EP0344145A1 - Device for detecting the condition of rail switches or crossings - Google Patents

Abstract

The device according to the invention for detecting the condition of rail switches or crossings with sensors for monitoring the end position of the tongue rails (2), has in the region of the theoretical point of crossing (17) of a common crossing (8) a sensor (18) which in the event of a mechanical collision with the wheel flange or wheel contact surface emits a signal which enables a decision to be made with respect to premature wear in the region of the common crossing. <IMAGE>

Description

The invention relates to a device for detecting the state of rail switches or crossings with sensors for monitoring the end position of tongue rails, in particular for diagnosing wear and for determining maintenance intervals.

Monitoring devices for the spatial position of swiveling rails can be found, for example, in AT-PS 358 625. The known monitoring devices, which were used in connection with rail switches and crossings, were limited to reporting back the end positions of the pivotable rails, so that the track can be released after the correct end position of the pivotable rails has been reported. Such devices were primarily used in remote control devices or signal boxes or local control devices and from EP-A-153 900 it has already become known to include the monitoring of the point machine in the end position monitoring. Premature wear of switch parts can only be insufficiently detected with such devices and it is in particular not possible to use the known devices to create a diagnostic system which can record operational data of a switch at a distance from the actual switch drive or the tongue rail ends and in particular the premature wear.

The invention now aims to provide a device of the type mentioned at the outset, with which it is additionally possible to record data for the condition of the switch, in particular the wear of the switch. To achieve this object, the device according to the invention essentially consists in the fact that in the area of the theoretical centerpiece tip a sensor for detecting deviations of the wheel is arranged in the lateral direction and / or in the height direction. The fact that a sensor for detecting deviations of the wheel arch in the lateral and / or in the vertical direction is provided in the area of the theoretical centerpiece tip, it is now possible to detect impermissible wear or changes in the guide distance, which can lead to premature wear of the tailpiece . While the known sensors for detecting the end position of the tongue rails can be designed in a conventional manner as inductive proximity switches, since the message that has been given once that the end position has been reached is sufficient for releasing the track and does not have to be checked while the turnout is being driven, one of these must be checked sensors arranged in the area of the theoretical centerpiece tip are designed in such a way that they give reliable signals even when the switch is being driven on. In a particularly simple manner, an embodiment according to the invention is therefore made such that the sensor is designed as a switch, the actuating member of which is pivotably mounted about an intersecting axis which is essentially normal to the rail surface plane or essentially parallel to the rail surface plane and runs in the direction of the bisector of the centerpiece is. Such a simple switch can be actuated by pivoting the actuating member about its respective pivot axis and can be designed to be correspondingly robust, and can be largely kept free of interference from electromagnetic fields.

In a particularly simple manner, the actuator of the switch can be conical and can flare from the top edge downwards and from the front end to the frog tip. As long as there is no excessive wear, such an actuator for the switch is not touched by either the wheel flange or the tread of the wheels and the switch is therefore not operated until such a collision of the wheel flange or the tread occurs with the actuator. In order to reliably detect deviations in the vertical direction, in addition to the pivotability of the actuating member, a displaceability of the actuating member in the vertical direction can be permitted, and the design can advantageously be such that a further pressure sensor for detecting vertical forces is connected to the mounting of the actuating member .

According to an alternative embodiment for a sensor arranged in the area of the theoretical frog tip, the design is preferably such that the sensor is formed by two spring leaves connected to one another at an acute angle, on the side surfaces of which strain gauges are fixed and the free ends of which are attached to a base plate, in particular on a threshold. The fact that the sensor has two spring leaves connected to one another at an acute angle, on the side surfaces of which strain gauges are fixed, allows both the direction and the extent of a deviation of the wheel arch to be continuously detected. In particular, it can be clearly determined in which direction the sensor is loaded, since in this case one of the strain gauges is subjected to tension and the other to pressure when strain gauges are arranged on the side surfaces of the spring leaves. Conversely, if both strain gauges are applied in the same direction, a deviation of the wheel arch in the height direction can be derived from this. With a theoretically possible, exactly vertical load on the spring leaves, no signal can be obtained from the sensor, since the resistance of the strain gauges changes in the same direction. There must always be at least one horizontal component of the load, this being guaranteed by the inclination of the tread of the wheels of the rail vehicles, so that deviations in the vertical direction can also be reliably determined.

