Switch or crossing component with a detachable connection, as well as a method and arrangement for monitoring the detachable connection

DE502022003742D1Active Publication Date: 2025-05-22VOESTALPINE RAILWAY SYST GMBH +1
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Patent Information

Application Number
DE502022003742
Authority / Receiving Office
DE · DE
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2022-09-16
Publication Date
2025-05-22
Estimated Expiration
2042-09-16

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing systems for monitoring the solvable connections in soft or intersection components, such as those in rail networks, are inefficient and require significant effort to replace sensors or components, leading to potential issues with inadequate clamping or power transmission.

Method used

A soft or intersection component with a sensor integrated into the basic component, which monitors the quality of the solvable connection by generating a signal when a rail vehicle is transferred, allowing for remote monitoring and easy replacement of defective components without affecting the existing sensor or track covering.

Benefits of technology

This solution simplifies the monitoring of solvable connections, enabling efficient detection of inadequate clamping or power transmission, facilitating easy replacement of defective components, and reducing maintenance efforts while ensuring reliable rail operations.

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Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a switch or crossing component in the form of a frog or a tongue rail device, comprising a base component in the form of a frog block or tongue rail adapter, a replaceable component in the form of a frog insert or a tongue rail, at least one detachable connection, such as a screw connection or clamping, by means of which the replaceable component can be connected to the base component, in particular in a force-fitting and / or form-fitting manner.

[0002] The invention also relates to a method for monitoring a detachable connection of a switch or crossing component in the form of a frog or a tongue rail device, wherein by means of the detachable connection a replaceable component in the form of a frog insert or a tongue rail is fastened to a base component in the form of a frog block or a tongue rail adapter and wherein by means of a sensor a signal for checking the quality, in particular the force transmission or the form fit, of the detachable connection is detected, which signal is generated when a rail vehicle passes over the switch or crossing component and is representative of the quality of the detachable connection,

[0003] From FR 2 745 543 A1, a remote monitoring system for a railway network for monitoring operating parameters of at least one switch system of the railway network is known.

[0004] Each switch system is designed to include a set of sensors, each adapted to measure a property value representative of a particular property. The sensors are each connected to a data acquisition unit that stores an algorithm for managing the acquired measurement data.

[0005] Furthermore, means are provided for comparing the measured data with at least one threshold value which is representative of the limit value for a corresponding operating parameter.

[0006] The known arrangement comprises, for example, a replaceable component in the form of a check rail, which is connected to a base component in the form of a track via a detachable connection. A sensor is provided to monitor the clamping of the check rail to the track, which is achieved by the detachable connection. This sensor is located in the check rail, which means that when the check rail is replaced, the sensor must also be replaced or removed. This involves increased effort.

[0007] The method also provides for monitoring the quality of the clamping of the check rail using measurement signals supplied by an acceleration sensor which detects the shocks generated by a wheel on the check rail.

[0008] DE 200 16 674 U1 relates to an arrangement for measuring the approach to the frog of a switch. The arrangement is characterized by a structure-borne sound sensor that is inserted into the frog of the switch or a component connected to this frog. If the switch is approached at a sharp angle and the wheel flange of a wheel hits the frog due to misalignment or wear on one of the check rails, a violent shock occurs, with the resulting structure-borne sound pulse being transmitted through the base plate of the frog to the wing rail firmly bolted to it and thus registered by the structure-borne sound sensor. The sensor is mounted laterally in a wing rail and would be inaccessible on track that is typically covered in trams.

[0009] DE 10 2004 014 282 B4 relates to a method for diagnosis and condition monitoring in the overrun area of ​​a switch and / or a crossing and / or a crossing switch of a railway line. When a train passes over the switch and / or the crossing and / or the crossing switch in a specific direction, a measurement of the acceleration of the switch or the crossing point is performed at the rigid frog or crossing point at at least one location on the frog or crossing point in at least one spatial direction, which acceleration is generated by the train passing over the switch or crossing point. A detachable connection is not monitored.

