EP4201785A1 - Device for monitoring railway traffic detection systems - Google Patents

Abstract

Presence detection system (1) of a railway vehicle, comprising a housing (2), a feeler (3) outside the housing, at least one rod (6) which carries the feeler and which is mounted in the housing for pivoting about a longitudinal axis (X) between a high position and a low position of the sensor, a damping cylinder (12) arranged to slow down a rotational movement of the rod from the low position to the high position, a return member (8) resting against an arm (10) integral in rotation with the rod, characterized in that the system further comprises a monitoring device (15) comprising an electronic circuit (16) for measuring a position of a movable element with the rod when the latter pivots between the two positions.

Description

The invention relates to the field of railway traffic detection systems. In particular, the invention relates to the monitoring of railway traffic detection systems.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the context of rail traffic management and safety, it is known to have detection systems which make it possible to detect, at a given point, the passage of a train or any other rail vehicle.

The detection systems are generally positioned in the vicinity of a rail of a railway track and conventionally comprise one or more feelers of an electrical contact actuation mechanism. Thus, during the passage of a train, each wheel of the train causes the sensor(s) to move from a high position to a low position. More precisely, each wheel comprising a tread having a projecting edge from which a bead extends, it is the bead of each wheel which presses against the feelers. When the feeler is in the up position, the electrical contacts are separated from each other and open an electric detection circuit, when the feeler is in the down position, the electrical contacts are in contact with each other and close the electric detection circuit.

However, knowing that such detection systems are arranged in isolated places along the railway tracks, it is not easy to check in real time their state of operation and/or wear. It is therefore notably impossible to know whether or not such a system requires a maintenance operation.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

An object of the invention is therefore to propose a solution making it possible to be able to monitor, remotely and in a simple and reliable manner, the operation of rail traffic detection systems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To this end, a system for detecting the presence of a railway vehicle is proposed, comprising a housing, a feeler outside the housing, at least one rod which carries the feeler and which is mounted in the housing to pivot around a longitudinal axis between a high position and a low position of the probe, a damping cylinder arranged to slow down a rotational movement of the rod from the low position to the high position, and a return member resting against an integral arm rotation of the rod. The system further comprises a monitoring device comprising an electronic circuit for measuring a position of a movable element with the rod when the latter pivots between the two positions.

The invention is particularly advantageous because the electronic circuit for measuring the position of a movable element with the rod makes it possible to follow with simplicity and reliability the successive rotations of said rod between the high position and the low position of the feeler. The detection system according to the invention therefore comprises a monitoring device making it possible to effectively monitor its operation.

• un aimant positionné sur l'élément mobile;
• le circuit électronique de mesure qui comprend au moins un capteur magnétique agencé pour détecter un champ magnétique de l'aimant lui-même représentatif de la position dudit aimant.

Advantageously, the monitoring device comprises:

• a magnet positioned on the movable element;
• the electronic measurement circuit which comprises at least one magnetic sensor arranged to detect a magnetic field of the magnet itself representative of the position of said magnet.

Optionally, the mobile element is a portion of the return member.

Preferably, the return member is an elastic strip having one end rigidly fixed to the casing and, on the opposite end, one end forming the free end on which the magnet is positioned.

Advantageously, the magnet is fixed to a support fixed to the elastic blade so that the magnet extends close to the free end portion of the elastic blade and moves with it. Preferably, the electronic circuit further comprises processing means and transmission means.

Advantageously, the electronic circuit is fixed on a lid closing the case.

Optionally, the damping jack is a hydraulic jack comprising a hydraulic fluid, the system further comprising a temperature sensor arranged to measure the ambient temperature.

The invention also relates to a monitoring device for a detection system as previously described.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent on reading the following description of particular non-limiting embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

• [Fig. 1] la figure 1 représente une vue de dessus du système de détection selon l'invention.
• [Fig. 2] la figure 2 représente une vue de côté du système de détection illustré à la figure 1 et son positionnement par rapport à un rail d'une voie ferrée.
• [Fig. 3] la figure 3 représente une vue de l'architecture mécanique interne du système de détection illustré à la figure 1.
• [Fig. 4] la figure 4 est un schéma-bloc du circuit électronique de mesure du dispositif de surveillance du système de détection illustré à la figure 1.
• [Fig. 5] la figure 5 représente le montage du circuit électronique de mesure du dispositif de surveillance dans le couvercle du système de détection illustré à la figure 1.

