Signal device and method for processing signals of a track occupation signalling system

Abstract

The invention relates to a signaling device for a track vacancy detection system (4) comprising several transmit / receive points (6) of track circuits or track circuit sections in several track sections (5a-5d), with at least one transmit signal output (10) for outputting a transmit signal (S), with at least two separate receive signal inputs (11) for receiving at least two separate receive signals (E1, E2) and with at least one track vacancy detection signal output (13) for outputting at least one track vacancy detection signal (Ga-Gd).To make track occupancy detection systems less complex and more cost-effective, the invention provides that the signaling device (7) has at least one control signal output (10) for outputting at least one control signal (ST) for controlling a switching device (8), which is configured to switch the transmit signal output (10) and the receive signal inputs (11) to selected transmit / receive points (6) of a track section (5a-5d). The signaling device (7) is configured to output a separate track occupancy detection signal (Ga-Gd) for each track section (5a-5d) and is configured to determine, based on at least one received receive signal (E1, E2), whether the track section (5) switched by the switching device (8) is occupied and, depending on the determined occupancy, to generate the track occupancy detection signal (Ga-Gd) for this track section (5). The invention also relates to a method for signal processing of a track occupancy detection system (4).

Description

Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to a signaling device for a track vacancy detection system, which comprises several transmit / receive points of track circuits or track circuit sections in several track sections, with at least one transmit signal output for outputting a transmit signal, with at least two separate receive signal inputs for receiving at least two separate receive signals and with at least one track vacancy detection signal output for outputting at least one track vacancy detection signal.

[0002] Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for signal processing of a track vacancy detection system, which comprises several transmit / receive points of track circuits or track circuit sections in several track sections, in which a transmit signal is output at a transmit signal output by means of at least one signaling device and two separate receive signals are received at separate receive signal inputs. Technical background

[0003] Such a signaling device and such a method are known, for example, from DE 10 2006 024 692 A1, which describes a method and a device for detecting an occupied or free state of a track section by means of a track circuit.

[0004] In known track occupancy detection systems, the tracks of rail vehicles are divided into several track sections using installed transmit / receive points of track circuits. These transmit / receive points, also known as S-connectors, serve to feed in and receive signals from the signaling devices of the track occupancy detection system. This type of track circuit is often referred to as center-fed track circuits, since a transmit signal is fed in at a central transmit / receive point and the resulting receive signal is output at the two adjacent transmit / receive points. These monitored areas can also be referred to as track circuit sections, as described, for example, in DE 10 2006 024 692 A1.

[0005] In modern railway systems, track sections are increasingly traversed by a growing number of rail vehicles. However, the previously common practice of rigidly assigning a single track occupancy detection system to a large section of track can limit the capacity of such a route. On the other hand, dividing the track section among several track occupancy detection systems is often associated with considerable effort and expense. Summary of the invention

[0006] It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a signaling device and method of the type mentioned at the outset, which enable an increase in the capacity of track sections at manageable costs.

[0007] For the aforementioned signaling device, the problem is solved according to the invention in that the signaling device has at least one control signal output for outputting at least one control signal for controlling a switching device, which is designed to switch the transmit signal output and the receive signal inputs to selected transmit / receive points of a track section, the signaling device is designed to output a separate track occupancy detection signal for each track section and is designed, on the basis of at least one received receive signal, to determine an occupancy of the track section switched by the switching device and, depending on the determined occupancy, to generate the track occupancy detection signal for this track section.

[0008] For the aforementioned method, the problem is solved according to the invention in that at least one control signal for controlling a switching device is generated and output by means of the signaling device, the transmit signal output and the receive signal inputs are switched to selected transmit / receive points of one of the track sections by means of the switching device on the basis of the control signal, an occupancy of the switched track section is determined on the basis of at least one received receive signal and, depending on this, a track vacancy signal is generated for this track section and separate track vacancy signals are output for each track section.

