RAIL SYSTEM WITH RAIL AND MOBILE PARTS THAT CAN BE MOVED ALONG THE RAIL

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a rail system with a rail and mobile parts movable along the rail.

[0002] It is generally known that a rail system consists of a rail and movable parts that can be moved along the rail.

[0003] A railway toy is known from DE 8712 028 U1.

[0004] A system for signal transmission is known from WO 2014 / 121 905 A1.

[0005] A communication device for exchanging data is known from DE 10 2013 203 134 A1.

[0006] A conductor rail is known from DE 20 2016 104 836 U1.

[0007] A transport system is known from DE 10 2012 006 413 A1.

[0008] A variable optical attenuator with hollow core waveguide is known from EP 1 604 236 B1.

[0009] From the DE 31 17 655 A1 The closest known state of the art is a device for ensuring the distance between track-bound vehicles. A conductor rail system is known from DE 20 2016 104 836 U1.

[0010] From the "smg slotted Microwave Guide" from Vahle Communication Systems A communication system is known. A transport system is known from DE 10 2012 006 412 A1.

[0011] The invention is therefore based on the objective of further developing a rail system, whereby data transmission should be simpler and more cost-effective.

[0012] According to the invention, the problem is solved in the rail system according to the features specified in claim 1.

[0013] Important features of the invention for the rail system are that the rail system is designed with a rail and movable parts, in particular rail vehicles, which can be moved along the rail. wherein a profile part is arranged on the rail which has a cavity, in particular which opens into the surroundings at an opening, wherein areas of a handset, in particular of each handset, project at least partially into the cavity, wherein at least one transmitter and one receiver are arranged on the respective area.

[0014] A key advantage is that data can be transmitted between moving handsets by sending and receiving modulated light. Data can also be transmitted between the moving handset and stationary transmitters and receivers. The use of a profile section with an opening slot extending along the track enables interference-free or at least low-interference data transmission, as ambient light is almost completely blocked. Furthermore, the data transmission range is increased because light intensity decreases more slowly with distance within the cavity than in open space. The narrower the slot, the lower the losses and therefore the greater the range. The handset features protruding sections within the cavity, which hold the transmitter and receiver inside.

[0015] Thus, the profile section is shaped like a slotted waveguide. A further advantage is that the light is redirected in the intended direction when cornering.

[0016] In an advantageous embodiment, an absorber is arranged in the rail direction between the areas of the handset, particularly wherein the absorber is made of a brush, a fleece, or a plastic. It is advantageous that the data transmission areas are separated from each other. Thus, interfering signals are avoided. A first data transmission area can therefore be located in front of and a second behind the handset.

[0017] In an advantageous embodiment, the absorber touches the profile section within a circumferential angle range exceeding 180° relative to the rail direction, or at least maintains a smaller distance from the profile section than the areas of the mobile unit or the mobile unit itself. It is advantageous that the absorber can be designed to almost touch the profile section or even to rub against it.

[0018] In an advantageous embodiment, the transmitter and receiver, each located on a specific area, particularly a leg area, of the handset, are arranged on the side of the area facing away from the absorber. It is advantageous that a first data transmission area, located at the front in the direction of the rail, is separated by the absorber from a second data transmission area, located at the rear in the direction of the rail.

[0019] In an advantageous embodiment, the data transmission channel located in the cavity in the direction of the rail upstream of the respective absorber is separated from the data transmission channel located in the cavity in the direction of the rail downstream of the absorber. This is advantageous because it enables low-interference data transmission.

[0020] Key features of a rail system with rails and movable parts along the rail, especially rail vehicles, are that a

[0021] A profile section is arranged which has a cavity, in particular one that opens into the surroundings at an opening, wherein the profile part is designed as a slotted waveguide, in particular as a hollow waveguide, in particular for guiding electromagnetic waves in the cavity, wherein one, in particular each, handset has an antenna which projects at least partially into the cavity, in particular for coupling in or out electromagnetic waves, wherein at least one transmitter and one receiver are arranged outside the cavity in a respective area of ​​one, in particular each, handset, in such a way that light can be emitted into the cavity by means of the transmitter and light guided through the cavity can be detected by means of the receiver, in particular such that the handset exchanges data by means of both electromagnetic waves and light, in particular wherein the profile part is made of metal and / or is formed integrally, in particular in one piece, with the rail part.in particular where the frequency of the electromagnetic waves lies between 1 MHz and 100 GHz.