The description of the invention refers to the accompanying drawings, among which:

• [ Fig. 1 ] there figure 1 shows a top view of the detection system according to the invention.
• [ Fig. 2 ] there figure 2 shows a side view of the detection system shown in figure 1 and its positioning relative to a rail of a railway track.
• [ Fig. 3 ] there picture 3 shows a view of the internal mechanical architecture of the detection system illustrated in figure 1 .
• [ Fig. 4 ] there figure 4 is a block diagram of the electronic measurement circuit of the monitoring device of the detection system illustrated in figure 1 .
• [ Fig. 5 ] there figure 5 shows the assembly of the electronic measurement circuit of the monitoring device in the cover of the detection system illustrated in figure 1 .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference to the figure 1 , the detection system 1 according to the invention comprises a housing 2 as well as a first feeler 3 and a second feeler 4 extending outside of the housing 2. The first feeler 3 and the second feeler 4 are generally shaped like a bent bar of circular section.

There picture 2 makes it possible to visualize the positioning of the detection system 1 relative to a rail 5 (here represented by a cross-sectional view) of a railway track. The detection system 1 is positioned in the vicinity of the rail 5 such that one end 3a of the first feeler 3 and one end 4a of the second feeler 4 face a head 5a of the rail 5.

With reference to the picture 3 , the contents of the box 2 forming the internal architecture of the detection system 1 will now be described.

The detection system 1 comprises a first rod 6 mounted in the casing 2 to extend and pivot along an axis X and a second rod 7 mounted in the casing 2 to extend and pivot along an axis Y, the axis X being parallel to the Y axis. In addition, the first rod 6 carries the first probe 3 and the second rod 7 carries the second probe 4 in such a way that a movement from top to bottom and from bottom to top of the probe 3, 4 causes a rotation of the rod 6, 7 and vice versa. Each rod is part of a mechanism for actuating contacts of an electric detection circuit known in itself (the rod moves for example a lever moving a contact of the electric circuit).

The detection system 1 further comprises a first return member 8 and a second return member 9. The first return member 8 is an elastic blade having an end 8b rigidly fixed to the case 2 and a free end portion 8a which bears against an arm 10.1 which extends perpendicularly to the first rod 6 and which is integral in rotation with the first rod 6. The second return member 9 is an elastic strip having one end 9b rigidly fixed to the case 2 and a free end portion 9a which bears against an arm 11.1 which extends perpendicular to the second rod 7 and which is integral in rotation with the second rod 7.

In addition, an arm 10.2 extends symmetrically to the arm 10.1 and has one end 10a which is connected to the rod of a piston of a first damping cylinder 12. An arm 11.2 extends symmetrically to the arm 11.1 and has one end 11a which is connected to the rod of a piston of a second damping cylinder 13. These oil damping cylinders are known per se and will not be further detailed here.

The operation of the detection system 1 will now be described.

There will be described here in particular the operation of a first kinematic chain of the detection system 1 which comprises the first feeler 3, the first rod 6, the first return member 8, the arms 10.1, 10.2 and the first cylinder of damping 12.

As described above, the first feeler 3 is in the high position opposite the head 5a of the rail 5: the contacts of the detection circuit are separated from each other and the detection circuit is open.

During the passage of a railway vehicle, the first feeler 3 will change position, between its high position and a low position, due to the passage of the wheels of the railway vehicle. The change of position between the high position and the low position of the first feeler 3 corresponds to a rotational movement of the first rod 6 along the axis X. Thus, the first rod 6 pivots around the axis X.

