TWM510879U - A device for monitoring the operability of a signal connection - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for monitoring the operability of a signal connection between a control unit (5) and a balise (4), wherein the signal connection is provided at least partially by at least one connecting cable (7), wherein the device (9) comprises a monitoring signal generator (10), at least one means for determining a connecting cable current (I) and at least one evaluating unit (13), wherein a monitoring signal with a monitoring frequency is injectable into the connecting cable (7), wherein the connecting cable current (I) is determinable, wherein a current portion with the monitoring frequency is determinable, wherein an incorrect operability of the signal connection is detectable if a current value of the current portion is smaller than a predetermined threshold value.

Description

Device for monitoring the operability of a signal connection

The present invention relates to a device for monitoring the operability of a signal connection. Among them is a device for monitoring the operability of a signal connection between a control unit and a balise.

Chain computers or chain control units are well known for controlling and monitoring a plurality of devices along the railway route in modern railway signal systems. The most important roadside targets are the switch and lamp signals. Traditionally, the lamp signal has been monitored by the interlocking control unit by measuring the current flowing through the lamp and checking if the current is within a predetermined limit. If the lamp fails, the fault will affect the current and thus can be detected by the interlocking control unit, in sequence, generating an alarm signal. Similarly, the current released to the switch can be measured and monitored and the state of the switch can be monitored based on the current. Whether the switch is faulty, a fault will be detected when the switch is scheduled to produce an alarm signal in reverse.

The track side transmitter, which can also be considered as a transponder, is used to send messages to the passing train and cannot be monitored in this way. If, for example, the cable connecting the transponder to the control unit associated with the transponder breaks, the fault cannot be detected by the control unit. Similarly, if the transponder fails or Ripped off by its sleepers, the control unit will not be detected. Furthermore, the cable breakage or failure of the transponder will result in a restrictive action of the rail vehicles, but it is always unclear whether an object is broken or faulty. The driver of the rail vehicle should report the failure of the transponder, but such reports are usually irregular.

A method for operating a system for controlling a rail vehicle is described in the document DE 10 2009 012 986 A1. A track side electronic control unit selects a data signal as a signal item and transmits the signal to a transponder disposed on the track. Furthermore, the transponder receives an actuation signal transmitted by the vehicle side antenna.

However, the communication unit disclosed in DE 10 2009 012 986 A1 is not compatible with the European standard ERTMS/ECTS CLASS 1 FFFIS, SUBSET-036 for Eurobalise. The standard standardizes a transponder-based ATP-telegram (automatic train protection telegram) transmission between the roadside component and the train side component and uses the starting point as the novel.

FP 13193300.4 (Application No.) discloses a method for monitoring the operability of a transponder for transmitting information to a rail vehicle, wherein a remote power supply signal transmitted by the rail vehicle is received by the transponder, wherein a telegraph switch is suppressed A signal generated by the transponder and transmitted to a control unit associated with a transponder upon receipt of the remote power supply signal, wherein the operability of the transponder is monitored in view of the telegraph switch suppression signal. A disadvantage of the method disclosed in this document is that the control unit needs to be switched on and a train must pass through the transponder.

There is a technical problem with providing a device for monitoring the operability of a signal connection between a control unit and a transponder, wherein the method and the time-dependent applicability of the device are increased.

The present invention proposes a device for monitoring the operability of a signal connection. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a technical solution to the problem is provided with the claimed elements having the features of claim 1 of the patent application. Further specific embodiments of the present invention are provided by the scope of the claims of the appended claims.

A device for monitoring the operability of a signal connection between a control unit and a transponder is proposed. The transponder represents a device by which a signal encoded by the transponder or containing information relating to the transponder is transmitted to a vehicle passing through the transponder.

The transponder related information can, for example, include static information that is transmitted all the way to a vehicle passing through the transponder. Static information can also be transmitted if the control unit does not provide data to the transponder. The static information can be information about the transponder itself, information about the geographic location of the transponder, and information about one or more consecutive transponders along one of the rail vehicles. Furthermore, an entity representative of the information can be provided within the transponder. For example, the statically encoded data can be programmed into the non-volatile memory of the transponder.

Furthermore, the transponder is capable of transmitting dynamic information. Dynamic information can, for example, be information about a row of licenses. Driving permission information can, For example, it means whether the vehicle of the transponder is allowed or not allowed to pass. As mentioned previously, the driving permission can be determined based on the status of the signal light and/or switch machine assigned to the transponder. If the signal or switch is in a first state, the vehicle is allowed to pass. If the signal light or switch machine is in a second state, the vehicle is not allowed to pass. The control unit (which can also be regarded as a transponder-related control unit) can, for example, be connected to the signal light and/or an interlocking control unit for controlling the operation of the signal light in order to determine the state of the signal light. For example, the control unit can be connected to the signal light, wherein an operating current of the signal light can be determined by the control unit. Depending on the operating current, the control unit can determine that the signal is in the first or second state described above and to generate a corresponding operational signal that is then transmitted to the transponder via the signal connection.

