Measuring system for measuring wear state of contact element

Abstract

The invention relates to a measuring system (1) and a method for measuring a wear state of a contact element (32) of a contact strip (3) for a contact line-related power supply of a vehicle by means of a sensor device (4), the contact strip (3) having a contact strip carrier (31) and a contact element (32) held thereon, at least two bores (5, 6, 7, 8) being introduced into the contact strip (3), the bore (5, 6, 7, 8) passes through the contact strip carrier (31) and forms at least one blind hole (51, 61, 71) in the contact element (32), a sensor device (4) of the measuring system (1) is removably fastened on the outside of the contact strip (3) and below the contact strip carrier (31), light radiation can be recorded by means of a light detector (52, 62, 72) of the sensor device (4), and when a certain wear state of the contact element (32) is reached, the sensor device (4) and the light detector (52, 62, 72) of the sensor device (4) are activated. At least one bore (5, 6, 7) of the at least two bores (5, 6, 7, 8) forms a light channel via which light radiation impinges on the light detector (52, 62, 72), and the measuring system (1) comprises a processing device by means of which a wear state of the contact element (32) can be determined from the detected light radiation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a measuring system and a method for measuring the wear state of a contact element of a contact strip for a catenary-related power supply of a vehicle, the contact strip having a contact strip carrier and a contact element held in the contact strip carrier, at least two bores being produced in the contact strip, the at least two bores passing through the contact strip carrier and forming at least one blind hole in the contact element. Background Art

[0002] Contact strips made of carbon material are usually used for the power supply of both rail vehicles and non-rail vehicles via the overhead line. Such contact strips are always subject to wear due to the wear of the material (usually carbon material). When such contact strips are used, for example on train locomotives, it is necessary to replace them before they reach the final wear limit in order to avoid dangerous operating conditions, defects or failures. Although emergency stop functions are regularly integrated into the contact strips, which cause the contact strips to be lowered before the final wear level is reached or even if the contact strip is damaged (e.g. broken), once such an emergency stop has been formed, it is impossible to continue the power supply and therefore it is impossible to continue to operate the vehicle using this contact strip further. In order to avoid this, the contact strips are regularly checked for their degree of wear. These checks are regularly carried out by the staff and are relatively time-consuming to perform, because the contact strips are installed on the top of the vehicle (e.g. locomotive) and due to the high voltage applied to the overhead line, special safety precautions must be observed. Therefore, such checks are carried out at certain intervals at railway stations. In order to avoid these expensive checks, partially automatic wear monitoring systems are known, which can signal when the wear limit has been reached. For example, WO 2014 / 173798 A2 describes a contact strip with wear indicator marks, which can be detected using an infrared camera. During the passage of a camera positioned on the track, the contact strip can be detected by the camera and the wear indicator marks can be identified by image processing. Based on the appearance of the wear indicator marks, conclusions can now be drawn about the degree of wear of the contact strip. The disadvantage here is that permanent monitoring of the wear state of the contact strip is impossible and the installation of such a monitoring system along the railway network requires considerable technical effort. For this reason, wear detection systems that can be integrated in the contact strip are known, since they do not require complex installation of monitoring equipment along the railway network. Electrical contacts on contact elements or switches that can signal when the wear limit has been reached are known here. Solutions are also known in which compressed air lines are installed inside the contact strip to monitor the wear state and detect the wear state due to the drop of compressed air in the line. However, the installation of such compressed air lines and the provision of compressed air are technically and economically complex. It is also known to arrange sensors in the contact elements of the contact strip in order to detect the wear of the contact strip. However, this also requires relatively complex technical processes for integrating the sensors in the contact elements, in particular for wiring the sensors. Another disadvantage of the previously known systems is that damage to the sensor technology cannot be avoided due to the developed wear and that due to their complex arrangement in the contact strip, the sensor technology is not suitable for the chronological continuous monitoring of several contact strips in the sense of repeated use of the sensor technology. Summary of the invention

[0003] The object of the present invention is therefore to propose a measuring system and method for measuring the wear state of a contact strip, which can determine the wear state in an automatic manner and without effort. In addition, the measuring system is effortlessly mounted, independent of the contact strip, meaning that the measuring system can be reused.