Consequently, the arm 10.1 will exert a force on the free end portion 8a of the first return member 8, and more precisely will cause the free end portion 8a to descend and thus elastically deform the first return member 8. same time, the arm 10.2 will pull, via its end 10a, on the piston rod of the first damping cylinder 12 to bring it out.

When the first feeler 3 is in the low position, the contacts of the detection circuit are brought closer together: the detection circuit is closed. The detection circuit can control the switching on of a traffic light, the emission of an alert in a railway traffic management station, etc.

When the passage of a wheel of a railway vehicle is completed, the free end portion 8a of the first return member 8 will return, under the effect of the elasticity of the first return member 8, to its initial position. by pressing on arm 10.1 to raise it. The first rod 6 will thus pivot around the axis X so that the first feeler 3 moves from the low position to the high position. At the same time, the arm 10.2 will push, via its end 10a, the piston rod of the first damping cylinder 12 to make it retract. The first damping cylinder 12 is thus arranged to slow down the rotational movement of the first rod 6 (from the low position to the high position of the first feeler 3). The first damping cylinder 12 therefore sets a duration of the rotational movement of the first rod 6 from the low position to the high position of the first feeler 3.

The operation of a second kinematic chain of the detection system 1 (which comprises the second feeler 4, the second rod 7 pivoting around the Y axis, the second return member 9, the arms 11.1, 11.2 and the second actuator damping 13) is obviously similar to what has just been described for the first kinematic chain of the detection system 1. In addition, the detection system 1 could obviously only include the first kinematic chain.

According to the invention, the detection system 1 further comprises a monitoring device 15 comprising an electronic measurement circuit 16 arranged to measure the position of a first movable element with the first rod 6 when the latter pivots between the high position and the low position of the first sensor 3. In the same way, the electronic measurement circuit 16 is arranged to measure the position of a second mobile element with the second rod 7 when the latter pivots between the high position and the low position of the second feeler 4.

• un premier aimant 17 positionné sur le premier élément mobile et un deuxième aimant 18 positionné sur le deuxième élément mobile. Le premier aimant 17 et le deuxième aimant 18 sont des aimants permanents.
• le circuit électronique de mesure 16 qui comprend un premier capteur magnétique 19 agencé pour détecter un champ magnétique du premier aimant 17 et un deuxième capteur magnétique 20 agencé pour détecter un champ magnétique du deuxième aimant 18.

Still with reference to the picture 3 and according to a particular embodiment of the invention, the monitoring device 15 comprises:

• a first magnet 17 positioned on the first mobile element and a second magnet 18 positioned on the second mobile element. The first magnet 17 and the second magnet 18 are permanent magnets.
• the electronic measurement circuit 16 which comprises a first magnetic sensor 19 arranged to detect a magnetic field of the first magnet 17 and a second magnetic sensor 20 arranged to detect a magnetic field of the second magnet 18.

Here and preferably, the first movable element is the free end portion 8a of the first return member 8 or an adjacent portion thereof and the second movable element is the free end portion 9a of the second return member 9 or an adjacent portion thereof. More specifically, the first magnet 17 is positioned on a support fixed to the first return member 8 to move with the free end portion 8a of said first return member 8; and the second magnet 18 is positioned on a support fixed to the second return member 9 to move with the free end portion 9a of said second return member 9.

où d₁₇ est la distance séparant le premier aimant 17 du première capteur magnétique 19 et a est une constante propre au premier capteur magnétique 19 (il en est de même pour le deuxième aimant 18 et le deuxième capteur 20).Here, the first magnetic sensor 19 is arranged to measure an intensity of the magnetic field of the first magnet 17 and the second magnetic sensor 20 is arranged to measure an intensity of the magnetic field of the second magnet 18, the intensity of the magnetic field being a function of the distance separating the magnet from the sensor. For example, here, the intensity I ₁₇ of the magnetic field of the first magnet 17 as measured by the first magnetic sensor 19 obeys the following relationship: $$I_{17}=\frac{1}{\mathrm{To}+d_{17}^2}$$

where d ₁₇ is the distance separating the first magnet 17 from the first magnetic sensor 19 and a is a constant specific to the first magnetic sensor 19 (the same is true for the second magnet 18 and the second sensor 20).