A message of static and/or dynamic information and, if so, a piece of information of the dynamic information transmitted by the transponder can be provided by the control unit and transmitted to the transponder by the control unit via an operational signal. For example, it is possible to provide a physical representation of a dynamic message, such as if the signal is in the first state or in the second state, provided in the transponder, wherein the control unit provides a transmission of the first And the information of the second signal to a passing vehicle.

The signal connection is provided at least in part by at least one connection cable. It is possible that one of the control unit operating signal output terminals is non-galvanically connected to the connection cable. In particular, the at least one operational signal output terminal can be connected to the connection cable via a transformer. It is further feasible that one of the transponders operates the signal input terminal without current Ground, in particular connected to the connection cable via another transformer.

Monitoring the operability of the signal connection includes, in particular, monitoring the presence of the connection cable, the presence of the transponder, and monitoring the integrity of the connection cable. In particular, the control unit can be provided by a so-called terrestrial electronic unit (LEU).

The proposed device includes a monitoring signal generator. The monitoring signal generator can be an alternating current (AC) signal generator. Furthermore, the apparatus includes at least one means for determining a connection cable current. For example, the at least one member for determining a connection cable current can be a component for measuring the current, in particular a current sensor.

Furthermore, the device comprises at least one evaluation unit. The evaluation unit is connectable to the at least one component for determining a connection cable current.

A monitoring signal having a monitored frequency can be injected into the connecting cable. In the context of the present invention, the phrase "capable of being able" is used to mean "can be". This means that the proposed device is arranged and/or designed such that it can perform the The corresponding action.

As will be explained in more detail later, the monitoring signal can be injected simultaneously into an operational signal. Alternatively or additionally, the monitoring signal can be injected during a period of time during which the no-operation signal is transmitted via the connection cable. It is possible that the monitoring signal can be injected exclusively to an operational signal or exclusively for a period of time during which the no-operation signal is transmitted via the connection cable. Preferably, the monitoring signal can be injected without transmission of the operational signal. The monitoring signal can be generated by the aforementioned monitoring signal generator Or an injection member injection.

Furthermore, the connection cable current is determinable, in particular by means of the aforementioned means for determining the current of the connection cable.

Furthermore, in particular, a current portion having the monitored frequency can be determined by the at least one evaluation unit. The current portion having the monitored frequency can, for example, represent a spectroscopic portion of the cable current spectrum that (only) includes the (or such) monitoring frequency that is within a (small) interval of the monitored frequency .

Furthermore, if one of the current portions is less than a predetermined threshold, the incorrect operability of the signal connection can be detected. The current value, for example, is a root mean square (RMS) value or an amplitude of the current portion. At the same time, the current value can be an intensity of the aforementioned beam splitting portion. The predetermined threshold can be determined by the person skilled in the art depending on the application. In particular, the predetermined threshold is small, preferably close to zero. If the current value of the current portion is higher than or equal to the predetermined threshold, the correct operability of the signal connection can be detected.

In the event that the current value is less than the predetermined threshold, the monitoring signal is least likely to be received by the transponder. This can be the case if the connecting cable is stolen, broken and/or if the transponder is not connected to the connecting cable. When the injection of the monitoring signal is theoretically feasible in the absence of a wheel, the time-dependent applicability of one of the monitoring methods is increased.

In another embodiment, the apparatus further includes at least one member for injecting the monitoring signal into the connection cable without current. This meaning Refers to the connection between the connection cable and the monitoring signal generator without current. This advantageously reduces the risk of crosstalk between the two transponders and further increases the EMI robustness of the connection cable, the monitoring signal generator and the corresponding signal connection.

In another embodiment, the at least one component for injecting the monitoring signal is a transformer. The transformer can be the same transformer connected to the connection cable by at least one of the operation signal output terminals of the aforementioned control unit. However, it is also practicable that the transformer is provided separately from the transformer connecting at least one monitoring signal output terminal to the connecting cable. The use of a transformer advantageously allows for reliable injection of one of the monitoring signals.

