Method and devices for monitoring a locked route section of a railway track system

Abstract

The invention relates, inter alia, to a warning device (30) for monitoring a closed section (11) of a railway track system (10), wherein the warning device (30) comprises at least one movable handset (32) capable of transmitting and receiving radio signals. According to the invention, the warning device is provided that a local triggering area (AB) is assigned to the closed section (11), and a central unit (31) of the warning device (30) and / or the at least one movable handset (32) is configured to generate a trigger signal when at least one triggering condition relating to the triggering area (AB) is fulfilled.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a warning device for monitoring a closed section of a railway track system, wherein the warning device comprises at least one movable mobile part which is suitable for transmitting and receiving radio signals.

[0002] To date, sections of track closed for maintenance or repairs are often marked or secured with fences or other barriers. There are also known warning systems that warn construction workers when hazards are detected using a combination of lights and horns.

[0003] A warning device with the features according to the preamble of patent claim 1 is described, for example, in the German laid-open specification DE 10 2021 206 538 A1.

[0004] The invention is based on the object of specifying a warning device which can offer particularly reliable protection against errors in connection with maintenance or repair work in closed sections of a railway track system.

[0005] This object is achieved according to the invention by a warning device having the features according to claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the warning device according to the invention are specified in subclaims.

[0006] According to the invention, a local triggering area is assigned to the blocked section of the route and a central device of the warning device and / or the at least one movable mobile part is designed to generate a triggering signal if at least one triggering condition relating to the triggering area is fulfilled.

[0007] A key advantage of the warning device according to the invention is that it can automatically and reliably check, based on one or more predefined trigger conditions, whether the blocked section of track (technically called "possession") is in the correct condition. For example, after maintenance or repairs have been completed, one or more of the trigger conditions can be used to check whether the affected section of track has been completely cleared of material (including tools, test equipment, vehicles, etc.) and all personnel have left the section before train operations resume. If this is not the case, a warning can be generated or the unblocking of the section can simply be prevented.For example, tools left behind can pose a serious danger to the oncoming train traffic and must therefore be removed from the section of track under all circumstances before train service resumes; the warning device can ensure a high level of safety for such cases if the triggering conditions are appropriately defined.

[0008] During maintenance or repair work, it is also possible to detect a departure from the closed section of the route by tools equipped with a mobile unit (e.g. a construction vehicle) or by persons equipped with a mobile unit, and, if the triggering condition is defined accordingly, a warning can be generated in good time even during maintenance or repair work.

[0009] With a view to protecting against hazards after the completion of maintenance or repair work, it is considered advantageous if the central device is designed to consider the triggering condition or one of the triggering conditions as met and to generate a blocking signal as a triggering signal as long as the handset or at least one of the handsets is within the triggering area. As long as persons or tools equipped with handsets are within the triggering area or in the blocked section of the route, the blocking signal can, for example, prevent or block unlocking or at least warn against unlocking.

[0010] It is particularly advantageous if the central device is designed to consider the triggering condition as fulfilled and to prevent the blocking of the blocked route section from being lifted, in particular to prevent the generation or transmission of an enable signal to release the previously blocked route section (e.g. by means of the aforementioned blocking signal), as long as the mobile unit or at least one of the mobile units is in the triggering range.

[0011] The warning device can also advantageously protect an operator monitoring the repair or maintenance and operating the central device from misjudgments and incorrect instructions; in this context, it is considered advantageous if the central device is designed to display the occupancy status of the triggering area with mobile devices and / or the fulfilment of the triggering condition(s) on a display device of the central device, either continuously or in response to a display request from the operator, so that the operator can be warned of a dangerous situation - for example, due to persons or tools still remaining in the section of track - before a planned release of the blocked section of track and incorrect instructions can be avoided.

