Cleaning vehicle for cleaning a monorail of a monorail system

Abstract

The invention relates to a cleaning vehicle (1) with which monorails (2) for rail vehicles belonging to a monorail system can be cleaned by removing dirt. The cleaning vehicle (1) has multiple rail wheels (14) with which it can move along the monorail (2) to be cleaned in order to carry out a cleaning run (13a) in which the laser radiation (33) of an on-board laser cleaning device (31a) can be used to carry out a surface treatment of the monorail (2) which causes the removal of dirt. The laser cleaning device (31a) has at least one cleaning unit (36) which has a laser beam exit area (42) where the laser radiation (33) that can be generated by a laser (32) of the laser cleaning device (31a) can exit.

Description

[0001] Glatt Limited Liability Company,

[0002] Werner-Glatt - Street 1 , 79589 Binzen

[0003] Cleaning vehicle for cleaning a monorail of a monorail system

[0004] The invention relates to a cleaning vehicle for cleaning a monorail of a monorail system used to guide a rail vehicle, wherein the monorail system is designed in particular for rail vehicles located above or below the monorail and movable along the monorail.

[0005] Monorail systems are railway systems in which, unlike railway systems predominantly used for passenger and freight transport, which rely on tracks with two rails arranged side by side, only a single rail is used to guide a rail vehicle. This single rail is called a monorail or "monorail". There are designs in which the rail vehicle is placed above or below the monorail and accordingly sits either on top of the monorail, for example according to the concept of a conventional railway or as a magnetically supported suspension railway, or hangs from the bottom of the monorail as a suspended vehicle, thus creating a monorail concept. Possible applications include the transport of people, goods or work equipment both outdoors and indoors.Possible internal applications of monorail systems include, for example, transport systems for workpiece transport in production halls or crane systems using the monorail for suspended vehicles, which are designed as trolleys for lifting devices.

[0006] Depending on use and environmental influences, the monorails of monorail systems can become dirty, resulting in increased slippage during the transmission of drive power between the driven rail wheels of rail vehicles and the monorail, and can cause wear on both the rail wheels and the monorail. To improve the coefficient of friction and reduce slippage, rail vehicles designed as traction vehicles could be equipped with automatic sanding devices, although their use would generally result in even greater wear. To address this problem, the monorails in the affected areas could also be cleaned chemically or using abrasive technologies, for example.However, chemical cleaning would have the disadvantage that the monorail's supporting structures, such as ballast beds or post-like support structures, would become contaminated, which would be particularly problematic with repeated cleaning. Abrasive cleaning would only inadequately remove residues such as grease or oil, and there would be a risk that the rail geometry would be compromised during repeated cleanings due to mechanical material removal.

[0007] For cleaning railway tracks with two rails, it is already known to use a cleaning vehicle that travels along the track, as described, for example, in the AMT Group's company information leaflet "Track Construction Trailer 20T," page 10. It can be positioned on a track and then carried out a cleaning run along the track, triggered by an assigned drive device. The cleaning vehicle is equipped with a rail cleaning device that can spray water onto the track to remove contaminants.

[0008] The invention is based on the object of providing measures for monorail cleaning with which contaminants, including corrosion, can be removed from monorails effectively and in a time-saving manner without changing the rail geometry or other mechanical characteristics of the track rails.

[0009] This task is solved with a cleaning vehicle for cleaning a monorail of a monorail system used to guide a rail vehicle, whereby

[0010] - the cleaning vehicle has several rail wheels, by means of which it can be placed on the monorail to be cleaned, assuming a use position, whereby the cleaning vehicle in its use position can carry out a travel movement along the monorail, which can be caused by an associated drive device,

[0011] - wherein the cleaning vehicle is equipped with a rail cleaning device which has at least one cleaning unit which can be positioned or is positioned near the monorail to be cleaned at least during a cleaning run of the cleaning vehicle which can be carried out by the travel movement, in order to carry out a surface treatment on this monorail which causes the removal of contaminants during a cleaning process,

[0012] - wherein the rail cleaning device is designed as a laser cleaning device which has a laser located on board the cleaning vehicle, wherein the at least one cleaning unit has a laser beam exit region for the exit of a laser radiation which can be generated by the laser and directed onto the monorail to be cleaned in order to remove contaminants.

[0013] The cleaning vehicle according to the invention enables mobile laser beam cleaning of monorails, which is characterized by time-saving application, high effectiveness, and gentle treatment of the monorails. Like a conventional rail vehicle, the cleaning vehicle has a suitable number of rail wheels, via which it can be positioned on the monorail to be cleaned while assuming a use position. In one cleaning run, laser technology is used to thoroughly remove contaminants adhering to the monorail or those that have otherwise occurred, such as dirt, oil, grease, or corrosion, using laser radiation. Existing contaminants such as layers of dirt and signs of corrosion can be gently removed by evaporation, without the need for mechanical blasting media such as sand or glass, or additional cleaning agents.The cleaning process is therefore environmentally friendly and cost-effective. The intensity of the surface treatment can be individually adjusted depending on the rail material by selecting a suitable radiation energy and / or the laser beam shape in order to achieve the best possible cleaning result. The laser irradiation can be pulsed or continuous, depending in particular on the degree of soiling and the driving speed of the cleaning vehicle. The laser cleaning system has a laser on board the cleaning vehicle, which therefore always directly follows the driving movement of the cleaning vehicle, meaning that no additional logistical measures are required to provide the laser.At least one cleaning unit is provided for the cleaning measures, which has a laser beam exit area for laser radiation generated by the laser, which is arranged in such a way that the emerging laser beam hits the monorail to be cleaned at a desired angle. The cleaning vehicle can be equipped with just one single cleaning unit, but can also easily be equipped with several cleaning units, in particular arranged next to one another transversely to the direction of travel and / or one behind the other in the direction of travel. Since the laser treatment can be carried out very gently on the material despite its high effectiveness, there is high potential for savings in terms of maintenance costs for monorails and the rail vehicles that usually run on the monorails compared to conventional cleaning measures.Since the laser operates without media, contamination of the rail environment by cleaning agents can be avoided.

[0014] Advantageous further developments of the invention emerge from the subclaims.

