CH715161B1 - Optical signaling device for rail traffic in the form of a dwarf signal. - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an optical signaling device for rail traffic in the form of a dwarf signal, which has a first, second and third illuminated field (22, 23, 24). In some embodiments, the light fields are each bar-shaped, with each of the bar-shaped light fields running along one leg of a triangle, and with each bar-shaped light field being individually controllable in order to form a signal image in each case. In some embodiments, each illuminated field illuminates in its edge area with a spectral distribution that has a higher spectral component at wavelengths above 500 nm than in the central area of the illuminated field. Each light field can include a matrix of a large number of LEDs that light up with different spectral distributions.

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

The present invention relates to an optical signaling device for rail traffic in the form of a so-called dwarf signal.

STATE OF THE ART

In rail transport routes are provided by the signal box for the purpose of train protection. These roads have a beginning and an end. When the route is set, all points within this route are set to the correct position. If all points are in the correct position, the route is clear and the flanks are protected, if necessary, this secured route is closed and released for traffic with so-called main signals.

Special shunting routes are provided for shunting traffic, which are signaled by small shunting signals in the gravel. The shunting signals are also referred to as dwarf signals. The safety level of shunting routes is lower than that of train routes.

A dwarf signal is characterized as follows in the Swiss Driving Service Regulations (FDV), R 300.2 - Signals, dated November 2, 2015 in the version of July 1, 2016, Section 2.4: "Dwarf signals are used to regulate shunting movements and for mutual protection of shunting movements among themselves or against train journeys. [...] dwarf signals are close to the ground. In exceptional cases, they can be mounted higher, e.g. on a mast, or set up the wrong way round."

1 shows a conventional dwarf signal according to the FDV. The dwarf signal has three circular signal lights 12, 13, 14 in white (FDV, R 300.2, Section 1.2.1). The signal lights are arranged in an L-shape at the corners of an isosceles right-angled triangle, which rests on one of the two legs. The signal lights 12 and 13 are thus at a predetermined distance vertically above one another, the third signal light 14 is arranged horizontally next to the lower signal light 12 at the same distance. This design is currently only used in Switzerland.

With a dwarf signal, three signal aspects are shown: If the two signal lights 12, 13 arranged vertically one above the other light up, this means the signal aspect “drive”. This signal pattern is shown in FIG. If the two lower signal lights 12, 14 arranged horizontally next to each other light up, this means “stop”. If the two diagonally arranged signal lights 13, 14 light up, this means "drive with caution".

When placing train routes, the display of the dwarf signals is pulled along with conventional signaling, that is, when driving the train route, the dwarf signals are also on the move. However, this does not apply to ETCS Level 2 (ETCS-L2). ETCS-L2 is a European defined train control system. ETCS-L2 is characterized by constant communication between the vehicle and the ETCS route control center via Euroradio. The release and communication of the driving license with the associated speed takes place via a screen in the driver's cab (cab signaling). As a rule, there is no need for main signals along the route.

When upgrading the routes to ETCS-L2, the main optical signals are usually removed. However, shunting routes are still required for shunting, which are provided accordingly by the signal box. However, the signaling of the shunting routes with the dwarf signals is no longer synchronized with the train routes, which means that the train driver is no longer allowed to pay attention to the displays of the dwarf signals during normal driving operations.

In order to clearly distinguish dwarf signals for operation with ETCS-L2 from conventional dwarf signals, it was proposed to equip them with blue LED lights instead of the conventional white light points. However, in practice, there were serious disadvantages of such blue-glowing dwarf signals. On the one hand, it turned out that the blue light points are very difficult to see at night. On the other hand, the blue glowing dwarf signals are still felt to be too similar to conventional dwarf signals.

[0010] EP 2 628 652 A1 and EP 2 653 365 A1 each disclose a conventional dwarf signal which is equipped with an LED light source instead of an incandescent lamp.

PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to specify an optical signaling device for rail traffic in the form of a dwarf signal, which has better distinguishability from conventional dwarf signals and better recognizability at night.

In a first aspect of the invention, this object is achieved by an optical signaling device having the features of claim 1. Further embodiments are specified in the dependent claims.

The present invention thus provides an optical signaling device for rail traffic in the form of a dwarf signal, which has a first, second and third illuminated field. In contrast to conventional dwarf signals with round signal lights, the light fields according to the invention are each bar-shaped, with each of the bar-shaped light fields running along one side of a triangle, and with each bar-shaped light field being individually controllable in order to form a signal image.

It is therefore proposed to replace the round signal lights of a conventional dwarf signal by bar-shaped light fields (light bars), the light bars being arranged in the shape of a triangle. Each light bar alone forms a signal aspect, i.e. in contrast to conventional dwarf signals, two spatially separated signal lights do not work together to form a signal aspect. This arrangement of light fields considerably improves the visibility of the individual signal images. This is especially beneficial at night.

The triangle is preferably isosceles right-angled. The first bar-shaped illuminated field then runs along the first cathetus, the second bar-shaped illuminated field along the second cathetus and the third bar-shaped illuminated field along the hypotenuse of the isosceles right-angled triangle. The optical signaling device is then mounted in such a way that the triangle rests on the second cathetus, so that in the mounted state the first bar-shaped illuminated field runs vertically, the second bar-shaped illuminated field runs horizontally and the third bar-shaped illuminated field runs diagonally. For this purpose, the optical signaling device can have appropriate mounting elements. In concrete terms, the optical signaling device can have a housing and a base or mast connected to the housing in order to attach the optical signaling device on the ground next to a track. The second bar-shaped illuminated field then preferably runs transversely, in particular perpendicularly, to the base or mast.

In some embodiments, at least two of the bar-shaped light fields can directly adjoin each other at their ends. As a result, the space available for the light fields is optimally used. For a given size of the dwarf signal, the length of the light bars is maximized, so that the visibility of the signal images is particularly high.

Each bar-shaped illuminated field can comprise at least one light source and at least one light guide element, the light guide elements receiving light from the at least one light source and emitting it in such a way that the bar-shaped illuminated field is formed overall. The light-guiding elements can, for example, comprise one or more mirrors, light guides and/or diffusers, as are known per se to a person skilled in the art. One or more LEDs or incandescent lamps, for example, can be used as light sources.

In advantageous embodiments, each bar-shaped light field comprises a linear arrangement or two-dimensional matrix of multiple LEDs. In this way, the bar-shaped illuminated field can be displayed very simply and at the same time has a long service life.

In order to make the signaling device particularly clearly distinguishable from a conventional dwarf signal, it is advantageous if each bar-shaped illuminated field is designed to glow in blue color, or if it has at least one area in which it is designed to to glow in blue color.

[0020] The signaling device can have a controller that acts as a dimmer in order to change the brightness of the bar-shaped light fields as a function of corresponding control signals. The control signals can depend in particular on the ambient brightness or the time of day. In this way, overexposure in the dark can be avoided, which further improves nighttime visibility without impairing daylight visibility at the same time. To generate the control signals, the controller may include an ambient light sensor, or it may be configured to receive appropriate control signals from a central facility, such as an interlocking.

In a second aspect of the invention, the stated object is also achieved by an optical signal device in the form of a dwarf signal, which comprises at least one illuminated field which has a central area and an outer edge area and is designed to illuminate the edge area with a spectral distribution , which has a higher spectral content (ie a higher integrated spectral density) at wavelengths above 500 nm than in the central region.

[0022] In this case, the luminous field is specifically designed to glow in blue color in the central region. The spectral distribution in the central area can have its maximum, for example, at a wavelength between 400 nm and 470 nm. In the edge area, on the other hand, the light field can be designed to light up, for example, in red, orange, yellow, or white. The spectral distribution in the edge area can, for example, have a maximum in the yellow-orange wavelength range (570-610 nm) or in the red wavelength range (610-760 nm). The spectral distribution in the edge area can also be very broad and/or have several maxima, resulting in a white color impression, for example.

