AT519948B1 - Gap bridging and method for operating a gap bridging - Google Patents

Abstract

Gap bridging (1) for a rail vehicle for bridging the gap (4) between a passenger compartment floor and a platform (3), comprising a horizontally slidable step plate (6) and a swivel arm articulated to the step plate (6) by means of a joint (10) (5), the swivel arm (5) being equipped at its end facing away from the joint (10) with a vertically displaceable swivel joint (14).

Description

GAP BRIDGE AND METHOD FOR OPERATING A GAP BRIDGE

TECHNICAL FIELD The invention relates to a gap bridging for a rail vehicle for bridging the gap between a passenger compartment floor and a platform, and a method for operating this gap bridging.

PRIOR ART Gap bridges are used in modern rail vehicles in order to make it easy for passengers to get in and out and in particular to minimize the risk posed by the gap between the floor of the passenger compartment and the platform. In typical subway lines, this gap has a width of approx. 100 mm, but can also be up to 300 mm, for example, on platforms on a curved track. This variance of the gap dimensions represents a particular source of danger, since the passengers would have to watch out for each time the current platform gap got in or out, which is often not possible with a high number of passengers. To bridge this platform gap, gap bridges can be used, which usually comprise a slidably mounted plate which can be pushed out of the vehicle with the aid of power. For larger gap widths, this plate and its storage are to be made very solid, so that the installation space requirement increases and thus such gap bridges can only be provided in a very complicated manner and with an impairment of the car body in the door area. This problem can be partially solved with so-called folding / sliding steps, since in such a case a pivoted lever supports the plate from below and thus significantly reduces the forces on the mounting of the plate. Such folding / sliding steps therefore require less installation space and can be used in the boarding area of a passenger rail vehicle without changes to the body structure, the conventional floor structure being simply removed at the installation position of this gap bridging and replaced by the gap bridging. However, the kinematics of these gap bridges in the form of a folding / sliding step means that when the plate is extended, it lowers on its edge on the platform side, thus creating a step to the platform. In addition, a wide extended plate has a steep slope towards the inside of the car. These properties make gap bridging in the form of a folding / sliding step unsuitable for larger platform gaps. Gap bridges are known from the prior art, for example, a sliding step is disclosed in international patent application WO 2016083586 A1, in which the front edge of the tread plate rests with its front edge on the platform and its storage is thereby relieved. The international patent application WO 2016079559 A1 describes a device for matching the heights of a platform and a step plate. However, an extension movement of the tread plate to bridge a platform gap is not provided. The document DE 201004221 U1 shows a sliding step which is pivotally mounted for adaptation to different platform heights, the pivoting movement being carried out by means of a power drive. This solution has the disadvantage that all forces acting on the tread plate must first be carried out via the sliding bearing and then via the screw jacks.

PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION The invention is therefore based on the object of specifying a gap bridging in the form of a folding / sliding step and a method for operating this gap bridging, which is suitable for larger platform gaps and in which in particular the height difference between a platform and the edge of the platform the step plate is minimized with large extension distances.

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AT 519 948 B1 2020-04-15 Austrian Patent Office [0004] The object is achieved by a gap bridging with the features of claim 1 and a method according to claim 8. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of subordinate claims.

According to the basic idea of the invention, a gap bridging for a rail vehicle for bridging the gap between a passenger compartment floor and a platform is constructed, which comprises a horizontally slidable step plate and a pivot arm connected to the step plate by means of a joint, the pivot arm on his the end facing away from the joint is equipped with a vertically displaceable swivel joint.

This has the advantage of being able to build a gap bridging in the form of a folding / sliding step, which can produce entry levels of the step plate that are flexibly adapted to the respective structural conditions of platforms. In particular, a certain height of the platform-side edge of the step plate, which is optimized for this platform, can be set for each platform that is approached, with the step plate each having a different extension width, so that the passenger finds the same level of comfort on each platform. Furthermore, with the objective gap bridging, a different extension distance can be realized for each exit over the length of a train or over the length of a vehicle, the height of the platform-side edge of the step plate always having the same difference in level to the edge of the platform. This is particularly important for platforms along track arches.