[0015] The rail cleaning device of the cleaning vehicle expediently contains a plurality of cleaning units. The plurality of cleaning units are preferably arranged at a distance from one another transversely to the direction of travel. However, the plurality of cleaning units can also alternatively or additionally be arranged at a distance from one another in the direction of travel of the cleaning vehicle. Some or all of the cleaning units can in principle be combined in a single structural unit. However, it is considered more advantageous if the cleaning units are designed separately from one another. This facilitates individual orientation where necessary. The cleaning vehicle is expediently equipped with a seat that can be used by the operating personnel on board the cleaning vehicle during travel. The seat in particular comprises at least one vehicle seat.The seating allows for fatigue-free cleaning over a very long period of time.

[0016] It is advantageous if the cleaning vehicle is equipped with a wired or, preferably, wireless remote control system for controlling some or all of the cleaning vehicle's functions. This allows convenient operation without direct access to the cleaning vehicle.

[0017] In general, lasers are classified into different laser classes based on their hazard potential. Class 1 lasers pose the lowest hazard potential. Class 4 lasers emit extremely dangerous laser radiation due to their high intensity. However, for effective rail cleaning, a laser with an intensity equivalent to Class 4 is recommended. To ensure that such a Class 4 laser can be used without restrictions even in heavily used areas, it is advantageous if the laser cleaning device is equipped with a Class 4 laser. However, each cleaning unit must have a laser beam shielding device to shield the laser radiation. This means that the laser cleaning device as a whole can only be assigned to the unproblematic Laser Class 1.

[0018] It is considered advantageous if each cleaning unit has a laser beam shielding device which has a shielding housing which encloses a working chamber in an opaque manner, i.e. without any possibility of exit for laser radiation, with the laser beam exit area being located within the working chamber. To enable the cleaning measures, the shielding housing has a working opening which, during a cleaning process, faces or can be faced exclusively towards the monorail to be cleaned, through which the laser radiation emerging from the laser beam exit area within the working chamber can irradiate the associated track rail without damaging the immediate or wider surroundings.

[0019] Preferably, each cleaning unit has a beam output head having the laser beam exit region, with laser optics being associated with the laser beam exit region. The laser optics can have lenses and / or mirrors to configure the laser beam as needed.

[0020] Each jet output head is preferably located inside the working chamber of the associated cleaning unit.

[0021] It is advantageous if each cleaning unit is assigned an adjustment device to enable positioning in different positions. For example, the adjustment device can be designed to move the respective cleaning unit selectively into at least one lowered operating position for carrying out laser cleaning operations or into at least one raised standby position for travel movements outside of cleaning operations.

[0022] Preferably, the laser cleaning device is additionally equipped with a suction device that enables the suction of ablation media generated during a cleaning process in the area of ​​the at least one cleaning unit. Since the ablation media have at least predominantly a gaseous consistency, suction can effectively prevent environmental pollution.

[0023] The extraction device is designed in particular so that the removal media can be extracted in the immediate vicinity of their origin. For this purpose, the extraction device expediently has at least one extraction opening in the area of ​​each cleaning unit, which communicates with an extraction unit of the extraction device. If a cleaning unit has a laser beam shielding device, it is expedient if the extraction opening is located inside the working chamber of the associated cleaning unit. In principle, however, the extraction opening can also be placed outside a cleaning unit, in particular behind the cleaning unit, opposite the direction of travel of the cleaning vehicle.

[0024] The drive mechanism designed to generate the travel movement and, accordingly, the cleaning run is expediently an integral part of the cleaning vehicle. The cleaning vehicle is thus self-propelled, eliminating the need for an additional towing or pushing vehicle. The drive mechanism is connected to one or more of the rail wheels and thus enables direct propulsion of the cleaning vehicle along the monorail. The drive mechanism can be used both for a cleaning run and for a movement run without an active rail cleaning system to cover distances between rail sections to be cleaned.

[0025] In principle, the cleaning vehicle can be designed without its own drive device and can have at least one coupling device which allows the preferably detachable coupling of a drive vehicle having the drive device.

[0026] The drive device is preferably an electric drive device which obtains its drive energy, for example, from an on-board accumulator and / or via a current collector system from a current-carrying conductor system laid along the monorail or integrated into the monorail.

[0027] The electrical energy required to operate the laser cleaning system is conveniently provided by a power generator located on board the cleaning vehicle. Such a power generator is conveniently powered by an internal combustion engine, allowing for easy cleaning of non-electrified rail sections.

[0028] In principle, the electrical energy required to operate the laser cleaning system can be provided additionally or alternatively by a power storage unit or accumulator. For use on electrified monorails, the cleaning vehicle can be equipped with a current collector system.

[0029] For example, one and the same power generator can be designed to generate electrical energy for both the drive device and the laser cleaning device.

[0030] The rail wheels expediently comprise a plurality of running wheels which, in the use position of the cleaning vehicle, are supported vertically on at least one upwardly facing running surface of the monorail and which roll on the running surface during a travel movement.

[0031] Preferably, at least one cleaning unit of the rail cleaning device can be positioned or is positioned in the use position of the cleaning vehicle in such a way that the laser radiation emerging at the associated laser beam exit area is directed onto the at least one running surface of the monorail.

[0032] A cleaning vehicle intended for cleaning the monorail of a monorail system designed as a suspended track system is preferably designed as a suspended vehicle which, in its position of use, hangs on the monorail via its rail wheels.

[0033] The suspended vehicle is conveniently provided with several rail wheels designed as running wheels which, in the position of use of the suspended vehicle, roll against two upwardly facing running surfaces of the monorail to enable travel.

[0034] The rail wheels expediently comprise a plurality of guide wheels which, in the use position of the cleaning vehicle, are supported on two laterally oriented and mutually opposite guide surfaces of the monorail, which serve to transversely support the cleaning vehicle on the monorail.

[0035] It is advantageous if at least one cleaning unit of the rail cleaning device can be positioned or is positioned in the operating position of the cleaning vehicle in such a way that the laser radiation emerging from the associated laser beam exit area is directed onto at least one of the guide surfaces. A separate cleaning unit is expediently provided for irradiating each of the two guide surfaces.

[0036] In addition to the rail wheels, the cleaning vehicle can be equipped with conventional traction wheels, which enable the cleaning vehicle to move without rails on normal surfaces such as roads or other terrain. These additional traction wheels preferably have pneumatic tires. The traction wheels allow the cleaning vehicle to be easily moved between different locations, independent of rails. The cleaning vehicle is expediently equipped so that either the rail wheels or the traction wheels can be used to move the cleaning vehicle, while the other wheels are currently in a deactivated, ready position.

