Step platform for a gap bridging function for a rail vehicle, having a monitoring device for monitoring gaps

Abstract

The invention relates to a step platform (1) for a track-bound public transport vehicle (5) for bridging a gap (7) between an entry region of the track-bound vehicle (5) and a land-side entry platform (6) and to a track-bound public transport vehicle (5) having at least one entry region and at least one step platform (1) for bridging a gap (7) between the at least one entry region of the track-bound vehicle (5) and a land-side entry platform (7). The step platform has a step surface (2) to be walked upon by passengers, two opposing sides (3, 4), and at least one monitoring device for detecting objects at least on a first side (3) of the two opposing sides (3, 4) of the step platform (1).

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Step platform for bridging the gap in a rail vehicle with monitoring device for gap monitoring

[0003] Technical field

[0004] The invention relates to a step platform for a track-bound passenger vehicle for bridging a gap between an entry area of ​​the track-bound vehicle and a landside boarding platform, and to a track-bound passenger vehicle with at least one entry area and at least one step platform for bridging a gap between the at least one entry area of ​​the track-bound vehicle and a landside boarding platform, wherein the step platform has a walking surface for passengers and two opposite sides.

[0005] Technical background

[0006] Platforms designed to bridge gaps have long been known in rail vehicles.

[0007] One problem is that people can get caught in the gap between the train and the boarding platform on the land side. To protect these people, it must be ensured that this area is clear when the train departs from the platform. This is usually done by train staff on the platform or by the driver. This is particularly time-consuming and difficult with longer trains and is therefore considered unsafe. Cameras mounted on the platform or on the train have been introduced as a solution. However, these solutions are technically complex and therefore quite expensive; they are also sensitive and prone to dirt accumulation, requiring frequent maintenance and upkeep, which leads to additional operating costs.

[0008] Patent DE 101 04 315 C1 discloses a protective device that prevents a rail vehicle stopped at a platform from starting up again as soon as a person has fallen into a gap formed by the stopped rail vehicle and the platform edge, or is at least briefly trapped in the gap, wherein the protective device has a band switch that is activated by the person. The band switch is, in particular, mounted on the platform.

[0009] Utility model DE 202 06 926 U1 describes a monitoring system for optoelectronic control of whether persons or objects are entering or have entered danger zones of railway stations. The monitoring system, with light-emitting diodes and photosensors, is located on the landward side, in particular in a track bed, and forms a light grid for monitoring the danger zone.

[0010] Summary of the invention

[0011] The invention is based on the objective of simplifying the monitoring of the gap.

[0012] The problem is solved by the subject matter of the independent patent claim. Further developments and embodiments of the invention are found in the features of the dependent patent claims.

[0013] The advantages of the solution according to the invention lie particularly in the fact that it is significantly more cost-effective and available compared to camera surveillance with person detection. This is accompanied by a significant increase in the safety and protection of individuals.

[0014] Furthermore, the safety of the track-bound vehicle itself is improved against serious damage caused by objects in the gap.

[0015] Embodiments of the invention

[0016] A step platform according to the invention for a, in particular large, track-bound passenger vehicle, especially a rail vehicle, for bridging a gap between an entry area of ​​the track-bound vehicle and a boarding platform on the land side, comprises a walking surface for passengers and two opposite sides, as well as at least one monitoring device for detecting, in particular without contact, objects of a predetermined type, shape and / or size at least on one of the two opposite sides of the step platform. Objects of a predetermined type can be persons who have fallen into the gap between the track-bound vehicle and the boarding platform.

[0017] A track-bound vehicle for passenger transport according to the invention, in particular a large-capacity track-bound vehicle, especially a rail vehicle, for example a public passenger rail vehicle with several coupled car bodies, comprises at least one boarding area and at least one step platform according to the invention for bridging a gap between the at least one boarding area of ​​the track-bound vehicle and an access platform opposite the at least one boarding area, the access platform having at least one monitoring device for detecting objects on at least one first side of the step platform. The boarding area also serves as an exit area, but is usually referred to as the boarding area. The access platform also serves analogously as an exit platform.If the track-bound vehicle is a rail vehicle, the boarding platform is also referred to as a platform.

