DE102018103395A1 - Path pulse simulation apparatus and method for simulating path pulses - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a track pulse simulation device (10) for a rail vehicle, having a signal generation unit (15) which is adapted to generate a simulation signal corresponding to the real signal of a track encoder of the rail vehicle during travel of the rail vehicle with the vehicle speed corresponding to the real signal ; and an interface unit (20) which is set up to output the simulation signal generated by the signal generation unit (15) to a control unit of the rail vehicle which is coupled or to be coupled to the interface unit (20). Furthermore, the invention relates to a rail vehicle arrangement having such a Wegimpulssimulationsvorrichtung and a method for simulating a traveling speed of a rail vehicle.

Description

The invention relates to a Wegimpulssimulationsvorrichtung and a method for simulating path pulses. Furthermore, the invention relates to a rail vehicle with such Wegimpulssimulationsvorrichtung.

In the field of rail vehicles, it is known to use speed information indicative of an actual vehicle speed for controlling various vehicle functions or components. As an example, the automatic locking of the vehicle doors is called from reaching a predetermined speed.

In order to generate the speed information, for example in the form of an electrical and / or digital signal, so-called displacement encoders are used. These usually provide information that indicates a distance traveled and, knowing the time required to calculate the driving speed. For example, the displacement encoders may generate information regarding the wheel speed. The DE 10 2006 047 365 A1 describes in this context the coupling of a gear with a vehicle axle, wherein the teeth of the gear (or their Vorbewegen) are detected by a Wegimpulsgeber as individual measuring pulses or path pulses. This can be done for example on the basis of an optical or magnetic detection of the teeth of the gear. From the frequency of the measuring pulses, the wheel speed and then the vehicle speed can be determined.

It is also known to use radar devices that detect the movement of the rail vehicle on individual sleepers. In this case, the approximation and removal of the track thresholds leads to corresponding path pulses and, in turn, the current vehicle speed can be determined from the frequency of the measurement pulses.

For repair or maintenance purposes, it may also be necessary to generate such speed information, e.g. B. to check the correct operation of individual vehicle functions. However, for time and cost reasons, it is generally undesirable to actually need to move the rail vehicle to generate the speed information (i.e., to generate actual wheel rotations or movements detectable by a position encoder over railway sleepers).

Instead, so-called displacement pulse generators are often used in which, instead of a gearwheel or a railway sleeper coupled to a wheel axle, other metrologically detectable elements are moved relative to the displacement pulse generator. The Wegimpulsgeneratoren therefore presuppose the presence of a mechanically driven unit including drive motor. This increases the cost and weight accordingly. In addition, the Wegimpulsgeber often have to be dismantled from the rail vehicle to interact with the Wegimpulsgeneratoren can. This means a corresponding time and cost in maintenance operation.

There is thus a need for low-cost generation of speed information for rail vehicles, in particular in the context of a maintenance or repair operation.

The inventor has recognized that the previous electromechanical displacement encoders have the aforementioned disadvantages, e.g. in the form of increased time and expense. As an alternative, therefore, a direct generation and / or coupling of corresponding speed information into a control unit of the rail vehicle is considered, in particular by bridging existing position encoders.

This is achieved by an apparatus and a method according to the appended independent claims. Further advantageous embodiments are specified in the dependent claims.

• - einer Signalerzeugungseinheit, die dazu eingerichtet ist, ein Simulationssignal zu erzeugen, das dem realen Signal eines Wegimpulsgebers des Schienenfahrzeugs während einer Fahrt des Schienenfahrzeugs mit der dem realen Signal entsprechenden Fahrgeschwindigkeit entspricht; und
• - einer Schnittstelleneinheit, die dazu eingerichtet ist, das von der Signalerzeugungseinheit erzeugte Simulationssignal an eine mit der Schnittstelleneinheit gekoppelte oder koppelbare Steuereinheit des Schienenfahrzeugs auszugeben.

Specifically, there is provided a track pulse simulation apparatus for a rail vehicle, comprising:

• - A signal generating unit which is adapted to generate a simulation signal, the real signal of a Wegimpulsgebers the rail vehicle during a journey of the rail vehicle with the real Signal corresponds to the corresponding driving speed; and
• - An interface unit which is adapted to output the simulation signal generated by the signal generating unit to a coupled to the interface unit or couplable control unit of the rail vehicle.