[0037] The cleaning vehicle expediently has a chassis on which the rail wheels are arranged. The chassis is, for example, frame-like and / or plate-shaped. The cleaning units are preferably arranged on the chassis, in particular in an adjustable manner, so that a variable adjustment of the working distance between the laser beam exit area and the section of the rail surface of the monorail to be cleaned is possible. The adjustability can in particular be realized as height adjustability such that the cleaning units can be brought into a raised or swiveled-up standby position when not in use. It is considered advantageous if not only the rail wheels but also the optional movement wheels are arranged on the chassis.The arrangement is in particular such that the rail wheels and the movement wheels are adjustable in a height direction relative to each other in order to position either the rail wheels or the movement wheels in a lowered, activated position in which they can be used to move the cleaning vehicle.

[0038] In a preferred embodiment, the cleaning vehicle contains two individual vehicles which are rigidly linked to one another in terms of thrust and tension, and each has its own rail wheels for placement on a monorail. To make them easier to distinguish, these two vehicles are referred to as the main vehicle and the additional vehicle. The main vehicle contains at least one cleaning unit, and the additional vehicle contains the laser. At least one flexible optical connection line enables the generated laser radiation to be transmitted between the laser and a respective cleaning unit. Such a vehicle structure allows rapid conversion between different lasers if necessary, for example to equip the vehicle with lasers of different power levels or to save time during maintenance work.For example, several additional vehicles equipped with a laser can be provided, which can be alternatively coupled to one and the same main vehicle.

[0039] The main vehicle is expediently equipped with a drive system for propulsion. The main vehicle expediently functions as a towing vehicle for an additional vehicle coupled to the main vehicle as a trailer. If the cleaning vehicle is equipped with a suction system, at least one suction opening is expediently located on the main vehicle, and a suction unit responsible for generating the suction flow is located on the additional vehicle. One or more flexible suction lines, which permit damage-free cornering, ensure a flow connection between the suction unit and each suction opening to enable a suction flow.

[0040] The optional power generator for generating the operating energy of the laser is located on board the additional vehicle.

[0041] Another advantageous design is a single-unit cleaning vehicle that incorporates all the components required to operate the laser cleaning system. This design allows for a particularly compact cleaning vehicle and facilitates transport between different locations using a separate transport vehicle.

[0042] There is also the advantageous option of designing the cleaning vehicle as a so-called standard railway vehicle. Standard vehicles are certain rail vehicles used by German railways, including, for example, traction units, passenger cars, or freight cars. This design can be achieved, for example, by installing the laser cleaning device and all other components intended for the cleaning vehicle directly into a standard railway vehicle. It is considered particularly advantageous if the cleaning vehicle is a traction unit. Such designs enable cleaning processes to be carried out during normal rail traffic and can therefore be carried out in a time- and cost-saving manner without interrupting rail traffic and without temporarily shutting down sections of track.

[0043] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the attached drawing. It shows:

[0044] Figure 1 is a schematic top view of a preferred embodiment of the cleaning vehicle according to the invention in a use position placed on a monorail, wherein for the sake of clarity a rail bed supporting the monorail is not shown,

[0045] Figure 2 is a side view of the arrangement of Figure 1, viewed in the direction of arrow II of Figure 1, with a section framed by a dot-dash line being shown in an additional enlarged manner to illustrate the structure of a preferred cleaning unit,

[0046] Figure 3 shows a further embodiment of the cleaning vehicle according to the invention in a schematic representation in a side view analogous to Figure 2, wherein a possible embodiment as a traction vehicle is also illustrated in dash-dotted lines, and

[0047] Figure 4 shows a further embodiment of the cleaning vehicle according to the invention in a design as a suspended vehicle in a schematic representation in a front view. Unless otherwise specified in individual cases, the following statements refer to all embodiments of the invention.

[0048] The drawing shows a cleaning vehicle according to the invention, designated overall by reference number 1, in various advantageous equipment variants.

[0049] The cleaning vehicle 1 is used for mobile laser beam cleaning of a monorail 2 belonging to a monorail system, also referred to as a "monorail," which is used to move any rail vehicle. Designs are possible in which the rail vehicle (not illustrated) is positioned above or below the monorail and accordingly either sits on top of the monorail 2—for example, following the concept of a railway or a magnetically supported suspension railway—or hangs from the bottom of the monorail 2, thus creating a suspended monorail concept. Possible applications include the transport of people, goods, or equipment both outdoors and indoors.Possible internal applications of monorail systems include, for example, transport systems for workpiece transport in production halls or crane systems using the monorail 2 as a support beam for rail vehicles, which are designed as trolleys for lifting equipment.

[0050] The monorail 2, which is particularly designed in the form of a beam or profiled support, extends in a longitudinal rail direction 4 indicated by a dot-dash line, and can have a straight or curved course. The monorail 2 is fastened in a manner known per se to a support structure 6, which, for example, according to the embodiment of Figures 1 to 3, is a rail bed or, according to the embodiment of Figure 4, a post-like support structure.

[0051] The cleaning vehicle 1 has a vehicle longitudinal axis 8 which, in its position of use, is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the rail 4, a vehicle transverse axis 11 which is orthogonal thereto and usually runs horizontally like the vehicle longitudinal axis 8, and a vehicle vertical axis 12 which is orthogonal to the vehicle longitudinal axis 8 and to the vehicle transverse axis 11 and usually runs vertically.

[0052] 12 .

[0053] The cleaning vehicle 1 can, when assuming its use position arranged on or at the monorail, execute a travel movement 13 along the monorail 2, illustrated by an arrow. During this travel movement 13, it rolls on the monorail 2 with rail wheels 14. The travel movement

[0054] 13 is particularly possible both as forward and reverse travel .

[0055] The cleaning vehicle 1 has a plurality of rail wheels 14. In the use position of the cleaning vehicle 1, each rail wheel 14 rests against a rail surface 34 of the monorail 3.

