Method for the automatic shunting of rail-bound freight wagons in a shunting facility

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for the automated shunting of rail-bound freight wagons in a shunting facility comprising the following steps: - Detecting the entry of a freight train into an entry track; - upon detection of entry, activate an automatic sequence control in which a rolling speed or rolling speed profile is determined for individual freight wagons or individual freight wagon groups of the freight train; - Accelerating individual freight wagons or freight wagon trains in a push-start track and / or on a hump yard; - Setting the specific rolling speed or rolling speed profile by automated braking of the respective freight wagon or freight wagon train; - Splitting the individual freight wagons or freight wagon trains onto different tracks. The method according to the invention is characterized in that the entry of the freight train into the entry track is detected by comparing current GPS data of the freight train with stored GPS position data of the shunting facility and / or the entry track, or by detecting the freight train's entry into a radio signal area in the vicinity of the entry track.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for the automated shunting of rail-bound freight wagons in a shunting yard according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] The automated shunting of rail-bound freight wagons in shunting yards is well known. For example, see WO 2018 / 137878 A1 and EP 2 718 165 B1. Both documents describe the automated braking of freight wagons running from a hump onto a directional track.

[0003] A particularly comprehensive automatic shunting system for rail-bound freight wagons and an associated method for the automated shunting of such rail-bound freight wagons in a shunting yard is disclosed in EP 0 697 321 B1. The features known from this document are summarized in the preamble of claim 1. Accordingly, during the automated shunting of rail-bound freight wagons in a shunting yard, the entry of a freight train into an entry track is detected, whereby firstly the identity of the individual wagons is automatically recorded with the aid of an identification device attached to the tracks and a data carrier on the freight wagon as they pass by and is reported to a control center computer along with the data important for shunting operations, such as wagon number, destination station and load weight, where it is temporarily stored and displayed on a monitor.The control center computer then transmits control instructions to each individual car via radio data transmission. These instructions initiate the uncoupling of the cars according to a disassembly plan, release the brakes by activating a bleeder valve, and activate a control and regulation device for automatic car disengagement. The control center also transmits values ​​for the target disengagement speed to the cars. As an alternative to specifications from the control center, speed control can also be based on target values ​​preprogrammed in the control unit on the freight train.

[0004] A linear, inductive signal transmission system installed on the entry tracks and a receiver with a safety circuit and pressure switch on the freight cars reliably prevents accidental uncoupling of the cars and release of the brakes outside the entry track. Uncoupling of the cars and venting of the brakes only occurs when a corresponding control command is received from the control center computer, the main air line is depressurized, and a release signal is present on the linear signal transmission system. Once the train is ready for shunting, the uncoupled cars are pushed over a hump in the shunting yard by a remote-controlled shunting locomotive or a mainline locomotive.Under the influence of the downhill force, the individual wagons or groups of wagons accelerate on the downhill side of the hump, so that gaps form between the individual freight wagons or freight wagon convoys, which are used to switch the switches between the hump and the directional tracks so that the freight wagons or freight wagon convoys reach the directional track intended for them.

[0005] As soon as individual freight cars or freight car convoys exceed a predetermined speed at the hump, a run-off path is detected and speed control is activated. Distance control is also provided.

[0006] A disadvantage of the known method for automated shunting of rail-bound freight cars in a shunting yard is the equipment required to detect the entry of a freight train into the entry track. Typically, a shunting yard has a large number of entry tracks, each of which must be equipped with linear, inductive signal transmissions using the known method. Furthermore, the aforementioned receivers must be equipped with safety circuits and pressure switches on the freight cars.

[0007] The present invention is based on the object of improving a method for the automated shunting of rail-bound freight wagons in a shunting yard in such a way that the arrival of a freight train can be detected precisely and with little equipment expenditure and the safety of the method is improved.

[0008] The object of the invention is achieved by a method having the steps of claim 1. The dependent claims specify advantageous and particularly expedient embodiments of the invention.

