EP2687418B1 - LED track signal for rail transport and interface for such an LED track signal - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to an LED track signal for rail traffic and an interface for integrating the track signal in a signaling system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The term "route signal" is understood here to be a light signal transmitter which outputs an optical signal on railway lines.

The term "signaling installation", hereinafter also referred to as "signaling installation", is understood here to mean installations which are used by an external control unit (for example, outside the route signal), e.g. a signal box, starting wirelessly, but usually via so-called track cables wired to control the path signal, so that the path signal outputs a desired optical signal.

The term "characteristic" is understood here as the current-voltage characteristic of the path signal.

Route signals that use incandescent lamps to generate light signals have long been known. For some years now, it has been possible to produce LED-based luminaires that emit a light signal that matches the lighting characteristics of a classic incandescent lamp signal. The advantages of the LED technology, in particular their extremely long life compared to incandescent lamps, are well known. There is therefore the desire to exchange the incandescent bulbs in LED signal units in track signals.

It has been found that the replacement of incandescent bulbs by LED units in track signals is not trivial, since track signals are part of a complicated control and signaling chain and must be reliably monitored.

From the EP 1 992 542 B1 an LED arrangement for level crossing traffic signal is known in which a reliable monitoring of the functionality of the LED unit is ensured. Such arrangements can be advantageously used in the re-planning of traffic signal systems, since they make it possible to use all the advantages of the LED technology, not only the increased life, but also the lower power consumption. In addition, at railroad crossings is not the typical problem of track signals, namely that between an external (ie located outside the actual light signal transmitter) control unit, such as a signal box, and the light signal transmitter large distances in the range of several kilometers, which rule out the use of low-voltage usually because The voltage and current consumption of the path signal are monitored on the control panel in order to draw conclusions regarding its functionality.

For path signals of the type in question, typically in an external control unit, e.g. a signal box, a specific logic unit that drives the route signal partially over several kilometers via a corresponding interface and a track cable, so on demand and off, but also carries out functional tests on the path signal and in particular monitors its current-voltage behavior. These logic units work extremely reliably and are sometimes many years old, but they can not easily be adapted to the behavior of modern LED units.

If a classic incandescent lamp is defective, it usually does not generate any current (unless it is a very unusual short circuit), so the functional testing and monitoring of such lamps is relatively easy. However, LED devices may experience a variety of different faults which, in particular, cause current to flow through the LED unit without producing light in the desired manner. The function monitoring a LED unit is therefore relatively complex. Nevertheless, due to the advantages of LED technology, there is a desire to replace conventional incandescent lamps with LED units even in the case of path signals, without having to change the other elements of the sometimes very complex signaling systems.

In order to make it possible to replace incandescent lamps with LED units in existing systems, the DE 199 47 688 A1 In general, an LED track signal according to the preamble of claim 1, in which an interface in the form of a drive unit is provided, which is intended to adapt the current-voltage behavior of a provided with an LED unit track signal to the behavior of a signal with filament signal lamp, so that the LED track signal compared to the other elements of a complex signaling system can simulate the behavior of a classic light bulb route signal and in the system no costly changes due to the replacement of the bulb by an LED unit must be made.

The DE 10 2008 025 187 A1 shows against the DE 199 47 688 A1 In concrete terms, various possibilities for realizing circuitry for the adaptation of the current-voltage behavior of a path signal provided with an LED unit to the behavior of a signal with filament signal lamp, hereinafter referred to as "characteristic simulation unit", are the current-voltage behavior, which is customary in the form of a characteristic is described to adapt a signal equipped with an LED unit track signal to the behavior of a signal with classic filament signal lamp. For this purpose, in addition to the LED unit, a further load (a "load") is provided, which leads to a power loss, that converts a portion of the energy supplied to the path signal into heat, but thereby the current-voltage behavior of the path signal to the behavior of a the track known to the respective external control unit adapts. It is in accordance with the DE 10 2008 025 187 A1 a load made up of different resistors is preferred since this produces a purely ohmic load character and allows a desired characteristic curve to be reproduced particularly accurately by selecting appropriate resistors.