• - Erzeugen eines Simulationssignals, das dem realen Signal eines Wegimpulsgebers des Schienenfahrzeugs während einer Fahrt des Schienenfahrzeugs mit der dem realen Signal entsprechenden Fahrgeschwindigkeit entspricht; und
• - Ausgeben des erzeugten Simulationssignals an eine Steuereinheit des Schienenfahrzeugs.

The invention also relates to a method for simulating a traveling speed of a rail vehicle, comprising the steps of:

• Generating a simulation signal which corresponds to the real signal of a travel pulse generator of the rail vehicle during a travel of the rail vehicle with the travel speed corresponding to the real signal; and
• - Outputting the generated simulation signal to a control unit of the rail vehicle.

The method may include any further step and feature to provide all of the effects, operating conditions, or interactions discussed below with respect to the path pulse simulation device. In particular, the method may comprise a step of coupling an interface unit of the type explained above with a control unit of the rail vehicle. This may concern the (for example electronic and / or data-transmitting) connection of the interface unit to the control unit of the rail vehicle, in particular with or, in other words, via an interface of the control unit, to which at least one position encoder is otherwise connected. Consequently, a step of separating at least one displacement encoder from the control unit and instead connecting the displacement pulse simulation device to the control unit may also be provided, wherein the connection preferably takes place via the same interface of the control unit.

Furthermore, the step of generating the simulation signal may be independent of a displacement encoder and / or interaction with a displacement pulse generator. Furthermore, this step may comprise electrically generating the simulation signal e.g. according to a user input. Additionally or alternatively, the signal may be calculated and / or generated based on reading information from a memory unit. This in turn can be done independently of a Wegimpulsgeber and / or any interactions with the environment. In general, the method may be practiced with a path pulse simulation device and / or a rail vehicle assembly according to any of the preceding or following aspects.

The path pulse simulation device may comprise or be designed as an electrical circuit and / or a computer unit. In particular, the Wegimpulssimulationsvorrichtung may be free of (at least macroscopically) movable elements and in particular free of an electric motor driven mechanical unit. Consequently, the simulation signal generated by the signal generation unit can be generated independently of movements of a mechanical unit and / or independently of any position encoder or its signals. Instead, it may be generated (especially exclusively) in accordance with user input and / or internal control commands and output.

In a variant of the device and method, the simulation signal is generated purely electronically and / or independently of current environmental conditions (for example, without interacting with a path pulse generator arranged in the environment and possibly moving). The only interaction may instead take the form of receiving defaults on a speed to be simulated, for example, when an operator is operating an input device provided therefor. Additionally or alternatively, as further explained below, the signal may be generated on the basis of computer-controlled computing processes and / or read-out from a memory unit.

The signal generation unit may include a computing, storage and / or processing unit to generate the desired simulation signal. Generally, the signal generation unit may be configured to output a plurality of different simulation signals for simulating a corresponding plurality of different driving speeds. In one embodiment of the apparatus and method, the signal generation unit includes or is provided by a microprocessor (e.g., an Arduino Uno microprocessor board of the Arduino Open Source Community, available at www.arduino.cc). A selection criterion for the microprocessor may be a sufficiently high clock frequency to generate the desired signal or pulse pattern. The generated simulation signal may be an electrical signal, which is distinguished for example by a sequence of individual voltage pulses and, in particular, voltage rectangular pulses. The corresponding pulses can simulate individual signal or path pulses. In particular, the pulses can simulate measuring or path pulses of conventional position encoders if they detect a wheel revolution or moving over a railway sleeper.

The generated simulation signal can be output and / or forwarded as a saved signal. In particular, a fuse can be made in such a way that manipulation of the signal by other units is prevented (for example within the control system). For example, the signal may meet a predetermined safety requirement level (English: "safety integrity level", short SIL).

The real signal of the Wegimpulsgebers the rail vehicle, which is to be simulated with the Wegimpulssimulationsvorrichtung can be measured or calculated in advance, for example, depending on a predetermined driving speed. In this case as well, the real signal may comprise a sequence of voltage pulses and, in particular, voltage rectangular pulses which are analogous to the path pulse simulation device can be issued. A frequency of these pulses may accordingly indicate an actual vehicle speed.

The interface unit may generally be designed to transmit the simulation signal generated by the signal generation unit and be configured, for example, to establish an electrically conductive and / or data-transmitting connection with the control unit of the rail vehicle.

