EP2286394B1 - Fire detection in rail vehicles - Google Patents

Description

The subject matter relates to a method as well as a device for fire detection in rail vehicles. Especially in passenger cars, the most reliable fire detection should be provided.

In rail vehicles, low-defect flue gas detection is of the highest interest. In particular, the fire load introduced by the passengers can not be controlled, which is why resulting fires can spread quickly and countermeasures must be taken very quickly. For example, a fire-fighting system must be able to combat a fire quickly. If it comes to overreach of the fire, in case of failure of the fire-fighting system in most cases serious damage is expected, which is why the flue gas detection must be performed necessarily redundant.

In known rail vehicles smoke detectors are electrically connected to each other in the cars. If a smoke detector strikes, an alarm signal is generated, whereupon a firefighting system is activated. Such a fire-fighting system may be, for example, a high-pressure water mist system. For example, from the German patent application DE 10 2007 004 051 or from the document EP1419804 A1 a firefighting system for rail vehicles known.

In the known monitoring systems, however, a monitoring of the fire detector associated monitoring area is no longer given failure of a fire alarm. If necessary, a signal can be output that the fire detector is no longer working. If a fire occurs at this moment, it can not be detected quickly enough in conventional systems.

For this reason, the object of the object to provide a fire detection, which allows redundant monitoring.

This object is achieved by a method for fire detection in rail vehicles After the subject matter of claim 1 and by a Schienenfahrz e ug - dissolved Branddeientionserwrichtung according to the subject matter of claim 10, separated in the air in a rail vehicle by means of at least two spaced driven suction means sucked in a respective monitoring area becomes. The aspirated room air is evaluated separately in the suction devices. Upon detection of a monitoring parameter limit value in at least one suction device, a first control signal is output. A monitoring parameter may be, for example, the flue gas content, the CO2 content or the flue gas particle number.

By suction of room air by means of two separately operated suction in each case a monitoring area ensures that in case of failure of a suction in a monitoring area, the respective second suction device is still available for fire detection available. The separate evaluation ensures that, in the case of a faulty evaluation of a monitoring parameter by a suction device, a corrective element is provided which is created by the second suction device.

If a limit value of a monitoring parameter is exceeded, a control signal is output which initiates the necessary measures, for example the activation of a fire fighting, the stopping of the train, the initiation of evacuation measures or the switching on of surveillance cameras.

According to an advantageous embodiment, it is proposed that the room air is sucked in along the monitoring area by means of intake pipes with a plurality of intake openings distributed along its axis. By arranging the intake pipes along the surveillance area, for example along the axis of the rail vehicle, a large surveillance area can be covered by means of a single intake pipe. Intake pipes with an opening for sucking in the room air can be used in the subject method. Through the intake pipes, a fire can be located. By laying two suction devices in the same detection area, respectively two intake pipes, the reliability can be increased. If a suction device fails, the respective other suction device with the intake pipe is present in any case and can output a control signal if a monitoring parameter limit value is exceeded. A control signal can be, for example, a pre-alarm, by means of which preparatory measures can be initiated. This provides a false alarm-free monitoring system.

According to an advantageous embodiment, it is proposed that upon detection of a monitoring parameter limit value in at least two same monitoring range associated with suction an alarm signal is output. In this embodiment, the simultaneous detection of a monitoring parameter limit value in two suction devices of a monitoring area may be necessary for the output of the alarm signal. As a result, it can be safely concluded that a fire has occurred. This measure makes it possible to monitor without false alarms since an alarm signal is triggered only when flue gases are detected, an increased CO2 concentration or an increased number of smoke particles in two self-sufficient suction devices. Tripping due to a Täuschalarms is unlikely, since the alarm signal is generated only if both suction detect the monitoring parameter limit, so both give a first control signal. The alarm signal can, for example, trigger firefighting, stop the train, initiate evacuation measures or switch on surveillance cameras. However, a false trip will be less likely because the alarm signal is only generated when both aspirators detect the monitoring parameter limit.

A monitoring in two spatially separated areas of the rail vehicle is in accordance with, an advantageous embodiment possible. Here, for example, branch off from a first suction two intake pipes each in one of the two spatially separated areas and branch off from the second suction also two intake pipes each in one of the two spatially separated areas. Thus, each suction device branches an intake pipe into a respective region. If a suction device fails, the second suction device continues to monitor both areas, which leads to redundancy.

In particular, in double-decker rail vehicles, in which upper floor and basement must be monitored, the subject method can be well used.

