An automatic redundant connection device for a vehicle electrical drawbar

Abstract

The application provides an automatic redundant connection device of a vehicle electrical coupler, comprising: a redundant connection cable bundle, which is fixed in parallel to the vehicle electrical coupler, and is used to automatically form a backup electrical path when the electrical coupler connection fails; a control relay, which is connected to a vehicle control system; the vehicle control system comprises a signal detection device, which is used to monitor the connection state of the electrical coupler, and triggers the control relay to act when a fault is detected, so as to automatically connect the electrical path formed by the redundant connection cable bundle. The automatic redundant connection device of the vehicle electrical coupler can automatically connect when a fault occurs, by forming a redundant path through an independent redundant connection cable bundle and monitoring the state of the electrical coupler in real time based on the signal detection device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of electrical connection equipment technology for rail vehicles, and in particular to an automatic redundant connection device for vehicle electrical couplers. Background Technology

[0002] In rail transportation, especially on high-frequency lines such as airport expressways and subways, train sets are mechanically, pneumatically, and electrically connected via couplers. Taking the CX-100 train used at a certain airport as an example, it employs a semi-automatic coupler, which contains numerous spring-loaded push-button contacts. This contact connection method is prone to momentary disconnection, or "connection flashover," due to the relative movement between the train bodies when operating on curves or slopes. Even if the duration of such a flashover is extremely short, it will be detected by the train's sensitive control system (such as the VATC system). For safety protection mechanisms, the control system will typically trigger emergency braking, causing the train to suddenly stop on the main line. This not only disrupts the operating schedule and causes delays to subsequent trains, but also affects passenger comfort and safety, reducing service quality. Summary of the Invention

[0003] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, the purpose of this application is to provide an automatic redundant connection device for vehicle electrical couplers, which can monitor the status of the electrical couplers in real time and quickly activate the backup electrical circuit when the electrical coupler connection fails, ensuring the continuity and stability of operation.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, this application provides an automatic redundant connection device for vehicle electrical couplers, comprising: A redundant connection cable bundle is fixed in parallel to the vehicle's electrical coupler to automatically form a backup electrical path in the event of a failure of the electrical coupler connection. Control relays, connected to the vehicle control system; The vehicle control system includes a signal detection device for monitoring the connection status of the electric coupler and triggering the control relay to automatically connect the electrical path formed by the redundant connection cable bundle when a fault is detected.

[0005] Furthermore, the ends of the redundant connection cable bundle are provided with quick-release connectors, and the redundant connection cable bundle is electrically connected to adjacent vehicles through the quick-release connectors.

[0006] Furthermore, the quick-release connector is a waterproof heavy-duty connector with a protection rating of not less than IP67.

[0007] Furthermore, it also includes: A connecting base is used to secure the redundant connecting cable bundle; A T-shaped connecting plate is fixedly mounted on the connecting base; The redundant connection cable bundle is fixed to the vehicle's electrical coupler in parallel via the connection base and the T-shaped connection plate.

[0008] Furthermore, the redundant connection cable bundle includes a multi-core cable and a protective sheath wrapped around it. The multi-core cable includes 24 conductors with a cross-sectional area of ​​1 mm², of which 16 cores are defined as redundant connection points and 8 cores are defined as spare points.

[0009] Furthermore, the signal detection device is configured to continuously monitor the electrical continuity of multiple key points of the electric coupler.

[0010] Furthermore, the control relay is a normally open electromagnetic relay, whose coil circuit is connected to the output terminal of the signal detection device, and whose main contacts are connected in series in the power supply circuit of the redundant connection cable bundle.

[0011] Furthermore, it also includes a reconnector for connecting the redundant cable bundle to the electrical system of the vehicle body.

[0012] The automatic redundant connection device for vehicle electrical couplers provided in this application forms a redundant path through independent redundant connection cable bundles and monitors the status of the electrical coupler in real time based on signal detection equipment. It automatically connects when a fault occurs, effectively avoiding sudden vehicle stops caused by momentary interruptions, and ensuring operational efficiency and passenger experience.

