ELECTRICAL INTERMEDIATE DEVICE, ESPECIALLY FOR A RAIL VEHICLE

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a rail vehicle with several electrical intermediate devices, each with a first and a second electrical line connection for connection to a line with at least two conductors, and each with at least a first and a second electrical component connection for connection to an electrical component, either directly or via an intermediate element, for example in the form of an intermediate cable or adapter plug.

[0002] Electrical intermediate devices of the type described are used, for example, in the form of so-called UIC fireboxes in railway vehicles. The previously known UIC fireboxes have switches that allow the line connections to be connected to or disconnected from the component connections.

[0003] Document DE 10 2014 215682 B3 discloses an electric heating device, in particular for heating a sanitary room in a rail vehicle.

[0004] The invention is based on the objective of providing a rail vehicle with electrical intermediate devices that ensure safe deactivation of the intermediate device in the event of a fire and, in particular, guarantee that no electrical short circuit can occur between the respective line connections.

[0005] This problem is solved according to the invention by a rail vehicle with the features according to claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the intermediate device according to the invention are specified in dependent claims.

[0006] According to the invention, the rail vehicle comprises two or more coupled carriages, wherein a cable with at least two conductors extends through at least two, preferably all, carriages of the rail vehicle, and wherein at least one electrical intermediate device and an electrical component are connected to each or at least a plurality of carriages equipped with the cable, wherein the electrical intermediate device is equipped with a first and a second electrical connection for connection to the cable with at least two conductors and at least a first and a second electrical connection for connection to the electrical component, wherein the rail vehicle is characterized in that a first connecting element is provided in the intermediate device.which connects the first electrical line connection with its associated first component connection, and in the intermediate device a second connecting element is present which connects the second electrical line connection with its associated second component connection, and the intermediate device has a thermal release device which triggers upon external thermal stress due to external heat exposure exceeding a predetermined level and irreversibly destroys at least one of the two connecting elements, namely in such a way that the connection between its associated component connection and its associated line connection is irreversibly severed, whereby the line connections remain separated from each other without short circuits.

[0007] A significant advantage of the intermediate device according to the invention is that the thermal release device provided according to the invention always ensures that, in the event of a fire, an electrical decoupling of an electrical component connected to the line via the intermediate device takes place and no short circuit can occur at the line connections.

[0008] It is considered advantageous if the thermal release device irreversibly destroys the first and second connecting elements, namely in such a way that the line connections remain separated from each other without short circuits.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment, the thermal release device comprises a spring, a cutting tool spring-loaded by the spring in the initial state in the direction of at least one of the connecting elements, and a retaining device, wherein, before the release device is triggered, the retaining device holds the cutting tool separate from the connecting element(s), and after the release device is triggered, the retaining device releases the cutting tool and allows it to be driven by the spring and irreversibly destroy the connecting element(s).

[0010] In another embodiment considered preferred, the thermal triggering device comprises an etchant located in a container prior to triggering, which can destroy the material of the or at least one of the connecting elements, and an opening device, wherein, after triggering the triggering device, the opening device opens the container and releases the etchant, and the etchant destroys at least one of the connecting elements by etching.

[0011] In yet another embodiment, considered preferred, the thermal release device, in the form of a pyrotechnic explosive charge, is integrated into the intermediate assembly. Upon release, the pyrotechnic drive severs the connecting links.

[0012] In yet another embodiment, considered preferable, the thermal triggering device, in the form of a pyrotechnic explosive charge, is integrated directly into the cable, preferably such that the cable ends themselves act as connecting elements to and form the intermediate device. Upon triggering, the pyrotechnic actuator severs the cable ends.

[0013] The intermediate device can advantageously be formed by a plug or a socket or an adapter, in particular in the form of a plug or a socket, in whose plug housing or socket housing the thermal release device is integrated.

