information necessary for determination
of power, from the train information management device 11
(S21). The propulsion control device 20 refers to the

9
conditions necessary for determination of power, stored in
the storage unit 203 (S22). The propulsion control device
20 calculates necessary power based on the information
acquired from the train information management device 11
5 and the conditions stored in the storage unit 203 (S23).
The propulsion control device 20 transmits the calculated
power, as a power determination result, to the train
information management device 11 (S24). Here, examples of
the conditions necessary for determination of power include
10 a condition for determining the presence or absence of
operation and a condition for determining power.
[0022] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing examples of the
conditions stored in advance in the storage unit 203 of the
propulsion control device 20. FIG. 6(a) illustrates
15 predetermined conditions 1, and FIG. 6(b) illustrates a
predetermined condition 2. The predetermined conditions 1
illustrated in FIG. 6(a) correspond to the condition for
determining the presence or absence of operation. The
propulsion control device to be operated is determined
20 depending on whether the train 10 runs on an up line or a
down line. In FIG. 6(a), when the train 10 runs on the up
line, the propulsion control devices 20-1 and 20-3 operate,
and the propulsion control devices 20-2 and 20-4 do not
operate. Things other than the up line and the down line
25 may be set as the condition regarding the presence or
absence of operation. For example, it is also possible to
set conditions such as a date and time, a day of the week,
a car weight, kilometrage, a route, and a type (local train,
rapid train, or the like). In a case where the number of
30 passengers of the train 10 is large, such as the case of a
train service during commuter hours, more power may be
required for the entire train than in a case where the
number of passengers of the train 10 is small. In such a

10
case, conditions such as a date and time, a day of the week,
and a car weight may be set as conditions for increasing
the number of the propulsion control devices 20 to be
operated.
5 [0023] The predetermined condition 2 illustrated in FIG.
6(b) corresponds to the condition for determining power.
In FIG. 6(b), it is specified that power is doubled. Other
things may be set as conditions for determining power. For
example, it is also possible to set conditions such as a
10 date and time, a day of the week, weight, kilometrage, a
route, and a type. For example, in a case where it is
desired to set different power for each propulsion control
device 20 depending on the position of the train,
kilometrage may be set as a condition. Setting kilometrage
15 as a condition enables the propulsion control device 20-1
and the propulsion control device 20-3 to be driven with
different power from a kilometrage X to a kilometrage Y.
[0024] FIG. 7 is a diagram describing an example of the
operation of the electric rolling stock control apparatus 1.
20 As an example, a case where the train 10 runs on the up
line will be described. The terminal devices 30 are
omitted. In S101, in order to cause the train 10 to run,
the automatic train operating device 12 outputs four
notches (P4) as an automatic train operation (ATO) notch
25 command. In S102, the train information management device
11 transmits the ATO notch command (P4) to all the
propulsion control devices. Each propulsion control device
20 determines power based on the conditions of FIG. 6. For
example, in the case of the propulsion control device 20-1,
30 since the train 10 is running on the up line, it is
determined based on the condition of FIG. 6(a) that the
propulsion control device 20-1 corresponds to a propulsion
control device that operates. Next, it is determined based

11
on the condition of FIG. 6(b) that the power is doubled.
On the basis of the ATO notch command from the train
information management device 11, the condition for
determining the presence or absence of operation in FIG.
5 6(a), and the condition for determining power in FIG. 6(b),
the propulsion control device 20-1 calculates its own power
as follows: the ATO notch command(4)×the presence or
absence of operation(1)×power(2)=8. In S103, the
propulsion control device 20-1 transmits the calculation
10 result as a power determination result (P8) to the train
information management device 11. The propulsion control
devices 20-2 to 20-4 similarly calculate their own power,
and transmit their respective calculation results (P0),
(P8), and (P0) to the train information management device
15 11.
[0025] The train information management device 11
compares the ATO notch command acquired from the automatic
train operating device 12 with the power determination
results from the propulsion control devices 20. The train
20 information management device 11 knows in advance that the
train has been equipped with four propulsion control
devices. It is determined from the ATO notch command (P4)
that the power necessary for the entire train is (P4)×4=16
notches. In addition, power to be actually controlled is
25 determined from the power determination results of the
propulsion control devices 20-1 to 20-4. The power
determination results of the propulsion control devices 20-
1 to 20-4 are added up, and it is determined that the sum
of the power determination results for the entire train is
30 8+0+8+0=16 notches. Next, the power necessary for the
entire train based on the ATO notch command is compared
with the sum of the power determination results from the
propulsion control devices 20. The power necessary for the