The second aspect of the invention is based on the finding that the ability of the human eye to focus on blue light sources at night is relatively poor. One reason for this is that the proportion of blue-sensitive cones (S-type) in the eye is relatively low at 9-12%. In addition, there are very few or no blue-sensitive cones in the area of sharpest vision (fovea centralis). Because visual acuity is related to cone density, patterns that excite only the blue-sensitive cones are only perceptible at low resolutions. This makes it difficult to reliably recognize the contour and arrangement of blue light fields at night. It is therefore proposed according to the invention to let the illuminated field shine in the area of its outer edge with a spectral distribution that has a higher spectral component at wavelengths above 500 nm than in the central area of the illuminated field. As a result, not only the blue-sensitive cones (S-type) but also the green-sensitive cones (M-type) and/or the red-sensitive cones (L-type) are affected to a considerable extent by this area of the luminous field in the eye stimulated. Since there is a high density of red- and green-sensitive cones in the fovea centralis, the visibility of the outer contour of the light field is markedly improved. The overall color impression of the illuminated field is nevertheless still primarily influenced by the (preferably blue) color in the central area of the illuminated field. This makes it clear that it is a dwarf signal for use under ECTS-L2.

The second aspect of the invention is not limited to a specific shape of the luminous field. The luminous field according to the second aspect of the invention can be in the form of a bar, as explained above in connection with the first aspect of the invention. In particular, the signaling device can have three bar-shaped light fields that are arranged and constructed in the manner described above. In this respect, the first and second aspects of the invention can be combined with one another. However, the luminous field can also have a different shape, e.g. be circular. The signaling device can, for example, have three round luminous fields which are arranged at the corners of an isosceles right-angled triangle, as in a conventional dwarf signal.

[0025] In advantageous embodiments, the luminous field comprises a matrix of a large number of LEDs. The matrix can then comprise first LEDs, which are arranged in the central area of the light field and are designed to light up with a first spectral distribution, and it can comprise second LEDs, which are arranged in the edge area of the light field and are designed to light up with a second To light spectral distribution, the second spectral distribution having a higher spectral content at wavelengths above 500 nm than the first spectral distribution. For example, the first LEDs can be blue LEDs and the second LEDs can be red, orange or yellow LEDs. So-called RGB LEDs can also be used, which are controlled in the central area in such a way that they glow blue, while in the peripheral area they are controlled in such a way that they glow, for example, yellow, orange, red or white.

[0026] The optical signaling device can comprise a controller in order to drive the first and/or second LEDs differently depending on corresponding control signals. For example, the controller can be designed to switch the second LEDs on and off in a targeted manner as a function of such control signals independently of the first LEDs (which is possible with all types of LEDs) or to change their spectral distribution (which is possible, for example, with RGB LEDs is). The control signals can depend in particular on the ambient brightness or the time of day. This allows visibility to be optimized separately during the day and at night. To generate the control signals, the controller may include an ambient light sensor, or the controller may be configured to receive the control signals from a central facility, such as an interlocking.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the drawings, which are for illustrative purposes only and are not to be interpreted as limiting. The drawings show: FIG. 1 a conventional dwarf signal in accordance with FDV R 300.2; 2 shows a dwarf signal according to a first embodiment of the invention; (a): signal aspect for the signal aspect “drive”; (b): signal image for signal aspect "drive with caution"; (c): signal aspect for the signal aspect "Stop"; 3 shows a dwarf signal according to a second embodiment of the invention; (a): signal aspect for the signal aspect “drive”; (b): signal image for signal aspect "drive with caution"; (c): signal aspect for the signal aspect "Stop"; 4 shows a dwarf signal according to a third embodiment of the invention; FIG. 5 shows an enlarged view of the diagonal luminous field of the dwarf signal of FIG. 4; FIG. 6 shows an enlarged view of the horizontal luminous field of the dwarf signal of FIG. 4; 7 shows a dwarf signal according to a fourth embodiment of the invention; FIG. 8 shows an enlarged view of a luminous field of the dwarf signal of FIG. 7; and FIG. 9 shows a diagram with three different spectral distributions.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