By way of example, the first magnetic sensor 19 and the second magnetic sensor 20 are Hall effect sensors.

The first magnet 17 and the first magnetic sensor 19 are therefore dedicated to the first kinematic chain of the detection system 1. Similarly, the second magnet 18 and the second magnetic sensor 20 are dedicated to the second kinematic chain of the detection system 1.

Here and preferably, the electronic measurement circuit 16 is fixed on a cover 14 closing the box 2 of the detection system 1. Advantageously, the first magnetic sensor 19 is positioned close to the first magnet 17 and the second magnetic sensor 20 is positioned close to the second magnet 18 when the return members 8, 9 are at rest.

The operation of the monitoring device 15 will now be described, focusing more particularly on the first kinematic chain of the detection system 1.

When a wheel of a railway vehicle passes the detection system 1, the first feeler 3 passes from the high position to the low position. Consequently, the arm 10.1 elastically deforms the first return member 8. The distance separating the first magnet 17 from the first magnetic sensor 19 will thus increase. The intensity of the magnetic field of the first magnet 17 measured by the first magnetic sensor 19 will therefore decrease.

When the passage of the wheel is finished, the free end portion 8a of the first return member 8 will return to its initial position by pressing on the arm 10.1. The distance separating the first magnet 17 from the first magnetic sensor 19 will thus decrease. The intensity of the magnetic field of the first magnet 17 measured by the first magnetic sensor 19 will therefore increase.

The intensity of the magnetic field of the first magnet 17 measured by the first magnetic sensor 19 will therefore vary between a maximum corresponding to the high position of the first probe 3 (the first magnet 17 is closest to the first magnetic sensor 19) and a minimum corresponding to the low position of the first feeler 3 (the first magnet 17 is furthest from the first magnetic sensor 19).

It should be noted that the operation of the second magnet 18 and the second magnetic sensor 20 dedicated to the second kinematic chain of the detection system 1 is similar to what has just been described for the first magnet 17 and the first magnetic sensor 19.

The first magnetic sensor 19 and the second magnetic sensor 20 produce electrical signals which are processed by processing means 16a of the electronic measurement circuit 16 to which they are connected.

With reference to the figure 4 , the electronic measurement circuit 16 comprises, in addition to the processing means 16a, transmission means 16b.

The processing means 16a are connected to the first magnetic sensor 19 and to the second magnetic sensor 20 and thus recover magnetic field intensity measurement data (from the first magnet 17 and from the second magnet 18). The processing means 16 comprises a processing component which is for example a microcontroller (in English, Microcontroller Unit - MCU), a processor, a digital signal processing processor or DSP (in English, Digital Signal Processor ) , a logic circuit programmable or FPGA (in English, Field Programmable Gate Array ) or even an application integrated circuit or ASIC (in English, Application-Specific Integrated Circuit ) .

The transmission means 16b are connected to the processing means 16a. The transmission means 16b thus recover processed magnetic field intensity measurement data in order to transmit them, for example, to a central monitoring station. Preferably, the transmission of the measurement data to the monitoring center is carried out via a wireless link. For example, the transmission processing means 16b comprise a radio frequency transmission component operating, by way of example, according to 4G or LoRa ( Long-Range ) technology or any other means of wired or wireless telecommunication.

Provision is also made for the transmission means 16b to further comprise a reception component radio frequency in order to receive any instructions from the monitoring station.

The electronic measurement circuit 16 is for example mounted on a PCB 21 (in English, Printed Circuit Board ) . Provision is also made for the electronic measurement circuit 16 to comprise means of power supply preferably via a power supply network running along the track (it is possible as a variant to provide an autonomous power supply via a battery or batteries).

With reference to the figure 5 , the PCB 21 is thus advantageously embedded in the cover 14 closing the case 2 of the detection system 1. In addition, the PCB 21 is fixed to the cover 14 via screws 14a. This makes it possible to easily equip an existing detection system by fixing the magnets on the elastic blades and by installing the electronic measurement circuit 16 directly in the existing cover 14, or by replacing the existing cover with a cover 14 pre-equipped with the circuit measuring electronics 16.