One problem with adjusting the characteristic of a path signal relates to the fact that the characteristics of the LEDs used are constantly changing and also the customers have different, e.g. make country-specific specifications to the characteristic to be displayed. Since route signals are highly safety-relevant, they must be approved by the, usually official, registration office responsible for the respective railway network, whereby the approval costs are regularly considerable. In addition, approval procedures are sometimes very time-consuming and often take several years to complete. Known route signals have only for the requested configuration in each case an approval, which usually means that the manufacturer can not always use the currently available on the market current LEDs, but must maintain the LEDs used in the approval, since LEDs in development cycles of about change its performance so significantly over two years that it would be necessary to reconfigure the characteristic simulation unit and thus a new approval procedure.

1. a) eine Anzahl von LED-Leuchten mit einer Leistungsversorgungsschnittstelle;
2. b) eine stellwerkseitige Schnittstelle zum Bezug von elektrischer Leistung seitens des Stellwerks;
3. c) ein Interface-Modul, das zwischen die stellwerkseitige Schnittstelle und die Spannungsversorgungsschnittstelle geschaltet ist, wobei das Interface-Modul umfasst:
   • c1) eine Steuerlogik, welche eine signalbegriffs- und/oder tageszeitabhängige Kennlinie der zu ersetzenden Glühlampe kennt und die Leistungsabgabe an die Leistungsversorgungsschnittstelle in Abhängigkeit von dem gewählten Signalbegriff und/oder der Tageszeit steuert;
   • c2) einen Spannungsmesser, der die an der stellwerkseitigen Schnittstelle anliegende Spannung misst und an die Steuerlogik übermittelt;
   • c3) einen Leistungsaufnehmer, der von der Steuerlogik in Abhängigkeit von der gemessenen Spannung so gesteuert wird, dass die an der stellwerkseitigen Schnittstelle aufgenommene Leistung die Kennlinie der zu ersetzenden Glühlampe nachbildet.

EP 2 463 174 A1 shows a device for realizing a replacement of a light bulb by a more energy-saving light source for a light signal in rail transport, which is included in a safety-side monitoring, comprising

1. a) a number of LED lights with a power supply interface;
2. b) an interlocking interface for the purchase of electrical power from the interlocking;
3. c) an interface module connected between the off-board interface and the power supply interface, the interface module comprising:
   • c1) a control logic, which knows a signal term and / or time of day dependent characteristic of the bulb to be replaced and controls the power output to the power supply interface in dependence on the selected signal term and / or the time of day;
   • c2) a voltmeter which measures the voltage applied to the inter-processor interface and transmits it to the control logic;
   • c3) a power sensor which is controlled by the control logic in dependence on the measured voltage so that the on the Stellwerkseitigen Interface recorded performance simulates the characteristic of the incandescent lamp to be replaced.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The invention has for its object to provide an LED route signal whose current-voltage behavior in a simple manner to different signal plant specific requirements, e.g. Different operating voltages, different test runs, etc. can be adjusted without the specially adapted track signal requires a new approval. The use of future new LEDs with changed characteristics is to be made possible without re-registration of the LED track signal. The invention is also based on the object of specifying an interface for incorporating an LED route signal in an existing signaling system, which makes it possible to meet different requirements on the part of the existing signal system to the LED route signal without changing the requirements or the LEDs used new approval.

The object is achieved by a path signal with the features of claim 1 and an interface with the features of claim 7. Advantageous embodiments and further developments are the subject of the dependent claims.

The invention makes it possible to provide a "generic" route signal by providing a separate configuration memory and to obtain a railway technical approval for the route signal as such, which means a considerable time and cost savings. The parameters necessary for adapting the current-voltage behavior of the LED path signal to the requirements of an existing signal system are stored in the configuration memory, so that when the requirements for the characteristic behavior of the signal change, only the configuration memory is exchanged or the data stored in it (parameters). must be replaced by new, without the entire track signal after a new one Approval procedure. Among other things, the authorization checks whether it is ensured that errors detected in a system diagnosis are independent of other errors, which can be ensured by the embodiment according to the invention.