With such a design of the sensor, the structure can be further simplified and the effort for evaluating the sensor signals can be reduced. Above all, it is possible to obtain as complete information as possible about the state of wear with the smallest possible number of sensors and at the same time to make statements about impermissible deviations of the wheel arch in the lateral and vertical directions. Furthermore, the extent of such deviations can be detected in order to define the permissible limit values for the deviation independently of the configuration of the sensor only via the evaluation circuit.

In order to obtain high output signals with strain gauges that are as simple as possible, even with slight deformations, the design is preferably such that the free ends of the spring leaves are angled outwards and that the strain gauges are arranged on the side surfaces in the area of these bends. The arrangement of the strain gauges in the area of the bends of the side surface leads to relatively large measurement signals even with only a slight deflection in the tip area of the sensor, so that a high detection and measurement accuracy is given. To protect the strain gauges against the effects of the weather and unintentional damage, the design is preferably such that the strain gauges are arranged on the mutually facing inner surfaces of the spring leaves.

In principle, the spring leaves themselves can be designed in such a way that their outer sides are not aligned with the side flanks of the frog, but rather are offset inwards, and in such cases, in order to obtain exact measured values, the design must be such that the An appropriate probe with the required width is connected to the connection point of the spring leaves. The Training can be advantageously made so that the sensor has a particularly spherical head in the area of the connection of the spring leaves to one another.

In order to further reduce the risk of damage to the sensor, the design is advantageously made such that the acute angle enclosed by the spring leaves or the angle between the flanks of the pivotable sensor essentially corresponds to the flank angle of the frog tip.

To further protect the sensor and in particular the electrical connections to the strain gauges, the design can advantageously be developed in such a way that the space formed between the spring leaves is filled with a permanently elastic mass, in particular synthetic resin or foam.

The range of the theoretical frog tip basically extends from the actual or effective frog tip to beyond the mathematical frog tip, since such a range is not exactly limited. According to the invention, such a sensor is preferably arranged between the mathematical or theoretical frog tip and the effective frog tip, with such an arrangement creating the possibility of realizing effective protection against impermissible deformation of the sensor. For this purpose, the training is advantageously made such that a rigid protective device is arranged in the direction of the theoretical centerpiece tip. In order to be able to withstand the loads, this rigid protective device must naturally end just before the mathematical or theoretical centerpiece tip and it must be ensured in any case that the groove width required for the passage of the flange is guaranteed.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the sensor is designed in a contactless manner, in particular as an IR sensor. By using such a contactlessly working sensor, in particular an IR sensor, it is possible in a simple manner to determine the distance both in the vertical and in the horizontal direction between the sensor and the wheel, which means that the wear is less than certain limits for the distance the rails in the centerpiece area can be closed.

In principle, the use of non-contact induction sensors would also be conceivable to determine the distance, but due to the electromagnetic stray fields caused by electric locomotives, a high evaluation effort for the safe separation of a signal from interference effects would have to be undertaken.

A complete picture of the functional state of the switch can be obtained by additional sensors, some of which are known per se. With such additional sensors, conventional inductive or capacitive proximity switches can be used, since this additional information only has to be measured in the static state, but not while the switch is being driven on. In order to be able to detect wear at an early stage, it is particularly advantageous if sensors known per se are additionally provided at a distance from the end of the tongue rail for monitoring the minimum distance of the stock rail from the tongue rail. Such additional sensors, which are arranged at a distance from the end of the tongue rail, provide information about the narrowest passage, which until now has only been checked at random or has been checked visually.

In addition to the known monitoring of the tongue rail end positions by sensors on a control linkage or by a system test in which the system of the tongue rail as End position signal is evaluated, it is particularly advantageous in the context of the device according to the invention, with which a diagnosis of the functional state is to be made possible, if the design is such that a device recording the current consumption, in particular an ammeter, is connected to the power supply of the point machine whose measured values are monitored over the time of the actuating process and are displayed in a display device. Such a continuous monitoring of the current consumption of the point machine during the actuation process indicates inadmissible signs of wear or insufficient lubrication at an early stage. If, for example, the current consumption drops atypically, this can mean a broken tongue or broken rod, and if the current consumption increases atypically, it can be concluded that there is no lubrication, icing or mechanical damage.