[0022] The advantage here is that data can be transmitted not only via the slotted waveguide, but also via light in the same spatial area. This allows for either a higher data transmission rate or greater security, since the data can be transmitted using two different physical principles.

[0023] In a preferred embodiment, the mobile unit is movable and guided along the rail by means of wheels and / or rollers. It is advantageous that the mobile unit is designed as a rail vehicle.

[0024] In a preferred embodiment, an LED or a laser diode for visible or infrared light is used as the transmitter, and / or a photodiode or a phototransistor is used as the receiver for detecting visible or infrared light. The advantage here is that light can be used.

[0025] In an advantageous embodiment, a transmitter and a receiver are accommodated in a recess of the profile section, particularly wherein the recess is a round hole or a bore whose axis of symmetry or bore has an angle between 10° and 60° to the rail direction, and / or wherein the recess extends through the profile section and / or through the wall of the profile section. An advantage of this is that the mobile unit can move past the stationary transmitter without collision, meaning the cavity is not constricted by the transmitter. Thus, data can be transmitted from the stationary part to the mobile unit and vice versa.

[0026] In an advantageous embodiment, the profile section and the rail are formed integrally, particularly in one piece. The advantage here is that the profile section is integrated with the rail, thus eliminating the need for precise relative alignment before joining, since the continuous casting process already results in the integrated rail section.

[0027] According to the invention, the profile section has two cavities extending parallel to each other, and in particular spaced apart from each other. An advantage of this is that not only a monochrome half-duplex method, but also a monochrome full-duplex method can be used for data transmission.

[0028] In an advantageous embodiment, which is not according to the invention and is shown only for illustration, the profile section has only a single elongated cavity. The advantage here is that a full-duplex method can be implemented by using two different colors, even if only a single non-separated communication medium is available.

[0029] In an advantageous embodiment, the cross-section of the respective cavity(ies) is invariant, particularly unchanging, along the rail direction. It is advantageous that the profile section can be manufactured as a drawn part or a continuous casting. Thus, the cross-section in the pre-formed profile section is constant. Subsequently, round holes or bores can be machined into the profile section to accommodate the stationary transmitter and receiver. If the profile section is made of plastic, a coating can also be applied.

[0030] In an advantageous embodiment, the opening of the respective cavity is designed as a slot extending in the direction of the rail. It is advantageous that the mobile unit, during its movement, can project into the cavity through the slot by means of its sections, particularly its leg sections, and can thus be moved parallel to the slot. Therefore, it is important that the slot direction is aligned parallel to the direction of the rail.

[0031] In an advantageous embodiment, the profile part is made of plastic, in particular as a drawn part, or the profile part is made of metal, in particular as an aluminum extrusion.

[0032] An advantage of this is that simple, cost-effective manufacturing is possible and the profile part has the same translational symmetry as the rail, especially if it is itself manufactured as a continuous casting or drawn part.

[0033] In an advantageous embodiment, the profile part has a coated surface area, In particular, wherein the coating is made of chromium or a chromium-containing alloy, and especially wherein the surface area borders and / or limits the cavity. It is advantageous that the coating is reflective to light. Thus, the range of the light within the cavity is increased.

[0034] Further advantages arise from the sub-claims.

[0035] The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to schematic illustrations: In the Figure 1 A non-inventive system, comprising a profile part 5 and movable parts 6 along the profile part 5, is shown in oblique view. Figure 2 A corresponding longitudinal section is shown. In the Figure 3 A corresponding top view is shown. In the Figure 4 is different from Figure 1Instead of profile part 5, a profile part 41 having a double cavity is shown. In the Figure 5 A corresponding longitudinal section is shown. In the Figure 6 A corresponding top view is shown.

[0036] As in the Figures 1 to 3 As shown, profile part 5 has a cavity which is open towards a first side.