12
entire train and the sum of the power determination results
are both equal to 16 notches. As a result, the train
information management device 11 determines that the entire
train can be controlled with the power necessary for the
5 entire train.
[0026] FIGS. 8 and 9 are diagrams describing another
example of the operation of the electric rolling stock
control apparatus 1. Predetermined conditions 1
illustrated in FIG. 8(a) correspond to the condition for
10 determining the presence or absence of operation. The
propulsion control device 20 to be operated is determined
depending on whether the train 10 runs on an up line or a
down line. In FIG. 8(a), when the train 10 runs on the up
line, the propulsion control devices 20-1 and 20-3 operate,
15 and the propulsion control devices 20-2 and 20-4 do not
operate. Things other than the up line and the down line
may be set as the condition for determining the presence or
absence of operation. A predetermined condition 2
illustrated in FIG. 8(b) corresponds to the condition for
20 determining power. In FIG. 8(b), it is specified that
power is halved.
[0027] As with the above example, a case where the train
10 runs on the up line will be described with reference to
FIG. 9. The terminal devices 30 are omitted. In S201, in
25 order to cause the train 10 to run, the automatic train
operating device 12 outputs four notches (P4) as an ATO
notch command. The train information management device 11
knows in advance that the train has been equipped with four
propulsion control devices. On the basis of the ATO notch
30 command (P4), the train information management device 11
determines that 16 notches((P4)×4=16) are required as the
power for the entire train. In S202, the train information
management device 11 transmits a power command necessary

13
for the entire train to all the propulsion control devices.
Each propulsion control device 20 determines power based on
the conditions of FIG. 8. For example, in the case of the
propulsion control device 20-1, since the train 10 is
5 running on the up line, it is determined based on the
condition of FIG. 8(a) that the propulsion control device
20-1 corresponds to a propulsion control device that
operates. Next, it is determined based on the condition of
FIG. 8(b) that the power is halved. On the basis of the
10 ATO notch command from the train information management
device 11, the condition for determining the presence or
absence of operation in FIG. 8(a), and the condition for
determining power in FIG. 8(b), the propulsion control
device 20-1 calculates its own power as follows: the power
15 command necessary for the entire train(16)×the presence or
absence of operation(1)×power(1/2)=8. In S203, the
propulsion control device 20-1 transmits the calculation
result as a power determination result (P8) to the train
information management device 11. The propulsion control
20 devices 20-2 to 20-4 similarly calculate their own power,
and transmit their respective calculation results (P0),
(P8), and (P0) to the train information management device
11.
[0028] As described above, the train information
25 management device 11 knows that the ATO notch
command(P4)×4=16 notches are required as the power for the
entire train. In addition, power to be actually controlled
is determined from the power determination results of the
propulsion control devices 20-1 to 20-4. The power
30 determination results of the propulsion control devices 20-
1 to 20-4 are added up, and it is determined that the sum
of the power determination results for the entire train is
8+0+8+0=16 notches. Next, the power necessary for the

14
entire train based on the ATO notch command is compared
with the sum of the power determination results from the
propulsion control devices 20. The power necessary for the
entire train and the sum of the power determination results
5 are both equal to 16 notches. As a result, the train
information management device 11 determines that the entire
train can be controlled with the power necessary for the
entire train.
[0029] As described above, in the electric rolling stock
10 control apparatus 1 according to the embodiment, the train
information management device 11 does not determine and
transmit the presence or absence of operation or power for
each propulsion control device. Therefore, it is not
necessary to check consistency between a command and a
15 response for each propulsion control device. The train
information management device 11 just needs to monitor
whether the entire train can be controlled with the power
necessary for the entire train, so that a processing load
for controlling the entire train is reduced.
20 [0030] As described above, in the electric rolling stock
control apparatus 1 according to the embodiment, the
propulsion control device 20 determines its own power based
on predetermined conditions. This reduces a processing
load of the train information management device 11 for
25 controlling the entire train.
[0031] In the embodiment, it is desirable that the same
conditions be stored in all the propulsion control devices
20 included in the train. Each propulsion control device
determines power based on the same conditions. This
30 reduces the processing load of the train information
management device 11 for controlling the entire train.
[0032] In the embodiment, the command from the automatic
train operating device 12 has been described as a command