In a preferred embodiment, the monitoring frequency is lower than an operating frequency of an operational signal transmitted by the control unit to the transponder via the signal connection. This operational signal has been previously explained. The operational signal is an AC signal, typically comprising a frequency range from 10 kHz to 1000 kHz, in particular from 50 kHz to 600 kHz. For this operating frequency, the signal connection, in particular an impedance of the connecting cable, is high. In particular, the injection of the operational signal into the connection cable does not produce/or only produces a small current flow within the connection cable. Thus, current based operability monitoring requires monitoring one of the injection monitoring signals to monitor the frequency, which is selected based on the impedance of one of the signal connections such that a non-zero current can flow through the connection cable. Preferably, the monitoring frequency can be selected from a range of 90 Hz to 110 Hz. This advantageously increases the reliability of the monitoring process.

In another preferred embodiment, the monitoring frequency is selected It is not equal to 50Hz. Alternatively or additionally, the monitoring frequency is selected to be not equal to 60 Hz. Alternatively or additionally, the monitoring frequency is selected to correspond to one or more corresponding overtones of 50 Hz and/or 60 Hz. Alternatively or additionally, the monitoring frequency is selected to correspond to one or more corresponding overtones of 50 Hz and/or 60 Hz, for example, not equal to 50/3 Hz (16 2/3 Hz). If the stated frequencies are often used in such devices disposed adjacent to the signal connection, a monitoring signal having one of the frequencies can be assigned. Thus, the specific embodiment of the description further increases the reliability of the monitoring process.

In another embodiment, the monitoring signal is injectable during transmission of an operational signal via the signal connection. This means that the operation signal and the monitoring signal are applied to the signal connection. Of course, this is not the case in which only the monitoring signal is present and no operational signal is applied to the signal connection. In particular, the proposed device can be used during the time when the operational signal is not applied to the signal connection, and at the same time during which the operational signal is applied to the signal connection.

In another embodiment, the monitoring signal can be superimposed on the operational signal. The previously mentioned monitoring signal generator and/or the at least one means for injecting the monitoring signal can be designed and/or arranged such that the monitoring signal can be superimposed on the operational signal. This advantageously simplifies the simultaneous transmission of this operation and the monitoring signal.

In another embodiment, an alert signal can be generated if an incorrect operability is detected. This alarm signal, for example, can be generated by the previously mentioned evaluation unit. The alarm signal can be transmitted to an outside A control unit, for example, the interlocking control unit. In this example, the proposed device can comprise at least one signal transmission component. The alert signal can be transmitted using a predetermined communication protocol, in particular in the form of a data stream.

Alternatively or additionally, a supervisory switch can be activated if an incorrect operability is detected. The switch can, for example, be supervised by a supervisory unit. For example, a supervisory unit can be provided by the previously mentioned interlocking control unit. In this example, the alert signal can be generated by the supervisory unit.

The alarm signal can also be provided to the operator via suitable components. In this example, the operator can be notified immediately if the connecting cable is stolen, broken, and/or the transponder is no longer connected to the connecting cable. Then, countermeasures can be taken.

In another embodiment, the determined connection cable current is filterable in order to determine the current portion at the monitored frequency. In this example, the device can include at least one filter member. The filter member can, for example, be designed as a low pass filter or a belt pass filter or a notch filter. This advantageously allows the current portion to be reliably determined at a monitored frequency, in particular an example of transmitting an operational signal via the signal connection at the same time.

In another embodiment, the monitoring signal generator and/or at least one component for measuring the connection cable current and/or the at least one evaluation unit are provided by the control unit. Alternatively, the monitoring signal generator and/or at least one component for measuring the connection cable current and/or the at least one evaluation unit are provided by at least one unit separately constructed from the control unit.

A method for monitoring the operability of a signal connection between a control unit and a transponder is further described. The method can be performed by the apparatus of one of the specific embodiments illustrated in the present invention.

A signal connection is provided at least in part by at least one connection cable. A monitoring signal having a monitored frequency is injected into the connecting cable. Furthermore, it is decided, in particular, to measure a connecting cable current. Furthermore, a current portion having a monitored frequency is determined. If one of the current portions is less than a predetermined threshold, an incorrect operability of the signal connection is detected. If the current value of the current portion is higher than or equal to the predetermined threshold, then a correct operability of the signal connection can be detected.

By performing this required method, it is feasible to reliably monitor this operability, with the time-dependent applicability of the method being increased. In particular, the method can be performed at any time.

Further described is a specific embodiment in which the monitoring signal is injected without current. This has been explained before.

Further described is a specific embodiment wherein the monitoring signal is injected via a transformer. This has been explained before.

Further illustrated is a specific embodiment wherein the monitored frequency is below an operating frequency transmitted by the control unit to the transponder operating signal via the signal connection.

Further, a specific embodiment is illustrated in which the monitoring frequency is selected to be equal to 50 Hz and/or not equal to 60 Hz and/or not equal to 1 or more corresponding overtones and/or undertones.

Further described is a specific embodiment wherein the monitoring signal is injected during operation of the operational signal via the signal connection.

