Signal transmission system representing the condition of a railway track inside a train located in a maintenance center

Abstract

Title: System for transmitting signals representative of the state of a railway track inside a train located in a maintenance center. The invention relates to a system for transmitting signals representative of the state of a railway track (2; 2'; 2'') comprising a maintenance center (3) having at least one track equipped with light beacons (10) placed near the rails, radio equipment (6.1, 6.2, 6.4) for communicating with a train (1) located on said track, and control means modifying the state of the track (6.1, 6.2), characterized in that the center has means for transmitting a command to turn on the beacons (10) to emit a light representative of the state of the track and radio transmission means (6.4) to said train of computer data indicating the state of the track, the train having a radio means (5) for receiving the data and a means for transmitting (11) a light signal visible inside and representative of the state of the track on which the train is located. Abbreviated figure: Fig. 1.

Description

Title of the invention: System for emitting signals representative of the condition of a railway track inside a train located in a maintenance center

[0001] 1. SCOPE OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The invention is in the field of railway signalling. The invention relates more particularly to a system for emitting signals visible to operators working on a train, said signals being representative of the state of the railway track on which the train is located.

[0003] 2. TECHNOLOGICAL BACKGROUND

[0004] The field of the invention is that of railways and the railway industry in general. It relates to maintenance operations carried out on trains. The term "trains" refers to any rolling stock, including passenger or freight trains, high-speed trains, local rail services, freight or passenger cars, locomotives, etc. These operations include, in particular: resurfacing axle treads, exterior cleaning of the train, cleaning of passenger cars, etc. These operations can be scheduled periodically or triggered by the detection of a fault. RF_ID chips associated with train equipment transmit data indicating the status of the associated equipment. This data is captured by a central unit on board the train and analyzed to determine the urgency level of the intervention.The onboard central unit is also equipped with a long-range radio communication system to transmit data describing a fault and to receive a message indicating that the train must soon proceed to a location for maintenance.

[0005] Regardless of the reason for the intervention, the train is diverted from its scheduled service to a maintenance center, also known as a "technicentre." Such a center has a central server and multiple service tracks, each specialized according to the type of work to be carried out on the train. This equipment includes, for example: pits for working on axles and pit lathes, exterior washing rollers and jets, roof access platforms, and cleaning equipment for the interior of a wagon. The maintenance center has a computer server connected to a user interface such as a screen and keyboard. During the intervention, operators work inside and / or outside the train depending on the type of work to be performed. If the intervention presents any Operators are informed of risks by Personnel Protection Systems (PPS). A PPS is, for example, a light beacon whose color indicates the status of the protection applied to the service track. These beacons are placed at ground level along the length of the tracks or along pits. If, for example, the electrical equipment (catenary and overhead cables) is not powered and is locked out, operators are informed by the blue light emitted by the beacons.

[0006] Another example concerns the positioning of the switches to access this track. To prevent a stray, out-of-control wagon, a runaway train, or a train that has passed a red signal from colliding with a stationary car on a service track, the switch control is locked in a direction that blocks access to it. When the service track is protected against the risk of accidental collisions, the beacons located near said track emit a red light.

[0007] These beacons are generally LEDs emitting different colors depending on the command. As soon as a train or part of a train is parked on the service track, the central server of the maintenance center sends a command to turn on the beacons according to the protection status of that service track. The central server transmits a command to emit a new color each time the track status changes. In this way, operators working next to the train, for example to clean it, or under the train, to check the axles, or on the train to work on the pantographs or air conditioning units, are notified in real time of the track's protection status.

[0008] However, the problem arises of also informing the operators working inside the train, for example, to perform cleaning. To determine the track protection status, operators can look outside through the windows to see the color of the beacons. In some cases, there is no direct view through the windows to see outside. This situation can prove dangerous if the protection system fails. Therefore, there is a real need for a more automated solution that requires less human intervention and preferably uses existing resources to avoid generating additional costs.

[0009] 3. OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The present invention therefore aims, while avoiding these drawbacks, to solve the problem that track condition warning lights are not easily visible from inside a train. This problem becomes crucial when many operators board the train, for example to clean it, and cannot see the color of the warning light through the windows.