[0009] The method according to the invention for the automated shunting of rail-bound freight wagons in a shunting yard comprises the following steps: - Detection of the entry of a freight train into an entry track; - when arrival is detected, activation of an automatic sequence control in which a rolling speed or a rolling speed profile is determined for individual freight wagons or individual freight wagon combinations of the freight train; - Acceleration of individual freight wagons or freight wagon trains on a push track and / or on a rolling hill; - Setting the specific rolling speed or the specific rolling speed profile by automated braking of the respective freight wagon or freight wagon combination; - Distribution of individual freight wagons or freight wagon trains to different directional tracks.

[0010] According to the invention, the entry of the freight train into the entry track is recorded by comparing current GPS data of the freight train and stored GPS position data of the shunting yard and / or stored GPS position data of the entry track.

[0011] According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the entry of the freight train into the entry track is detected by detecting the freight train's entry into a radio signal space in the area of ​​the entry track. Such a radio signal space can be generated, for example, via radio beacons arranged in the shunting yard, in particular along the entry track. The radio signals introduced into this radio signal space can preferably be encrypted, and at least one corresponding receiver can be provided in the freight train, which receives and decrypts the encrypted signals and uses them to determine the entry of the freight train into the entry track.

[0012] Typically, a shunting yard according to the invention provides several entry tracks. However, the method according to the invention eliminates the need for a detection device on each individual entry track to detect the arrival of a freight train. Instead, the arrival of several entry tracks can be detected simultaneously via a common system.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the method according to the invention, the current GPS data of the freight train are recorded using a navigation system of the freight train, i.e., a navigation system on board the freight train, and compared with GPS position data of the shunting yard and / or the entry track stored in the freight train or retrieved by the freight train. If the comparison matches, the automatic sequence control is automatically activated. Alternatively, a driver of the freight train is requested to confirm the activation if the comparison matches, and after confirmation by the driver, the automatic sequence control is activated.

[0014] A corresponding control device can be provided in the freight train, in addition to the navigation system or as a component of the navigation system of the freight train, in which the GPS position data of various shunting yards and / or entry tracks that can be approached by the freight train are stored or which are retrieved by the control device accordingly, for example via the Internet.

[0015] As a safety mechanism, the automatic sequence control can be automatically deactivated a predetermined period of time after its activation. This time limitation of the automated or semi-automated sequence process can prevent independent, incorrectly triggered sequence processes.

[0016] Additionally or alternatively, the automatic sequence control can be automatically deactivated when the last freight wagon or freight wagon combination of the freight train comes to a stop on a directional track.

[0017] Furthermore, it is additionally or alternatively possible that after a predetermined period of time has elapsed after the individual freight wagon or freight wagon combination has accelerated, the freight wagon or freight wagon combination is decelerated to a standstill if no collision is detected in the freight wagon or freight wagon combination with which the freight wagon or freight wagon combination collides with another stationary freight wagon. Such a collision can be detected, for example, by sensors in the freight wagon or freight wagon combination, such as acceleration sensors or pressure sensors.

[0018] According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the application of a brake in the individual freight wagons or freight wagon convoys is monitored, and an error message is output if the speed of the respective freight wagon or freight wagon convoy is lower than the specified rolling speed or lower than the specified rolling speed profile, i.e., a current rolling speed that is comparatively greater than the current speed was specified at a specific time, and the application of a brake of the freight wagon or freight wagon convoy was detected. In this case, the application of the brake is faulty because the freight wagon or freight wagon convoy has not reached the desired rolling speed. Accordingly, suitable measures can be initiated when the error message is output.

[0019] Brake application can be detected, for example, using sensors on the brake pad or strain gauges in the brake linkage between the brake cylinder and the brake pads, or by measuring the brake cylinder pressure. By monitoring brake application, it's possible to avoid breakdowns on the rolling hill.