[0010] A generic switch or crossing component can be found in EP 2 103 738 B1.

[0011] Based on this, the present invention is based on the object of developing a switch or crossing component, a method, or an arrangement of the type mentioned above in such a way that the monitoring of a detachable connection, such as a fastening or clamping of replaceable components, is simplified and improved using sensors. A loose screw connection / clamp should be reliably signaled / detected. In particular, the replacement of a defective replaceable component should be possible without major effort.

[0012] The object is achieved according to the invention by a switch or crossing component of the type mentioned at the outset in that the switch or crossing component has at least one sensor for monitoring the quality of the detachable connection, which sensor is arranged in the base component and is firmly connected thereto, wherein a signal is generated in the sensor when a rail vehicle passes over the switch or crossing component, which signal is representative of the quality of the detachable connection.

[0013] A switch or crossing component according to the invention comprises a base component in the form of a frog block or a tongue rail adapter, a replaceable component in the form of a frog insert or a tongue rail, at least one detachable connection, such as a screw connection or clamp, by means of which the replaceable component can be connected to the base component, in particular by force transmission and / or positive locking, and at least one sensor for monitoring the quality, in particular of the force transmission and / or positive locking, of the detachable connection, wherein a signal is generated in the sensor when a rail vehicle drives over the switch or crossing component, in particular the replaceable component, which signal is representative of the quality of the detachable connection.

[0014] In order to enable a simple replacement of a defective sensor or a component to be replaced, i.e. without destroying a track covering or without dismantling the intact sensor from the component to be replaced, the sensor is arranged in the base component and firmly connected to it.

[0015] When replacing a replaceable component, both the sensor and the supply line remain unaffected by the change of component, as the sensor is not in contact with the replaceable component.

[0016] According to an advantageous further development, the sensor is preferably designed as an acceleration sensor or structure-borne sound sensor.

[0017] Preferably, the sensor is arranged in the base component for transmitting accelerations and mechanical vibrations such that when a rail vehicle passes over it, in particular over an insufficiently fastened replaceable component, it detects at least one impact exerted by the insufficiently fastened replaceable component on the at least one detachable connection and / or the base component as an acceleration and / or mechanical vibration.

[0018] The switch or crossing component is a frog, the base component is a frog block and the replaceable component is a frog insert, which is connected to the frog block by means of the detachable connection, preferably in the form of a screwable clamp connection.

[0019] Particularly preferably, the frog insert is arranged in a recess of the frog block which is accessible without destruction when the frog is covered, wherein the sensor is arranged in the recess, preferably in the vertical direction below the replaceable frog insert, and is preferably covered by it without contact with the sensor.

[0020] The sensor is arranged in a groove formed in a bottom of the recess, wherein the groove forms at least a portion of a water drain and opens into a drain.

[0021] Furthermore, the sensor has a supply line that leads out of the frog block through the outlet formed in a base of the recess, preferably designed as a vertical bore, and / or through a channel formed transversely to the direction of travel in the frog block, preferably into a cable duct connected to the frog. The sensor with supply line is designed to be watertight.

[0022] A further preferred embodiment is characterized in that the base component is a tongue adapter and the replaceable component is a tongue rail, which is connected to the tongue adapter by means of the detachable connection in the form of a screwable clamp connection.

[0023] The detachable connection preferably has at least one clamping wedge, wherein the clamping wedge is penetrated by a clamping screw which can be screwed into a thread formed in the base component, preferably a blind hole thread.

[0024] Preferably, a clamping washer and a first sealing ring are arranged between a head of the clamping screw and an upper side of the clamping wedge. Furthermore, a second sealing ring can preferably be arranged between an underside of the clamping wedge and the base component.

[0025] Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for monitoring a detachable connection of a switch or crossing component in the form of a frog or a tongue rail device, wherein by means of the detachable connection a replaceable component in the form of a frog insert or a tongue rail is fastened to a base component in the form of a frog block or a tongue rail adapter, and wherein by means of a sensor a signal for checking the quality, in particular the force transmission and / or the positive connection, of the detachable connection is detected, which signal is generated when a rail vehicle drives over the switch or crossing component, in particular the replaceable component, and is representative of the quality of the detachable connection.