[0056] The cleaning vehicle 1 preferably has a plurality of rail wheels 14, which are designed as running wheels 14a and which, in the use position of the cleaning vehicle 1, each roll against a vertically upwardly facing running surface 34a of the monorail 2 in order to vertically support the cleaning vehicle 1. This applies to all illustrated embodiments. The cleaning vehicle 1 preferably has at least two pairs of running wheels 14a, wherein running wheels 14a belonging to the same running wheel pair are opposite one another in the axial direction of the vehicle's transverse axis 11.

[0057] The cleaning vehicle 1 is supported, for example, by at least two pairs of running wheels 14a spaced apart from one another in the axial direction of the vehicle's longitudinal axis 8, on the monorail 2.

[0058] In the embodiments of Figures 1 to 3, the monorail 2 to be cleaned has a single running surface 34a, which is located on an upper side of the monorail 2, which preferably has a rectangular cross-section. In the embodiment of Figure 4, the monorail 2 preferably has a double-T cross-section with two cross plates 69, 70 connected to one another by a vertical web 68, of which a lower cross plate 69 has two support legs 72 projecting laterally beyond the web 68, on the upper side of each of which a running surface 34a is formed, on which at least one roller 14a of the cleaning vehicle 1 is supported.

[0059] During conventional use of the monorail system, the rail vehicle (not illustrated) can be supported vertically on at least one running surface 14a by means of rail vehicle wheels, which can roll on the associated running surface 14a as the rail vehicle moves.

[0060] In the embodiments of Figures 1 to 3, the rail wheels 14 comprise, in addition to the running wheels 14a, several guide wheels 14b, which, in the use position of the cleaning vehicle, are supported horizontally on two mutually opposite, laterally oriented guide surfaces 34b of the monorail 2. The guide wheels 14b serve to transversely support the cleaning vehicle 1 on the monorail 2 in the axial direction of the vehicle's transverse axis 11 for the purpose of guidance during the travel movement 13. The guide wheels 14b also prevent the cleaning vehicle 1 from tipping sideways and thus ensure a stable upright position of the cleaning vehicle 1.

[0061] Alternatively, the guide wheels 14b can be omitted according to the embodiment of Figure 4. In this case, the cleaning vehicle 1 contains exclusively rail wheels 14 designed as running wheels 14a. The running wheels 14a can have flanges 22 for transverse support with respect to the monorail 2.

[0062] According to a non-illustrated embodiment, the cleaning vehicle 1 can have a gyroscopic device for stabilizing its position.

[0063] During conventional use of the monorail system, the rail vehicle (not illustrated) can be supported horizontally on the guide surfaces 14b by means of rail vehicle guide wheels, which can roll on the associated guide surface 14b as the rail vehicle moves and ensure a stable upright position of the rail vehicle.

[0064] The cleaning vehicle 1 expediently has a single-part or multi-part chassis 15, which is only indicated schematically, on which the rail wheels 14 are rotatably arranged via suitable suspension measures.

[0065] The travel movement 13 can be brought about by a drive device 16. In all of the illustrated embodiments, the drive device 16 is a direct component of the cleaning vehicle 1. By way of example, it is attached to the chassis 15. The drive device 16 is in a drive connection with at least one and in particular with several of the rail wheels 14 via at least one drive train 17. The at least one drive train 17 can transmit a drive torque generated by the drive device 16 to the associated rail wheel 14 acting as a drive wheel in order to generate the travel movement 13. One or more of the running wheels 14a preferably function as the drive wheel or drive wheels.

[0066] The drive device 16 is preferably an electric drive device which obtains its drive energy from an on-board accumulator 18 and / or receives it via a current collector system 21, only indicated in Figure 3, from a current-carrying conductor system laid along the monorail 2, for example an overhead line.

[0067] The cleaning vehicle 1 expediently has at least one seating arrangement 23, for example a vehicle seat, which allows an operator of the cleaning vehicle 1 to take a seat while operating the cleaning vehicle 1. This applies to the embodiments of Figures 1 to 3.

[0068] An operating device 24 located in the area of ​​the seating 23 can be grasped by the operating personnel as needed to command the travel movement 13 or the standstill of the cleaning vehicle 1. The operating device 24 allows control-technical access to the drive device 16. The cleaning vehicle 1 can be designed such that its travel movement can be controlled by means of a wireless remote control device 74 based on radio or infrared. This is the case in the embodiment of Figure 4. The remote control device 74 preferably has a receiver part 74a located on board the cleaning vehicle 1 and an external control part 74b that can be held in the human hand and is equipped with a transmitter. Alternatively, the remote control device 74 can have a cable-based functionality.

[0069] Preferably, all functions of the cleaning vehicle 1 can be controlled via the remote control device 74, in particular also the cleaning functions explained further below.

[0070] The cleaning vehicle 1 illustrated in Figures 1, 2 and 4 and shown in solid lines in Figure 3 is specially designed for the laser cleaning of the monorail 2, which will be explained later, and serves no other purpose. However, there is the option, indicated by dash-dotted lines in Figure 3, of designing the cleaning vehicle 1 simultaneously as a traction vehicle 25 or in the manner of another so-called standard railway vehicle. In this case, there is a rail vehicle with dual function as a traction vehicle 25 and at the same time as a cleaning vehicle 1, which can be used both for regular railway operation and, in particular, simultaneously for cleaning monorails 2. For example, a rail cleaning process can be carried out during a rail journey intended for the transport of persons and / or goods.According to an embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2, the cleaning vehicle 1 is composed of several, and in particular two, vehicles 26, 27, which are coupled to one another via a mechanical coupling device 28 and, for ease of differentiation, are referred to as the main vehicle 26 and the additional vehicle 27. The coupling device 28 is designed, in particular, for a detachable coupling, so that the two vehicles 26, 27 can be separated from one another if necessary.

[0071] The coupling device 28 connects the two vehicles 26, 27 in a shear- and tensile-resistant manner and at the same time in an articulated manner. The main vehicle 26 is preferably designed as a towing vehicle and the additional vehicle 27 as a trailer of the main vehicle 26. During the travel movement 13, the main vehicle 26 travels ahead and pulls the additional vehicle 27 behind it. The drive device 16 and the at least one rail wheel 14 functioning as a drive wheel are preferably components of the main vehicle 26.

[0072] Both the main vehicle 26 and the additional vehicle 27 have their own rail wheels 14. By way of example, each of the two vehicles 26, 27 has two pairs of rail wheels 14 designed as running wheels 14a arranged consecutively in the axial direction of the vehicle's longitudinal axis 8 and is further equipped with at least one pair of rail wheels 14 designed as guide wheels 14b.