[0012] Alternatively or additionally, the warning device can be used during repair or maintenance; in this context, it is considered advantageous if the warning device is designed to consider the triggering condition as fulfilled and to generate a warning signal as a triggering signal if the mobile unit or at least one of the mobile units leaves the triggering area while the section of road is closed.

[0013] The central device is preferably designed to check whether handsets leave the triggering area and, if necessary, generate the warning signal and transmit it wirelessly to the affected handset(s). Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that the handsets are notified of the triggering area, and the handsets themselves perform a check to determine whether they leave the triggering area, i.e., whether they fulfill a corresponding triggering condition, and, if necessary, generate the corresponding warning signal themselves.

[0014] The invention also relates to an arrangement with a warning device. With regard to such an arrangement, it is considered advantageous if the warning device is a warning device as described above and at least one mobile tool of the arrangement is equipped with the mobile part or at least one of the mobile parts of the warning device.

[0015] The tool is preferably designed or suitable for track construction work and / or maintenance work on the railway track system.

[0016] The invention also relates to a method for monitoring a closed section of a railway track, wherein at least one mobile unit capable of transmitting and receiving radio signals is located. With regard to such a method, the invention provides that a trigger signal is generated when a trigger condition relating to a local trigger area associated with the closed section is met.

[0017] With regard to the advantages of the method according to the invention and its advantageous embodiments, reference is made to the above statements in connection with the warning device according to the invention and its advantageous embodiments.

[0018] The procedure is preferably carried out with the warning device described above.

[0019] With regard to the method, it is advantageous if the trigger condition is considered to be fulfilled and a blocking signal is generated as the trigger signal as long as the handset or at least one of the handsets is in the trigger range.

[0020] The triggering condition is preferably considered to be fulfilled and a lifting of the blocking of the blocked route section (e.g. by means of the blocking signal) is preferably prevented, in particular the generation of an enable signal for releasing the previously blocked route section is prevented if the mobile unit or at least one of the mobile units is located in the triggering area at the time of an operator-side release or an intended operator-side release of the previously blocked route section.

[0021] Alternatively or additionally, the trigger condition or at least one of the trigger conditions can be considered to be fulfilled and a warning signal can be generated as a trigger signal if the mobile unit or at least one of the mobile units leaves the trigger area while the route section is blocked.

[0022] The central unit can check the trigger condition and generate the warning signal, and the warning signal can be transmitted wirelessly to the affected mobile unit(s). Alternatively, or additionally, the mobile units can individually check the trigger condition for their respective positions and, if necessary, generate their own warning signal.

[0023] It is advantageous if the monitoring of the closed section of track is carried out during track construction and / or maintenance work on the railway track system and at least one mobile tool intended for track construction and / or maintenance work on the railway track system, preferably all such tools, are each equipped with a mobile unit.

[0024] The invention also relates to a control device, in particular a signal box or an RBC (Radio Block Center), for example in the form of an ETCS track control center, for controlling a railway track system. The control device is designed to, when a blocking command relating to a section of the railway track system is present, bring about a line blocking of the section of the railway track system by controlling track components of the railway track system. According to the invention, with regard to the control device, the control device is designed to prevent the lifting of the blocking of the blocked section of the track system when a blocking signal is present from a warning device configured as described above, in particular from a central device of such a warning device.

[0025] With regard to the advantages of the control device according to the invention and its advantageous embodiments, reference is made to the above statements in connection with the warning device according to the invention and its advantageous embodiments.

[0026] The invention also relates to a central device for a warning device as described above. With regard to the central device, the invention provides that it is designed to generate the trigger signal when a trigger condition relating to the trigger area is met.

[0027] The central device preferably comprises a computing device, a memory, a radio device controllable by the computing device and an input and output device, for example in the form of a touch-sensitive display.

[0028] Preferably, a computer program product is stored in the memory, which comprises, in software form or in the form of program instructions, a location information acquisition module, a trigger area acquisition module, a comparison module, a radio module and an input module.