[0020] According to one embodiment of the invention, before or during acceleration of the individual freight wagons or freight wagon convoys, a current inertia of the respective freight wagon or freight wagon convoy is determined and, depending on this, a push-off speed of the freight wagon or freight wagon convoy at the end of the push-off track and / or on the roll-off hump is set, and / or a braking force, in particular at least an initial braking force, is set to the determined rolling speed or the determined rolling speed profile when braking the freight wagon or freight wagon convoy.This means, for example, that a rolling impact of a shunting locomotive, with which the freight train or a freight wagon or freight wagon combination is accelerated in the push-off track and / or on the roll-off hump, can be precisely dosed in order to achieve a desired initial speed with which the shunting locomotive accelerates the freight wagon or freight wagon combination shortly before automatic uncoupling in the push-off track and / or on the roll-off hump, and / or the braking force can be precisely set in advance and thus the desired reduction in speed after uncoupling can be set.

[0021] The inertia can be determined, for example, by at least one sensor in or on a freight car's brake, such as a brake pressure sensor or strain gauge. Here, too, a strain gauge on the brake linkage between a brake block and a brake cylinder and / or on the brake block, and / or a pressure sensor that measures the brake pressure in the brake cylinder, are also possible.

[0022] Preferably, the automatic sequence control can be activated manually by the driver of the freight train, and only when the freight train has been detected entering the entry track.

[0023] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, after detecting the entry of the freight train into the entry track, at least one of the following variables is used to determine the rolling speed or the rolling speed curve: - a weight of individual freight wagons or individual freight wagon convoys; - the current speed of individual freight wagons or freight wagon convoys; - a brake to be activated for individual freight wagons or freight wagon trains; - a number of freight wagons coupled together to form a wagon train; - a slope of the rolling hill; - a length of the route of the rolling hill and / or from the rolling hill to a predetermined stopping position in the direction track.

[0024] The at least one corresponding size may have been previously entered manually or may be determined automatically by suitable sensors and / or calculations.

[0025] With the method according to the invention, excessive rolling speeds and excessively low rolling speeds of freight wagons or freight wagon combinations when rolling into the directional tracks can be avoided by optimally adjusting the acceleration of the individual freight wagons or freight wagon combinations before uncoupling and / or by braking the freight wagons and / or freight wagon combinations specifically to certain rolling speeds or rolling speed profiles in order to avoid stranding and excessive shunting shocks.The automated shunting of rail-bound freight wagons in a shunting yard is further improved based on the GPS position data of the freight train or its freight wagons and / or freight wagon combinations and preferably the route profile of the marshalling yard, the weight of the individual freight wagons or freight wagon combinations, which is determined, for example, using weight sensors, the determination of a suitable rolling speed and the targeted braking intervention, for example with at least one handbrake and / or with a service brake, in a previously activated shunting mode.

[0026] Freight cars or freight car trains can be automatically coupled and uncoupled using coupling signals. Data transmission can be carried out via data lines, radio, NFC, and / or Bluetooth.

[0027] By using GPS positioning data, the invention can easily be retrofitted to existing shunting yards and freight trains.

[0028] The invention will be described below using an exemplary embodiment and the figures.

[0029] They show: Fig. 1 a shunting system for carrying out a method according to the invention in a profile view; Fig. 2 a freight wagon convoy on a rolling hill; Fig. 3 the transmission of an acceleration signal from the control device of a freight wagon on the top of the hill to the shunting locomotive; Fig. 4 shows a schematic representation of the temporal sequence of a method according to the invention in a shunting yard.

[0030] In the Fig. 1 shows an example of a shunting yard 1 with an entry track 3, which is followed by a rolling hill 7, which in turn leads to a directional track 8. As shown in the Fig. 4, several entry tracks 3 are provided parallel to each other, which are connected via corresponding switches to a common rolling hill 7, which in turn is connected via corresponding switches to several parallel directional tracks 8.

[0031] Instead of the rolling hill 7, a push track 6 without gradient could also be provided, as in the Fig. 1. Such a push track 6 could also be arranged in front of a rolling hill 7.