[0073] According to the exemplary embodiments illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, the cleaning vehicle 1 can consist of a single vehicle, be it a cleaning vehicle 1 serving only for cleaning purposes or a cleaning vehicle 1 that also functions as a traction vehicle 25. While in the exemplary embodiments of Figures 1 to 3 the cleaning vehicle 1 is designed as a rail vehicle that is essentially standing on the monorail 2 - the cleaning vehicle 1 is located above the monorail 2 here - Figure 4 shows an embodiment in which the cleaning vehicle 1 is designed as a rail vehicle that is suspended from the monorail 2 via its rail wheels 14 in the use position, which can therefore be referred to as a suspended vehicle 1a and can be used in particular for cleaning the monorail 2 of a monorail system designed as an overhead conveyor system. Here the cleaning vehicle 1 is located below the monorail 2.

[0074] Regardless of its specific design, the cleaning vehicle 1 is equipped with a rail cleaning device, designated overall by reference numeral 31, which is designed as a laser cleaning device 31a. The terms rail cleaning device 31 and laser cleaning device 31a thus refer to one and the same device. The laser cleaning device 31a is designed to treat the rail surface 34 of the monorail 2 to remove contaminants using laser radiation 33 generated by a laser 32. Due to the laser beam treatment, contaminants are removed thermally, in particular in that the contaminants are vaporized by the energy of the laser radiation 33.

[0075] The laser beam cleaning takes place during a travel movement 13 of the cleaning vehicle 1, referred to as a cleaning travel 13a. During the cleaning travel 13a, the cleaning vehicle 1 moves, in particular, with the front end 35 of the vehicle facing forward. However, the cleaning travel 13a can expediently also take place during a reverse travel. The laser cleaning device 31 contains the aforementioned laser 32, which is located on board the cleaning vehicle 1 and is suitably mounted on or on the chassis 15. Preferably, the laser 32 is mounted behind the optional seating 23, opposite the direction of travel, with respect to a forward travel.

[0076] In the two-part design of the cleaning vehicle 1 according to Figures 1 and 2, the laser 32 is expediently located on board the additional vehicle 27.

[0077] The laser cleaning device 31a includes at least one cleaning unit 36, which can be positioned or is positioned in the use position of the cleaning vehicle 1 in the area of ​​the monorail 2 to be cleaned.

[0078] Preferably, and in accordance with all embodiments, the laser cleaning device 31a contains a plurality of cleaning units 36, with which different surface areas of the rail surface 34 can be irradiated and thus cleaned. The number and distribution of the cleaning units 36 are expediently selected such that all of the running surfaces 34a and guide surfaces 34b present can be irradiated and thus cleaned.

[0079] If, for example, the monorail 2 has only a single running surface 34a and no guide surface 34b, it is sufficient if the cleaning vehicle 1 is equipped with only a single cleaning unit 36. A single cleaning unit 36 ​​is also sufficient if several areas of the rail surface 34 to be cleaned are arranged adjacent to one another in such a way that they can be reached by the laser radiation 33 of a single cleaning unit 36. Each cleaning unit 36 ​​present is arranged, for example, in the area of ​​the front side 35 of the cleaning vehicle 1, wherein it is expediently fastened to the chassis 15 via a suitable interface device 37. A different placement and distribution is, however, also possible.

[0080] The plurality of cleaning units 36 are expediently arranged at a distance from one another transversely to the vehicle's longitudinal axis 8, wherein they are located, in particular, at the same height in the axial direction of the vehicle's longitudinal axis 8. Preferably, the mutual distance between the plurality of cleaning units 36 is variably adjustable.

[0081] The position of the at least one operational cleaning unit 36 ​​is selected in particular such that it is arranged transversely to the vehicle's longitudinal axis 8 above or next to the monorail 2 in the use position of the cleaning vehicle 1.

[0082] By way of example, the laser cleaning device 31a is configured such that each running surface 34a has its own cleaning unit 36 ​​positioned vertically opposite it at a height. Accordingly, the cleaning vehicle 1 of the exemplary embodiments according to Figures 1 to 3 contains only a single cleaning unit 36 ​​for cleaning the running surface, while the cleaning vehicle 1 of the exemplary embodiment according to Figure 4 has two such cleaning units 36. These cleaning units 36 are each positioned in the axial direction of the vehicle's vertical axis 12 above the running surface 34a to be cleaned.

[0083] Furthermore, the laser cleaning device 31a is expediently equipped such that each guide surface 34b has its own cleaning unit 36 ​​arranged horizontally opposite it at a transverse distance. Accordingly, the cleaning vehicle 1 of the exemplary embodiments according to Figures 1 to 3 contains two cleaning units 36 for cleaning the guide surfaces, each of which is positioned in the axial direction of the vehicle's transverse axis 11 next to the guide surface 34b to be cleaned. Their height position in the axial direction of the vehicle's vertical axis 12 is expediently lower than that of the cleaning unit 36 ​​provided for laser cleaning the running surface 34a.

[0084] Since the monorail 2 to be cleaned by the suspended vehicle 1a according to Figure 4 is not equipped with guide surfaces 34b, any cleaning units 36 suitable for cleaning guide surfaces 14b are omitted there.

[0085] The arrangement and orientation of the cleaning units 36 explained above applies accordingly to a laser beam exit region 42 provided by a respective cleaning unit 36. The laser beam exit region 42 allows the exit of the laser radiation 33 generated or generated by the laser 32 and, in an operating position of the respective cleaning unit 36 ​​shown in all figures, is aligned such that it faces the monorail 2 to be cleaned and in particular—depending on the design—its running surface 34a or guide surface 34b to be cleaned.

[0086] The laser beam exit region 42 is optically connected to the laser 32 via at least one optical connecting line 43, indicated only schematically. The laser radiation generated by the laser 32 can pass through the optical connecting line 43 to the laser beam exit region 42 and exit there for energetic irradiation of the associated track rail 2.

[0087] In the exemplary embodiment with a two-part cleaning vehicle 1 according to Figures 1 and 2, the cleaning units 36 are arranged on the main vehicle 26, wherein the at least one optical connecting line 43 preferably has flexible properties so that it is not damaged when cornering due to the cleaning vehicle 1 then bending in the area of ​​the coupling device 28. It is understood that the optical connecting line 43 can also have bend-flexible properties in a cleaning vehicle 1 according to Figure 3 consisting of only a single vehicle.