15
for causing the train 10 to run. Meanwhile, the command
for causing the train 10 to run is not limited to the
command from the automatic train operating device 12. For
example, a command from a master controller operated by a
5 train driver may be used as the command for causing the
train 10 to run.
[0033] Although the case where a single propulsion
control device 20 controls a single power car has been
described in the embodiment, the present invention is also
10 applicable to a case where a single propulsion control
device 20 propels a plurality of power cars and a case
where a plurality of the propulsion control devices 20
controls a single power car.
[0034] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a case
15 where processing circuitry included in each of the train
information management device 11 and the propulsion control
device 20 includes a processor and a memory. In a case
where the processing circuitry includes a processor 1000
and a memory 1001, each function of the processing
20 circuitry included in each of the train information
management device 11 and the propulsion control device 20
is implemented by software, firmware, or a combination of
software and firmware. The software or firmware is
described as a program, and stored in the memory 1001. The
25 processor 1000 reads and executes the program stored in the
memory 1001 to implement each function of the processing
circuitry. That is, the processing circuitry includes the
memory 1001 for storing programs. As a result of execution
of the programs, the train information management device 11
30 and the propulsion control device 20 are caused to perform
processing. In addition, it can also be said that these
programs cause a computer to execute the procedures and
methods for the train information management device 11 and

16
the propulsion control device 20.
[0035] The electric rolling stock control apparatus 1
according to the present invention includes a plurality of
the propulsion control devices 20 that each control an
5 electric motor for driving a car; and the train information
management device 11 that calculates power necessary for
the entire train, wherein the propulsion control devices 20
each determine power according to a predetermined condition.
As a result, it is possible to reduce the processing load
10 of the train information management device 11.
[0036] In the electric rolling stock control apparatus 1
according to the present invention, the train information
management device 11 creates information based on an
operation command, and transmits the information to the
15 propulsion control devices 20, the information being
necessary for the propulsion control devices 20 to
determine power. As a result, it is possible to reduce the
processing load of the train information management device
11.
20 [0037] In the electric rolling stock control apparatus 1
according to the present invention, each of the propulsion
control devices 20 transmits an operation determination
result to the train information management device 11, the
operation determination result being a result of
25 determination of power. As a result, it is possible to
reduce the processing load of the train information
management device 11.
[0038] In the electric rolling stock control apparatus 1
according to the present invention, the train information
30 management device 11 monitors that the entire train is
controlled with the power necessary for the entire train,
based on the operation command and the power determination
results. As a result, it is possible to reduce the

17
processing load of the train information management device
11.
[0039] The electric rolling stock control apparatus 1
according to the present invention can reduce the
5 processing load of the train information management device
11 by using, as the predetermined condition, a condition
for determining the presence or absence of operation.
[0040] The electric rolling stock control apparatus 1
according to the present invention can reduce the
10 processing load of the train information management device
11 by using, as the predetermined condition, a condition
for determining power.
Reference Signs List
15 [0041] 1 electric rolling stock control apparatus; 10
train; 11 train information management device; 12
automatic train operating device; 20, 20-1, 20-3, 20-3, 20-
4 propulsion control device; 30, 30-1, 30-3, 30-3, 30-4
terminal device; 40 unpowered car; 50, 50-1, 50-3, 50-3,
20 50-4 power car; 80 current collector; 90 overhead line;
201 communication unit; 202 processing unit; 203 storage
unit; 204 electric motor control unit; 1000 processor;
1001 memory.

18
We Claim
1. An electric rolling stock control apparatus
5 comprising:
a plurality of propulsion control devices to each
control an electric motor for driving a car of a train, the
electric motor being installed on the car, the train
including a plurality of the cars; and
10 a train information management device to calculate
power necessary for the entire train, wherein
the propulsion control devices each determine power
according to a predetermined condition.
15 2. The electric rolling stock control apparatus according
to claim 1, wherein
the train information management device creates
information based on an operation command, and transmits
the information to the plurality of propulsion control
20 devices, the information being necessary for the propulsion
control devices to determine power.
3. The electric rolling stock control apparatus according
to claim 2, wherein
25 each of the propulsion control devices transmits an
operation determination result to the train information
management device, the operation determination result being
a result of determination of power.
30 4. The electric rolling stock control apparatus according
to claim 3, wherein
the train information management device monitors that
the entire train is controlled with the power necessary for

19
the entire train, based on the operation command and the
power determination results.
5. The electric rolling stock control apparatus according
5 to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein
the predetermined condition is a condition for
determining presence or absence of operation.
6. The electric rolling stock control apparatus according
10 to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein
the predetermined condition is a condition for
determining power.