A system for verifying a brake release state by a plurality of braking means of at least one vehicle, and a vehicle

Abstract

A system (200) for verifying a brake release state by means of a brake means (201) of at least one vehicle (V), in particular of at least one railway vehicle, is described, which comprises a brake control module (202), control means (204), first communication means, and second communication means different from the first communication means. The control means (204) is configured to activate at least one signaling means (210) when receiving a message of successful brake release from all brake control modules (202) via at least one of the first communication means (206) and the second communication means (208). An additional system (200) for verifying a brake release state by means of a brake means (201) of at least one vehicle (V), in particular of at least one railway vehicle, is also described, wherein the control means (204) is configured to activate at least one signaling means (210) when, via at least one of the first communication means (206) and the second communication means (208), it determines that all brake control modules are transmitting an applied braking force message indicating a brake release state.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention is generally in the field of braking systems, and in particular, the present invention relates to a system for verifying a released state of brakes by a plurality of braking means of at least one vehicle, and to a vehicle.

Background Art

[0002] Hereinafter, the prior art will be described with reference to the field of railway vehicles in particular. However, what is described below may be applied to vehicles in other fields if possible.

[0003] Railway vehicles, whether for passenger transportation or for goods transportation, usually have a pneumatic, electro-pneumatic, or electro-mechanical braking system including, for example, one or more braking means.

[0004] For some safety reasons and / or to support the monitoring of all owned vehicles, it is necessary to provide a vehicle with a system capable of verifying the released state of the brakes.

[0005] For example, for safety reasons, when a driver commands brake release, it is necessary to verify that the brakes have actually been released by all the braking means of the vehicle. If the brakes are not released by the braking means, the wheels associated with this braking means will be dragged, resulting in damage to the entire vehicle and infrastructure, and leading to the risk of the vehicle derailing.

[0006] Known braking systems include a plurality of brake control modules. Each brake control module is configured to be associated with at least one braking means. In particular, each brake control module is configured to adjust the braking force generated by at least one braking means associated with the brake control module.

[0007] Therefore, when the driver requests brake release, each brake control module can control at least one braking means associated with the brake control module so that no braking force is generated by at least one braking means.

[0008] To verify that the brake has actually been released, a known system for verifying the brake release state by a plurality of braking means of at least one vehicle is implemented in the following manner.

[0009] An example of these known systems 100 for verifying the brake release state by a plurality of braking means 101 of at least one vehicle is illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0010] The brake control modules 102 are connected in series with each other and in series with a light source 104 installed in the cab CAB of the vehicle V.

[0011] The brake control modules 102 and the light source 104 are arranged in series along a power line 106, one of which is connected to a power supply terminal (for example, the positive terminal +BAT of the vehicle battery) and the other is connected to the ground G.

[0012] Each brake control module 102 includes its own electric circuit interruption means C1, C2,..., Cn, for example switches, configured to interrupt the power line 106 when the associated brake control module detects that the braking force has not been completely released by at least one braking means associated with and controlled by the brake control module 102. In other words, when the corresponding braking means 101 is released, the individual interruption means C1,..., Cn are each closed. Therefore, the power line 106 is closed (electrically conductive) only when all braking means are not applying brakes.

[0013] In this way, the light source 104 can receive power supply and light up only when all the electric circuit interruption means C1, C2, ..., Cn are closed and maintained by their respective brake control modules 102. Therefore, the driver can verify that all the brake means 101 are in the released brake state by observing the on / off state of the light source 104: - The light source 104 is lit = all the brake means 101 are in the released brake state, - The light source 104 is off = at least one of the brake means 101 is not in the released brake state.

[0014] Unfortunately, in the known system 100 for verifying the released brake state by means of a plurality of brake means of at least one vehicle as described above, it does not cope with a complete short circuit even when the electric circuit interruption means C1, C2, ..., Cn are in the closed state. In fact, when the electric circuit interruption means are in the closed state, it still has some parasitic resistance Rn.

[0015] Taking this into account, when all the electric circuit interruption means C1, C2, ..., Cn are in the closed state, the current I flowing through the light source lamp is equal to the ratio of the voltage V supplied from the power source batt to the sum of the light source resistance R lamp and all the parasitic resistances R1, R2, ...Rn of the electric circuit interruption means.

