GB2517332A

GB2517332A - Rail vehicle equipped with LED headlight

Info

Publication number: GB2517332A
Application number: GB1420638.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Isao Ishii; Suguru Yamanishi
Original assignee: Hitachi Ltd
Current assignee: Hitachi Ltd
Priority date: 2012-06-07
Filing date: 2012-06-07
Publication date: 2015-02-18
Anticipated expiration: 2032-06-07
Also published as: WO2013183142A1; GB2517332B; JP5951766B2; JPWO2013183142A1; GB201420638D0

Abstract

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a rail vehicle equipped with an LED headlight that is for illuminating a wide area stretching from near the travel direction of the rail vehicle to a far distance, that has a light reducing function for changing the light axis in order to control blinding and for reducing the overall light volume, and that has reliability such that, when any light source malfunctions, another light source can be used as a replacement for the malfunctioning light source, and operability such that an operation for reducing blinding after any of the light sources malfunctions does not become complicated. With respect to a railway vehicle equipped with an LED headlight comprising a plurality of far distance light sources for illuminating a far distance, a plurality of near distance light sources for illuminating a near distance, and a power source for providing power to the far distance light sources and the near distance light sources, the present invention is realized by a rail vehicle equipped with an LED headlight characterized by having one light source comprising the far distance light source and the near distance light source, and another light source comprising only the near distance light source, and in that the one light source and the other light source can be selectively lit.

Description

DESCRIPTION

Title of the Invention

RAIL VEHICLE EQUIPPED WiTH LED HEADLIGHT

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a rail vehicle, and particularly relates to a rail vehicle equipped with an LED headlight having functions of: illuminating a wide range from a near side to a far region in the traveling direction; changing the amount of light emitted from a plurality of light sources and the irradiation direction (optical axis); and complementing, when a light source included in the headlight is lost, the lost function with another light source.

Background Art

[0002] For rail vehicles, facilities such as a platform where passengers and the like get on and off to the vehicles, rails, a signal, and power feeding equipment are typically arranged along the rails, and many staff work in these facilities. To enable the staff to easily recognize that a rail vehicle is approaching or moving away, train markers are provided at the front and rear of the rail vehicle. The train marker provided at the front facing the traveling direction is a headlight composed of an incandescent lamp or a high-pressure discharge lamp, and the train marker provided at the rear is a taillight composed of a red lamp.

[0003] The headlight equipped in the rail vehicle has a function of varying the optical axis or a function of selectively lighting a plurality of light sources having different optical axes, to prevent dazzling the driver of an oncoming train or the platform staff.

[0004] Though not an example of rail vehicles, Patent Document I discloses a technique in a lighting control apparatus made up of a plurality of light sources having different optical axes whereby, when any of the light sources fails, the failure is detected and another light source is forcibly lit to replace the failed light source.

Citation List Patent Documents [0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H4-

Summary of the Invention

I

Problem to be Solved by the Invenflon [0006] The number of situations in which a ight emitting diode (LED) that consumes less power and generates less heat is used in a ighting apparatus instead of an incandescent amp or a high-pressure discharge amp has been increasing in recent years. In Lhe case where an LED &ement is used as a ight source of a headhght equipped in a rail vehicle, since light enrntted from an LED element has a property of high linearity and ow diffusion as compared with light emitted from an incandescent lamp or a high-pressure discharge lamp, there are concerns about cases such as an increase in dazzlement, a failure to illuminate a wide range from a near side to a far region in the traveling direction as only the far region or the near side is illuminated, and the hke.

[0007] Accordingly, the use of the LED in the headlight requires: a function of selecling the optical axis or reducing the amount of light of the whole headlight, to prevent dazzling the platform staff or the crew of an oncoming train; and reliabiflty of being capable of, when any of a plurality of light sources constituting the headlight fails, substituting the failed lighi source with another light source. It is also desirable that an operation for preventing dazzlement after any light source fails is not a complex operation.

[0008] The present invention has an object of providing a rail vehicle equipped with an LED headlight that: illuminates a wide range from a near side to a far region; has a dimming function of reducing the whole amount of light and changing the optical axis to prevent dazzlement; has reliability of being capable of, when any light source fails, substituting the failed light source with another light source: and has operability such that an operation for reducing dazzlement after any light source fails is not complex.