A complete picture of the operating status of a switch can only be achieved if the screwing of the cardiac tip to the wing splints is monitored when using this type of heart. For this purpose, the design is advantageously created in such a way that additional sensors for monitoring the fixing of the heart screws, in particular between the screw head and the washer or on the screw head, are arranged and are connected to a measured value circuit via measuring lines.

The sensors known per se for monitoring the end position of the tongue rails can advantageously be designed and used in the context of a device for carrying out a switch diagnosis method in such a way that the sensors for monitoring the end position of the tongue rails in a manner known per se as contactless sensors, in particular as inductive sensors or IR sensors, are formed and that both the signal for the installation of the tongue rail on a The stock rail and the signal indicating a distance from the system position are fed to an evaluation circuit. Because both the signal for the contact of the tongue rails on a stock rail and the signal indicating a distance from the system position are evaluated, wear on the tongue system or the insertion of a foreign body can also be diagnosed in this area by evaluating the distance indicator .

According to a preferred embodiment, the design is such that by arranging mechanical sensors for monitoring the tongue rail system over the entire length, by evaluating the distance from the contact position, conclusions can be drawn about the state of wear or the penetration of foreign bodies between the stock rail and the tongue rail, so that a wide area of the tongue rail whose condition can be monitored and the detection of the wear thereof is not limited to the tip area.

A further possibility of checking results in a preferred embodiment in that, by arranging a contactless or mechanical sensor in the area of the narrowest passage between the stock rail and the tongue rail, a drop below the limit value for the distance during ongoing operation is recognized and damage is caused by the timely initiation of measures Components can be prevented.

• Fig.1 eine schematische Gesamt­anordnung einer erfindungsgemäßen Diagnoseeinrichtung;
• Fig.2 eine vergrößerte Darstellung eines Weichenherzstückes in dessen Spitzenbereich ein erfindungsgemäßer Schalter ange­ordnet ist;
• Fig.3 einen Schnitt in Richtung der Winkel-­ -Halbierenden des Herzstückes durch eine erste Ausführungs­form eines erfindungsgemäßen Sensors bei abgenommenem Betätigungsglied;
• Fig.4 eine Ansicht in Schienenlängsrichtung auf den Schalter nach Fig.3 mit dem Betätigungsglied im Bereich der Herzspitze;
• Fig.5 in vergrößerter Darstellung eine Ansicht einer abgewandelten Ausführungsform des erfin­dungsgemäßen Sensors, und
• Fig.6 eine Seitenansicht auf den Sensor gemäß Fig.5 in Richtung des Pfeiles VI mit einer unmittelbar benachbart angeordneten Schutzeinrichtung.

The invention is explained in more detail below on the basis of an exemplary embodiment schematically illustrated in the drawing. In this show:

• 1 shows a schematic overall arrangement of a diagnostic device according to the invention;
• 2 shows an enlarged illustration of a switch frog in the tip area of which a switch according to the invention is arranged;
• 3 shows a section in the direction of the angular Halving the centerpiece by a first embodiment of a sensor according to the invention with the actuator removed;
• 4 shows a view in the longitudinal direction of the rail on the switch according to FIG. 3 with the actuating member in the area of the heart tip;
• 5 shows an enlarged view of a modified embodiment of the sensor according to the invention, and
• 6 shows a side view of the sensor according to FIG. 5 in the direction of arrow VI with a protective device arranged directly adjacent.

A switch 1 is indicated in FIG. 1, the tongue rails 2 of which are drawn in a position releasing the straight track 3. In the area of the tongue rail ends, the conventional point machine and the known safety devices are used. Sensors for the tongue position and the smallest passage at a distance from the tongue rail end can be provided in this area. The associated signal line is schematically designated 4 and connected to an evaluation circuit 5. The changeover force of the turnout drive and in particular the current consumption of the turnout drive can likewise be detected via the evaluation circuit 5, the associated control lines being designated by 6. In addition, remote monitoring of the insulation joint or, if appropriate, a point heater is indicated schematically with a signal line 7.