Equation

[0016] Therefore, when the number of brake control modules changes, both the voltage drop along the power line 106 and the current I flowing through the light source 104 lamp will change.

[0017] The current I lamp changes due to the following problem, namely, when the current I lamp is too high, the light source may be damaged, Current I lamp If it is too low, there is a possibility that the light source may not light up, leading to the problem that the light source may not turn on.

[0018] In a further aspect, in a known system for verifying the brake release state by a plurality of braking means of at least one vehicle as described above, appropriate electrical wiring must be dedicated to this function. Therefore, this electrical wiring is provided in the vehicle V in addition to the further electrical lines or communication lines already provided in the vehicle V, and in order to obtain a dedicated electrical line, it is necessary to pass through the entire distance between the light source 104 and the brake control module 102 installed in the vehicle farthest from the light source 104. Usually, the light source 104 and the brake control module farthest from the light source can be installed near two opposite ends E1, E2 of the vehicle.

[0019] Unfortunately, the use of such electrical wiring has an increase in vehicle production costs and the inconvenience of installation due to the need to pass electrical wiring through the entire vehicle (including the connection parts between vehicles if the vehicle includes a plurality of vehicles), which are disadvantages. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0020] Therefore, one object of the present invention is to provide a system for verifying the brake release state by a plurality of brake control means of at least one vehicle, and a vehicle, which can avoid installing additional dedicated electrical wiring along the vehicle, and a system and a vehicle that are not impaired in operation depending on / by the number of brake control modules in the vehicle.

[0021] The foregoing object, and other objects, and advantages are achieved, according to a first aspect of the present invention, by a system for verifying a brake release state by a plurality of brake means of at least one vehicle having the features defined in claim 1, and according to a second aspect of the present invention, by a system for verifying a brake release state by a plurality of brake means of at least one vehicle having the features defined in claim 2, and according to a third aspect of the present invention, by a vehicle having the features defined in claim 15. Preferred embodiments of the present invention are defined in the dependent claims, the content of which is understood as an essential part of this specification.

[0022] Next, a system for verifying a brake release state by a plurality of brake means of at least one vehicle according to the present invention, and functional features and structural features of some preferred embodiments of the vehicle will be described. Refer to the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0023]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0024] Before detailing multiple embodiments of the present invention, it is to be made clear that the present invention is not limited to the design details and configurations of the components shown in the following description or illustrated in the drawings in its application. The present invention may assume other embodiments and may be actually implemented or configured in different ways. Also, it is to be understood that the expressions and terms are for illustrative purposes and should not be construed as limiting. The use of "include" and "comprise" and their variations are intended to cover the elements defined below and their equivalents, as well as additional elements and their equivalents.

[0025] Referring first to Figure 2, the figure shows an embodiment of a system 200 for verifying the brake release state by means of multiple braking means of at least one vehicle.

[0026] The system 200 for verifying the brake release state includes multiple brake control modules 202, control means 204, a first communication means configured to enable message transmission from each brake control module of the multiple brake control modules 202 to the control means, and a second communication means configured to enable message transmission from each brake control module of the multiple brake control modules 202 to the control means, the second communication means being different from the first communication means.

[0027] Each brake control module 202 is associated with at least one of the braking means 201, determines whether at least one of the braking means 201 associated with the brake control module 202 is in a brake release state, When at least one braking means 201 associated with the brake control module 202 is in a brake release state, it is configured to transmit a brake release success message to the control means 204 via the first communication means and the second communication means.

[0028] For example, the brake release success message may be a message that conveys at least one data or information indicating that the brake release has occurred.

[0029] In one embodiment, each brake control module 202 may be configured to be associated with at least one of the braking means whose brake release state is to be verified, or with at least one of all the braking means associated with at least one of the brake control modules 202. For example, if there are two brake control modules 202 and four braking means 201 whose brake release states are to be verified, the first brake control module 202 may be configured to be associated with two of the braking means 201, and the second brake control module 202 may be configured to be associated with the other two braking means 201. In a further example, if there are four brake control modules 202 and four braking means 201 whose brake release states are to be verified, the first brake control module 202 may be configured to be associated with the first braking means 201, the second brake control module 202 may be configured to be associated with the second braking means 201, the third brake control module 202 may be configured to be associated with the third braking means 201, and the fourth brake control module 202 may be configured to be associated with the fourth braking means 201.