[0009] The solution according to the invention has the advantage that separate track occupancy signals can be issued for each of the equipped track sections using only one signaling device according to the invention. This makes the necessary effort and the associated costs manageable. For a track occupancy detection system that extends over several track sections, this means that the entirety of the track sections is not signaled as occupied or clear, as is the case, for example, in DE 10 2006 024 692 A1, but rather that a separate track occupancy signal can be issued for each track section. This makes it possible to mark each of the several track sections as clear or occupied using only one signaling device according to the invention in a track occupancy detection system. This enables shorter train headways and an increase in the capacity of the monitored track section.Previously, this was only possible with a large number of signaling devices, i.e., one for each track section, which made the effort very high.

[0010] In the signaling device according to the invention, a transmit signal is output and receive signals are received at the transmit signal output and receive signal inputs, respectively, as is customary. The transmit signal is generated within the signaling device and made available for initiation in the track section, as is customary. The receive signals are received and evaluated by the signaling device. During operation, at least one control signal generated within the signaling device is output at the control signal output of the signaling device according to the invention. This control signal can be used to control a switching device not belonging to the signaling device itself, which can switch the transmit signal output and the receive signal inputs to selected transmit / receive points of a specific track section. For example, the switching device first activates a track section in which a rail vehicle is expected.If the direction of travel of the rail vehicle in the track section is known, this can be the track section furthest ahead in the direction of travel. Since the signaling device according to the invention is designed to output a separate track occupancy detection signal for each of the several track sections, the track section activated by the switching device can be reported separately as occupied as soon as a rail vehicle enters it. When the rail vehicle enters this track section, the occupancy of this activated track section is determined according to the invention based on the at least one received signal. Based on the determined occupancy, the track occupancy detection signal for this specific track section is output. Thus, according to the invention, a single track section among the several track sections can be reported as occupied, and the others consequently as unoccupied.

[0011] By activating the transmit signal output and receive signal inputs on individual track sections using the control signal and switching device, it is also possible to switch to the next track section. This allows a moving rail vehicle to be tracked and the track section currently occupied by the rail vehicle to be activated.

[0012] The signaling device according to the invention is not only designed for signal generation and evaluation, as in the prior art, but also for selecting the appropriate transmit / receive points on the track and controlling their activation. This enables the separate evaluation of track sections. These tasks of the signaling device according to the invention can be performed, for example, by an integrated microprocessor. The control signal can contain specific information about which transmit / receive points the transmit signal output and the receive signal inputs are to be connected to.

[0013] The signaling device according to the invention is installed, as is customary, in an indoor unit of the railway infrastructure, for example, in a configurable control cabinet near and connected to a signal box. The track circuits themselves, with their multiple transmit / receive points, are installed in the so-called outdoor unit of the railway infrastructure, i.e., directly on the tracks of the monitored section of the line. For signal exchange, the outdoor and indoor units are connected to each other via cables, as is customary. The generated track occupancy detection signal indicates the status of the corresponding track section as either clear or occupied, which can then be transmitted to the signal box. Embodiments of the invention

[0014] The solution according to the invention can be further developed by advantageous embodiments, which are described below.

[0015] The signaling device can be configured to process information representative of a rail vehicle's direction of travel and / or position, and, depending on this information, modify the control signal so that the switching device forwards the transmit and receive signals to the transmit / receive points of the next track section in the direction of travel. This has the advantage that the modified control signal allows the transmit signal output and receive signal inputs to be forwarded to the next track section, thus enabling the detected rail vehicle to be tracked further. This forwarding allows the monitored track section to follow the rail vehicle's movement from among the multiple track sections. Furthermore, the signaling device can be configured to determine the information representative of the direction of travel and / or position itself, based on at least one of the received signals.This has the advantage that no externally generated information about the direction of travel is required, as this can be determined by the signaling device itself. The received signal(s) are intelligently evaluated, and the direction of travel and / or position of the rail vehicle is thereby inferred.

[0016] To increase the safety of the monitored track sections, the signaling system can be configured to use the control signal to operate the switching device in such a way that the transmit / receive points of several track sections are activated sequentially, particularly without any track section being detected as occupied. Here, "activation of the transmit / receive points" regularly refers to the connection of the transmit / receive points to the receive signal inputs and transmit signal output of the signaling system. This staggered activation ensures that, for example, no track section is missed after a break in operation. This is advantageous because, without any occupancy in the monitored track sections, the track section furthest ahead in the direction of travel is typically activated, as this is where the first detection of the approaching train is expected.