[0004] This object is achieved by a measuring system having the features of claim 1 , a method having the features of claim 11 , a contact strip having the features of claim 16 , a current collector having the features of claim 17 and a vehicle having the features of claim 18 .

[0005] According to the invention, a measuring system for measuring the wear state of a contact element of a contact strip for a contact network-related power supply of a vehicle with a sensor device, the contact strip having a contact strip carrier and a contact element held on the contact strip carrier, at least two boreholes being introduced into the contact strip, the at least two boreholes passing through the contact strip carrier and forming at least one blind hole in the contact element, the measuring system having a sensor device, the sensor device being detachably fastened to the outside of the contact strip and below the contact strip carrier, by means of a light detector of the sensor device, light radiation can be recorded, when a certain wear state of the contact element is reached, at least one of the at least two boreholes forms a light channel via which the light radiation strikes the light detector, the measuring system comprising a processing device, by means of which the wear state of the contact element can be determined from the recorded light radiation. Preferably, the wear state of the contact element can be determined based on the height of the contact element, which decreases with increasing service life due to wear on the contact network.

[0006] The contact strip comprises a contact element, which is usually made of carbon material, which can come into contact with the contact network and thus establish an electrical connection with the contact network. The contact element is held by a contact strip carrier, which in turn is mounted on a so-called pantograph or swing arm. This pantograph and / or swing arm forms a positioning device for the contact strip, thus together with the contact strip and the so-called current collector. This pantograph and / or swing arm in turn is mounted on top of the vehicle in order to make contact with the contact network located above the vehicle.

[0007] According to the invention, a measuring system arranged on a contact strip is provided, the measuring system comprising a sensor device. The sensor device is detachably mounted on the outside of the contact strip and below the contact strip carrier, preferably in the vicinity of the contact strip. In the context of the invention, detachably mounted means that the sensor device can be removed non-destructively and can thus be replaced and / or reused. For example, the sensor device can be arranged on a first contact strip carrier for monitoring a first contact element held on the first contact strip carrier, and after reaching a wear limit of the first contact element of the first contact strip carrier, the sensor device can be removed and arranged on a further contact strip carrier in order to monitor further contact elements of the further contact strip carrier. It is conceivable that the sensor device is detachably mounted to the contact strip, in particular to the contact strip carrier or to a positioning device holding the contact strip adjacent to the contact strip. Preferably, the sensor device, in particular the housing of the sensor device, is detachably mounted by means of screws.

[0008] The detachable mounting of the sensor device outside the contact strip means that the sensor device is formed independently of the contact strip. The measuring system, in particular the sensor device, can be physically spaced apart from the contact strip and / or functionally integrated independently of the contact strip. Advantageously, this also means that a connection, in particular an electrically conductive connection, between the measuring system and the rail vehicle is not strictly necessary. On the contrary, the measuring system can be operated without a connection to the low-voltage network of the rail vehicle, for example with the aid of a battery, an accumulator or an energy harvester. Thus, the measuring system can be used independently of the type of rail vehicle and does not require a special certification by the rail vehicle manufacturer. However, it is optionally provided that the measuring system is connected to the rail vehicle, for example to the driving position of the rail vehicle, in order to signal a measured value to the vehicle driver. As is known, a measured value is a value of a measured change supplied by the sensor device. In the context of the present invention, the measured value can be related to, for example, the height H of the contact strip, the degree of wear of the contact strip, the detected light incidence and / or the temperature. For example, the wear of the contact element can be signaled at the driving position, or another measured value can be provided at the driving position. Preferably, however, the sensor device of the measuring system can be used independently of the rail vehicle.

[0009] By means of a sensor device with at least one light detector, when a certain wear state of the contact element is reached, light radiation that impinges on the light detector through a light channel can be detected. Preferably, the light radiation detected by the light detector is the light incident by sunlight in one of the boreholes. This borehole is exposed due to the wear of the contact element, which is caused by the friction between the contact element and the contact network during the operation of the contact strip, which means that when a certain wear state is reached, a blind hole is no longer formed in the contact element, but a light channel is formed by exposing the borehole, which leads from the upper side of the contact element to the light detector of the sensor device. The light detector is preferably designed in the manner of a photodiode. According to the invention, at least two boreholes are produced in the contact strip, at least one of the boreholes of the contact strip forming a blind hole in the contact element, so that, depending on the wear state of the contact element, a light channel can be formed by exposing this borehole. Other boreholes preferably only pass through the contact strip carrier and end at the lower side of the contact element, and other boreholes can be used to detect other measured values, such as temperature. This advantageously makes it possible to determine a correlation between the wear on the contact element and other measured values, such as temperature, and to include this in a maintenance plan, for example.