[0032] Both a rolling hill 7 and a push track 6 serve to accelerate the freight train 2 with its freight wagons 4 entering the entry track 3 in such a way that the leading freight wagon 4 or freight wagon combination 5 is accelerated to a predetermined speed before it is separated from the remaining freight train part by opening a mechanical coupling. Subsequently, as shown in the Fig. 1, the freight wagon or here the freight wagon combination 5 enters the directional track 8 assigned to it due to this starting speed, wherein it is brought to a certain rolling speed or a certain rolling speed profile in the directional track 8 by automated braking.

[0033] The rolling speed or rolling speed profile is determined such that the rolling freight car 4 or freight car formation 5 reaches a freight car 4 or freight car formation 5 standing on the directional track 8 in such a way that it can be coupled there, but without exerting an undesirable excessive coupling impact. The first freight car 4 or freight car formation 5 to roll onto a directional track 8 is braked to a stop at a predetermined position.

[0034] The individual freight wagons are, as shown in the example Fig. 2, are connected to each other by automatically actuated couplings 10. Each coupling 10 can have a unique coupling ID and receive a remotely controlled coupling signal for opening and closing. In the illustrated embodiment, the couplings 10 designated kw11 and kw22 are opened, and the couplings 10 designated kw12 and kw21 are closed, so that the two freight cars 4 run together as a freight car convoy 5 from the unwinding ramp 7 onto a predetermined directional track 8.

[0035] The freight cars 4 each preferably have a weight sensor 11 in the area of ​​each bogie and / or the wheels and sensors for detecting the GPS position data of the freight car 4, for detecting the current inclination of the track on which the freight car 4 is located, for detecting the current speed of the freight car 4, for detecting the current time, and / or the like. All sensors can be integrated into a common control device. The freight car ID is preferably also stored in this control device. The control device can have a corresponding transmitter or be connected to it in order to transmit this data to a control station in the shunting yard 1 and / or a control computer in the freight train 2, which then uses this data to calculate the appropriate speed before uncoupling and / or the appropriate uncoupling speed or the appropriate uncoupling speed profile.

[0036] Such control devices in freight cars 4 are numbered 12 as an example.

[0037] In the Fig. 3 shows an example of how the control device 12 of the leading freight car 4, which has arrived at the top of the rolling hill 7 or will soon reach it, sends this data to the shunting locomotive 13 so that it can accelerate this freight car 4 appropriately.

[0038] In the Fig.4, individual points in time of the method according to the invention are further entered into the schematically illustrated shunting yard 1. At time I, the entry of a freight train 2 into an entry track 3 is detected. At time II, the shunting locomotive 13 is instructed by a corresponding signal to accelerate the freight train 2 appropriately so that the leading freight wagon 4 or the leading freight wagon convoy 5 is brought to a predetermined speed on the roll-off hump 7 or in the push-off track 6, at which speed it is uncoupled from the remaining section of the freight train 2 in order to roll off into a directional track 8 assigned to it. At time III, the brakes of the freight wagon 4 or freight wagon convoy 5 rolling into the directional track 8 are actuated in a controlled manner so that the freight wagon 4 or freight wagon convoy 5 is braked to the determined rolling speed or the rolling speed profile.Braking can be achieved pneumatically, electropneumatically or electrically using automated service brakes and / or automated handbrakes.

[0039] According to the invention, the entry of the freight train 2 into the entry track 3 is detected by comparing GPS data of the freight train 2 and GPS position data of the shunting yard 1 and / or the respective entry track 3. The control devices 12 in the freight wagons 4 can be used for this purpose.