[0014] In another embodiment, the intermediate device and an electrical component form an acoustic warning device with a feed-in device that is connected directly or indirectly to a line end and can feed an electrical warning signal into the line, wherein the electrical component is formed by a loudspeaker and / or a speaking station and / or amplifier with a downstream loudspeaker, which is connected to the line by means of the intermediate device and outputs an acoustic signal, in particular in the form of a voice announcement, when the electrical warning signal is present.

[0015] The cable is preferably a thermally protected cable that is approved for use in rail vehicles.

[0016] To prevent a fire from triggering critical heating and a short circuit only in a connected electrical component, while not triggering the upstream intermediate device itself, and thus preventing any electrical disconnection by the upstream intermediate device, the electrical component is preferably arranged in the immediate vicinity of its associated intermediate device; preferably, the electrical component is mounted on, in, or on its associated intermediate device. In other words, the intermediate device is preferably thermally coupled to and / or in contact with the component.

[0017] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments; these show, by way of example, Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a rail vehicle according to the invention, which is equipped with an embodiment of an acoustic warning device in which intermediate devices and an electrical line are separate components. Figure 2 shows an embodiment of a rail vehicle according to the invention, which is equipped with an embodiment of an acoustic warning device in which intermediate devices and an electrical line form integral parts of a thermally protected line system. Figure 3 shows an embodiment of an intermediate device according to the invention, which, in the warning device according to the Figure 1 and 2 can be used and comprises an etching agent, Figure 4 an embodiment of an intermediate device according to the invention, which is used in the warning device according to the Figure 1 and 2can be used and comprises a spring drive, Figure 5 an embodiment of an intermediate device according to the invention, which is used in the warning device according to the Figure 1 and 2 can be used and comprises a pyrotechnically driven cutting drive, and Figure 6 shows an embodiment of an intermediate device according to the invention, which is used in the warning device according to the Figure 1 and 2 can be used and includes a pyrotechnic drive without a cutting device.

[0018] For the sake of clarity, the same reference symbols are always used in the figures for identical or comparable components.

[0019] The Figure 1Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a multi-section rail vehicle 10, comprising a plurality of coupled cars 11 and a traction unit 12. The rail vehicle 10 is equipped with a warning device 20, which includes a power supply unit 21. The power supply unit 21 is connected to a thermally protected line 22 that extends through the entire rail vehicle 10.

[0020] In each of the carriages 11, at least one electrical component in the form of a loudspeaker 23 is connected to the electrical line 22. The feed-in device 21 makes it possible to feed an electrical warning signal S into the electrical line 22, which is then audibly output by the loudspeakers 23 upon reception. The warning signal S can, for example, contain a voice announcement concerning the evacuation of the rail vehicle 10 in the event of damage or a hazardous situation.

[0021] The loudspeakers 23 are each connected via an intermediate device 24. The intermediate device 24 is a fire protection adapter, as will be explained below.

[0022] The intermediate devices 24 each comprise a first line connection L1 and a second line connection L2 for connection to the thermally protected line 22. They also have a first component connection K1 and a second component connection K2 for connection to the loudspeaker 23.

[0023] The intermediate devices 24 are each also equipped with a first connecting element V1 and a second connecting element V2. In the initial state, the first connecting element V1 ensures an electrical connection between the first line terminal L1 and the first component terminal K1. The second connecting element V2 connects the second line terminal L2 and the second component terminal K2.

[0024] The intermediate devices 24 are each equipped with a release device 30 which triggers upon external thermal stress from external heat exceeding a predetermined level, preferably upon reaching a temperature of 150°C, and upon triggering irreversibly destroys the two connecting elements V1 and V2. This destruction ensures that the two line connections L1 and L2 are irreversibly disconnected from the associated component connections K1 and K2. Furthermore, the release device 30 ensures that the line connections L1 and L2 remain electrically isolated from each other and that no short circuit can occur between them.

