EP2358576B1 - Retractable step arrangement for a rail vehicle - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a Schiebetrittanordnung for a rail vehicle with a fastened to a car body of the rail vehicle housing having a housing opening and a tread, which is movably mounted in a starting position in the housing and extendable through the housing opening from the starting position in an extension in at least one end position and from the at least one end position opposite to the direction of extension is retractable into the starting position, wherein the Schiebetrittanordnung has at least one means for preventing freezing of the tread. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for controlling a corresponding Schiebetrittanordnung and a rail vehicle with such a Schiebetrittanordnung. A corresponding Schiebetrittanordnung, a corresponding method and a corresponding rail vehicle are for example from the EP 1 386 817 A known.

Schiebetrittanordnungen, as for example from the DE 10 2005 057 901 A1 are known in which a tread from a cassette, hereinafter referred to as housing, can be extended, are used in rail vehicles, on the one hand to ensure the operation of lower platform heights and on the other hand, the gap at greater platform heights between the car body of the rail vehicle and the platform minimize. Often is within the car body for the structural integration of the Schiebetrittanordnung not sufficient Space available, which is why the housing is mounted with the movable tread in this case under the car body.

The problem with the arrangement of a Schiebetrittanordnung below the car body, ie in the outdoor area, which is generally inadequate winter performance, especially during operation of the rail vehicle in regions where temperatures of -40 ° C or less occur, for example, in Scandinavia in winter.

A lack of winter suitability is evidenced by the fact that the mechanism exposed to the low temperatures of the Schiebetrittanordnung, which moves the tread between the starting position and the end position, is at least difficult to move through snow and ice and often even freezes.

For this reason, fixed treads are usually mounted on rail vehicles used under these conditions. However, these are on the one hand a little comfortable, but on the other hand, from the safety point of concern because with such a module, the limited vehicle limit is exceeded by a certain amount, which is why approvals for such a construction by the appropriate approval authority issued only temporary.

From the DE 20 2006 017 930 U1 Furthermore, a loading ramp of a bus is known, the upper side of which is provided with a heating mat in order to keep the ramp free of ice under wintry conditions. The ramp can be retracted after use in the interior of the bus, where it forms part of the floor. Also, this technique is not suitable, the winter suitability of a Sliding step arrangement in a rail vehicle, which is arranged below the car body and the ambient conditions is fully exposed, always to ensure.

From the EP 1 386 818 A is known a Schiebetrittanordnung with a heater for the tread.

From the DE 43 41 134 A1 is known as a measure against icing a scraper.

It is therefore the object of the present invention to develop a Schiebetrittanordnung of the type mentioned so that the winter performance is always guaranteed even under extreme conditions.

The previously derived and indicated object is achieved according to a first teaching of the present invention in a Schiebetrittanordnung of the type mentioned in that a drive device having a stepping motor driving motor and a motor control, is provided, wherein the drive means is designed such that the deliverable by the engine power in a first portion of the travel is higher than in a subsequent second section.
The tread may be provided with rollers which may be mounted in the housing on corresponding rails, which may have a semi-circular cross-section. The tread can be moved via a toothed belt connected to the motor. It is also conceivable that the motor has an active brake, the tread at least in its fully extended position, the means in its final position, clamped by the motor is energized.

By the deliverable by the engine to the tread power from the drive means is provided so that it is initially relatively high and is lowered to a standard value, the travel is therefore divided into at least two sections with a different deliverable engine power, a powerful approach of reached movable step. Adhesive ice, snow or hare are thus easily broken, so that the tread does not block even in extremely wintry conditions. The motor is preferably an electric motor, as it is relatively cold-sensitive and can also be controlled in a simple manner. In principle, however, another motor, for example a pneumatic or hydraulic drive, would also be conceivable.

The subdivision of the travel path into at least two sections, in which the deliverable from the engine to the tread power is different, is realized in the drive device according to the invention for the case of extending the tread and / or in the case of retraction of the tread. Consequently, the first portion may be a portion of the travel path during the extension of the tread from the starting position, wherein the portion preferably extends from the starting position towards the at least one end position. In other words, when the movable tread is extended out of the housing in case of need, in particular as a result of an increased resistance to escape in the event of blockage by snow or ice, the engine initially delivers an increased power, which is then reduced back to the standard size for the rest of the travel. In addition or as an alternative, the first section can also be a section of the travel path during retraction of the tread out of the at least one end position, wherein the section preferably extends in the direction of the starting position starting from the at least one end position. In other words, in this case, even with an extended tread, which is retracted after a certain time, first in case of need, especially as a result of increased entry resistance in blockade by snow or ice, implemented a higher performance with the aim of a powerful approach the tread while the power is then reduced again. In both cases, ie both during extension and during retraction, the second section preferably directly adjoins the first section.