[0029] The invention also relates to a mobile unit for a warning device as described above. With regard to the mobile unit, the invention provides that it is designed to generate the trigger signal when a trigger condition relating to the trigger area is met.

[0030] The invention is explained in more detail below using exemplary embodiments, which show, for example: Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of a railway track system with a closed section of track, which is equipped with an embodiment of a warning device according to the invention, wherein Figure 1also an embodiment of a method according to the invention is explained, Figures 2-5 embodiments of central devices according to the invention, which are shown in the Figure 1 shown warning device can be used.

[0031] For the sake of clarity, the same reference symbols are always used in the figures for identical or comparable components.

[0032] The Figure 1 shows a section 11 of a railway track system 10 that is closed for maintenance or repair and is controlled by a control device 20. The control device 20 is, for example, a signal box or an RBC (Radio Block Center), for example in the form of an ETCS track control center.

[0033] To prevent the control device 20 from incorrectly unlocking the blocked route section 11, a warning device 30 is assigned to the blocked route section 11. The warning device 30 comprises a central device 31 and a plurality of mobile units 32. Each mobile unit 32 is assigned to a person 40 working in the blocked route section 11 or to a tool 50 intended or suitable for maintenance or repair.

[0034] The central device 31 is designed to generate a trigger signal, preferably in the form of a blocking signal BS or a warning signal WS, when a trigger condition relating to a predetermined trigger area AB is met. The local trigger area AB is preferably at least as large as the blocked route section 11 or at least includes the blocked route section 11.

[0035] The order according to Figure 1can be operated, for example, as follows: The central device 31 detects the location of the individual handsets 32. Such location detection can be based on the central device 31's own location of the handsets 32 and / or can be carried out by incorporating location signals that the central device 31 receives, for example from a fixed radio system 60 that is in radio contact with the handsets 32. Locating handsets 32 by a fixed radio system 60 is generally known, for example from the mobile communications sector, and can be based on or incorporate known radio methods such as GSM, Bluetooth, and / or WLAN.

[0036] Alternatively or additionally, location detection can be based on the central device 31 receiving location signals from the mobile units 32, which they transmit to the central device 31. Thus, location detection can also be performed (alternatively or additionally) by the mobile units 32 themselves, either by incorporating the fixed radio system 60 or other systems, such as satellites 70. Self-location of mobile units 32 capable of transmitting and receiving radio signals is also known, for example, from the mobile communications sector.

[0037] Based on the available location information, the central device 31 is thus able to check whether persons 40 and tools 50 equipped with the mobile units 32 are located within the local triggering area AB. The central device 31 is designed to prevent an unintentional or at least impermissible release of the blocked route section 11, for example, by blocking unlocking as long as persons 40 or tools 50 are still located in the danger zone or triggering area AB.

[0038] If, for example, an operator 80 enters a release command at the central device 31 with which the operator 80 wishes to trigger the unlocking of the route section 11 because the operator 80 believes, for example, that maintenance and / or repairs have been completed and all persons 40 and tools 50 have left the blocked route section 11, the central device 31 compares the location information relating to the locations of the mobile units 32 with the local triggering area AB and generates a blocking signal BS if at least one of the mobile units 32 is still in the triggering area AB. The blocking signal BS is preferably transmitted to the control device 20 and preferably also blocks the transmission of the operator's release command to the control device 20, so that the blocked route section 11 is not unlocked.

[0039] Alternatively or additionally, the central device 31 can already input a release command and thus generate a release signal FGS (cf. Figure 2 ) at the operator-side interface as long as at least one of the mobile units 32 is located in the triggering area AB, for example by blocking the possibility of entering the release command or simply by not providing any possibility of entering the release command, for example by not displaying the corresponding activation buttons on an operating screen (e.g. touch-sensitive display) of the central device 31.