According to the kinematics of a gap bridging in the form of a folding / sliding step is designed so that the lower pivot point of the swivel arm in its height, based on the track level or the platform is displaceable. In this way, a lowering of the platform-side edge of the tread plate can be prevented when the tread plate is extended further, since the lower articulation point can be shifted upwards. The movement of the tread plate is independent of the displacement of the lower articulation point and both movements can be carried out essentially independently of one another. At most, the mobility of the lower articulation point in the case of small extension widths of the step plate is limited by the risk of the step plate colliding with cladding components, for example a cover plate.

The pivot point (pivot point, joint) of the swivel arm is slidably mounted along a vertical axis in a certain length. The exact dimensioning of the required length section takes place on the basis of the given geometry of a gap bridging and the extension width of the step plate and the required predeterminable height range of the edge of the step plate on the platform side.

This pivot point is advantageously adjusted by means of an electric power drive, for example by means of a threaded spindle.

In a further development of the invention, it is proposed to apply a restoring force to the swivel arm, preferably by means of a spring element which attempts to move the swivel arm into its rest position (retracted tread plate). This restoring force supports the return of the tread plate and the swivel arm to their retracted rest position.

According to the step plate is horizontally slidably mounted, and preferably equipped with a power drive, by means of which it can be moved between a rest position (retracted) and any number of different extended positions. In this way, the optimal extension distance can be provided for different structural conditions within a railway line. The step plate is typically extended until either the maximum extension distance is reached or the step plate collides with the platform, the power drive being switched off as a result.

The tread plate is mounted in a sliding guide, the end of the tread plate on the carriage side being guided and the end of the platform side being freely movable so that it can pass through the

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Swivel arm is supported. The swivel arm transfers the majority of the weight forces on the tread plate, so the sliding guide can be made very compact.

The advantage of being able to build a gap bridging according to the invention so flat that it has the same thickness as a floor structure surrounding it can be achieved in this way. Thus, a gap bridging can be installed without changes to the body structure, in particular the side members on the side of the door sill.

It is advantageous to equip the tread plate with a sensor for determining the distance to a platform or for determining contact with the platform. This sensor can be based on the capacitive measuring principle or optically detect the distance (infrared sensor) or mechanically actuate an electrical contact when touched. With this sensor, the horizontal distance of the platform-side edge of the step plate can be determined, or additionally or alternatively, the vertical height difference of the platform-side edge of the step plate from the edge of the platform can be determined.

Advantageously, a control device is to be provided, which includes devices for operating the power drives for the tread plate and the height shift of the pivot point of the pivoting lever, for example corresponding power and protective electronics. The control device must also be equipped for the reception of signals from a sensor. Using this signal, a signal proportional to the distance between the platform-side edge of the tread plate and the platform is transmitted to the control device. A computing unit contained in the control device determines from the information supplied to it a specific combination of the extension of the tread plate and the position (displacement) of the lower linkage of the swivel arm. The information supplied to the control device can include: signal received by the sensor, describing the distance from the platform-side edge of the step plate to a platform, or the height difference to the platform, the position of the train in the route network (current stop), position of the carriage in the train association , Position of the exit in a wagon, loading condition of the wagon.

In this case, a data memory can be provided in the control device, in which the combination of extension width of the step plate and position (displacement) of the lower linkage of the swivel arm to be used for each stop is stored. In particular, it is advisable to also store the position of the entry in the train set associated with the gap bridging in the data memory and to use it to determine the respective combination of the extension width of the tread plate and displacement of the lower linkage. In this way, use cases of stops arranged in curves can be taken into account, in which different extension widths of the gap bridges are required at entrances near the end faces of entrances opposite the center of the car.

This data can be stored unchangeably in the data memory or can be determined continuously in the course of the ferry operation by processing the sensor signal.

The last embodiment creates a continuously self-learning system, which increases the precision of the actuation of the tread plate and the swivel arm and thus increases the passenger comfort. Furthermore, the advantage of being able to continue operating the gap bridging even in the event of a sensor failure can be achieved, at most a slightly reduced precision in the positioning of the step plate occurs. The control device uses the values for the extension distance and vertical positioning of the swivel joint stored in the data memory and operates the gap bridging in a controlled, unregulated operating method.

A data connection to a train control is preferably to be provided, via which the control device information about the position of the train in the route network, the current loading condition of the wagon and the necessary exit and entry commands and a status report of the gap bridging can be transmitted to the train control. It is particularly important that the sequence of actuation of gap bridging - door opening can run correctly and that the vehicle cannot start, particularly when the gap bridging is extended. The data connection to a train control system can take place by means of certain control signals or as a transmission of data telegrams, for example

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AT 519 948 B1 2020-04-15 Austrian patent office can be implemented according to the type of Internet protocol.