Further details and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following purely exemplary and non-limiting description of an embodiment in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

Fig. 1

is a block diagram of a path signal according to the invention, which is connected via an interface and a track cable with a control unit, here in the form of a signal box.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the Fig. 1 FIG. 12 is a block diagram of a railroad LED track signal, indicated generally at 10, showing an LED unit 12 for generating a light signal and an interface, generally designated 14, for incorporating the track signal into an existing signal system.

Depending on the required intensity of light and required light intensity distribution, the LED unit 12 may consist of one LED or a plurality of LEDs, in particular a plurality of so-called high-power LEDs, such as in the EP 1 992 542 B1 shown. This in Fig. 1 schematically illustrated switching symbol for an LED should therefore not only stand for a single LED, but also - depending on the design of the path signal - an LED unit of several LEDs represent, which can be connected in series or in parallel.

In this exemplary embodiment, the interface 14 comprises a logic unit 16 in the form of a or, as indicated by the second block located behind the block 16, a plurality of microcontroller, CPLD, FPGA and / or ASIC module (s). In the logic unit program instructions for safe execution of the control of the units described below are stored.

In the read access of the logic unit 16 is a or, as indicated, a plurality of the logic unit separated configuration memory 18, in which various parameters are stored, based on the current-voltage behavior of the path signal with the LED unit 12 used in each case to a desired behavior, as a rule Thus adapted to the existing signal system known behavior of a replaced by the LED route signal path signal with filament lamp and / or by means of which other predetermined boundary conditions can be met. In particular, the parameters allow the behavior of the path signal to be adjusted to suit an external control unit, e.g. for a signal box, from which the route signal is controlled and monitored, as a external control unit known route signal behaves.

In the illustrated embodiment, the interface 14 further includes a shutdown unit 20 for switching off the LED unit 12, which takes the form of a electronic switch can be realized and is controlled by the logic unit 16.

A unit 22 is used for power and voltage supply of the LED unit 12 and is formed in this embodiment as a characteristic simulation unit for generating a known signal lamp, in particular a signal bulb specific current and voltage behavior, specified by the above-mentioned parameters Behave example of a light bulb. The unit 22 as such is known and may, for example, similar to those in the above-mentioned DE 10 2008 025 187 A1 be formed described characteristic simulation units. For this purpose, it may include, for example, resistors or other consumers in order to simulate the power consumption behavior of signal lamps to be replaced, in particular conventional signal incandescent lamps.

Finally, the illustrated interface 14 also comprises a unit 24 in the form of a combination of an LED driver unit and a monitoring unit for monitoring the LED unit 12. Logic unit 16, shutdown unit 20, characteristic simulation unit 22 and LED driver unit together form a core unit 25 of the extension signal, which can be operated with different configuration memories 18, wherein then for different configuration memory 18 advantageously the core unit 25 does not have to be re-admitted. Two configuration memories are considered different if the configuration data (parameters) stored in them differ from each other. In order to adapt the behavior of the path signal to different predetermined behavior, it is thus possible to proceed in such a way that new parameters are read into the configuration memory, and also so that one configuration memory is replaced by another.

The LED route signal 10 is connected via a route cable 26 with an externally designated in its entirety with 28 external control, such as a signal box.

The external controller 28 typically includes a logic unit 30 and a controller-side, i.d.R. So the inter-device interface 32, wherein the logic unit 30 drives the path signal 10 via the interface 32.

The power and power unit 20 may provide the logic unit 16 with readings of the current flowing through the track cable 26 and the applied voltage. From these values, the logic unit 16 can then conclude which operating mode is desired by the external controller 28, e.g. Daytime operation, nighttime operation, continuous operation, flashing etc.

