EP2792571B1 - Monitoring system for rail-bound vehicles - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a traction coupling with a monitoring system for Zugkupplungskomponenten with the features of the preamble of claim 1 and a nose cone with a monitoring system for Bugnasenkomponenten with the features of the preamble of claim 2.

Such a Zugkupplung is for example from the document EP 2 145 809 B1 known.

A monitoring system for rail vehicle-based devices for use in rail vehicles is exemplified in the document EP 1 963 161 B1 previously known. This includes one or more actual value detection means, a microprocessor unit associated with the means for detection and programmed to perform storage and / or analysis by reading the data collected from a sensor and transmitting the data transmitted by the analysis To transmit data again. A major problem of such monitoring systems is that the individual components are often arranged in a decentralized manner, so that the transmission paths between them must be secured and, moreover, the arrangement takes place in areas which are severely impaired by environmental influences. This can lead to impairment of the functioning of the individual components.

The invention is therefore based on the object, a monitoring system of the type mentioned in such a way that the mentioned disadvantages are avoided. Specifically, a monitoring system in a compact design is to be provided, which enables reliable monitoring of the quantities required for monitoring nose and pull couplings, is robust and, if possible, of compact construction and, furthermore, is not limited to reading only on the rail vehicle with regard to reading out the data.

The solution according to the invention is characterized by the features of claims 1 or 2. Advantageous embodiments are given in the subclaims.

A traction coupling with a traction control component monitoring system is defined in claim 1. A bow nose with a nose nose component monitoring system is defined in claim 2.

The solution according to the invention offers the advantage of a very compact monitoring system, which is independent of the Arrangement position of the monitoring device a secure monitoring of allows for the monitoring of Zugkupplungskomponenten and Bugnasenkomponenten required sizes. Another advantage is the simple and quick assembly and disassembly of the monitoring device due to the provision of only one interface in the form of the connection device.

In one development, the monitoring device has at least one input for coupling to at least one further device arranged outside the monitoring device for detecting actual values of state and / or process variables and / or a data bus. Through this option, the recorded actual values can be spent in a context with other events in the environment on the rail vehicle in addition to the temporal context.

The connection device preferably comprises a power supply device and a holding device.

A power supply device is understood to mean a device which is connected to an energy source, for example in the form of a storage unit.

The connection device takes over the function of the power supply for the monitoring device in addition to the support function. This can thereby dispense with its own power supply, which manifests itself in a particularly compact size. As the rail vehicle-based facilities for the operation of individual components usually with a network anyway or an energy store are coupled, the effort to provide a supply voltage for the monitoring device is low.

In a first embodiment, the holding device is formed with the power supply device as an integral unit. This design is characterized in addition to a high functional concentration by a particularly compact design.

In a further second embodiment, the holding device is designed as a separate device. This possibility offers the advantage that a simple connection to energy supply devices already provided on the rail vehicle-bound device is possible. The holding device can be designed to connect a standardized running monitoring device with different connection interfaces and thus for coupling a standard device with different ports on a rail vehicle-mounted device. In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the power supply device is formed by a, attached to the rail vehicle-mounted device terminal box.

The means for mechanical connection can be designed as non-positive connection means or positive connection means. The connecting means in function concentration can take over the support function with the same. It is also conceivable to separate the functions "carry" and "connect".

In an advantageous development, a communication device is arranged in the housing of the monitoring device, comprising at least one transmitting unit, which is arranged and designed to be suitable to communicate with externally arranged devices. In this case, the transmitting unit preferably also forms the output of the monitoring device directly. The advantage is the possibility of wireless Data transmission, which also allows a transmission during operation and thus the travel of the rail vehicle, while the reading via lines requires a standstill or a secure arrangement of the readout device with appropriate line connection.

In a further advantageous embodiment, which is preferably used in combination with the aforementioned possibility, the communication device also comprises a receiving device for receiving data from externally arranged detection devices and for storing them in the memory unit. In this case, the function of the input is taken over by the communication device.

It goes without saying that between the means for detection, the process and storage unit and the communication device or the inputs and / or outputs corresponding connections, in particular electronic connections exist.

In a further particularly advantageous embodiment, a real-time clock is arranged in the housing, which is coupled to the process and / or storage unit in such a way to provide the individual acquired variables with a time stamp. Reading in these data from an external device can thus be dispensed with.