[0017] In an advantageous embodiment, the signaling device can be configured to generate a track occupancy detection signal for all track sections whose transmit / receive points are not connected to the at least one signaling device. In particular, this track occupancy detection signal can report these track sections as "clear." This has the advantage that a clear track occupancy detection signal is also provided for the track sections that are not yet connected, thus eliminating any uncertainty. This embodiment can also be very effectively combined with the previous embodiment of rolling activation to regularly check the track sections that are not yet connected.

[0018] In order to also be able to monitor a track section with points, the signaling device can include three separate receive signal inputs for receiving three separate receive signals and be designed to control the switching device by means of the control signal so that the transmit signal and the receive signals are switched to predetermined transmit / receive points of a track section having a point.

[0019] The invention further relates to a processing unit of a track occupancy detection system for connection to multiple transmit / receive points of track circuits or track circuit sections in multiple track sections, comprising at least one switching device which includes multiple external contacts designed for connection to transmit / receive points of the track circuits or track circuit sections, and at least one signaling device connected to the switching device, which is configured according to one of the previously described embodiments of the invention, wherein the switching device is configured to switch the transmit signal and the receive signals to predetermined transmit / receive points of one of the track sections based on the control signal of the signaling device. The signaling device and the switching device could also be configured as a single unit.

[0020] In an advantageous embodiment of the processing device according to the invention, it can have at least two signaling devices, and the at least one switching device can be configured to switch each signaling device independently of one another to predetermined transmit / receive points of a track section based on the respective control signal. This switching, of course, means that the receive signal inputs and the transmit signal inputs are connected accordingly to the predetermined transmit / receive points of a track section. This has the advantage that two or more rail vehicles in the monitored track sections can be detected and monitored separately. Since each of the signaling devices according to the invention is assigned to a rail vehicle, one signaling device according to the invention is required within the processing device for each rail vehicle to be monitored.In this embodiment, the switching device according to the invention is designed such that the multiple signaling devices can be connected separately. Alternatively, it would of course also be possible to provide a separate switching device for each signaling device used.

[0021] In order to reduce the number of signal lines, for example to a signal box, in an advantageous embodiment of the processing device according to the invention, this device can have at least one interface device connected to the at least two signal devices, which is designed to output a common track vacancy signal for each track section.

[0022] The invention also relates to a track vacancy detection system for monitoring several track sections, with several transmit / receive points of track circuits or track circuit sections arranged in the track sections and with at least one processing unit with several external contacts that are connected to the several transmit / receive points, wherein the processing unit is designed according to one of the previously described embodiments.

[0023] In an advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention, information representative of a direction of travel and / or position of a rail vehicle located in a track section can be processed, and the control signal can be modified accordingly so that the switching device switches the transmit and receive signals to the transmit / receive points of the next track section in the direction of travel. This has the advantage already described above for the signaling device according to the invention, namely that it enables the signaling device to correctly switch to the track sections with the rail vehicle in motion. Furthermore, the information representative of the direction of travel and / or position can be determined from at least one of the received signals.As described above, this has the advantage that no additional information about the direction of travel and / or position is needed from external sources, but can be determined based on the received signal.

[0024] To monitor multiple rail vehicles within the monitored track sections, at least one additional transmit signal and further receive signals can be generated and received by means of an additional signaling device; at least one additional control signal can be generated and output by means of the additional signaling device; based on the additional control signal, the transmit signal output and the receive signal inputs of the additional signaling device can be switched to further selected transmit / receive points of one of the track sections; based on at least one of the received additional receive signals, an occupancy of the switched track section can be determined, and depending on this, another track occupancy detection signal for this track section can be generated.

[0025] Finally, the invention also relates to a computer program product with program commands for carrying out the method according to one of the previously described embodiments of the invention, if the computer program product runs on a computer, in particular a computer that is part of a signaling device for a track vacancy detection system. Exemplary embodiments of the drawing

[0026] The invention will now be explained with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.

[0027] They show: Figures 1-5 show a schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment of a track vacancy detection system according to the invention with a signaling device according to the invention at different times; Figures 6-14 show a schematic representation of another exemplary embodiment of a track vacancy detection system according to the invention at different times; Figure 15 shows a schematic representation of another embodiment of a track vacancy detection system according to the invention. Detailed description of the exemplary implementations

[0028] First, the invention is described with reference to the exemplary embodiment in the Figures 1 to 5 explained.

