EP2145809A1 - Method of determining the coupling status of a railway coupling, railway coupling and assembly with a railway coupling - Google Patents

Method of determining the coupling status of a railway coupling, railway coupling and assembly with a railway coupling Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP2145809A1
EP2145809A1 EP09164362A EP09164362A EP2145809A1 EP 2145809 A1 EP2145809 A1 EP 2145809A1 EP 09164362 A EP09164362 A EP 09164362A EP 09164362 A EP09164362 A EP 09164362A EP 2145809 A1 EP2145809 A1 EP 2145809A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
coupling
railway
state
measured value
evaluation device
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP09164362A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP2145809B1 (en
Inventor
Kai Holger Aust
Peter Faubel
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Siemens AG
Original Assignee
Siemens AG
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Siemens AG filed Critical Siemens AG
Priority to PL09164362T priority Critical patent/PL2145809T3/en
Publication of EP2145809A1 publication Critical patent/EP2145809A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP2145809B1 publication Critical patent/EP2145809B1/en
Not-in-force legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Images

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B61—RAILWAYS
    • B61G—COUPLINGS; DRAUGHT AND BUFFING APPLIANCES
    • B61G1/00—Couplings comprising interengaging parts of different shape or form and having links, bars, pins, shackles, or hooks as coupling means
    • B61G1/22—Couplings comprising interengaging parts of different shape or form and having links, bars, pins, shackles, or hooks as coupling means having screws incorporated in the links for lengthening or shortening the couplings
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B61—RAILWAYS
    • B61G—COUPLINGS; DRAUGHT AND BUFFING APPLIANCES
    • B61G7/00—Details or accessories
    • B61G7/14—Safety devices
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B61—RAILWAYS
    • B61L—GUIDING RAILWAY TRAFFIC; ENSURING THE SAFETY OF RAILWAY TRAFFIC
    • B61L15/00—Indicators provided on the vehicle or train for signalling purposes
    • B61L15/0054—Train integrity supervision, e.g. end-of-train [EOT] devices
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B61—RAILWAYS
    • B61L—GUIDING RAILWAY TRAFFIC; ENSURING THE SAFETY OF RAILWAY TRAFFIC
    • B61L15/00—Indicators provided on the vehicle or train for signalling purposes
    • B61L15/0081—On-board diagnosis or maintenance

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a method for determining the coupling state of a railway coupling with vertically movable coupling elements, in particular a screw coupling.
  • railway couplings with vertically movable coupling elements are well known.
  • a screw coupling which is at least in European railway vehicles, especially freight cars, common type of railway coupling, vertically movable coupling elements approximately in the form of the so-called tab, the spindle, the swivel and the bracket.
  • the present invention has for its object to provide a simple and at the same time versatile method for determining the coupling state of a railway coupling with vertically movable coupling elements, in particular a screw coupling.
  • This object is achieved by a method for determining the coupling state of a railway coupling with vertically movable coupling elements, in particular a screw coupling, wherein at least one provided on or in at least one of the coupling elements of the railway coupling inclination sensor at least one vertical orientation of the coupling element indicative measured value is detected and from the at least one measured value of the coupling state of the railway coupling is determined.
  • the method according to the invention is advantageous in that the vertical orientation of the relevant coupling element and thus also the coupling state of the railway coupling can be determined by the at least one inclination sensor provided on or in at least one of the vertically movable coupling elements of the railway coupling.
  • the inclination sensor is advantageously attached to one of the coupling elements such that the different coupling states of the railway coupling can be distinguished reliably.
  • a railway coupling in the form of a screw coupling of the inclination sensor is attached to the bracket or the tab of the screw coupling, since in these cases a particularly clear and thus distinguishable angle change in the respective states can be measured.
  • tilt sensor leaves advantageously determine whether the screw coupling disengages loosely hanging down, ie assumes an approximately vertical position, is hooked on a towing hook of another car and the spindle is rotated in the case of a clutch in the form of a screw short, ie an approximately horizontal position is taken , Is hooked on a towing hook of another car and the coupling is made long in the case of a screw coupling, ie has a small angle relative to the horizontal position, or is hooked to its own coupling holder, that occupies an angle well outside the horizontal position.
  • the inclination sensor determines cyclically, at variable time intervals or continuously, the position of the railway coupling or of the vertically movable coupling element to which the inclination sensor is attached.
  • an inclination sensor is generally understood to be a sensor device which is suitable for determining a measured value which directly or indirectly indicates the vertical orientation of the coupling element.
  • an inclination sensor can determine the vertical orientation according to any measuring principle known per se.
  • Corresponding inclination sensors are, for example, in the form of static accelerations acting on the measurement, that is to say in particular of gravitational acceleration or gravitational acceleration, trained acceleration sensors known from the prior art and comparatively inexpensive available on the market.
  • the inventive method is configured such that the at least one measured value is transmitted to an evaluation device.
  • an evaluation device can be arranged at different locations.
  • freight wagons are increasingly equipped with telematic devices, which are also referred to as telematics boxes.
  • Corresponding telematic devices allow, for example, a route determination and monitoring of the respective vehicle. Since telematics devices usually have at least one control device in the form of a processor, for example such a control device can be used as an evaluation device in the context of the described preferred development of the method according to the invention.
  • a component of the telematics device as an evaluation device, it is also conceivable that by means of the telematics device a transmission of the at least one measured value to a central evaluation device, for example in a control device of a drainage system may be arranged to transmit.
  • the evaluation device for example, also be firmly mounted on or next to a track. This is useful, for example, if in each case at a certain location, a determination of the coupling state of usually moving to the evaluation device passing railway vehicles, ie in particular of freight cars, is desired.
  • the evaluation device Regardless of where the evaluation device is arranged, together with the at least one measured value, preferably, a identifier identifying the respective railway coupling and / or the respective goods wagon is transmitted and processed. This makes it possible to ensure that the respective at least one measured value can be clearly assigned to a railway coupling or to a freight wagon.
  • the inventive method is configured such that the at least one measured value is transmitted wirelessly to the evaluation device.
  • the associated avoidance of a wired transmission is advantageous because otherwise required wiring is complex and prone to damage.
  • the tilt sensor itself may be formed as a radio sensor or connected to a corresponding radio transmission device.
  • the method according to the invention advantageously proceeds in such a way that the coupling state of the railway coupling is determined by the evaluation device from the at least one measured value.
  • This offers the advantage that a central determination of the coupling state of the railway coupling is made possible.
  • this creates the prerequisite for the following instead of the at least one measured value a signal identifying the coupling state of the railway coupling can be transmitted.
  • a signal identifying the coupling state of the railway coupling is transmitted from the evaluation device to a monitoring device.
  • a monitoring device This offers the advantage that a usually central monitoring device is informed about the coupling state of the relevant railway coupling. This allows the monitoring device to monitor the clutch state for a plurality of rail clutches and to further process this information depending on the particular requirements.
  • the monitoring device may be either stationary, i. For example, in a control center, or even mobile, i. for example, in a locomotive, be arranged.
  • the method according to the invention can also be so pronounced that the determined coupling state of the railway coupling is compared with at least one expected coupling state.
  • the method according to the invention can also be so pronounced that the determined coupling state of the railway coupling is compared with at least one expected coupling state.
  • the method according to the invention is configured in such a way that a deviation signal is generated and output when the determined coupling state deviates from the expected coupling state.
  • the deviation signal in the form of a signaling or alerting advantageously makes it possible that when a deviation of the determined coupling state of the railway coupling from the expected coupling state of the coupling state of If necessary, the rail coupling can be changed, ie adapted to the expected coupling condition.
  • the method according to the invention can advantageously be used in different situations for determining the coupling state of the railway coupling.
  • the inventive method is configured such that the determined coupling state is used to detect an unforeseen uncoupling process or to determine a separation point in the context of the operation of a drainage system. In both cases, it is therefore the goal to recognize during operation, whether a clutch is coupled or not.
  • it can be determined by means of the inclination sensor that the railway coupling or the vertically movable coupling element, on or in which the inclination sensor is provided, during the journey or at the wrong time, i. For example, outside of a train station and outside of scheduled transitions, it leaves the coupled state and, instead, hangs down loosely when disengaged. This is thus a clear indicator of an unwanted train separation, so that a corresponding alarm, e.g. should be triggered by a signaling to the train driver and / or to a control center.
  • the inventive method can be advantageously used to determine separation points between the running freight cars. This can be done, for example, in such a way that an evaluation device, which can be mounted, for example, next to the track, which evaluates the measured values received by the inclination sensors of the passing freight cars. In this case, for example, it can be checked whether the couplings are in an expected state at a planned separation point. In the case of a screw coupling, this means that the relevant screw coupling is disengaged hanging loosely down or hooked to its own coupling holder.
  • the coupling state of the railway coupling can also be detected at short notice, i.
  • the described preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention advantageously also makes it possible to obtain additional, i.e. unscheduled, separating points to recognize.
  • additional separation points In the context of operating and controlling a drainage system can thus be responded to missing or additional separation points accordingly, whereby unnecessary errors and disabilities during operation of the drainage system are advantageously avoided.
  • the inventive method may also be configured such that the determined coupling state is used to detect whether the railway coupling is ready for departure in terms of its coupling state or prepared for a decoupling process.
  • the determined coupling state is used to detect whether the railway coupling is ready for departure in terms of its coupling state or prepared for a decoupling process.
  • a coupling in the form of a screw coupling from the position of the screw couplings of the vehicles make a statement on a train as to whether the train is ready to depart with regard to the condition of the railway couplings of its vehicles.
  • the present invention further relates to a railway coupling with vertically movable coupling elements.
  • the present invention has for its object to provide a railway coupling, which supports a simple and versatile method for determining the coupling state of the railway coupling.
  • the railway coupling according to the invention can be any type of coupling with vertically movable coupling elements.
  • the railway coupling according to the invention is a screw coupling. This is advantageous since a screw coupling is a common and widespread type of railway coupling.
  • a screw coupling has various vertically movable coupling elements on or in which a tilt sensor for determining the coupling state of the railway coupling can be advantageously secured.
  • the at least one inclination sensor can be arranged on any of the vertically movable coupling elements of the screw coupling.
  • the at least one inclination sensor is arranged on or in the lug and / or on or in the yoke of the screw coupling. This is advantageous because, for the said coupling elements, the vertical orientation, i. the situation, in the different coupling states particularly different.
  • the railway coupling according to the invention is designed such that the inclination sensor is designed to transmit at least one measured value to an evaluation device.
  • the inclination sensor is designed for wireless transmission of the at least one measured value to the evaluation device.
  • the invention further comprises an arrangement with a railway coupling according to one of the two previously described preferred developments of the railway coupling according to the invention and an evaluation device for determining the coupling state of the railway coupling from the at least one measured value.
  • the arrangement according to the invention can be designed such that the evaluation device is designed to generate and output a deviation signal, provided that the determined coupling state deviates from an expected coupling state.
  • FIG. 1 shows in a schematic sketch an embodiment of the railway coupling according to the invention, wherein the railway coupling is in a coupling state in which the coupling hangs loose down.
  • a railway coupling 10 in the form of a screw coupling, it being assumed that the railway coupling 10 is part of a freight wagon, not shown for reasons of clarity.
  • the railway coupling 10 has a draw hook 11 to which a tab 12 is attached.
  • the railroad coupling 10 a coupling holder 13, which serves to mount the railway coupling 10 or more precisely the bracket 18 of the railway coupling 10 in the unused state.
  • a spindle 15, a pivot 16, a nut 17 and a bracket 18 can be seen. Since the corresponding construction of a screw coupling is generally known, will not be discussed in detail below on the individual coupling elements.
  • the railway coupling 10 is disengaged and not hooked in the coupling holder 13, ie the railway coupling 10 is hanging vertically downwards.
  • the tab 12 the spindle 15, the pivot 16, the nut 17 and the bracket 18 are vertically movable coupling elements of the railway coupling 10, wherein the vertical orientation of these coupling elements in dependence on the coupling state of Rail coupling 10 changes.
  • the in FIG. 1 illustrated rail coupling 10 a mounted on the tab 12 inclination sensor 14. This serves to detect the vertical orientation of the tab 12 or a corresponding measured value. From the at least one corresponding measured value can then be subsequently determined by an evaluation device, which may be part of a mounted on the freight car telematics device, the coupling state of the railway coupling 10. Thus, from a measured by the inclination sensor 14, the vertical orientation of the tab 12 indicative measured value, in the in FIG. 1 situation immediately determine the result that the railway coupling 10 is in a coupling state in which the railway coupling 10th disengaged loose hanging down.
  • This information can now be used in the following, for example, to cause a change in the coupling state of the railway coupling 10 in order to avoid damage to the track or components arranged in the track by the depending railway coupling 10 during movement of the freight wagon.
  • the inclination sensor 14 instead of on the tab 12 could also be arranged on or in one of the remaining vertically movable coupling elements 15-18, ie, for example, on the bracket 18.
  • FIG. 2 shows in a schematic sketch two railway couplings according to the embodiment of the railway coupling of the invention FIG. 1 , wherein one of the two railway couplings is in a coupled state and the other rail coupling is suspended in its own coupling holder.
  • FIG. 1 Shown are two railway couplings 20 and 30 in the form of screw couplings, wherein compared to FIG. 1 for the same components of the railway couplings 20 and 30 for clarity, reference numerals are used, which differ from those of the figure only by the additional first digit.
  • the bracket of the railway coupling, in FIG. 1 was designated by the reference numeral 18, in the FIG. 2 with the reference numeral 28 in the case of the left-hand railway coupling 20 and denoted by the reference numeral 38 in the case of the right-hand railroad coupling 30.
  • FIG. 2 It can be seen that the bracket 28 of the left-hand rail coupling 20 is hooked into the draw hook 31 of the right-hand railroad coupling 30.
  • inclination sensor 24 can be determined from the position of the inclination sensor 24 that the rail clutch 20 is in a coupled state in which the spindle 15 of the railroad coupling 20 is made long, ie the railroad coupling is prepared for a coupling operation such that the bracket 28 of the railway coupling 20 can be moved, for example by means of a decoupling rod on the tow hook 31 of the right-hand railroad coupling 30.
  • the corresponding coupling state for example, from the in FIG. 1 illustrated coupling state due to the significantly different angle of the tab 2 of the railway coupling 20 to the vertical on the basis of a vertical orientation of the tilt sensor 24 and the tab 22 indicating measurement value easily recognize.
  • FIG. 2 also has the right-hand rail coupling 30, which is not required for a connection of the two by means of the railway coupling 20 coupled to each other rail vehicles, in its flap 32 has a tilt sensor 34.
  • the bracket 38 of the right-hand rail coupling 30 is suspended in the coupling holder 33 of the relevant railway coupling 30.
  • the at least one measured value detected by the inclination sensor 24, 34 is generally compared with the measured value ranges assigned to the respective coupling states. This makes it possible to take into account occurring during operation deviations of the exact position of the railway coupling or the respective vertically movable coupling element.
  • the previously described embodiments of the railway coupling according to the invention make it possible to improve and automate a multiplicity of operational processes in the railway sector by determining the condition of the coupling.
  • a train separation in particular a freight train
  • automatic recognition is also possible as to whether a freight train is ready to depart with regard to the coupling state of the railway couplings of its freight wagons. Accordingly, it can be detected automatically as well whether the so-called elongation, especially in the case of railway couplings in the form of screw couplings, has been carried out in preparation for uncoupling in the correct places and completely in the input train treatment.
  • the described embodiment of the railway coupling according to the invention advantageously makes it possible to carry out a separation point determination in the context of the operation of a drainage system at the same time in a simple and reliable manner.
  • the railway coupling according to the invention and the method according to the invention can in principle also be used in combination with known methods.
  • Such a diverse or redundant approach has the advantage that the number of error messages can be reduced because a train separation is only detected if it is detected or confirmed by several of the methods used.
  • the recognition rate for corresponding situations can be increased by assuming a train separation even if at least one of the several methods used signals a train separation.
  • a fundamental advantage of the invention according to the above statements, in particular, is that the coupling state of the railway coupling, which can be determined by means of the at least one vertical orientation of a vertically movable coupling element indicative measured value of the at least one inclination sensor can be used for a variety of automatic applications and evaluations, whereby advantageously safety, reliability and speed in the operation of a railway system can be improved.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Biomedical Technology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Train Traffic Observation, Control, And Security (AREA)
  • Arrangements For Transmission Of Measured Signals (AREA)
  • Vehicle Body Suspensions (AREA)
  • Length Measuring Devices With Unspecified Measuring Means (AREA)
  • Electric Propulsion And Braking For Vehicles (AREA)