• eine, einen Zustand der Umgebung der Zugkupplungs- oder Bugnasenkomponente wenigstens mittelbar beschreibenden Größe
• eine, eine Betriebsweise des Schienenfahrzeuges wenigstens mittelbar beschreibenden Größe

umfasst.An advantageous further development further comprises that the monitoring device also has at least one device for detecting actual values of at least one variable from the group mentioned below

• a, a state of the environment of the Zugkupplungs- or Bugnasenkomponente at least indirectly descriptive size
• a, a mode of operation of the rail vehicle at least indirectly descriptive size

includes.

As a result, the detected quantities placed on the state and the operation of the traction or nose component can be placed in a context of other magnitudes in the evaluation, e.g. facilitate an analysis of functional errors.

• elektrischer Sensor
• binärer Sensor
• funkbasierter Sensor.

There are no restrictions on the design of a single detection device, provided it is supported by the monitoring system. For example, as facilities are conceivable:

• electrical sensor
• binary sensor
• radio-based sensor.

The invention finds application in Zugkupplungen or nose cup assemblies, especially front doors. The arrangement can be made integrated on these devices on an outer surface but also in these facilities.

Figur 1

zeigt in schematisiert vereinfachter Darstellung den Grundaufbau eines erfindungsgemäßen Überwachungssystems;

Figur 2

zeigt eine Ausführung gemäß Figur 1 mit weiterem Eingang;

Figur 3

zeigt eine Ausführung gemäß Figur 1 mit Kommunikationseinrichtung;

Figur 4

zeigt eine weitere Ausführung;

Figur 5

zeigt eine Anordnung eines Überwachungssystems an einer Zugkupplung;

Figur 6

zeigt eine Anordnung eines Überwachungssystems an einer Bugnase.

The solution according to the invention is explained below with reference to figures. The following is shown in detail:

FIG. 1

shows a schematic simplified representation of the basic structure of a monitoring system according to the invention;

FIG. 2

shows an embodiment according to FIG. 1 with further entrance;

FIG. 3

shows an embodiment according to FIG. 1 with communication device;

FIG. 4

shows a further embodiment;

FIG. 5

shows an arrangement of a monitoring system on a traction coupling;

FIG. 6

shows an arrangement of a monitoring system on a nose cone.

The FIG. 1 The monitoring system 1 comprises at least one monitoring device 4 with at least one or a plurality of detection devices 8 for detecting actual values of at least one State and / or an operation of the rail vehicle-bound device 2 at least indirectly characterizing size. The monitoring device 4 further comprises a process and / or storage unit 5, which is designed and programmed to temporarily or permanently store the quantities detected by the detection device 8. In order to make an accurate time allocation for the detected actual values, they are provided with a time stamp in the process and / or storage unit 5. This can be realized in a particularly advantageous manner via a real-time clock 18 which can be coupled at least indirectly to the process and / or storage unit 5. This is also integrated in a particularly advantageous embodiment in the housing 7, preferably in the process and storage unit 5. It is also conceivable to realize the time stamp via the coupling with an external time specification device.

The monitoring device 4 further comprises at least one output 6, which is designed to be suitable to be connected to a device for reading the data. The term "output" is to be understood functionally. This can be embodied, for example, as a connection for coupling to an external read-out device 22, for example via a connecting line. However, it is also conceivable to realize the function of the output 6 via a transmitting device which transmits the desired data to a receiving device outside of the rail vehicle-bound device 2 or outside of the rail vehicle 3. The monitoring device 4 is designed as a compact device. Preferably the aforementioned components are all arranged in a housing 7 and integrated, ie enclosed by this or provided directly on this. In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the components detection device 8, process and / or storage unit 5 are encapsulated in the housing 7. The connection to the rail vehicle-bound device 2 via a connection device 9, which can be designed in various ways.

The connection device 9 comprises a power supply device 10 and a holding device 11, which in functional concentration either as in FIG. 1 can be formed by a structural unit or by two separate facilities.

In the in the FIG. 1 Schematically simplified illustrated embodiment, the terminal device 9 is designed as a combined power supply / holding device 12 which is attached to the rail vehicle-mounted device 2 and is designed to realize the electrical and mechanical coupling with the monitoring device 4, which preferably simultaneously carries the monitoring device 4. For this purpose, appropriate means 23 for mechanical coupling to the combined power supply / holding device 12 are provided, which are engageable with complementary means 24 on the rail vehicle-mounted device 2 in operative connection. Furthermore, further means for mechanical coupling are to be provided, which cooperate with complementary means on the monitoring device 4 for realizing the support function. The energy supply for the monitoring device 4 via only indicated schematically here means 13 for electrical coupling between the connection device 9 and the monitoring device. 4

The FIG. 2 illustrates in schematic simplified representation, an advantageous development of a monitoring system 1 according to FIG. 1 , In this case, the monitoring device 4 additionally comprises at least one Input 26, which is provided for coupling to at least one or a plurality of external, that is outside of the rail vehicle-mounted device 2 arranged detection means 25 for detecting at least one, a state, a property or a process at least indirectly descriptive size. In this case, either a plurality of analog inputs can be provided or else a serial input or a serial interface.