In general, the interface unit can be set up to transmit voltage pulses generated by the signal generation unit to the control unit of the rail vehicle. In a variant of this, the interface unit of the displacement pulse simulation device is coupled to a corresponding interface unit of the rail vehicle, wherein the corresponding interface unit is located, for example, in a control cabinet of the rail vehicle.

The interface unit may be coupleable to an interface of the rail vehicle to which the track encoders of the rail vehicle are usually connected. Thus, instead of having to disassemble the position encoders in order to interact with known path pulse generators, the position encoders in this embodiment can be loosely released from their interface to instead connect the path pulse simulation device thereto.

Superordinate, the Wegimpulssimulationsvorrichtung thus provide bypassing the actual Wegimpulsgeber and in particular without driven Wegimpulsgenerator the manner described in the introduction speed information or signals to check desired vehicle functions can. The bridging can be done by connecting the displacement pulse simulation device to a control device of the rail vehicle. In particular, the path pulse simulation device may be connected or connectable to an interface (e.g., electrical and / or data transmitting) of the controller to which at least one of the actual position encoders is otherwise connected. The bridging can therefore be understood in particular in such a way that the one or more position encoders remain mounted on the rail vehicle, but are replaced by another unit in terms of control technology or from the perspective of the control device (namely by the displacement pulse simulation device). In this case, no additional adjustments or changes to the control device may be required, since this still receives analog signals from the path pulse simulation device with respect to the signals of the position encoders. The Wegimpulssimulationsvorrichtung can do without mechanically moving parts and without corresponding drive units, which can reduce weight, cost and susceptibility. Furthermore, a complete disassembly of existing Wegimpulsgeber can be omitted. Further, the path pulse simulation device may be operable at a low voltage level of, for example, 5V or 24V. By contrast, the electric motors of known displacement pulse generators are typically operated at a voltage level of 230 V, which represents a corresponding safety risk.

The interface unit may be suitably patterned and / or shaped to be coupled to the control unit of the rail vehicle. In particular, a mechanical coupling in the sense of a plug connection can be provided. According to a variant, the interface unit comprises a connector for coupling to the control unit of the rail vehicle. The connector may be a standardized connector, for example a so-called Harting connector and / or a connector comprising a plurality of connection pins. The control unit of the rail vehicle may comprise a correspondingly corresponding connector or a connector receiving structure. In general, this variant allows the reliable, standardized and low-cost coupling of the displacement pulse simulation device with the control unit of the rail vehicle.

In a development of the device and method it is provided that the interface unit comprises at least a first and a second output channel and the signal generating unit is adapted to provide on the first output channel and on the second output channel an identical, but mutually phase-shifted by 90 ° simulation signal. For example, a first simulation signal can be output on the first output channel and a second simulation signal can be output on the second output channel. The simulation signals can match in content, for example with regard to the number, the height and / or the frequency of their signal pulses (for example in the form of individual voltage pulses). However, it is provided in this embodiment that they are out of phase with each other by 90 ° simulation signals and thus are temporally asynchronous. This enables the simulation of Wegimpulsgeber signals, which can be closed in a conventional manner to a direction of travel of the rail vehicle.

According to a further embodiment of the device and method, the Signal generating unit, a computing unit, which is adapted to calculate the output simulation signal; and / or a memory unit configured to store information for generating the simulation signal.

By way of example, the arithmetic unit can calculate the simulation signal to be output in accordance with user inputs, in particular in the form of a path pulse and / or signal pulse train having a corresponding frequency. The user inputs may relate to a predetermined driving speed for which an associated simulation signal is to be generated and output.

The memory unit can store at least one path pulse and / or signal pulse sequence and / or information for generating such a pulse sequence. The stored information may be associated with a particular speed to be simulated. In accordance with a desired speed to be simulated, which can be predetermined, for example, via a corresponding user input, the associated content can be read from the memory unit.

In a further variant of the device and method, at least one optocoupler unit is provided for transmitting the simulation signal generated by the signal generation unit to the interface unit. In this way, a galvanic isolation of the signal generation unit and the interface unit can be achieved.

Furthermore, an input device for inputting at least one driving speed to be simulated may be provided. The input device can be manually operated. In one variant, the input device comprises at least one manually actuable input element, for example in the form of a key, a switch and / or a touch-sensitive surface (for example a touch-sensitive display surface). The input element can be assigned at least one predetermined driving speed. This driving speed can be selected and / or output when actuated as a driving speed to be simulated.