As already explained above, in each case one suction device can evaluate the monitoring parameter from the at least two spatially separated regions according to an advantageous exemplary embodiment. This ensures that if one suction device fails, the other suction device continues to monitor the monitored area, and a fire can be detected.

In order to allow increased security against false alarms, it is proposed that in case of failure of a suction device, a second control signal (failure signal) is output.

Thus, for example, according to an advantageous embodiment, it is possible that when the first control signal is output, an instruction for video monitoring of the monitoring area associated with the control signal is output. If the first control signal is received, a fire is not necessarily detected. A video surveillance, which is activated, for example, by the platoon leader, can be monitored Detect area so that the driver can visually check if there is a fire or not. A video surveillance is activated according to the invention upon receipt of the failure signal, since in this case no redundant monitoring is possible any longer since a suction device has failed.

In particular, if a suction device has failed, thus the failure signal has been output, a redundant fire detection is no longer possible. In this case, in the presence of the failure signal, the output of the first control signal according to an advantageous embodiment must activate an alarm signal.

In order to prevent the suction device from unnecessarily consuming energy, it is proposed that the operation of the suction device be coupled to the operation of the rail vehicle. This can be done, for example, in such a way that the intake device is switched off a predetermined time, for example half an hour, after the end of the operation of the rail vehicle and is switched on again only after resumption of operation.

In order to be able to monitor several areas, the at least two suction devices are arranged spatially separated from one another.

In order to prevent a defect in a vehicle part or a damage of a vehicle part from destroying both suction devices simultaneously, it is proposed that a suction device be arranged in a front vehicle part and a second suction device in a rear vehicle part.

It is also proposed that the intake pipes are arranged in spatially separate areas.

Fig. 1

ein schematisch angedeutetes Schienenfahrzeug;

Fig. 2

ein Ansaugrohr.

The article will be explained in more detail with reference to drawings showing an exemplary embodiments. In the drawing show:

Fig. 1

a schematically indicated rail vehicle;

Fig. 2

an intake pipe.

FIG. 1 shows a rail vehicle 2 with an upper floor 4 and a basement 6 separated by a divider. 8

Further, in the rail vehicle 2, a first suction device 10a and a second suction device 10b are provided. Intake pipes 12a and 14a are arranged on the first suction device 10a. Intake pipes 12b and 14b are connected to the second suction device 10b. As can be seen, the intake pipes 12a and 12b extend in the upper floor 4 of the rail vehicle 2. In the schematic illustration, the intake pipe 12a extends in the upper region of the upper floor 4 and the intake pipe 12b in the lower region of the upper floor 4. The intake pipes 12a, 12b can also both spaced from each other in the ceiling or the floor of the rail vehicle 2 may be arranged.

Furthermore, it can be seen that the intake pipes 14a, 14b are arranged in the lower floor 6 of the rail vehicle 2.

Via the intake pipes 12, 14, the suction devices 10a, 10b suck in the room air in the upper floor 4 or in the lower floor 6 and monitor the intake room air, for example the flue gas content or other quality parameters, such as the CO2 content or the number of smoke particles. The linear expansion of the intake pipes 12, 14 in the upper floor 4 and the lower floor 6 ensures that the entire area is monitored. The suction devices 10 are monitored by monitoring devices (Not shown) monitored, and failure of the suction devices 10 itself is detected.

The suction devices 10 are connected to each other via a data line 16 and communicate with each other. Via outputs 18, the suction devices 10 can output control signals and alarm signals.

In the event that a suction device is damaged, an output signal is also generated via one of the outputs 18, which indicates damage to the suction device.

If one of the suction devices 10 detects an increased flue gas content or an increased CO 2 content or an increased number of smoke particles in the intake room air, then this suction device 10 outputs a first control signal. In an evaluation computer (not shown), the signals on the outputs 18 are evaluated. If a first control signal is present, then, for example, a video surveillance 20a, 20b is activated in the region which belongs to the intake pipe, in which an increased flue gas concentration was detected which caused the first control signal.

If, in addition to the first control signal in a second intake device 10, an increased flue gas concentration in the corresponding area is also detected, a further control signal is output. In the presence of two control signals which simultaneously signal a flue gas detection in one and the same area, for example, a fire fighting, for example by means of sprinklers, extinguishing fog from the central control computer or foam, activated. It is also possible that further video surveillance be activated, the train is stopped and / or an evacuation measure is initiated.