[0026] According to the invention, the signal is generated when the rail vehicle passes over the replaceable component by at least one impact exerted by the replaceable component on the detachable connection and / or on the base component and is detected by the sensor arranged in the base component.

[0027] In a preferred method, the signals generated when the rail vehicle passes over by a relative movement or a displacement of the replaceable component and / or by a replaceable component displaced from the optimal position with respect to the detachable connection and / or the base component are evaluated.

[0028] Tests have shown that a relative movement or displacement between the components due to an inadequately clamped connection causes characteristic accelerations and / or characteristic structure-borne noise. Therefore, an acceleration sensor or a structure-borne noise sensor is preferably used as the sensor. When the rail vehicle passes over the replaceable component, the sensor detects at least one characteristic acceleration or characteristic structure-borne noise exerted by an inadequately secured replaceable component on the at least one detachable connection and / or base component.

[0029] A further development provides that the signal generated by the passage of the rail vehicle is compared as an actual value signal with a reference signal or a limit value in order to detect a signal exhibiting the characteristic acceleration or the characteristic structure-borne noise. If the actual value signal deviates from the reference signal or the limit value, a message is generated indicating insufficient quality of the power transmission and / or the mold closure of the detachable connection.

[0030] In order to exclude interference signals which are generated, for example, by a flat spot on a wheel of a rail vehicle, it is intended that at least two measurements are carried out during one crossing of the rail vehicle or during two consecutive rail vehicles and that the message is only triggered if at least two events are detected per crossing or consecutive crossings, whereby the event is the detection of a characteristic signal.

[0031] Furthermore, the invention relates to an arrangement with a switch or crossing component of the type described above, wherein the arrangement has an evaluation unit which is connected to the at least one sensor.

[0032] According to one aspect of the invention, the sensor is connected exclusively to the base component and is designed such that it detects the signal generated by at least one impact exerted on the base component by the detachable connection and / or the replaceable component.

[0033] The at least one sensor is connected to the evaluation unit via a supply line. The evaluation unit preferably has a computing unit with a comparator for comparing the detected sensor signal with a reference signal or a limit value.

[0034] The core of the invention can also be considered to be a detachable connection, such as a clamping or screwing connection, for a replaceable component in the form of an interchangeable frog or a tongue rail of a tram switch, comprising a base element in the form of a frog block or a tongue rail adapter, wherein the detachable clamping comprises at least one clamping wedge which is connected to a clamping screw in the base element in the form of a frog block or a tongue rail adapter, and has a sensor, preferably an acceleration sensor, which is designed to record an acceleration exerted on the clamping or screwing connection by an insufficiently clamped replaceable component, such as an interchangeable frog or tongue rail, when a rail vehicle passes over it.

[0035] Further details, advantages and features of the invention emerge not only from the claims and the features derived therefrom - individually and / or in combination - but also from the following description of preferred embodiments derived from the drawings and their explanations.

[0036] They show: Fig. 1 a plan view of a frog with detachable connection for a replaceable frog insert, Fig. 2 a sectional view of the frog according to Fig. 1 along a section line AC-AC, Fig. 3 a top view of the frog without frog insert, Fig. 4 a perspective view of the frog according to. Fig. 1 , Fig. 5 an arrangement for checking a detachable connection of a frog, Fig. 6 a perspective view of a tongue rail adapter, Fig. 7 a side view of the tongue rail adapter according to Fig. 6 , Fig. 8a front view of the tongue rail adapter according to Fig. 6 , Fig. 9 a top view of the tongue rail adapter according to Fig. 6 .

[0037] The Fig. 1 shows a plan view of a first embodiment of a switch or crossing component in the form of a frog 10, in particular a grooved rail frog, comprising a base component in the form of a frog block 12 with intersecting grooves 14, 16. Arranged in a frog center point 18 is a replaceable component in the form of a frog insert 20, which interacts interchangeably with the frog block 12 in a recessed, screwed manner.