[0010] Furthermore, the measuring system comprises a processing device, by means of which the wear state of the contact element can be determined from the detected light radiation, preferably the light incidence. It is essential that the processing device can correlate the respective measured values ​​of the sensors with one another. This makes it possible to obtain further information about the operating state of the contact element, the current collector and / or the contact network.

[0011] In the context of the present invention, the term "drilling" refers to any recess extending through the contact strip carrier, which can preferably be introduced into the contact strip using a machining process. For example, the shape of the drilled hole can be conical or cylindrical, and cylindrical drilled holes are preferably introduced into the contact strip.

[0012] The terms "below", "above", "lower side" and "upper side" always refer to the installation state of the contact strip on the vehicle, so that, for example, the upper side of the contact element is the side which comes into contact with the contact network when the contact strip is in operation, and the lower side of the contact element is the side of the contact element arranged on the contact strip carrier. Accordingly, the upper side of the contact strip carrier is the side on which the contact element rests, and the lower side of the contact strip carrier is the side opposite the upper side, so that the lower side of the contact strip carrier faces away from the contact element. Accordingly, the upper side of the sensor device and / or the upper side of the housing of the sensor device faces the contact strip carrier, and the lower side opposite the upper side faces away from the contact strip carrier.

[0013] As known to the person skilled in the art, the length L of a contact strip is usually greater than its width B. The sensor device is preferably arranged in the center of the length L of the contact strip. The borehole is preferably introduced in the center of the width B of the contact strip. This provides the advantage that the wear can be detected at the location where the maximum wear is expected. Furthermore, the terms width B and length L of the contact strip also refer to the installed state of the contact strip, meaning that the length L of the contact strip extends transversely and the width B extends in the direction of travel of the rail vehicle on which the contact strip is installed.

[0014] The basic idea of ​​the invention is that the sensor device can be used independently of the contact strip to detect the wear state of the contact elements of the contact strip, and that the measuring system can be reused due to the arrangement of the sensor device of the measuring system outside the contact strip. Since only a borehole has to be produced in the contact strip and no further wiring and / or sensor insertion into the contact strip is required, the sensor device can be reused by simply removing the sensor device of the measuring system and installing it on another contact strip. The structure and arrangement of the measuring system according to the invention also prevents damage to the sensor technology or expensive cable elements, since contact of the contact network with the sensor system and thus damage to the sensor technology by wear of the contact network are reliably prevented, in particular in the case of excessive wear of the contact elements. In addition, the measuring system according to the invention advantageously makes it possible to detect at least one other measured value in addition to the wear state and to associate it with the wear state. Moreover, the structure and arrangement of the measuring system can be realized in a particularly simple manner, and the operation of the measuring system can be carried out in a particularly energy-saving manner, since no medium (e.g. compressed air) and connecting lines (e.g. for power supply) are provided in the contact strip carrier. On the other hand, when a certain wear state is reached, the optical radiation falls directly into the optical channel and from there to the sensor device without further components in the contact element.

[0015] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are subject matter of the dependent claims. Furthermore, all combinations of at least two features disclosed in the description, the claims or the drawings fall within the scope of the invention. It is understood that the explanations regarding the measuring system are referred to in an equivalent manner to the contact strip according to the invention, the current collector according to the invention and the vehicle according to the invention, without the explanations regarding the measuring system being mentioned separately for the latter. Likewise, all features and embodiments disclosed regarding the measuring system are referred to in an equivalent manner (even if not verbatim) to the method according to the invention.