It can be seen that the suction device 10a, 10b are arranged in opposite ends of the rail vehicle 2. Furthermore, it can be seen that one of the suction devices 10 each operates an intake pipe 12, 14 in each of the regions 4, 6. The illustrated arrangement of the suction device 10 and the suction tubes 12, 14 an increased redundancy is ensured.

The operation of the suction devices 10 may be coupled to the operation of the rail vehicle 2. In this case, it is possible that the suction devices 10 suck in the room air only during the operating times of the rail vehicle 2, and are deactivated outside their operating times. Also, a follow-up time of, for example, half an hour or one hour can be set so that the room air is sucked and evaluated even half an hour or one hour after switching off the rail vehicle 2.

FIG. 2 shows an example of an intake pipe 12. It can be seen that the intake pipe 12 has holes 22. The holes 22 are arranged along the axis of the intake pipe 12 and serve for intake of the room air. Through the holes 22, the room air is sucked along the entire axis of the intake pipe 12. It is also possible to arrange the holes along a line on the pipe jacket. It is also possible to arrange the holes at intervals of 30 - 50 cm.

The sucked room air is transported through the intake pipe 12 to the suction device 10. There, the sucked Raunluft is evaluated. Depending on the evaluation result, a control signal can be output.

By the subject method and the intelligent combination of the output signals of the suction devices 10, the mean-time-between failure (MTBF) is increased.

Often the approval of a train requires the full functionality of a fire detection system so that the train is allowed to enter service at all. If only one detection system were installed, the train could not leave the depot, if this system is defective. Due to the representational redundant structure but also an alarm is guaranteed if a suction precipitated. The train would therefore only have to remain in the depot if both suction devices were defective.

It also reduces the number of false alarms and increases the duration between two false alarms. By controlling a video surveillance when detecting a first control signal or only by the information of the train driver to activate the video surveillance increased security is ensured. With the help of the present process, fires can be detected more reliably and thus fight more effectively.

Claims (13)

1. Method for detecting fires in railway vehicles, comprising:

   - sucking-in of compartment air in a railway vehicle by means of at least two spatially separated suctioning devices (10A, 10B) operated separately from one another, respectively in a common monitoring region,

   - separate evaluation of monitoring parameters of the compartment air sucked in in the suctioning devices (10A, 10B),

   - outputting a first control signal on detection of a monitoring parameter threshold value in at least one suctioning device (10A, 10B),

   - outputting a second control signal on the failure of one suctioning device (10A, 10B)

   - activating a video surveillance (20A, 20B), which is assigned to the monitoring region of the suctioning device (10A, 10B) inducing the second control signal.
2. Method according to Claim 1, characterised in that the compartment air is sucked in along the monitoring region by means of suction pipes (12) having a plurality of suctioning openings (22) distributed along their axis.
3. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that an alarm signal is only output on detection of a monitoring parameter threshold value in at least two suctioning devices (10A, 10B) assigned to the common monitoring region.
4. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the monitoring is carried out in at least two regions of the railway vehicle which are spatially separated from one another.
5. Method according to Claim 4, characterised in that the regions are an upper level and a lower level.
6. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that each one suctioning device respectively evaluates the monitoring parameters from at least two regions spatially separated from one another.
7. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that, on the output of the first control signal, an instruction for video surveillance (20A, 20B) of the monitoring region assigned to the suctioning device (20A, 20B) inducing the first control signal is issued.
8. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that, on the presence of the second control signal, the output of the first control signal activates an alarm signal.
9. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the operation of the suctioning device (10A, 10B) is coupled to the operation of the railway vehicle.
10. Railway vehicle fire detection device, having

    - at least spatially separated two suctioning devices (10A, 10B) operated separately from one another, assigned to a common monitoring region and configured to suck in compartment air, wherein the suctioning devices (10A, 10B) are formed such that

    - the compartment air sucked in is evaluated separately and

    - a first control signal is output on detection of a threshold value of a monitoring parameter in at least one suctioning device (10A, 10B),

    - a second control signal is output on failure of one suctioning device (10A, 10B), and

    - a video surveillance (20A, 20B), which is assigned to the monitoring region of the suction device (10A, 10B) inducing the second control signal, is activated.
11. Railway vehicle fire detection device according to Claim 10, characterised in that suction pipes (12) arranged along the longitudinal axis of the railway vehicle and having openings (22) are provided.
12. Railway vehicle fire detection device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a suctioning device (10A, 10B) is arranged in a front part of the vehicle and a second suctioning device (10A, 10B) is arranged in a rear part of the vehicle.
13. Railway vehicle fire detection device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the suction pipes (12) are arranged in regions spatially separated from one another.

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