Method for condition-based maintenance of a clutch assembly and monitoring system

Description

[0001] The invention relates to methods for condition-based maintenance of a coupling arrangement for track-guided vehicles, in particular rail vehicles, and also to a monitoring system.

[0002] The term "rail-guided vehicle" includes, among other things, trains, wagons, and railcars that run or are guided on one or more rails. This particularly applies to fuel-powered or electric trains or trams.

[0003] The term "coupling assembly" primarily refers to at least that part of a coupling system of rail-guided vehicles that enables the mechanical connection between the two vehicles. The coupling assembly allows both impact and tensile forces to be absorbed and transmitted. These are mounted or designed on the rail vehicles in such a way that they can be displaced and pivoted in a curve or gradient in order to maintain their alignment and thus the mechanical coupling. The coupling assembly comprises, in particular, a coupling head with coupling elements for coupling to a coupling head of a mating coupling. Depending on the design, it also includes a coupling rod, a linkage or bearing, and, if applicable, energy-absorbing elements. The term "coupling assembly" here encompasses, in particular, all elements from the interface to the car body to the interface for coupling to the mating coupling.

[0004] The coupling assemblies and their individual components are typically designed for a specific application to ensure mechanically stable and reliable coupling in a wide variety of situations, regardless of the rail vehicle type and / or straight or curved track sections, whether horizontal or inclined. Furthermore, they are designed to transmit predefined tensile forces over a predefined operating period and to compensate for impact forces of a predefined magnitude. For this purpose, such coupling assemblies are provided with a damping device that absorbs tensile and impact forces up to a defined magnitude and transmits any forces exceeding this magnitude to the vehicle undercarriage.As a result, tensile and impact forces that occur between the individual car bodies during normal operation, for example, in a multi-unit rail vehicle, are absorbed in this generally regenerative shock absorber. This prevents the tensile and impact forces that occur during normal operation from being transmitted to the vehicle undercarriage. However, the damping device is not capable of fundamentally preventing tensile and impact forces from being transmitted to the components of the coupling assembly. As a result, the components of the coupling assembly are subject to more or less permanent wear during operation.

[0005] During operation of the respective rail-bound vehicle, the coupling assemblies are also exposed to a wide variety of other conditions, which can have a significant impact on the theoretically designed service life of the individual components of the coupling assembly. For example, wear on the coupling assembly during the coupling process can increase if self-centering of the coupling assemblies to be coupled is difficult due to greater distance or offset of the couplings from one another.

[0006] Excessively rapid approach of the rail vehicles to be coupled and the resulting collision of the coupling assemblies can also lead to increased wear and deformation, thus shortening the service life of the couplings. In this context, reference is made, for example, to WO 2016 / 193063 A1, which describes an automatic coupling system between rail vehicles.

[0007] Furthermore, the meteorological conditions of the application, in particular ambient temperature, air humidity, type, nature and speed or intensity of precipitation, can have a significant influence on the functionality of the coupling arrangement and its components as well as the aging of the materials of individual components, which in turn have an influence on the overall components.

[0008] However, in the operation of a rail vehicle, maximum reliability of the coupling assembly is essential. This implies that all components of the coupling assembly are properly designed and functional. "Properly functional" in this context means that the properties and behavior of the individual components of the coupling assembly have not changed, or have not changed significantly, compared to the original design. However, due to the compact design of commonly used coupling assemblies, checking the functionality of the individual components of the coupling assembly is generally only possible during a regularly scheduled inspection and maintenance, during which the individual components of the coupling assembly are inspected accordingly and replaced if necessary.Such inspections currently must be performed regularly to ensure that all components of the clutch assembly are functioning properly. However, these inspections are very complex and time-consuming, as a comprehensive visual inspection of the clutch assembly components is often not possible.

[0009] Different approaches are conceivable regarding inspection and maintenance. Typically, this occurs at fixed intervals. These intervals are predefined with regard to the design of the coupling arrangement in such a way that failure of individual components due to wear under normal conditions is reliably prevented before the maintenance date is reached. Typically, a predefined period of time is specified, or the maintenance requirement is defined based on a distance traveled by the rail vehicle, which describes the operating time.

[0010] In addition, the information obtained from the monitoring systems associated with the coupling assemblies regarding the operation and condition of the coupling assembly can be used to support inspection and maintenance. One such monitoring system is described, for example, in DE 10 2013 206 977 A1. This system records not only the data describing the normal operation of the coupling assembly, but also special incidents, such as severe coupling impacts, which can affect the service life of individual components and assemblies.