[0088] To provide the electrical energy required to operate the laser 32, the laser cleaning device 31a is expediently equipped with a power generator 44. The power generator 44 is, for example, a diesel generator. The power generator 44 is located on board the cleaning vehicle 1, so that it always accompanies its driving movement 13.

[0089] In a cleaning vehicle 1 comprising a main vehicle 26 and an auxiliary vehicle 27, the power generator 44 is expediently a component of the auxiliary vehicle 27, which applies to the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2. The power generator 44 is expediently located near the laser 32, independent of the vehicle body, so that the power supply lines 45 can be as short as possible.

[0090] In a non-illustrated embodiment, the power supply of the laser 32 comes from the same energy source as for the drive device 16, for example via an accumulator 18 or via a power pickup system 21, as is illustrated in the embodiments of Figure 3 in connection with the traction vehicle 25.

[0091] The laser cleaning device 31a expediently has, for each cleaning unit 36, a beam output head 46, which is designed as a component of the respective cleaning unit 36 ​​and on which the laser beam exit region 42 is located. The beam output head 46 is preferably equipped with laser optics 47, which are responsible for the beam geometry of the exiting laser radiation 33 and, for example, ensure that the laser radiation impinges on the rail surface 34 to be cleaned in a point-like or linear manner.

[0092] Preferably, the laser optics 47 are designed or adjustable such that the laser radiation 33 impinges on the entire width of the running surface 34a or guide surface 34b to be cleaned, so that the laser cleaning process can take place without periodic transverse movements of the laser radiation 33 in the axial direction of the vehicle transverse axis 11.

[0093] Preferably, each cleaning unit 36 ​​is equipped with a laser beam shielding device 48, which in particular prevents harmful laser radiation 33 from escaping in a manner that endangers persons.

[0094] By way of example, the laser beam shielding device 48 contains a shielding housing 51, clearly visible in the enlarged detail view of Figure 2, which has an opaque housing wall 51a. The shielding housing 51 encloses a housing chamber referred to as the working chamber 52, in which the laser beam exit region 42 is located. By way of example and preferably, the entire beam output head 46 is accommodated in the working chamber 52, wherein it is expediently attached directly or indirectly to the housing wall 51a.

[0095] The housing wall 51a expediently encloses the working chamber 52 all around, with the exception of a working side facing the monorail 2 in the use position of the cleaning vehicle 1, on which side the shielding housing 51 has a working opening 53 framed by the housing wall 51a, through which the laser radiation 33 emerging from the laser beam exit area 42 within the working chamber 52 can exit the shielding housing 51 according to the arrow representation in the drawing to irradiate the adjacent track rail 2. The working opening 53 faces the area of ​​the rail surface 34 to be cleaned.

[0096] At least during a cleaning run 13a, the working opening 53 is positioned very close to the monorail 2, that is to say at a very short distance from the area of ​​the rail surface 34 to be cleaned - running surface 34a and / or guide surface 34b - so that reflective laser radiation is at least largely reflected back through the working opening 53 into the working chamber 52 and is not radiated into the surroundings of the cleaning unit 36.

[0097] In particular, to enable the setting of an optimally small distance between the cleaning unit 36 ​​and the monorail 2 to be cleaned, each cleaning unit 36 ​​can be designed to be adjustable. By way of example, each cleaning unit 36 ​​is attached to the chassis 15 via an adjusting device 54 (only schematically indicated) such that it can be adjusted in the axial direction of the vehicle's vertical axis 12 and positioned at different heights by performing an adjusting movement 55 indicated by a double arrow relative to the chassis 15. The adjusting device 54 is, for example, a component of the interface device 37 or forms this interface device 37.

[0098] The adjustment device 54 allows, for example, a height adjustment of the cleaning unit 36 ​​in the axial direction of the vehicle vertical axis 12 and / or a transverse adjustment in the axial direction of the vehicle transverse axis 11.

[0099] Preferably, the adjustment device 54 allows the variable adjustment of a distance between the laser beam exit area 42 and the running surface 34a and / or guide surface 34b.

[0100] The adjustment device 54 can, in particular, also be designed such that the associated cleaning unit 36 ​​can be positioned either in an operating position corresponding to the arrangement described above or in a standby position remote from the operating position. In the standby position, the distance to the monorail 2 is greater than in the operating position. Each cleaning unit 36 ​​is expediently moved into the standby position outside of cleaning runs and, for example, for maneuvering the cleaning vehicle 1 in order to avoid damage.

[0101] Preferably, the laser cleaning device 31a is equipped with a laser 32 that falls into laser class 4. However, due to the described encapsulation of the laser beam exit area 42 by means of a laser beam shielding device 48, membership in laser class 1 is achieved with regard to the operational state. In this way, cleaning measures can be carried out with high laser energy and a correspondingly high level of thoroughness, without having to take into account that cleaning operations are also carried out, for example, in public or in heavily frequented areas.

[0102] In order to exclude or minimize pollution-related impairments of the environment, it is advantageous if the laser cleaning device 31a is equipped with a suction device 56 in accordance with all illustrated embodiments, which enables the suction of removal media that arise during a cleaning process in the area of ​​the cleaning units due to the laser treatment.

[0103] The suction device 56 includes, by way of example, a suction unit 57 located on board the cleaning vehicle 1. In the case of a cleaning vehicle 1 having a main vehicle 26 and an additional vehicle 27, it is expediently designed as a component of the additional vehicle 27. The latter is the case in the illustrated embodiment of Figures 1 and 2.

[0104] The suction unit 57 is expediently equipped in a manner known per se with a filter device and has at least one receiving space in which sucked-off particles are collected for later disposal.

[0105] The suction device 56 includes, by way of example, a plurality of suction openings 58, at least one of which is arranged in the area of ​​each cleaning unit 36. Each suction opening 56 is fluidly connected to the suction unit 57 via a suction line 61 (only schematically indicated), so that, during operation of the suction device 56, a suction flow can develop between the area of ​​the suction opening 58 and the suction unit 57. The suction process taking place in the area of ​​the monorail 2 is indicated by an arrow at 50.