[0040] Alternatively, a radio signal room 9 is provided in the area of ​​the entry track 3 and it is detected when a freight train 2 enters the radio signal room 9. List of reference symbols 1 shunting yard 2 freight trains 3 entry track 4 freight cars 5 Freight wagon association 6 Push track 7 Rolling hill 8 directional track 9 Function signal space 10 Clutch 11 Weight sensor 12 Control device 13 shunting locomotives I Time II Time III Time QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] WO 2018 / 137878 A1

[0002] EP 2 718 165 B1

[0002] EP 0 697 321 B1

[0003]

Claims

[1] Method for the automated shunting of rail-bound freight wagons in a shunting yard (1) comprising the following steps: - detecting the entry of a freight train (2) into an entry track (3); - when arrival is detected, activating an automatic sequence control in which a rolling speed or a rolling speed profile is determined for individual freight wagons (4) or individual freight wagon combinations (5) of the freight train (2); - Acceleration of individual freight wagons (4) or freight wagon convoys (5) in a push-off track (6) and / or on a rolling hill (7); - setting the specific rolling speed or the specific rolling speed profile by automated braking of the respective freight wagon (4) or freight wagon combination (5); - Distribution of individual freight wagons (4) or freight wagon convoys (5) to different directional tracks (8); characterized bythat the entry of the freight train (2) into the entry track (3) is detected by comparing current GPS data of the freight train (2) and stored GPS position data of the shunting yard (1) and / or the entry track (3) or by detecting an entry of the freight train (2) into a radio signal space (9) in the area of ​​the entry track (3). [2] Method according to claim 1, characterized by that the current GPS data of the freight train (2) are recorded with a navigation system of the freight train (2) and compared with GPS position data of the shunting yard (1) and / or the entry track (3) stored in the freight train (2) or retrieved by the freight train (2), and if the comparison matches, the automatic sequence control is automatically activated or a driver of the freight train (2) is requested to confirm the activation and after confirmation the automatic sequence control is activated. [3] Method according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized by that the automatic sequence control is automatically deactivated again a predetermined period of time after it has been activated. [4] Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by that the automatic sequence control is automatically deactivated when the last freight wagon (4) or freight wagon train (5) of the freight train (2) has come to a standstill in a directional track (8). [5] Method according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by that the actuation of a brake in the individual freight wagons (4) or freight wagon convoys (5) is monitored and an error message is issued if the speed of the respective freight wagon (4) or freight wagon convoy (5) is lower than the specified rolling speed or the specified rolling speed profile and the actuation of a brake of the freight wagon (4) or freight wagon convoy (5) has been detected. [6] Method according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized bythat before or during acceleration of the individual freight wagons (4) or freight wagon convoys (5), a current inertia of the respective freight wagon (4) or freight wagon convoy (5) is determined and, depending on this, a push-off speed of the freight wagon (4) or freight wagon convoy (5) at the end of the push-off track (6) is set and / or at least an initial braking force when braking the freight wagon (4) or freight wagon convoy (5) is set to the determined rolling speed or the determined rolling speed profile. [7] Method according to claim 6, characterized by that the inertia is determined by at least one sensor in or on a brake of a freight wagon (4), such as a brake pressure sensor or strain gauge. [8] Method according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized bythat the automatic sequence control can be activated manually by the driver of the freight train (2) after the entry of the freight train (2) into the entry track (3) has been detected. [9] Method according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by that after the entry of the freight train (2) into the entry track (3) has been detected, at least one of the following variables, which was previously entered manually or is determined automatically, is used to determine the rolling speed or the rolling speed curve: - a weight of individual freight wagons (4) or individual freight wagon convoys (5); - the current speed of individual freight wagons (4) or freight wagon convoys (5); - a brake to be activated for individual freight wagons (4) or for the freight wagon convoys (5); - a number of freight wagons (4) coupled together to form a freight wagon train (5); - a slope of the rolling hill (7); - a length of the route of the rolling hill (7) and / or from the rolling hill (7) to a predetermined stopping position in the directional track (8). [10] Method according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized by that after a predetermined period of time has elapsed after the individual freight wagon (4) or freight wagon convoy (5) has accelerated, the freight wagon (4) or freight wagon convoy (5) is braked to a standstill if no collision is detected in the freight wagon (4) or freight wagon convoy (5) with which the freight wagon (4) or freight wagon convoy (5) hits another stationary freight wagon (4).

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