[0013] Other features and advantages of this application will be set forth in the following description, and will be apparent in part from the description, or may be learned by practicing this application. Attached Figure Description

[0014] The accompanying drawings are provided to further illustrate the present application and form part of the specification. Together with the embodiments of the present application, they serve to explain the present application but do not constitute a limitation thereof. In the drawings: Figure 1 This is a structural block diagram of an automatic redundant connection device for a vehicle electrical coupler according to an embodiment of this application; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram showing the installation position of the redundant connection cable bundle according to an embodiment of this application; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a redundant connection cable bundle and a quick-release connector according to an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0015] The preferred embodiments of this application are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the preferred embodiments described herein are for illustration and explanation only and are not intended to limit this application.

[0016] Embodiments of this application will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. While some embodiments of this application are shown in the drawings, it should be understood that this application can be implemented in various forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided to provide a more thorough and complete understanding of this application. It should be understood that the drawings and embodiments of this application are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of this application.

[0017] The term "comprising" and its variations as used in this application are open-ended, meaning "including but not limited to". The term "based on" means "at least partially based on". The term "one embodiment" means "at least one embodiment"; the term "another embodiment" means "at least one additional embodiment"; and the term "some embodiments" means "at least some embodiments".

[0018] It should be noted that the terms "first" and "second" may be used in this application only to distinguish different devices, components or parts, and are not used to define the order of functions performed by these devices, components or parts or their interdependence.

[0019] It should be noted that the terms "one" and "more" used in this application are illustrative rather than restrictive, and those skilled in the art should understand that, unless explicitly stated otherwise in the context, they should be understood as "one or more". "More" should be understood as two or more.

[0020] The following terms may be used in this application: VATC (Vehicle Automatic Train Control) is a vehicle automatic train control technology.

[0021] Definitions for other terms will be provided in the following description.

[0022] The core of this application is to construct a controlled backup electrical path that is connected in parallel with the vehicle's electrical coupler (the original electrical connection component between vehicles), which can automatically start working when the electrical coupler connection fails.

[0023] Figure 1 This is a structural block diagram of an automatic redundant connection device for a vehicle electrical coupler according to an embodiment of this application, such as... Figure 1As shown, the automatic redundant connection device for vehicle electrical couplers of this application includes a signal detection device 101, a vehicle control system 102, a control relay 103, a redundant connection cable bundle 106, and a quick-release connector 107. The redundant connection cable bundle 106 is connected in parallel with the vehicle's electrical coupler 104, with one end connected to the vehicle's electrical system 105 and the other end connected to the quick-release connector 107 (for electrical connection with adjacent vehicles). This automatically establishes a backup electrical path when the electrical coupler 104 fails to connect. When the signal detection device 101 detects a connection failure in the electrical coupler 104, the vehicle control system 102 triggers the control relay 103 to automatically connect the electrical path formed by the redundant connection cable bundle 106, thereby taking over critical signal and power transmission tasks.

[0024] In the embodiments of this application, in order to ensure that the redundant connection cable bundle 106 is firmly and neatly fixed on the vehicle body and to avoid interference with any moving parts, the redundant connection cable bundle 106 is fixed in parallel to the electric coupler 104 by the T-shaped connecting plate 108. The installation position ensures that it does not affect the normal operation and maintenance space of the original coupler, thereby realizing the parallel fixation with the electric coupler system in a mechanical position.

[0025] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the installation position of the redundant connection cable bundle according to an embodiment of this application, such as... Figure 2 As shown, at a suitable location in the coupler area (typically a flat mounting surface near the coupler train line electrical box), the T-shaped connecting plate 108 (also made of Q235A steel) is reliably fixed to the connecting base of the vehicle body using bolts through the four mounting holes on its bottom. The "T"-shaped structure of the T-shaped connecting plate 108 provides ideal support, branching, and anchoring points for the redundant connecting cable bundle 106 located on it.