Abstract

The method involves detecting measuring value by a tilt sensor (14) provided at coupling elements of a railway connector (10). The measuring value indicates the vertical adjustment of the coupling element. The coupling condition of the railway connector is detected from the measuring value. An independent claim is included for a railway connector, which has vertically moving coupling elements.

Description

Die Erfindung betrifft ein Verfahren zum Ermitteln des Kupplungszustands einer Eisenbahnkupplung mit vertikal beweglichen Kupplungselementen, insbesondere einer Schraubenkupplung.The invention relates to a method for determining the coupling state of a railway coupling with vertically movable coupling elements, in particular a screw coupling.

Eisenbahnkupplungen mit vertikal beweglichen Kupplungselementen sind allgemein bekannt. So weist beispielsweise eine Schraubenkupplung, bei der es sich um die zumindest bei europäischen Eisenbahnfahrzeugen, insbesondere Güterwagen, gängige Art von Eisenbahnkupplung handelt, vertikal bewegliche Kupplungselemente etwa in Form der so genannten Lasche, der Spindel, des Schwengels sowie des Bügels auf.Railway couplings with vertically movable coupling elements are well known. Thus, for example, has a screw coupling, which is at least in European railway vehicles, especially freight cars, common type of railway coupling, vertically movable coupling elements approximately in the form of the so-called tab, the spindle, the swivel and the bracket.

Generell ist es im Rahmen des Betriebs einer Eisenbahnanlage in verschiedenen Situationen von Interesse, den Kupplungszustand einer Eisenbahnkupplung zu kennen. Eine entsprechende Überprüfung beziehungsweise Ermittlung des Kupplungszustands einer Eisenbahnkupplung erfolgt bislang üblicherweise durch eine visuelle Kontrolle, d.h. durch Inaugenscheinnahme der betreffenden Kupplung. Darüber hinaus sind beispielsweise im Bereich der Zugvollständigkeitsüberwachung auch Verfahren bekannt, bei denen eine allerdings lediglich indirekte Überwachung des Kupplungszustands von Eisenbahnkupplungen erfolgt. So ist beispielsweise aus der veröffentlichten deutschen Patentanmeldung DE 101 12 920 A1 ein Verfahren zur Zugvollständigkeitsüberwachung bekannt, bei dem anhand einer Überwachung der Hauptluftleitung eines Zuges eine Zugtrennung und indirekt damit auch eine Änderung des Kupplungszustands erkannt wird.In general, it is in the context of the operation of a railway system in various situations of interest to know the coupling state of a railway coupling. A corresponding check or determination of the coupling state of a railway coupling is done so far usually by a visual inspection, ie by visual inspection of the relevant coupling. In addition, for example, in the field of train integrity monitoring, methods are known in which, however, only an indirect monitoring of the coupling state of railway couplings takes place. For example, from the published German patent application DE 101 12 920 A1 a method for train integrity monitoring is known in which based on a monitoring of the main air line of a train a train separation and indirectly so that a change in the coupling state is detected.

Der vorliegenden Erfindung liegt die Aufgabe zugrunde, ein einfaches und zugleich vielseitig einsetzbares Verfahren zum Ermitteln des Kupplungszustands einer Eisenbahnkupplung mit vertikal beweglichen Kupplungselementen, insbesondere einer Schraubenkupplung, anzugeben.The present invention has for its object to provide a simple and at the same time versatile method for determining the coupling state of a railway coupling with vertically movable coupling elements, in particular a screw coupling.

Diese Aufgabe wird erfindungsgemäß gelöst durch ein Verfahren zum Ermitteln des Kupplungszustands einer Eisenbahnkupplung mit vertikal beweglichen Kupplungselementen, insbesondere einer Schraubenkupplung, wobei durch zumindest einen an oder in zumindest einem der Kupplungselemente der Eisenbahnkupplung vorgesehenen Neigungssensor zumindest ein die vertikale Ausrichtung des Kupplungselementes angebender Messwert erfasst wird und aus dem zumindest einen Messwert der Kupplungszustand der Eisenbahnkupplung ermittelt wird.This object is achieved by a method for determining the coupling state of a railway coupling with vertically movable coupling elements, in particular a screw coupling, wherein at least one provided on or in at least one of the coupling elements of the railway coupling inclination sensor at least one vertical orientation of the coupling element indicative measured value is detected and from the at least one measured value of the coupling state of the railway coupling is determined.