[0011] In order to detect structural failures of coupling assemblies in real time, which can lead to accidents and sometimes catastrophic damage, especially in heavy-duty and high-speed trains, US 2018 / 0162423 A1 provides a monitoring system that detects structural changes directly on the coupling itself, particularly on the coupling rod. DE 10 2019 106 961 A1 describes the arrangement of detection devices for state or operating variables on the coupling's power transmission elements.

[0012] According to US 10,618,532 B2, a condition monitoring system for train couplings is provided which detects both external and internal structural damage, including that to the part hidden beneath the car body, even when the train is in operation. The condition monitoring system comprises one or more sensors mounted on or integrated with the coupling assembly, a data acquisition unit for receiving signals or data from the sensors, and a processing unit for determining the structural condition of the train coupling based on the received signal or data. Checks via the system can be performed in real time, continuously, or periodically during train operation. It can also be performed offline while a train is not in operation.

[0013] Furthermore, the approach of predictive maintenance is well known in the rail vehicle sector, and its advantages are described in Jacob Schreiner and Elisa Mundt: "What is Predictive Maintenance? Definition, Application, Examples," January 31, 2020, https: / / www.industry-of-things.de / was-ist-predictive-maintenance-definitionanwendung-und-beispiele-a-693842 / ?print.

[0014] However, the maintenance process, which is based on the evaluation of real-time operating and status data, requires a large number of corresponding detection devices and the provision of appropriate monitoring systems. The safe integration or installation of the required detection devices requires additional modifications to the individual components, particularly the coupling arrangement, and ensuring the functional reliability of the detection devices and monitoring systems is complex and cost-intensive.

[0015] The approach of detecting conditions through visual inspections is known from DE 10 2015 205 978 A1, which describes a system for documenting the condition of a motor vehicle using image and data acquisition with time assignment by setting a time stamp.

[0016] Chao Zheng, Zhenzhong Wei: "Automatic online vision-based inspection system of coupler yoke for freight trains"; Journal of Electronic Imaging 25(6), 061602 (2016) describes a method in which component failure, particularly of the bolt, is detected using continuous images of a part, particularly the intermediate piece of an AAR coupling, generated on the vehicle while in motion. However, the approach of condition detection based solely on images requires the continuous creation of such images in order to obtain early indications of possible damage that could impair functionality. However, the effort required for this is relatively high, and the individual cameras used to capture images are also exposed to environmental influences, which can result in incorrect information being transmitted.

[0017] US 2019 / 178754 A1 discloses a method for monitoring couplings of rail vehicles.

[0018] The invention is therefore based on the object of specifying a method for maintaining clutch assemblies that enables relatively reliable statements regarding required maintenance / repair with the least possible additional design effort on the clutch assembly itself, while avoiding unnecessary downtime. It is necessary to ensure that the individual components of the clutch assembly function properly - even after a prolonged period of operation - and are appropriately integrated into the overall clutch concept of the vehicle, without requiring individual and regular inspection of the individual components of the clutch assembly as part of a conventional inspection.

[0019] This object is achieved according to the invention by a method for condition-based maintenance and a monitoring system according to the independent claims. Further advantageous embodiments of the present invention can be found in the subclaims.

[0020] The method according to the invention for condition-based maintenance of a coupling arrangement of a rail-guided vehicle, wherein the coupling arrangement has at least one coupling head for coupling with a matching coupling head of a counter-coupling and optionally at least one line coupling for coupling with a line coupling of a counter-coupling for transmitting electrical charge and / or data and / or liquid or gaseous media, comprises the following method steps: a) Providing clutch assembly data in the form of operating data and optionally status data of the clutch assembly; b) Providing environmental data to describe information on the environmental conditions to which the clutch assembly is exposed; c) Transferring the provided data to a data processing system and determining a target specification for a maintenance request for the clutch assembly as a function of the provided clutch assembly data and environmental data; d) Recording images of the clutch assembly to visually display the actual state and transferring them to the data processing system; e) Evaluating the actual optical state of the clutch assembly from the images, taking into account the target specification for the maintenance request formed from the operating and status data at an evaluation time, and forming a correction specification for the target specification of the maintenance request depending on the evaluation.