[0026] In this embodiment, the redundant connection cable bundle 106 serves as the physical carrier of the backup electrical path, consisting of an internal multi-core cable and an external protective sheath. In this embodiment, the multi-core cable is a 24-core tinned copper core flexible cable with a cross-sectional area of ​​1 mm², possessing good flexibility and conductivity. The external protective sheath is made of black flame-retardant PVC, providing protection against wear, oil, and environmental aging. Of these 24 cores, 16 are pre-defined as redundant connection points, corresponding to the vehicle's most critical control and signal lines (such as the train control network MVB bus, emergency braking circuit, traction enable signal, etc.); the remaining 8 cores serve as spare points, with insulated ends and reserved to allow for future system function expansion or replacement of faulty lines.

[0027] The electrical connection in this application embodiment is divided into the vehicle body end and the coupler connection end.

[0028] At the vehicle body end, the redundant connection cable bundle 106 is connected to the vehicle body's electrical system via a reconnection plug 109. Specifically, the wires of the redundant connection cable bundle 106 at the vehicle end are crimped securely to the internal core of a reconnection plug 109, which meets IP67 protection standards, according to a predefined wiring diagram, using cold-pressed terminals. Then, this reconnection plug 109 is accurately plugged into a pre-installed redundant interface socket within the vehicle train line electrical cabinet 110. This interface is connected in parallel with the corresponding circuit of the electric coupler 104 within the cabinet, thus logically completing the parallel connection of the redundant path with the original path.

[0029] At the coupler connection end, i.e., the end that needs to connect to the adjacent vehicle, a quick-release connector 107 is provided at the end of the redundant connection cable bundle 106, such as... Figure 3 As shown. Preferably, the quick-release connector 107 is a waterproof heavy-duty connector conforming to IEC 61076-2-101 standard, with a protection rating of IP67. After reliably connecting (soldering or crimping) the core of the quick-release connector 107 to the wires at the end of the redundant connection cable bundle 106, the outer shell (male or female) of the quick-release connector 107 is securely mounted on a dedicated or added mounting base outside the coupler housing using a matching mounting flange and bolts. The function of the quick-release connector 107 is: when two vehicles are coupled, it can quickly engage and lock with the corresponding connector on the adjacent vehicle; and when the electrical coupler 104 connection fails, it provides physical and electrical connection to the adjacent vehicle for the redundant connection cable bundle 106.

[0030] In the embodiments of this application, the signal detection device 101 and the control relay 103 are key components for realizing the "automatic connection" function. The signal detection device 101 can be integrated into the vehicle control system 102 (such as a VATC system). Its monitoring method can be to detect the presence of current or voltage signals in critical circuits. When the signal parameter (such as current) of any critical circuit is detected to be continuously abnormal (e.g., below a set threshold of 10mA) for more than a very short fault tolerance time (e.g., 5ms), the signal detection device 101 determines that the connection of the electric coupler 104 has "faulted".

[0031] In the embodiments of this application, a normally open industrial-grade electromagnetic relay is preferred, which is installed in the vehicle's electrical control cabinet. Its wiring method is as follows: the two terminals of the electromagnetic coil of the control relay 103 are connected in series to the output circuit controlled by the signal detection device 101; one or more sets of normally open main contacts of the control relay 103 are connected in series to the most critical power supply circuit or signal circuit carried by the redundant connection cable bundle 106.

[0032] The automatic redundant connection device for vehicle electrical couplers in this application embodiment operates on the following principle: Normal state: When the vehicle is running, the electric coupler 104 is connected normally, all key points monitored by the signal detection device 101 are in good condition, its output terminal has no signal (0V), the coil of the control relay 103 is not energized and is in the released state, and its normally open main contact is open. At this time, the electrical path formed by the redundant connection cable bundle 106 is disconnected at the control relay 103 and is in a cold backup state.

