EP3210847B1 - Method and system for operating a confined track section with a number of points assembled therein - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a method and a system for operating a self-contained track area with a number of switches arranged therein.

1. a) einzelne Weichen individuell durch das Rangierpersonal umstellen zu können; und
2. b) mehrere Weichen in Folge einstellen zu können, um einen geschlossenen Fahrweg durch den Gleisbereich bzw. eines Teils davon zu bilden.

Defined track areas exist, for example, in the form of shunting areas, depot areas, certain areas of a train station and the like. In such delimited track areas there are usually a large number of switches for which there is a need to be able to change them flexibly, for example on site by the shunting staff. In addition, there is also the need, for example, to be able to set regularly recurring routes within the delimited track area using several switches and the switch position predefined for the route. In the case of smaller railway companies and in small shunting areas, the shunting staff is responsible for setting the points locally. There is therefore a need to set the course in two basic ways:

1. a) individual switches can be changed individually by the shunting staff; and
2. b) being able to set several switches in a row in order to form a closed route through the track area or a part thereof.

Nowadays, it is possible to allow predetermined routes through a signal box for larger track areas. The turnouts involved in the route are then set by the signal box in such a way that collisions with other vehicles are excluded. For example, shunting signals are provided that require an engine driver to stop. However, if such routes are set, the interlocking does not allow the switch to be changed for each of the switches involved in the route. Of course, it is easy to see that this prevents the flexibility of operational processes. At the same time, this approach offers a maximum Security to avoid collisions or derailments and the like.

The DE 199 05 916 A1 discloses the setting of a route from the vehicle when entering the maneuvering area and the signaling of this route on the switches.

The present invention is therefore based on the object of specifying a method and a system for operating a delimited track area with a number of switches arranged therein, which allow a certain degree of safety to be guaranteed and at the same time a certain degree of flexibility to offer the changeover of switches in the delimited track area.

1. a) Einstellen eines Fahrweges unter Inanspruchnahme der in den Fahrweg integrierten Weichen und einer für die Weichen dieses Fahrwegs vorbestimmten Weichenlage;
2. b) Überprüfen der aktuellen Lage der in den Fahrweg integrierten Weichen und ggfs. Verstellen der Weichen in die für diesen Fahrweg vorbestimmten Weichenlagen;
3. c) Anzeigen der Weichenlage durch erste Signalisierungselemente jeweils an jeder der in den Fahrweg integrierten Weichen; und
4. d) Optisches und/oder akustisches Signalisieren durch zweite Signalisierungselemente an mindestens einer in den Fahrweg integrierten Weiche, dass diese mindestens eine Weiche für einen eingestellten Fahrweg in Anspruch genommen ist.

With regard to the method, this object is achieved according to the invention by a method for operating a delimited track area with a number of switches arranged therein, which comprises the following method steps:

1. a) setting a route using the points integrated in the route and a predetermined position for the points of this route;
2. b) checking the current position of the switches integrated in the guideway and, if necessary, adjusting the switches to the switch positions predetermined for this guideway;
3. c) display of the turnout position by first signaling elements in each case on each of the turnouts integrated into the route; and
4. d) Optical and / or acoustic signaling by means of second signaling elements on at least one switch integrated in the route that this at least one switch is used for a set route.

1. a) eine Stelleinrichtung zum Einstellen eines Fahrweges unter Inanspruchnahme der in den Fahrweg integrierten Weichen und zum Einstellen einer für die Weichen dieses Fahrwegs vorbestimmten Weichenlage;
2. b) eine Prüfeinrichtung zum Überprüfen der aktuellen Lage der in den Fahrweg integrierten Weichen und ggfs. Verstellen der Weichen in den für diesen Fahrweg vorbestimmten Weichenlagen durch die Stelleinrichtung;
3. c) erste Signalisierungselemente zum Anzeigen der Weichenlage jeweils an jeder der in den Fahrweg integrierten Weichen; und
4. d) zweite Signalisierungselemente zum optischen und/oder akustischen Signalisieren an einer in den Fahrweg integrierten Weiche, dass diese Weichen für einen eingestellten Fahrweg in Anspruch genommen sind.