The input device may include at least one input interface for connecting an external input device. The external input device may be a computer (e.g., a personal computer) and / or an input device (e.g., a mouse or keyboard) connected thereto. By means of the external input unit, entering a desired speed to be simulated can be carried out in a particularly flexible and low-effort manner.

• - einem Schienenfahrzeug; und
• - einer Wegimpulssimulationsvorrichtung nach einem der vorangehenden Aspekte, wobei die Wegimpulssimulationsvorrichtung mit einer Steuereinheit des Schienenfahrzeugs gekoppelt oder koppelbar ist. Das Schienenfahrzeug kann auch einen Wegimpulsgeber umfassen, der z.B. zum Wechselwirken mit einem achsmontierten Zahnrad oder vorbeistreichenden Bahnschwellen ausgebildet ist. Die Wegimpulssimulationsvorrichtung kann jedoch dazu ausgebildet sein, unabhängig von dem Wegimpulsgeber Signale zur Simulation einer Fahrgeschwindigkeit zu erzeugen und auszugeben.

The invention further relates to a rail vehicle arrangement, comprising:

• - a rail vehicle; and
• - A Wegimpulssimulationsvorrichtung according to any one of the preceding aspects, wherein the Wegimpulssimulationsvorrichtung coupled to a control unit of the rail vehicle or can be coupled. The rail vehicle may also comprise a position encoder which is designed, for example, to interact with an axle-mounted gearwheel or passing railway sleepers. However, the path pulse simulation apparatus may be configured to generate and output signals for simulating a vehicle speed independently of the position encoder.

Furthermore, the invention relates to an arrangement with a control unit (in particular of or for a rail vehicle) and a coupled or couplable Wegimpulssimulationsvorrichtung according to one of the preceding aspects.

• 1 ein Schaltbild einer erfindungsgemäßen Wegimpulssimulationsvorrichtung, die ein erfindungsgemäßes Verfahren ausführt.

In the following, embodiments of the invention will be explained with reference to the attached schematic figure. In their nature and function matching features can be provided with the same reference numerals. It shows:

• 1 a circuit diagram of a Wegimpulssimulationsvorrichtung invention, which performs a method according to the invention.

In 1 is a circuit diagram of a Wegimpulssimulationsvorrichtung invention 10 shown. It can be seen that the Wegimpulssimulationsvorrichtung 10 a microprocessor 12 comprises, in a conventional manner via a plurality of inputs and outputs 14 features. Not all of the inputs and outputs 14 are in 1 provided with a corresponding separate reference numeral. As explained in detail below, the microprocessor forms 12 a signal generation unit 15 the path impulse simulation device 10 by means of which the (real) signal of a conventional position encoder is simulated for a predetermined driving speed by outputting a simulation signal.

The microprocessor 12 is with an input device 16 connected. The input arrangement 16 includes several manually operable input elements 18 in the form of pushbuttons. Each of the input elements 18 (or each of the pushbuttons) is associated with a specific vehicle speed to be simulated. In the case shown, the input elements 18 For example, be associated with 108 km / h, 60 km / h, 56 km / h, 52 km / h, 20 km / h and 7 km / h. Depending on which of the input elements 18 is pressed, the microprocessor 12 thus the predefined associated driving speed, which is to be simulated.

Additionally or alternatively, the input arrangement 16 also the in 1 shown input interface 19 include. In the case shown, this is as a USB interface of the microprocessor 12 educated. The microprocessor 12 can thus be coupled to an external input device, such as a PC (not shown). The external input device can also be used to specify driving speeds to be simulated. In addition or as an alternative, program instructions or memory contents which can be used on the microprocessor can also be used here 12 are deposited.

The path pulse simulation device 10 further comprises an interface unit 20 for signal-transmitting coupling with a control unit of a rail vehicle (not shown). The interface unit 20 is formed in the case shown as a connector which is electrically and mechanically coupled to a corresponding connection structure of the rail vehicle. For this purpose, the interface unit comprises 20 multiple connection pins or connection pairs 22 , In the 1 lowest and highest connection pairs 22 are not connected to a particular signal line, but merely serve to establish the mechanical engagement with the connection structure of the rail vehicle.