In order to safely break adhering ice and thus to reliably prevent blocking of the tread during extension or retraction, the length of the first section, in which the power is increased, does not need more than half of the total traversing path, according to one embodiment of the sliding tread arrangement according to the invention. So the way between the starting position and the respective end position, amount. In particular, the length of the first section is less than 30%, preferably less than 25% of the travel path. It is conceivable that the length of the first section when extending the tread is greater than when entering the tread, since the tread is usually exposed to the extreme winter conditions in the retracted state longer than in the extended state. To extend - compared to retracting - is therefore safe to break the ice preferably a longer section with increased engine power necessary.

The drive device, which can be arranged at least partially inside the car body of the rail vehicle, in particular in an area protected from environmental influences, for example moisture and / or low temperatures, can be embodied in different ways in order to produce the effect of higher power in a first section and a relatively lower performance at a subsequent second section. On the one hand, it is conceivable that the engine control, which is part of the drive device, is designed such that the power deliverable by the engine is higher in the first section of the travel path than in the second section. For this purpose, the engine control system may comprise, for example, a computer which is provided with a program that controls the power deliverable by the engine depending on the position of the tread relative to the starting position and / or at least one end position. The motor can also be designed mechanically such that the deliverable power in the first section is higher than in the second section. For example, the engine has a transmission that changes the ratio or reduction automatically depending on the position of the tread relative to the starting position or at least one end position.

Preferably, the Schiebetrittanordnung is arranged under the car body, that the first portion of the travel, in which the increased power is delivered, seen from the Wagenkastenmitte maximum up to the outer vehicle boundary line, so not on the car body to the outside, for example in the direction of Platform, protruding. Beyond the vehicle boundary line then preferably begins the second section, in which the engine transmits a lower power to the tread. In the second section, the engine then works again with the preset standard values.

In order to avoid icing of the individual components and the mechanism, according to a further embodiment of the Schiebetrittanordnung invention, a heater may be provided on or in the housing and / or on, preferably below, the tread, in particular immediately below the tread surface of the Triffstufe, is arranged. Preferably, the heating device is also coupled to a temperature sensor which measures, for example, the outside temperature and / or the inside temperature of the housing at predetermined intervals and if necessary sends a control signal to a corresponding control device which controls the heating device.

According to a further embodiment of the Schiebetrittanordnung invention, the motor controller is designed such that the tread moves after a predetermined period of time from the at least one end position, ie from an extended state, in the starting position. So it is conceivable that for longer stays on the platform with shared doors - and thus with extended treads - retract the treads after a certain time, the door release but preferably maintained. When a door is opened again by a passenger first drives out the corresponding tread, then the door opens. An advantage is that the tread is less occupied by snow and a larger part of the Heating heat remains inside the housing. In addition, in this way, the tread repeatedly in motion, which in total counteracts the risk of icing. It would also be conceivable, for counteracting the risk of icing, to extend and retract the tread at regular intervals during the drive and / or in the idle state of the vehicle, at least for a short period of time. The latter could also be implemented programmatically in the engine control and triggered automatically. For safety reasons, the temporary extension of the tread could also take place only in the first section and / or only up to the vehicle boundary line, thereby ensuring that the treads do not unintentionally protrude beyond the vehicle boundary line to the outside.

The engine control can work, for example via a corresponding software, also path-dependent and / or temperature-dependent. Thus, it is conceivable that different control modes can be used depending on the distance traveled by the rail vehicle and / or depending on the outside temperature. For example, in a way dependency, a first control mode could be provided for a first platform at a first breakpoint of the rail vehicle and one or more further control modes for one or more further platforms at further breakpoints of the rail vehicle, wherein the control modes are in the definition of the maximum end position distinguish the extended step. Thus, at the first platform on which the rail vehicle stops, it may be provided that the step when moving out covers a different travel path than would be the case with another platform. At a Temperature-dependent control could additionally or alternatively be provided that one or more of the provided means for preventing freezing of the tread, in particular the drive means and / or the heater, only at a certain temperature, for example, only at a temperature of less than 4 ° C. the inventive way to be controlled.