[0016] The sensor device can have a temperature sensor, which is arranged in the region of the bore openings of the at least two bores, by means of which the temperature of the contact element can be recorded. Since the temperature of the contact strip, in particular the temperature of the contact element, has a great influence on the wear of the contact strip, it has proven to be advantageous to determine the wear state as a function of the temperature in order to be able to react in a timely manner, for example by replacing the contact element, in the event of significant temperature changes or temperature stresses on the contact element. Preferably, the temperature sensor is arranged below the bore opening. The temperature sensor is also preferably designed as an infrared sensor, so that a non-contact measurement of the temperature of the contact element is possible. The infrared sensor is arranged at the bore opening of the bore, the bore forming an infrared beam channel, which extends through the carrier element, at least to the underside of the contact element. With the infrared sensor, the non-contact measurement makes it possible to position the sensor in a region independent of the bore opening of the contact strip, in particular without the temperature sensor having to extend into the contact strip for temperature measurement and without the temperature sensor being damaged by gradual wear. This in turn advantageously results in the continued use of the sensor arrangement containing the temperature sensor, since the sensor arrangement can be arranged on the contact strip independently of the contact strip and damage to the temperature sensor can be excluded both during operation and during removal of the contact strip.

[0017] It has proven to be advantageous if the temperature sensor is arranged at the bore opening of a bore extending through the contact strip carrier to the underside of the contact element. This facilitates simultaneous measurement of the temperature and detection of the light radiation from below the contact strip.

[0018] The sensor device of the measuring system has a housing with an opening, which covers at least two drilled holes on the upper side of the housing, against the contact strip carrier. The housing serves on the one hand to protect the sensor device and on the other hand to facilitate assembly and disassembly of the sensor device on the contact strip carrier. Since the opening covers at least two drilled openings on the upper side against the contact strip carrier, the housing of the sensor device can preferably be designed and arranged in such a way that the lower side of the contact strip carrier at least partially forms the upper side of the housing, which is closed by the lower side of the contact strip carrier. Alternatively or additionally, the housing can have several openings, which are arranged on the upper side of the housing in a complementary manner to the at least two drilled holes. The sensor device is then arranged on the contact strip carrier in such a way that the openings of the housing and the drilled holes in the contact strip overlap at least partially. In addition to the simple mounting of the sensor device on the contact strip, it can thus be ensured that the light incident on the light detector occurs through the contact strip and the opening and / or another channel in the housing, for example for temperature measurement, and the light incident is guided through the contact strip carrier and the upper side of the housing. The housing is preferably manufactured from plastic or pure metal material.

[0019] Several boreholes of different depths can be introduced into the contact strip, which can form light channels when a certain wear state on the contact element is reached. In other words, this means that the contact strip has several blind holes of different depths, which extend through the contact strip carrier and into the contact element. Thus, the processing device can determine the degree of wear of the contact strip. If further boreholes are exposed as the wear increases, thereby forming further light channels, and the increased light incidence is thus recorded by one or more light detectors, conclusions can be drawn about the degree of wear of the contact element. In this way, it is not only possible to determine whether the contact element is new or completely worn, but also to what extent the contact element has been consumed. If the contact strip is worn, the shape can change, in particular the height of the contact strip can change, and the change in the height of the contact strip preferably serves as a reference for the degree of wear. Preferably, the boreholes lead vertically from the lower side of the contact strip carrier into the contact element, and the boreholes can determine the remaining height of the contact element depending on the wear state. This means that the more the boreholes are exposed, the lower the height of the contact element is, and the higher the degree of wear is.

[0020] It has proven to be advantageous to provide a light detector for each borehole, each of which forms its own light channel when a certain wear state of the contact element is reached. This has the advantage of increasing the accuracy of the recording, since each light channel is assigned a light detector, so that when another light channel is formed through the opening of another borehole due to wear, another light detector emits a signal. This means that erroneous measurements, for example due to fluctuations in the light incidence, can be excluded.

[0021] At least one of the boreholes can be filled with a temperature-resistant and transparent filling element, which is preferably made of plastic, such as polyester resin, silicone resin or polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), or of glass, such as acrylic glass. Preferably, the filling element is temperature-resistant up to at least 200° C., more preferably up to at least 300° C. It is further preferred that the borehole formed through the contact strip carrier and forming a blind hole in the contact element is filled with the filling element. Most preferably, the borehole formed through the contact strip carrier and forming a blind hole with the shallowest depth in the contact element is filled with the filling element, while the other blind holes in the contact element are not filled. It is conceivable that the filling element is connected to the light detector via a sealing ring, preferably a silicone sealing ring, to ensure simple installation, reliable radiation conduction, high resistance, in particular to vibrations during driving.