[0106] The suction line 61 expediently has flexible properties and is implemented, for example, by means of one or more suction hoses.

[0107] Preferably, the suction opening 58 associated with a respective cleaning unit 36 ​​is arranged inside the working chamber 52 of the laser beam shielding device 48. The resulting ablation media, which are predominantly gaseous in nature, can thus be extracted extremely effectively in the immediate vicinity of their source, as indicated by arrow 50.

[0108] In a non-illustrated embodiment, the suction openings 58 are located outside the working chamber 52, but preferably in the immediate vicinity of the cleaning units 36 and expediently in an area which is located downstream of the cleaning units 36 opposite to the direction of travel of the cleaning run 13a.

[0109] The suction device 56 is designed, in particular, to be electrically actuated. The above-described power generator 44 also expediently serves to supply power to the suction device 56. For example, it is connected to the electrically actuated suction unit 57 via additional power supply lines 59.

[0110] In accordance with the embodiment illustrated in solid lines in Figure 3, the cleaning vehicle 1 can have, in addition to the rail wheels 14, a plurality of propulsion wheels 62, which allow trackless propulsion of the cleaning vehicle 1 without the involvement of the rail wheels 14. In this way, the cleaning vehicle 1 can be transported between different locations independently of rails, for example by traveling on public or non-public paths, roads, or other traffic areas. The propulsion wheels 62 are, in particular, pneumatic tires, so that smaller obstacles can be easily driven over.

[0111] The cleaning vehicle 1 is in particular equipped with four propulsion wheels 62 which are arranged in pairs opposite each other in the axial direction of the vehicle transverse axis 11.

[0112] In Figure 3, only the propulsion wheels 62 assigned to one of the two long sides of the cleaning vehicle 1 are visible.

[0113] According to the embodiment of Figure 3, both the rail wheels 14 and the propulsion wheels 62 are expediently arranged on the chassis 15.

[0114] An advantageous embodiment is one in which the rail wheels 14 or the movement wheels 62 are adjustable in an axial direction of the vehicle vertical axis 12 relative to the chassis 15 in order to be able to set different height positions.

[0115] By way of example, the height adjustment refers to the propulsion wheels 62. These are pivotally mounted on the chassis 15, for example, via pivot arms 63 and can be driven by an associated actuating device 64 to perform an adjustment movement 65 indicated by a double arrow, which is, for example, a pivoting movement. Within the scope of the adjustment movement 65, each propulsion wheel 62 can be positioned either in a raised position relative to the rail wheels 14 (illustrated in solid lines) or in a lowered position relative to the rail wheels 14 (illustrated in dot-dash lines).

[0116] The raised position of the propulsion wheels 62 results in the rail wheels 14 being in a lowered, activated position relative thereto, projecting downwards beyond the propulsion wheels 62, in which the cleaning vehicle 1 can assume a use position, as can be seen in Figure 3. In contrast, the lowered position of the propulsion wheels 62, indicated by dash-dotted lines, is accompanied by a relatively raised, deactivated position of the rail wheels 14, in which the cleaning vehicle 1 can be moved independently of the rails by means of the propulsion wheels 62, which are then ready for use.

[0117] In another embodiment not illustrated, the movement wheels 62 always maintain a constant height position with respect to the chassis 15 and the switching of the rail wheels 14 between the activated and deactivated positions takes place by means of an adjusting movement between the rail wheels 14 and the chassis 15.

[0118] The cleaning vehicle 1 is preferably equipped with an electronic control device 66, only indicated schematically, which is designed in particular to operationally control the components of the laser cleaning device 31a, wherein the electrical control lines provided for this purpose are not shown in the drawing for the sake of clarity. The electronic control device 66 is preferably designed as a component of the operating device 24 or the remote control device 74. By way of example, the electronic control device 66 also allows the control of the adjusting movements 65 for the purpose of reconfiguring the cleaning vehicle 1 between a cleaning mode using the rail wheels 14 and a standby mode using the propulsion wheels 62.

Claims

Claims 1. Cleaning vehicle for cleaning a monorail (2) of a monorail system used to guide a rail vehicle, the monorail system being designed in particular for rail vehicles located above or below the monorail (2) and movable along the monorail (2), characterized in that - that the cleaning vehicle (1) has a plurality of rail wheels (14) by means of which it can be placed on the monorail (2) to be cleaned, assuming a use position, wherein the cleaning vehicle (1) in its use position can carry out a travel movement (13) along the monorail (2) which can be brought about by an associated drive device (16), - wherein the cleaning vehicle (1) is equipped with a rail cleaning device (31) having at least one cleaning unit (36) which can be positioned or is positioned near the monorail (2) to be cleaned at least during a cleaning run (13a) of the cleaning vehicle (1) which can be carried out by the travel movement (13), in order to carry out a surface treatment on this monorail (2) which causes the removal of contaminants during a cleaning process, - wherein the rail cleaning device (31) is designed as a laser cleaning device (31a) which has a laser (32) located on board the cleaning vehicle (1), wherein the at least one cleaning unit (36) has a laser beam exit region (42) for the exit of a laser radiation (33) which can be generated by the laser (32) and directed onto the monorail (2) to be cleaned in order to remove contaminants.

2. Cleaning vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the rail cleaning device (31) has a plurality of cleaning units (36) which are expediently arranged at a distance from one another transversely to the direction of travel of the cleaning vehicle (1).

3. Cleaning vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it is equipped with a seat (23) for operating personnel on board the cleaning vehicle (1) during the driving movement (13).

4. Cleaning vehicle according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it is equipped with a cable-based or wireless remote control device (74) for controlling functions of the cleaning vehicle (1), in particular for the driving movement and the function of the laser cleaning device (31a).

5. Cleaning vehicle according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the laser (32) belongs to laser class 4 with regard to the intensity of the laser radiation (33) that can be generated thereby, wherein the at least one cleaning unit (36) has a laser beam shielding device (48), due to which the laser cleaning device (31a) as a whole is assigned to laser class 1.

6. Cleaning vehicle according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the at least one cleaning unit (36) has a laser beam shielding device (48) which has a shielding housing (51) which encloses a working chamber (52) in an opaque manner and in which the laser beam exit area (42) is located and which, during a cleaning process, exclusively facing or capable of facing the monorail (2), through which the laser radiation (33) emerging from the laser beam exit region (42) within the working chamber (52) can irradiate the monorail (2) to be cleaned.