[0018] The platform has a tread surface for passengers of the rail-bound vehicle to access, forming the upper surface of the platform when properly oriented. An opposing underside, parallel to the tread surface, faces the ground, for example, a track bed. The tread surface, or underside of the platform, need not be perfectly horizontal; it can be inclined at a slight angle to the horizontal, particularly to bridge a vertical height difference between the floor in the boarding area of ​​the rail-bound vehicle and the platform. The platform also has a front surface that faces the boarding platform when properly oriented.The reverse side, opposite the front, faces the track-bound vehicle or is integrated into the track-bound vehicle. The oppositely oriented sides of the step platform, facing away from each other, are positioned as intended to bridge the horizontal gap between the track-bound vehicle and the boarding platform, and / or to bridge the vertical gap between the floor of the boarding area of ​​the track-bound vehicle and the boarding platform. They are thus oriented towards the gap, particularly the horizontal one, between the track-bound vehicle and the boarding platform. They run perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the track-bound vehicle.

[0019] The at least one step platform of the track-bound vehicle can be fixedly arranged relative to and fixed to the track-bound vehicle. According to a further development of the invention, however, the at least one step platform is arranged movable relative to the track-bound vehicle, in particular extendable and / or foldable. Linearly extendable step platforms are referred to as sliding steps, while pivoting or foldable step platforms are also called folding steps.Hybrid designs also exist, including platforms that initially extend linearly to bridge the horizontal gap between the boarding area of ​​the rail-bound vehicle and the access platform. These platforms also feature a height-adjustable or tilt-adjustable section to compensate for the vertical height difference between the boarding area of ​​the rail-bound vehicle and the access platform, thus ensuring stepless entry and exit. In its intended position for bridging the gap, at least one platform is extended and / or folded out towards the access platform.

[0020] The at least one monitoring device is arranged on the step platform, for example on the underside of the step platform, or it is arranged in the step platform, in particular integrated into it, and is suitably designed and oriented to detect objects of a given type, shape and / or size at least in a region of the gap between the track-bound vehicle and the boarding platform, at least on one of the two opposite sides of the step platform. The at least one monitoring device thus serves to monitor the gap, in particular the horizontal gap, between the track-bound vehicle and the boarding platform, or at least a region of the gap between the track-bound vehicle and the boarding platform, e.g., between two, in particular adjacent, step platforms on one side of the track-bound vehicle.The at least one monitoring device can be arranged laterally, i.e., at least in the area of ​​the first side of the platform; however, it can also be arranged centrally on or in the platform and oriented laterally. In its intended position on the platform, it is freely accessible, particularly at least in the area of ​​the first side of the platform, for receiving and / or transmitting, for example, radiating, signals for monitoring, especially electromagnetic waves, such as light, or sound waves.

[0021] According to a further development of the invention, at least one monitoring device for detecting objects is arranged on a second of the two opposite sides of the step platform. This includes the step platform having a first monitoring device for detecting objects on the first side of the step platform and a second monitoring device for detecting objects on the second side of the step platform. For example, the first monitoring device can be arranged in the area of ​​the first side of the step platform and the second monitoring device can be arranged in the area of ​​the second side of the step platform.However, it is equally implied that the platform includes only one monitoring device, designed and oriented to monitor both sides of the platform and thus configured to detect objects on the first and second sides of the two opposite sides of the platform. In the latter case, the monitoring device can be centrally located on or within the platform and oriented to both sides.