Means for solving the Problems [0009] To achieve the object stated above, a rail vehicle equipped with an LED headlight according to the present invention includes, as basic means, an LED headlight including: a plurality of far-region light sources for illuminating a far region; a plurality of near-region light sources for illuminating a near region; and a power source for supplying power to the far-region light sources and the near-region light sources, wherein one light source group is made up of the far-region light sources and any of the near-region light sources, and alternative light source group is made up of the other of the near-region light sources, and wherein the one light source group or the alternative light source group is selectively lit.

[0010] The one light source group is made up of a first far-region light source, a second far-region ight source, and a first near-region ight source, and the alternative ight source group is made up of a second near-region Ught source. The raU vehicle equipped with the LED headhght includes: a first near-region ight source connecting line for supplying power to the first near-region ight source; a second near-region light source connecting line for supplying power to the second near-region light source; a connecting line for connecting the first near-region light source connecting line and the second near-region hght source connecting line; a switch provided in the connecling line, and a current detector for detecting a current of the second near-region light source, wherein the switch is controlled according to an output of the current detector Advantageous Effect of the Invention [0011] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a rail vehicle equipped with an LED headlight that. illuminates a wide range from a near side to a far region; has a dimming function of reducing the whole amount of light and changing the optical axis to prevent dazzlement; has reliability of being capable of: when any light source fails, substituting the failed light source with another light source; and has operability such that an operation for reducing dazzlement after any light source faiis is not complex.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012] FIG. 1 is a front view showing an example of a headlight equipped in a railroad vehicle.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing a headlight in a first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an A-A sectional view of the headlight shown in FIG. 2 (the first embodiment).

FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram of the headlight shown in FIG. 2 (the first embodiment).

FIG. 5 is a front view showing a headlight in a second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a B-B sectional view of the headlight shown in FIG. 5 (the second embodiment).

FIG. 7 is a front view showing a headlight in a third embodiment.

FIG. B is a perspective view showing a headlight in a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a headlight in a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a headlight in a sixth embodiment.

FIG, 11 is a circuit diagram of the headlight in the sixth embodiment.

Modes for carrying out the Invention [0013] The following describes modes for carrying out the present invention, with reference to drawings. The present invention relates to a headlight equipped in a rail vehicle that runs along one or more laid rails. Examples of the rail vehicle include a railroad vehicle, a tram, a monorail vehicle, and a new traffic system vehicle. In the embodiments described below, a railroad vehicle is used as a representative example of the rail vehicle.

[0014] FIG. I is a front view showing an example of a headlight equipped in a railroad vehicle 10. A crew's cab in which a driver works is located at the front of the first car of the railroad vehicle 10, and is equipped with windows, wipers, a connecting door, and the like. Various facilities such as a platform where passengers and the like get on and off to the vehicle, a railroad switch, a railroad crossing, a signal, and power feeding equipment are arranged along a track (rails), and staff work in these facilities. To enable the staff to easily recognize that the railroad vehicle 10 is approaching or moving away, a headlight I and a taillight 2 are provided at the front and rear of the railroad vehicle 10 as a front marker and a rear marker, respectively.

[0015] The railroad vehicle 10 travels along the rails, and so its traveling direction has only two types, namely, forward and backward. It is therefore assumed that each of the headlight I and the taillight 2 only needs to be a marker having a sufficient amount of light with which the presence of the railroad vehicle is recognizable from a distance. Since lighting the headlight I and the taillight I is mandatory when running at night or through a long tunnel, the operation of the railroad vehicle might be suspended in the case where the headlight I or the taillight 2 fails.

[0016] The number of situations in which, in addition to the conventional function as a marker, the amount of light of the headlight I is increased or the headlight I is lit even during the daytime to alert pedestrians or cars crossing a railroad crossing and widen the field of front vision of the crew (especially the driver) has been increasing in recent years.