[0040] To ensure additional security for personnel 40 performing maintenance and / or repairs, it is advantageous if the central device 31 also generates a warning signal WS if at least one of the mobile units 32 leaves the trigger area AB while the route section 11 is closed. The central device 31 preferably transmits the warning signal WS directly to the affected mobile unit(s) 32 via radio.

[0041] Alternatively or additionally, to protect the personnel 40 performing maintenance and / or repair work, it can be provided that the central device 31 or the control device 20 transmits data defining the local trigger area AB to the mobile units 32. If the local trigger area AB is known to the mobile units 32, they can themselves generate acoustic or other signals if they detect a departure from the local trigger area AB based on their own self-determined position and / or based on the position reported by other sources.

[0042] The Figure 2 shows an embodiment of a central device 31 which is used in the warning device 30 according to Figure 1can be used. The central device 31 comprises a computing device 100, a memory 110, a radio device 120 controllable by the computing device 100, and an input and output device 130, for example in the form of a touch-sensitive display, which also functions as a display device.

[0043] A computer program product CPP is stored in the memory 110, which, when executed by the computing device 100, determines or at least co-determines the operation of the computing device 100 and thus that of the central device 31.

[0044] The computer program product CPP comprises a location information acquisition module 210, a trigger area acquisition module 220, a comparison module 230, a radio module 240 and an input module 250.

[0045] The location information acquisition module 210 is used to receive and evaluate location information signals Os1(O1) to Os5(O5), which indicate the respective location of the Figure 1shown mobile units 32, and for storing the corresponding location information O1 to O5 in a location information storage section 111 of the memory 110.

[0046] The location signals Os1(O1) to Os5(O5) can, for example, be transmitted from the mobile units 32 to the central unit 31 when the mobile units 32 locate themselves. Alternatively, the location signals Os1(O1) to Os5(O5) can be transmitted from the radio system 60 to the central unit 31 when the central unit 31 locates the mobile units 32.

[0047] It is also conceivable that both the mobile units 32 locate themselves and the radio system 60 performs a location determination. In this case, the location information acquisition module 210 receives location information signals Os1(O1) to Os5(O5) from both the radio system 60 and the mobile units 32. In the latter case, the central unit 31 can perform the triggering condition check individually based on each received location information.

[0048] The trigger area detection module 220 is used to receive and evaluate trigger location information AOA, which defines the local trigger area AB, which is preferably at least as large as the closed section 11 of the railway track system 10 according to Figure 1 or at least includes the closed route section 11. The triggering area detection module 220 evaluates the triggering location information AOA entered on the input side and determines the local triggering area AB, for example by calculating the boundary edges of the triggering area AB, and stores the determined triggering area AB, for example in the form of a triggering data record, for example in a triggering memory area 112 of the memory 110. The triggering location information AOA can be entered by the operator 80 at the input and output device 130 and / or transmitted by the control device 20.

[0049] The comparison module 230 compares the location information O1 to O5 stored in the location information storage section 111 with the trigger data record stored in the trigger storage area 112 or the local trigger area AB and checks whether the location information O1 to O5 is spatially located within the trigger area AB or not.

[0050] If the comparison module 230 determines that at least one mobile unit 32 is located within the triggering area AB, it generates a blocking signal BS, which it transmits to the radio module 240. The radio module 240 transmits the blocking signal BS via the radio device 120, preferably to the control device 20 according to Figure 1 so that the control device 20 does not unlock the blocked section 11.

[0051] The input and output device 130 preferably displays the respective occupancy status of the blocked route section 11 or of the triggering area AB to the operator 80 operating the central device 31, so that the operator can make unlocking of the route section 11 dependent on all persons 40 and tools 50 having left the triggering area before a release to unlock the blocked route section is issued.