[0022] The filling element can be formed complementary to the drilled hole and can be inserted into the drilled hole. This advantageously enables the filling element to be inserted independently of the contact strip, and in particular independently of the production of the contact strip, so that the filling element can also be inserted retroactively. Since the filling element can be inserted into the contact strip, it can also be inserted retroactively into an existing contact strip by drilling and inserting, without having to comply with any restrictions during the production of the contact strip.

[0023] According to an advantageous embodiment, three boreholes of different depths are introduced into the contact strip, which penetrate the contact strip carrier and form three blind holes in the contact element, and when a certain wear state of the contact element is reached, the three boreholes form a light channel through which the light radiation impinges on the light detector. By means of the three different wear degrees that can be determined by the three boreholes of different depths, this allows the wear degree to be determined economically and in accordance with the requirements.

[0024] It has proven to be advantageous when three boreholes of different depths are introduced into the contact strip, each forming a blind hole in the contact element, two of the three boreholes are not filled, and the borehole in the contact element that engages with the shallowest depth is filled with a temperature-resistant transparent filling element. The filling element inserted into the borehole in the contact element that engages with the shallowest depth is preferably made of plastic, such as polyester resin, silicone or polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), or glass, such as acrylic glass. It is also preferred that the filling element can be inserted into the borehole.

[0025] According to the method of the invention, a wear state of a contact element of a contact strip for an electric power supply of a catenary connection of a vehicle is measured by means of a measuring system, the contact strip having a contact strip carrier and a contact element held on the contact strip carrier, at least two boreholes being introduced into the contact strip, the boreholes penetrating the contact strip carrier and forming at least one blind hole in the contact element, the incidence of light radiation in a sensor device being recorded by means of a light detector of the sensor device. When a certain wear state of the contact element is reached, the incidence of light radiation is detected by forming a light channel for the light radiation, the light radiation passing through the light channel, through at least one of the at least two boreholes, directly onto the light sensor. With the aid of a processing device of the measuring system, the wear state of the contact element can be determined based on the incident light radiation, in particular based on a signal generated by the detector due to the light incidence. At least one further borehole penetrating the contact strip carrier but not forming a blind hole in the contact element can be used to record further characteristic values ​​of the contact element and / or the contact strip, such as the temperature. Preferably, the sensor device of the measuring system is arranged on the contact strip and / or on the contact strip adjacent to the positioning device holding the contact strip and on the outside of the contact strip so that the sensor device can be detached from the contact strip in a non-destructive manner, for example after replacing the contact strip, the sensor device can be reused on a new contact strip. With regard to the advantages of the method for measuring the wear state of a contact element, reference is made to the more detailed description of the measuring system according to the invention.

[0026] According to one embodiment of the method, the temperature of the contact element is recorded by means of a temperature sensor of the sensor device. In order that the temperature of the contact element is recorded as independently of the contact strip as possible, the temperature is preferably determined by means of an infrared sensor which records the temperature contactlessly using infrared radiation reflected onto the infrared sensor through a borehole in the contact strip carrier.

[0027] The processing device may record and store the measured values ​​from the sensor device at regular time intervals and / or with subsequent changes. Alternatively, the processing device may record and store the measured values ​​of the sensor device continuously. Accordingly, it may be provided that the measured values ​​are recorded and / or stored only when the measured values ​​change in order to keep the amount of data low. Alternatively, it may be possible to provide continuous recording and storage. By storing the measured values, it is possible to process the measured values ​​even after they have been recorded at a certain distance depending on the position and / or time. For example, measured values ​​may be recorded while the rail vehicle is in motion and only during maintenance of the rail vehicle in a garage other characteristic values ​​can be determined. For example, temperature measurements may be associated with wear measurements and evaluated after a journey.

[0028] By means of the processing device, the degree of wear of the contact strip, in particular of the contact element, can be determined from the measured values ​​from the sensor device. If a blind hole is exposed in the contact element with increasing wear and thus forms a light channel, the signal transmitted by the light detector changes, or the signal from a further light detector is added, so that conclusions about the degree of wear of the contact strip can be drawn from this change. If several blind holes of different depths are introduced into the contact element, the degree to which the contact element has been worn can be determined by the processing device depending on the depth of the exposed blind holes. Preferably, the processing device determines the degree of wear of the contact strip based on the blind holes exposed by wear, using the remaining height of the contact element due to wear.