In a further development of the invention, a manually operable emergency drive is to be provided, by means of which the driving personnel can bring a gap bridging according to the invention into its retracted rest position if the drives or the control device should fail. In this way, the vehicle can continue to operate, possibly with a locked entry point.

In a further development of the invention, it is advisable to equip the gap bridging with a device for preventing the entry of dirt (wipers). A cover plate is to be provided above the tread plate in the area of the passenger compartment floor, this cover plate being provided with a scraper on its edge on the platform side. This cover plate has essentially the same height level as the vehicle floor surrounding it, so that in the interior of the car no level differences due to the gap bridging, in particular no steps, are required. A wiper is to be arranged on the platform-side edge of this cover plate, which closes or significantly reduces the gap between the cover plate and the step plate when the tread plate is retracted, so that foreign bodies do not penetrate, or only up to a certain size, into the space under the cover plate can.

It is particularly advantageous if the scraper touches the tread plate and the contact force is at least increased by an elastic element.

For example, rubber lips, brushes or metal strips with friction-reducing pads can be used as wipers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0017] The examples show:

Fig. 1 [0019] Fig. 2 [0020] Fig. 3 [0021] Fig. 4 [0022] Fig. 5

Gap bridging retracted, state of the art.

Gap bridging extended, state of the art.

Gap bridging retracted.

Gap bridging extended.

Gap bridging, view from above.

EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION FIG. 1 shows, by way of example and schematically, a gap bridging according to the prior art in the retracted position. A cross section through a passenger rail vehicle is shown in the area of an exit, a gap bridging 1 ′ according to the prior art being provided. The passenger rail vehicle is shown in the form of its car body 12, comprising a side member and a floor structure made up of a floor plate 13 and a cover plate 2. Between the vehicle and a platform 3 there is a gap 4 which is to be bridged by the gap bridging device Γ. This comprises a step plate 6 according to the prior art, which is mounted horizontally displaceably at its end on the side of the car body by means of a sliding bearing 8, a slide 9 being arranged on the step plate 6. The slider 9 enables a lateral displacement of the tread plate 6 with respect to the sliding bearing 8 and a pivoting of the tread plate 6 about a longitudinal axis of the car body 12. The tread plate 6 is supported from below by a swivel arm 5 according to the prior art, which about an axis of rotation 7 is pivotally mounted. At the end facing away from the axis of rotation 7, the swivel arm 5 is connected to the step plate 6 via a joint 10, this joint 10 is arranged in a stationary manner on the step plate 6. The swivel arm 5 is acted upon by a restoring force which attempts to pull it back into its rest position. For this purpose, a spring 11 is shown as an example in FIG. 1. Fig. 1 shows the retracted state of the gap bridging 1 'as it is used in particular while driving. A power drive acting on the tread plate 6 is not shown to simplify the illustration.

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AT 519 948 B1 2020-04-15 Austrian Patent Office [0024] FIG. 2 shows an example and schematically a gap bridging according to the prior art in the extended position. The gap bridging 1 'from FIG. 1 is shown, the tread plate 6 being pushed into its further extended position and the gap 4 being thus bridged. In this position there is a large difference in level between the platform 3 and the platform-side end of the step plate 6 and the inclination of the step plate 6 is particularly large.

Fig. 3 shows an example and schematically a gap bridging in the retracted position. It is a gap bridging 1 according to the invention in a cross section through a passenger rail vehicle, very similar to that shown in FIG. 1. The construction of the passenger rail vehicle is identical to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, but the gap bridging 1 differs in that the swivel arm 5 is connected to the car body 12 in a rotatable and vertically displaceable manner at its lower end by means of a displaceable swivel joint 14. As a result, the axis of rotation about which the swivel arm 5 is rotatably mounted is displaceable in its vertical position relative to the car body in a certain area. An extension drive 19 is provided for the movement of the step plate 6, the displacement of the displaceable swivel joint 14 takes place by means of a vertical drive 20. The drives 19, 20 are constructed as electric motors and are controlled by a control device 23. A sensor 21 is arranged on the step plate 6 on its edge on the platform side, which sensor detects the relative position of the edge of the step plate 6 on the platform side to the platform 3 and transmits a corresponding signal to the control device 23. Furthermore, the control device 23 comprises interfaces for data communication with a door control 24 and a train control 25. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the gap bridging 1 is with a stripper 15, which is arranged on the platform-side edge of the cover plate 2 and can be pivoted with the cover plate 2 by means of a joint 16 connected is equipped. The joint 16 can be equipped with an elastic device which increases the pressing force of the scraper 15 on the tread plate 6. An edge of the scraper 15 touches the tread plate 6, as a result of which dirt adhering to the tread plate 6 is removed from the scraper 15 and thus cannot penetrate into the space below the cover plate 2. In this way, excessive contamination of the sliding bearing 8 and associated drive components can be prevented.