[0017] FIG. 2 is a front view showing a headlight in a first embodiment. FIG. 3 is an A-A sectional view of the headlight shown in FIG. 2. The headlight I includes: a first far-region light source 21 H and a second far-region light source 22H having an optical axis I 2H and illuminating a far region in the traveling direction of the railroad vehicle 10; a first near-region light source 311 and a second near-region light source 32L having an optical axis I 4L and illuminating a near region (near side) in the traveling direction of the railroad vehicle 10; and a cover 5 (see FIG. 3) for covering these light sources. The first far-region light source 21 H, the second far-region light source 22H, the first near-region light source 31 L, and the second near-region light source 32L are each composed of a plurality of light emitting diode (LED) elements 18 that emit l!ght when a forward voRage is apphed.

[0018] FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram of the headhght shown in HG. 2 (the first embodiment). Each light source of the first far-region Hght source 21H, the second far-region light source 22F1, the first near-region light source 31 L, and the second near-region light source 32L has a plurality of LED elements 18 connected in series.

The light sources 21 H, 22H, 31 L, and 32L are connected in parael to a power source 15.

[0019] A selection switch 11 for optionay switching between lighting one ight source group made up of the far-region optical axis 1 2H and the near-region optical axis 14L applied from the headlight 1 and lighting the alternative light source group made up of only the near-region optical axis 1 4L is provided in the cab in the raUroad vehicle 10, in order for the crew (especially the driver) to prevent dazzling the driver of an oncoming vehicle or the platform staff [0020] The selection switch 11 includes: one contact group made up of a contact 51 H. a contact 52H, and a contact GIL respectively for turning on and off the first lar- region light source 21H, the second far-region ight source 22H, and the first near-region ight source 31L constitut!ng the one light source group; and a contact 62L which is the afternative contact group for turning on and off the second near-region light source 32L constituting the alternative light source group.

rnn' 4 [UU.

Light emitted from each LED element 18 has a property of high inearity and low diffusion. Accordingly, in the case where a circuit is formed to selectively light a group of the first far-region ight source 21 H and the second far-region light source 22H having the optical axis 12H and illuminating the far region or a group of the first near-region light source 31 L and the second near-region light source 32L having the optical axis 14L and illuminating the near region, there are concerns about disadvantages such as the following: only the far region in the traveling direction is illuminated while the near side (near region) in the traveling direction is not illuminated and so someone or someth!ng running to the front (near region) in the traveling direction of the railroad vehicle 10 is hard to be detected.

[0022] To resolve such concerns, the first far-region light source 21 H, the second far-region light source 22H, and the first near-region light source 31 L are set as one light source group and the second near-region light source 32L is set as the alternative light source group, and a circuit capable of selectively lighting the one light source group or the alternative light source group is formed.

[0023] With ths structure, for example when the ralroad vehicle 10 runs between stations with no oncoming vehicle; the selection switch 11 is operated to close the one contact group to energize the first far-region light source 21 H, the second far-region light source 22H, and the first near-region light source 31 L. As a result, the wide range from the near region to the far region in the traveling direction of the railroad vehicle 10 can be illuminated. This enables the crew to easily recognize an obstacle and the like in the wide range from immediately in front (the near side) of the railroad vehicle 10 to the far region.

[0024] For example when the railroad vehicle 10 enters into a station or there is an oncoming vehicle, the selection switch 11 is operated to open the one contact group (the contact 51 H, the contact 52H, and the contact 61 L) and close the other contact 62L to light only the second near-region light source 32L. As a result, only the near region in the traveling direction of the railroad vehicle 10 can be illuminated to prevent dazzling the driver of the oncoming vehicle, the station staff, and the like.

Here, the total amount of light of the other light source illuminating only the near region is smaller than the total amount of light of the one light source illuminating the near region and the far region. This assists the suppression of dazzling the driver of the oncoming vehicle, the station staff, and the like.

[0025] Moreover, the plurality of far-region light sources and the plurality of near-region light sources are provided, and these light sources are connected in parallel to the power source 15. Therefore, even in the case where a defect occurs in any of the plurality of far-region light sources or any of the plurality of near-region light sources, continuous light emission from a far-region or near-region light source that maintains soundness can prevent a complete non-lighting state and ensure a predetermined function. The operation of the railroad vehicle 10 can thus be continued.