[0011] 4. PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] To this end, the invention relates to a system for emitting signals representative of the state of a railway track comprising a maintenance center having at least one track equipped with light beacons placed near the rails, radio equipment for communicating with a train located on said track, and control means modifying the state of the track, the center has means for transmitting a command to turn on the beacons to emit a light representative of the state of the track and means for radio transmission to said train of computer data indicating the state of the track, the train having a means for radio reception of the data and a means for emitting a light signal visible inside and representative of the state of the track on which the train is located.

[0013] In this way, the personnel working on the train are constantly informed of the state of the track, just like their colleagues outside the train.

[0014] According to a first embodiment, the track status relates to the electrification of the catenary wires, with the ground station controlling the electrification of the track on which the train is located. In this way, the train's occupants are easily informed of the track status without needing to look outside.

[0015] According to another embodiment, the track status relates to access to the track for a train, the ground station controlling at least one switch allowing a rolling stock to enter said track, the electrical signal emitted to the signal lights, and the data transmitted to the train indicating that the switch providing access to this track is positioned to block access. In this way, train occupants can know the track protection status without needing to look outside at the color of the signal lights.

[0016] According to another embodiment, the train has passenger cabin lighting means, said means emitting light whose color is representative of the condition of the track on which the train is located. In this way, there is no need to add specific equipment to indicate the track condition inside the train.

[0017] According to another embodiment, the maintenance center monitors intervention equipment dedicated to said track and transmits computer data to the train's onboard radio receiver, indicating the operation of this equipment. The train's onboard transmission equipment visually reproduces this received status. In this way, the train's occupants are informed whether or not the intervention equipment associated with that track is in operation.

[0018] According to another embodiment, the train further has a means for emitting an audible signal which is emitted when the state of said track changes. In this way, the train's occupants are audibly informed of a change in the track's state and are encouraged to look at the new state on the onboard screens. train.

[0019] According to another embodiment, the maintenance center detects an immediate danger on the track and transmits a computer signal to the train by radio, informing them of this danger. The transmission equipment on board the train visually reproduces the content of the received signal. In this way, the same onboard equipment can inform the train's occupants of information that could affect their safety.

[0020] According to another embodiment, the transmission means on board the train include at least one screen displaying text describing the track status, transmitted by the control center and received by the radio receiving means. In this way, the track status is explicitly displayed for the attention of the train's occupants.

[0021] According to another embodiment, the control center transmits information on the type of intervention to be carried out on the train, and the menu displays text describing the type of intervention received via the radio receiver. In this way, the same on-board equipment can inform the intervention team of the work to be carried out on the train and whether it is indeed their responsibility to perform it.

[0022] According to another embodiment, the maintenance center transmits by means of radio reception a duration of intervention to be carried out in the train, the menu displays a countdown of this duration, a light and / or sound signal being emitted at the end of said countdown.

[0023] 5. DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0024] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, given by way of illustrative and non-limiting example, and the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0025] - [Fig. 1]: [Fig. 1] describes a diagram of a railway signal transmission system according to an example embodiment,

[0026] - [Fig.2]: [Fig.2] represents an example of a diagram of a server in the center of maintenance for the implementation of the system,

[0027] - [Fig. 3]: [Fig. 3] presents a flowchart of the main steps implemented in a railway signaling system during maintenance missions,

[0028] - [Fig. 4]: [Fig. 4] represents an example of a screen appearance displayed in a train during an interior cleaning operation.

[0029] 6. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT

[0030] 6.1 General Principle

[0031] The invention relates to a system for emitting signals representative of the condition of a railway track, comprising a maintenance center having at least one track equipped with light beacons placed near the rails, radio equipment for communicating with a train located on said track, and control means By modifying the track condition, the control center has means to transmit a command to activate the trackside beacons, which emit a light indicating the track condition, and means to transmit radio data to the train indicating the track condition. The train also has a means to receive this data radio transmission and a means to emit a visible light signal inside the train, indicating the track condition. In this way, personnel working on the train are constantly informed of the track condition, as are their colleagues outside the train.

[0032] 6.2. Preferred embodiment

[0033] Figure 1 describes a diagram of a railway signaling system according to an exemplary embodiment. The system is implemented at a maintenance center where trains are diverted from their standard commercial operations and assigned a maintenance task. This task consists of either maintaining the train or repairing a malfunction. In the first case, the intervention is periodic, for example, cleaning the train body or cleaning the interior of the passenger cars. In the second case, an intervention is triggered following the detection of a malfunction, such as a defect in a rolling component, a pantograph failure, or a breakdown of an air conditioning unit in a car.