[0037] Profile part 5 is arranged parallel to a rail of a system designed as a rail system.

[0038] Mobile components 6, in particular rail vehicles, which can travel along the rail, are not fully shown in the figures.

[0039] The rail is preferably manufactured as a metal profile part.

[0040] The profile part 5 is preferably made of plastic, wherein the cavity of the profile part 5 has mirrored side surfaces. The mirroring is preferably produced by vapor deposition with the metal, in particular chromium or a chromium-containing alloy.

[0041] The handsets 6 protrude at least partially into the cavity of the profile section 5, so that each handset 6 has a transmitter 4 and a receiver 3 on its front side in the direction of the rail. Likewise, each handset 6 also has a transmitter 4 and a receiver 3 on its rear side.

[0042] In the direction of the rail, between the transmitter 4 and receiver 3 on the front and rear sides, the handset 6 has an absorber which absorbs the radiation emitted by the transmitters 4, in particular light radiation. In this way, the cavity in the direction of the rail in front of the absorber 7 and the cavity opposite the direction of the rail behind the absorber 7 are separated for the radiation, thus enabling the formation of two separate data communication areas.

[0043] In this way, the handset 6 is able to exchange data with another handset 6 spaced apart in the direction of the rail, and also with a third handset 6 spaced apart in the opposite direction of the rail.

[0044] Preferably, the 6 handsets are of identical construction.

[0045] Furthermore, at least one transmitter 2 and one receiver 1 are also stationary on profile section 5. Therefore, data can also be transmitted between a handset 6 and the stationary transmitter 2 and receiver 1.

[0046] The cavity formed in profile section 5 has a cross-sectional profile that remains constant in the rail direction. This is because profile section 5 can be manufactured as an extruded casting.

[0047] Although the cavity is open to the surroundings, its internal width narrows progressively with decreasing distance from the cavity's opening to the environment. Thus, the cavity has a slit as its opening and / or mouth.

[0048] Preferably an LED for the visible or infrared light range can be used as the transmitter (2, 4) and a correspondingly light-sensitive component, such as a phototransistor or photodiode, as the receiver (1, 3).

[0049] The respective absorber 7 is arranged on the respective mobile unit 6 in such a way that the distance to the profile part 5 is as small as possible, in particular disappears.

[0050] For mounting the transmitter 4 and receiver 3, the area of ​​the handset 6 which projects into the cavity is designed with two leg areas spaced apart from each other in the direction of the rail, in particular in a U-shape.

[0051] Thus, a transmitter 4 and a receiver 3 are arranged on each of the two legs.

[0052] In the rail layout between the two legs, the absorber 7 is arranged on the handset. Preferably, the absorber 7 extends beyond the legs in all transverse directions relative to the rail direction.

[0053] If transmitters 2 and 4 are all operated at the same frequency, i.e., color, then only a half-duplex method is applicable for data transmission.

[0054] As in the Figures 4 to 6The profile section shown is designed with two parallel cavities. Each of these cavities is identical to the cavity in the exemplary embodiment. Figures 1 to 3 .

[0055] The handset 40 now protrudes into both cavities. The handset 40 preferably has two leg sections for each cavity, such that a transmitter 4 and a receiver 3 are arranged on a respective leg section in each cavity in the direction of the rail, and likewise a transmitter 4 and a receiver 3 are arranged on a respective leg section in the opposite direction of the rail.

[0056] In each cavity, an absorber 7 is arranged in the rail direction between the two respective leg areas, in particular according to the design according to Figures 1 to 3As described, the cavity is thus separated by means of the absorber 7, particularly with regard to light. Light propagating in the direction of the rail in front of the handset is separated from the area of ​​the space located behind the handset in the direction of the rail.

[0057] Thus, with the arrangement according Figures 4 to 6 Data transmission between two handsets 40 is possible via a duplex method, since one of the cavities can transmit and the other can receive data for each respective handset 40. The same applies to data transmission between the stationary transmitter 2 and receiver 1 with a single handset 40, i.e., a transmitter 4 and receiver 3.