1 shows a conventional dwarf signal 1 according to FDV R 300.2. The dwarf signal has a housing 11 which is mounted on a foot 10 in the ballast bed next to a track. The housing 11 has the basic shape of a cuboid, which is clearly beveled on one edge (top right here). In the housing 11 three circular signal lights 12, 13, 14 are arranged. With conventional dwarf signals, these light up in white. As already described above, the signal lights are arranged at the corners of an isosceles right-angled triangle which rests on one of the two legs. In the operating state, which is shown in FIG. 1, the two signal lights 12, 13 arranged vertically one above the other light up.

2 shows a dwarf signal 2 according to a first embodiment of the invention in three different operating states. The dwarf signal in turn has a housing 11 and a foot 10 . The housing 11 has the same external shape as a conventional dwarf signal according to FDV. In the housing 11, however, three bar-shaped light fields (light bars) 22, 23, 24 are arranged instead of the conventional signal lights. One light bar extends along each of the three sides of an isosceles right-angled triangle, which rests on one of the two legs (cathetes). In the embodiment of FIG. 2, all three luminous bars have a rectangular outer contour and the same dimensions. The luminous fields are spaced apart from one another at their ends.

When the vertically arranged light bar 22 lights up, the resulting signal aspect shows the signal aspect “drive” (FIG. 2(a)). If the luminous bar 23 arranged diagonally along the hypotenuse of the triangle lights up, this means the signal aspect “drive with caution” (Fig. 2 (b)). If the horizontally arranged luminous bar 24 lights up, this means the signal aspect “stop” (FIG. 2(c)).

3 shows a dwarf signal 2a according to a second embodiment in the three operating states according to FIG. In contrast to the embodiment of FIG. 2, the horizontally and vertically extending luminous bars 22 and 24, which are arranged along the two catheti of the triangle, are beveled at their ends facing one another and are directly adjacent to one another with these bevels. As a result, with the given dimensions of the housing 11, these luminous bars can have a greater length than in the embodiment of FIG. This improves the visibility of the displayed signal images. The diagonally arranged lightbar 23 has the same length as the horizontally and vertically arranged lightbars 22 and 24; however, due to the fact that the length of the hypotenuse of the triangle is greater by a factor of a factor, it does not directly adjoin the luminous bars 22 and 24 at its ends and is therefore also not beveled at its ends.

4 shows a dwarf signal 2b according to a third embodiment. Again, the dwarf signal has three bar-shaped luminous fields 22, 23, 24, which are arranged as in the embodiment of FIG. These luminous fields each have an LED matrix made up of a large number of LEDs. A controller 27 is also housed in the housing 11 . The luminous fields 23 and 24 are shown separately in FIGS.

Each of the luminous fields 22, 23, 24 has a mounting flange 29, with which the respective luminous field is mounted from the inside in a corresponding recess of the housing 11. In the case of the diagonal light field 23, this mounting flange is designed to run all the way around. In the case of the horizontal luminous field 24 as well as in the case of the vertical luminous field 22 formed mirror-symmetrically thereto, the mounting flange is interrupted in the beveled area in which the luminous fields 22, 24 adjoin one another.

Each of the light fields has a two-dimensional matrix made up of a large number of LEDs. In the present example, the matrix is formed from four parallel rows of LEDs which are uniformly spaced apart from one another, with adjacent rows being shifted from one another by half their periodicity. The two inner rows define a central area of the light field, while the two outer rows define an outer edge area of the light field. Blue LEDs 25 are used in the two inner rows, while LEDs 26 of a different color with a higher spectral component above 500 nm are used in the two outer rows. This massively improves the visibility of the outer contour of the illuminated field at night.