[0021] "Clutch assembly data" within the meaning of the invention refers, in particular, to data that is suitable for at least indirectly describing the operation of the clutch assembly and its individual components and / or the ambient conditions. These include operating data, environmental data, and optionally, but not necessarily, status data.

[0022] "Operating data" refers, in particular, to data describing the functioning of the coupling arrangement. This includes, in particular: number of coupling operations within a definable period of time; status - coupled / uncoupled; coupling speed; coupling impacts; operating time (period, kilometers driven); and GPS data.

[0023] "Condition data" means, in particular, data describing the physical or chemical properties of the coupling arrangement and its components.

[0024] "Environmental data" within the meaning of the invention refers to data containing environmental information, particularly in the form of chemical or physical variables, that can influence the aging and wear of the components of the clutch assembly. These include physical and chemical variables such as temperature, humidity, type, intensity, and quality of precipitation, etc.

[0025] A "target specification of a maintenance requirement" is understood to mean, in particular, information concerning and describing the next required maintenance and / or the next replacement of a component.

[0026] The solution according to the invention offers the advantage of providing a purely data-based specification for a maintenance requirement for the clutch assembly, which can be verified by an additional visual inspection and, if necessary, flexibly adapted. Taking into account the data characterizing the operating mode of the clutch assembly as well as environmental data containing information on environmental influences that can impact the service life allows for very precise target specifications that are closely aligned with the actual loads to which the clutch assembly is exposed. This avoids unnecessary downtimes caused, on the one hand, by the premature failure or breakdown of individual components or, on the other hand, by the performance of an inspection and maintenance that is not yet necessary based on the current condition.The solution according to the invention thus enables optimal adaptation of the service intervals to the actual condition of the clutch arrangement.

[0027] The target specification for the maintenance request preferably includes a variable that at least indirectly characterizes the theoretically possible, preferably a maximum permissible, remaining service life of the clutch assembly until the next maintenance as a function of the recorded clutch assembly data and environmental data. This remaining service life describes the interval during which the clutch assembly is still "properly functional."

[0028] In detail, the theoretically possible remaining operating time can be a) a time indication, in particular a1) a period of time in the form of a permissible remaining operating time until the next required maintenance or a2) a date indication or a limited period of time or b) a length indication, in particular an indication of the distance still to be driven until the next required maintenance or c) a combination of both be described.

[0029] While variant a) also includes downtimes during which the coupling arrangement may also be exposed to extreme weather conditions, variant b) includes the actual operating period during which the coupling arrangement is exposed to the loads.

[0030] In particular, variant c) allows a very precise prediction of the next required maintenance and enables good planning of this, especially with regard to the area of ​​use of the rail vehicle carrying the coupling assembly.

[0031] In a particularly advantageous development, the provided clutch arrangement data, the environmental data, and the data containing the images are provided with a timestamp and stored together with this time stamp. This makes changes in the data over time transparent, and their change behavior over a defined period of time can also be taken into account, allowing conclusions to be drawn from this for the remaining service life.

[0032] There are several options for providing the clutch assembly data and environmental data. According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the method, the clutch assembly data and the environmental data are recorded at least partially, preferably completely, on the vehicle during operation of the vehicle carrying or having the clutch assembly, in particular by means of a data provision device that is already assigned to the vehicle for other tasks. Preferably, the data already recorded or present in the control system of the vehicle itself is used. This embodiment offers the advantage of being able to access and use data that is already available and required for the vehicle's control and / or regulation tasks. The additional recording and thus the provision of corresponding recording devices on the clutch itself can be reduced or even completely avoided.In particular, for the coupling arrangement itself, the effort required for additional devices to record certain data can be minimized or even completely avoided.

[0033] Overall, the combination of data that is already provided or to be recorded on the vehicle side (data that describes the operating mode of the clutch assembly at least indirectly or directly and / or environmental data) and additional visual inspection, particularly if this is only carried out temporarily or after a given request, offers a simple, particularly cost-effective option for optimising maintenance intervals due to the elimination of recording devices that have to be provided on the clutch assembly, but which can also be provided very reliably with regard to the information that can be derived from it thanks to the additional visual inspection.

[0034] In an alternative embodiment, the clutch assembly data and the environmental data are recorded at least partially, preferably completely, during operation of the vehicle carrying the clutch assembly using a data provision device associated with the clutch assembly. This allows recording independent of the vehicle.