[0022] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the at least one monitoring device comprises at least one light, laser, lidar, radar, or ultrasound receiver. Additionally or alternatively, the at least one monitoring device further comprises at least one light, laser, lidar, radar, or ultrasound transmitter. In one embodiment, the at least one monitoring device thus comprises at least one light, laser, lidar, radar, or ultrasound transmitter and receiver, or, in short, at least one corresponding light, laser, lidar, radar, or ultrasound sensor.

[0023] The at least one light, laser, lidar, radar, or ultrasound transmitter and / or receiver, which includes at least one monitoring device, is arranged and oriented on the track-bound vehicle to receive and / or transmit light, laser, lidar, radar, or ultrasound signals at least in one plane. In the track-bound vehicle, this plane extends at least between the track-bound vehicle and the boarding platform, optionally also extending a portion beyond a leading edge of the boarding platform facing the track-bound vehicle, and in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, i.e., parallel to a longitudinal axis of the track-bound vehicle. In this way, the gap between the track-bound vehicle and the boarding platform on the land side can be monitored over a predetermined length of the vehicle, particularly in a plane parallel to the tread surface of the boarding platform.

[0024] Particularly well-known in the context of light or laser sensors are so-called light or laser barriers, light or laser grids, or laser fans. These detect an interruption of a light or laser beam and indicate this by means of a generated electrical signal in order to detect objects without contact. For transmitting and / or receiving light or laser grids or fans, several light or laser receivers and / or transmitters of at least one monitoring device are provided. Lidar, radar, or ultrasonic fields also enable monitoring of the gap, at least parallel to the tread surface of the platform. These could be designed not only in two dimensions but also in three dimensions, for example, cone- or club-shaped.With appropriate further development, at least one light, laser, lidar, radar, or ultrasound transmitter and / or receiver of the at least one monitoring device can exhibit a three-dimensional radiation and / or reception characteristic, which is, for example, cone- or lobe-shaped. Other directional characteristics are also known in principle. Thus, a space extending from at least one side of the platform can be monitored, reaching from the ground surface on which the track-bound vehicle is standing to above the boarding platform and over a predetermined length parallel to the track-bound vehicle.

[0025] The at least one monitoring device can be configured solely as a receiver, specifically comprising at least one light, laser, lidar, radar, or ultrasound receiver, and a light, laser, lidar, radar, or ultrasound transmitter can be arranged at another location on the track-bound vehicle and directed towards the at least one monitoring device. In particular, the track-bound vehicle comprises at least two adjacent platforms on one side. A first of the at least two platforms comprises at least one receiver, and a second platform comprises at least one transmitter complementary to the receiver of the first platform, with the transmitter and receiver being directed towards each other and together forming a monitoring device. The monitoring devices can also each comprise a transmitter and a receiver.Multiple monitoring devices can have identical designs. Alternatively or additionally to the aforementioned light, laser, lidar, radar, or ultrasonic sensors, at least one monitoring device can also include a camera for gap monitoring. Using image recognition algorithms, a camera signal can also be used to detect a relevant object in the gap.

[0026] Following further development of the track-bound vehicle, the vehicle comprises at least two, and in particular several, boarding areas on one side of the vehicle, as well as a step platform assigned to each of the at least two boarding areas to bridge the respective gap between the boarding area of ​​the vehicle and the boarding platform. The track-bound vehicle can also have several car bodies with multiple boarding areas and one step platform for each of the boarding areas. The monitoring devices of at least two adjacent step platforms can be aligned with each other. The step platforms can be arranged approximately next to each other in the intended position for bridging the gap.The track-bound vehicle can preferably have several entry areas, wherein at least one entry area of ​​the several entry areas, and advantageously each entry area of ​​the several entry areas, is assigned exactly one step platform, which is arranged in the area of ​​the respective entry area, for example in, on, or under the respective entry area. Thus, the track-bound vehicle with several entry areas also has several step platforms, which serve to bridge the respective gaps. Accordingly, each of the several step platforms also has at least one monitoring device. The at least one monitoring device of the at least one step platform serves to detect objects at least on a first side of the at least one step platform; i.e.,A first monitoring device of a first step platform is designed to detect objects at least on a first side of the first step platform, alone or together with at least one further, second monitoring device of a further, second step platform, in particular an adjacent step platform arranged on the same side of the track-bound vehicle.