The controller 27 has a light sensor that registers the ambient brightness. If the ambient light level is high, the controller increases the brightness of the central (blue) LED rows and reduces the brightness of the outer LED rows relative to this or even switches them off completely. This results in an appearance of the illuminated field that can be clearly perceived as blue in daylight. If, on the other hand, the ambient brightness is low, the controller 27 reduces the brightness of the central (blue) rows of LEDs and also activates the outer (different-colored) rows of LEDs in order to improve the visibility of the outer contour of the illuminated field at night. The ambient brightness can also be detected centrally in an interlocking device, and corresponding control signals can be transmitted to the controller 27 of the dwarf signals via a suitable communication device. In this case, preferably only two discrete brightness states (“day” and “night”) are processed. Instead of using the ambient brightness, the control signals can also be sent using the time of day.

These ideas can also be applied to signals with light fields that are not bar-shaped, e.g. to signals with round light fields that are arranged as in conventional dwarf signals. 7 shows a dwarf signal 3 according to a fourth embodiment, which has three circular luminous fields 32, 33, 34, which are arranged like the signal lights of a conventional dwarf signal according to FDV. Again, the luminous fields are controlled by a controller 27 . A corresponding luminous field 32 is shown enlarged in FIG. Again, the light field includes a matrix of a large number of LEDs. It is mounted with a mounting flange 39 in a corresponding recess in the housing. Blue LEDs 25 are used in the central area of the illuminated field, while LEDs 26 of a different color with a higher spectral component above 500 nm are used in the outer edge area. This in turn massively improves the visibility of the outer contour of the illuminated field at night.

9 shows a diagram that illustrates three different spectral distributions by way of example. The spectral intensity (spectral density) I is plotted in arbitrary units (a.u.) against the wavelength λ in nanometers (nm).

The spectral distribution 91 has its maximum at about 460 nm and has no significant spectral components above 500 nm (the integrated spectral density in the wavelength range above 500 nm is less than 1% of the total intensity). Light with this spectral distribution appears blue. It mainly stimulates the relatively small number of blue-sensitive cones (S-type) in the macula of the eye. As a result, the eye finds it difficult to focus on light patterns with such a spectral distribution and can only perceive such patterns at low resolutions.

The spectral distribution 92 has its maximum at about 580 nm, ie in the yellow range; the spectral distribution 93 has its maximum at about 620 nm, ie in the red range. Both spectral distributions show significant spectral components above 500 nm. Light with such spectral distributions primarily stimulates the green-sensitive cones (M type) and the red-sensitive cones (L type) in the eye, which are present in significantly larger numbers in the macula. As a result, the eye can focus well on light patterns that shine with such spectral distributions and resolve such patterns well.

[0040] A superimposition of several spectral distributions with maxima at different wavelengths can result in any other color impression, including white. Such a superimposition will often have a significant spectral component above 500 nm, as well as the broad blackbody spectrum of an incandescent lamp, and therefore enables good focusability and resolution.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and a variety of modifications of the above embodiments are conceivable without departing from the scope of the invention. Instead of single-color LEDs, LEDs can also be used whose color can be changed, e.g. so-called RGB LEDs. Correspondingly, the controller 27 can be designed to change the color of the LEDs depending on the ambient brightness. For example, the controller 27 can control the LEDs 26 arranged in the outer edge area when the ambient brightness is high so that they glow blue, while when the ambient brightness is low it controls these LEDs so that they glow with a higher spectral component above 500 nm. In contrast, the LEDs 25 arranged in the central area of the respective luminous field always shine blue, preferably independently of the ambient brightness, and only their brightness is changed as a function of the ambient light.