[0026] A connecting line for supplying power to the first near-region light source 31 L included in the one light source group and a connecting line for supplying power to the second near-region light source 32L included in the alternative light source group are connected via a contact (switch) 82L and a backflow preventing diode 19.

The connecting line for supplying power to the second near-region light source 32L is provided with a current detector 42L for monitoring the current flowing through the connecting line, to monitor the soundness of the second near-region light source 32L.

[0027] In the case where any of the plurality of LED elements 18 constituting the second near-region light source 32L is broken, the current flowing through the connecting line for supplying power to the second near-region light source 32L decreases. The current detector 42L detects the occurrence of the defect in the second near-region light source 32L, from the decrease of the current.

[0028] Once the current detector 42L has detected the defect, a backup switch 102 is operated to close the switch 82L which is normally open. The backup switch 102 may be manually handled after the crew confirms the output of the current detector 42L, or automatically turned on without the operation of the crew.

[0029] Suppose, after the backup switch 102 is turned on, the crew (especially the driver) handles the selection switch 11 to close the contact 62L in order to illuminate only the near region in the traveling direction of the railroad vehicle 10. As a result, power is supplied from the power source 15 to only the first near-region light source 31 L (the one light source) via the contact 62L, the switch 62L, and the backflow preventing diode 19, to light only the first near-region light source 31 L. In other words, the backup switch 102 lights the first near-region light source 31 L instead of the second near-region light source 32L which has become unable to be lit. The near region in the traveling direction of the railroad vehicle 10 can be illuminated in this way.

[0030] In the case where the selection switch 11 is handled to close the contact 51 H, the contact 52H, and the contact 61 H after the backup switch 102 is turned on, the first far-region light source 21 H, the second far-region light source 22H, and the first near-region light source 31 L (the one group) are energized. The wide range from the near region to the far region in the traveling direction of the railroad vehicle can be illuminated in this way.

[0031] The above-mentioned handling of the selection switch 11 after the backup switch 102 is turned on is the same as the handling of the selection switch 11 before the backup switch 102 is turned on. The driver can switch between the irradiation of the range from the near region to the far region and the irradiation of only the near region (optical axis switching), by handling the selection switch 11 in the conventional manner. This has the advantageous effect in that the operation for preventing dazzlement is not complex.

[0032] The backflow preventing diode 19 suppresses flow of current from the contact 61 L to the second near-region light source 32L via the switch 82L in the case where the backup switch 102 is turned on by mistake, thereby preventing unnecessary lighting.

[0033] FIG. 5 is a front view showing a headlight in a second embodiment. FIG. 6 is a B-B sectional view of the headlight shown in FIG. 5 (the second embodiment). In FIG. 5, the first far-region light source 21 H and the second far-region light source 22H are aligned in the lower part, and the first near-region light source 31 L and the second near-region light source 32L are aligned in the upper part.

[0034] FIG. 7 is a front view showing a headlight in a third embodiment. Though the headhght 1 in each of FIGs. 2 and 5 is rectangular, the headhght 1 has been changed from rectangular to circular in FIG. 7. The circular headlight 1 is dMded into four equal sections in the top-bottom direction and the cit-right direction with respect to the center of the circle. The first far-region light source 21 H and the second far-region light source 22H are located in the upper part, and the first near-region light source 31 L and the second near-region light source 32L are located in the lower part.

[0035] FIG. S is a perspective view showing a headlight in a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a headlight in a fifth embodiment. In the headlight I shown in FIG. 8. each of the first far-region light source 21H and the second far-region light source 22H alternate with each of the first near-region light source 31 L and the first near-region light source 32L in the horizontal direction. In the headlight 1 shown in FIG. 9, each of the first far-region light source 21H and the second far-region light source 22H alternate with each of the fir, st near-region light source 31 L and the second near-region light source 32L in the vertical direction.

