BALISEN HOUSING WITH A RECEPTION STRUCTURE FOR ELECTRONIC FUNCTIONAL COMPONENTS

Description

Technical field

[0001] The invention encompasses the following subject matter: a beacon housing with a receiving structure. Furthermore, the invention encompasses the following subject matter: a track system with a track, comprising the beacon housing. Technical background

[0002] According to the state of the art, it is known to protect beacon housings with housing covers. These housing covers are made of metal, plastic, or both, and represent an additional component that can be installed in the track bed to protect the beacon if necessary.

[0003] For example, document EP 3437954 A1 describes how a beacon housing can be protected with a protective cover consisting of four parts. The beacon housing is attached to two steel connecting elements, with the connecting elements being supported on a rail sleeper and in the track bed adjacent to the rail sleeper. A three-part plastic structure is attached to the connecting elements. This structure consists of two ramp-like components at the edge of the connecting elements and a cover component, creating a protected space for the beacon housing. The components of the beacon are housed in the beacon housing. The protective function for the beacon is supported by the ramp-like structure and the support on the track bed, as foreign objects that could endanger the beacon bounce off the inclined surfaces thus formed.The resulting forces are absorbed by the protective cover and are therefore not transferred to the balise housing.

[0004] From the document DE 10 2010 020 421 A1 a fastening and protection device for a Euro-Balise is known, which is used in the track area of ​​rail-bound railway traffic.

[0005] The current state of the art presents the problem that protecting the beacon requires a high level of component complexity. These components increase the cost of using beacons (component complexity, increased installation effort), which is why the beacon operator must consider whether protection of the beacon is necessary in each specific case, taking economic considerations into account. Summary of the invention

[0006] The object of the invention is to remedy the problems described in the prior art. In particular, the object is to provide a beacon housing that can be used without the aid of additional components and without additional assembly effort, while still being well protected from damage. Furthermore, the object of the invention is to provide a track system in which a beacon with a beacon housing is installed that has the properties described above.

[0007] The invention is defined by the features of independent claims 1 and 13.

[0008] Described is a balise housing with a receiving structure for electronic functional components of a balise, a) with a cover surface which, in a planned installation position of the balise housing, forms the upper side of the same, b) and with side surfaces adjoining the cover surfaces which, in a planned installation position of the balise housing, are transverse to a crossing direction.

[0009] The electronic functional components of the balise are those functional components that are responsible for the balise's function. The balise is a track element that can preferably be installed in railway lines, but can also be installed, for example, in roadways for motor vehicles. The balise has an antenna that can preferably be used to activate it and which is set up to transmit information, the so-called balise telegram. For this purpose, there is a microcomputer that stores the balise telegram in a memory unit and transmits it via the balise antenna when activated (so-called fixed data balise). Another possibility is for the balise to have an interface through which a balise telegram can be transmitted to the balise.All of these functional components are housed within the beacon housing, creating an easily installed functional unit that is protected by the beacon housing. On railway lines, beacons are preferably mounted on rail sleepers, for which purpose several holes are preferably provided in the beacon housing to accommodate the fastening screws. The fastening screws can be screwed into the rail sleeper (more on this below).

[0010] The crossing direction refers to the direction in which the vehicle to and / or from which a transfer is to be made crosses the beacon. The side surfaces are perpendicular to this direction, i.e. they face the approaching vehicle or away from the departing vehicle. The deck surface forms the upper end and is therefore facing the vehicle during the crossing. All of this information applies to the installed position of the beacon, which is attached, for example, to a rail sleeper that thus forms the base. This defines the installed position of the beacon housing and allows geometric information to be provided, particularly with reference to horizontal planes (see below).

[0011] It is intended that at least one of the side surfaces is composed of an upper impact surface and a lower impact surface, c) wherein in the planned installation position of the balise housing, the upper baffle surface is inclined upwards and the lower baffle surface is inclined downwards with respect to a horizontal plane, d) and wherein an abutting edge is formed between the upper baffle surface and the lower baffle surface.