The monitoring device 15 thus makes it possible to measure the position of the first magnet 17 (respectively of the second magnet 18) which is representative of the position of the free end portion 8a of the first return member 8 (respectively of the end portion free 9a of the second return member 9), itself representative of the position of the first feeler 3 (respectively of the second feeler 4).

The monitoring device 15 also makes it possible to determine the breakage of a feeler from among the first feeler 3 and the second feeler 4. Indeed, if the first magnetic sensor 19 measures variations in the intensity of the magnetic field (of the first magnet 17 ) but that, at the same time, the second magnetic sensor 20 does not measure any variation in the intensity of the magnetic field (of the second magnet 18), it is possible to deduce that the second sensor 4 is broken. A maintenance operation will then have to be carried out to repair the second feeler 4.

The monitoring device 15 also makes it possible to measure successive variations in the intensity of the magnetic field (of the first magnet 17 and of the second magnet 18) linked to the successive passage of the wheels of a railway vehicle. By measuring a time difference between maxima and/or minima of the intensity of the magnetic field, the monitoring device 15 makes it possible to estimate the speed of movement of the rail vehicle (for example by having prior knowledge of the longitudinal spacing of the wheels of railway vehicles using the track).

The monitoring device 15 also makes it possible to measure variations in the intensity of the magnetic field of the first magnet 17 (respectively of the second magnet 18) which are representative of a speed of the rotational movement of the first rod 6 (respectively of the second rod 7) between the high position and the low position of the first feeler 3 (respectively of the second feeler 4). This makes it possible in particular to determine the state of wear, and in particular the quality of the hydraulic fluid, of the first damping cylinder 12 (respectively of the second damping cylinder 13). For example, if the variations measured (by the first magnetic sensor 19) of the intensity of the magnetic field (of the first magnet 17), when the first rod 6 pivots from the low position to the high position of the first feeler 3, are very fast, it is possible to deduce that the first damping cylinder 12 requires a maintenance operation.

As described above, the first damping cylinder 12 and the second damping cylinder 13 are hydraulic cylinders. It is therefore provided that the detection system 1 according to the invention further comprises a temperature sensor (not shown) arranged to measure an ambient temperature. In fact, the viscosity of hydraulic fluid of the first damping cylinder 12 and of the second damping cylinder 13 being correlated with the temperature: it follows that the damping dynamic depends on the temperature. The temperature sensor is for example connected to the processing means 16a of the electronic measurement circuit 16 (or directly connected to the transmission means 16b of the electronic measurement circuit 16) so that temperature measurement data are transmitted, for example , to the central monitoring station. It is thus possible to correlate the hydraulic fluid temperature measurement data with the magnetic field intensity measurement data (of the first magnet 17 and of the second magnet 18).

• un état d'usure (notamment la qualité du fluide hydraulique) du premier vérin d'amortissement 12 et du deuxième vérin d'amortissement 13 ;
• l'état du premier palpeur 3 et du deuxième palpeur 4, et notamment une condition de casse ;
• la vitesse de déplacement d'un véhicule ferroviaire.

The invention is particularly advantageous because the monitoring device 15 makes it possible to monitor with simplicity and reliability the operation of the detection system 1 and in particular to determine remotely and in real time:

• a state of wear (in particular the quality of the hydraulic fluid) of the first damping cylinder 12 and of the second damping cylinder 13;
• the state of the first feeler 3 and of the second feeler 4, and in particular a breakage condition;
• the speed of movement of a rail vehicle.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments described but encompasses any variant falling within the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

Here and advantageously, the first rod 6 is in one piece with the first feeler 3. Similarly, the second rod 7 is in one piece with the second feeler 4. Nevertheless, the first rod 6 could be a separate part from the first feeler 3 and the second rod 7 could be a separate part from the second feeler 4.

In addition, the first return member 8 and the second return member 9 are not necessarily elastic blades but could for example be helical springs mounted vertically.

