AU2013283711B2

AU2013283711B2 - Device for testing and refurbishing a switch mechanism for a railway switch

Info

Publication number: AU2013283711B2
Application number: AU2013283711A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Andreas SCHÖNEBERG; Karsten Wolf
Original assignee: Siemens Mobility GmbH
Current assignee: Siemens Mobility GmbH
Priority date: 2012-06-29
Filing date: 2013-06-06
Publication date: 2018-11-29
Anticipated expiration: 2033-06-06
Also published as: IN2014DN09984A; ES2758440T3; EP2841665A2; DE102012211377A1; DE102012211377B4; RU159010U1; EP2841665B1; WO2014001048A2; CN204804394U; WO2014001048A3; AU2013283711A1; ZA201408971B

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for testing and refurbishing a switch mechanism (26) for a railway switch. This comprises a test bench (9) for mechanical and electrical testing of the functional capability of the actuating drive (26) according to predeterminable test instructions. According to the invention the test bench (9) is disposed and can be operated in a transportable and walk-in large-capacity container (1). Thus the testing facility can be set up in a mobile manner at different locations of switch operators, such that a costly transport of actuating drives between operating location and the works of the manufacturer for general overhaul is no longer necessary.

Description

DEVICE FOR TESTING AND REFURBISHING A SWITCH MECHANISM FOR A RAILWAY SWITCH

The invention relates to a device for testing and refurbishing a switch mechanism for a railway switch. A railway switch makes it possible for a rail vehicle to transfer from one track to another track without interrupting its travel. Provided at a point of the switch is a switch mechanism, with which switch tongues are adjusted and secured in their end position. A switch lock fitted between the switch mechanism and each of the two switch tongues serves on the one hand for securing the closed switch tongue on a stock rail, in order to prevent it from being moved by stresses in the switch tongue or by externally acting forces; on the other hand, it serves the purpose of keeping the open switch tongue at a sufficient distance from the other stock rail. In the case of long switches, in particular in the case of high-speed switches, additional switch mechanisms with locks are required, distributed over the length of the switch. Electrical switch mechanisms are equipped with a coupling device, which prevents damage from occurring if the operating resistance becomes too great or if the movement is hindered by foreign bodies between the switch tongue and the stock rail. A switch mechanism may for example have a housing with a cover, in which an electric motor with a flange-mounted gear unit, an actuating slider with a locking cam, a switching device and a monitoring slider are arranged. The rotary movement of the electric motor can be converted by the gear unit into a straight actuating movement of the actuating sliders. The actuating sliders drive the actuating rods, which transfer the actuating movement to the switch tongues. The monitoring sliders may serve for monitoring the switch tongue end positions. An adjustable gear coupling may be provided for limiting the actuating force.

In the case of switch mechanisms for railway switches, it must be checked at periodic time intervals whether they should be replaced or whether they can undergo a general overhaul. Until now, the switch mechanisms have been returned from the respective installation site to the manufacturing works for refurbishing and testing. However, this involves a great effort in terms of logistics and time along with high costs; for instance, a sufficient number of reserve mechanisms must be kept in stock on site and installed as a replacement during the time of the refurbishment. Furthermore, the switch mechanisms to be refurbished, which may sometimes have a weight of over 100 kg, are transported back and forth by ship or aircraft on European standard pallets, on which they cannot be stacked, and have to be cleared through customs at each stage. At the manufacturing works, the refurbishment must be performed while taking into consideration a prioritizing of the production of new switch mechanisms that is in progress.

It is an object of the present invention to substantially overcome, or at least ameliorate, one or more of the disadvantages of the prior art, or at least provide a useful alternative. For example, it would be desirable to provide a device of the type mentioned at the beginning with which refurbishing and/or testing of switch mechanisms to be overhauled can be carried out in an optimized manner in terms of cost and/or time.

According to the invention, a device for testing and refurbishing a switch mechanism for a railway switch is provided, having a transportable and walk-in large capacity container, and a test rig for the mechanical and electrical testing of the functional capability of the switch mechanism. The test rig is arranged and is operable, e.g. in accordance with predeterminable test instructions, in the transportable and walk-in large-capacity container. The device further comprises a voltage adjustment module, said voltage adjustment module configured to convert different supply voltages of different national power supply systems respectively on the primary side into a specific operating voltage on the secondary side for the device, in order that the testing and refurbishing device is operable in countries with different national power supply systems.

In at least one embodiment, the invention provides a mobile testing and refurbishing device for switch mechanisms that has all the testing and workshop means to be able to carry out refurbishing and testing at various operating locations. As a result, the effort in terms of logistics, time and cost for the routine general overhaul of switch mechanisms for railway switches is reduced considerably. Similarly, there is a reduction in the time for which the switch mechanism to be overhauled is out of action and has to be replaced by a reserve mechanism, from its removal to its reinstallation. There is no longer any need for the laborious shipment back to the manufacturing works, as a result of which refurbishing work on used switch mechanisms does not have to be included in planning there, and resources can be used for producing new switch mechanisms.