[0029] One in the Figures 1 to 5A schematically depicted part of a railway installation 1 comprises a track 2 for rail vehicles 3 and a track occupancy detection system 4 according to the invention, by means of which the track 2 is monitored. The track 2 has several track sections 5 in which the track occupancy detection system 4 is configured for monitoring. The track occupancy detection system 4 comprises track circuits configured on the track 2, but not shown in detail, which have a plurality of transmit / receive points 6. These transmit / receive points 6 are configured for initiating or deriving transmit or receive signals. The transmit / receive points 6 are arranged in the so-called external installation A of the track occupancy detection system 4, which is shown in the diagram. Figures 1-5The track vacancy detection system 4 is shown separated by a dashed line from a so-called internal unit I. Within internal unit I, the track vacancy detection system 4 according to the invention comprises a signaling device 7 and a switching device 8, which together form a processing unit 9.

[0030] The signaling device 7 according to the invention has a transmit signal output 10, two separate receive signal inputs 11, a control signal output 12 and a track occupancy detection signal output 13. The signaling device 7 serves to operate the track circuits implemented by the transmit / receive points 6.

[0031] In operation, the signaling device 7 generates a transmit signal S for injection into one of the transmit / receive points 6. The received signals E, generated by the transmit signal S in a so-called center-fed track circuit at two adjacent transmit / receive points 6, are evaluated in the signaling device 7. Therefore, three adjacent transmit / receive points 6 must be connected to the signaling device so that the transmit signal S can be initiated and the received signals E can be output. The transmit signal S is thus provided at the transmit signal output 10, and the received signals E1 and E2 are received at the receive signal inputs 11 and subsequently processed and analyzed in the signaling device 7.For this purpose, the signaling device 7 includes inside a processing device (not shown) which may, for example, include a microcontroller and other devices such as those for processing analog signals.

[0032] During operation, a control signal ST generated by the signaling device 7 is output at control signal output 12. This signal is used to control the switching device 8. The transmit signal output 10, the receive signal inputs 11, and the control signal output 12 are each connected to the switching device 8 via a control signal input 16, two receive signal outputs 17, and a transmit signal input 18, respectively. Alternatively, the signaling device 7 and the switching device 8 can also be connected via a bus connection or an Ethernet connection to transmit the signals.

[0033] At track occupancy signal output 13, the signaling device 7 provides a separate track occupancy signal G for each of the track sections 5 during operation. In the illustrated embodiment, the track occupancy signal output 13 is connected to an interlocking unit 14 of the railway system 1. The connection of the track occupancy signal output 13 to the interlocking unit 14 can also be implemented via separate cables for each track occupancy signal G individually, or via a bus or Ethernet connection. In any case, the signaling device 7 transmits separate track occupancy signals G for the different track sections 5 to the interlocking unit 14. For easier differentiation, both the track sections 5 and the track occupancy signals G are additionally marked with the lowercase letters "ad".

[0034] The switching device 8 according to the invention is in the embodiment Figures 1-5also formed in the indoor unit I and has several external contacts 15 which, when installed, are each connected to the transmit / receive points 6 of the outdoor unit A via a signal, for example via a cable. The switching device 8 further comprises the control signal input 16, the receive signal outputs 17 and the transmit signal input 18.

[0035] During operation, the switching device 8 receives the transmit signal S from the signaling device 7 via the transmit signal output 10 and forwards the receive signals E1 and E2 to the signaling device 7 via the receive signal outputs 17. The transmit signal S and the receive signals E1 and E2 are each transmitted to and from the external contacts 15 to monitor track sections 5a-5d. Which of the external contacts 15 is to be connected to which of the transmit signals S or receive signals E1 and E2 is controlled by the control signal ST from the signaling device 7. The control signal S is transmitted from the control signal output 12 to the control signal input 16 of the switching device 8.