[0052] The input and output device 130 also enables the operator 80 to input a release command FG into the central device 31 at the input and output device 130 for the purpose of releasing the blocked route section 11. This release command is transmitted to the control device 20 as a release signal FGS, including the input module 250 and the radio module 240, and the blocked route section 11 can be released. Such a release will only occur - if the central device 31 is operated correctly - once all persons 40 have left the blocked route section 11 or the assigned release area AB, and all tools 50 have been removed from the release area AB after maintenance or repair work has been completed.If a premature release is granted erroneously or intentionally, the radio module 240 will preferably prevent the forwarding of the release signal FGS if the blocking signal BS is still present in such a case, so that only the blocking signal BS continues to be transmitted to the control device 20.

[0053] Irrespective of a blocking of the forwarding of the release signal FGS, which is considered advantageous, a premature unlocking of the route section 11 is avoided in any case by the continuous transmission of the blocking signal BS to the control device 20.

[0054] The Figure 3 shows a particularly preferred embodiment of the central device 31. In the embodiment according to the Figure 3The comparison module 230 is also connected to the input module 250 and transmits the blocking signal BS to it. The input module 250 will preferably block the input of a release when the blocking signal BS is present, so that no release signal FGS is generated and accordingly cannot be forwarded by the radio module 240 to the control device 20 via the radio device 120. If the blocking signal BS is present, the input module 250 preferably already blocks the input of the release command FB by partially deactivating the input and output device 130. For example, an input of the release command FG can be blocked by not providing any option for entering the release command FG, for example by not displaying corresponding activation buttons on an operating screen (e.g., touch-sensitive display) of the input and output device 130.

[0055] The Figure 4shows a further advantageous embodiment of the central device 31. In the embodiment according to the Figure 4 The comparison module 230 transmits a warning signal WS, involving the radio module 240 and the radio device 120, to those mobile units 32 that leave the trigger area AB during the blocked state of the route section 11. The mobile units 32 signal the receipt of the warning signal WS, preferably acoustically and / or visually and / or by vibration, so that persons 40 carrying the affected mobile unit 32 are warned of any potential danger.

[0056] The Figure 5 shows yet another advantageous embodiment of the central device 31. In the embodiment according to the Figure 5The radio module 240 transmits the trigger area AB or the corresponding trigger location information AOA to the mobile units 32, so that they can independently determine, based on their own location data, whether they are leaving the trigger area AB while the route section 11 is blocked. The mobile units 32 signal the exit from the blocked route section 11, preferably acoustically and / or visually and / or by vibration, so that persons 40 carrying the affected mobile unit 32 are warned of any danger.

[0057] Finally, it should be mentioned that the features of all embodiments described above can be combined with each other in any way to form further other embodiments of the invention.

[0058] All features of subclaims can also be combined individually with each of the subordinate claims, either individually or in any combination with one or more other subclaims, in order to obtain further other embodiments.

[0059] Regardless of the grammatical gender of a particular term, persons with male, female or other gender identities are included. List of reference symbols

[0060] 10Railway track 11Track section 20Control device 30Warning device 31Central device 32Mobile unit 40Person 50Tool 60Radio system 70Satellite 80Operator 100Computer device 110Memory 111Location data storage section 112Trigger storage area 120Radio device 130Input and output device 210Location data acquisition module 220Trigger area acquisition module 230Comparison module 240Radio module 250Input module ABTripping area A0ATrip location information BSBlocking signal CPPComputer program product FGRelease command FGSRelease signal O1-O5Location information Os1(O1)-Os5(05)Location information signals WSWarning signal

Claims

1. Warning device (30) for monitoring a closed section of track (11) of a railway track system (10), wherein the warning device (30) comprises at least one movable mobile part (32) which is suitable for transmitting and receiving radio signals, characterized in that - a local triggering area (AB) is assigned to the blocked section of road (11) and - a central device (31) of the warning device (30) and / or the at least one movable mobile part (32) is designed to generate a triggering signal if at least one triggering condition relating to the triggering area (AB) is fulfilled.

2. Warning device (30) according to claim 1, characterized in that the central device (31) is designed to regard the triggering condition as fulfilled and to generate a blocking signal (BS) as a triggering signal as long as the mobile part (32) or at least one of the mobile parts (32) is in the triggering area (AB).

