News Releases

Toshiba to Provide Electrical Equipment Hanshin Electric Railway's New Trains

31 Mar, 2015

TOKYO-Toshiba Corporation (Tokyo: 6502) has received an order from Hanshin Electric Railway to supply key electrical equipment for Hanshin’s new trains, the 5700 Series. The order covers drive systems and an integrated train information system. After trial runs, the 5700 Series cars will go into service this summer.

Toshiba has channeled its capabilities in motors and inverters into realizing an advanced drive system designed to significantly cut power consumption in commuter trains. The drive integrates Toshiba's totally enclosed Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (PMSM) with traction inverter equipment. The drive system is expected to reduce power consumption by 50%, compared to its predecessor*1.The Hanshin 5700 Series will run between Umeda Station on the Hanshin Main Line and Sumaura-koen Station on the Sanyo Electric Railway Main Line.

The totally enclosed PMSM is a highly efficient main motor with outstanding energy-saving performance. In addition, the PMSM is easier to maintain, as its totally enclosed design eliminates potential internal contamination, ending the need for internal cleaning. The use of a VVVF (Variable Voltage Variable Frequency) inverter with the PMSM provides significant benefits, including a reduction in traction power consumption and an increase in regenerative electric power, thanks to an increased load during regenerative braking*2 using Toshiba’s control method.

A half-height Full HD 32-inch LCD display installed in the trains can show route information in large characters, even on long-distance routes. The display can be split into two side-by-side areas, for simultaneous display of route and traffic information and advertising.

Toshiba is a supplier of highly energy-efficient propulsion systems to multiple train operators in Japan and overseas. In Japan, these include Tokyo Metro’s Ginza, Marunouchi, Tozai and Chiyoda Lines, and Hankyu’s Kobe and Takarazuka Line, and Kita-Osaka Kyuko Railway’s Nanboku Line. Overseas, trains incorporating a Toshiba propulsion system will enter service in Singapore in 2015 and after.

Toshiba will continue to develop totally enclosed PMSM systems and other energy-efficient products and expand its global railway business.

 

Note:
 *1  Hanshin 5001 Series of trains
 *2  A brake that generates electricity by applying a reverse current to a traction motor. The electricity is returned to the overhead line.


 

PMSM
PMSM

 VVVF inverter

 


A half-height Full HD 32-inch LCD display (image)

 


the 5700 Series cars

 *This photo is provided by Hanshin Electric Railway.