[0012] The design of the side surfaces, with an upper impact surface and a lower impact surface that together form a butt joint, incorporates insights gained from analyzing damage cases involving balise housings. One of the most severe known stresses on the balise housing occurs when ice lumps break off from moving trains at subzero temperatures and impact the balise housing. The velocity component toward the ground is negligible due to the low drop height. However, the breaking ice lumps have a horizontal velocity component resulting from the speed of the moving train, which, in the worst case, causes the ice lump to impact the side surfaces of the balise housing at this speed.

[0013] This is where the invention comes in: the side surfaces of the beacon are provided with an upper impact surface and a lower impact surface, between which only a comparatively narrow impact edge is formed. With these free surfaces, the side surface of the beacon housing can penetrate the ice lump and burst it due to the normal forces acting on the free surfaces. The resulting ice particles exert less stress on the beacon housing, allowing it to survive the impact unscathed.

[0014] A track system with a track in which rails are laid on rail sleepers and in which a beacon is attached to at least one sleeper is also described.

[0015] This is the application where beacons are installed in tracks. These are preferably attached to the rail sleepers. Fastening is preferably done via screw connections, with the beacon housing having through holes through which the screws are inserted to secure it to the rail sleeper.

[0016] It is intended that the balise has a balise housing in the design described above and that the balise housing has a width in the crossing direction that is greater than the width of an upper side of the rail sleeper to which the balise is attached.

[0017] Rail ties typically have a rectangular or trapezoidal profile, with the trapezoidal profile tapering towards the top. This defines the top side of the rail tie, which runs from outer edge to outer edge. For the purposes of this invention, the width of the top side is measured in the crossing direction. This results in a type of T-shaped profile in the cross-section of the rail tie and the beacon housing mounted on it, with the beacon housing forming the upper beam of the T. In other words, the greater width of the beacon housing creates an overhang, with a cavity beneath the overhang extending as far as the rail tie.

[0018] This cavity is advantageously available for the absorption of ice particles when they are deflected downward by the impact edge and subsequently redirected along the lower impact surface. The cavity can therefore be viewed as a type of reservoir for a destroyed ice lump, in which the ice particles of the destroyed ice lump can collect without subjecting the balise housing to severe mechanical stress. This advantageously results in the forces acting on the balise housing being balanced during the destruction of the ice lump, thus avoiding global plastic deformation of the balise housing. Otherwise, ice particles collecting below the balise housing could develop a compressive force from below, which could also lead to upward bending of the balise housing. General embodiments of the invention

[0019] Variants describing further developments of the invention are explained below without limiting the invention defined by the features of independent claims 1 and 13.

[0020] According to one variant, the upper parallel surface and the lower impact surface are aligned at the same angle.

[0021] In other words, one can cut through the balise housing along the crossing direction and would then see that the respective gradient of the impact surfaces (positive upwards for the upper impact surface and negative downwards for the lower impact surface) is of the same magnitude at points on the profile of the impact surface that are opposite to a horizontal plane.

[0022] This arrangement of the impact surfaces has the advantage that the distribution of forces acting on the impact surface by the ice particles is approximately balanced. It has been shown that the ice particles formed when the impact edge penetrates the ice lump are deflected in the area of ​​the impact surfaces, thereby exerting a distributed load on the free surfaces. With the impact surfaces aligned at the same angle, the vertical force components of a normal force resulting from the distributed load cancel each other out, which is why no bending moment is exerted on the housing as a whole. This also contributes to ensuring that the housing as a whole does not bend upon impact with the ice lump.

[0023] According to one variant, the upper impact surface and the lower impact surface form a wedge

[0024] A wedge is created when the baffles are aligned flat. In other words, the upper baffle extends from the butt edge to the outer edge of the top side, and the lower baffle extends from the butt edge to the outer edge of the bottom side of the beacon housing.

[0025] The wedge-shaped design of the impact surfaces has the advantage of ensuring a shape that is easy to manufacture and, in the case of a primary molding method (such as injection molding), easy to demold the balise housing. Furthermore, the mechanical behavior of the impact surfaces can be easily predicted if they have a simple, i.e., flat geometry.

[0026] According to one variant, the abutting edge is located in the middle of at least one side surface with respect to the height of the balise housing.