[0030] The control means 204 When it is determined that a message of successful brake release is received from all the brake control modules 202 via at least one of the first communication means 206 and the second communication means 208, it is configured to activate at least one signal means 210.

[0031] Preferably, at least one signal means 210 may be configured to be installed in a vehicle, such as a driver's seat of the vehicle.

[0032] Hereinafter, an additional embodiment of the system 200 for verifying the brake release state by a plurality of brake means of at least one vehicle will be described.

[0033] For this embodiment as well, refer to FIG. 2.

[0034] The system 200 for verifying the brake release state again includes a plurality of brake control modules 202, control means 204, a first communication means configured to enable transmission of a message from each brake control module of the plurality of brake control modules 202 to the control means 204, a second communication means designed to enable transmission of a message from each brake control module of the plurality of brake control modules 202 to the control means 204, the second communication means being different from the first communication means.

[0035] However, in this embodiment, each brake control module is associated with at least one of the brake means 201, measures a braking force value applied by at least one of the brake means 201 associated with the brake control module, and is configured to transmit an applied braking force message indicating the measured braking force value to the control means 204 via the first communication means and the second communication means.

[0036] For example, the applied braking force message may be a message that conveys at least one data or information indicating the measured applied braking force value.

[0037] In this case, the control means 204 is configured to activate at least one signal means 210 when it is determined that all brake control modules have transmitted an applied braking force message via at least one of the first communication means 206 and the second communication means 208, and all of the applied braking force messages indicate an applied braking force value corresponding to the brake released state.

[0038] Preferably, at least one signal means 210 may be configured to be installed in the vehicle, such as in the driver's seat of the vehicle.

[0039] Regarding this embodiment as well, as an example, each brake control module 202 may be arranged such that at least one of the brake means for which the brake released state is to be verified, or all of the brake means are associated with at least one of the brake control modules 202, or associated with each means of at least one of the brake means 201.

[0040] For example, if there are two brake control modules 202 and four brake means 201 for which the brake release state is to be verified, the first brake control module 202 may be configured to be associated with two of the brake means 201, and the second brake control module 202 may be configured to be associated with the other two brake means 201. In a further example, if there are four brake control modules 202 and four brake means 201 for which the brake release state is to be verified, the first brake control module 202 is configured to be associated with the first brake means 201, the second brake control module 202 is configured to be associated with the second brake means 201, the third brake control module 202 is configured to be associated with the third brake means 201, and the fourth brake control module 202 is configured to be associated with the fourth brake means 201.

[0041] What is described below may be applicable to all embodiments described.

[0042] Preferably, the vehicle may be at least one railway vehicle or may include at least one railway vehicle.

[0043] For example, the brake means 201 may be associated with an electromechanical actuator, a pneumatic actuator, an electro-pneumatic actuator, or any other actuator of a technology that can be used in a vehicle.

[0044] Each brake means 201 may be configured to apply a braking force to, for example, at least one wheel W of the vehicle, or at least one brake member associated with at least one wheel of the vehicle, or an axle to which at least one wheel of the vehicle is attached. For example, when the brake member is associated with at least one wheel of the vehicle, it may be a disc brake attached to the wheel. For example, when at least one brake member is associated with an axle to which at least one wheel is attached, it may be a disc brake attached to the axle.

[0045] Each braking means 201 may include a braking force applying means such as a brake shoe, a disk brake caliper, etc.

[0046] Preferably, the "brake release state" may mean either a case where the braking means does not apply a braking force or a case where the braking means applies a braking force less than a predetermined minimum braking force. For example, the minimum braking force may be a minimum brake value that is low enough to be negligible and does not affect vehicle performance.

[0047] For example, the control means 204 may be at least one of a controller, a processor, a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a PLC, etc., or may include these. For example, the control means 204 may be included in an appropriate control unit or a control module.

[0048] For example, the brake control module may be or include at least one control means / control unit.