[0036] The switching device 8 comprises a circuit logic (not shown) for the connection between the receive signal outputs 17, the transmit signal input 18, and the external contacts 15. This circuit logic can be implemented, for example, classically via relays or via an integrated circuit. In any case, the switching device 8 connects the transmit signal S and the receive signals E1, E2 to exactly one external contact 15 each, so that they are transmitted to a transmit / receive point 6. The signaling device 7 determines which of the external contacts 15 is connected to which control signal input 16 or receive signal output 17 using the control signal ST. Thus, during operation of the track occupancy detection system 4 according to the invention, the signaling device 7 always monitors exactly one of the track sections 5a-5d.The length of each track section 5 depends on the positions of the transmitting / receiving points 6, because three adjacent transmitting / receiving points 6 define a track section 5.

[0037] The switching device 8 makes it possible to monitor each of the track sections 5 separately and sequentially. Simultaneous monitoring of all track sections 5 is unnecessary because a rail vehicle 3 can only occupy one of the track sections 5 at a time. The signaling device according to the invention reduces the hardware requirements in the track occupancy detection system 4. When monitoring the track sections 5 using the track occupancy detection system 4 according to the invention, the transmit signal S is introduced into a transmit / receive point 6, and the receive signals E1 and E2 are each output from the two adjacent transmit / receive points 6. Which of the several transmit / receive points 6 are used for this purpose is flexible. Therefore, overlapping track sections 5 can also be monitored, even if they are located in the Figures 1-5 For the sake of simplicity, they are not shown overlapping. However, the overlap is noticeable when comparing the Figure 2 to Figure 3recognizable.

[0038] The following describes how monitoring takes place using the track vacancy detection system 4 and the method according to the invention for the track 2 with track sections 5a-5d when a vehicle 3 travels through it in a direction 19.

[0039] First, in Figure 1This represents a state in which the vehicle 3 has not yet entered the track 2. In this initial state, the switching device 8 is controlled by the control signal ST from the signaling device 7 so that the first track section 5a in the direction of travel 19 is monitored. Therefore, the transmit signal S is routed to the transmit / receive point 6 in the middle of track section 5a, and the receive signals E1 and E2 are routed accordingly to the adjacent transmit / receive points 6. Since the track 2 being monitored here has a unique direction of travel 19, the rail vehicle 3 can only enter the first track section 5a. Therefore, initially, when all track sections 5 are clear, the signaling device 7 is always switched to monitor the first track section 5a. Figure 1If the rail vehicle 3 has not yet entered the station, the signaling device 7 cannot determine from the received signals E1 and E2 that track section 5a is occupied and reports track section 5a as clear to the signal box 14 via the track occupancy signal Ga at track occupancy signal output 13. Furthermore, the signaling device 7 is designed so that the remaining track sections 5b-5d are also reported as clear to the signal box 14 by the track occupancy signals Gb-Gd.

[0040] In Figure 2 The rail vehicle 3 now enters track section 5a. The switching device 8 is activated. Figure 2 is still in the same state as in Figure 1 , so that track section 5a continues to be monitored, as indicated by the same arrows. In Figure 2However, if the signaling device 7 recognizes the occupancy by the rail vehicle 3 from the changed received signal E1, it reports track section 5a as occupied to the signal box 14 via the track occupancy detection signal Ga. This is in Figure 2 This is represented by a modified hatching of half track section 5a and the track occupancy signal Ga. An analysis of the two receiving signals E1 and E2 within the signaling device 7 additionally determines information representative of the direction of travel 19 of the rail vehicle 3. This allows the reliably changing position of the rail vehicle 3 to be detected. Subsequently, as in Figure 3The control signal ST from the signaling device 7 is modified accordingly so that the switching device 8 switches the transmit signal S to the nearest transmit / receive point 6 in the direction of travel 19. The receive signals E1 and E2 are also switched to the nearest transmit / receive points 6 in the direction of travel 19, as shown in Figure 3 evident. In Figure 3 The entire track section 5a is now occupied, which is still reported to signal box 14 via the track vacancy signal Ga.

[0041] In Figure 4 The rail vehicle 3 has entered track 2 further and the transmit and receive signals S, E1, E2 have been switched accordingly to the next transmit / receive points 6. Since in Figure 4Since the position of the rail vehicle 3 shown is now occupied by both track section 5a and track section 5b, this is reported to the signal box 14 via the two track vacancy signals Ga, Gb.