The invention now allows the behavior of the path signal 10 compared to. the external control unit 28 in a simple manner by reading a corresponding stored in the configuration memory 18 parameter set by the logic unit 16 to adjust so that the signal 10 as a control unit 28 known light signal behaves.

• Tag/Nacht-Umschaltparameter, anhand derer aus den von der Strom- und Spannungsversorgungseinheit 20 gelieferten Messwerten des über das Strecken kabel 26 fließenden Stroms und der angelegten Spannung die Logikeinheit 16 eine Tag/Nachtumschaltung der Lichtstärke der LED-Einheit 12 durchführen kann;
• Plausibilitätsparametern, anhand derer aus den von der Strom- und Spannungsversorgungseinheit 20 gelieferten Messwerten der über das Strecken kabel 26 angelegten Spannung die Logikeinheit 16 eine Plausibilitätsprüfung der Ansteuerspannung durchführen kann;
• Plausibilitätsparametern, anhand derer aus den von der Strom- und Spannungsversorgungseinheit 20 gelieferten Messwerten des über das Strecken kabel 26 fließenden Stroms die Logikeinheit 16 eine Plausibilitätsprüfung zur Zulässigkeit von Blinken und/oder Daueransteuerung durchführen kann;
• Simulationsparameter, anhand derer mittels der Kennliniennachbildungseinheit 22 das von einer externen Steuereinheit 28 wahrgenommene Verhalten des Streckensignals 10 an das Verhalten einer der externen Steuereinheit 28 bekannten Signal-Glühlampe angepasst werden kann, so dass die externe Steuereinheit ohne Änderung aufgrund des Austauschs einer bekannten Signal-Glühlampe durch das erfindungsgemäße Streckensignal weiter Ansteuersignale, Prüfsignale u.dgl. an das Streckensignal senden und dieses überwachen kann;
• Tag/Nacht-Stromparameter, die bestimmen, welcher Strom der LED-Einheit 12 im Tag- und welcher Strom der LED-Einheit 12 im Nachtbetrieb über die LED-Treibereinheit 24 zugeführt wird;
• Tag/Nacht Minimal- und Maximal-Parametern, anhand derer eine Stromüberwachung abhängig vom Tag/Nacht-Modus des der LED-Einheit 12 zugeführten Stroms von der Überwachungseinheit 24 und/oder der Logikeinheit 16 durchgeführt werden kann;
• Tag/Nacht Minimal- und Maximal-Parametern, anhand derer eine Spannungsüberwachung abhängig vom Tag/Nacht-Modus der an der LED-Einheit 12 abfallenden Spannung durch die Überwachungseinheit 24 und/oder die Logikeinheit 16 durchgeführt werden kann;
• Fehlerreaktionsparameter zur Festlegung des Fehlerreaktionsverhaltens der Logikeinheit 16.

The parameters stored in the configuration memory 18 and then read into the logic unit 14 for operation of the path signal include parameters of the LEDs used in the LED unit 12 and at least some of the following:

• Day / night switching parameters, based on which from the supplied from the power and power supply unit 20 measurements of the current over the link 26 current and the applied voltage, the logic unit 16 can perform a day / night switching the light intensity of the LED unit 12;
• Plausibility parameters, based on which from the supplied from the power and power supply unit 20 measurements of the cable 26 via the stretch voltage applied, the logic unit 16 can perform a plausibility check of the control voltage;
• Plausibility parameters, based on which from the supplied from the power and voltage supply unit 20 measurements of the over Stretch cable 26 flowing current, the logic unit 16 can perform a plausibility check for the admissibility of flashing and / or continuous control;
• Simulation parameters by means of which the characteristic simulation unit 22 can be used to adapt the behavior of the path signal 10 perceived by an external control unit 28 to the behavior of a signal incandescent lamp known to the external control unit 28, so that the external control unit changes without change due to the replacement of a known signal incandescent lamp by the path signal according to the invention further drive signals, test signals and the like. send to the track signal and monitor it;
• Day / night current parameters determining which current of the LED unit 12 in the daytime and which current of the LED unit 12 is supplied in the night mode via the LED driver unit 24;
• Day / Night minimum and maximum parameters by which current monitoring can be performed by the monitoring unit 24 and / or the logic unit 16 depending on the day / night mode of the power supplied to the LED unit 12;
• Day / Night minimum and maximum parameters by which voltage monitoring can be performed by the monitoring unit 24 and / or the logic unit 16 depending on the day / night mode of the voltage drop across the LED unit 12;
• Error reaction parameter for determining the error reaction behavior of the logic unit 16.