7. Cleaning vehicle according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that each laser beam exit region (42) is assigned to a laser optics (47) of a beam output head (46) of the laser cleaning device (31a).

8. Cleaning vehicle according to claim 7 in conjunction with claim 6, characterized in that each jet output head (46) is accommodated inside the working chamber (52) of the at least one cleaning unit (36).

9. Cleaning vehicle according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the at least one cleaning unit (36) is assigned an adjusting device (54), by means of which the at least one cleaning unit (36) can be positioned in different positions on the cleaning vehicle (1), in particular in at least one operating position closer to the monorail (2) to be cleaned for carrying out laser cleaning processes and in at least one standby position for travel movements (13) outside of cleaning runs (13a) which is further away from the monorail (2) compared to the operating position.

10. Cleaning vehicle according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the laser cleaning device (31a) is equipped with a suction device (56) for sucking off removal media produced during a cleaning process in the region of the at least one cleaning unit (36).

11. Cleaning vehicle according to claim 10, characterized in that the suction device (56) in the region of the at least one cleaning unit (36) has at least one suction opening (58) communicating with a suction unit (57) of the suction device (56).

12. Cleaning vehicle according to claim 11 in conjunction with claim 6, characterized in that the suction opening (58) of the at least one cleaning unit (36) is arranged in the interior of the working chamber (52) of the cleaning unit (36).

13. Cleaning vehicle according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the drive device (16) designed to cause the travel movement (13) is an electric drive device (16).

14. Cleaning vehicle according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the drive device (16) designed to cause the travel movement (13) is a direct component of the cleaning vehicle (1).

15. Cleaning vehicle according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that it is equipped with a power generator (44) for generating the electrical energy required for the operation of the laser cleaning device (31a).

16. Cleaning vehicle according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the rail wheels (14) have a plurality of running wheels (14a) which, in the use position of the cleaning vehicle (1), are vertically supported on at least one upwardly facing running surface (34a) of the monorail (2) and can roll thereon.

17. Cleaning vehicle according to claim 16, characterized in that at least one cleaning unit (36) of the rail cleaning device (31) can be positioned or is positioned in the use position of the cleaning vehicle (1) such that the laser radiation (33) emerging at the associated laser beam exit region (42) is directed onto the at least one running surface (34a).

18. Cleaning vehicle according to one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that it is designed as a suspended vehicle (1a) hanging on the monorail (2) via its rail wheels (14) in the use position for cleaning the monorail (2) of a monorail system designed as a suspended track system.

19. Cleaning vehicle according to claim 18 in conjunction with claim 16 or 17, characterized in that the suspended vehicle (1a) has rail wheels (14) designed as running wheels (14a) which, in the use position of the suspended vehicle (1a), roll against two upwardly facing running surfaces (34a) of the monorail (2) to enable the travel movement (13).

20. Cleaning vehicle according to one of claims 1 to 19, characterized in that the rail wheels (14) have a plurality of guide wheels (14b) which, in the use position of the cleaning vehicle (1), are horizontally supported on two laterally oriented and mutually remote guide surfaces (34b) of the monorail (2), which serve to transversely support the cleaning vehicle (1) on the monorail (2) for the purpose of guiding it during the travel movement (13).

21. Cleaning vehicle according to claim 20, characterized in that at least one cleaning unit (36) of the rail cleaning device (31) in the use position of the cleaning vehicle (1) can be positioned or is positioned in such a way that the laser radiation (33) emerging at the associated laser beam exit region (42) is directed onto at least one of the guide surfaces (34b), wherein a separate cleaning unit (36) is expediently provided for irradiating each of the two guide surfaces (34b).

22. Cleaning vehicle according to one of claims 1 to 21, characterized in that, in addition to the rail wheels (14), it has a plurality of propulsion wheels (62), in particular pneumatic tires, which enable the cleaning vehicle (1) to move independently of the rails without the involvement of the rail wheels (14).

23. Cleaning vehicle according to one of claims 1 to 22, characterized in that it has a chassis (15) on which the rail wheels (14) are arranged.

24. Cleaning vehicle according to claim 23, characterized in that the at least one cleaning unit (36) is arranged on the chassis (15), in particular in an adjustable manner.

25. Cleaning vehicle according to claim 23 or 24 in conjunction with claim 22, characterized in that both the rail wheels (14) and the propulsion wheels (62) are arranged on the chassis (15), wherein the rail wheels (14) or the propulsion wheels (62) are adjustable in a height direction relative to the chassis (15), so that the rail wheels (14) can be selectively moved to assume the use position in a lowered, activated position projecting downwards over the propulsion wheels (62) or in a raised position relative to the propulsion wheels (62), a rail-free travel movement (13) by means of the Movement wheels (62) can be positioned in a deactivated position.

26. Cleaning vehicle according to one of claims 1 to 25, characterized in that it has two vehicles (26, 27) which are coupled to one another in a shear- and tensile-resistant and at the same time articulated manner, each of which has its own rail wheels (14) and which are a main vehicle (26) and an additional vehicle (27), wherein the main vehicle (26) has the at least one cleaning unit (36) and the additional vehicle (27) has the laser (32), wherein an optical connection serving to transmit the generated laser radiation (33) is formed between the laser (32) and the at least one cleaning unit (36) by means of at least one flexible optical connecting line (43).

27. Cleaning vehicle according to claim 26 in conjunction with claim 14, characterized in that the main vehicle (26) has the drive device (16).

28. Cleaning vehicle according to claim 26 or 27 in conjunction with claim 11, characterized in that the main vehicle (26) has the at least one suction opening (58) and the additional vehicle (27) has the suction unit (57), wherein a flow connection enabling a suction flow is formed between the suction unit (57) and the at least one suction opening (58) by at least one flexible suction line (61).

29. Cleaning vehicle according to one of claims 26 to 28 in conjunction with claim 15, characterized in that the power generator (44) is located on board the additional vehicle (27).

30. Cleaning vehicle according to one of claims 1 to 25, characterized in that it consists of a single vehicle that has all the components required for operating the laser cleaning device (31a).

31. Cleaning vehicle according to claim 30, characterized in that the cleaning vehicle (1) is designed as a standard railway vehicle, in particular as a traction vehicle (25).

Images