Das erfindungsgemäße Verfahren ist vorteilhaft, da durch den zumindest einen an oder in zumindest einem der vertikal beweglichen Kupplungselementen der Eisenbahnkupplung vorgesehenen Neigungssensor die vertikale Ausrichtung des betreffenden Kupplungselementes und damit auch der Kupplungszustand der Eisenbahnkupplung ermittelt werden kann. Dabei wird der Neigungssensor vorteilhafterweise derart an einem der Kupplungselemente befestigt, dass sich die verschiedenen Kupplungszustände der Eisenbahnkupplung zuverlässig unterscheiden lassen. Vorzugsweise wird hierbei im Falle einer Eisenbahnkupplung in Form einer Schraubenkupplung der Neigungssensor an dem Bügel oder der Lasche der Schraubenkupplung befestigt, da in diesen Fällen eine besonders deutliche und damit unterscheidbare Winkeländerung in den jeweiligen Zuständen messbar ist. Mit einem entsprechend befestigten Neigungssensor lässt sich vorteilhafterweise feststellen, ob die Schraubenkupplung ausgekuppelt lose nach unten hängt, d.h. eine ungefähr senkrechte Lage einnimmt, über einen Zughaken eines anderen Wagens eingehängt ist und die Spindel im Falle einer Kupplung in Form einer Schraubenkupplung kurz gedreht ist, d.h. eine ungefähr waagerechte Lage eingenommen wird, über einen Zughaken eines anderen Wagens eingehängt ist und die Kupplung im Falle einer Schraubenkupplung lang gemacht ist, d.h. einen kleinen Winkel gegenüber der waagerechten Lage aufweist, oder beim eigenen Kupplungshalter eingehängt ist, d.h. einen Winkel deutlich außerhalb der waagerechten Lage einnimmt.The method according to the invention is advantageous in that the vertical orientation of the relevant coupling element and thus also the coupling state of the railway coupling can be determined by the at least one inclination sensor provided on or in at least one of the vertically movable coupling elements of the railway coupling. In this case, the inclination sensor is advantageously attached to one of the coupling elements such that the different coupling states of the railway coupling can be distinguished reliably. Preferably, in the case of a railway coupling in the form of a screw coupling of the inclination sensor is attached to the bracket or the tab of the screw coupling, since in these cases a particularly clear and thus distinguishable angle change in the respective states can be measured. With a suitably attached tilt sensor leaves advantageously determine whether the screw coupling disengages loosely hanging down, ie assumes an approximately vertical position, is hooked on a towing hook of another car and the spindle is rotated in the case of a clutch in the form of a screw short, ie an approximately horizontal position is taken , Is hooked on a towing hook of another car and the coupling is made long in the case of a screw coupling, ie has a small angle relative to the horizontal position, or is hooked to its own coupling holder, that occupies an angle well outside the horizontal position.

Vorteilhafterweise ermittelt der Neigungssensor zyklisch, in variablen Zeitabständen oder kontinuierlich die Lage der Eisenbahnkupplung beziehungsweise des vertikal beweglichen Kupplungselementes, an dem der Neigungssensor befestigt ist.Advantageously, the inclination sensor determines cyclically, at variable time intervals or continuously, the position of the railway coupling or of the vertically movable coupling element to which the inclination sensor is attached.

In der Regel wird es ausreichend sein, einen einzigen Neigungssensor an oder in den vertikal beweglichen Kupplungselementen der Eisenbahnkupplung vorzusehen. Es sind jedoch auch durchaus Anordnungen denkbar, bei denen es etwa zur besseren Unterscheidbarkeit der verschiedenen Kupplungszustände zweckmäßig ist, zwei oder mehr Neigungssensoren, vorzugsweise an unterschiedlichen Kupplungselementen, vorzusehen.In general, it will be sufficient to provide a single tilt sensor on or in the vertically movable coupling elements of the railway coupling. However, arrangements are also conceivable in which it is expedient for better differentiation of the different coupling states to provide two or more inclination sensors, preferably on different coupling elements.

Unter einem Neigungssensor wird im Rahmen der vorliegenden Erfindung allgemein eine Sensoreinrichtung verstanden, die zur Ermittlung eines die vertikale Ausrichtung des Kupplungselementes unmittelbar oder mittelbar angebenden Messwertes geeignet ist. Dabei kann ein solcher Neigungssensor die vertikale Ausrichtung nach einem beliebigen, für sich bekannten Messprinzip ermitteln. Entsprechende Neigungssensoren sind beispielsweise in Form von zur Messung einwirkender statischer Beschleunigungen, d.h. insbesondere der Erdbeschleunigung bzw. Erdschwerebeschleunigung, ausgebildeten Beschleunigungssensoren aus dem Stand der Technik bekannt und auf dem Markt vergleichsweise kostengünstig verfügbar.In the context of the present invention, an inclination sensor is generally understood to be a sensor device which is suitable for determining a measured value which directly or indirectly indicates the vertical orientation of the coupling element. In this case, such an inclination sensor can determine the vertical orientation according to any measuring principle known per se. Corresponding inclination sensors are, for example, in the form of static accelerations acting on the measurement, that is to say in particular of gravitational acceleration or gravitational acceleration, trained acceleration sensors known from the prior art and comparatively inexpensive available on the market.

Vorzugsweise ist das erfindungsgemäße Verfahren derart ausgestaltet, dass der zumindest eine Messwert an eine Auswerte-Einrichtung übermittelt wird. Dies bietet den Vorteil, dass das Ermitteln des Kupplungszustands der Eisenbahnkupplung nicht durch den Neigungssensor selbst erfolgen muss, sondern durch eine gegebenenfalls völlig separate Komponente erfolgen kann. Vorteilhafterweise kann eine entsprechende Auswerte-Einrichtung dabei an unterschiedlichen Stellen angeordnet sein. So werden insbesondere Güterwagen zunehmend mit Telematikgeräten, die auch als Telematikboxen bezeichnet werden, ausgestattet. Entsprechende Telematikgeräte ermöglichen beispielsweise eine Laufwegeermittlung und Überwachung des jeweiligen Fahrzeugs. Da Telematikgeräte üblicherweise zumindest eine Steuereinrichtung in Form eines Prozessors aufweisen, kann beispielsweise eine solche Steuereinrichtung im Rahmen der beschriebenen bevorzugten Weiterbildung des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens als Auswerte-Einrichtung verwendet werden. Dies bietet den Vorteil, dass eine entsprechende Auswerte-Einrichtung nicht an jeder der beiden Kupplungen des Fahrzeugs angebracht werden muss. Darüber hinaus ist die Auswerte-Einrichtung in dem Telematikgerät üblicherweise hermetisch gegenüber der Umwelt abgeschlossen und daher deutlich besser geschützt, als sie es wäre, wenn sie unmittelbar an der Eisenbahnkupplung selbst angebracht wäre.Preferably, the inventive method is configured such that the at least one measured value is transmitted to an evaluation device. This offers the advantage that the determination of the coupling state of the railway coupling does not have to be made by the inclination sensor itself, but can be done by an optionally completely separate component. Advantageously, a corresponding evaluation device can be arranged at different locations. In particular freight wagons are increasingly equipped with telematic devices, which are also referred to as telematics boxes. Corresponding telematic devices allow, for example, a route determination and monitoring of the respective vehicle. Since telematics devices usually have at least one control device in the form of a processor, for example such a control device can be used as an evaluation device in the context of the described preferred development of the method according to the invention. This offers the advantage that a corresponding evaluation device does not have to be attached to each of the two clutches of the vehicle. In addition, the evaluation device in the telematics device is usually hermetically sealed from the environment and therefore much better protected than it would be if it were attached directly to the railroad coupling itself.

Alternativ zur Verwendung eines Bestandteils des Telematikgerätes als Auswerte-Einrichtung ist es auch denkbar, dass mittels des Telematikgerätes eine Übertragung des zumindest einen Messwertes an eine zentrale Auswerte-Einrichtung, die beispielweise in einer Steuereinrichtung einer Ablaufanlage angeordnet sein kann, zu übermitteln. Des Weiteren kann die Auswerte-Einrichtung beispielsweise auch an oder neben einem Gleis fest montiert werden. Dies ist beispielsweise dann zweckmäßig, wenn jeweils an einem bestimmten Ort eine Bestimmung des Kupplungszustands von sich in der Regel an der Auswerte-Einrichtung vorbei bewegenden Eisenbahnfahrzeugen, d.h. insbesondere von Güterwagen, gewünscht ist.As an alternative to using a component of the telematics device as an evaluation device, it is also conceivable that by means of the telematics device a transmission of the at least one measured value to a central evaluation device, for example in a control device of a drainage system may be arranged to transmit. Furthermore, the evaluation device, for example, also be firmly mounted on or next to a track. This is useful, for example, if in each case at a certain location, a determination of the coupling state of usually moving to the evaluation device passing railway vehicles, ie in particular of freight cars, is desired.

Unabhängig davon, wo die Auswerte-Einrichtung angeordnet ist, wird zusammen mit dem zumindest einen Messwert vorzugsweise eine die jeweilige Eisenbahnkupplung und/oder den jeweiligen Güterwagen identifizierende Kennung übermittelt und verarbeitet. Hierdurch kann sichergestellt werden, dass der jeweilige zumindest eine Messwert eindeutig einer Eisenbahnkupplung beziehungsweise einem Güterwagen zugeordnet werden kann.Regardless of where the evaluation device is arranged, together with the at least one measured value, preferably, a identifier identifying the respective railway coupling and / or the respective goods wagon is transmitted and processed. This makes it possible to ensure that the respective at least one measured value can be clearly assigned to a railway coupling or to a freight wagon.

In einer weiteren besonders bevorzugten Ausführungsform ist das erfindungsgemäße Verfahren derart ausgestaltet, dass der zumindest eine Messwert drahtlos an die Auswerte-Einrichtung übermittelt wird. Die hiermit verbundene Vermeidung einer drahtgebundenen Übertragung ist vorteilhaft, da eine anderenfalls erforderliche Verkabelung aufwändig sowie gegenüber Beschädigungen anfällig ist. Vorzugsweise kann der Neigungssensor selbst als Funksensor ausgebildet sein oder mit einer entsprechenden Funk-Übertragungseinrichtung verbunden werden.In a further particularly preferred embodiment, the inventive method is configured such that the at least one measured value is transmitted wirelessly to the evaluation device. The associated avoidance of a wired transmission is advantageous because otherwise required wiring is complex and prone to damage. Preferably, the tilt sensor itself may be formed as a radio sensor or connected to a corresponding radio transmission device.

Vorteilhafterweise läuft das erfindungsgemäße Verfahren so ab, dass von der Auswerte-Einrichtung aus dem zumindest einen Messwert der Kupplungszustand der Eisenbahnkupplung ermittelt wird. Dies bietet den Vorteil, dass eine zentrale Ermittlung des Kupplungszustands der Eisenbahnkupplung ermöglicht wird. Gleichzeitig wird hierdurch die Voraussetzung dafür geschaffen, dass im Folgenden anstelle des zumindest einen Messwertes ein den Kupplungszustand der Eisenbahnkupplung identifizierendes Signal übermittelt werden kann.The method according to the invention advantageously proceeds in such a way that the coupling state of the railway coupling is determined by the evaluation device from the at least one measured value. This offers the advantage that a central determination of the coupling state of the railway coupling is made possible. At the same time, this creates the prerequisite for the following instead of the at least one measured value a signal identifying the coupling state of the railway coupling can be transmitted.