For communication with an external read-out device, that is to say a device for reading out the data stored in the process and / or storage unit 5 in the form of the actual values of state and operating variables and / or the reading in of detection devices 25 arranged outside the monitoring device 4 Advantageous training a communication device 17 is provided, as in the FIG. 3 reproduced in the monitoring device 4 or arranged on this and comprises a transmitting device 15 and a receiving device 16, wherein both can be formed in functional concentration of a combined and these functions having device.

The FIG. 4 Illustrates by way of example in schematic simplified representation of a constructive design of a monitoring device. Shown here is the housing 7, which has, for example, means 18 for mechanical coupling with the connection device 9 and also means 13 for electrical coupling with the latter. In this case, the housing 7 preferably completely accommodates the components of the monitoring device 4, that is, at least the process and / or storage unit 5, the devices 8 arranged within the monitoring device 4 for detecting at least one, the state and / or the operation of a rail vehicle-bound device 2 at least indirectly characterizing size are completely enclosed by the housing. In a particularly advantageous embodiment as in the Figures 2 and 3 is reproduced also the communication device 17 integrated in the housing. In a particularly advantageous further development, it is also conceivable to also integrate a control device 27 in the monitoring device 4, in order to be able to provide, if appropriate, manipulated variables for the actuation of actuating devices from the detected actual values.

The housing 7 thus encloses the electronic arrangement of the components for data input and data output, data processing with storage and optionally the communication interfaces. Furthermore, the components for the power supply or for coupling to a power supply and for generating a time stamp, in particular a real-time clock 18 can be picked up by this or arranged thereon. The internal means for detecting at least one of a state and / or a property and / or the operation or a process at least indirectly characterizing size, which may also be referred to as sensors, may be designed as electrical sensors, fieldbus sensors or radio-based sensors.

In the simplest case, the connection device 9 on the rail vehicle-connected device is designed as a terminal box 19, which is coupled to the monitoring device 4 via a holding device 11. Other versions are conceivable. In order to protect the means for electrical coupling 13 with this not existing monitoring device 4, the holding device 11 can be covered or surrounded with a protective cover.

For the structural design of the connection device 9 is a variety of ways. It is crucial that the power supply with the monitoring device 4 is realized via this and also the support function. The FIGS. 5 and 6 show particularly advantageous applications.

The FIG. 5 illustrates an arrangement of an inventively executed monitoring system 1 to a coupling device 20, as this can be used for example for coupling two successively arranged car of a rail vehicle 2 used. This traction coupling device 20 may be, for example, a central buffer coupling. Other embodiments of the Zugkupplungseinrichtung are also conceivable.

The FIG. 6 shows a further advantageous arrangement of a monitoring system 1 according to the invention on a rail vehicle-bound device 2 in the form of a nose 21. The arrangement is exemplary. The specific local assignment of the monitoring system 1 to the individual components is carried out depending on the specific application and the local conditions.

The monitoring system 1 according to the invention makes it possible to monitor clutch and nose-nose components as rail-vehicle-related devices in rail vehicles in operational use.

In this case, a record of special incidents, such as heavy dome impact as well as regular operations done. Furthermore, a detection of clutch cycles, which is carried out automatically. All recorded events are time-stamped and saved. During assembly and maintenance of the coupling and nosepiece devices 20, 21, the monitoring system 1 thus has a supporting effect. In this case, the monitoring device 4 can also enable the storage of component-specific data, such as serial numbers.

