Drive controller for a rail vehicle

摘要

A drive controller for a rail vehicle is disclosed comprising a drive control member (20) and a control unit (22), the control unit is adapted to generate a drive signal upon movement of the drive control member in a first direction (B) with respect to the control unit and generates a brake signal upon movement in a second direction (A) opposite to the first direction, the drive control member (20) is also provided with a switch (44), actuation of the switch causing operation of an essential function of the rail vehicle. The switch is provided on the drive control member such that inadvertent operation of the switch is precluded. The switch may be used to switch between different brake systems whereby optimised braking of the rail vehicle can be achieved. In particular the drive controller serves to integrate a large number of functions into a single controller which in previous vehicles were provided by a number of different control levers.