The parameters of the LED (s) used in the LED unit concern, for example, the so-called binning (classification of the LEDs according to their light color and luminous flux and forward voltage), the light color, the light intensity (luminous flux, luminous intensity), the current intensity and voltage, the reverse voltage , the viewing angle (radiation characteristic), the lifetimes, eg L 70% (time, to the luminous intensity has dropped to 70% of the initial value) and / or L 50% (time until the luminous intensity has fallen to 50% of the initial value).

During operation of the path signal 10 monitor the monitoring unit 24 and / or the logic unit 16 in a conventional manner current and voltage of the LED unit 12, since it due to the peculiarities of the LED technology for a reliable, in particular SIL-4-compliant monitoring of LED unit is insufficient to monitor only the current or only the voltage.

The monitoring unit 24 may advantageously be designed so that it independently or after being triggered by the logic unit 16, the LED unit 12 checks for proper functioning. If errors are detected, the turn-off unit 20 can switch off the route signal 10 reliably, so that no more current flows via the route cable 26 from the external controller 28 and the local logic unit 30 can generate a corresponding error message. If, as indicated, at least two logic units are provided, one unit may monitor the other, e.g. in that it also receives from the power and power supply unit 20 information about the cable 26 flowing over the stretch current and the applied voltage, it calculates independently, which operating mode is desired by the external controller 28, and calculated by her operating mode with the from the logic unit 16 determines operating mode. If these do not match, it is possible to conclude that an error has occurred, to generate a corresponding error message and to switch off the signal by means of the switch-off unit 20.

Within the scope of the inventive concept, numerous modifications and developments are possible, which relate, for example, to the type and number of parameters stored in the configuration memory (s) and the various possibilities of influencing the behavior of the path signal perceived by external control units. Essential to the invention is the idea to provide a "generic" route signal or an interface for such a route signal whose behavior compared to. external control units via a change of stored in the or the separate configuration memory (s) and by the Logic unit in the operation of the path signal used parameters can be adapted to specific, user-side specifications, without having to adapt to a new registration by the respective competent licensing authorities.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

LED track signal

12

LED unit

14

interface

16

logic unit

18

configuration memory

20

disconnection

22

Characteristic simulation unit

24

LED driver unit

25

core unit

26

Track cable 26

28

external (control unit) control

30

(C-side) logic unit

32

(interlocking) interface

Claims (12)

1. An LED trackside signal (10) for rail traffic, comprising

   - an LED unit (12) for generating a light signal, and

   - an interface (14) for incorporating the LED trackside signal (10) into a signalling system, wherein the interface comprises a characteristic emulation unit (22) for emulating a particular current and voltage behaviour of the LED trackside signal (10), wherein said interface (14) comprises

   - at least one logic unit (16) and

   - at least one separate configuration memory (18), to which said logic unit (16) has read access,

   - wherein in said configuration memory (18) parameters are stored for adjusting the current-voltage behaviour of the LED trackside signal (10) to a prescribed current-voltage behaviour, and

   - wherein said logic unit (16) is designed for controlling the characteristic emulation unit (22) on the basis of said parameters stored in the configuration memory (18), including parameters of the LED or LEDs used in said LED unit (12), and at least some of the following further parameters are stored in said configuration memory (18):