[0025] Even if one or more of the intermediate devices 24 are triggered and the corresponding loudspeakers 23 connected to them fail, it is therefore ensured that all other loudspeakers 23 and thus the rest of the warning system 30 can remain in operation, because a short circuit that would prevent this is avoided on line 22.

[0026] To prevent a fire inside the rail vehicle 10 or critical heating from triggering a short circuit only in the loudspeaker 23, but not triggering the upstream intermediate device 24 itself, and thus preventing any electrical decoupling by the upstream intermediate device 24, the loudspeaker 23 is preferably arranged in the immediate vicinity of its associated intermediate device 24; preferably the loudspeaker 23 is mounted on or in its associated intermediate device 24.

[0027] If the loudspeakers 23 are connected to the line 22 via additional connection elements such as intermediate cables, adapter plugs or the like, these should be made as short as possible so that thermal coupling is ensured in such a way that the upstream intermediate devices trigger before the loudspeakers 23 or the connection elements can cause a short circuit.

[0028] The Figure 2 Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a further embodiment of a multi-section rail vehicle 10, which has a plurality of coupled cars 11 and is equipped with a warning device 20. A power supply unit 21 is connected to a thermally protected line system 22' that extends through the entire rail vehicle 10. In contrast to the embodiment according to Figure 21, the power supply unit 21 is connected to a thermally protected line system 22' that extends through the entire rail vehicle 10. Figure 1The intermediate devices 24, functioning as fire protection adapters, are not connected to the thermally protected cable 22 as separate units, but are integrated as integral units to form the thermally protected cable system 22'. The fire protection adapters thus provide connection points to which external components, such as the loudspeakers 23, can be connected to the cable 22.

[0029] To prevent a fire inside the rail vehicle 10 or critical heating from triggering a short circuit in the loudspeaker 23, but not triggering the upstream intermediate device 24 itself, and thus preventing any electrical decoupling by the upstream intermediate device 24, the loudspeaker 23 is preferably arranged in the immediate vicinity of the thermally protected cable system 22'; preferably the loudspeaker 23 is mounted on or at the thermally protected cable system 22'.

[0030] If the loudspeakers 23 are connected to the wiring system 22' via additional connection elements such as intermediate cables, adapter plugs or the like, these should be made as short as possible so that thermal coupling is ensured in such a way that the upstream intermediate devices trigger before the loudspeakers 23 or the connection elements can cause a short circuit.

[0031] Furthermore, the above statements apply in connection with the Figure 1 in the embodiment according to Figure 2 accordingly.

[0032] The above statements relating to the equipping of a rail vehicle 10 with a warning device 20 with intermediate devices 24 are to be understood as examples only; although the use of the described intermediate devices 24 as fire protection adapters in connection with warning devices 20 in rail vehicles 10 is considered particularly advantageous, the described intermediate devices 24 as fire protection adapters can also be used in other safety-critical systems, for example in ships, aircraft or buildings, etc.

[0033] In the embodiment according to the Figure 1 and 2The loudspeakers 23 are connected as electrical components to the thermally protected line 22 or the thermally protected line system 22' by means of the intermediate devices 24, which function as fire protection adapters; alternatively or additionally, other components such as microphones, sensors, etc., can also be connected. In the latter embodiment, the feed device 21 is preferably replaced by a device that can not only transmit but also receive, i.e., in other words, a transmitting and / or receiving device.

[0034] The Figure 3 shows an embodiment of an electrical intermediate device 24, which is used in the rail vehicle 10 according to Figure 1 and Figure 2which can be used, in more detail. The two connecting elements V1 and V2 are visible, which connect the line terminals L1 and L2 to their respective component terminals K1 and K2. A thermal release device 30 is used in the embodiment according to Figure 3The device consists of a container 40 filled with an etchant 45 and an associated opening device 50. The opening device 50 can, for example, comprise a steel mandrel 51 which expands in the mandrel's longitudinal direction when heated, thereby impacting the container 40 with its tip 51a together with a counter-pressure plate 52 and destroying it. Once the container 40 has been destroyed or opened, the etchant 45 contained within it will come into contact with the connecting elements V1 and V2 and dissolve them, thus interrupting the electrical connection to the component terminals K1 and K2. Furthermore, the dissolution of the connecting elements V1 and V2 ensures that the electrical line terminals L1 and L2 are also isolated from each other, preventing an electrical short circuit between them.