[0035] In an advantageous further development, at least the following clutch arrangement data and environmental data for the individual clutch arrangement are recorded and provided in order to derive a target specification of a maintenance requirement: Running time of the vehicle carrying the coupling assembly, in particular mileage of the vehicle Number of coupling operations performed GPS coordinates of the coupling assembly or the vehicle Coupling speed Outside temperature Coupling ID

[0036] These minimum values ​​are sufficient to derive a meaningful target specification for the maintenance requirement. According to a particularly advantageous embodiment already mentioned, these values ​​are provided entirely on the vehicle side, either directly or at least indirectly as these values, i.e., in a functional or proportional relationship with these values. This means that any additional modifications, including the provision of additional recording devices, can be omitted.

[0037] In a particularly advantageous further development, additional operating and condition data can be recorded in addition to the minimum data, which allows for even greater precision in the target specification for the maintenance request. This includes force-displacement data as well as information regarding the acceleration and deceleration behavior of the rail vehicle over a predefined period of time. These can also be provided via the vehicle control system in a particularly advantageous development.

[0038] Several variants are conceivable regarding the temporal sequence of the individual process steps a) to e). According to a first advantageous variant, the optical images are recorded only upon request, at a specific time or at predefined time intervals, and then evaluated at an evaluation time. The provision of the clutch arrangement data and the determination of the target value for the maintenance request according to process steps a) to c) take place at least at the time of the request or at the predefined intervals for recording the images.

[0039] In this case, it is possible to record the images manually only on request, so that corresponding permanently installed devices on the coupling arrangement can be dispensed with.

[0040] In a second variant, the clutch arrangement data can also be recorded continuously, and process steps a) to c) can be repeated cyclically or iteratively. By combining them with a timestamp, the images recorded on request can be assigned to the clutch data available at that time and the information obtained from them, and then subjected to evaluation. The cyclical or continuous provision of clutch arrangement data and environmental data, as well as the resulting adjustment of the target specification, allows short-term and extreme changes in operating mode to be promptly taken into account when determining the next maintenance time or period.

[0041] According to a third variant, all method steps according to claim 1 are repeated cyclically or iteratively. In this case, however, corresponding devices are provided on the coupling arrangement for recording the images. These can, in particular, be detection devices integrated on or in the coupling arrangement, in particular image sensors.

[0042] In the simplest case, the evaluation of the actual optical condition of the clutch assembly is performed by comparing the actual condition with a target condition. If no deviations between the actual condition and the target condition are detected, the target specification for the maintenance request from the clutch assembly data is maintained or, depending on the remaining operating time available from the target specification, is even extended.

[0043] If a deviation is detected, a change to the target specification for a maintenance requirement is determined depending on the type, extent and direct or indirect influence of the deviation on the functioning and the remaining operating time determined by the target specification until the next maintenance of the clutch arrangement and / or individual components and set as a new target specification.

[0044] In an advantageous further development, the deviations are classified into different classes for evaluation as a function of their direct or indirect impact on the functioning and / or remaining service life of the clutch assembly. Each class is assigned at least one specification for changing / correcting the target specification for the maintenance request. Within a class, the change / correction of the target specification is determined as a function of the deviation with the greatest impact on the functioning and / or remaining service life of the clutch assembly.

[0045] For example, a distinction can be made between deviations of the actual state from the target state that do not affect the functioning and condition of the clutch assembly during the remaining operating time specified by the target specification of the maintenance request, and deviations that do affect the functioning and condition of the clutch assembly during the remaining operating time specified by the target specification of the maintenance request. The former do not result in a correction of the target specification. The latter can be further analyzed with regard to the extent and a theoretical time of occurrence of an impairment of the functioning of the clutch assembly, with the target specification of the maintenance request then being corrected accordingly based on the operating and environmental data.

[0046] In particular, damage to components / parts that could lead to their subsequent failure and thus to failure and impairment of the entire clutch assembly can be detected at an early stage and replaced or overhauled in a timely manner by correcting the maintenance specifications.

[0047] The clutch assembly data and / or environmental data and / or images are preferably stored in a database, which can be part of the provisioning facilities or an edge device or a cloud structure. Determining the target specification for the maintenance request and / or evaluating the actual visual condition of the clutch assembly from the images, taking into account the target specification for the maintenance request formed from the operating and status data at an evaluation time, is preferably carried out decentrally using edge processing or cloud computing. The data is transmitted wirelessly, with no restrictions regarding the transmission type and technology. Depending on the storage arrangement, this can be done via WLAN, radio, Bluetooth, etc.