In einer besonders bevorzugten Weiterbildung des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens wird ein den Kupplungszustand der Eisenbahnkupplung identifizierendes Signal von der Auswerte-Einrichtung an eine Überwachungs-Einrichtung übermittelt. Dies bietet den Vorteil, dass eine üblicherweise zentrale Überwachungs-Einrichtung über den Kupplungszustand der betreffenden Eisenbahnkupplung informiert wird. Dies ermöglicht es der Überwachungs-Einrichtung, für eine Vielzahl von Eisenbahnkupplungen eine Überwachung des Kupplungszustands vorzunehmen und diese Information in Abhängigkeit von den jeweiligen Anforderungen weiter zu verarbeiten. Die Überwachungs-Einrichtung kann entweder stationär, d.h. beispielsweise in einer Steuerzentrale, oder auch mobil, d.h. beispielsweise in einer Lokomotive, angeordnet sein.In a particularly preferred development of the method according to the invention, a signal identifying the coupling state of the railway coupling is transmitted from the evaluation device to a monitoring device. This offers the advantage that a usually central monitoring device is informed about the coupling state of the relevant railway coupling. This allows the monitoring device to monitor the clutch state for a plurality of rail clutches and to further process this information depending on the particular requirements. The monitoring device may be either stationary, i. For example, in a control center, or even mobile, i. for example, in a locomotive, be arranged.

Vorteilhafterweise kann das erfindungsgemäße Verfahren auch derart ausgeprägt sein, dass der ermittelte Kupplungszustand der Eisenbahnkupplung mit zumindest einem erwarteten Kupplungszustand verglichen wird. Hierdurch wird es vorteilhafterweise ermöglicht, dass Abweichungen des jeweils vorliegenden Kupplungszustands der Eisenbahnkupplung von dem erwarteten Kupplungszustand erkannt werden können.Advantageously, the method according to the invention can also be so pronounced that the determined coupling state of the railway coupling is compared with at least one expected coupling state. As a result, it is advantageously possible that deviations of the respective present coupling state of the railway coupling from the expected coupling state can be detected.

Vorzugsweise ist das erfindungsgemäße Verfahren dabei derart ausgestaltet, dass bei einer Abweichung des ermittelten Kupplungszustands von dem erwarteten Kupplungszustand ein Abweichungs-Signal erzeugt und ausgegeben wird. Das Abweichungs-Signal in Form einer Signalisierung oder Alarmierung ermöglicht es vorteilhafterweise, dass beim Auftreten einer Abweichung des ermittelten Kupplungszustands der Eisenbahnkupplung von dem erwarteten Kupplungszustand der Kupplungszustand der Eisenbahnkupplung erforderlichenfalls geändert, d.h. an den erwarteten Kupplungszustand angepasst, werden kann.Preferably, the method according to the invention is configured in such a way that a deviation signal is generated and output when the determined coupling state deviates from the expected coupling state. The deviation signal in the form of a signaling or alerting advantageously makes it possible that when a deviation of the determined coupling state of the railway coupling from the expected coupling state of the coupling state of If necessary, the rail coupling can be changed, ie adapted to the expected coupling condition.

Das erfindungsgemäße Verfahren kann vorteilhafterweise in unterschiedlichen Situationen zum Ermitteln des Kupplungszustands der Eisenbahnkupplung verwendet werden. In einer bevorzugten Ausführungsform ist das erfindungsgemäße Verfahren derart ausgestaltet, dass der ermittelte Kupplungszustand verwendet wird, um einen unvorhergesehenen Entkupplungsvorgang zu erkennen oder im Rahmen des Betriebs einer Ablaufanlage eine Trennstelle zu ermitteln. In beiden Fällen ist es somit das Ziel, im laufenden Betrieb zu erkennen, ob eine Kupplung gekuppelt ist oder nicht. So kann mittels des Neigungssensors beispielsweise festgestellt werden, dass die Eisenbahnkupplung beziehungsweise das vertikal bewegliche Kupplungselement, an oder in dem der Neigungssensor vorgesehen ist, während der Fahrt oder zur Unzeit, d.h. beispielsweise außerhalb eines Bahnhofs und außerhalb von geplanten Umstellungen, den gekuppelten Zustand verlässt und stattdessen ausgekuppelt lose nach unten hängt. Hierbei handelt es sich somit um einen eindeutigen Indikator für eine ungewünschte Zugtrennung, so dass eine entsprechende Alarmierung, z.B. durch eine Signalisierung an den Lokführer und/oder an eine Leitzentrale, ausgelöst werden sollte.The method according to the invention can advantageously be used in different situations for determining the coupling state of the railway coupling. In a preferred embodiment, the inventive method is configured such that the determined coupling state is used to detect an unforeseen uncoupling process or to determine a separation point in the context of the operation of a drainage system. In both cases, it is therefore the goal to recognize during operation, whether a clutch is coupled or not. For example, it can be determined by means of the inclination sensor that the railway coupling or the vertically movable coupling element, on or in which the inclination sensor is provided, during the journey or at the wrong time, i. For example, outside of a train station and outside of scheduled transitions, it leaves the coupled state and, instead, hangs down loosely when disengaged. This is thus a clear indicator of an unwanted train separation, so that a corresponding alarm, e.g. should be triggered by a signaling to the train driver and / or to a control center.

Darüber hinaus lässt sich weiterhin beispielsweise feststellen, ob etwa im Fall einer Schraubenkupplung der Bügel einer zurzeit nicht benötigten Schraubenkupplung zur Unzeit aus dem eigenen Kupplungshalter fällt, d.h. von einem Zustand, in dem die Kupplung in den eigenen Kupplungshalter eingehängt ist, in einen Zustand wechselt, in dem die Kupplung ausgekuppelt lose nach unten hängt. Auch in diesem Fall lässt sich vorteilhafterweise eine Alarmierung auslösen.In addition, it can also be determined, for example, whether, for example, in the case of a screw coupling the bracket of a currently not required screw coupling falls from its own clutch holder at the wrong time, ie, changes from a state in which the clutch is mounted in its own coupling holder, in a state, in which the clutch disengages loosely hanging down. Also in this case can advantageously trigger an alarm.

Im Rahmen des Betriebs einer Ablaufanlage kann das erfindungsgemäße Verfahren vorteilhafterweise dazu verwendet werden, Trennstellen zwischen den ablaufenden Güterwagen zu ermitteln. Dies kann beispielsweise derart geschehen, dass eine Auswerte-Einrichtung, die beispielsweise neben dem Gleis angebracht sein kann, die von den Neigungssensoren der vorbei fahrenden Güterwagen empfangenen Messwerte auswertet. Hierbei kann zum Beispiel überprüft werden, ob sich an einer geplanten Trennstelle die Kupplungen in einem erwarteten Zustand befinden. Im Falle einer Schraubenkupplung bedeutet dies, dass die betreffende Schraubenkupplung ausgekuppelt lose nach unten hängt oder beim eigenen Kupplungshalter eingehängt ist. Vorteilhafterweise kann der Kupplungszustand der Eisenbahnkupplung dabei auch kurzfristig erkannt werden, d.h. beispielsweise auch dann, wenn sich der Zustand erst unmittelbar vor dem Ablaufen des Schienenfahrzeugs beziehungsweise der Schienenfahrzeuge durch das Aushängen des Bügels einer Schraubenkupplung mit einer Entkuppel- bzw. Kupplerstange ändert. Darüber hinaus ermöglicht es die beschriebene bevorzugte Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens vorteilhafterweise auch, zusätzliche, d.h. nicht geplante, Trennstellen zu erkennen. Im Rahmen des Betreibens und Steuerns einer Ablaufanlage kann somit auf fehlende oder zusätzliche Trennstellen entsprechend reagiert werden, wodurch unnötige Fehler und Behinderungen im Betrieb der Ablaufanlage vorteilhafterweise vermieden werden.As part of the operation of a drainage system, the inventive method can be advantageously used to determine separation points between the running freight cars. This can be done, for example, in such a way that an evaluation device, which can be mounted, for example, next to the track, which evaluates the measured values received by the inclination sensors of the passing freight cars. In this case, for example, it can be checked whether the couplings are in an expected state at a planned separation point. In the case of a screw coupling, this means that the relevant screw coupling is disengaged hanging loosely down or hooked to its own coupling holder. Advantageously, the coupling state of the railway coupling can also be detected at short notice, i. For example, even if the state only changes immediately before the expiration of the rail vehicle or rail vehicles by unhooking the bracket of a screw with a decoupler or coupler rod. Moreover, the described preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention advantageously also makes it possible to obtain additional, i.e. unscheduled, separating points to recognize. In the context of operating and controlling a drainage system can thus be responded to missing or additional separation points accordingly, whereby unnecessary errors and disabilities during operation of the drainage system are advantageously avoided.

Vorzugsweise kann das erfindungsgemäße Verfahren auch derart ausgestaltet sein, dass der ermittelte Kupplungszustand verwendet wird, um zu erkennen, ob die Eisenbahnkupplung hinsichtlich ihres Kupplungszustands abfahrbereit oder für einen Entkupplungsvorgang vorbereitet ist. Hier lässt sich beispielsweise im Falle einer Kupplung in Form einer Schraubenkupplung aus der Lage der Schraubenkupplungen der Fahrzeuge eines Zuges eine Aussage darüber ermitteln, ob der Zug bezüglich des Zustands der Eisenbahnkupplungen seiner Fahrzeuge abfahrbereit ist. Sofern alle Kupplungen des betreffenden Zuges über einen Zughaken eines anderen Wagens eingehängt sind und die Spindel jeweils kurz gedreht ist, d.h. die beweglichen Elemente der Kupplung eine im Wesentlichen waagerechte Lage aufweisen, oder die Kupplungen bei ihrem eigenen Kupplungshalter eingehängt sind, so ist die Zugabfahrbereitschaft hinsichtlich des Kupplungszustands der Eisenbahnkupplungen erfüllt.Preferably, the inventive method may also be configured such that the determined coupling state is used to detect whether the railway coupling is ready for departure in terms of its coupling state or prepared for a decoupling process. Here, for example, in the case of a coupling in the form of a screw coupling from the position of the screw couplings of the vehicles make a statement on a train as to whether the train is ready to depart with regard to the condition of the railway couplings of its vehicles. If all the clutches of the relevant train are hooked on a towing hook of another car and the spindle is each turned short, ie, the movable elements of the clutch have a substantially horizontal position, or the clutches are mounted on their own clutch holder, so the Zugabfahrbereitschaft is the coupling state of the railway couplings met.

