セルフラップ機構

動力車の種類によって、ブレーキ管の圧力を制御する方法には2つの方法があります。1 つはセルフラップ、もう 1 つは旧式の非セルフラップです。

セルフラップ機構では、ブレーキ管の圧力が自動的に処理されます。運転士は貫通ブレーキレバーを範囲内の任意の位置に設定できます。「ブレーキをかける」方向に動かすと制動力は強くなり、「ブレーキをゆるめる」方向に動かすと制動力は弱くなります。制御バルブは、レバーの位置に応じて、ブレーキ管の減圧と加圧を自動的に行います。

On non-self-lapping systems, the process is more hands-on. The lever has a few fixed positions. Two of the positions, called “release” and “service” can be thought of as adding and releasing the brake pipe pressure, respectively. The position in between them, called “lap”, is used to maintain whatever pressure is in the brake pipe. The furthest position, called “emergency”, will release pressure at the fastest possible rate.

Auxiliary reservoirs are being drained when braking. When the brakes are released, it takes some time for auxiliary reservoirs to fill up again. The lap position, however, functions only if the auxiliary reservoirs are full. To stay in full control over braking it is recommended to not release non-self-lapping brakes when knowing that moments later braking may be needed again. Calculated, slow moves are preferable when releasing the non-self-lapping brakes.

With both brake types, the driver can see exactly how much braking force they are applying by looking at the brake pipe and brake cylinder gauge needles.

どちらのシステムも使い方は非常に簡単ですが、初心者にとってはセルフラップがある方が直感的な操作が可能となります。簡単に言うと、セルフラップでは、制御装置が必要なブレーキ力を制御バルブに伝え、制御バルブが自動的にブレーキ管の圧力を設定します。非セルフラッピングでは、制御装置がブレーキ力を直接設定します。

In case a train contains motorized vehicles with both self-lapping and non-self-lapping brake valve types, only the self-lapping ones will be functional when operating the brake. For that purpose, vehicles are also equipped with brake cutout valves, which can be used to isolate certain vehicles from the brake system and resolve this conflict.