[0048] The target specification and / or the correction specification for the target specification are determined in advanced training with the aid of at least one mathematical model. The mathematical model can be created using artificial intelligence methods, such as machine learning or a neural network. Alternative methods use decision trees, linear or nonlinear regression methods, etc. This allows for highly precise and reproducible specifications for service intervals.

[0049] According to a further development, the target value created in the data processing system or the corrected value for the target value of the maintenance request can be read out and displayed on any external device.

[0050] A monitoring system for condition-based maintenance of a coupling arrangement of a rail-guided vehicle, wherein the coupling arrangement has at least one coupling head for coupling with a counter-coupling head of the same type and optionally a line coupling for coupling with a line coupling of the counter-coupling for transmitting electrical charge and / or data and / or liquid or gaseous media, is described in claim 14. This comprises at least one device for acquiring and providing clutch arrangement data and / or environmental data; a device for recording images of the clutch arrangement and / or its components; at least one data memory for storing the clutch arrangement data, environmental data, and images; a data processing system for analyzing and processing the clutch arrangement data, environmental data, and images, wherein the data processing system can be coupled to the provision devices for transmitting data.

[0051] In the context of the invention, a data processing system can be understood as, for example, a centralized or decentralized structure suitable for receiving, storing, analyzing, and processing data. A centralized arrangement can be understood as a machine, an electronic circuit, or a powerful computer. A processor can, in particular, be a main processor (Central Processing Unit, CPU), a microprocessor, or a microcontroller, for example an application-specific integrated circuit or a digital signal processor, possibly in combination with a memory unit for storing program instructions, etc. A processor can also be understood as a virtualized processor, a virtual machine, or a soft CPU.For example, it may also be a programmable processor equipped with configuration steps for performing the above-described method according to the invention or configured with configuration steps such that the programmable processor realizes the features of the method according to the invention, of the component, of the module, or of other aspects and / or sub-aspects of the invention. This may be integrated, for example, in a control device assigned to the vehicle.

[0052] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, however, the data processing system is formed from a cloud structure for cloud computing.

[0053] In the context of the invention, a "memory" or "memory module" and the like can be understood to mean, for example, a volatile memory in the form of random-access memory (RAM), a permanent memory such as a hard drive or a data storage device, or, for example, a removable memory module. This can be assigned to the provisioning devices. Preferably, however, the memory module is a cloud-based storage solution that is connected to the individual provisioning devices via a wireless connection, for example, a mobile network connection.

[0054] The data processing system is preferably designed in a decentralized manner and, in a particularly advantageous embodiment, is designed as a cloud structure for cloud computing, which allows access to various external resources.

[0055] The monitoring system according to the invention is therefore simply constructed and can be integrated into existing cloud structures.

[0056] The invention is explained below with reference to the figures. The figures show in detail: Fig. 1 shows the structure and basic functioning of a monitoring system according to the invention; Fig. 2 shows a method according to the invention using a flowchart.

[0057] Figure 1 shows a simplified schematic representation of a coupling arrangement 1 of a rail-guided vehicle 2, comprising a coupling head 3 for coupling to a corresponding coupling head of a coupling arrangement of another rail-guided vehicle (not shown here). The coupling arrangement 1 can further optionally have at least one line coupling 10 for coupling to a line coupling of a counter-coupling for transmitting electrical charge and / or data and / or liquid or gaseous media.

[0058] A monitoring system 4 is assigned to the coupling arrangement 1. The monitoring system 4 is preferably designed in a decentralized manner. Figure 1 shows a particularly advantageous embodiment of the monitoring system 4. This comprises at least one data processing system 5 and at least one provision device 6 for providing and transmitting clutch arrangement data KAD and / or environmental data UD of the clutch arrangement 1 as well as at least one provision device 7 for providing and transmitting images of the clutch arrangement 1 to the data processing system 5. The term "data processing system" is not necessarily to be understood as a device. The data processing system 5 can be designed centrally or, in a particularly advantageous embodiment according to the invention as in Figure 1 reproduced via a cloud architecture for cloud computing.

[0059] The data processing system 5 has at least one interface to the respective provision device 6 for providing and transmitting clutch arrangement data KAD and / or environmental data UD of the clutch arrangement 1 as well as a provision device 7 for providing and transmitting images of the clutch arrangement 1.