[0027] The center is defined by the fact that the side surface forms two essentially equal-sized surfaces above and below the center. These equal-sized surfaces form the upper and lower impact surfaces. With a wedge-shaped design of the free surfaces, equal impact surfaces extend above and below the center, so that the cross-section of the beacon housing in the area of ​​the side surfaces is described by an isosceles triangle.

[0028] The arrangement of the impact edge in the middle has the advantage that the ice particles created when the ice block is destroyed are distributed essentially equally between the upper impact surface and the lower impact surface. This concerns the ice particles whose direction of movement is deflected by the impact surfaces. With a large ice block, ice particles can also be created which, due to their greater flight altitude, fly over the beacon housing without being deflected. However, these particles do not place any strain on the beacon housing and are therefore not taken into account in this approximate model analysis. A balanced distribution of the deflected ice particles between the upper impact surface and the lower impact surface advantageously leads to the surface loads imposed by the deflection, which trigger a normal force, being essentially balanced out.As already described, this has a beneficial effect on the deformation of the housing, in that the horizontal components of the normal force just cancel each other out, thus preventing any bending moment from being exerted on the housing. This reduces the mechanical stresses that occur and, in particular, prevents the balise housing from being detached from the rail sleeper.

[0029] According to one variant, the abutting edge extends in such a way that it divides a projection surface of the side surface into an upper projection sub-surface and a lower projection sub-surface, the area ratio of which is in a range from 30% to 70% to 70% to 30%, preferably 50% to 50%.

[0030] With an area ratio of 50% to 50%, even if the side surface is not wedge-shaped, the force distribution is as described above (compare the arrangement of the butt edge in the middle of the side surface).

[0031] Depending on the geometry of the rail sleeper, however, a deviation from the 50% to 50% area ratio can compensate for other effects that lead to an uneven distribution of the resulting normal forces mentioned above. If, for example, the overhang of the beacon housing from the edge of the rail sleeper is not large enough to completely absorb the downwardly deflected ice particles, an additional compressive force is created from the bottom to the top, exerted by the ice particles accumulated in the cavity. In such a case, the butt edge can be moved downwards compared to the center, for example, to compensate for this additional force. This makes the upper impact surface larger than the lower impact surface and also changes the inclination of both free surfaces.As a result, a larger horizontal component of the resulting normal force is exerted on the upper impact surface than on the lower impact surface, whereby in the ideal case the sum of the additional compressive force and the vertical component of the lower resulting normal force is exactly equal to the upper vertical component of the upper resulting normal force.

[0032] According to one variant, the oblique inclination of the upper baffle surface upwards and the lower baffle surface downwards in the planned installation position of the balise housing with respect to a horizontal plane is each at an inclination angle α of at least 30° and at most 60°, preferably at least 40° and at most 50°.

[0033] The angle of inclination determines the surface area of ​​the upper and lower baffles. The smaller the angle of inclination, the larger the surface area. However, the smaller the angle of inclination, the more difficult it is to accommodate the baffle on the outside of the beacon housing. Due to the required installation space, the baffle cannot be extended as far as desired towards the center of the beacon housing. Therefore, a longer baffle would result in a greater width of the beacon housing and thus also in a larger overhang. This would, among other things, lead to higher material consumption in relation to the material used for the beacon housing. At the same time, the wedge formed by the baffles tapers increasingly to a point, which reduces its mechanical stability.

[0034] The ranges given for the angle of inclination advantageously make it possible to find a compromise that takes the above-mentioned restrictions into account, depending on the application (e.g. the existing sleeper width) and the material used for the balise housing (usually plastic).

[0035] According to one variant, the abutting edge has a radius of at least 5 mm and at most 10 mm, preferably 7 mm.

[0036] A radius at the butt joint is necessary for manufacturing reasons alone. Furthermore, the edge must not be too sharp, as it would otherwise be too sensitive if the ice lump hit it. On the other hand, the larger the radius of the butt joint, the more force the ice lump hitting the butt joint can transfer to the beacon housing in a horizontal direction, the larger the force. This means that with larger radii, an increasingly larger part of the projection of the side surface extends perpendicular or at least almost perpendicular to the direction of movement of the ice lump, which means that the horizontal component of a distributed load acting on the side surface by the ice lump is increased. However, this horizontal normal force component must be absorbed by the attachment of the beacon housing to the rail sleeper and is therefore limited.