[0049] Advantageously, according to the present invention, the fact that there are at least two communication means 206, 208, that is, the fact that there are abundant communication means through which communication can be performed, ensures that even if there is a single failure or disconnection of one of the communication means 206, 208, it will not impair the proper operation of the entire system for verifying the brake release state by the plurality of braking means 201 of at least one vehicle V.

[0050] The first communication means 206 and the second communication means 208 may each include a communication network or a communication bus line.

[0051] The first communication means 206 and the second communication means 208 may further include communication control means configured to manage communication in the first communication means 206 and the second communication means 208. Additionally, or alternatively, each of the brake control modules may include its own communication control means suitable for managing communication in the first communication means 206 and the second communication means 208 by each of the brake control modules.

[0052] Preferably, the first communication means 206 and the second communication means 208 may be of a wired type or a wireless type.

[0053] Preferably, the first communication means 206 and the second communication means 208 may be obtained via two different technologies. For example, the first communication means 206 may be a wired communication means, and the second communication means 208 may be a wireless communication means.

[0054] Preferably, the first communication means 206 and the second communication means 208 may be communication means configured to transmit additional communication messages / signaling means in addition to various messages of brake release success. In other words, the first communication means 206 and the second communication means 208 do not necessarily have to be specialized only in the function of verifying the brake release state by a plurality of brake means executed by a system for verifying the brake release state by a plurality of brake means of at least one vehicle.

[0055] Preferably, each brake control module may be configured to determine whether at least one brake means 201 associated with the brake control module is in a brake release state after a first predetermined time interval has elapsed since receiving a brake release command, or (depending on the embodiment) to measure the value of the applied braking force.

[0056] This first predetermined time interval may be used so that, after (depending on the embodiment) a minimum transient period suitable for the braking means to transition from the brake applied state to the brake released state has elapsed, the determination of the brake released state or the measurement of the applied braking force value is performed.

[0057] For example, the brake release command may be generated by the centralized vehicle control means. The centralized vehicle control means may be able to control the brake control module via an appropriate control message / signal.

[0058] Preferably, each brake control module is configured to determine whether at least one braking means 201 associated with the brake control module is in the released brake state, or (depending on the embodiment) to measure the value of the braking force applied at instants of time defined according to a predetermined period.

[0059] In other words, the determination of the brake released state or the measurement of the applied braking force value (depending on the embodiment) may be repeated over time at predetermined instants defined according to a predetermined period, such as every 100 microseconds.

[0060] Preferably, each brake control module 202 may be a module configured to limit the braking force applied by at least one braking means 201 associated with the brake control module 202. For example, each brake control module 202 may be a module configured to adjust the applied braking force according to at least one service brake request message / signal, and / or one emergency brake request message / signal, and / or one indicated weight message / signal of the vehicle to be decelerated, and / or one current vehicle speed message / signal, etc.

[0061] Preferably, each brake control module 202 may be configured to transmit a relevant life message ("life signal") to the control means 204 via the first communication means and the second communication means.

[0062] A life message may generally be understood as a message that monitors whether a particular component / electronic device / electronic system is "alive" (i.e., whether the component / electronic device / electronic system is not damaged or in a locked operating state).

[0063] In such a case, the control means 204 When, via the first communication means 206 and the second communication means 208, it does not receive a life message from the brake control module 202 for at least a predetermined time interval, or when it receives a life message different from the expected life message from the brake control module 202 via the first communication means 206 and the second communication means 208, One of the plurality of brake control modules 202 may be configured to determine that it is not operating properly or is no longer connected to the first communication means 206 and the second communication means 208.

[0064] For example, the life message may be a message indicating an increment counter whose rate of increase is known.

[0065] For example, the life message may be a message that conveys at least one data or information indicating the current value of the increment counter.

[0066] Preferably, when the control means 204 determines that one of the plurality of brake control modules, i.e., the brake control module 202, is not operating normally or is no longer connected to the first communication means 206 and the second communication means 208, the control means 204 may be configured to determine that the brake means 201 associated with the brake control module 202 is in a predetermined brake state.

[0067] Preferably, the predetermined state may be a brake released state.

[0068] In an alternative, the predetermined state may be a brake applied state.

[0069] Preferably, the predetermined state may be set differently for each brake control module.