[0029] By means of the transmission device, the measured values ​​of the sensor device can be transmitted from the sensor device to the processing device, which can be spaced apart from the sensor device or can be integrated in the housing of the sensor device. If the processing device is integrated in the housing of the sensor device, the data connection can be designed as a wired connection in a simple manner. Alternatively, it is possible to arrange the processing device so as to be physically spaced apart from the sensor device and preferably to transmit the measured values ​​of the sensor device from the sensor device to the processing device wirelessly (for example by means of radio signals). In this case, the processing device can also be installed at different locations on the vehicle or away from the rail vehicle (for example in a building). When transmitting the measured values, data can be exchanged, for example based on a transmission protocol. The data connection can be established continuously, at regular intervals or based on events. In summary, this makes it possible to collect and evaluate the data recorded by the sensor device.

[0030] The contact strip according to the invention for supplying electrical power to a vehicle comprises a measuring system according to the invention arranged on the contact strip.

[0031] A current collector according to the invention for a catenary-related power supply of a vehicle comprises a positioning device and a contact strip according to the invention arranged thereon.

[0032] A vehicle according to the invention, in particular a rail vehicle or the like, has a current collector according to the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] The present invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0034] Figure 1 A schematic time view of a pantograph is shown.

[0035] Figure 2 An isometric view of a contact strip with a measuring system according to the invention is shown.

[0036] Figure 3 Show according to Figure 2Section through a contact strip having a measuring system according to the invention with transparently represented contact elements.

[0037] Figure 4 Shown along the Figure 1 A cross-sectional view along line IV-IV.

[0038] Figure 5 Shown along Figure 2 A cross-section along the longitudinal axis of the contact strip is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] Figure 1 A current collector 2 is shown on the roof 21 of a rail vehicle (not shown) with a positioning device 23 in the form of a pantograph 22. On the pantograph 22, two contact strips 3 are arranged on a rocker 24 transverse to the overhead contact 12. The rail vehicle is oriented with respect to the overhead contact 12 at V F The contact bar 3 moves with a contact force F A Laterally and / or orthogonally pressed against the contact web 12. The contact strip 3 consists of a carbon fiber contact element 32 (not shown) and a contact strip carrier 31. As described herein, the movement of the contact strip 3 on the contact web 12 results in the wear of the carbon material.

[0040] Figure 2 A contact strip 3 according to the invention is shown with a measuring system 1 according to the invention, whose housing 10 is arranged centrally on the contact strip 3 with respect to the length L and the width B of the contact strip 3, in which the sensor device 4 is located. The contact strip 3 is essentially formed by a contact element 32 and a contact strip carrier 31, the contact element 32 comprising carbon or graphite. The contact strip carrier 31 has a profile, which usually consists of a metallic material such as steel or aluminum, on which the contact element 32 is mounted. On the profile, a fastening bearing 311 is formed, which serves to connect the contact strip 3 to a rocker (not shown). The contact element 32 is arranged on the contact strip carrier 31 and therefore essentially above the contact strip carrier 31. On the other hand, the sensor device 4 is arranged below the contact strip carrier 31. Due to the central arrangement of the housing 10 with respect to the length L and the width B, and also due to the compact design of the housing 10, the housing 10 has almost no influence on the aerodynamics of the contact strip 3 and / or the current collector 2 (not shown) during driving operation.

[0041] Figure 3 Show Figure 2 The cross section of the contact strip 3 is shown in FIG. 1 , the contact element 32 is transparently shown in FIG. Figure 3 The boreholes 5, 6, 7 are of different depths, starting from the underside of the contact strip carrier 31, extending through the contact strip carrier 31 and ending in the interior of the contact element 32. Figure 3The contact element 32 shown shows no wear, and the three bores 5, 6, 7 each form a blind hole 51, 61, 71. As the contact element 32 wears, the blind holes 51, 61, 71 are opened one after another and each form a light channel through which the light radiation reaches the sensor device 4. Figure 3 As can be seen in FIG. 1 , due to wear, the deepest bore 5 engaged in the contact element 32 is exposed first, followed by bore 6 and finally bore 7. Therefore, by means of Figure 3 With the contact strip 3 shown and the measuring system 1 arranged therein, at least three degrees of wear of the contact element 32 can be determined.