[0060] The individual provision device 6 comprises detection devices, in particular a sensor system, which is designed to record, over a definable period of time, variables / data that at least indirectly characterize the operating mode and state of the coupling assembly 1 in the form of coupling assembly data KAD and variables / data that describe external environmental influences in the form of environmental data UD. At least the following data are recorded as coupling assembly data KAD: running time of the coupling assembly or of the vehicle carrying the coupling assembly; number of coupling operations performed; GPS coordinates of the coupling assembly; coupling speed. Environmental data UD describe the environmental influences. To characterize these, at least the outside temperatures are recorded. Other variables are conceivable, such as the type, quality, amount, and speed of precipitation, air humidity; UV radiation, etc.

[0061] This data can be recorded via sensors mounted or integrated on the coupling assembly 1 and / or the vehicle 2.

[0062] The provision device 7 comprises either a sensor system in the form of image sensors, which is permanently attached to and in the coupling arrangement 1 or integrated therein, for recording images of the coupling arrangement 1 and its individual components, or a mobile optical image capture device, for example a camera or smartphone, by means of which images of the coupling arrangement 1 can be recorded only when the rail vehicle is at a standstill.

[0063] The integrated sensors also allow images to be taken in areas that are not accessible from the outside using an image capture device.

[0064] Preferably, each of the individual provision devices 6, 7 comprises an interface for reading and transmitting the data to the data processing system 5.

[0065] Each of the provision devices 6, 7 may also have a memory for storing the acquired data.

[0066] According to a first embodiment, the function of the provision device 6 for providing and transmitting coupling arrangement data KAD can be performed by a device assigned to the track-guided vehicle 2. According to a second embodiment, which is represented here by a broken line, this function is performed solely by a device assigned to the coupling arrangement 1. According to a third embodiment, partial functions can be performed by both provision devices 6, 7.

[0067] The data processing system 5 comprises at least one data memory 8 and a data processing device 9 for analyzing, evaluating, and processing the clutch arrangement data KAD, environmental data UD, and images. The data is preferably stored with a time stamp in the memories of the provision devices 6, 7 and / or the memory of the data processing system 5.

[0068] The transmission of data from the provisioning devices 6, 7 is preferably wireless, for example via WLAN or mobile radio, NFC or Bluetooth.

[0069] To process the data, in particular to analyze, evaluate, and determine a target specification for the maintenance request, i.e., a statement regarding the next upcoming inspection and maintenance, the data processing device 9 comprises a processor 12 configured to process data from the data memory 8 and output the processing result to interfaces. Such an interface represents, for example, the connection to an external device for retrieving the target specification or corrected target specification, for example, a display device in the form of a dashboard 13. This can be done wirelessly via WLAN or mobile communications, NFC, or Bluetooth.

[0070] In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the data processing system 5 is implemented via a cloud architecture configured to enable cloud computing. This involves the provision of resources, e.g., servers, storage, databases, network components, software, analysis, and intelligent functions, via the Internet, i.e., the cloud 11.

[0071] Figure 2 illustrates a particularly advantageous embodiment of a method according to the invention using a flow chart.

[0072] At least at a request time t, images ABact of the coupling assembly 1 are recorded or generated. These visually represent the actual state at that time. With attached and integrated sensors, the images AB can be recorded at specific times (request time) or continuously during operation, or in the simplest case, with minimal effort, manually while the vehicle is stationary. The entire coupling assembly 1, the mechanical part, and the line coupling are recorded, as well as details of the components, including surfaces, components such as seals; line connections; electrical contacts and connections, screw connections, etc.

[0073] Preferably, the individual images ABact are always recorded at different request times from the same perspective, which significantly simplifies the comparison of change behavior over a predefined period. The data are preferably provided with a timestamp to enable precise chronological classification of the actual state and to be merged with the clutch arrangement data KAD or the target specification Xsoll derived from it for maintenance.

[0074] At the request time t, the clutch assembly data KAD are also provided in the form of operating data and, optionally, status data of the clutch assembly 1, and environmental data UD is provided to describe information from the environmental conditions to which the clutch assembly is exposed. This data can also be continuously recorded and stored in a memory 8 with an associated time stamp.