[0038] Fig. 2a shows a sectional view of the frog 10 along a section line AC-AC according to Fig. 1 The frog insert 20, hereinafter also referred to as the interchangeable frog, is embedded in a recess 22 formed in an upper side 24 of the frog block 12. It is provided that an upper side 26 of the interchangeable frog 20 and the upper side 24 of the frog block 12 lie in one plane. The interchangeable frog 20 is fastened to the frog block 12 via at least one detachable connection, preferably in the form of clamping or tensioning devices 28, 30, 32, 34. The clamping or tensioning devices 28, 30, 32, 34 each comprise clamping wedges 34, 36, 38, 40, which are fixed in the frog block 12 by means of clamping screws 42, 44, 46, 48 in corresponding blind hole receptacles or blind hole threads 50, 52, 54, 56.

[0039] An overflow area in crossing 12 is subject to particularly high loads due to its design. To ensure that the service life of the entire crossing 12 is independent of that of the overflow area, the overflow area is designed to be replaceable in the form of the removable crossing 20. The removable crossing 20 also allows the overflow area of ​​crossing 10 to be replaced without damaging a ceiling connection. This minimizes costs and ensures largely trouble-free rail traffic. It also allows for extended downtimes and shortened maintenance times.

[0040] The clamping mechanism may become loose due to the varying load acting on the detachable connection when passing over the frog insert. Therefore, the detachable connection 28, 30, 32, 34 must be checked regularly.

[0041] According to the invention, monitoring of the detachable connection 28, 30, 32, 34 for securing the removable frog 20 to the frog block 12 is carried out by means of a sensor system 58. The sensor system 58 detects a signal that is generated when a rail vehicle passes over the replaceable component in the form of the removable frog 20 and is representative of the quality of the power transmission of the detachable connection 28, 30, 32, 34. If the quality of the power transmission falls below a limit value, a loosening connection or a loosening of the detachable connection 28, 30, 32, 34 is signaled and displayed to a track system operator.

[0042] Fig. 2b shows, by way of example, a section through the clamping device 34 with the clamping wedge 40, wherein the clamping wedge 40 is penetrated by the clamping screw 48, which is screwed into the threaded bore 56 formed in the base component 12, such as a blind hole. A clamping disk 41 and a first sealing ring 43 are arranged between a head 48.1 of the clamping screw 48 and an upper side 40.1 of the clamping wedge 40. The clamping disk prevents unwanted loosening of the clamping screw during operation by means of elastic preload. Furthermore, a second sealing ring 45 is preferably arranged between an underside 40.2 of the clamping wedge and the base component. The seal is intended to ensure that the screw connection, i.e. clamping screw in the blind hole, is protected against corrosion so that the base component can be reused as often as possible when the replaceable component is replaced.

[0043] Fig. 3 shows a top view of the core 10 according to. Fig. 1 , wherein the interchangeable frog 20 is not inserted. According to the invention, the sensor system 58 comprises an acceleration sensor which is arranged in the base component in the form of the frog block 12 and is designed such that, when a rail vehicle passes over, it detects at least one acceleration exerted by the possibly insufficiently fastened interchangeable frog 20 on the detachable connection 28, 30, 32, 34 and / or the base component, ie the frog block 12.

[0044] The sensor 58 is fixedly connected to the frog block 12 in a base 60 of the recess 22 such that the sensor detects the signal generated by at least one force exerted on the frog block 12 by the detachable connection 28, 30, 32, 34 and / or the removable frog 20. The sensor 58 is not in direct contact with the replaceable component in the form of the removable frog 20.

[0045] The acceleration sensor 48 is arranged in a groove 64 extending along the longitudinal axis 62 in the bottom 60 of the recess 22. A connecting line 66 of the sensor 58 can be routed through a bore 68 formed vertically along a vertical axis 70 at the bottom. Alternatively, the connecting line 66 can be routed laterally out of the frog block 12 via a channel 72 along a transverse axis 74.