[0037] The range specified for the radius advantageously makes it possible to find a compromise that takes the above-mentioned restrictions into account, depending on the application (e.g. the speed range for crossing trains) and the material used for the balise housing (usually plastic).

[0038] According to one variant, the balise housing has a width of at least 40 cm in the crossing direction.

[0039] Common sleeper widths are 25-30 cm. Choosing a beacon housing width of at least 40 cm ensures that an overhang is ensured due to the T-shaped cross-section of the beacon housing attached to the rail sleeper.

[0040] According to one variant, the balise housing is composed of an upper part and a lower part, both of which form a housing space as a receiving structure, wherein the upper part and the lower part are firmly connected to one another at the edge of the housing space.

[0041] The housing space is available to accommodate the electronic components that ensure the function of the beacon. The housing's division is necessary so that these components can be mounted within the cavity. The upper and lower sections are firmly connected to each other at the edge of the cavity. This edge of the cavity is created by the fact that the beacon housing is essentially flat, and thus the edge of the cavity lies near the side surfaces of the beacon housing. However, it is not formed by the side surfaces, but rather by these opposite inner surfaces in the housing.

[0042] A fixed connection within the meaning of the invention is understood to be a connection that can mechanically transmit forces acting on one component (both tensile and compressive forces) to the other component (one and the other component are provided by the upper and lower parts respectively). This can be achieved through various mechanical connections between the components. A positive connection can be created, for example, by providing locking lugs in one component and corresponding receptacles for the locking lugs in the other component. A frictional connection is achieved when a screw connection is provided, whereby a receiving hole for the screw can be provided in one component and a threaded hole in the other component. The use of self-tapping screws is also conceivable. A material connection can be achieved, for example, by gluing or welding the two components.

[0043] Because the upper and lower sections are firmly connected, forces can be transferred between these two components. This advantageously provides additional stabilization for the housing. Particularly when the housing is subjected to bending stress in the crossing direction, it is possible for the wall structures above the cavity to absorb compressive forces, for example, and tensile forces below the cavity (for example, in the case mentioned above where ice particles accumulating beneath the overhang exert an upward compressive force on the balise housing). Since most materials have a higher rigidity for absorbing tensile and compressive forces than for absorbing bending moments, the firm connection between the upper and lower sections of the housing contributes to stabilization.

[0044] According to one variant, the upper part has first fastening holes and the lower part has second fastening holes aligned with the first fastening holes, wherein the lower part has first support surfaces surrounding the second fastening holes for support in the planned installation position and the upper part has second support surfaces which are supported on the lower part.

[0045] Because the first fastening holes are aligned with the corresponding second fastening holes, pairs of fastening holes are created. This means that the upper and lower parts can be fastened to the rail sleeper with one screw each for each pair of fastening holes. Suitable screws are preferably used here. The upper and lower parts are fixed in place by the interaction of the individual contact surfaces. The first contact surfaces rest on the planned installation position, i.e. on the upper side of the rail sleeper in question. The second contact surfaces are supported in the lower part in an area of ​​the lower part, preferably formed by third contact surfaces. This also holds the upper part on the lower part or at least stabilizes it further.

[0046] The advantage of aligned mounting holes and the corresponding support surfaces is that they allow for stable mounting of the beacon housing on the rail sleeper, especially with screws. The holding force of the screws is transferred to the beacon housing via the support surfaces, allowing the beacon housing to resist damage even in the event of short-term loads such as the impact of a lump of ice, as the resulting load peaks on the side of the beacon housing's attachment are distributed across the support surfaces.

[0047] According to one variant, the first fastening holes in the upper part are located in recesses located in the top of the housing.

[0048] Preferably, the recesses in the housing wall forming the top of the housing form a cup-shaped structure, with the bottom structure of the cup-shaped structure forming the support surface. At the same time, the first fastening hole is provided in this bottom structure, so that a screw head of a fastening screw, for example, engages the bottom of the cup-shaped recess formed by the top structure.