[0075] The following values ​​are preferably recorded as coupling arrangement data KAD: Running time of the vehicle carrying the coupling assembly, in particular mileage of the vehicle Number of coupling operations performed GPS coordinates of the coupling assembly or the vehicle Coupling speed Coupling ID

[0076] At least the outside temperature is taken into account as environmental data UD.

[0077] In a particularly advantageous refinement, additional parameters are also taken into account, allowing load spectra to be created over predefined periods. These parameters are incorporated into the determination of the target specification for the maintenance requirement and enable even more precise target specifications. This includes the recording of the vehicle's acceleration and deceleration behavior, which are already available via the drive control and are reflected in the forces present at the clutch assembly.

[0078] A target specification Xtarget for the maintenance request, for example, a period until the next inspection and maintenance, is created from the clutch arrangement data KAD and the environment data UD at a given point in time. This is combined with the information from the images ABist (t) at the request time t, analyzed, and corrected if necessary.

[0079] If the actual state ABactual resulting from the images AB corresponds to the target state ABtarget, the maintenance requirement Xtarget (t) can be maintained and, if necessary, even extended to extend the period until the next required maintenance. Xtarget (t) is then set as the new target specification Xtargetnew.

[0080] If the evaluation of the actual visual condition of the clutch assembly 1 from the images, taking into account the target specification for the maintenance requirement formed from the operating and condition data or clutch assembly data KAD and environmental data UD at an evaluation time, and depending on the evaluation, results in a deviation W, in particular W1 to Wn from the target condition ABsoll, a correction XK of the target specification Xsoll (t) of the maintenance requirement is carried out. There are various options for this. Preferably, the evaluation is carried out within the framework of a model, in particular a mathematical model. For example, the deviations W1 to Wn with n = 1 to x can be classified into deviations that have no influence on the functionality and safety of the clutch assembly 1 up to the required maintenance term from the target specification Xsoll and deviations that require earlier inspection and maintenance or even immediate maintenance.These include, for example, loose pipe and cable connections; leaks, etc.

[0081] For clutch assembly 1, the correction specifications XKn are determined as a function of the deviation W1 to Wn, with the correction specification that describes the shortest remaining operating time until the next maintenance or that has such an impact on the functioning of the clutch assembly that safety-relevant requirements are no longer met being set as the correction value. The corrected target specification is designated XKmin. If this is smaller than the target specification determined by the clutch assembly data KAD, the corrected target specification XKmin is set as the new target specification Xsollneu.

[0082] The target value Xsollneu can then either be read out manually or automatically transferred to a decision-making instance for planning and carrying out the maintenance. List of reference symbols

[0083] 1Coupling assembly 2Led-guided vehicle 3Coupling head 4Monitoring system 5Data processing system 6Provisioning device 7Provisioning device 8Data storage 9Data processing device 10Line coupling 11Cloud 12Processor 13Dashboard

Claims

1. Method for the state-based maintenance of a coupling arrangement (1) of a track-bound vehicle (2), the coupling arrangement (1) having at least one coupling head for coupling to a diametrically opposed coupling head of a mating coupling and optionally at least one line coupling (10) for coupling to a line coupling of a mating coupling to transmit electrical charge and / or data and / or liquid or gaseous media, comprising: a) providing coupling arrangement data (KAD) in the form of operating data and optionally state data relating to the coupling arrangement; b) providing surroundings data (UD) for describing information relating to the ambient conditions to which the coupling arrangement (1) is subject; c) transmitting the provided data - coupling arrangement data (KAD) and / or surroundings data (UD) - to a data processing system (5) and determining a target specification (Xsoll) for a maintenance requirement of the coupling arrangement (1) as a function of the provided coupling arrangement data (KAD) and surroundings data (UD); d) recording images (AB) of the coupling arrangement (1) for optical reproduction of the actual state and transmission to the data processing system (5); e) evaluating the optical actual state of the coupling arrangement (1) from the images (AB) taking account of the target specification (Xsoll), which is formed from the operating and state data, in particular coupling arrangement data (KAD) and surroundings data (UD), for the maintenance requirement at an evaluation time and taking the evaluation as a basis for correcting (XK) the target specification (Xsoll) of the maintenance requirement.

2. Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that the target specification (Xsoll) determined for the maintenance requirement is a variable that at least indirectly characterizes a permissible remaining operating period of the coupling arrangement (1) before the next maintenance as a function of the captured coupling arrangement data (KAD) and surroundings data (UD) and / or the correction (XKn) of the target specification (Xsoll) using at least one mathematical model.