[0036] The form and arrangement of the light sources constituting the headlight 1 in each of the second to fifth embodiments shown in FIGs. 5 to 9 are an example for enhancing the degree of freedom when designing the front (end face) of the first car of the railroad vehicle 1. The headlight 1 shown in each of FIGs. 5 to 9 (the second to fifth embodiments) is provided with the circuit shown in FIG. 4, and so can achieve the following advantageous effects described in the first embodiment: the advantageous effect of compensating for the property of the LED, i.e. high linearity and ow diffusion, and enabling the driver to recognize the wide range from the near side to the far region in the traveling direction, by the circuit configuration of lighting the far-region light sources and the near-region light source simultaneously; the advantageous effect of preventing dazzling the station staff or the driver of the oncoming train, by handling the switch for changing the optical axis and the total amount of light between the illumination of the far region and the near region and the illumination of only the near region; the advantageous effect of substituting a failed light source with a sound light source, by providing the device for detecting the failure of the light source and handling the backup sw!tch based on the output of the failure detector; and the advantageous effect of enhancing the reliability of the far-region and near--region light sources, by providing the plurality of far-region light sources and the plurality of near-region light sources and connecting the light sources in parallel to the power source.

[0037] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a headlight in a sixth embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a circuit diagram of the headlight in the sixth embodiment, The headlight I shown in FIG. 10 includes three near--region light sources 31L, 32L, and 33L arranged in the horizontal direction in the upper part and having the optical axis 14L, and three far-region light sources 21H, 22H, and 23H arranged in the horizontal -.9-direction in the lower pad and having the optical axis 12H.

[0038] Each light source of the first near--region light source 31 L, the second near--region ight source 32L. and the third near-region fight source 33L, the first far-region ight source 21H, the second far-region ight source 22H, and the third far-region light source 23H has a plurality of LED elements 18 connected in series. These light sources 21H, 22H, 23H, 31 L, 32L, and 33L form a parallel circuit on which the voltage of the power source 15 acts equafly. The second near-region light source 32L and the second far-region light source 22H are each a standby light source used when a defect occurs in another light source.

[0039] A connecting line for supplying power to the first near-region light source 31 L and a connecting line for supplying power to the standby second near--region light source 32L are connected via a backflow preventing diode 19 and a contact BIL.

A connecting line for supplying power to the third near-region light source 33L and the connecting line for supplying power to the standby second near-region light source 32L are connected via a backflow preventing diode 19 and a contact 83L.

[0040] Likewise, a connecting line for supplying power to the first far-region light source 21 H and a connecting line for supplying power to the standby second far-region light source 22H are connected via a backflow preventing diode 19 and a contact 72H. A connecting line for supplying power to the third far-region light source 23H and the connecting line for supplying power to the standby second far-region light source 22H are connected via a backflow preventing diode 19 and a contact 71H [0041] The connecting lines for supplying power to the first near-region light source 31 Land the third near-region light source 33L are provided respectively with current detectors 41 L and 43L each for monitoring the current flowing through the corresponding connecting line, to monitor the soundness of the corresponding light source. Likewise, the connecting lines for supplying power to the first far-region light source 21H and the third far-region light source 23H are prov!ded respectively with current detectors 41 H and 43H each for monitoring the current flowing through the corresponding connecting line, to monitor the soundness of the corresponding light source.

[0042] A selection switch 11 includes: one contact group made up of a contact 51 H, a contact 53H, and a contact 61 L respectively for turning on and off the first far-region light source 21H, the third far-region light source 23H, and the first near-region light source 31 L; and a contact 63L which is the alternative contact group for turning on and off the second near-region light source 32L. Thus, the first far-region light source 21H, the third far-region light source 23H, and the first near-region light source 31L are set as one hght source group and the third near-region hght source 33L is set as the alternative light source group, and a circuit capable of s&ectively lighting the one light source group or the afternative light source group is formed.

[0043] With this configuration, for example when the raroad vehicle 10 runs between stations with no oncoming vehide, the selection switch 11 is operated to close the one contact group to energize the first far-region light source 21 H, the third far-region light source 23H, and the first near-region light source 31 L. As a result, the wide range from the near region to the far region in the traveling direction of the railroad vehicle 10 can be Duminated. This enables the crew to easily recognize an obstacle and the like in the wide range from immediately in front (the near side) of the railroad vehicle 10 to the far region.