[0046] This arrangement ensures that the sensor 58 and the connecting line 66 are connected exclusively to the frog block 12 and are spaced apart from the replaceable component in the form of the interchangeable frog 20. The arrangement of the sensor 58 below the interchangeable frog 20 ensures effective force transmission from the interchangeable frog 20 or the detachable connection to the sensor 58.

[0047] The replaceable frog 20 allows non-destructive access to the sensor 58 in the covered track. In the illustrated embodiment, the recess 22 with bore 68 also serves as a water drain for the frog block 12.

[0048] Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of the frog 10 with the interchangeable frog 20 inserted. To protect the detachable connection 28, 30, 32, 34, it is covered with a cover 76, 78. The cover 76, 78 lies in a plane spanned by the top side 24 of the frog block 12 and the top side 26 of the interchangeable frog 20.

[0049] Fig. 5 shows an arrangement 80 for monitoring the detachable connections 28, 30, 32, 34 of the frog 10, wherein the replaceable component in the form of the interchangeable frog 20 is connected to the base component in the form of the frog block 12 by means of the detachable connection 28, 30, 32, 34. The sensor 58, which is permanently integrated into the frog block 12 or connected thereto, is connected to an evaluation unit 82 via the connecting line 66.

[0050] The sensor 58, which is designed as an acceleration sensor, can detect accelerations in at least one direction, preferably accelerations in three directions, i.e., in the direction of the longitudinal axis 62, the transverse axis 74 and the vertical axis 70. The invention is based on the idea that a loose, i.e., insufficiently clamped, replaceable component impacts the base component, i.e., the frog block 12 and / or the detachable connection 28, 30, 32, 34, as the rail vehicle passes over it, and in doing so generates or causes characteristic accelerations, which are measured by the sensor 58 and subsequently evaluated by the evaluation unit 82, in particular compared with a limit value. Depending on the comparison between the measured signal and the stored reference signal, if the limit value is exceeded, an alarm signal is generated which indicates an insufficiently clamped or loose connection 28, 30, 32, 34.

[0051] Fig. 6 shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of a switch component in the form of a tongue rail device 200. The tongue rail device 200 comprises a base component in the form of a tongue rail adapter 202, to which a replaceable component in the form of a tongue rail 206 is attached, such as clamped, by means of a detachable connection 204. The tongue rail adapter 202 is attached to the base 208 of a grooved rail 210, which is aligned with the tongue rail 206 along the longitudinal axis 212.

[0052] Fig. 7a shows a side view of the tongue rail device 200. The tongue rail 206 is subjected to force by means of the detachable connection 204 against a stop 214 of the tongue rail adapter 202. In the illustrated embodiment, the detachable connection 204 comprises three clamping elements 216, 218, 220, each consisting of a clamping wedge 222, 224, 226, which can be clamped by means of a screw 228, 230, 232 against a stop 234 of the tongue rail adapter 202 and a side surface 236 of the tongue rail. The screws 228, 230, 232 are each received in blind hole threads 238, 240, 242.

[0053] Since the detachable connection 204 consisting of the individual clamping elements 216, 218, 220 can come loose during operation, the screw connection or clamping must be checked regularly. According to the invention, a sensor 244 for monitoring a force transmission or clamping force applied by the detachable connection is integrated into the tongue rail adapter 202. The invention is based on the idea that a tongue rail 206 that is loose due to an insufficiently tensioned connection 204 impacts the tongue rail adapter 202 and / or the detachable connection 204 as the rail vehicle passes over it, causing characteristic accelerations that are measured by the sensor and compared with a limit value by an evaluation unit.

[0054] The sensor 244 is designed as an acceleration sensor and measures accelerations in direction and magnitude in a coordinate system spanned by axes 212, 246, 248.