[0049] Relative to the height of the housing structure, a fastening screw can thus be comparatively short, as its head can be lowered into the recess relative to the top of the housing. Shorter screws can better withstand loads caused, for example, by the impact of a lump of ice. A force applied vertically, which subjects the screw shaft to shear and bending stress, leads to less stress on the screw, particularly with regard to the applied bending moment, due to the lower leverage of the shorter screw shaft.

[0050] According to one variant, the housing is made of plastic.

[0051] The choice of plastic as the material for the balise housing has the advantage that the electronic components of the balise, which are installed in the balise housing and are intended to send and receive the radio signals, are comparatively little influenced by the material of the housing.

[0052] According to one variant, the width of the balise housing is 10-30 cm larger than the width of the top of the rail sleeper.

[0053] The advantages of a larger width of the balise housing compared to the top of the rail sleeper, which contributes to the formation of an overhang and a hollow space underneath, have already been discussed. It is particularly advantageous to relate the width of the balise housing to the width of the rail sleeper, as this can directly influence the size of the hollow space.

[0054] Embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the drawings. Identical or corresponding drawing elements are provided with the same reference numerals in the individual figures and are explained repeatedly only to the extent that differences arise between the individual figures.

[0055] The exemplary embodiments explained below are preferred embodiments of the invention. Figure 1 shows a section in the crossing direction R through an embodiment of the balise housing according to the invention. Figure 2 shows a three-dimensional view of the balise housing according to Figure 1 . Figure 3 shows an alternative embodiment of the balise housing according to the invention in three-dimensional view. Figure 4 shows a track system with built-in balise BL, which has a balise housing according to Figure 1while a lump of ice EK hits the edge STK of the balise housing.

[0056] In Figure 1 A balise housing is shown. This has an upper part (OT) and a lower part (UT), which together enclose a housing space (GR). The housing space (GR) houses the components responsible for the function of the balise (BL). The balise housing is secured with screws, with the screws engaging the material of the balise housing at the outer edge of the housing space (GR).

[0057] The upper part OT of the balise housing forms the surface in which a recess VT is located. At the bottom of the recess VT, which is formed by a cup-shaped structure as part of the upper part OT, a first fastening hole L1 is located, which is aligned with a second fastening hole L2 provided in the lower part UT. Thus, by pairing the two fastening holes, a screw can be inserted as a fastening means BM to fix the balise housing to a rail sleeper SW (see Figure 4). The screw causes the beacon housing to rest with a first bearing surface A1 on the surface of the rail sleeper SW. Furthermore, the lower part UT forms a third bearing surface A3, on which a second bearing surface A2 of the upper part OT can rest, with all bearing surfaces being pressed together by the fastening means BM. This stabilizes the beacon housing, with columnar reinforcements being formed inside the housing space GR by the cup-shaped structures that form the recesses VT.

[0058] The side surfaces of the balise housing are formed by an upper impact surface OP and a lower impact surface UP, which are arranged at an angle to a horizontal plane and converge at a butt joint STK. This creates a stable side surface that connects to the outer edges of a cover surface DF and can also withstand the impact of an ice lump EK (see Figure 4).

[0059] The Figure 2The three-dimensional representation shows the external design of the balise housing. It can be seen that two recesses VT are provided in the surface so that the balise housing can be attached to the rail sleeper SW with two fastening screws. It can also be seen that the dimensions of the balise housing are defined by a length l, a width b and a height h. The width b extends from one butt edge STK to the opposite butt edge STK and is measured in the crossing direction R. It can also be seen that the left butt edge STK shown in the figure lies exactly in the middle of the side surface. In other words, the butt edge STK divides the side surface into a projection area PF, which is also in Figure 2 shown, into an upper projection surface OPF and a lower projection surface UPF, each of which has the same area.

[0060] At the Figure 2 The STK butt edge shown on the right is slightly offset downwards (this is also shown in Figure 1 can be seen, whereby the offset is indicated by a dash-dotted contour, where the impact edge STK is located in the middle). This results in different angles of inclination α for the upper impact surface OP and the lower impact surface UP. The angles of inclination α Alpha, which apply to the front impact surfaces, are the same, but in Figure 2 not shown. Both butt edges STK are rounded with a radius r.