Sofern seitens der Auswerte-Einrichtung oder einer zentralen Überwachungs-Einrichtung darüber hinaus die Wagenreihung und die Wagenorientierung und damit auch die Reihenfolge der Neigungssensoren an den Eisenbahnkupplungen bekannt ist, lassen sich die Kriterien zur Zugabfahrbereitschaft vorteilhafterweise noch weiter konkretisieren. So ist es bei aneinander grenzenden Schraubenkupplungen beispielsweise erforderlich, dass sich je eine der Schraubenkupplungen im eingehängten, kurz gedrehten Zustand befindet, während die andere Schraubenkupplung beim eigenen Kupplungshalter eingehängt ist. Darüber hinaus muss sich die Schraubenkupplung am Ende des Zuges in einem Kupplungszustand befinden, in dem sie beim eigenen Kupplungshalter eingehängt ist.If, on the part of the evaluation device or a central monitoring device beyond the Wagenreihung and the car orientation and thus also the order of the inclination sensors on the railway couplings is known, the criteria for Zugabfahrbereitschaft advantageously even further concretely. For example, with adjoining screw couplings, it is necessary for one of the screw couplings to be in the suspended, short-rotated state, while the other screw coupling is suspended from its own coupling holder. In addition, the screw coupling at the end of the train must be in a coupling state in which it is mounted on its own coupling holder.

Weiterhin lässt sich aus der Lage der Eisenbahnkupplung insbesondere bei einer Kupplung in Form einer Schraubenkupplung auch der Status des so genannten "Langmachens" ableiten. Dies bedeutet, dass die Spindel der Schraubenkupplung lang gedreht, d.h. für einen Entkupplungsvorgang vorbereitet, ist. So ist ein Entkupplungsvorgang insgesamt erfolgreich vorbereitet, wenn die Schraubenkupplungen, für die ein Entkuppeln vorgesehen ist, sich im lang gemachten Zustand befinden, während die übrigen Schraubenkupplungen nach wie vor fest gekuppelt, d.h. kurz gemacht, sind.Furthermore, can be derived from the location of the railway coupling especially in a coupling in the form of a screw and the status of the so-called "Langmachens". This means that the spindle of the screw coupling is rotated long, ie prepared for a decoupling process. Thus, an uncoupling operation is altogether successfully prepared when the screw couplings for which decoupling is intended to be in the long-made state, while the remaining screw couplings still firmly coupled, ie made short, are.

Die vorliegende Erfindung betrifft darüber hinaus eine Eisenbahnkupplung mit vertikal beweglichen Kupplungselementen.The present invention further relates to a railway coupling with vertically movable coupling elements.

Hinsichtlich der Eisenbahnkupplung liegt der vorliegenden Erfindung die Aufgabe zugrunde, eine Eisenbahnkupplung anzugeben, die ein einfaches und vielseitig einsetzbares Verfahren zum Ermitteln des Kupplungszustands der Eisenbahnkupplung unterstützt.With regard to the railway coupling, the present invention has for its object to provide a railway coupling, which supports a simple and versatile method for determining the coupling state of the railway coupling.

Diese Aufgabe wird erfindungsgemäß gelöst durch eine Eisenbahnkupplung mit vertikal beweglichen Kupplungselementen, wobei die Eisenbahnkupplung zumindest einen an oder in zumindest einem der Kupplungselemente der Eisenbahnkupplung vorgesehenen Neigungssensor aufweist.This object is achieved by a railway coupling with vertically movable coupling elements, wherein the railway coupling has at least one provided on or in at least one of the coupling elements of the railway coupling tilt sensor.

Die Vorteile der erfindungsgemäßen Eisenbahnkupplung sowie diejenigen der im Folgenden beschriebenen bevorzugten Weiterbildungen der erfindungsgemäßen Eisenbahnkupplung entsprechen im Wesentlichen den zuvor im Zusammenhang mit dem erfindungsgemäßen Verfahren sowie den ensprechenden bevorzugten Weiterbildungen des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens genannten Vorteilen, so dass diesbezüglich auf die vorstehenden Ausführungen verwiesen wird.The advantages of the railway coupling according to the invention and those of the preferred embodiments of the railway coupling according to the invention described below essentially correspond to the advantages mentioned above in connection with the method according to the invention and the ensprechenden preferred developments of the method according to the invention, so that reference is made in this regard to the above statements.

Grundsätzlich kann es sich bei der erfindungsgemäßen Eisenbahnkupplung um eine beliebige Art von Kupplung mit vertikal beweglichen Kupplungselememten handeln. In einer besonders bevorzugten Ausführungsform ist die erfindungsgemäße Eisenbahnkupplung eine Schraubenkupplung. Dies ist vorteilhaft, da es sich bei einer Schraubenkupplung um eine gängige und weit verbreitete Art von Eisenbahnkupplung handelt. Darüber hinaus weist eine Schraubenkupplung verschiedene vertikal bewegliche Kupplungselemente auf, an oder in denen ein Neigungssensor zum Ermitteln des Kupplungszustands der Eisenbahnkupplung vorteilhafterweise befestigt werden kann.In principle, the railway coupling according to the invention can be any type of coupling with vertically movable coupling elements. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the railway coupling according to the invention is a screw coupling. This is advantageous since a screw coupling is a common and widespread type of railway coupling. Furthermore a screw coupling has various vertically movable coupling elements on or in which a tilt sensor for determining the coupling state of the railway coupling can be advantageously secured.

Grundsätzlich kann der zumindest eine Neigungssensor an einem beliebigen der vertikal beweglichen Kupplungselemente der Schraubenkupplung angeordnet werden. In einer besonders bevorzugten Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Eisenbahnkupplung ist der zumindest eine Neigungssensor an oder in der Lasche und/oder an oder in dem Bügel der Schraubenkupplung angeordnet. Dies ist vorteilhaft, da sich für die genannten Kupplungselemente die vertikale Ausrichtung, d.h. die Lage, in den verschiedenen Kupplungszuständen besonders deutlich unterscheidet.In principle, the at least one inclination sensor can be arranged on any of the vertically movable coupling elements of the screw coupling. In a particularly preferred embodiment of the railway coupling according to the invention, the at least one inclination sensor is arranged on or in the lug and / or on or in the yoke of the screw coupling. This is advantageous because, for the said coupling elements, the vertical orientation, i. the situation, in the different coupling states particularly different.

Vorzugsweise ist die erfindungsgemäße Eisenbahnkupplung derart ausgestaltet, dass der Neigungssensor zum Übermitteln zumindest eines Messwertes an eine Auswerte-Einrichtung ausgebildet ist.Preferably, the railway coupling according to the invention is designed such that the inclination sensor is designed to transmit at least one measured value to an evaluation device.

In einer weiteren besonders bevorzugten Weiterbildung der erfindungsgemäßen Eisenbahnkupplung ist der Neigungssensor zum drahtlosen Übermitteln des zumindest einen Messwertes an die Auswerte-Einrichtung ausgebildet.In a further particularly preferred development of the railway coupling according to the invention, the inclination sensor is designed for wireless transmission of the at least one measured value to the evaluation device.

Die Erfindung umfasst weiterhin eine Anordnung mit einer Eisenbahnkupplung nach einer der beiden zuvor beschriebenen bevorzugten Weiterbildungen der erfindungsgemäßen Eisenbahnkupplung und einer Auswerte-Einrichtung zum Ermitteln des Kupplungszustands der Eisenbahnkupplung aus dem zumindest einen Messwert.The invention further comprises an arrangement with a railway coupling according to one of the two previously described preferred developments of the railway coupling according to the invention and an evaluation device for determining the coupling state of the railway coupling from the at least one measured value.

Vorteilhafterweise kann die erfindungsgemäße Anordnung derart ausgestaltet sein, dass die Auswerte-Einrichtung zum Erzeugen und Ausgeben eines Abweichungs-Signals ausgebildet ist, sofern der ermittelte Kupplungszustand von einem erwarteten Kupplungszustand abweicht.Advantageously, the arrangement according to the invention can be designed such that the evaluation device is designed to generate and output a deviation signal, provided that the determined coupling state deviates from an expected coupling state.

Im Folgenden wird die Erfindung anhand von Ausführungsbeispielen näher erläutert. Hierzu zeigt

Figur 1
in einer schematischen Skizze ein Ausführungsbeispiel der erfindungsgemäßen Eisenbahnkupplung, wobei sich die Eisenbahnkupplung in einem Kupplungszustand befindet, bei dem die Kupplung lose hinunter hängt und
Figur 2
in einer schematischen Skizze zwei Eisenbahnkupplungen gemäß dem Ausführungsbeispiel der erfindungsgemäßen Eisenbahnkupplung der Figur 1, wobei sich die eine der beiden Eisenbahnkupplungen in einem gekuppelten Zustand befindet und die andere Eisenbahnkupplung in dem eigenen Kupplungshalter eingehängt ist.
In the following the invention will be explained in more detail by means of exemplary embodiments. This shows
FIG. 1
in a schematic sketch of an embodiment of the railway coupling according to the invention, wherein the railway coupling is in a coupling state in which the clutch hangs loose down and
FIG. 2
in a schematic sketch two railway couplings according to the embodiment of the railway coupling of the invention FIG. 1 , wherein one of the two railway couplings is in a coupled state and the other rail coupling is suspended in its own coupling holder.

Figur 1 zeigt in einer schematischen Skizze ein Ausführungsbeispiel der erfindungsgemäßen Eisenbahnkupplung, wobei sich die Eisenbahnkupplung in einem Kupplungszustand befindet, bei dem die Kupplung lose hinunter hängt. FIG. 1 shows in a schematic sketch an embodiment of the railway coupling according to the invention, wherein the railway coupling is in a coupling state in which the coupling hangs loose down.

Dargestellt ist eine Eisenbahnkupplung 10 in Form einer Schraubenkupplung, wobei angenommen sei, dass die Eisenbahnkupplung 10 Bestandteil eines aus Gründen der Übersichtlichkeit nicht dargestellten Güterwagens ist. Die Eisenbahnkupplung 10 weist einen Zughaken 11 auf, an dem eine Lasche 12 befestigt ist. Darüber hinaus weist die Eisenbahnkupplung 10 einen Kupplungshalter 13 auf, der dazu dient, die Eisenbahnkupplung 10 beziehungsweise genauer den Bügel 18 der Eisenbahnkupplung 10 im ungenutzten Zustand einzuhängen. Neben den bereits beschriebenen Bestandteilen der Eisenbahnkupplung 10 ist in der Figur 1 eine Spindel 15, ein Schwengel 16, eine Mutter 17 sowie ein Bügel 18 erkennbar. Da der entsprechende Aufbau einer Schraubenkupplung allgemein bekannt ist, soll im Folgenden nicht im Detail auf die einzelnen Kupplungselemente eingegangen werden.Shown is a railway coupling 10 in the form of a screw coupling, it being assumed that the railway coupling 10 is part of a freight wagon, not shown for reasons of clarity. The railway coupling 10 has a draw hook 11 to which a tab 12 is attached. In addition, the railroad coupling 10 a coupling holder 13, which serves to mount the railway coupling 10 or more precisely the bracket 18 of the railway coupling 10 in the unused state. In addition to the already described components of the railway coupling 10 is in the FIG. 1 a spindle 15, a pivot 16, a nut 17 and a bracket 18 can be seen. Since the corresponding construction of a screw coupling is generally known, will not be discussed in detail below on the individual coupling elements.