[0033] Fault Switching Status: When a vehicle passes through a curve or experiences vibration, causing a spring contact of the electric coupler 104 to momentarily disconnect for more than a preset time threshold, the signal detection device 101 immediately detects the circuit anomaly and outputs a drive signal. This drive signal is applied to the coil of the control relay 103, causing the relay 103 to quickly engage and its normally open main contacts to close. This action physically reconnects the previously disconnected redundant cable bundle 106 circuit. Thus, critical power or signals continue to be transmitted between the train sets through this newly established redundant path, maintaining the continuity of the vehicle's electrical connection. Since the VATC system does not detect a continuous signal interruption, it does not trigger emergency braking, allowing the train to continue running smoothly and achieving a seamless switchover.

[0034] The automatic redundant connection device for vehicle electrical couplers provided in this application has the following significant advantages: (1) High reliability: The redundant path is formed by the independent redundant connection cable bundle 106, which solves the problem of the spring contact of the electric coupler 104 being interrupted due to mechanical vibration, and greatly improves the stability of the electrical connection.

[0035] (2) Fully automatic seamless switching: Based on real-time monitoring of signal detection device 101 and fast relay control, the switching can be completed automatically when a fault occurs in the main passage (electric coupler 104 circuit). The in-vehicle control system and passengers are almost unaware of it, which effectively avoids the sudden stop of the vehicle caused by the momentary interruption, and ensures the operational efficiency and passenger experience.

[0036] (3) Modularity and ease of maintenance: The device adopts modular components such as T-type connecting plate 108, quick-release connector 107, and reconnection plug 109. The structure is clear, and installation, disassembly, maintenance and component replacement are very convenient.

[0037] (4) Good environmental adaptability and scalability: The quick-release connector 107 used at the coupling point of the two vehicles has a high protection level and can adapt to harsh working environments; the redundant connection cable bundle 106 has reserved spare points, which provides convenience for future system upgrades and expansions.

[0038] It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the above descriptions are merely preferred embodiments of this application and are not intended to limit this application. Although this application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art can still modify the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments or make equivalent substitutions for some of the technical features. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of this application should be included within the protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. An automatic redundant connection device for vehicle electrical couplers, characterized in that, include: A redundant connection cable bundle, fixed to the vehicle's electrical coupler, is used to automatically form a backup electrical path in the event of a failure of the electrical coupler connection. Control relays, connected to the vehicle control system; The vehicle control system includes a signal detection device for monitoring the connection status of the electric coupler and triggering the control relay to automatically connect the electrical path formed by the redundant connection cable bundle when a fault is detected.

2. The automatic redundant connection device for vehicle electrical couplers according to claim 1, characterized in that, The redundant connection cable bundle is provided with a quick-release connector at its end, and the redundant connection cable bundle is electrically connected to the adjacent vehicle through the quick-release connector.

3. The automatic redundant connection device for vehicle electrical couplers according to claim 2, characterized in that, The quick-release connector is a waterproof heavy-duty connector with a protection rating of not less than IP67.

4. The automatic redundant connection device for vehicle electrical couplers according to claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: A connecting base is used to secure the redundant connecting cable bundle; A T-shaped connecting plate is fixedly mounted on the connecting base; The redundant connection cable bundle is fixed to the electric coupler in parallel through the connection base and the T-shaped connection plate.

5. The automatic redundant connection device for vehicle electrical couplers according to claim 1, characterized in that, The redundant connection cable bundle includes a multi-core cable and a protective sheath wrapped around it. The multi-core cable includes 24 conductors with a cross-sectional area of ​​1 mm², of which 16 cores are defined as redundant connection points and 8 cores are defined as spare points.

6. The automatic redundant connection device for vehicle electrical couplers according to claim 1, characterized in that, The signal detection device is configured to continuously monitor the electrical continuity of multiple key points of the electric coupler.

7. The automatic redundant connection device for vehicle electrical couplers according to claim 1, characterized in that, The control relay is a normally open electromagnetic relay, whose coil circuit is connected to the output terminal of the signal detection device, and whose main contacts are connected in series in the power supply circuit of the redundant connection cable bundle.

8. The automatic redundant connection device for vehicle electrical couplers according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a reconnector for connecting the redundant cable bundle to the electrical system of the vehicle body.

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