[0027] According to a further embodiment, the track-bound vehicle comprises at least one control unit for generating a signal upon detection of an object by the at least one monitoring device of the at least one platform. The at least one control unit is connected to the at least one monitoring device, in particular to several, and especially to all, monitoring devices via signal technology and is configured to generate a signal, for example, an alarm signal, upon detection of an object of a specified type, shape, and / or size by the at least one monitoring device within the space monitored by the at least one monitoring device. For this purpose, the time of interruption of a light, laser, radar, lidar, or ultrasound signal can be evaluated, for example.The at least one control unit can be integrated into the at least one monitoring device, in particular into all monitoring devices, or a central control unit is provided for the at least one monitoring device, in particular for all monitoring devices, in the track-bound vehicle, to which the control unit is then connected via signaling technology. The at least one control unit can optionally also be equipped for object detection, in particular by means of image recognition algorithms. In the case of only a brief interruption of a light, laser, radar, lidar, or ultrasound signal, it can be inferred that only small objects, for example, leaves, caused the interruption. If, on the other hand, the signal is interrupted for a longer period, the driver or accompanying personnel of the track-bound vehicle should receive a warning message.Accordingly, at least one control unit is designed to transmit the generated signal, for example to a driver's cab of the track-bound vehicle, to a land-based service center, or to an internet server, via which an application on a mobile device operated by the track-bound vehicle's accompanying personnel is addressed to issue the corresponding warning message. The location of the monitoring device that detected an object can also be transmitted.

[0028] Regardless of the grammatical gender of a particular term, persons with male, female or other gender identities are included.

[0029] The invention allows for numerous embodiments. It is explained in more detail with reference to the following figures, each of which illustrates an exemplary embodiment. Identical elements in the figures are designated with the same reference numerals.

[0030] Exemplary embodiments of the drawing

[0031] The figure schematically shows an embodiment of a rail vehicle for public passenger transport with step platforms according to the invention.

[0032] Detailed description of the exemplary implementations

[0033] The figure schematically depicts a rail vehicle 5 for passenger transport. In the embodiment illustrated here and described in more detail below, it comprises several boarding areas, each with a step platform 1, 11, whereby only two adjacent boarding areas on the same side of the rail vehicle 5 are shown. The rail vehicle is depicted at a stop with a platform serving as the landside boarding platform 6, wherein the step platforms 1, 11 are movably designed relative to the rail vehicle 5 and are shown here in an extended or unfolded position to bridge a gap 7 between the platform 6 and the boarding areas of the rail vehicle 5 and to enable barrier-free access to and / or alighting from the rail vehicle 5.

[0034] In the view shown here from above, the tread surfaces 2, 22 of the adjacent platforms 1, 11 face the viewer. The respective front surfaces of platforms 1, 11 are opposite the boarding platform 6. The rear surfaces are oriented towards the rail vehicle 5. A first side 3 of the first platform 1 faces a second side 44 of the second platform 11 – they are facing each other. A second side 4 of the first platform 1, however, faces opposite a first side 33 of the second platform 11.

[0035] Both the first step platform 1 and the second step platform 11 each have monitoring devices not marked with a reference symbol, which are arranged on an underside of the respective step platform 1, 11 pointing into the plane of the drawing.

[0036] In this embodiment, the monitoring devices each comprise a transmitter and receiver for laser light arranged laterally on the step platforms 1, 11. In the intended position of the step platforms 1, 11, which bridge the gap 7 between the two boarding areas of the rail vehicle 5 and the land-side boarding platform 6. A laser beam 8 extends laterally from the transmitter on the first side 3 of the first step platform 1 and illuminates the receiver on the second side 44 of the second step platform 11.