[0070] For example, the predetermined state may be directly configured by the vehicle manufacturer or the system manufacturer to verify the brake released state targeted by the present invention.

[0071] In each case, the predetermined state associated with each brake control module is known to the control means 204. The control means 204 may independently determine the brake state (applied or released) of the brake means associated with the brake control module from which the expected life message has not been received.

[0072] For example, the control means 204 may include or be associated with storage means in which the predetermined states of various brake means are stored. The control means can read (and write if necessary) data from the storage means.

[0073] Preferably, when the control means 204 determines that at least one braking means 201 associated with the brake control module is in a predetermined brake state and the predetermined brake state is a brake applied state, the control means may deactivate the at least one signal means 210 or may be configured to prohibit the operation of the at least one signal means 210.

[0074] Preferably, the first communication means 206 and the second communication means 208 may be configured to update a message transmitted from the brake control module to the control means at each communication instant defined according to a predetermined communication period.

[0075] The predetermined communication period may be the same for the first communication means and the second communication means, or different communication periods may be used for the first communication means and the second communication means.

[0076] In one example, the messages transmitted by the first communication means and the second communication means may be essentially synchronized with each other, and the synchronization may be achieved by a common clock.

[0077] Preferably, a message transmitted at a certain communication instant is continuously transmitted via the first communication means and the second communication means until a subsequent communication instant.

[0078] Preferably, the first communication means and / or the second communication means may be based on a "black channel" protocol.

[0079] By means of communication based on the "black channel" protocol, for example, the transmission of fail-safe data and standard data is made possible through the same communication network such as a communication channel, a communication network, a communication bus line, etc.

[0080] Preferably, the control means 204 may be implemented according to a safety integrity level (SIL) higher than a predetermined minimum safety integrity level.

[0081] When the vehicle is a vehicle in the railway field, regarding the definition of the safety integrity level SIL, reference may be made to the following European standards EN50129:rev.2018, EN50159:rev.2010, EN50126-1:rev.2017, EN50126-2:rev.2017, EN50128:rev.2011 according to the latest update available on the filing date of the present invention. - EN50126 "Railway applications. The specification and demonstration of reliability, availability, maintainability and safety (RAMS)". - EN50128 "Railway applications. Communications, signalling and processing systems. Software for railway control and protection systems". - EN50129 "Railway applications. Communication, signaling and processing systems. Safety related electronic systems for signalling". - EN50159 "Railway applications. Communication, signaling and processing systems. Safety-related communication in transmission systems"

[0082] In particular, in the standard EN50126, based on the results of safety analysis, a methodology for assigning safety levels of SIL0 / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 (where SIL4 represents the highest safety integrity level) to the subsystems constituting the system is defined. In the standards EN50128 and EN50129, based on the SIL levels assigned based on the safety analysis results, the design criteria applicable to software and hardware components are defined respectively.

[0083] Control means, devices, units, modules, etc. may be considered to be implemented in accordance with a high safety integrity level when they are made in accordance with at least a safety integrity level of SIL >= 3.

[0084] Therefore, the control means 204 of the system 200 for verifying the brake release state by means of the plurality of brake means of at least one vehicle targeted by the present invention may be obtained in accordance with a safety integrity level SIL greater than 2.

[0085] Preferably, the vehicle V may include at least one railway vehicle.

[0086] In such a case, as can be seen from FIG. 3, the railway vehicle may include a train control and management system (TCMS).

[0087] In the railway industry, the TCMS is a centralized monitoring system for various subsystems of railway vehicles or trains. For example, the subsystems may be a door system, a lighting system, brake means, a communication system, a battery.

[0088] The TCMS may be connected to a first communication means 206 and a second communication means 208 to transmit its own messages.

[0089] The control means 204 may be different from the train control and management system TCMS, or the control means 204 may be directly included in the train control and management system TCMS. In the latter case, the function of verifying the brake release state may be directly integrated into the TCMS.

[0090] For example, the control means 204 may be shared between the train control and management system TCMS and the brake release state verification system. In such a case, the control means 204 will be able to execute both the function of verifying the brake release state and the vehicle control and management function.

[0091] Preferably, the at least one signaling means 210 may include at least one visual signaling means.