Further described is a specific embodiment wherein the monitoring signal is superimposed on the operational signal.

Further, a specific embodiment is described in which an alarm signal is generated and/or a supervisory switch is activated if an incorrect operability is detected.

Further illustrated is a specific embodiment wherein the determined connection cable current is filtered to determine the current portion having the monitored frequency.

1‧‧‧ rail vehicles

2‧‧‧ Track

3‧‧‧Arrows (direction of travel)

4‧‧‧Transponder

5‧‧‧Control unit/ground unit

6‧‧‧Transponder side transformer

7‧‧‧Connecting cable

9‧‧‧ device

10‧‧‧Monitoring signal generator

11‧‧‧ Generator part transformer

12‧‧‧ Current sensor

13‧‧‧Evaluation unit

14‧‧‧Signal communication components

I‧‧‧Connecting cable current

The present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. This sole Figure 1 shows a schematic block diagram of an apparatus for monitoring the operability of a signal connection in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 1 shows a rail vehicle 1 traveling along a track 2, wherein the direction of travel is indicated by arrow 3. A transponder 4 is further shown for transmitting signals received by the rail vehicle 1. The transponder 4 is connected to a control unit, such as a terrestrial electronic unit 5 (LEU 5) via a transponder side transformer 6, a connection cable 7, and a LEU side transformer (not shown). The LEU side transformer can be part of the LEU 5. At the same time, a connection cable current I is indicated in FIG.

A device 9 is further shown in accordance with the present invention. The device 9 includes a monitoring signal generator 10. The monitoring signal generator 10 generates a monitoring signal having a monitoring frequency lower than an operation generated by the control unit 5. An operating frequency of the signal. The monitoring signal is injected into the connecting cable 7 via a generator part transformer 11.

Furthermore, the device includes a current sensor 12 for measuring the connection cable current I. The current sensor 12 is connected to an evaluation unit 13, wherein one of the evaluation units 13 of the device 9 is capable of determining a current value of the current portion of the connection cable current I having the monitored frequency. The current portion having the monitored frequency represents a portion of the cable current I due to the injected monitoring signal.

The evaluation unit 13 can be connected to the signal generator 10.

Furthermore, the device 9 comprises a signal communication component 14 which is also connected to the evaluation unit 13. If the current value of one of the measured currents of the cable current I is less than a predetermined threshold, the incorrect operability of the signal connection can be detected. In this example, an alarm signal can be generated by the evaluation unit 13 and transmitted via the transmission member to an external higher level system, for example, an interlock control unit.

1‧‧‧ rail vehicles

2‧‧‧ Track

3‧‧‧Arrows (direction of travel)

4‧‧‧Transponder

5‧‧‧Control unit/ground unit

6‧‧‧Transponder side transformer

7‧‧‧Connecting cable

9‧‧‧ device

10‧‧‧Monitoring signal generator

11‧‧‧ Generator part transformer

12‧‧‧ Current sensor

13‧‧‧Evaluation unit

14‧‧‧Signal communication components

I‧‧‧Connecting cable current

Claims (11)

A device for monitoring the operability of a signal connection between a control unit and a transponder, wherein the signal connection is provided at least in part by at least one connection cable, characterized in that the device comprises a Monitoring signal generator, at least one component for determining a connection cable current, and at least one evaluation unit, wherein a monitoring signal having a monitoring frequency is injectable into the connection cable, wherein the connection cable current is Determining that a current portion having the monitored frequency is determinable, and wherein if the current value of the current portion is less than a predetermined threshold, the incorrect operability of the signal connection may be Detected. The device of claim 1, wherein the device further comprises at least one member for injecting the monitoring signal into the connecting cable without current. The device of claim 2, wherein the at least one component for injecting the monitoring signal is a transformer. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the monitoring frequency is lower than an operating frequency of an operating signal, and the operating signal is transmitted to the transponder by the control unit via the signal connection . The device of claim 4, wherein the monitoring frequency is selected to be unequal to 50 Hz and/or not equal to 60 Hz and/or not equal to one or more corresponding overtones and/or bass. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the monitoring frequency The rate is selected to be not equal to 50 Hz and/or not equal to 60 Hz and/or not equal to one or more corresponding overtones and/or bass. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the monitoring signal is detectable during transmission of an operational signal via the signal connection. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the monitoring signal is superimposed on the operational signal. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that an alarm signal is generated and/or a supervisory switch can be activated if an incorrect operability is detected. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the determined connection cable current is filterable to determine the current portion having the monitored frequency. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the monitoring signal generator, and/or at least one component for measuring a connection cable current, and/or the at least one evaluation unit are The control unit is provided or separate from the control unit.