[0035] The etching agent 45 can be, for example, nitric acid or a mixture of sulfuric acid and hydrogen peroxide. The connecting elements V1 and V2 preferably consist of copper.

[0036] The Figure 4 shows a further embodiment of an intermediate device according to the invention, which is used in the rail vehicle 10 according to Figure 1 and Figure 2 can be used. The intermediate device 24 according to Figure 4 The device has a thermal release device 30 comprising a spring 60, a preferably electrically non-conductive cutting tool 70 in the form of a shear plate, and a retaining device 80. The retaining device 80 can, for example, be formed by a plastic plate, in particular a polylactic acid plate, which melts when heated and thereby loses its retaining function.

[0037] If the triggering device 30 is subjected to thermal stress according to Figure 4If the force exceeds a predetermined limit, the retaining device 80 will release the cutting tool 70, which, driven by the spring force F of the spring 60 and guided by shear guides 81, will cut through the two connecting elements V1 and V2. During this cutting process, not only is the connection to the component terminals K1 and K2 interrupted, but it is also ensured that the line terminals L1 and L2 remain electrically isolated from each other, preventing an electrical short circuit between them.

[0038] The Figure 5 shows a further embodiment of an intermediate device according to the invention, which is used in the rail vehicle 10 according to Figure 1 and Figure 2 can be used. The intermediate device 24 according to Figure 5The device features a thermal release device 30 comprising a pyrotechnic drive 90 and a preferably electrically non-conductive cutting tool 100 in the form of a shear plate. Upon heating, preferably at 150°C, the pyrotechnic drive 90 is triggered, thereby driving the cutting tool 100 along the direction of arrow P and disconnecting the connections, as described above in connection with the Figures 1 to 4 was described.

[0039] Alternatively, the pyrotechnic drive 90 can be arranged near the connecting elements V1 and V2, preferably in a ring shape around them, so that the explosive effect alone destroys the connecting elements V1 and V2. Otherwise, the above statements apply accordingly.

[0040] The Figure 6 shows a further embodiment of an intermediate device according to the invention, which is used in the rail vehicle 10 according to Figure 1 and Figure 2can be used and is marked with the reference numeral 24'. The intermediate device 24' according to Figure 6 It features a thermal release device 30 in the form of a pyrotechnic explosive charge, which is directly integrated into the line 22 and, upon release, can sever the line ends 22a and 22b, which thus themselves function as or form the connecting elements V1 and V2 of the intermediate device 24'. Furthermore, the above statements apply in connection with the Figure 5 in the embodiment according to Figure 6 accordingly.

[0041] In connection with the exemplary embodiments according to the Figures 1 to 6 Electrical component 23 has always been shown as a loudspeaker; alternatively or additionally, electrical component 23 can form or include a speaking station and / or an amplifier.

[0042] In connection with the exemplary embodiments according to the Figures 1 to 6The intermediate devices 24 were always connected directly to a spur-free, thermally protected line 22; alternatively, the intermediate devices 24 or a subgroup thereof can also be connected via thermally protected spur lines that form part of the thermally protected line 22.

[0043] In connection with the exemplary embodiments according to the Figures 1 to 6 The feed-in device 21 was connected directly to the thermally protected line 22; alternatively, the feed-in device 21 can also be connected to the thermally protected line 22 by means of an associated intermediate device 24.