In an advantageous embodiment of the testing facility according to the invention, the test rig has a linear drive for the functional testing of various forces. The linear drive has for example a movable carriage, to which a coupling rod for coupling to a toothed rack of the actuating mechanism to be tested is fastened. By way of the coupling rod, the forces to be tested in different operating situations of the switch mechanism are transferred. In comparison with hydraulic drives, the use of an electrical linear drive allows the test rig to be of a comparatively slender design, in order that it can be accommodated in the high-capacity container. The linear drive reproduces the forces occurring during operation at a railway switch and acting on the switch mechanism.

In a preferred refinement of the device according to the invention, the test rig has integrated testing means for a high-voltage test. The integration of the high-voltage test in the test rig allows further space to be saved, since usually separate testing devices are used for such tests.

In an advantageous refinement of the device according to the invention, the test rig has a set of interchangeable fastening modules for the testing of different types of switch mechanisms. Switch mechanisms differ in the structural form and size and also the arrangement of the actuating sliders. In order that the test rig can be converted quickly for the testing of a specific switch mechanism, a fastening module designed to allow it to be quickly exchanged and fixed on a test bench of the test rig is kept on standby for each type of switch mechanism.

In a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention, the test rig has a protective shroud for covering an actuating mechanism to be tested. In order to protect persons in the large-capacity container from being injured by parts that become detached when carrying out the testing of the actuating mechanism, the test bench and the linear drive can be covered by a protective shroud. The protective shroud consists of material that is transparent but resistant to penetration.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the testing facility according to the invention, the large-capacity container has a slewing crane for lifting a switch mechanism in and out. This crane is advantageously attached to a side wall in the access region of a test area of the large-capacity container and has a slewing range that covers the nearby outer region and the test bench of the test rig.

In a further preferred refinement of the device according to the invention, the large-capacity container has computing and controlling means for the automatic execution of test sequences. For carrying out tests in an automated manner with parameters that can be set exactly and for logging or documenting the test results, arranged along with the test rig are computing and controlling means that are connected to the linear drive and to a drive unit of the switch mechanism to be tested and can be operated by way of an input/output interface on an operator control panel, which may for example be formed by a keyboard and a screen or a touchscreen.

In a further advantageous refinement of the device according to the invention, the large-capacity container has a voltage adjustment module for providing an operating voltage for the switch mechanism. In order that the testing and refurbishing device according to the invention can be operated in countries with different national power supply systems, a voltage adjustment module that can convert the supply voltage respectively on the primary side into an operating voltage on the secondary side for the device is provided.

In a further preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention, the large-capacity container is thermally insulated and climatically controllable. These measures also serve for making the testing facility operational at operating locations of different climatic zones and seasons. Thus, for example, an air conditioning system may be arranged in the large-capacity container. These measures serve for establishing uniform reference conditions, for example for the ambient temperature and atmospheric humidity.

In a further advantageous refinement of the device according to the invention, the large-capacity container has a test area, in which the test rig is arranged, and, away from it, a workshop area for the refurbishing of a switch mechanism. The areas may be separated from one another by a space-saving sliding door. In the workshop area, all the tools and office equipment for refurbishing a switch mechanism are arranged.

Further properties and advantages of the testing device according to the invention emerge from the following description of an exemplary embodiment on the basis of the drawings, in which:

Figure 1 schematically illustrates a plan view of a testing and refurbishing device according to the invention and

Figure 2 schematically illustrates a test rig of the device represented in Figure 1 in a perspective representation.

In yet another advantageous embodiment of the testing facility according to the invention, the large-capacity container has a test area with a test rig and, away from it, a workshop area for the refurbishing of an actuating mechanism.

According to Figure 1, the testing facility according to the invention for the testing of switch mechanisms for railway switches has a large-capacity container 1, which may for example be formed as a transportable and walk-in container known as a 40-foot high-cube container in accordance with ISO 668, with a length of 12.040 m, a width of 2.345 m and a height of 2.690 m as inside dimensions. The large-capacity container 1, designed as an overseas container, is divided by a partitioning wall 2 into a test area 3 for functional capability tests and a workshop area 4 for refurbishing activities on a switch mechanism to be overhauled. The partitioning wall 2 has in a space-saving way a sliding door 5, in order to make it possible for the testing and servicing personnel to change over directly between the test area 3 and the workshop area 4.

In the test area 3, the large-capacity container 1 has at its outer end face a double revolving door 6, in order to bring into the test area 3 switch mechanisms delivered for overhauling. Arranged for this purpose in the test area 3 is a slewing crane 7, the slewing arm of which has a semicircular slewing range 8 and carries a movable trolley with a chain and a crane hook. By means of the slewing crane 7, the switch mechanism delivered is lifted onto the test rig 9, where it is securely clamped and brought into operative connection with testing means. The test rig 9 is assigned a first switch cabinet, in which controlling and computing means 10 connected to the testing means and intended for the automated execution of functional capability tests according to predeterminable test instructions are arranged. Arranged in a second switch cabinet, which is arranged alongside the first, is a voltage adjustment module 11 for providing the operating voltage of the switch mechanism. Provided for operating the test rig 9 is an operator control panel 12, on which a keyboard and a screen are arranged as input and output means. In order to compensate for the climatic conditions prevailing in different countries and also seasons and to establish uniform reference conditions for the testing environment, the large-capacity container 1 has thermally insulated walls and an air conditioning system 13, for example suspended from the ceiling, for cooling or heating the test area 3 and the workshop area 4. Furthermore, for this purpose, the container opening in the region of the double revolving doors 6 is closed by a transparent curtain 14.