[0037] Similarly, a laser beam extends laterally from the transmitter on the first side 33 of the second step platform 11 and illuminates a further receiver on the second side of another step platform (not shown) adjacent to the second step platform. Likewise, a laser beam from another step platform adjacent to the first step platform extends to the second side 4 of the first step platform. In this embodiment, the transmitter and receiver are thus arranged alternately on each step platform, so that a transmitter and a receiver are always opposite each other and aligned with one another. Alternatively, a step platform can also have only one or more transmitters that emit a signal, for example, a light, laser, lidar, radar, or ultrasound signal, from both sides to adjacent step platforms, each of which in turn comprises only one or more receivers.The platforms thus alternately feature either transmitters or receivers. Similarly, transmitters and receivers on both sides of each platform can send and receive light, laser, lidar, radar, or ultrasound signals. If the signal between the platforms is interrupted for an extended period, it can be inferred that an object, particularly a person, has fallen between the train 5 and platform 6, and a warning or alarm signal is generated and emitted. The gap 7 is thus monitored, and on a straight or slightly curved platform 6, this monitoring extends across multiple cars. If the platform radius becomes too tight, this becomes more difficult, as there is no line of sight between the platforms of adjacent cars. This, too, can be indicated to the responsible vehicle personnel by at least one monitoring device; for example, by generating and emitting a corresponding signal.A missing connection between the footplates can be identified by the fact that no contact can be established between them when extending or unfolding. Regardless of the grammatical gender of a given term, persons of male, female, or other gender identities are included.

Claims

Patent claims 1. Step platform (1 , 11) for a track-bound vehicle (5) for passenger transport to bridge a gap (7) between an entry area of ​​the track-bound vehicle (5) and a landside boarding platform (6) comprising: • a stepping surface (2, 22) for passengers to walk on, • two opposite sides (3, 4, 33, 44), characterized in that • the step platform (1 , 11) includes at least one monitoring device for detecting objects at least on a first side (3, 33) of the two opposite sides (3, 4, 33, 44) of the step platform (1 , 11).

2. Step platform (1 , 11) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the at least one monitoring device for detecting objects is arranged on a second side (4, 44) of the two opposite sides (3, 4, 33, 44) of the step platform (1 , 11).

3. Step platform (1 , 11) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the at least one monitoring device comprises at least one light, laser, lidar, radar or ultrasound receiver.

4. Step platform (1 , 11) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the at least one monitoring device comprises at least one light, laser, lidar, radar or ultrasound transmitter.

5. Track-bound vehicle (5) for passenger transport comprising: • at least one entry area, • at least one step platform (1 , 11) according to one of claims 1 to 4 for bridging a gap (7) between the at least one entry area of ​​the track-bound vehicle (5) and a landside access platform (6).

6. Track-bound vehicle (5) according to claim 5, characterized in that which at least one step platform (1 , 11) is extendable or foldable on the track-bound vehicle (5).

7. Track-bound vehicle (5) according to one of claims 5 or 6, characterized in that it comprises at least two entry areas on one side of the track-bound vehicle (5) and each a step platform (1 , 11).

8. Track-bound vehicle (5) according to claim 7, characterized in that the monitoring devices of at least two adjacent foot platforms (1 , 11) are aligned with each other.

9. Track-bound vehicle (5) according to claim 8, characterized in that a first of the two adjacent foot platforms (1 , 11) comprises at least one monitoring device with at least one light, laser, lidar, radar or ultrasound transmitter, wherein a second of the two adjacent foot platforms (1, 11) comprises at least one monitoring device with at least one light, laser, lidar, radar or ultrasound receiver.

10. Track-bound vehicle (5) according to one of claims 5 to 9, characterized in that it comprises at least one control unit for generating a signal when an object is detected by the at least one monitoring device of the at least one step platform (1 , 11).

Images