[0042] In Figure 5 The rail vehicle 3 has moved further into the track 2 and now only occupies track section 5b. Track section 5a is now reported as clear again, since it is no longer connected by the switching device 8. According to the invention, unconnected track sections 5 are defined as clear and reported accordingly to the signal box 14.

[0043] As the rail vehicle 3 continues its journey through the remaining track sections 5c-d, the switching device 8 continues to activate the signaling device 7 until all track sections 5 monitored by the track occupancy detection system 4 are clear again. Subsequently, according to the invention, the signaling device 7 is activated by the switching device 8 until all track sections 5 monitored by the track occupancy detection system 4 are clear again. Figure 1 The depicted state has been restored.

[0044] To increase the safety of the monitored track sections 5, the signaling device 7 periodically controls the switching device 8 so that all transmit / receive points 6 are successively connected to the signaling device 7 and checked for occupancy. This rotating connection ensures that no occupancy of any of the track sections 5 goes unnoticed, for example, after a break in operation.

[0045] The invention is described below with reference to a further exemplary embodiment based on the Figures 6-14 explained. For the sake of simplicity, only the differences to the embodiment in the Figures 1-5 Received. Identical reference symbols denote identical parts.

[0046] In contrast to the embodiment in the Figures 1-5 The exemplary embodiment is shown in the Figures 6-14two signaling devices. These two signaling devices 7 are each configured in the same way as the single signaling device 7 in the embodiment of the Figures 1-5 These two signaling devices 7 are also designed to monitor the route 2 with the same track sections 5a-5d as in the embodiment of the Figures 1-5 designed. Both signaling devices 7 operate essentially independently of each other, with minor exceptions which are described below.

[0047] The switching device 8 is in the embodiment of the Figures 6-14The switching device 8 is designed so that the two signaling devices 7 can be connected to it. Therefore, the switching device 8 has two control signal inputs 16, 16', four receive signal outputs 17, 17', and two transmit signal inputs 18, 18'. These are each connected to the corresponding transmit signal outputs 10, receive signal inputs 11, and control signal outputs 12 of the respective signaling device 7. Furthermore, each of the two signaling devices 7 is connected to the interlocking system 14 via its respective track occupancy signal output 13. Each of the two signaling devices 7 thus reports a detected occupancy of the respective track section 5a-d to the interlocking system 14 via separate track occupancy signals Ga-d. The switching device 8 connects the two signaling devices 7 in essentially the same way as in the embodiment of the Figures 1-5as previously described. Alternatively, two separate switching devices 8 could also be used. To better distinguish the two signaling devices 7, these and their signals are additionally marked with the number 1 or 2 in parentheses.

[0048] By designing the track vacancy detection system 4 according to the invention in the embodiment of the Figures 6-14 With two signaling devices 7, it is possible to monitor two rail vehicles 3, 3' independently of each other on the same track 2 with track sections 5a to 5d. The signaling device 7(1) is designed to monitor the rail vehicle 3 that first enters the track 2, and the second signaling device 7(2) is designed to monitor the second rail vehicle 3' that subsequently enters the track 2. This monitoring of two rail vehicles 3, 3' according to the invention in the area of ​​the same track 2 is now described in the Figures 6-14described, which represent a chronological sequence.

[0049] Initially, only the signaling device 7(1) is active if no rail vehicle 3, 3' has yet entered track sections 5a to 5d, as shown in Figure 6 The signaling device 7(2) can be in a rest position in which no transmit signal S(2) is provided until a first rail vehicle 3 leaves the first track section 5a, as described in detail below. Alternatively, both signaling devices 7(1) and 7(2) can be active, one for the first entering rail vehicle 3 and the other for the second rail vehicle 3'.

[0050] In the presentation of the Figure 7The first rail vehicle 3 enters the first track section 5a in the direction of travel 19. The sequence and monitoring by means of the first signaling device 7(1) with its first control signal ST(1), first transmit signal S(1) and the first received signals E1(1), E2(1) corresponds to the procedure as previously described for the Figures 1-5 described. In the following Figures 8-11 The journey of the first rail vehicle 3 is described, which also follows the sequence described above. Figures 1-5 corresponds.