The sensors used in this area are all of a conventional nature and are described in detail in the literature, so that a detailed description can be omitted here.

In the area of the centerpiece 8, the guidance distance, the wheel handlebar groove or the height wear can be detected via signal lines 9, as will be described in detail below. Measured values for the correct screwing of the heart to the evaluation circuit 5 can be sent via a signal line 10 be directed. The signals of the evaluation circuit 5 can be processed in a master computer 11 and, if necessary, displayed or recorded on a display device 12.

The sensor arrangement provided in the area of the frog 8 is shown in more detail in FIG. The area of the frog is shown enlarged in FIG. 2, an area of the outer running rail being indicated with a wheel control arm 13 even in a representation that is not to scale. A knee splint 15 lies adjacent to the frog 8, with a catch opening 14 initially being provided between the frog and the splint, which tapers to the inlet opening a. The groove width between the tip of the heart and the knee brace is designated by b. The effective heart tip 16 is at a distance from the theoretical mathematical heart tip 17, which represents the intersection of the imaginary extensions of the flanks of the heart tip. A sensor 18 is now arranged between the effective tip 16 of the heart and the mathematical tip 17, which provides information about impermissible wear. A protective device 30 is arranged directly adjacent to the sensor 18 in the direction of the mathematical or theoretical cardiac tip 17.

A first embodiment of the sensor 18 has, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, an actuating member 20 which can be pivoted about an axis 19. The pivot axis 19 is parallel to the bisector 21 of the frog 8, as shown in Fig.2. The carrier part 22, on which the actuating member 20 is pivotally articulated, carries a receiving opening 23 for a switch which is actuated by pivoting the actuating member 20. In addition, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the carrier 22 can be displaced in a substantially vertical direction in the sense of the double arrow 24 in order to avoid deviations in the vertical direction and in particular a collision of the wheel Tread the tread securely with the switch. For this purpose, the carrier 22 is spring-loaded via a spring 25 and a further pressure sensor 26 is provided below the carrier, which responds to the upper edge 27 of the actuating member when the wheel tread strikes. Excessive wear or an intolerable drop below the guide distance 29, which is defined by the distance between the wheel control arm 13 and the centerpiece 8, is also signaled when the wheel flange of a wheel comes into collision with the side flanks 28 of the actuating member 20, because in this If the actuator is deflected about the axis 19, whereby the switch in the receiving opening 23 is actuated. In this embodiment, a protective device is not shown.

A modified embodiment of the sensor 18, which is shown enlarged in a view in FIG. 5, is formed by two spring leaves 31 enclosing an acute angle α, on the inner side surfaces of which strain gauges 32 are arranged. The free ends of the spring leaves 31 are angled outwards and the strain gauges are located in the area of the bends, the free ends 33 of the spring leaves being fixed on a base plate 34, for example via screw connections 35. The acute angle enclosed by the spring leaves 31 essentially corresponds to the flank angle of the frog tip, the flanks of the frog being indicated schematically in FIG. 3 by the dashed lines 36. The protective device 30 lying adjacent to the sensor 18 in the direction of the mathematical tip of the heart has a similar outline. 5 also shows the spherical head 37 provided in the area of the connection of the spring leaves 31.

5 and 6 show the common setting of the sensor 18, which of the two spring leaves with those arranged thereon Strain gauge is formed, shown in more detail on the common base plate 34. The free ends of the spring leaves 31 are fixed in bores 38 of the base plate 34, while the protective device 30 is welded to the base plate 34.

To protect the spring leaves 31 and in particular the strain gauges 32 arranged on the inside in the angled area thereof, the free space formed between the spring leaves 31 is filled with a permanently elastic mass, in particular synthetic resin or foam.