   - day/night changeover parameters,

   - plausibility parameters of the actuation voltage,

   - plausibility parameters of the power supply,

   - emulation parameters of a known trackside signal lamp, in particular a trackside signal incandescent lamp,

   - day/night parameters for the LED supply,

   - minimum/maximum parameters for the LED current monitoring,

   - minimum/maximum parameters for the LED voltage monitoring,

   - fault reaction parameters for establishing the fault reaction behaviour of the logic unit (16).
2. The LED trackside signal (10) according to Claim 1, characterised in that the logic unit (16) comprises a microcontroller, a CPLD module, an FPGA module, and/or an ASIC module.
3. The LED trackside signal (10) according to one of Claims 1 or 2,
   characterised in that the interface (14) comprises at least one of the following units:

   - a switch-off unit (20) for switching off the LED unit,

   - a current and voltage supply unit (22) for supplying the LED unit (12),

   - an LED driver unit (24) for activating the LED unit (12),

   - a monitoring unit (24) for monitoring the LED unit (12).
4. The LED trackside signal (10) according to Claim 3, characterised in that the current and voltage supply unit (22) is at the same time designed as characteristic emulation unit (22).
5. The LED trackside signal (10) according to Claim 3 or 4, characterised in that the logic unit (16) is designed for controlling those units of the group consisting of the switch-off unit (20), current and voltage supply unit (22), LED driver unit (24) and monitoring unit (24), which are present at the interface (14).
6. The LED trackside signal (10) according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterised in that two logic units (16) are provided, of which the one is designed for monitoring the other.
7. An interface (14) for an LED trackside signal (10) for rail traffic, wherein the LED trackside signal comprises an LED unit (12) for generating a light signal, which by means of the interface (14) can be incorporated into a signalling system, wherein the interface comprises a characteristic emulation unit (22) for generating a particular current and voltage behaviour of the LED trackside signal (12),
   characterised in that the interface (14) comprises

   - at least one logic unit (16) and

   - at least one separate configuration memory (18), to which said logic unit (16) has read access,

   - wherein in the configuration memory (18) parameters are stored for adjusting the current-voltage behaviour of the LED trackside signal (10) to a prescribed current-voltage behaviour, and

   - wherein the logic unit (16) is designed for controlling the characteristic emulation unit (22) on the basis of the parameters stored in the configuration memory (18), including parameters of the LED or LEDs used in the LED unit (12), and at least some of the following further parameters are stored in said configuration memory (18):

   - day/night changeover parameters,

   - plausibility parameters of the actuation voltage,

   - plausibility parameters of the power supply,

   - emulation parameters of a trackside signal lamp to be replaced, in particular, a trackside signal incandescent lamp,

   - day/night parameters for the LED supply,

   - minimum/maximum parameters for the LED current monitoring,

   - minimum/maximum parameters for the LED voltage monitoring,

   - fault reaction parameters for establishing the fault reaction behaviour of the logic unit (16).
8. The interface (14) according to Claim 7, characterised in that the logic unit (16) comprises a microcontroller, a CPLD module, an FPGA module, and/or an ASIC module.
9. The interface (14) according to Claim 7 or 8, characterised in that the interface (14) comprises at least one of the following units:

   - a switch-off unit (20) for switching off the LED unit,

   - a current and voltage supply unit (22) for supplying the LED unit (12),

   - an LED driver unit (24) for activating the LED unit (12),

   - a monitoring unit (24) for monitoring the LED unit (12).
10. The interface (14) according to Claim 9, characterised in that the current and voltage supply unit (22) is at the same time designed as characteristic emulation unit (22).
11. The interface (14) according to Claim 9 or 10, characterised in that the logic unit (16) is designed for controlling those units of the group consisting of the switch-off unit (20), current and voltage supply unit (22), LED driver unit (24) and monitoring unit (24), which are present at the interface (14).
12. The interface (14) according to one of Claims 7 to 11, characterised in that two logic units (16) are provided, of which the one is designed for monitoring the other.

Images