[0042] Figure 4 and Figure 5 The combined view shows in various cross-sections the Figure 2 Attached to the underside of the contact strip carrier is the housing 10 of the measuring system 1 with its upper side 101, which protects the sensor device 4 from environmental influences. It can be seen that the housing 10 is arranged on the contact strip carrier 31 in such a way that the underside of the contact strip carrier closes the upper side 101 of the housing 10 with the opening 102.

[0043] exist Figure 4 In the cross-sectional view shown, a blind hole 51 is formed in the contact element 32 and a contact strip 3 is inserted through a borehole 5 through the contact strip carrier 31. In order to protect the sensor device 4 from environmental influences, in particular from dirt particles generated by the wear of the contact element 32, a transparent filling element 53 is inserted into the borehole 5, which is designed as a cylindrical rod. As soon as the borehole 5 is exposed due to the reduction in the height of the contact element 32 caused by wear, light can pass through the transparent filling element 53 through this rod element and fall onto the photodetector 52 of the sensor device 4. The light incident on the photodetector 52 causes a signal change and / or a signal triggering of the photodetector 52, based on which a processing device (not shown) of the measuring system 1 can determine the degree of wear of the contact strip 3.

[0044] Figure 5 Show according to Figure 2. The longitudinal section shows that a total of four bores 5, 6, 7, 8 are introduced into the contact strip 3. Three bores 5, 6, 7 pass through the contact strip carrier 31 and form blind holes 51, 61, 71 in the contact element 32. A light detector 52, 62, 72 is arranged below each bore 5, 6, 7 and each light detector 52, 62, 72 is assigned to a bore 5, 6, 7. This means that if the bore 5 and / or the blind hole 51 is exposed, light is incident on the light detector 52 through the transparent filling element 53 and the light detector 52 outputs a signal to a processing device (not shown). If the height H of the contact element 32 is reduced further due to further wear and thus the bore 6 is exposed, the light detector 62 assigned to the bore 6 emits a signal change or a signal due to the light incident through the transparent filling element 63. The bore 7 is finally exposed due to wear and the light detector 72 outputs a signal due to the light incident through the transparent filling element 73. Since the boreholes 5, 6, 7 have different depths, the boreholes 5, 6, 7 are exposed at different times, depending on the wear-related reduction in the height H of the contact element 32. It is conceivable that when the two deepest boreholes 5, 6 are exposed, a notification or warning signal is output to the operator of the rail vehicle, and when the borehole 7 is subsequently exposed, the contact strip 3 is separated from the contact network 12 due to the high wear of the contact element 32. It can be seen that the upper side 101 of the housing 10 of the sensor device 4 is arranged on the lower side of the contact strip carrier 31. The opening 102 on the upper side 101 of the housing 10 is arranged in such a way that, on the one hand, the contact strip carrier 31 closes the upper side 101 of the housing 10, while at the same time, the incidence of light through the boreholes 5, 6, 7 and further the incidence of radiation through the borehole 8 onto the sensor device 4 is possible. In contrast to the boreholes 5, 6, 7, the borehole 8 only passes through the contact strip carrier 31 and ends at the lower side 321 of the contact element 32. Due to the infrared radiation reflected by the contact element 32, the temperature sensor 44 designed as an infrared sensor can detect the temperature of the contact element 32. This allows the height H of the contact element 32, the degree of wear of the contact element 32 and the temperature of the contact element 32 to be correlated with one another in the processing device, so that the wear behavior can be analyzed using several parameters.

Claims

1. A measuring system (1) for measuring the wear state of a contact element (32) of a contact strip (3) for a catenary-related power supply of a vehicle using a sensor device (4), the contact strip (3) having a contact strip carrier (31) and a contact element (32) held on the contact strip carrier, at least two bores (5, 6, 7, 8) being introduced into the contact strip (3), the bores (5, 6, 7, 8) penetrating the contact strip carrier (31) and forming at least one blind hole (51, 61, 71) in the contact element (32), It is characterized in that The sensor device (4) of the measuring system (1) is detachably fastened to the outside of the contact strip (3) and below the contact strip carrier (31), and light radiation can be recorded by means of a light detector (52, 62, 72) of the sensor device (4). When a certain wear state of the contact element (32) is reached, at least one of the at least two boreholes (5, 6, 7, 8) forms a light channel, via which light radiation strikes the light detector (52, 62, 72). The measuring system (1) comprises a processing device, by means of which the wear state of the contact element (32) can be determined from the recorded light radiation.