The workshop area 4 is accessible from the outside through a revolving door 15 arranged at the end face. In order to transfer a switch mechanism, delivered for example on a European standard pallet, up to the level of an assembly platform 16, in the workshop area 4 there is a forklift truck 17. For each of two working teams there is respectively an assembly platform 16 and a tool cart 18 with all the hand-held tools for the work to be carried out. A third cart 19 contains all the special tools, for instance a set of torque wrenches, and also associated testing devices for carrying out day-to-day checks. A workbench 20 serves for the machining of parts of the switch mechanism or for carrying out repairs. For cleaning work after rust removal or for recutting threads, a compressor 21 for providing compressed air is provided in the workshop area 4. In a small parts rack 24 with a worktop, shelves and drawers, small parts and standard parts that are required for a switch mechanism are kept along with all devices and auxiliary means for exchanging parts. Also set up in the workshop area 4 is a mobile office with a desk 23, a pin board 24 and a cupboard 25, which is intended for preparing and keeping test records, producing test compliance marks or signs and also associated documentation, drawings and the like.

According to Figure 2, a test rig 9 of a device according to the invention has a test bench 91 resting on a framework 90 and securely connected thereto. For receiving different switch mechanisms 26, the test rig 9 has an associated set of fastening modules 92, which can be quickly exchanged and secured on the test bench 91 . Arranged along with the test bench 91 is an electrical linear drive 93, with the carriage of which a coupling rod 94 can be made to move linearly. The coupling rod 94 serves for coupling an actuating slider 27 of the switch mechanism 26 to be tested to the linear drive 93. The use of a purely electrical linear drive 93 for the controlled generation and transfer of a defined force that is predetermined in the respective test instruction to the switch mechanism 26 to be tested makes it possible for the test rig 9 to be of a particularly slender design, and consequently for it to be accommodated in a space-saving manner in a transportable large-capacity container 1 (cf. Figure 1). For protection from parts that become detached in the testing process, the linear drive 93 and the test bench 91 can be covered by a protective shroud 96, which is resistant to penetration and transparent. Supply and control lines of the test rig 9, which are not represented, are connected to the voltage transformer 11 and the controlling and computing means 10 (cf. Figure 1) and can be connected to the electric motor of the switch mechanism 26. Together with the controlling and computing means 10, the voltage transformer 11 is designed for the purpose of also carrying out a high-voltage test on the switch mechanism 26. Integration of the high-voltage test in or on the test rig 9 has the effect of saving space for an otherwise additional high-voltage testing device.

At the beginning of a test, a visual check on the components of the switch mechanism 26 takes place according to an associated parts list. Subsequently, electrical testing of the wiring in the switch mechanism 26 is carried out, including a high-voltage test. Subsequently, the functional testing takes place on the test rig 9, in which the actuating travel, various forces - for instance the securing force, opening resistance, opening inhibiting force, actuating forces, triggering and slipping force - and the actuating time of the switch mechanism 26 are determined and logged. In a subsequent mechanical test, the function of test sliders is checked. In a further high-voltage test, the dielectric strength of connecting forks to ground is tested. Finally, a general check on the condition of the switch mechanism 26 is performed by visual inspection.

Claims

1. A device for testing and refurbishing a switch mechanism for a railway switch, comprising: a transportable and walk-in large capacity container; a test rig for mechanical and electrical testing of a functional capability of the switch mechanism according to predeterminable test instructions, the test rig being arranged and operable in the transportable and walk-in large capacity container; and a voltage adjustment module, said voltage adjustment module configured to convert different supply voltages of different national power supply systems respectively on the primary side into a specific operating voltage on the secondary side for the device, in order that the testing and refurbishing device is operable in countries with different national power supply systems.

2. The testing and refurbishing device as claimed in claim 1, the test rig having a linear drive for the functional testing of forces of the switch mechanism.

3. The testing and refurbishing device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, the test rig having integrated testing means for a high-voltage test.

4. The testing and refurbishing device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, the test rig having a set of interchangeable fastening modules for the testing of different types of switch mechanisms.

5. The testing and refurbishing device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, the test rig having a protective shroud for covering a switch mechanism to be tested.

6. The testing and refurbishing device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, the large-capacity container having a slewing crane for lifting a switch mechanism in and out.

7. The testing and refurbishing device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, the large-capacity container having computing and controlling means for the automatic execution of test instructions.

8. The testing and refurbishing device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, the large-capacity container being thermally insulated and climatically controllable.

9. The testing and refurbishing device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, the large-capacity container having a test area, in which the test rig is arranged, and, away from it, a workshop area for the refurbishing of a switch mechanism.