REFERENCE LIST

1 dwarf signal 2, 2a, 2b dwarf signal 3 dwarf signal 10 foot 11 housing 12 signal light 13 signal light 14 signal light 22 light bar 23 light bar 24 light bar 25 first LED 26 second LED 27 control 29 mounting flange 32 light field 33 light field 34 light field 39 mounting flange 91 spectral distribution 92 spectral distribution 93 spectral distribution λ wavelength I intensity

Claims (14)

1. Optical signaling device for rail traffic in the form of a dwarf signal, which has a first, second and third light field (22, 23, 24), characterized in that the light fields (22, 23, 24) for better differentiation from conventional dwarf signals and for are each bar-shaped to make them easier to see at night, each of the bar-shaped light fields (22, 23, 24) running along one leg of a triangle, and each bar-shaped light field (22, 23, 24) being individually controllable in order to form a signal image in each case. 2. Optical signaling device for rail traffic according to claim 1, wherein the first bar-shaped illuminated field (22) along a first leg, the second bar-shaped illuminated field (24) along a second leg and the third bar-shaped illuminated field (23) along the hypotenuse of an isosceles right-angled triangular runs. 3. Optical signaling device for rail traffic according to claim 2, wherein the optical signaling device is designed to be mounted in such a way that the triangle rests on the second cathetus, so that in the mounted state the first bar-shaped illuminated field (22) is vertical, the second bar-shaped Illuminated field (24) runs horizontally and the third bar-shaped illuminated field (23) diagonally. 4. Optical signaling device for rail traffic according to claim 3, comprising a housing (11) and a base (10) or mast connected to the housing in order to attach the optical signaling device next to a track on the ground, the second bar-shaped illuminated field (24) being transverse runs to the foot (10) or mast. 5. Optical signaling device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least two of the bar-shaped light fields (22, 23, 24) directly adjoin one another at their ends. 6. Optical signaling device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein each bar-shaped light field (22, 23, 24) comprises at least one light source and at least one light-guiding element, wherein the at least one light-guiding element receives light from the at least one light source and emits it in such a way that overall the bar-shaped Luminous field (22, 23, 24) is created. 7. Optical signaling device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein each bar-shaped illuminated field (22, 23, 24) comprises a linear arrangement or two-dimensional matrix of LEDs. 8. Optical signaling device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein each bar-shaped luminous field (22, 23, 24) has at least one area in which it is designed to glow in blue color. 9. Optical signaling device according to one of the preceding claims, which has a controller (27) in order to change the brightness of the bar-shaped light fields (22, 23, 24) as a function of control signals. 10. Optical signaling device for rail traffic in the form of a dwarf signal, which comprises at least one illuminated field (22, 23, 24; 32, 33, 34), characterized in that for better distinguishability from conventional dwarf signals and for better recognizability at night, the at least one The luminous field (22, 23, 24; 32, 33, 34) has a central area and an edge area, the at least one luminous field (22, 23, 24; 32, 33, 34) being designed to be blue in the central area and to shine in the edge area with a spectral distribution that has a higher spectral component at wavelengths above 500 nm than in the central area. 11. Optical signaling device according to claim 10, wherein the at least one luminous field (22, 23, 24; 32, 33, 34) is bar-shaped or circular. 12. Optical signaling device according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the at least one luminous field (22, 23, 24; 32, 33, 34) comprises a matrix of a plurality of LEDs, the matrix comprising first LEDs (25) which are central area of the light field (22, 23, 24; 32, 33, 34) and are designed to light up with a first spectral distribution, and wherein the matrix comprises second LEDs (26) which are located in the edge area of the light field (22, 23 , 24; 32, 33, 34) and are designed to emit light with a second spectral distribution, the second spectral distribution having a higher spectral component at wavelengths above 500 nm than the first spectral distribution. 13. Optical signaling device according to claim 12, which comprises a controller (27) in order to drive the first and/or second LEDs (25, 26) differently depending on control signals. 14. Optical signaling device according to claim 13, wherein the controller (27) is designed to switch the second LEDs (26) on and off depending on the ambient brightness or to change their spectral distribution.