[0055] Fig. 7b shows in detail a section through the clamping element 216 with the clamping wedge 222, wherein the clamping wedge 222 is penetrated by the clamping screw 228, which is screwed into the threaded bore 238 formed in the base component 202, such as a blind hole. A clamping disk 223 and a first sealing ring 225 are arranged between a head 228.1 of the clamping screw 228 and an upper side 222.2 of the clamping wedge 222. The clamping disk prevents unwanted loosening of the clamping screw during operation by means of elastic preload. Furthermore, a second sealing ring 227 is preferably arranged between an underside 228.2 of the clamping wedge and the base component 202. The seal is intended to ensure that the screw connection, i.e. the clamping screw in the blind hole, is protected from corrosion so that the base component can be reused as often as possible when the replaceable component is replaced.

[0056] In the illustrated embodiment, the sensor 244 is arranged along an axis 250 (see Fig. 7 and Fig. 8 ), which runs parallel or substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis 212 or the detachable connection 204. Alternatively, the sensor 244 can also be arranged below the tongue rail 206 in the tongue rail adapter or below the detachable connection 204.

[0057] The signal detected by the sensor 244 is, as described with reference to Fig. 5 As already described, the signal is fed to an evaluation device. The evaluation device comprises a computing unit and a comparator, wherein the signal detected by the sensor is compared as an actual value signal with a reference signal. If a limit value is exceeded, a message is generated indicating a release of the connection 204 or at least one of the clamping devices 216, 218, 202.

Claims

1. A switch or intersection component (10, 200) in the form of a frog or a tongue rail device, comprising a base component (12, 202) in the form of a frog block or a tongue rail adapter; an interchangeable component (20, 206) in the form of a frog insert or a tongue rail; and at least one detachable connection (28, 30, 32, 34; 216, 218, 220), such as a bolted or clamped connection, by means of which the interchangeable component (20, 206) is connectable to the base component (12, 202), in particular non-positively and / or positively, characterized by at least one sensor (58; 244) for monitoring the quality of the detachable connection, wherein the sensor is arranged inside the base component (12; 202) and is permanently connected thereto, and wherein a signal, which is representative for the quality of the detachable connection, is generated in the sensor (58; 244) when a rail vehicle passes over the switch or intersection component (10; 200).

2. The switch or intersection component according to claim 1, characterized in that the sensor (58; 244) is designed as an acceleration sensor or structure-borne sound sensor.

3. The switch or intersection component according to claim 1 or 2, <b>characterized in that the sensor (58; 244) is coupled to the base component (12; 202) for the transmission of accelerations and mechanical vibrations such that when the rail vehicle passes in particular over an insufficiently fastened interchangeable component (20; 206), said sensor detects at least one impact, imparted by the insufficiently fastened interchangeable component (20; 206) to the at least one detachable connection (28, 30, 32, 34; 216, 218, 220) and / or to the base component (12; 202), as an acceleration and / or mechanical vibration.

4. The switch or intersection component according to at least one of the preceding claims, <b>characterized in that the switch or intersection component (10) is the frog, wherein the base component (12) is the frog block and the interchangeable component (20) is the frog insert, which is connected, by means of the detachable connection (28, 30, 32, 34) preferably in the form of a boltable clamping connection, to the frog block (12); that the frog insert (20) is arranged inside a recess (22), non-destructively accessible in the covered state of the frog (10), of the frog block (12); and that the sensor (58) is arranged inside the recess (22), preferably in the vertical direction underneath the interchangeable frog insert (20), and is preferably covered by the latter without contact to the sensor (58).

5. The switch or intersection component according to claim 4, characterized in that the sensor (58) is arranged in a channel (64) provided in a bottom (60) of the recess (20), wherein the channel (64) forms at least one section of a water outlet and leads into an outlet (68).

6. The switch or intersection component according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensor (58) has a cable connection (66) which is routed out of the frog block (12) preferably into a cable duct connected to the frog block (12) through the outlet (68) provided in the bottom (60) of the recess (22) and / or through a channel (72) provided in the frog block (12) transversely to the direction of travel.