[0044] For example when the railroad vehicle 10 enters into a station or there is an oncoming vehicle, the selection switch 11 is operated to open the one contact group (the contact 51 H, the contact 53H. and the contact 61 L) and close the other contact 63L to light only the third near-region light source 33L. As a result, only the near region in the traveling direction of the railroad vehicle 10 can be illuminated to prevent dazzling the driver of the oncoming vehicle, the station staff, and the like.

Here. the total amount of light of the other light source illuminating only the near region is smaller than the total amount of light of the one light source illuminating the near region and the far region.. This facilitates the prevention of dazzling the driver of the oncoming vehicle, the station staff, and the like.

[0045] Moreover, the plurality of far-region light sources and the plurality of near-region light sources are provided, and these light sources are connected in parallel to the power source 15. Therefore, even in the case where a defect occurs in any of the plurality of far-region light sources or any of the plurality of near-region light sources, continuous light emission from a far-region or near-region light source that maintains soundness can prevent a complete non-lighting state and ensure a predetermined function. The operation of the railroad vehicle 10 can thus be continued.

[0046] In the case where any or the plurality of LED elements 18 constituting the first near-region light source 31L is broken. the current flowing through the connecting line for supplying power to the first near-region light source 31L decreases. The current detector 41 L detects the occurrence of the defect in the first near-region light source 31 L, from the decrease of the current. Based on the output of the current detector 41 L that has detected the defect; a backup switch 101 is operated to close the switch 81 L which is normally open.

[0047] Likewise, in the case where a defect occurs in the third near-region light source 33L, the current detector 43L detects the defect, and a backup switch 103 is operated to close the switch 83L which is normally open.

[0048] Likewise, in the case where a defect occurs in the first far-region light source 21 H, the current detector 41 H detects the defect, and a backup switch 91 is operated to close the switch 72H which is normally open.

[0049] Likewise, in the case where a defect occurs in the third far-region light source 23H, the current detector 43H detects the defect, and a backup switch 93 is operated to dose the switch 71 H which is normally open.

[0050] Each of the backup switches 91, 93, 101, and 103 may be manually handled after the crew confirms the output of the corresponding one of the current detectors 41 L, 43L, 41 H, and 43H, or automatically turned on without the operation of the crew.

[0051] Thus, the headlight I in the sixth embodiment shown in FIGs. 10 and 11 has: a circuit capable of, when a defect occurs in one or both of the first near-region light source 31 L and the third near-region light source 33L, lighting the standby second near-region light source 32L instead of the near-region light source having the defect; and a circuit capable of, when a defect occurs in one or both of the first far-region light source 21 H and the third far-region light source 23H, lighting the standby second far-region light source 22H instead of the far-region light source having the defect.

[0052] The following specifically descilbes the lighting operation of the headlight I when the crew (especially the driver) handles the selection switch 11 after a defect occurs in the third far-region light source 23H and the backup switch 93 is turned on (the contact 71H is closed).

[0053] When the crew (especially the driver) handles the selection switch 11 to close the contact 63L and open the contacts 51 H, 53H, and 61 L in order to illuminate only the near region in the traveling direction of the railroad vehicle 10, only the third near-region light source 33L is lit. As a result, only the near region in the traveling direction of the railroad vehicle 10 can be illuminated.

[0054] Next, when the crew (especially the driver) handles the selection switch 11 to open the contact 63L and dose the contacts 51 H, 53H, and 61 L in order to illuminate the wide range from the near region to the far region in the traveling direction of the railroad vehicle 10, the third near-region light source 33L is turned off and the first near-region light source 31 L, the first far-region light source 21 H, and the standby second far-region light source 22H are lit. As a result, the wide range from the near region to the far region can be illuminated.

[0055] The above-mentioned handling of the selection switch 11 after the backup switch 93 is turned on is the same as the handling of the selection switch 11 before the backup switch 93 is turned on. The driver can switch between the irradiation of the range from the near region to the far region and the irradiation of only the near region (optical axis switching), by handling the selection switch 11 in the conventional manner. Thus, the operation for preventing dazzlement is not complex.