[0044] Although the invention has been further illustrated and described in detail by means of preferred embodiments, the invention is not limited by the disclosed examples and other variations can be derived from them by the person skilled in the art without leaving the scope of protection of the invention.

Claims

1. Rail vehicle (10), - which has two or more carriages (11) coupled to one another, - wherein an at least two-core line (22) extends through at least two, preferably all carriages (11) of the rail vehicle in each case, and - wherein in each or at least in a number of the carriages (11) equipped with the line (22) at least one electrical intermediate device (24) is connected to the line (22) in each case and via said line an electric component (23) is connected, wherein the electrical intermediate device (24) is equipped with a first and a second electric line connection (L1, L2) for connecting to the line (22) and at least a first and a second electric component connection (K1, K2) for connecting to the electric component (23), characterised in that - a first connection element (V1) is provided in the intermediate device (24), which connection element connects the first electric line connection (L1) to the first component connection (K1) assigned to it, - a second connection element (V2) is provided in the intermediate device (24), which connection element connects the second electric line connection (L2) to the second component connection (K2) assigned to it, and - the intermediate device (24) has a thermal trip device (30) which trips when an external thermal load due to external action of heat exceeds a predefined amount and irreversibly destroys at least one of the two connecting elements (V1, V2), namely, such that the connection between the component connection (K1, K2) assigned to it and the line connection (L1, L2) is irreversibly disconnected, wherein the line connections (L1, L2) remain disconnected from one another without short-circuiting.

2. Rail vehicle (10) according to claim 1, characterised in that the thermal trip device (30) irreversibly destroys the first and second connection element (V1, V2), namely such that the line connections (L1, L2) remain disconnected from one another without short-circuiting.

3. Rail vehicle (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that - the thermal activation device (30) comprises a spring (60), a cutting tool (70) which, in the initial state, is spring-loaded by way of the spring (60) in the direction of at least one of the connection elements (V1, V2), and a retaining device (80), wherein - prior to the tripping of the trip device (30), the retaining device (80) keeps the cutting tool (70) separate from the connection element(s) (V1, V2) and - after the tripping of the trip device (30), the retaining device (80) releases the cutting tool (70) and enables the cutting tool (70), driven by the spring (60), to irreversibly destroy the connection element(s) (V1, V2).

4. Rail vehicle (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that - prior to the tripping of the thermal trip device (30), the thermal trip device (30) has a corrosive agent (45) in a container (40) which can destroy the material of the or at least one of the connection elements (V1, V2), and an opening device (50), wherein - after the tripping of the trip device (30), the opening device (50) opens the container (40) and releases the corrosive agent (45) and the corrosive agent (45) destroys at least one of the connection elements (V1, V2) by corrosion.

5. Rail vehicle (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the thermal trip device (30) is integrated directly in the line (22) in the form of an explosive charge, preferably such that the line ends (22a, 22b) of the line (22) themselves function as connection elements (V1, V2) of the intermediate device (24) and form said connection elements and when the explosive charge is triggered, the line ends (22a, 22b) are severed.

6. Rail vehicle (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the intermediate device (24) is a plug connector or socket, in the plug connector housing or socket housing of which the thermal trip facility (30) is integrated.

7. Rail vehicle (10) according to claim 1, characterised in that - the intermediate device (24) and an electric component (24) form an acoustic warning device (20) with a feed device (21) which is directly or indirectly connected to a line end of the line (22) and can supply an electric warning signal (S) into the line (22), - wherein the electric component (23) is formed by a loudspeaker, which is connected to the line (22) by means of the intermediate device (24) and outputs an acoustic signal, in particular in the form of a voice announcement when the electric warning signal (S) is applied.

8. Rail vehicle (10) according to claim 1 or 7, characterised in that the line (22) is a thermally protected line (22), which is permitted for use in rail vehicles (10).

9. Rail vehicle (10) according to claim 1, 7 or 8, characterised in that the intermediate device (24) is thermally coupled to the component (23) and / or contacts it.