In addition, the detection system 1 could only include the first kinematic chain, that is to say only the first feeler 3, the first rod 6, the first return member 8, the arm 10.1, the arm 10.2 and the first damping cylinder 12.

It has been described here that the first movable element (with the first rod 6) and the second movable element (with the second rod 7) are respectively the free end portion 8a of the first return member 8 and the end portion free 9a of the second return member 9 but this is not limiting. For example, the first mobile element and the second mobile element could respectively be a portion of the arm 10.1 and a portion of the arm 11.1.

An electronic measurement circuit 16 has been described here which comprises a first magnetic sensor arranged to detect the magnetic field of a first magnet and a second magnetic sensor arranged to detect the magnetic field of a second magnet. However, the electronic measurement circuit 16 could comprise only one magnetic sensor arranged to measure the magnetic field of both the first magnet and the second magnet.

In addition, in the case where the detection system 1 comprises only the first element chain (that is to say a single feeler, a single rod, a single return member, a single arm and a single damper damping), it is provided that the monitoring device 15 preferably comprises a single magnet and a single magnetic sensor.

Furthermore, the implementation of the monitoring device 15 of the detection system 1 as described above is not limiting.

The monitoring device 15 could for example comprise a first eddy current sensor arranged to measure the deformation of the first return member 8 and a second eddy current sensor arranged to measure the deformation of the second return member 9. The deformation of each of the return members 8, 9 is respectively representative of the position of the feelers 3, 4. The first eddy current sensor and the second eddy current sensor could for example be advantageously mounted on the PCB 21 (and connected to means processing 16a of the electronic measurement circuit 16) so that said first eddy current sensor is positioned in the vicinity of the first return member 8 and that said second eddy current sensor is positioned in the vicinity of the second return member 9 The use of an eddy current sensor in particular does not require positioning a magnet on each of the return members of the detection system.

The monitoring device 15 could also comprise a first strain gauge and a second strain gauge respectively positioned on the first return member 8 and on the second return member 9. The deformation of each of the return members 8, 9 is respectively representative of the position of feelers 3, 4.

It is possible to do without a temperature sensor while still being able to measure the damping dynamics if localized temperature measurement from a meteorological sensor is available.

The detection circuit may be different from that described.

Claims (9)

Presence detection system (1) of a railway vehicle, comprising a housing (2), a feeler (3) outside the housing, at least one rod (6) which carries the feeler and which is mounted in the housing for pivoting about a longitudinal axis (X) between a high position and a low position of the sensor, a damping cylinder (12) arranged to slow down a rotational movement of the rod from the low position to the high position, a return member (8) resting against an arm (10) integral in rotation with the rod, characterized in that the system further comprises a monitoring device (15) comprising an electronic circuit (16) for measuring a position of a movable element with the rod when the latter pivots between the two positions. A system according to claim 1, wherein the monitoring device (15) comprises: - a magnet (17) positioned on the movable element; - the electronic measurement circuit (16) comprising at least one magnetic sensor (19) arranged to detect a magnetic field of the magnet itself representative of the position of said magnet. System according to Claim 2, in which the movable element is a portion of the return member (8). System according to Claim 3, in which the return member (8) is an elastic strip having an end portion (8b) rigidly fixed to the casing and a free end portion (8a), the magnet (17) being thus positioned in the vicinity of the free end portion of the elastic blade. System according to Claim 4, in which the magnet (17) is fixed to a support fixed to the elastic blade so that the magnet extends in the vicinity of the free end portion of the elastic blade and moves with that -this. System according to one of the preceding claims, in which the electronic measurement circuit (16) further comprises processing means (16a) and transmission means (16b). System according to the preceding claim, in which the electronic measurement circuit (16) is fixed to a cover (14) closing the case (2). System according to one of the preceding claims, in which the damping jack (12) is a hydraulic jack comprising a hydraulic fluid, the system further comprising a temperature sensor arranged to measure an ambient temperature. Monitoring device (15) for a detection system according to one of the preceding claims.

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