[0061] In Figure 3 An alternative design for the balise housing is shown. Compared to Figure 2 alternative designs for the upper impact surface OP and the lower impact surface UP as well as the impact edges STK. Figure 3 The STK butt edge shown on the right is similar to the STK butt edges according to Figure 2formed by wedge-shaped converging impact surfaces, but the impact edge STK is swept. This means that the angle to the left-hand side surfaces of the beacon housing extending in the crossing direction R is > 90°, so that an angle is also created in the center of the impact edge STK. An impact edge STK with this orientation forms a suggested point, which can better penetrate an ice lump EK and assists in shattering it.

[0062] The Figure 3The STK impact edge shown on the left is not formed within a horizontal plane, but is wave-shaped with different heights offset from such a plane. This increases the stability of the impact surfaces, which, due to their undulation, develop greater inherent stability. Nevertheless, it is possible to arrange the wavy STK impact edge in such a way that the upper impact surface OP and the lower impact surface UP are projected onto the side surface, as shown in Figure 2 shown, form an upper projection surface OPF and a lower projection surface UPF which have the same area (if the height offsets h balance out in total).

[0063] The four variants that are available for the STK butt edges in Figure 1 or 2 and Figure 3The two impact surfaces shown can, of course, also be arranged in pairs on both opposite side surfaces, so that the beacon housing is symmetrical with respect to the crossing direction R. This actually makes sense, because the free surfaces are the result of an optimization, and this optimization naturally applies to both directions of travel. The exemplary embodiments are shown with different impact surfaces UP only to be able to explain several variants using the figures.

[0064] In Figure 4the track system according to the invention is shown, which has a track GL which consists of rails SN fastened to rail sleepers SW. A balise BL is mounted on the rail sleeper SW shown with a fastening means BM in the form of a screw and thus forms a T-shaped structure which creates cavities HR below an overhang of the balise housing for the reception of ice particles EP. The cavities HR are delimited by the underside of the balise housing, the side surfaces of the rail sleeper SW and a fill ST of the track bed, whereby it is indicated how the ice particles EP move from the lower impact surface UP into the cavity HR. The ice lump EK is shown in various stages. One is in a stage in which it is flying towards the balise housing.It is clear that this has a horizontal velocity component Vh which is significantly larger than the negligible vertical velocity component Vr. The vertical velocity component Vr is caused by the falling of the ice lump EK from a train traveling in the crossing direction R and therefore corresponds to its speed.

[0065] Furthermore, the process of impact and destruction of the ice lump EK is shown. It is shown how the impact edge STK penetrates the ice lump EK and transforms it into ice particles EP. These ice particles EP are deflected by the upper impact surface OP and the lower impact surface UP during further flight. The change in momentum causes a surface load on the upper impact surface OP and the lower impact surface UP, with a resulting force exerted by the ice particles EP being the resulting normal force Ne per impact surface in Figure 4is shown. This acts in a direction perpendicular to the impact surface, whereby the vertical components of the resulting normal forces Ne acting on the upper impact surface OP and the lower impact surface UP essentially cancel each other out. A resulting force Fr therefore acts essentially horizontally, which is made clear by the indicated force parallelogram in which the resulting normal forces Ne are involved. Furthermore, a force arises at the impact edge STK, which is caused by the fact that the impact edge STK with its radius r has horizontal surface components that are directed directly opposite to the direction of flight of the ice lump EK.

[0066] Because the vertical components of the resulting normal force Ne essentially cancel each other out, the beacon housing is essentially not bent vertically by the impacting ice lump EK. In other words, the moment Mr resulting from the impact of the ice lump EK is approximately zero. Figuratively speaking, the beacon housing penetrates the ice lump EK like a knife edge.