The reading of the acquired recorded data is carried out via a communication device 17, preferably a radio interface. Commercially available terminals, such as laptops, tablet computers or smartphones can be used as readout devices. Reading out the recorded Data can take place in the case of the monitoring device 4 plugged on or also staked off at the connection device 9. If the monitoring device 4 is staked, an external supply voltage may be required if it has no independent power supply device.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

monitoring system

2

rail vehicle-bound device

3

track vehicle

4

monitoring device

5

storage unit

6

exit

7

casing

8th

Device for recording

9

connecting device

10

Power supply means

11

holder

12

combined power supply / holding device

13

Means for electrical coupling

14

Means for mechanical coupling

15

transmitting device

16

receiver

17

communication unit

18

Real Time Clock

19

terminal box

20

train coupling

21

nose cone

22

reading device

23

Means for mechanical coupling

24

Means for mechanical coupling

25

externally arranged detection device

26

entrance

27

control device

Claims (13)

1. Train coupling (20) having a monitoring system (1) for train coupling components, wherein the monitoring system (1) comprises a monitoring device (4) with at least one or a multiplicity of sensing devices (8) for acquiring actual values of at least one variable from the group mentioned below:

   - a variable which at least indirectly describes a state of the train coupling component

   - a variable which at least indirectly describes a mode of operation of the train coupling component, wherein the monitoring device (4) also has

   a process unit and/or memory unit (5) for storing the abovementioned variables and at least one output (6) for coupling to a reading device (22),
   characterized
   in that the at least one sensing device (8), the process and/or memory unit (5) and the output (6) are arranged in a housing (7) of the monitoring device (4), and the housing (7) is electronically and mechanically coupled to the train coupling component via a connection device (9) which is attached to the train coupling component.
2. Train front end (21) having a monitoring system (1) for train front end components, wherein the monitoring system (1) comprises a monitoring device (4) with at least one or a multiplicity of sensing devices (8) for acquiring actual values of at least one variable from the group mentioned below:

   - a variable which at least indirectly describes a state of the train front end component

   - a variable which at least indirectly describes a mode of operation of the train front end component, wherein the monitoring device also has

   a process and/or memory unit (5) for storing the abovementioned variables and at least one output (6) for coupling to a reading device (22),
   characterized
   in that the at least one sensing device (8), the process and/or memory unit (5) and the output (6) are arranged in a housing (7) of the monitoring device (4), and the housing (7) is electronically and mechanically coupled to the train front end component via a connecting device (9) which is attached to the train front end component.
3. Train coupling (20) or train front end (21) according to one of Claims 1 and 2,
   characterized
   in that the monitoring device (4) can be plugged onto the connecting device (9) and unplugged therefrom.
4. Train coupling (20) or train front end (21) according to one of Claims 1 to 3,
   characterized
   in that the monitoring device (4) has at least one input (26) for coupling to at least one further sensing device (25) which is arranged outside the monitoring device (4) and has the purpose of acquiring actual values of state variables and/or process variables and/or a data bus.
5. Train coupling (20) or train front end (21) according to one of Claims 1 to 4,
   characterized
   in that the connecting device (9) comprises an energy supply device (10) for connecting to an energy source, and a securing device (11).
6. Train coupling (20) or train front end (21) according to Claim 5,
   characterized
   in that the securing device (11) is embodied as an integral component with the power supply device (10).
7. Train coupling (20) or train front end (21) according to Claim 5,
   characterized
   in that the securing device (11) is embodied as a device which is separate from the energy supply device (10).
8. Train coupling (20) or train front end (21) according to one of Claims 5 to 7,
   characterized
   in that the energy supply device (10) is formed by a terminal box which is attached to the train coupling component or train front end component.
9. Train coupling (20) or train front end (21) according to one of Claims 1 to 8,
   characterized
   in that arranged in the housing (7) of the monitoring device (4) is a communication device (17) comprising at least one transmitter unit (15) which is arranged and embodied so as to be suitable for communicating with externally arranged devices.
10. Train coupling (20) or train front end (21) according to Claim 9,
    characterized
    in that the communication device (17) comprises a receiver device (16) for receiving data from externally arranged sensing devices and storing said data in the memory unit (5).
11. Train coupling (20) or train front end (21) according to one of Claims 1 to 10,
    characterized
    in that arranged in the housing (7) is a real-time clock (18) which is coupled to the process and/or memory unit (5) in such a way that the individually acquired variables are provided with a timestamp.
12. Train coupling (20) or train front end (21) according to one of Claims 1 to 11,
    characterized
    in that the monitoring device (4) comprises devices for acquiring actual values of at least one variable from the group mentioned below

    - a variable which at least indirectly describes a state of the surroundings of the train coupling component or train front end component

    - a variable which at least indirectly describes a mode of operation of the rail vehicle.
13. Train coupling (20) or train front end (21) according to one of Claims 1 to 12,
    characterized
    in that the at least one sensing device (8) is embodied as an element of the group mentioned below:

    - electrical sensor

    - binary sensor

    - radio-based sensor.

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