[0056] The above description concerns the case where a defect occurs in the third far-region light source 23H and the backup switch 93 is handled. In the case where a defect occurs in the first far-region light source 21 H, the first near-region light source 31 L, or the third near-region light source 33L, too, a circuit that can dose the contact (72H, 81 L, or 83L) corresponding to the light source (21 H, 31 L, or 33L) having the defect as a result of handling the backup switch 91, 101, or 103 corresponding to the light source and light the alternative light source is equally formed, and so their

description is omitted here.

[0057] Each backflow preventing diode 19 in the sixth embodiment is provided to, in the case where the backup switch 91, 93, 101, or 103 is turned on by mistake, prevent unnecessary lighting of the light source corresponding to the backup switch.

[0058] The inclusion of the standby light in each of the one light source group and the alternative light source group contributes to higher reliability. The operation suspension or the like caused by a defect in the headlight I can therefore be prevented.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0059] I headlight 2 taillight 4 light source cover railroad vehicle 11 selection SW (H-L) I 2H far-region optical axis I 4L near-region optical axis power source 16 light source 18 LED element 19 backflow preventing diode 21 H first far-region light source 221-1 second far-region fight source 23H third far-region fight source 31 L first near-region fight source 32L second near-region fight source 33L third near-regon fight source 41 H current detector 42H current detector 43H current detector 41 L current detector 42L. current detector 43L current detector 51 H to 53H contact GIL to 63L contact 71 H to 73H switch 81 L to 83L contact 91 backup switch 93 backup switch 101 backup switch 103 backup switch

Claims

CLAIMS1. A rail vehicle equipped with an LED headlight comprising: a plurality of far-region light sources for illuminating a far region; a plurality of near-region light sources for illuminating a near region; and a power source for supplying power to the far-region light sources and the near-region light sources, wherein one light source group is made up of the far-region light sources and any of the near-region light sources, and alternative light source group is made up of the other of the near-region light sources, and wherein the one light source group or the alternative light source group is selectively lit.
2. The rail vehicle equipped with the LED headlight according to claim 1, wherein the far-region light sources and the near-region light sources are connected in parallel to the power source.
3. The rail vehicle equipped with the LED headlight according to claim 1, wherein the far-region light sources and the near-region light sources are each a plurality of LED elements connected in series.
4. The rail vehicle equipped with the LED headlight according to claim 1, wherein the one light source group is made up of a first far-region light source, a second far-region light source, and a first near-region light source, and wherein the alternative light source group is made up of a second near-region light source.
5. The rail vehicle equipped with the LED headlight according to claim 4, comprising: a first near-region light source connecting line for supplying power to the first near-region light source; a second near-region light source connecting line for supplying power to the second near-region light source; a connecting line for connecting the first near-region light source connecting line and the second near-region light source connecting line; a switch provided in the connecting line; and a current detector for detecting a current of the second near-region light source, wherein the switch is controlled according to an output of the current detector.
6. The rail vehicle equipped with the LED headlight according to claim 4, comprising: a standby far-region light source for suhst!tuting for the first far-reg!on light source and the second far-region light source; a standby near--region light source for substitubng for the first near-region Ught source and the second near-region Ught source; a first far-region ight source connecting line for supplying power to the first far-region light source; a second far-region light source connecting line for supplying power to the second far-region light source; a first near-region light source connecting line for supplying power to the first near-region light source; a second near-region light source connecting line for supplying power to the second near--region light source; a standby far--region light source connecting line for supplying power to the standby far-region light source; a standby near--region light source connecting line for supplying power to the standby near-region light source; a first far-region light source standby connecting line for connecting the first far-region light source connecting line and the standby far-region light source connecting line; a second far-reg!on light source standby connecting line for connecting the second far-region light source connecting line and the standby far-region light source connecting line; a first near-region light source standby connecting line for connecting the first near-region light source connecting line and the standby near-region light source connecting line; a second near-region light source standby connecting line for connecting the second near-region light source connecting line and the standby near-region light source connecting line; switches provided in the respective first far-region light source standby connecting line, second far-region light source standby connecting line, first near-region light source standby connecting line, and second near-region light source standby connecting line; and current detectors provided in the respective first far-region light source connecling line, second far-region light source connecling line, first near-region light source connecting line, and second near-region light source connecting line, wherein the switches are controlled to light the standby far-region light source and the standby near-region light source, according to outputs of the respective current detectors.