[0058] In further embodiments of the invention, the respective profile part (5, 41) is made of a metal, such as aluminum. Thus, the surface of the material bordering the respective cavity is reflective to radiation, in particular visible or infrared light. Alternatively, the respective profile part (5, 41) can be made of plastic, in particular as a plastic profile part. Preferably, the surface of the material bordering the respective cavity is coated with a radiation-reflecting layer, in particular with a chromium layer or a chromium-containing layer.

[0059] In further embodiments of the invention, the rail and the profile part (5, 41) are made of the same material and are therefore integral, i.e., one-piece. Thus, the cavity or cavities are integrated into the rail. Therefore, only the rail needs to be installed when manufacturing the rail system. The mobile units (6, 40) are then placed on the rail and their leg sections project into the cavities, so that transmitters 4 and receivers 3 arranged on the leg sections emit radiation into the cavities. Reference symbol list

[0060] 1 Receiver 2 Transmitter 3 Receiver 4 Transmitter 5 Profile part 6 Handset 7 Absorber 40 Handset 41 Profile part

Claims

1. A rail system having a rail and mobile parts movable along the rail, in particular rail vehicles, wherein at the rail there is arranged a shaped part (5) having a first cavity, which in particular opens to the surroundings at an opening, wherein regions of a mobile part (6), in particular each mobile part (6), at least partially project into the first cavity, wherein at least one transmitter (2) and one receiver (1) are arranged at the respective region, characterised in that the shaped part (5) has a second cavity, wherein the first cavity and the second cavity extend parallel to one another, in particular are spaced apart from one another, wherein in the second cavity there are arranged a further transmitter (4) and a further receiver (3) of the mobile part (6).

2. A rail system according to claim 1, characterised in that an absorber (7) is secured to the mobile part (6), wherein in each case an absorber (7) is arranged between the regions of the mobile part (6) in a rail direction, in particular wherein the absorber (7) is manufactured from a brush, a non-woven fabric or a plastics material.

3. A rail system according to claim 2, characterised in that in a circumferential angular region encompassing more than 180° related to the rail direction, the absorber (7) touches the shaped part or is at least at a shorter distance from the shaped part (5) than the regions of the mobile part (6) or than the mobile part (6), in particular than the mobile part (6) without the absorber (7).

4. A rail system according to one of claims 2 and 3, characterised in that the transmitter (2) and receiver (1) arranged at a respective region is in each case arranged at a side of the region remote from the absorber (7).

5. A rail system according to any one of claims 2, 3 or 4, characterised in that a data transmission channel which is arranged in the first cavity so as be to be upstream of the respective absorber (7) in a rail direction is separated, in particular by means of the absorber (7), in particular is separated with regard to the light emitted by the respective transmitter (2), from a data transmission channel which is arranged in the first cavity so as to be downstream of the absorber (7) in a rail direction.

6. A rail system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the mobile part (6) is movable and guided on the rail by means of wheels and / or rollers.

7. A rail system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that an LED or a laser diode for visible or infrared light is used as a transmitter (2) and / or a photodiode or a phototransistor is used as a receiver (1) to detect visible or infrared light.

8. A rail system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a further transmitter (4) and a further receiver (3) are received in a cutout of the shaped part (5), in particular wherein the cutout is a round hole or a bore, whose round hole axis of symmetry or bore axis has an angle between 10° and 60° with respect to the rail direction and / or wherein the cutout passes through the shaped part (5) and / or through the wall of the shaped part (5).

9. A rail system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the shaped part (5) is in one-piece with the rail, in particular integral therewith.

10. A rail system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the cross-section of the respective cavity is invariant along the rail direction, in particular is unchangeable.

11. A rail system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the opening of the respective cavity is in the form of a slot extending in a rail direction.

12. A rail system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the shaped part (5) is manufactured of plastics material, in particular as a drawn part, or in that the shaped part (5) is manufactured of metal, in particular in the form of an aluminium continuous casting part.

13. A rail system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the shaped part (5) has a coated surface region, in particular wherein the coating is of chromium or a chromium-containing alloy, in particular wherein the surface region bounds and / or defines the respective cavity.