3. Warning device (30) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the central device (31) is designed to regard the triggering condition as fulfilled and to prevent a lifting of the blocking of the blocked route section (11), in particular to prevent the generation or transmission of an enable signal (FGS) for releasing the previously blocked route section (11), as long as the mobile part (32) or at least one of the mobile parts (32) is in the triggering area (AB).

4. Warning device (30) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the central device (31) is designed to display the occupancy status of the triggering area (AB) with mobile units (32) and / or the fulfilment of the triggering condition on a display device of the central device (31), either continuously or in response to an operator-side display request.

5. Warning device (30) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - the central device (31) is designed to regard the triggering condition as fulfilled and to generate a warning signal (WS) as a triggering signal if the mobile part (32) or at least one of the mobile parts (32) leaves the triggering area (AB) while the route section (11) is closed, and - the central device (31) is designed to transmit the warning signal (WS) to the mobile part(s) concerned (32) by radio.

6. Arrangement with a warning device (30), characterized in that - the warning device (30) is a warning device (30) according to one of the preceding claims and - at least one mobile tool of the arrangement is equipped with the mobile part or at least one of the mobile parts (32) of the warning device (30).

7. Arrangement according to claim 6, characterized in that the tool (50) is designed for track construction work and / or maintenance work on the railway track system (10).

8. Method for monitoring a closed section of track (11) of a railway track system (10), in particular with a warning device according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 5, wherein at least one movable mobile part (32) suitable for transmitting and receiving radio signals is located, characterized in that a trigger signal is generated when a trigger condition relating to a local trigger area (AB) associated with the blocked route section (11) is met.

9. Method according to claim 8, characterized in that the triggering condition is considered to be fulfilled and a blocking signal (BS) is generated as a triggering signal as long as the mobile part (32) or at least one of the mobile parts (32) is in the triggering area (AB).

10. Method according to one of the preceding claims 8 to 9, characterized in thatthe blocking signal (BS) blocks a lifting of the blocking of the blocked section of track (11), in particular the generation of a release signal (FGS) for releasing the previously blocked section of track (11) is blocked.

11. Method according to one of the preceding claims 8 to 10, characterized in that- the triggering condition is regarded as fulfilled and a warning signal (WS) is generated as the triggering signal if the mobile unit (32) or at least one of the mobile units (32) leaves the triggering area (AB) while the route section (11) is closed, and - the testing of the triggering condition and the generation of the warning signal are carried out by the central device and the warning signal (WS) is sent to the mobile unit(s) concerned (32) by radio and / or the testing of the triggering condition and the generation of the warning signal are carried out individually by each of the mobile units (32) for its respective position and the warning signal (WS) is generated by each of the mobile units (32) itself.

12. Method according to one of the preceding claims 8 to 11, characterized in that- the monitoring of the closed section of track (11) is carried out during track construction and / or maintenance work on the railway track system (10) and - at least one mobile tool (50) intended for track construction and / or maintenance work on the railway track system is equipped with the or one of the mobile parts (32).

13. Control device (20), in particular a signal box, for controlling a railway track system (10), wherein the control device (20) is designed to bring about a track closure of the track section (11) by controlling track components of the railway track system (10) when a blocking command relating to a track section (11) of the railway track system (10) is present, characterized in thatthe control device (20) is designed to prevent a lifting of the blocking of the blocked section of road (11) in the presence of a blocking signal (BS) from a warning device (30) designed according to one of the preceding claims 1-5.

14. Central device (31) for a warning device (30) according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the central device (31) is designed to generate the trigger signal when a trigger condition relating to the trigger area (AB) is fulfilled.

15. Mobile part (32) for a warning device (30) according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the mobile part (32) is designed to generate the trigger signal when a trigger condition relating to the trigger area (AB) is fulfilled.

Images