In dem Ausführungsbeispiel der Figur 1 ist die Eisenbahnkupplung 10 ausgekuppelt und nicht in dem Kupplungshalter 13 eingehängt, d.h. die Eisenbahnkupplung 10 hängt senkrecht nach unten. Hierdurch wird überaus deutlich, dass es sich bei der Lasche 12, der Spindel 15, dem Schwengel 16, der Mutter 17 sowie dem Bügel 18 um vertikal bewegliche Kupplungselemente der Eisenbahnkupplung 10 handelt, wobei sich die vertikale Ausrichtung dieser Kupplungselemente in Abhängigkeit von dem Kupplungszustand der Eisenbahnkupplung 10 ändert.In the embodiment of FIG. 1 the railway coupling 10 is disengaged and not hooked in the coupling holder 13, ie the railway coupling 10 is hanging vertically downwards. This makes it very clear that it is the tab 12, the spindle 15, the pivot 16, the nut 17 and the bracket 18 are vertically movable coupling elements of the railway coupling 10, wherein the vertical orientation of these coupling elements in dependence on the coupling state of Rail coupling 10 changes.

Neben den üblichen Kupplungselementen weist die in Figur 1 dargestellte Eisenbahnkupplung 10 einen an der Lasche 12 angebrachten Neigungssensor 14 auf. Dieser dient dazu, die vertikale Ausrichtung der Lasche 12 beziehungsweise einen entsprechenden Messwert zu erfassen. Aus dem zumindest einen entsprechenden Messwert kann sodann im Folgenden durch eine Auswerte-Einrichtung, die beispielsweise Bestandteil eines an dem Güterwagen angebrachten Telematikgerätes sein kann, der Kupplungszustand der Eisenbahnkupplung 10 ermittelt werden. So lässt sich aus einem von dem Neigungssensor 14 erfassten, die vertikale Ausrichtung der Lasche 12 angebenden Messwert, in der in Figur 1 dargestellten Situation unmittelbar das Ergebnis ermitteln, dass sich die Eisenbahnkupplung 10 in einem Kupplungszustand befindet, in dem die Eisenbahnkupplung 10 ausgekuppelt lose nach unten hängt. Diese Information kann nun im Folgenden beispielsweise dazu verwendet werden, dass eine Änderung des Kupplungszustands der Eisenbahnkupplung 10 veranlasst wird, um bei einer Bewegung des Güterwagens eine Beschädigung des Gleises oder von im Gleis angeordneten Komponenten durch die herabhängende Eisenbahnkupplung 10 zu vermeiden.In addition to the usual coupling elements, the in FIG. 1 illustrated rail coupling 10 a mounted on the tab 12 inclination sensor 14. This serves to detect the vertical orientation of the tab 12 or a corresponding measured value. From the at least one corresponding measured value can then be subsequently determined by an evaluation device, which may be part of a mounted on the freight car telematics device, the coupling state of the railway coupling 10. Thus, from a measured by the inclination sensor 14, the vertical orientation of the tab 12 indicative measured value, in the in FIG. 1 situation immediately determine the result that the railway coupling 10 is in a coupling state in which the railway coupling 10th disengaged loose hanging down. This information can now be used in the following, for example, to cause a change in the coupling state of the railway coupling 10 in order to avoid damage to the track or components arranged in the track by the depending railway coupling 10 during movement of the freight wagon.

Aus der Darstellung der Figur 1 ist ersichtlich, dass der Neigungssensor 14 anstatt an der Lasche 12 auch an oder in einem der übrigen vertikal beweglichen Kupplungselemente 15-18, d.h. beispielsweise an dem Bügel 18 angeordnet sein könnte. Darüber hinaus wäre es auch denkbar, dass zur Erhöhung der Zuverlässigkeit der Bestimmung des Kupplungszustandes oder auch aus Gründen der Redundanz mehr als ein Neigungssensor 14, vorzugsweise auf einem anderen der vertikal beweglichen Kupplungselemente 15-18, vorgesehen wird.From the representation of FIG. 1 It can be seen that the inclination sensor 14 instead of on the tab 12 could also be arranged on or in one of the remaining vertically movable coupling elements 15-18, ie, for example, on the bracket 18. In addition, it would also be conceivable that more than one inclination sensor 14, preferably on another of the vertically movable coupling elements 15-18, is provided to increase the reliability of the determination of the coupling state or for reasons of redundancy.

Figur 2 zeigt in einer schematischen Skizze zwei Eisenbahnkupplungen gemäß dem Ausführungsbeispiel der erfindungsgemäßen Eisenbahnkupplung der Figur 1, wobei sich die eine der beiden Eisenbahnkupplungen in einem gekuppelten Zustand befindet und die andere Eisenbahnkupplung in dem eigenen Kupplungshalter eingehängt ist. FIG. 2 shows in a schematic sketch two railway couplings according to the embodiment of the railway coupling of the invention FIG. 1 , wherein one of the two railway couplings is in a coupled state and the other rail coupling is suspended in its own coupling holder.

Dargestellt sind zwei Eisenbahnkupplungen 20 und 30 in Form von Schraubenkupplungen, wobei im Vergleich zu Figur 1 für gleiche Bestandteile der Eisenbahnkupplungen 20 und 30 aus Gründen der Übersichtlichkeit Bezugszeichen verwendet werden, die sich von denjenigen der Figur lediglich durch die zusätzliche erste Ziffer unterscheiden. Dies bedeutet, dass beispielsweise der Bügel der Eisenbahnkupplung, der in Figur 1 mit dem Bezugszeichen 18 gekennzeichnet war, in der Figur 2 mit dem Bezugszeichen 28 im Falle der linken Eisenbahnkupplung 20 und mit dem Bezugszeichen 38 im Falle der rechten Eisenbahnkupplung 30 gekennzeichnet ist.Shown are two railway couplings 20 and 30 in the form of screw couplings, wherein compared to FIG. 1 for the same components of the railway couplings 20 and 30 for clarity, reference numerals are used, which differ from those of the figure only by the additional first digit. This means, for example, that the bracket of the railway coupling, in FIG. 1 was designated by the reference numeral 18, in the FIG. 2 with the reference numeral 28 in the case of the left-hand railway coupling 20 and denoted by the reference numeral 38 in the case of the right-hand railroad coupling 30.

In Figur 2 ist erkennbar, dass der Bügel 28 der linken Eisenbahnkupplung 20 in den Zughaken 31 der rechten Eisenbahnkupplung 30 eingehängt ist. Mittels des wiederum in der Lasche 22 der linken Eisenbahnkupplung 20 vorgesehenen Neigungssensors 24 lässt sich aus der Lage des Neigungssensors 24 ermitteln, dass sich die Eisenbahnkupplung 20 in einem gekuppelten Zustand befindet, in dem die Spindel 15 der Eisenbahnkupplung 20 lang gemacht ist, d.h. die Eisenbahnkupplung ist für einen Kupplungsvorgang derart vorbereitet, dass sich der Bügel 28 der Eisenbahnkupplung 20 beispielsweise mittels einer Entkuppelstange über den Zughaken 31 der rechten Eisenbahnkupplung 30 verschieben lässt. Wie aus der Figur 2 leicht erkennbar, lässt sich der entsprechende Kupplungszustand beispielsweise von dem in Figur 1 dargestellten Kupplungszustand aufgrund des deutlich unterschiedlichen Winkels der Lasche 2 der Eisenbahnkupplung 20 zur Vertikalen anhand eines die vertikale Ausrichtung des Neigungssensors 24 beziehungsweise der Lasche 22 angebenden Messwertes problemlos erkennen.In FIG. 2 It can be seen that the bracket 28 of the left-hand rail coupling 20 is hooked into the draw hook 31 of the right-hand railroad coupling 30. By means of the turn provided in the tab 22 of the left-hand rail coupling 20 inclination sensor 24 can be determined from the position of the inclination sensor 24 that the rail clutch 20 is in a coupled state in which the spindle 15 of the railroad coupling 20 is made long, ie the railroad coupling is prepared for a coupling operation such that the bracket 28 of the railway coupling 20 can be moved, for example by means of a decoupling rod on the tow hook 31 of the right-hand railroad coupling 30. Like from the FIG. 2 easily recognizable, the corresponding coupling state, for example, from the in FIG. 1 illustrated coupling state due to the significantly different angle of the tab 2 of the railway coupling 20 to the vertical on the basis of a vertical orientation of the tilt sensor 24 and the tab 22 indicating measurement value easily recognize.

In dem Ausführungsbeispiel der Figur 2 weist auch die rechte Eisenbahnkupplung 30, die für eine Verbindung der beiden mittels der Eisenbahnkupplung 20 aneinander gekuppelten Schienenfahrzeuge nicht benötigt wird, in ihrer Lasche 32 einen Neigungssensor 34 auf. Entsprechend der Darstellung in Figur 2 ist der Bügel 38 der rechten Eisenbahnkupplung 30 in den Kupplungshalter 33 der betreffenden Eisenbahnkupplung 30 eingehängt. Wiederum ist erkennbar, dass auch dieser Kupplungszustand der Eisenbahnkupplung 30 mittels des Neigungssensors 34 von den übrigen möglichen Kupplungszuständen eindeutig unterscheidbar ist.In the embodiment of FIG. 2 also has the right-hand rail coupling 30, which is not required for a connection of the two by means of the railway coupling 20 coupled to each other rail vehicles, in its flap 32 has a tilt sensor 34. As shown in FIG. 2 the bracket 38 of the right-hand rail coupling 30 is suspended in the coupling holder 33 of the relevant railway coupling 30. Again, it can be seen that this coupling state of the railway coupling 30 by means of the tilt sensor 34 is clearly distinguishable from the other possible coupling states.