With regard to the system, this object is achieved according to the invention by a system for operating a delimited track area with a number of switches arranged therein, comprising:

1. a) an actuating device for setting a route using the switches integrated in the route and for setting a predetermined switch position for the switches of this route;
2. b) a test device for checking the current position of the switches integrated in the route and, if necessary, adjusting the switches in the switch positions predetermined for this route by the Setting device;
3. c) first signaling elements for displaying the turnout position on each of the turnouts integrated into the route; and
4. d) second signaling elements for optical and / or acoustic signaling on a switch integrated in the route that these switches are used for a set route.

In this way, a very good balance between the safety requirements and the wishes for flexibility when switching the points is achieved. Thanks to the second signaling elements, it is apparent to the shunting staff, for example, if one or more points are or are currently set for a desired vehicle. It is then the responsibility of the personnel operating in the track area to determine whether the position of a switch is changed if it is signaled at the same time by the second signaling elements that this switch is being changed for a set route. The first and the second signaling element can also be integrated, for example, in a single light source and signal the desired statement by coding the display, such as fast or slow flashing.

In an advantageous embodiment of the present invention it can be provided that at least one switch integrated in the route is signaled optically and / or acoustically by the second signaling elements that this at least one switch is to be used for a route to be set. In this way, the staff in the track area can be signaled in advance of the construction of the route that a strain on this at least one switch is imminent for a route to be set. It is then also at the discretion of the staff in the track area to decide whether this switch at least one turnout should now be changed, or whether the load on the route is first waited for and the change is only made after the route has been dissolved.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the present invention, it can be provided that at least one in the Track integrated switch is optically and / or acoustically signaled by the second signaling elements that this at least one switch for the set route should no longer be used and thus the route can be at least partially resolved. This gives the staff in the track area the information that a switch is now available again for an individual, independent change after being used for a track.

1. a) "GRÜN" signalisiert wird, dass die Weiche frei ist; und/oder
2. b) "ROT" signalisiert wird, dass die Weiche für einen Fahrweg in Anspruch genommen ist; und/oder
3. c) "GELB" signalisiert wird, dass die Weiche für einen Fahrweg in Anspruch genommen wird; und/oder
4. d) "GELB blinkend" signalisiert wird, dass die Weiche für einen Fahrweg in Anspruch genommen war und nun wieder frei wird.

As a rule, the first and second signaling elements are optical, so that, for example, the position of the switch and, if necessary, its stress on a route can also be seen from a moderate distance, such as from a driver's cab of a locomotive. In particular, the second signaling elements can be designed differently. For example, a simple additional light source can be provided, the lights of which indicate the use of a switch for a route. However, a traffic light system could also be provided, with:

1. a) "GREEN" is signaled that the switch is free; and or
2. b) "RED" is signaled that the switch is used for a route; and or
3. c) "YELLOW" indicates that the switch is being used for a route; and or
4. d) "YELLOW flashing" indicates that the switch was used for a route and is now free again.

If additional lighting elements for this signaling are to be avoided, this color code could also be used in the first signaling elements which signal the position of the switch. The "DEFLECTED" position could, for example, be shown in red to indicate the stress on the switch in the deflected position for a set travel path. Similarly, with the rest of the above Color codes are traversed.

Fig. 1

in schematischer Darstellung eine Weiche mit ersten und zweiten Anzeigeelementen für die beiden möglichen Stellungen der Weiche; und

Fig. 2

in schematischer Darstellung einen Gleisbereich mit darin integrierten Weichen mit den ersten und zweiten Anzeigeelementen gemäss Figur 1.

Advantageous embodiments of the present invention are explained in detail below with reference to the attached drawings. It shows:

Fig. 1

a schematic representation of a switch with first and second display elements for the two possible positions of the switch; and

Fig. 2

a schematic representation of a track area with switches integrated therein with the first and second display elements according to Figure 1 ,

Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a switch W in undeflected position (a) and deflected position (b). The position of the switch W is indicated by two first display elements 2a, 2b. These first display elements 2a, 2b are located directly next to the switch W in the track ballast 4. These first display elements 2a, 2b are also known in technical jargon as dwarf signals and / or turnout signals. In addition, however, a second display element 6 is now arranged in the immediate vicinity of the first display elements 2a, 2b in the track ballast 4, which, in the case of the lighting shown here, signals that this switch W is currently being used to provide a route and thus a changeover by hand how this can be done by shunting personnel, for example, can lead to a safety problem.

Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of a track area 8, in which a plurality of switches (only switches W1 to W6 are entered) are integrated. In principle, however, each switch is equipped with the first and second display elements 2a, 2b, 6 shown in FIG. With a thicker line is in the Figure 2 a route 10 has now been drawn in and set by an actuating unit 12 while using switches W1 to W6. For this reason, the second display elements 6 have also been drawn in as a shining light bulb symbol. This signals that the associated switch for the set travel path 10 is claimed. Thus, for example, the shunting personnel working in the track area 8 is reliably signaled that when one of the switches W1 to W6 is adjusted, the currently set travel path 10 is no longer guaranteed (safe). It is therefore at the discretion of the shunting staff whether a possible turnout should take place.

After the actuating unit 12 requests a route, a test unit likewise integrated in the actuating unit 12 can check the current positions of the switches required for the route. During this test period, the second display elements of the corresponding switches can already be made to flash. When the test is complete and all switches have been brought into the switch positions required for this route, the corresponding second display elements 6 light up permanently. Only when the route 10 can be broken again can the second display elements 6 again start flashing to signal that the corresponding switch is no longer used for a set route. A different flashing frequency can also be used to signal whether the associated switch is in the phase of the route 10 to be set or to be released.

Claims (6)

1. Method for operating a confined track section (8) with a number of points (W, W1 to W6) arranged therein, comprising the steps:

   a) setting of a route (10) utilising the points (W1 to W6) integrated into the route (10) and a predetermined point position for the points (W1 to W6) of this route (10);

   b) checking the current position of the points (W1 to W6) integrated into the route (10) and if necessary, adjusting the points (W1 to W6) into the point position predetermined for this route (10);

   c) displaying the point position by way of first signalling elements in each case at each of the points (W1 to W6) integrated into the route (8), and
   characterised by

   d) optical and/or acoustic signalling by way of second signalling elements at each of the points (W1 to W6) integrated into the route (10), such that the points (W1 to W6) are used for a set route (10).
2. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that at each of the points (W1 to W6) integrated into the route (10), signals are emitted optically and/or acoustically by way of the second signalling elements, such that the points (W1 to W6) are to be used for a route (10) to be set.
3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that at each of the points (W1 to W6) integrated into the route (10), signals are emitted optically and/or acoustically by way of the second signalling elements, such that the points (W1 to W6) for the set route (10) are no longer to be used and thus the route (10) can be cancelled.
4. System for operating a confined track section (8) with a number of points arranged therein (W, W1 to W6), comprising:

   a) an actuating device (12) for setting a route (10) using the points (W1 to W6) integrated into the route (10) and a predefined point position for the points (W1 to W6) of this route (10);

   b) a testing device (12) for checking the current position of the points (W1 to W6) integrated into the route (10) and if necessary adjusting the points (W1 to W6) into the predefined point positions for this route (10) by way of the actuating device (12);

   c) first signalling elements (2a, 2b) for displaying the point position in each case at each of the points (W, W1 to W6) integrated into the route (10); and
   characterised by

   d) second signalling elements (6) for optical and/or acoustic signalling at each of the points (W, W1 to W6) integrated into the route (10), such that the points (W, W1 to W6) are used for a set route (10).
5. System according to claim 4, characterised in that at each of the points (W, W1 to W6) integrated into the route (10) optical and/or acoustic signals can be emitted with the second signalling elements (6), such that the points (W, W1 to W6) are to be used for a route (10) to be set.
6. System according to claim 4 or 5, characterised in that at each of the points (W, W1 to W6) integrated into the route (10) optical and/or acoustic signals can be emitted with the second signalling elements (6), such that the points (W, W1 to W6) are no longer to be used for the set route (10) and thus the route (10) can be cancelled.

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