In addition to this basic information about the state of wear of the wheel control arm or knee splint and frog, largely complete monitoring of the functional reliability of a switch can be achieved using the other sensors indicated schematically in FIG and in particular on the basis of the continuous monitoring of the point actuator and on the basis of an analog evaluation of the actual distances, which are also maintained with the tongue rail removed, it can be determined in advance when the next maintenance of a point monitored in this way has to take place. In particular, the continuous measurement of the guidance distance by means of contacting and non-contact measuring means yields additional information which cannot be obtained without further ado when using only contactless measuring means. Above all, the monitoring of defined limit values and guide values while driving on the turnouts allows early detection of impermissible loads on the tip of the heart. Due to the continuous monitoring and checking of the pre-tensioning forces of the screw connections by means of pressure cells or strain gauges, an independent loosening of screw connections is achieved if the value falls below a defined limit recognized in time. From the conventional monitoring of the tongue system, the tongue fracture and the tongue opening with magnetic or induction fields or also with infrared sensors, continuous monitoring and detection can detect a change in the system behavior or undue undershooting of the limit value in the event of surface wear on the tongue rails. The continuous monitoring of the changeover forces via the current consumption of the drive motor makes it possible to recognize at an early stage when it is necessary to lubricate again, and in this way the lubricant requirement can be reduced and the environmental pollution caused by excessive use of lubricant can be reduced.

Claims (19)

1. Device for detecting the state of rail switches or crossings with sensors (18) for monitoring the end position of tongue rails (2), in particular for the diagnosis of wear and for determining maintenance intervals, characterized in that in the area of the theoretical frog tip (17) Sensor (18) for detecting deviations of the wheel arch in the lateral direction and / or in the height direction is arranged. 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the sensor (18) is designed as a switch, the actuating member (20) around a substantially normal to the rail surface plane or substantially parallel to the rail surface plane and extending in the direction of the bisector of the centerpiece crossing axis (19) is pivotally mounted. 3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the actuating member (20) of the switch is conical and widens conically from the upper edge downwards and from the front end to the frog tip (8). 4. Device according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that a further pressure sensor (26) for detecting vertical forces is connected to the bearing of the actuating member (20). 5. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the sensor (18) is formed by two spring blades (31) connected to one another, including an acute angle (α), strain gauges (32) are fixed on the side faces thereof and their free ends (33 ) on a base plate (34), in particular on a threshold. 6. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the free ends (33) of the spring leaves (31) are angled outwards and that the strain gauges (32) are arranged in the region of these bends on the side surfaces. 7. Device according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the strain gauges (32) are arranged on the mutually facing inner surfaces of the spring leaves (31). 8. Device according to claim 5, 6 or 7, characterized in that the sensor (18) in the region of the connection of the spring leaves (31) with one another, in particular crowned, head (37). 9. Device according to one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that the space formed between the spring leaves (31) is filled with a permanently elastic mass, in particular synthetic resin or foam. 10. Device according to one of claims 2 to 9, characterized in that the included by the spring leaves (31) acute angle (α) or the angle between the flanks (28) of the pivotable sensor (18) the flank angle of the frog tip substantially corresponds. 11. Device according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the sensor (18) between the theoretical tip (17) and the effective tip (16) is arranged. 12. Device according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that a rigid protective device (30) is arranged in the direction of the theoretical frog tip (17). 13. The device according to claim 1, 11 or 12, characterized in that the sensor is designed without contact, in particular as an IR sensor. 14. Device according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that additionally known sensors for monitoring the minimum distance of the wheel control arm (13) from the tongue rail (2) are provided at a distance from the tongue rail end. 15. Device according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that a device recording the current consumption, in particular an ammeter, is connected to the power supply of the switch drive, the measured values of which are monitored over the time of the actuating process and displayed in a display device (12) are. 16. Device according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that in addition pressure sensors for monitoring the determination of the centerpiece screws, in particular between the screw head and washers, are arranged and are connected via measuring lines to an evaluation circuit (5). 17. Device according to one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the sensors for monitoring the end position of the tongue rails (2) are designed in a manner known per se as contactless sensors, in particular as inductive sensors or IR sensors, and that both Signal for the contact of the tongue rail on a stock rail and the signal indicating a distance from the contact position is fed to an evaluation circuit (5). 18. Device according to one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that by arranging mechanical sensors for monitoring the tongue rail system over the entire length By evaluating the distance from the system position, conclusions can be drawn about the state of wear or the penetration of foreign bodies between the stock rail and the tongue rail (2). 19. Device according to one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that by arranging a contactless or mechanical sensor in the region of the narrowest passage between the stock rail and the tongue rail (2) a shortfall in the limit value for the distance is recognized during operation and by timely Taking measures to prevent damage to the components can be prevented.

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