3. Method according to either of the preceding claims, characterized in that the data comprising the coupling arrangement data (KAD), the surroundings data (UD) and the images (AB) are provided with a timestamp and stored therewith.

4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that during the operation of the vehicle (2) that bears or has the coupling arrangement (1) the coupling arrangement data (KAD) and the surroundings data (UD) are captured at least in part, preferably in full, on the vehicle, in particular by means of a data providing device (6) associated with the vehicle.

5. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the coupling arrangement data (KAD) and surroundings data (UD) relating to the coupling arrangement (1) and / or the components thereof are captured at least in part using a data providing device (6) associated with the coupling arrangement (1).

6. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least the coupling arrangement data (KAD) and surroundings data (UD) cited below are captured for the individual coupling arrangement: - running time of the vehicle (2) bearing the coupling arrangement (1), in particular mileage of the vehicle - number of coupling operations performed - GPS coordinates of the coupling arrangement (1) or the vehicle - coupling speed - exterior temperature - coupling ID.

7. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the optical images (AB) are recorded and evaluated on demand at a demand time or in predefined time intervals.

8. Method according to Claim 7, characterized in that method steps a) to c) according to Claim 1 are carried out at least at the demand time or in the predefined time intervals for recording the images (AB).

9. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that at least method steps a) to c) according to Claim 1 are cyclically or iteratively repeated, with the result that the target specification (Xsoll) for the maintenance requirement is verified and / or adapted.

10. Method according to Claim 9, characterized in that method steps d) to e) according to Claim 1 are cyclically or iteratively repeated.

11. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the evaluation of the optical actual state of the coupling arrangement involves the actual state (ABist) being compared with a target state (ABsoll), the target specification (Xsoll) for the maintenance requirement from the coupling arrangement data (KAD) and surroundings data (UD) being retained if no variances between the actual state (ABist) and the target state (ABsoll) are determined and, if a variance (W1 to Wn) is determined, a change of target specification (Xsoll) for a maintenance requirement being determined and set as the new target specification (Xsollneu) on the basis of the type, the extent and the direct or indirect influence of the variance on the functioning and the remaining operating period, which is able to be described by the target specification (Xsoll), of the coupling arrangement and / or individual components before the next maintenance.

12. Method according to Claim 11, characterized by the following features: - classifying (Xkn) the variances (W1 to Wn) into different classes as a function of their direct or indirect effect on the functioning and / or remaining operating period of the coupling arrangement; - predetermining at least one change (Xkn) of target specification (Xsoll) for the maintenance requirement for each individual class, the correction (Xkmin) of the target specification within a class being determined as a function of the variance having the greatest effect on the functioning and / or remaining operating period of the coupling arrangement (1).

13. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the coupling arrangement data (KAD) and / or surroundings data (UD) and / or images (AB) are stored in a database that is part of the providing devices (6, 7) or of an edge device or a cloud structure (11), and the determination of the target specification (Xsoll) for the maintenance requirement and / or the evaluation of the optical actual state (ABist) of the coupling arrangement (1) from the images taking account of the target specification (Xsoll), which is formed from the operating and state data, for the maintenance requirement at an evaluation time are performed by edge processing or cloud computing.

14. Monitoring system (4) for the state-based maintenance of a coupling arrangement of a track-bound vehicle, the coupling arrangement (1) having at least one coupling head for coupling to a diametrically opposed coupling head of a mating coupling and optionally a line coupling (10) for coupling to a line coupling of a mating coupling to transmit electrical charge and / or data and / or liquid or gaseous media, comprising: - at least one device (6) for capturing and providing coupling arrangement data (KAD) and / or surroundings data (UD); - a device (7) for recording / providing images of the coupling arrangement and / or the components thereof; - at least one data memory (8) for storing the coupling arrangement data (KAD), surroundings data (UD) and images; - a data processing system (5) for analysing and processing the coupling arrangement data (KAD), surroundings data (UD) and images, the data processing system (5) being able to be coupled to the providing devices (6, 7) to transmit data.

15. Monitoring system (4) according to Claim 14, characterized in that the data processing system (5) is in the form of a cloud structure for cloud computing.

16. Monitoring system (4) according to either of Claims 14 and 15, characterized in that the device (6) for capturing and providing the coupling arrangement data (KAD) and / or surroundings data (UD) is formed by a controller associated with the vehicle.