[0092] For example, the visual signaling means may include at least one of an indicator light, an LED, a light bulb, a display icon, and the like.

[0093] For example, activation of a signalling means may mean either turning on the signalling means when said signalling means is normally off, or turning off the signalling means when said signalling means is normally on.

[0094] In a further aspect, the present invention provides a method for producing a method for the treatment of a cancer The present invention relates to a vehicle including a brake system 200 for verifying a brake release condition by a plurality of brake means of at least one vehicle according to any of the previously described embodiments.

[0095] The vehicle may be equipped with multiple braking means.

[0096] Preferably, the vehicle is a rail car or a rail train (or train) comprising a number of rail cars.

[0097] In a further aspect, the following is an example of a method for verifying a brake release state by multiple braking means of at least one vehicle V, in particular at least one railway vehicle.

[0098] In a first example, the method comprises: - configuring a plurality of brake control modules 202, each associated with at least one of the braking means 201 of the vehicle; - determining via each brake control module whether at least one brake means 201 associated with said brake control module is in a brake release state; - When each brake control module determines that at least one braking means 201 associated with the brake control module is in a brake release state, a first communication means configured to enable transmission of a message from each brake control module to the brake control means 204, and a second communication means configured to enable transmission of a message from each brake control module to the control means, the second communication means being different from the first communication means, and transmitting a brake release success message to the brake control means 204 via the second communication means; - When the control means 204 determines that it has received respective brake release success messages from all the brake control modules 202 via at least one of the first communication means 206 and the second communication means 208, activating at least one signal means 210; comprising.

[0099] In a second example, the method - setting a plurality of brake control modules 202 and associating each with at least one braking means 201; - measuring, via each brake control module, the braking force value applied by at least one braking means 201 associated with the brake control module, and transmitting an applied braking force message indicating the measured applied braking force value to the control means 204 via a first communication means configured to enable transmission of a message from each brake control module 202 to the brake control means 204 and a second communication means configured to enable transmission of a message from each brake control module 202 to the brake control means, the second communication means being different from the first communication means; - When the control means 204 determines, via at least one of the first communication means 206 and the second communication means 208, that all brake control modules have transmitted their respective applied braking force messages and all of the respective applied braking force messages indicate an applied braking force value corresponding to a released brake state, a step of activating at least one signal means 210; comprises.

[0100] Obviously, the above-described embodiments have been described with reference to a system for verifying the brake release state by a plurality of brake means of at least one vehicle V, and although not repeated here, those embodiments may be similarly applied to the above-described method.

[0101] Preferably, the present invention may be particularly applicable to the field of railway vehicles / trains running on railway lines. For example, the vehicle referred to in this specification may be a locomotive or a wagon, and the line / section may include rails on which the wheels of the locomotive roll. However, the embodiments described in this specification are not intended to be limited to vehicles on the line. For example, the vehicle may be an automobile, a truck (e.g., a semi-trailer truck on a highway, a mining truck, a timber transportation truck, etc.), etc., and the route may be a road or a path.

[0102] For example, in the present invention, a plurality of vehicles may be connected or associated to form a train.

[0103] In this case, the brake control module, the brake means, the control means, the power line, the first communication means, the second communication means, the light source, and various other components of the system for verifying the brake release state by a plurality of brake means of at least one vehicle may be installed along the various vehicles forming the train.

[0104] Accordingly, the achieved advantage is to provide a system for verifying a brake release state by a plurality of braking means of at least one vehicle that avoids installing additional dedicated electrical wiring along the vehicle and whose operation is not impaired / dependent on the number of brake control modules of the vehicle.