Fig. 4 shows an example and schematically a gap bridging in the extended position. The gap bridging 1 from FIG. 3 is shown, the tread plate 6 being in the extended position and thus bridging the gap 4. The displaceable swivel joint 14 is displaced upwards by a certain vertical displacement 22 by means of the vertical drive 20, so that the edge of the step plate 6 on the platform side has only a minimal difference in level to the platform 3.

Fig. 5 shows an example and schematically a view from above of a gap bridging 1 in its installation situation in a car body 12. From the car body 12, sections through two door pillars and parts of the outer wall are visible in this view. The tread plate 6 is partially extended, its surface is divided into areas with anti-slip surfaces or covering 18 and sliding surfaces 17, the sliding surfaces 17 taking up a substantially smaller proportion of the total surface. The sliding surfaces 17 are advantageously arranged lower than the surfaces 18 with an anti-slip coating, so that they cannot be entered directly. A scraper 15 is, as shown in Fig. 6, articulated to the cover plate 2.

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THE NAMES

Gap bridging

Gap bridging, state of the art

Cover plate

platform

gap

Swivel arm

Tread plate

Axis of rotation

Sliding bearing

Slider

joint

feather

Car body

Floor slab

Sliding swivel joint

Wipers

joint

Sliding surface

Non-slip surface

Extension drive

Vertical drive

sensor

Vertical displacement

Control device

Door control signal

Train control signal

Claims (9)

1. gap bridging (1) for a rail vehicle for bridging the gap (4) between a passenger compartment floor and a platform (3), comprising a step plate (6) which is mounted horizontally between a retracted position and an extended position by means of an extension drive (19) a swivel arm (5) articulated to the tread plate (6) by means of a joint (10), characterized in that the swivel arm (5) is equipped at its end facing away from the joint (10) with a vertically displaceable swivel joint (14), wherein the vertical displacement of the swivel joint (14) takes place between a lowermost and an uppermost position by means of a vertical drive (20). 2. gap bridging (1) for a rail vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that a restoring force is applied to the pivoted arm (5) in the retracted position. 3. gap bridging (1) for a rail vehicle according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the tread plate (6) with a sensor (21) for determining the distance to a platform (3) or for determining contact with the platform ( 3) is equipped. 4. gap bridging (1) for a rail vehicle according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a control device (23) is provided which is set up to control the extension drive (19) and the vertical output (20), and one of one Sensor (21) uses transmitted signal to control the drives (19, 20). 5. gap bridging (1) for a rail vehicle according to claim 4, characterized in that the control device (23) comprises an interface for data communication with a door control (24) or a train control (25). 6. A method for operating a gap bridging (1) for a rail vehicle, characterized in that the control device (23) the movement sequence of the tread plate (6) and the vertical displacement of the swivel joint (14) depending on a transmitted request from a train control (25) controls. 7. The method for operating a gap bridging (1) for a rail vehicle according to claim 6, characterized in that the control device (23) for each stop approached a combination of the extension of the tread plate (6) and vertical displacement swivel joint (14) from a data memory reads and controls the drives (19, 20) accordingly. 8. The method for operating a gap bridging (1) for a rail vehicle according to claim 6, characterized in that the position of the entry associated with the gap bridging (1) is stored in the data memory and this position for determining the combination of the extension distance of the step plate (6 ) and vertical displacement swivel joint (14) is used. 9. A method for operating a gap bridging (1) for a rail vehicle according to claim 6, characterized in that the control device (23) the extension of the tread plate (6) and the vertical displacement of the swivel joint (14) as a function of an output signal of the sensor (21 ) controls.