[0034] Figure 1 shows a train 1 parked on a service track 2 of a maintenance center 3. Such a center has several tracks dedicated to certain maintenance operations. These tracks, ranging in length from 120 meters to 400 meters, are equipped with specific equipment to carry out these operations. In its simplest form, the center may be a single track in a station, ending in a dead end, and used temporarily for a simple operation, such as cleaning the interior of passenger cars or replacing a window, without returning to a maintenance center.

[0035] The train is conventionally equipped with an onboard central unit 4 dedicated to commanding and controlling the onboard equipment, such as, for example: interior lighting in the cars, door closures, air conditioning, lighting, and fault detection analysis. The train has an onboard transceiver 5 for transmitting and receiving radio messages by communicating with a remote server. A received message typically indicates whether the train is operating on a commercial route or not to reach the location where maintenance work will be carried out. If a malfunction is detected on any of the train's equipment, the onboard central unit sends a command to the transceiver 5 to transmit a message to a server 6 that controls a maintenance center, indicating the type of intervention to be carried out to resolve the malfunction. The maintenance center has an entry track 7 bringing the trains towards a switching device. This device includes a set of switches 8 allowing the train to be positioned on a track specific to the intervention to be carried out.

[0036] Each service track 2, 2' and 2'' is dedicated to a specific type of maintenance work. Track 2 has specific equipment for reprofiling axle treads. Operators work from a pit 9 under the track and can thus visually inspect the axles. Operators working under or beside the train need to know the track condition, and in particular that no collision can occur because the switch control is locked in the direction that prevents access to that track. When the service track is safe, the beacons located near it emit a red light. To improve the safety of operators working on a train, it is important to regularly provide them with a visual message informing them whether the overhead lines are energized or not, and whether access to that track for a train or a single wagon is blocked or not.The signaling process involves activating 10 warning lights located beside the train or in the pit beneath it. The color of the light beams emitted by these lights is specific to the track condition and provides a good indication of the level of danger. For example, blue indicates that the overhead lines are not powered and are out of service; a light that does not illuminate indicates that the overhead lines are energized. When the overhead lines are not powered, the train's electrical equipment operates on batteries and onboard converters.

[0037] Service track 2' is dedicated to periodic maintenance, such as deep interior cleaning and overhaul of the pantographs that supply the train with power via the overhead lines. Beacons 10 are positioned alongside track 2' to inform personnel working outside of the track's status, specifically whether or not it is powered. Each train car is equipped with a screen 11 to display car parameters and input commands such as temperature control, lighting, door closure, direction of travel, etc., when the train is in motion. These screens 11, which are generally associated with a keyboard, are used to communicate with personnel working on the train.The passenger car cab can also be equipped with screens displaying passenger information and programmable color lighting, allowing for the creation of a specific ambiance depending on the train's progress along the commercial route. According to an improvement, the onboard central unit 4 controls the cab lighting color during maintenance operations and adapts the lighting color according to the condition of the track on which the train is parked. The lighting color is [color missing]. preference similar to that of beacons near rails.

[0038] The maintenance server 6 transmits a radio message to the train, which is received by the on-board central unit 4. The latter formats this message and displays it on the train's screens 11. These visual messages are transmitted at regular intervals to continuously inform the personnel inside the train of the track protection status.

[0039] Service track 2'' is dedicated to the exterior cleaning of the train. It is equipped with rollers 12 and powerful water jets 13 that spray the train body. This equipment is controlled by the maintenance server 6. The driver positions the train on track 2'' and notifies the maintenance server 6. The server detects the train's presence using sensors and alerts the driver that it is ready to begin the cleaning process. The driver moves the train into the washing machine at the specified speed, which is advantageously transmitted by the server.

[0040] When all or part of a train is stopped on track 2”, the maintenance server controls the points that allow the train to enter said track and positions them to block access. In this way, a runaway train or a train that has passed the closed safety signal cannot enter track 2” and collide with the trains or cars undergoing maintenance. Optionally, the power supply to the overhead lines is also cut off, and this fact is indicated inside the train. The server monitors the beacons 10 located on either side of track 2”, in order to inform personnel of its current status. The positioning of the points to block access to this track is communicated by devices emitting a light signal visible to train occupants; this signal may be displayed on the onboard screens 11.