[0051] In Figure 12It is evident that the first signaling device 7(1) continues to monitor the first rail vehicle 3. Additionally, the second signaling device 7(2) has also been activated and switched to the first track section 5a by the switching device 8 via the second control signal ST(2). The activation of the second signaling device 7(2) may have been initiated by the first signaling device 7(1). Initially, only the first signaling device 7(1) is active. As soon as the first rail vehicle 3 enters the first track section 5a and the signaling device 7(1) switches to the next track sections 5b-5d while monitoring the first rail vehicle 3, an activation signal (not shown) is sent to the second signaling device 7(2) to activate it. This corresponds to the representation in Figure 12 .

[0052] As in Figure 13As shown, the second signaling device 7(2) can monitor a second rail vehicle 3' entering the first track section 5a.

[0053] As in Figure 14 As shown, both rail vehicles 3, 3' are monitored independently of each other via the two signaling devices 7(1), 7(2). The signaling devices 7(1), 7(2) each control the switching to the next track section 5 via their control signals ST(1), ST(2).

[0054] Finally, the further embodiment will be described with reference to the Figure 15 described. Essentially, the embodiment corresponds to the one described in Figure 15 the in the Figures 1-5 Therefore, only the differences in the embodiment of the Figures 1-5 Received. Identical reference symbols denote identical parts.

[0055] In the embodiment in Figure 15 Only one 7" signal device is provided. Additionally, the embodiment is further specified in Figure 15 The signaling device 7 is designed to monitor a track section 2 which includes a switch 20. To monitor this switch 20, the signaling device 7 has three receiving signal inputs 11. This allows a third receiving signal E3 to be received and the additional track section 5a' to be monitored. When a rail vehicle 3 enters this track section 5a' through the switch 20, the receiving signal E3 will change accordingly, and the occupancy will be detected by the signaling device 7. This is reported to the interlocking 14 via the separate track occupancy detection signal Ga'.

Claims

1. Signaling device (7) for a track occupancy detection system (4), comprising several transmit / receive points (6) of track circuits or track circuit sections in several track sections (5a-5d), with at least one transmit signal output (10) for outputting a transmit signal (S), with at least two separate receive signal inputs (11) for receiving at least two separate receive signals (E1, E2) and with at least one track occupancy detection signal output (13) for outputting at least one track occupancy detection signal (Ga-Gd), characterized by the fact thatthe signaling device (7) has at least one control signal output (10) for outputting at least one control signal (ST) for controlling a switching device (8) which is designed to switch the transmit signal output (10) and the receive signal inputs (11) to selected transmit / receive points (6) of a track section (5a-5d), the signaling device (7) is designed to output a separate track occupancy detection signal (Ga-Gd) for each track section (5a-5d) and is designed, on the basis of at least one received receive signal (E1, E2), to determine an occupancy of the track section (5) switched by the switching device (8) and, depending on the determined occupancy, to generate the track occupancy detection signal (Ga-Gd) for this track section (5).

2. Signaling device (7) according to claim 1, characterized by the fact thatthe signaling device (7) is designed to process information representative of a direction of travel (19) and / or position of a rail vehicle (3) and, depending on this, to change the control signal (ST) so that the switching device (8) switches the transmit signal (S) and the receive signals (E) to the transmit / receive points (6) of a track section (5a-5d) next in the direction of travel (19).

3. Signaling device (7) according to claim 2, characterized by the fact that the signaling device (7) is designed to determine the information representative of the direction of travel (19) and / or position itself on the basis of at least one of the received received signals (E).

4. Signaling device (7) according to one of the above claims, characterized by the fact thatthe signaling device (7) is designed to control the switching device (8) by means of the control signal (ST) in such a way that the transmit / receive points (6) of several track sections (5a-5d) are switched on one after the other, in particular without an occupancy of one of the track sections (5a-5d) having been determined.

5. Signaling device (7) according to one of the above claims, characterized by the fact that the signaling device (7) is designed to generate a track vacancy signal (Ga-Gd) for all track sections (5) whose transmit / receive points (6) are not connected to the at least one signaling device (7).