7. The switch or intersection component according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the switch or intersection component (200) is the tongue rail device, wherein the base component (202) is a tongue adapter and the interchangeable component (206) is a tongue rail, which is connected to the tongue adapter (202) by means of the at least one detachable connection (216, 218, 220) in the form of at least one boltable clamping connection, and that the detachable connection (28, 30, 32, 34; 216, 218, 220) has at least one clamping wedge (34, 36, 38, 40; 222, 224, 226), wherein the clamping wedge is passed through by a clamping bolt (42, 44, 46, 48; 228, 230, 232) which is screwable into a threaded hole (50, 52, 54, 56), such as a blind threaded hole, provided in the base component (12; 202).

8. The switch or intersection component according to claim 7, <b>characterized in that a clamping washer and a first sealing ring (43; 225) are arranged between a head of the clamping bolt (42, 44, 46, 48; 228, 230, 232) and an upper side of the clamping wedge (34, 36, 38, 40; 222, 224, 226), and that preferably a second sealing ring (45; 227) is arranged between an underside of the clamping wedge and the base component (12; 202).

9. A method for monitoring a detachable connection (28, 30, 32, 34; 216, 218, 220) of a switch or intersection component (10; 200) in the form of a frog or a tongue rail device, wherein an interchangeable component (20; 206) in the form of a frog insert or a tongue rail is fastened by means of the detachable connection on a base component (12; 202) in the form of a frog block or a tongue rail adapter, characterized in that a signal for verifying the quality, in particular of the force transmission or of the positive connection, of the detachable connection is detected by means of a sensor (58; 244), which signal is generated when a rail vehicle passes over the switch or intersection component and is representative for the quality of the detachable connection, wherein the signal is generated, when the rail vehicle passes over the interchangeable component (20; 206), by at least one impact imparted by the interchangeable component to the detachable connection (28, 30, 32, 34; 216, 218, 220) and / or to the base component (12; 202) and is detected by means of the sensor (58; 244) arranged in the base component.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that the signal is generated during the passage of the rail vehicle by a relative movement of the interchangeable component (20; 206) and / or by an interchangeable component displaced from the optimum position relative to the detachable connection (28, 30, 32, 34; 216, 218, 220) and / or to the base component (12; 202).

11. The method according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that an acceleration sensor or a structure-borne sound sensor is used as the sensor (58; 244), wherein when the rail vehicle passes over the interchangeable component (20; 206) the sensor detects at least one characteristic acceleration or characteristic structure-borne sound imparted by an insufficiently fastened interchangeable component to the at least one detachable connection (28, 30, 32, 34; 216, 218, 220) and / or to the base component (12; 202).

12. The method according to any of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that the signal generated by the passing of a rail vehicle is compared as an actual value signal with a reference signal or with a limit value in order to detect a signal having the characteristic acceleration or characteristic structure-borne sound.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that in the event of a divergence of the actual value signal from the reference signal or from the limit value a message reporting insufficient quality, in particular of the force transmission and / or of the positive connection, of the detachable connection, is generated.

14. The method according to any of claims 9 to 13, characterized in that during a passage of the rail vehicle or of two consecutive rail vehicles, at least two measurements are performed, and that the message is only triggered when at least two events per passage or consecutive passages are detected, wherein said event is the detection of a characteristic signal.

15. An arrangement (80) with a switch or intersection component (10, 200) according to claim 1 for monitoring the at least one detachable connection (28, 30, 32, 34; 216, 218, 220), wherein the interchangeable component (20, 206) is connected to the base component (12, 202) by means of the detachable connection (28, 30, 32, 34; 216, 218, 220), wherein the arrangement (80) has an evaluation unit which is connected to the at least one sensor, wherein the sensor (58; 244) is connected exclusively to the base component (12; 202) and is designed such that it detects the signal generated by at least one impact imparted to the base component (12; 202) by the detachable connection (28, 30, 32, 34; 216, 218, 220) and / or the interchangeable component.

16. The arrangement according to claim 15, characterized in that the evaluation unit (80) has a computing unit with comparator for comparing the detected sensor signal with a reference signal or with a limit value.