[0041] Server 6 sends a message that is interpreted by the onboard system as a command to display certain information on each screen in the train (or on a screen in a specific car). Advantageously, the screens display a dominant color close to that emitted by the trackside beacons; for example, blue indicates that the track is no longer electrically powered. In this way, operators are constantly informed about the status of the track they are working on. In particular, they can check through the train windows that the dominant color of the screens is similar to that emitted by the beacons outside, and that the color has not changed.

[0042] If the distance between the train on a track 2, 2' or 2'' and the maintenance server 6 is too great, a radio repeater 14 is placed between these two elements to increase the communication distance.

[0043] According to an improvement, in the event of a danger detected on the ground (arrival of another train) on the same track), server 6 emits an emergency code, which is received by the on-board central unit e4 and which triggers the transmission of an emergency train evacuation message.

[0044] Figure 2 represents an example of a server 6 in the maintenance center for the In the implementation of the system described in this document, this server is preferably located in a room accessible only by a site manager. According to one example, this server 6 comprises an ALU central processing unit 6.1 connected to an MP storage memory (executable program and downloaded data) 6.2, an S screen 6.3, a radio communication module 6.4, and an interface module 6.5 with a keyboard 6.6 for command input. The communication module enables communication with trains in the radio frequency range compatible with wireless communication networks such as: 2G / GSM, 3G / UMTS, 4G / LTE, or 5G, Tetra Radio, Sigfox, and LoRaWAN. The screen 6.3 can be touchscreen; in this case, the keyboard 6.6 is integrated into the screen. The server also includes a 6.7 circuit for displaying data on the screen, often called an OSD circuit, from the English "On Screen Display" (meaning "display on the screen"). The OSD 6.7 is a text and graphics generator that allows the display of menus and pictograms (for example, a diagram of all the tracks in the maintenance center and an indication of the status of each of these tracks). The OSD 6.7 circuit is controlled by the Central Processing Unit 6.1 and is inserted between it and the screen 6.3.

[0045] The storage memory 6.2 contains, in particular, resident executable programs and, optionally, a Read / Write component for recording the various maintenance tasks associated with trains approaching or parked on the site. These downloaded programs also include applications dedicated to a specific type of maintenance, which specify the track condition during the intervention, the color of the beacons 10, the messages to be displayed on the on-board screens 11, etc.

[0046] After detailing the various hardware components of the system, it is now described how these elements cooperate.

[0047] Fig. 3 represents a flowchart of the main steps implemented in a maintenance system responsible for defining missions on trains and executing them safely for the personnel working in this maintenance center.

[0048] In step 3.1, the on-board central unit 4 of a train transmits a message by radio waves to a server 6 in a maintenance center, specifying an intervention, which may be, for example: periodic cleaning of the body, a check of the pantographs following a detected fault, reprofiling of the axle treads, cleaning of the passenger cars, etc. Server 6 acknowledges receipt of the message and replies on the same radio channel, indicating the route to access the maintenance center (step 3.2).

[0049] In step 3.3, the train is detected approaching the site. The server then alerts the personnel responsible for the intervention and controls the switches to move the train to the most appropriate track for the type of intervention (step 3.4). In step 3.5, the server controls the activation of the beacons 10 and monitors them so that their visual aspects (color, flashing, variation in light, etc.) indicate the status of the selected service track 2, 2', 2". The server also transmits a radio message containing information representative of the status of the track on which the train is located (step 3.6). The messages are transmitted periodically, particularly when the state changes, for example, when the server controls the switch, and / or the electrification of the track, the activation of the washing equipment, and any equipment corresponding to the type of intervention. In step 3.7, the on-board central unit 4 receives the message emitted by the server 6 and commands the display of new content on the screens 11 to present the track status to the train occupants.

[0050] Figure 4 shows an example of a screen display that appears on a train during an internal cleaning operation. The displayed menu includes information such as: the type of task being performed, the current time and date, the start and end times of the scheduled task, an identifier for the intervention team, and the current status of the track on which the train is located. In this way, the team working on the train can at any time be aware of the track conditions and, therefore, the level of protection for the intervention. Advantageously, the menu background has a color similar to that emitted by the beacons, so the screen emits a certain dominant color.