6. Signaling device (7) according to one of the above claims, characterized by the fact thatthe signaling device (7) comprises three separate receive signal inputs (11) for receiving three separate receive signals (E1, E2, E3) and is designed to control the switching device (7) by means of the control signal (ST) so that the transmit signal (S) and the receive signals (E) are switched to predetermined transmit / receive points (6) of a track section (5a-5d, 5a`) having a switch (20).

7. Processing device (9) of a track vacancy detection system (4) for connection to several transmit / receive points (6) of track circuits or track circuit sections in several track sections (5a-5d), comprising at least one switching device (8) which includes several external contacts (15) designed for connecting to transmit / receive points (6) of the track circuits or track circuit sections, and comprising at least one signaling device (7) connected to the switching device (8) which is designed according to one of the above claims, wherein the switching device (8) is designed to switch the transmit signal (S) and the receive signals (E1, E2, E3) to predetermined transmit / receive points (6) of one of the track sections (5a-5d) on the basis of the control signal (ST) of the signaling device (7).

8. Processing device (9) according to claim 7, characterized by the fact thatthe processing device (9) has at least two signaling devices (7(1), 7(2)) and the at least one switching device (8) is designed to switch each signaling device (7(1), 7(2)) independently of each other on the basis of the respective control signal (ST) to predetermined transmit / receive points (6) of a track section (5a-5d).

9. Processing device (9) according to claim 8, characterized by the fact that the processing device (9) has at least one interface device connected to the at least two signaling devices (7(1), 7(2)) which is designed to output a common track vacancy signal (G) for each track section (5).

10. Track vacancy detection system (4) for monitoring several track sections (5), with several transmit / receive points (6) of track circuits or track circuit sections arranged in the track sections (5) and with at least one processing unit (9) with several external contacts (15) connected to the several transmit / receive points (6), characterized by the fact that the processing device (9) is designed according to one of the above claims 7 to 9.

11. Method for signal processing of a track vacancy detection system (4) comprising several transmit / receive points (6) of track circuits or track circuit sections in several track sections (5), wherein a transmit signal (S) is output at a transmit signal output (10) by means of at least one signaling device (7) and two separate receive signals (E1, E2) are received at separate receive signal inputs (11), characterized by the fact thatby means of the signaling device (7) at least one control signal (ST) for controlling a switching device (8) is generated and output, by means of the switching device (8) the transmit signal output (10) and the receive signal inputs (11) are switched to selected transmit / receive points (6) of one of the track sections (5a-5d) on the basis of the control signal (ST), an occupancy of the switched track section (5a-5d) is determined on the basis of at least one received receive signal (E1, E2) and a track occupancy detection signal (Ga-Gd) is generated for this track section (5a-5d) depending on this, and separate track occupancy detection signals (Ga-Gd) are output for each track section (5a-5d).

12. Method according to claim 11, characterized by the fact thata representative piece of information for a direction of travel (19) of a rail vehicle (3) located in a track section (5a-5d) is processed and, depending on this, the control signal (ST) is changed so that the transmit signal (S) and the receive signals (E1, E2) are switched by the switching device (8) to the transmit / receive points (6) of a track section (5a-5d) next in the direction of travel (19).

13. Method according to claim 12, characterized by the fact that the information representative of the direction of travel (19) is determined on the basis of at least one of the received reception signals (E1, E2, E3).

14. Method according to any one of claims 11 to 13 above, characterized by the fact thatby means of a further signaling device (7(2)) at least one further transmit signal (S(2)) is generated and further receive signals (E1(2), E2(2)) are received, by means of the further signaling device (7(2)) at least one further control signal (ST) is generated and output, on the basis of the further control signal (ST) the transmit signal output (10) and the receive signal inputs (11) of the further signaling device (7(2)) are switched to further selected transmit / receive points (6) of one of the track sections (5a-5d), on the basis of at least one of the received further receive signals (E1(2), E2(2)) an occupancy of the switched track section (5a-5d) is determined and depending on this a further track vacancy detection signal (Ga-Gd) is generated for this track section (5a-5d).

15. Computer program product with program instructions for carrying out the method according to one of claims 11 to 14, if the computer program product runs on a computer, in particular a computer that is part of a signaling device (7) for a track vacancy detection system (4).

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