[0067] The force of the ice lump EK and the resulting force Fr add up to a total force Fg, which tends to displace the balise housing in a horizontal direction. This is counteracted by the fastening element BM, which is designed as a screw. The fastening element BM is in Figure 4indicated, whereby it is clear that the screw is screwed into the rail sleeper SW. This can be understood mechanically as a model for clamping a bending beam. Because the total force Fg acts on the screw, a total moment Mg is created, which subjected the screw to bending stress. However, because the screw is housed in the pot-shaped recess VT, the screw shaft is shortened, and due to the effective leverage, the bending moment is reduced. List of reference symbols

[0068] RCrossing direction BLBalise EKEice lump STKShock edge OTOpper UTLower part GRHousing space VTRecesses L1First fastening hole L2Second fastening hole BMFastening means SWRail sleepers A1First bearing surfaces A3Third bearing surface A2Second bearing surfaces OPUpper impact surface UPLower impact surface DFCover surface lLength bWidth hHeight PFProjection surface OPFUpper projection surface UPFLower projection surface αInclination rRadius GLTrack SNRails HRCavity EPIce particles STFill VhHorizontal velocity component VrVertical velocity component NResultant normal force FrResultant force MrResultant moment FgTotal force MgTotal moment

Claims

1. Balise housing with a receiving structure for electronic functional components of a balise (BL) a) with a cover surface (DF) which, in a planned installation position of the balise housing, forms the upper side thereof, b) and with side surfaces which attach to the cover surfaces (DF) and, in a planned installation position of the balise housing, lie transversely in relation to a crossing direction (R), wherein, of the side surfaces, at least one is composed of an upper baffle surface (OP) and a lower baffle surface (UP), c) wherein, in the planned installation position of the balise housing, related to a horizontal plane in each case, the upper baffle surface (OP) is inclined obliquely upwards and the lower baffle surface (UP) is inclined obliquely downwards, d) and wherein a joint edge (STK) is embodied between the upper baffle surface (OP) and the lower baffle surface (UP).

2. Balise housing according to claim 1, wherein the lower parallel surface and the upper baffle surface (UP) are oriented as oblique to the same extent.

3. Balise housing according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the upper baffle surface (OP) and the lower baffle surface (UP) form a wedge.

4. Balise housing according to claim 3, wherein the joint edge (STK) lies in the centre of the at least one side surface, in relation to the height (h) of the balise housing.

5. Balise housing according to one of claims 1 - 3, wherein the joint edge (STK) runs in such a manner that it divides a projection surface (PF) of the side surface into an upper projection partial surface (OPF) and a lower projection partial surface (UPF), the ratio of surfaces thereof being in a range between 30 % to 70 % and 70 % to 30 %, preferably being 50 % to 50 %.

6. Balise housing according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the oblique incline (α) of the upper baffle surface (OP) upwards and of the lower baffle surface (UP) downwards in the planned installation position of the balise (BL) housing in each case amounts to at least 10° and at most 50°, preferably at least 25° and at most 35°, in relation to a horizontal plane.

7. Balise housing according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the joint edge (STK) has a radius (r) of at least 5 mm and at most 10 mm, preferably 7 mm.

8. Balise housing according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the balise housing has a width (b) of at least 40 cm in the crossing direction (R).

9. Balise housing according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the balise housing is composed of an upper part (OT) and a lower part (UT), which both embody a housing space (GR) as receiving structure, wherein the upper part (OT) and the lower part (UT) are interconnected in a fixed manner at the edge of the housing space (GR).

10. Balise housing according to claim 9, wherein the upper part (OT) has first fastening holes (L1) and the lower part (UT) has second fastening holes (L2) flush with the first fastening holes (L1), wherein the lower part (UT) has first supporting surfaces (A1) surrounding the second fastening holes (L2) for supporting in the planned installation position and the upper part (OT) has second supporting surfaces (A2), which brace against the lower part (UT).

11. Balise housing according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first fastening holes (L1) in the upper part (OT) lie in depressions (VT) that are accommodated in the upper side of the housing in each case.

12. Balise housing according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing consists of plastic.

13. Track installation with a track (GL), in which rails (SN) are laid on rail sleepers (SW) and in which a balise (BL) is fastened to at least one sleeper, wherein the balise (BL) has a balise housing according to one of the preceding claims and the balise housing has a width (b) in the crossing direction (R) that is greater than the width (b) of an upper side of the rail sleeper (SW) to which the balise (BL) is fastened.

14. Track installation according to claim 12, wherein the width (b) of the balise housing is 10-30 cm greater than the width (b) of the upper side of the rail sleeper (SW).