[0051] The server constantly updates the information displayed on the onboard screens 11. In step 3.8, when the team has completed its intervention, an operator enters a command on the screen, and the central unit 4 transmits the information to the server 6. The server then changes the track state (powering the overhead lines and changing the position of the switch) to allow the train to leave the service track (step 3.9). The server 6 commands the color of the markers 10 to reflect the new track state and transmits a radio message to the onboard central unit 4 for displaying text on the screens 11 to inform the occupants of the new track state (step 3.10).

[0052] According to an improvement, when the server detects or causes a change in the track state, an audible signal is emitted for a certain time (30 seconds, for example) in the train to attract the attention of the operators. This audible signal is emitted, for example, by a loudspeaker connected to a screen, which prompts the operators to look at the new information on that screen.

[0053] According to another improvement, if the server detects an immediate danger on this If a trackside hazard is detected, such as the arrival of a runaway train, server 6 transmits an emergency signal on the beacons 10 and an emergency message by radio to the train. The content of this message is displayed on the onboard screens 11 to warn train occupants of the imminent danger. This message is preferably accompanied by an audible signal to alert train occupants.

[0054] According to another improvement, the menu displays a timer counting down the remaining intervention time. In this way, team members can see how long the track condition will remain unchanged. The initial intervention time is transmitted by the maintenance server 6 to the onboard central unit 4, which then manages the time countdown and displays the remaining time on the onboard screens 11. A visual and audible signal is emitted by the screens when the countdown reaches zero, to warn the team that they must leave the train.

[0055] Although the present invention has been described with reference to the particular embodiments illustrated, it is not limited by these embodiments but only by the appended claims. It should be noted that changes or modifications to the description and drawings may be made by those skilled in the art.

Claims

Claims

1. System for transmitting signals representative of the state of a railway track (2; 2'; 2”) comprising a maintenance center (3) comprising at least one track equipped with light beacons (10) placed near the rails, radio equipment (6.1, 6.2, 6.4) for communicating with a train (1) located on said track, and control means modifying the state of the track (6.1, 6.2), characterized in that the center has means for transmitting a command to switch on the beacons (10) to emit a light representative of the state of the track and means for radio transmission (6.4) to said train of computer data indicating the state of the track, the train having means for radio reception (5) of the data and means for transmission (11) of a light signal visible inside and representative of the state of the track on which the train is located.

2. Railway signal transmission system according to claim 1, characterized in that the state of the track concerns the electrification of the catenaries, the ground station controlling the electrification of the track on which said train is located.

3. Railway signal transmission system according to claim 1, characterized in that the state of the track concerns access to the track for a train, the ground station controlling at least one switch allowing a rolling stock to enter said track, the electrical signal transmitted to the light beacons and the data transmitted to the train signaling that the switch giving access to this track is positioned to block access to it.

4. Railway signal transmission system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the train has means for lighting the passenger cabin, said means emitting a light whose color is representative of the state of the track on which the train is located.

5. Railway signal transmission system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the maintenance center controls intervention equipment (12, 13) dedicated to said track (2; 2'; 2”), and transmits to the radio reception means (5) on board the train computer data informing of the operation of this equipment, the transmission means (11) on board the train visually reproducing said received state.

6. Railway signal transmission system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the train further has means for transmitting an audible signal which is emitted when the state of said track changes.

7. Railway signal transmission system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the maintenance center detects an immediate danger on said track (2; 2'; 2”) and transmits by radio to said train computer data informing of this danger, the transmission means (11) on board the train visually reproducing the content of the data received.

8. Railway signal transmission system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transmission means (11) on board the train comprises at least one screen displaying a text describing the state of the track transmitted by the center and received by the radio reception means (5).

9. Railway signal transmission system according to claim 8, characterized in that the maintenance center (3) transmits information on the type of intervention to be carried out in the train, and in that the menu displays a text describing the type of intervention received by the radio reception means (5).

10. Railway signal transmission system according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the maintenance center (3) transmits to the radio reception means (5) a duration of intervention to be carried out in the train, and in that the menu displays a countdown of this duration, a light and / or sound signal being emitted at the end of said countdown.

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