2. The measuring system according to claim 1, characterized in that The sensor device (4) has a temperature sensor (44), which is preferably an infrared sensor, and is arranged in the region of a bore opening of a bore (8) of at least two bores (5, 6, 7, 8) so that the temperature of the contact element (32) can be recorded by means of the temperature sensor (44).

3. The measuring system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The temperature sensor (44) is arranged at a bore opening of a bore (8) which extends through the contact strip carrier (31) to the underside (321) of the contact element (32).

4. The measuring system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The sensor device (4) of the measuring system (1) has a housing (10), the housing (10) having an opening (102), which covers at least two boreholes (5, 6, 7, 8) on the upper side (101) and abuts against the contact strip carrier (31), and / or the housing (10) has several openings, which are arranged on the upper side (101) of the housing (10) and are complementary to the at least two boreholes (5, 6, 7, 8) in the contact strip (3).

5. The measuring system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that When a certain wear state of the contact element (32) is reached, several boreholes (5, 6, 7) of different depths form a light channel.

6. The measuring system according to claim 5, characterized in that A light detector (52, 62, 72) is provided with each bore hole (5, 6, 7), each of which forms a light channel when a certain wear state of the contact element (32) is reached.

7. The measuring system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that At least one bore hole (5, 6, 7, 8) is filled with a temperature-resistant and transparent filling element (53, 63, 73).

8. The measuring system according to claim 7, characterized in that The filling element (53, 63, 73) is formed complementary to the bore hole (5, 6, 7, 8) and can be inserted into the bore hole (5, 6, 7).

9. The measuring system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that Three boreholes (5, 6, 7) of different depths are introduced into the contact strip (3), penetrate the contact strip carrier (31) and form three blind holes (51, 61, 71) in the contact element (32), the three boreholes (5, 6, 7) forming a light channel through which light radiation strikes a light detector (52, 62, 72) when a certain wear state of the contact element (32) is reached.

10. The measuring system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that At least two boreholes (5, 6) are unfilled, and the borehole which engages in the contact element (32) to a minimum depth is filled with a temperature-resistant and transparent filling element (73).

11. A method for measuring the wear state of a contact element (32) of a contact strip (3) for a catenary-related power supply of a vehicle using a measuring system (1), the contact strip (3) having a contact strip carrier (31) and a contact element (32) held on the contact strip carrier (31), at least two bores (5, 6, 7, 8) being introduced into the contact strip (3), the bores (5, 6, 7, 8) passing through the contact strip carrier (31) and forming at least one blind hole (51, 61, 71) in the contact element (32), It is characterized in that By means of a light detector (52, 62, 72) of the sensor device (4), the incidence of light radiation in the sensor device (4) is recorded, when a certain wear state of the contact element (32) is reached, a light channel is formed by at least one of the at least two boreholes (5, 6, 7, 8), through which the light radiation is conducted to the light detector (52, 62, 72), and by means of a processing device of the measuring system (1), the wear state of the contact element (32) is determined based on the incident light radiation.

12. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that The temperature of the contact element (31) is recorded by means of a temperature sensor (44), preferably an infrared sensor, of the sensor device (4).

13. The method according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that: The processing device continuously records and stores the measured values ​​from the sensor device (4) at regular time intervals and / or with subsequent changes.

14. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The degree of wear of the contact strip (3), in particular of the contact element (329), is determined by means of the processing device from the measured values ​​from the sensor device (4).

15. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that By means of the transmission means, the measured values ​​of the sensor device (4) are transmitted from the sensor device (4) to the processing device, preferably wirelessly, the processing device being physically separated from the sensor device (4) or integrated in the housing (10) of the sensor device (4).

16. A contact strip (3) having a measuring system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10 arranged thereon.

17. A current collector for a catenary-related power supply of a vehicle, said current collector comprising a positioning device having a contact strip (3) according to claim 16 arranged thereon.

18. A vehicle, in particular a rail vehicle, having a current collector according to claim 17.

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