Generell wird zum Erkennen eines Kuppelzustands der zumindest eine durch den Neigungssensor 24, 34 erfasste Messwert in der Regel mit den jeweiligen Kupplungszuständen zugeordneten Messwertbereichen verglichen werden. Dies ermöglicht es, im Betrieb auftretende Abweichungen der genauen Lage der Eisenbahnkupplung beziehungsweise des jeweiligen vertikal beweglichen Kupplungselementes zu berücksichtigen.Generally, in order to detect a dome state, the at least one measured value detected by the inclination sensor 24, 34 is generally compared with the measured value ranges assigned to the respective coupling states. This makes it possible to take into account occurring during operation deviations of the exact position of the railway coupling or the respective vertically movable coupling element.

Vorteilhafterweise ermöglichen es die zuvor beschriebenen Ausführungsformen der erfindungsgemäßen Eisenbahnkupplung durch die Ermittlung des Kupplungszustands eine Vielzahl betrieblicher Abläufe im Eisenbahnbereich zu verbessern und zu automatisieren. So kann einerseits eine Zugtrennung, insbesondere eines Güterzuges, aufgrund der damit verbundenen Änderung des Kupplungszustandes zuverlässig erkannt und signalisiert werden. Darüber hinaus ist auch eine automatische Erkennung möglich, ob ein Güterzug hinsichtlich des Kupplungszustands der Eisenbahnkupplungen seiner Güterwagen abfahrbereit ist. Entsprechend kann ebenso automatisch erkannt werden, ob bei der Eingangszugbehandlung das so genannte Langmachen, insbesondere bei Eisenbahnkupplungen in Form von Schraubenkupplungen, in Vorbereitung zum Entkuppeln an den richtigen Stellen und vollständig durchgeführt worden ist. Darüber hinaus ermöglicht es die beschriebene Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Eisenbahnkupplung vorteilhafterweise, auf zugleich einfache und zuverlässige Art und Weise eine Trennstellenermittlung im Rahmen des Betriebs einer Ablaufanlage vorzunehmen.Advantageously, the previously described embodiments of the railway coupling according to the invention make it possible to improve and automate a multiplicity of operational processes in the railway sector by determining the condition of the coupling. Thus, on the one hand a train separation, in particular a freight train, due to the associated change in the coupling state can be reliably detected and signaled. In addition, automatic recognition is also possible as to whether a freight train is ready to depart with regard to the coupling state of the railway couplings of its freight wagons. Accordingly, it can be detected automatically as well whether the so-called elongation, especially in the case of railway couplings in the form of screw couplings, has been carried out in preparation for uncoupling in the correct places and completely in the input train treatment. In addition, the described embodiment of the railway coupling according to the invention advantageously makes it possible to carry out a separation point determination in the context of the operation of a drainage system at the same time in a simple and reliable manner.

Generell sei angemerkt, dass die erfindungsgemäße Eisenbahnkupplung sowie das erfindungsgemäße Verfahren grundsätzlich auch in Kombination mit bekannten Verfahren verwendet werden können. So besteht beispielsweise die Möglichkeit, zum Erkennen einer Zugtrennung zusätzlich zur Überwachung der Hauptluftleitung oder einer Überwachung auf eine Distanzvergrößerung zwischen Anfang und Ende des Zuges den Kupplungszustand der Eisenbahnkupplungen des Zuges zu überwachen. Ein solcher vielfältiger beziehungsweise redundanter Ansatz hat den Vorteil, dass die Anzahl der Fehlermeldungen reduziert werden kann, da eine Zugtrennung lediglich dann erkannt wird, wenn diese durch mehrere der verwendeten Verfahren erkannt beziehungsweise bestätigt wird. Andererseits kann erforderlichenfalls aber auch die Erkennungsrate für entsprechende Situationen dadurch erhöht werden, dass eine Zugtrennung bereits dann angenommen wird, wenn wenigstens eines der mehreren verwendeten Verfahren eine Zugtrennung signalisiert.In general, it should be noted that the railway coupling according to the invention and the method according to the invention can in principle also be used in combination with known methods. For example, it is possible to detect a train separation in addition to monitoring the main air line or monitoring for an increase in distance between the beginning and the end of the train to monitor the coupling condition of the train's train couplings. Such a diverse or redundant approach has the advantage that the number of error messages can be reduced because a train separation is only detected if it is detected or confirmed by several of the methods used. On the other hand, if necessary, however, the recognition rate for corresponding situations can be increased by assuming a train separation even if at least one of the several methods used signals a train separation.

Ein grundlegender Vorteil der Erfindung besteht entsprechend den vorstehenden Ausführungen insbesondere darin, dass der Kupplungszustand der Eisenbahnkupplung, der mittels des zumindest einen die vertikale Ausrichtung eines vertikal beweglichen Kupplungselementes angebenden Messwertes des zumindest einen Neigungssensors ermittelbar ist, für vielfältige automatische Anwendungen und Auswertungen genutzt werden kann, wodurch vorteilhafterweise Sicherheit, Zuverlässigkeit und Geschwindigkeit beim Betrieb einer Eisenbahnanlage verbessert werden können.A fundamental advantage of the invention according to the above statements, in particular, is that the coupling state of the railway coupling, which can be determined by means of the at least one vertical orientation of a vertically movable coupling element indicative measured value of the at least one inclination sensor can be used for a variety of automatic applications and evaluations, whereby advantageously safety, reliability and speed in the operation of a railway system can be improved.

Claims (16)

Verfahren zum Ermitteln des Kupplungszustands einer Eisenbahnkupplung (10) mit vertikal beweglichen Kupplungselementen (12,15-18), insbesondere einer Schraubenkupplung,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass - durch zumindest einen an oder in zumindest einem der Kupplungselemente (12,15-18) der Eisenbahnkupplung (10) vorgesehenen Neigungssensor (14) zumindest ein die vertikale Ausrichtung des Kupplungselementes (12,15-18) angebender Messwert erfasst wird und - aus dem zumindest einen Messwert der Kupplungszustand der Eisenbahnkupplung (10) ermittelt wird. Method for determining the coupling state of a railway coupling (10) with vertically movable coupling elements (12, 15-18), in particular a screw coupling,
characterized in that at least one measured value indicative of the vertical orientation of the coupling element (12, 15-18) is detected by at least one inclination sensor (14) provided on or in at least one of the coupling elements (12, 15-18) of the railway coupling (10), and - From the at least one measured value of the coupling state of the railway coupling (10) is determined. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
der zumindest eine Messwert an eine Auswerte-Einrichtung übermittelt wird.Method according to claim 1,
characterized in that
the at least one measured value is transmitted to an evaluation device. Verfahren nach Anspruch 2,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
der zumindest eine Messwert drahtlos an die Auswerte-Einrichtung übermittelt wird.Method according to claim 2,
characterized in that
the at least one measured value is transmitted wirelessly to the evaluation device. Verfahren nach Anspruch 3,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
von der Auswerte-Einrichtung aus dem zumindest einen Messwert der Kupplungszustand der Eisenbahnkupplung (10) ermittelt wird.Method according to claim 3,
characterized in that
from the evaluation device from the at least one measured value of the coupling state of the railway coupling (10) is determined. Verfahren nach Anspruch 4,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
ein den Kupplungszustand der Eisenbahnkupplung (10) identifizierendes Signal von der Auswerte-Einrichtung an eine Überwachungs-Einrichtung übermittelt wird.Method according to claim 4,
characterized in that
a signal identifying the coupling state of the railway coupling (10) is transmitted by the evaluation device to a monitoring device. Verfahren nach einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
der ermittelte Kupplungszustand der Eisenbahnkupplung (10) mit zumindest einem erwarteten Kupplungszustand verglichen wird.Method according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
the determined coupling state of the railway coupling (10) is compared with at least one expected coupling state. Verfahren nach Anspruch 6,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
bei einer Abweichung des ermittelten Kupplungszustands von dem erwarteten Kupplungszustand ein Abweichungs-Signal erzeugt und ausgegeben wird.Method according to claim 6,
characterized in that
upon a deviation of the determined clutch state from the expected clutch state, a deviation signal is generated and output. Verfahren nach einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
der ermittelte Kupplungszustand verwendet wird, um einen unvorhergesehenen Entkupplungsvorgang zu erkennen oder im Rahmen des Betriebs einer Ablaufanlage eine Trennstelle zu ermitteln.Method according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
the determined coupling state is used to detect an unforeseen uncoupling process or to determine a separation point as part of the operation of a drainage system. Verfahren nach einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
der ermittelte Kupplungszustand verwendet wird, um zu erkennen, ob die Eisenbahnkupplung (10) hinsichtlich ihres Kupplungszustands abfahrbereit oder für einen Entkupplungsvorgang vorbereitet ist.Method according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
the determined clutch state is used to detect whether the railroad clutch (10) is ready for departure or ready for decoupling in terms of its clutch condition. Eisenbahnkupplung (10) mit vertikal beweglichen Kupplungselementen (12,15-18),
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
die Eisenbahnkupplung (10) zumindest einen an oder in zumindest einem der Kupplungselemente (12,15-18) der Eisenbahnkupplung (10) vorgesehenen Neigungssensor (14) aufweist.Railway coupling (10) with vertically movable coupling elements (12, 15-18),
characterized in that
the railway coupling (10) has at least one inclination sensor (14) provided on or in at least one of the coupling elements (12, 15-18) of the railway coupling (10). Eisenbahnkupplung nach Anspruch 10,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
die Eisenbahnkupplung (10) eine Schraubenkupplung ist.Railway coupling according to claim 10,
characterized in that
the railway coupling (10) is a screw coupling. Eisenbahnkupplung nach Anspruch 11,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
der zumindest eine Neigungssensor (14) an oder in der Lasche (12) und/oder an oder in dem Bügel (18) der Schraubenkupplung angeordnet ist.Railway coupling according to claim 11,
characterized in that
the at least one inclination sensor (14) is arranged on or in the tab (12) and / or on or in the bracket (18) of the screw coupling. Eisenbahnkupplung nach einem der Ansprüche 10 bis 12,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
der Neigungssensor (14) zum Übermitteln zumindest eines Messwertes an eine Auswerte-Einrichtung ausgebildet ist.Railway coupling according to one of claims 10 to 12,
characterized in that
the inclination sensor (14) is designed to transmit at least one measured value to an evaluation device. Eisenbahnkupplung nach Anspruch 13,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
der Neigungssensor (14) zum drahtlosen Übermitteln des zumindest einen Messwertes an die Auswerte-Einrichtung ausgebildet ist.Railway coupling according to claim 13,
characterized in that
the tilt sensor (14) is designed for the wireless transmission of the at least one measured value to the evaluation device. Anordnung mit einer Eisenbahnkupplung (10) nach einem der Ansprüche 13 oder 14 und einer Auswerte-Einrichtung zum Ermitteln des Kupplungszustands der Eisenbahnkupplung (10) aus dem zumindest einen Messwert.Arrangement with a railway coupling (10) according to one of claims 13 or 14 and an evaluation device for determining the coupling state of the railway coupling (10) from the at least one measured value. Anordnung nach Anspruch 15,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
die Auswerte-Einrichtung zum Erzeugen und Ausgeben eines Abweichungs-Signals ausgebildet ist, sofern der ermittelte Kupplungszustand von einem erwarteten Kupplungszustand abweicht.Arrangement according to claim 15,
characterized in that
the evaluation device is designed to generate and output a deviation signal, if the determined Coupling state deviates from an expected coupling state.
EP09164362A 2008-07-16 2009-07-02 Method of determining the coupling status of a railway coupling, railway coupling and assembly with a railway coupling Not-in-force EP2145809B1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PL09164362T PL2145809T3 (en) 2008-07-16 2009-07-02 Method of determining the coupling status of a railway coupling, railway coupling and assembly with a railway coupling