[0105] Various aspects and embodiments of a system for verifying a brake release state by a plurality of braking means of at least one vehicle according to the present invention have been described. It should be understood that each embodiment may be combined with any other embodiment. Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the described embodiments and various modifications are possible within the scope defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A system (200) for verifying the released state of braking means (201) of at least one vehicle (V), in particular at least one railway vehicle, comprising: a plurality of brake control modules (202); control means (204); first communication means configured to enable message transmission from each brake control module of the plurality of brake control modules (202) to the control means; second communication means configured to enable message transmission from each brake control module of the plurality of brake control modules (202) to the control means, the second communication means being different from the first communication means; wherein each brake control module of the plurality of brake control modules (202) is associated with at least one brake control means (201) of the plurality of braking means (201), determines whether the at least one braking means (201) associated with the brake control module (202) is in a released state, and when the at least one braking means (201) associated with the brake control module (202) is in a released state, is configured to transmit a message of successful brake release to the control means (204) via the first communication means and the second communication means; wherein the control means (204) is configured to activate at least one signal means (210) when it determines that it has received a message of successful brake release from all of the brake control modules (202) via at least one of the first communication means (206) and the second communication means (208); A system (200) for verifying the released state of braking means.

2. A system (200) for verifying the released state of braking means (201) of at least one vehicle (V), in particular at least one railway vehicle, comprising: a plurality of brake control modules (202); control means (204); first communication means configured to enable message transmission from each brake control module of the plurality of brake control modules (202) to the control means; A second communication means configured to enable message transmission from each of the plurality of brake control modules (202) to the control means, the second communication means being different from the first communication means, Each of the plurality of brake control modules (202) is associated with at least one brake control means (201) of the plurality of brake means (201), measures a braking force value applied by the at least one brake means (201) associated with the brake control module, is configured to transmit an applied braking force message indicating the measured braking force value to the control means (204) via the first communication means and the second communication means, The control means (204) is configured to activate at least one signal means (210) when it is determined that all of the brake control modules have transmitted the applied braking force message via at least one of the first communication means (206) and the second communication means (208), and all of the applied braking force messages indicate an applied braking force value corresponding to a brake release state. A system (200) for verifying a brake release state.

3. Each brake control module is further configured to transmit respective life messages to the control means (204) via the first communication means and the second communication means, The control means (204) when it does not receive the life message from the brake control module (202) via the first communication means (206) and the second communication means (208) for at least a predetermined time interval, or when it receives a life message different from the expected life message from the brake control module (202) via the first communication means (206) and the second communication means (208), is configured to determine that one of the plurality of brake control modules (202) is not operating properly or is no longer connected to the first communication means (206) and the second communication means (208). The system for verifying a brake release state according to claim 1 or 2.

4. When the control means (204) determines that one of the plurality of brake control modules (202) is not operating normally or is no longer connected to the first communication means (206) and the second communication means (208), The system for verifying a brake release state according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the brake means (201) associated with the brake control module is configured to be determined to be in a predetermined brake state.

5. The system for verifying a brake release state according to claim 4, wherein the predetermined state is a brake release state.

6. The system for verifying a brake release state according to claim 4, wherein the predetermined state is a brake applied state.

7. The system for verifying a brake release state according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the predetermined state may be set differently for each of the brake control modules (202).

8. When the control means (204) determines that at least one of the brake means (201) associated with the brake control module is in the predetermined brake state and the predetermined brake state is a brake applied state, the control means is configured to deactivate the at least one signal means (210) or prohibit the operation of the at least one signal means (210). The system for verifying a brake release state according to any one of claims 4 to 7.

9. The first communication means (206) and the second communication means (208) are configured to update the message transmitted from the brake control module to the control means at each communication instant defined according to a predetermined communication period. The system for verifying a brake release state according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. The message transmitted at a certain communication instant is continuously transmitted via the first communication means and the second communication means until the next communication instant. The system for verifying a brake release state according to claim 9.

11. The system for verifying the brake release state according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the first communication means (206) and / or the second communication means (208) is based on the "black channel" protocol.

12. The system for verifying the brake release state according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the control means (204) is implemented according to a safety integrity level SIL higher than a predetermined minimum safety integrity level.

13. The vehicle (V) includes at least one railway vehicle, The railway vehicle includes a train control and management system (TCMS), The system for verifying the brake release state according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the control means (204) is different from the train control and management system (TCMS), or the control means (204) is included in the train control and management system (TCMS).

14. The system for verifying the brake release state according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein at least one of the signal means (210) includes at least one visual signal means.

15. A vehicle comprising a system (200) for verifying the brake release state by a plurality of brake means of at least one vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

16. The vehicle according to claim 15, wherein the vehicle is a railway vehicle or a train of railway vehicles comprising a plurality of railway vehicles.

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