The microprocessor 14 is with the interface unit 20 via an optocoupler unit 24 connected with upstream resistors. The optocoupler unit 24 includes four optocouplers 26 , each with a connection pin or a Verbindungspingruppe 22 are connected. The optocouplers 26 generally serve the galvanic isolation of microprocessor 14 and interface unit 20 ,

In operation, the path pulse simulation device becomes 10 via the interface unit 20 coupled with an interface in a cabinet of a rail vehicle, not shown. At this interface usually the Wegimpulsgeber the rail vehicle are connected, which are therefore initially decoupled. The Wegimpulsgeber but are left in the rail vehicle and do not need to be dismantled. In other words, the displacement encoders become by connecting the displacement pulse simulation device 10 bridged control technology and / or replaced from the perspective of the control unit of the rail vehicle as a source of Wegimpulssignale.

Subsequently, a user issues by pressing one of the input elements 18 a driving speed to be simulated. The microprocessor 14 or the signal generation unit 15 then returns via the opto-coupler unit 24 a signal to the interface unit 20 from (ie, a simulation signal) corresponding to the real signal from track encoders of the rail vehicle at the appropriate vehicle speed. In the case shown, this is a rectangular pulse voltage signal with a predetermined pulse height and frequency, wherein the pulse frequency varies depending on the simulated driving speed. This simulation signal is generated by the control unit of the rail vehicle with the displacement pulse simulation device 10 is connected, received and interpreted there as the actual vehicle speed signal.

To output the corresponding simulation signal, the microprocessor 14 comprise a memory unit in which corresponding signal shapes and / or parameters are stored for the respective driving speeds to be simulated. This information may then be in accordance with an actuation of one of the input elements 18 be read out.

Furthermore, the shown path pulse simulation device 10 to set up each of two of the optocouplers 26 and the associated connection pins or connection pairs 22 to output a first and second simulation signal. These simulation signals respectively correspond to the real signal of one of the position encoders during the driving speed to be simulated. More specifically, about the in 1 upper two optocouplers 26 and the associated connection pins or connection pairs 22 a simulation signal for simulating the real signal of a first Wegimpulsgebers and the two lower optocouplers 26 and the associated connection pins or connection pairs 22 a simulation signal for simulating the real signal of a second Wegimpulsgebers output. The simulation signals are identical in terms of pulse frequency and pulse height. However, they are phase-shifted by 90 ° with respect to each other in order to be able to simulate the presence of a certain direction of travel in a manner known per se.

Overall, therefore, a driving speed can be simulated with little effort and waiving electromotively driven path pulse generators and without a complete disassembly of the Wegimpulsgeber. Based on this, certain functions of the rail vehicle can be checked during maintenance without the rail vehicle having to be moved and without the previous path pulse generators being required.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 102006047365 A1 [0003]

Claims (10)

A track pulse simulation apparatus (10) for a rail vehicle, comprising: - A signal generating unit (15) which is adapted to generate a simulation signal corresponding to the real signal of a Wegimpulsgebers the rail vehicle during a travel of the rail vehicle with the real signal corresponding to the driving speed; and - An interface unit (20) which is adapted to output the simulation signal generated by the signal generating unit (15) to a coupled to the interface unit (20) or couplable control unit of the rail vehicle. Path pulse simulation device (10) according to Claim 1 wherein the interface unit (20) comprises a connector for coupling to the control unit of the rail vehicle. Path pulse simulation device (10) according to Claim 1 or 2 wherein the interface unit (20) comprises at least a first and a second output channel and wherein the signal generating unit (15) is adapted to provide on the first output channel and on the second output channel an identical, but 90 ° out of phase simulation signal. Path pulse simulation device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the signal generation unit (15) comprises: a computing unit configured to calculate the simulation signal to be output; and or a memory unit configured to store information for generating the simulation signal. Path pulse simulation device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one optocoupler unit (24) for transmitting the simulation signal generated by the signal generation unit (15) to the interface unit (20). A displacement pulse simulation apparatus (10) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising input means (16) for inputting at least one vehicle speed to be simulated. Path pulse simulation apparatus (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the input device (16) comprises at least one manually operable input element (18). Path pulse simulation apparatus (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the input device (16) comprises at least one input interface (19) for connecting an external input unit. Rail vehicle arrangement, with: - a rail vehicle; and - A Wegimpulssimulationsvorrichtung (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the Wegimpulssimulationsvorrichtung (10) is coupled to a control unit of the rail vehicle or coupled. Method for simulating a travel speed of a rail vehicle, comprising the steps of: Generating a simulation signal which corresponds to the real signal of a travel pulse generator of the rail vehicle during a travel of the rail vehicle with the travel speed corresponding to the real signal; and outputting the simulation signal to a control unit of the rail vehicle.

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