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE102008034018A DE102008034018B3 (en) 2008-07-16 2008-07-16 Method for detection of coupling condition of railway connector, involves detecting measuring value by tilt sensor provided at coupling elements of railway connector

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2145809A1 true EP2145809A1 (en) 2010-01-20
EP2145809B1 EP2145809B1 (en) 2011-09-07

Family

ID=40794721

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP09164362A Not-in-force EP2145809B1 (en) 2008-07-16 2009-07-02 Method of determining the coupling status of a railway coupling, railway coupling and assembly with a railway coupling

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP2145809B1 (en)
AT (1) ATE523408T1 (en)
DE (1) DE102008034018B3 (en)
PL (1) PL2145809T3 (en)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2011081781A3 (en) * 2009-12-15 2011-08-25 General Electric Company System and method for optical locomotive decoupling detection
DE102017113213A1 (en) * 2017-06-15 2018-12-20 Asto Telematics Gmbh Arrangement for compiling and / or determining the number of carriages and / or checking the completeness of a rail vehicle, a method and its use
WO2019211262A3 (en) * 2018-05-02 2020-02-20 Voith Patent Gmbh Monitoring system for a coupling and/or damping element of a vehicle, in particular a rail vehicle
GB2578650A (en) * 2018-10-31 2020-05-20 Crrc Shandong Co Ltd Barrier wagon

Families Citing this family (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102010035302C5 (en) 2010-08-16 2015-04-23 Alstom Transport Technologies Method and device for monitoring an operating state of a coupling device
CN102991527B (en) * 2012-12-17 2015-04-29 长春轨道客车股份有限公司 Car hook connecting and hanging method
DE102013206997A1 (en) * 2013-04-18 2014-11-06 Voith Patent Gmbh monitoring system
EP3095666B1 (en) * 2015-05-13 2018-05-09 FH OÖ Forschungs & Entwicklungs GmbH Device for uncoupling an elongated screw coupling
DE102015122863A1 (en) * 2015-12-28 2017-06-29 Voith Patent Gmbh Device for articulating a first component with a second component movable relative to the first component
DE102019217899B4 (en) 2019-11-20 2021-08-26 Bombardier Transportation Gmbh External control of a rail vehicle to make it ready for coupling

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE360332C (en) * 1919-01-21 1922-10-02 Wilhelm Goert Boonzaier Railway coupling
DE10112920A1 (en) 2001-03-13 2002-09-19 Siemens Ag Monitoring train completeness/interruption involves detecting change in volumetric flow when overpressure valve closes as a result of a fall in main air line pressure
US20070145196A1 (en) * 2005-12-23 2007-06-28 Davenport David M System and method for determining whether a locomotive or rail engine is coupled to a rail car or other engine

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE360332C (en) * 1919-01-21 1922-10-02 Wilhelm Goert Boonzaier Railway coupling
DE10112920A1 (en) 2001-03-13 2002-09-19 Siemens Ag Monitoring train completeness/interruption involves detecting change in volumetric flow when overpressure valve closes as a result of a fall in main air line pressure
US20070145196A1 (en) * 2005-12-23 2007-06-28 Davenport David M System and method for determining whether a locomotive or rail engine is coupled to a rail car or other engine

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2011081781A3 (en) * 2009-12-15 2011-08-25 General Electric Company System and method for optical locomotive decoupling detection
DE102017113213A1 (en) * 2017-06-15 2018-12-20 Asto Telematics Gmbh Arrangement for compiling and / or determining the number of carriages and / or checking the completeness of a rail vehicle, a method and its use
WO2019211262A3 (en) * 2018-05-02 2020-02-20 Voith Patent Gmbh Monitoring system for a coupling and/or damping element of a vehicle, in particular a rail vehicle
GB2578650A (en) * 2018-10-31 2020-05-20 Crrc Shandong Co Ltd Barrier wagon
GB2578650B (en) * 2018-10-31 2020-12-30 Crrc Shandong Co Ltd Barrier wagon comprising manual and automatic couplers.

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP2145809B1 (en) 2011-09-07
DE102008034018B3 (en) 2009-07-30
PL2145809T3 (en) 2011-12-30
ATE523408T1 (en) 2011-09-15

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP2145809B1 (en) Method of determining the coupling status of a railway coupling, railway coupling and assembly with a railway coupling
EP2795345B1 (en) Method and device for determining the installation position of a sensor module in a vehicle, and vehicle having such a device
EP2531391B1 (en) Method and device for monitoring train integrity
EP3405377B1 (en) Ato device, rail vehicle and method for the automated driving of a rail vehicle
DE102008012416A1 (en) Method for signal-technical protection of rail-bound vehicles and related safety system
EP3310637B1 (en) Testing device and method for checking a defined profile of a train of vehicles, in particular rail vehicles
DE102008058244A1 (en) System for analyzing the state of the chassis of rail vehicles
WO2017220304A1 (en) Method for operating a positioning device, and positioning device
DE102007038820A1 (en) Shunting monitoring device for monitoring e.g. goods train, during shunting in railway station, has evaluation unit connected with imaging sensor, where device is arranged for monitoring shunting trip depending on shunting systems
DE60032112T2 (en) ZUGINTEGRITÄTSÜBERWACHUNGSVORRICHTUNG
WO2020001924A1 (en) Method and device for detecting vehicles travelling behind
DE102008049224A1 (en) Method for monitoring drive mechanism of rail vehicle movable on rail track to identify defect at e.g. rotary stand of chassis, involves detecting component running in certain direction of acceleration of pivot mounting as sensor variable
WO2018104040A1 (en) Method and device for diagnosing railway switches under load
EP2819907B1 (en) Method for the auxiliary operation of a track element and operation control system
WO2016074912A1 (en) Method for implementing automatic railway traffic, and railway traffic system for implementing automatic railway traffic
DE102007026407A1 (en) Method for identifying coupling failure in railway train by detecting pressure loss in pneumatic supply line for carriage brakes
EP2130740B1 (en) Control device for a gravity shunting yard for rail traffic and method for operating such a yard
DE19933789A1 (en) Monitoring completeness of trains, especially via the main air line, involves checking whether volume and pressure signals and derived parameters correspond to stored values
DE102006005207B4 (en) Device for on-board monitoring of train completion
EP1591335A1 (en) Process for determining the distance between a beacon and a distant warning signal
DE102009037369A1 (en) Method for calibrating a wheel sensor of a train detection system, wheel sensor and train detection system
EP3194243B1 (en) Method for implementing automatic railway traffic, and railway traffic system for implementing automatic railway traffic
DE102006029844B3 (en) Railway rake monitor, to check the integrity of wagon couplings, has an image sensor at the locomotive with a field of view covering the train connected to a data processing unit
WO2018068796A1 (en) Vehicle warning apparatus
DE102017206445A1 (en) System and method for warning against hazards in railway traffic

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20091109

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO SE SI SK SM TR

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Extension state: AL BA RS

GRAP Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1

GRAS Grant fee paid

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: FG4D

Free format text: NOT ENGLISH

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: EP

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: NV

Representative=s name: SIEMENS SCHWEIZ AG

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: FG4D

Free format text: LANGUAGE OF EP DOCUMENT: GERMAN

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R096

Ref document number: 502009001302

Country of ref document: DE

Effective date: 20111103

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: PL

Ref legal event code: T3

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: NL

Ref legal event code: VDEP

Effective date: 20110907

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20110907

Ref country code: SE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20110907

Ref country code: NO

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20111207

Ref country code: FI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20110907

Ref country code: HR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20110907

LTIE Lt: invalidation of european patent or patent extension

Effective date: 20110907

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LV

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20110907

Ref country code: SI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20110907

Ref country code: CY

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20110907

Ref country code: GR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20111208

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: FD4D

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: CZ

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20110907

Ref country code: IE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20110907

Ref country code: IS

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20120107

Ref country code: SK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20110907

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: NL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20110907

Ref country code: EE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20110907

Ref country code: RO

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20110907

Ref country code: PT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20120109

PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20110907

26N No opposition filed

Effective date: 20120611

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R097

Ref document number: 502009001302

Country of ref document: DE

Effective date: 20120611

BERE Be: lapsed

Owner name: SIEMENS A.G.

Effective date: 20120731

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: MC

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20120731

Ref country code: MK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20110907

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: ES

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20111218

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: BE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20120731

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: BG

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20111207

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: MT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20110907

GBPC Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20130702

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: TR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20110907

Ref country code: GB

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20130702

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20120702

Ref country code: SM

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20110907

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: HU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20090702

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: PLFP

Year of fee payment: 8

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: PLFP

Year of fee payment: 9

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PCOW

Free format text: NEW ADDRESS: WERNER-VON-SIEMENS-STRASSE 1, 80333 MUENCHEN (DE)

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: PLFP

Year of fee payment: 10

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: PL

Payment date: 20180622

Year of fee payment: 10

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20180723

Year of fee payment: 10

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20180726

Year of fee payment: 10

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R081

Ref document number: 502009001302

Country of ref document: DE

Owner name: SIEMENS MOBILITY GMBH, DE

Free format text: FORMER OWNER: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT, 80333 MUENCHEN, DE

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PUE

Owner name: SIEMENS MOBILITY GMBH, DE

Free format text: FORMER OWNER: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT, DE

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: AT

Ref legal event code: PC

Ref document number: 523408

Country of ref document: AT

Kind code of ref document: T

Owner name: SIEMENS MOBILITY GMBH, DE

Effective date: 20190506

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: CH

Payment date: 20191002

Year of fee payment: 11

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20190731

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20190702

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PL

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20200731

Ref country code: CH

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20200731

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: PL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20190702

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: AT

Payment date: 20210608

Year of fee payment: 13

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20210917

Year of fee payment: 13

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R119

Ref document number: 502009001302

Country of ref document: DE

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: AT

Ref legal event code: MM01

Ref document number: 523408

Country of ref document: AT

Kind code of ref document: T

Effective date: 20220702

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: AT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20220702

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20230201