According to yet another embodiment, an obstacle detection device is provided in the Schiebetrittanordnung invention, which may be part of the drive device. The obstacle recognition device can be designed such that it recognizes a platform and / or another obstacle, for example an object, in particular also distinguishes and reacts differently to this type of obstacle. Preferably, the drive means and / or motor control of the Schiebetrittanordnung is designed so that when after a fixed travel traversing a sudden resistance occurs, it is assumed that the resistance is caused by the contact of the tread with a platform and, accordingly, the position in which the tread is then or after a reversal of, for example, a few millimeters or centimeters, is detected as the end position. Furthermore, it is conceivable that, when a resistance already occurs earlier when the tread is extended, that is to say when the travel path is shorter than the predetermined travel, it is assumed that the resistance is caused by an undesired obstacle. This assumption can be made immediately after the first detection of an increased resistance or later after a possibly repeated reversing and restarting respectively. Furthermore, it would be conceivable that after the detection that it is an unwanted obstacle, the tread at least partially, in particular completely, in the direction of its initial position zurückfährt (reversed). The length of the set Verfahrweqes is preferably preset in the engine control. As soon as then detects an undesirable obstacle as such and a corresponding fault message or a corresponding fault signal has been generated, it can further be provided that the Schiebetrittanordnung associated vehicle door, which automatically opens in the normal case with extended Schiebetritt is at least temporarily blocked in its closed position. Such a blockage could then be removed, for example, by re-extending the tread after removal of the obstacle and / or by manually extending the tread and / or by manually releasing the vehicle door.

Preferably, the obstacle detection device has a sensor which is designed such that it can detect an obstacle, in particular a platform, and transmit a detection signal to the Motcrsteuerung. The sensor can be an optical sensor, which is arranged in particular on the tread, or a power sensor, preferably a current detector, which is in particular a component of the drive device, for example the motor control. By a power sensor is meant a sensor which detects a change in the power supplied to the motor, for example in the form of an occurring current change, in particular when a defined current threshold is exceeded. A corresponding change in performance is recognized, for example, when the step at KR / hk 081041EP a movement along the travel path encounters an obstacle. The motor control can then stop and, if necessary, reverse the step, that is to say reverse the direction of movement, on the basis of the detection signal.

Thus, it is conceivable that the motor control is configured so that the tread, as soon as it encounters a platform and this touches reversed, that is moved in the opposite direction, for example by 10 to 60 mm, preferably 30 to 40 mm. As a result, the step does not touch the edge of the platform when the door is released, which is advantageous because vehicle movements inevitably occur when the passenger changes. Reversing is also advantageous in the case of another obstacle since any obstacle is not trapped and can be removed after reversing. The reversing can be done both when extending and when retracting the tread when the obstacle detection device detects an obstacle.

Preferably, the motor control is designed such that the tread upon extension depending on a detection of an obstacle, preferably depending on the type and / or size of the resistor, either in a first end position, which corresponds to the maximum extension distance, or in a second end position is moved , which is arranged between the first end position and the starting position. It is also conceivable that, preferably for a certain period of time, the tread or the engine is stopped. After the period of time, the engine is started again, in the case of re-detection of the obstacle, the tread or the engine is then eventually finally stopped. If necessary, a fault display for the railway personnel can then be generated become. If the engine control would detect a platform, then the tread would not be moved to the first, but in the second end position during extension, which corresponds to the position of the tread after a reversal of, for example, 40 mm after hitting the platform. In the case of only a small obstacle, the tread, if the obstacle was removed by the temporary stop and / or reversing, could be moved further into the first end position or, on retraction, further into the starting position.

Preferably, the obstacle detection device, in particular the sensor sensitized differently in each first section of the travel than in the second section, for example, such that despite an increased resistance at the beginning of the extension or retraction, ie at the beginning of the first section of the process path, this not is classified as an obstacle, but obstacle detection must be an even higher resistance. In principle, it would also be conceivable that the obstacle detection device or the sensor is deactivated in the first section. This ensures that icing is not erroneously recognized as an obstacle and that the step is not inadvertently stopped despite increased power to be applied, such as increased current. Corresponding resistance limit values of different heights can be stored in the engine control or obstacle detection device.

According to yet another embodiment of the invention Schiebetrittanordnung a brush on the housing, in particular above the tread, is arranged touched the tread, at least during the extension and preferably occupies the entire width of the tread transverse to the extension direction. Such a brush has the advantage that any ice or snow particles still adhering to the tread surface are stripped off the tread, in particular the tread, during the running-in process. At the same time, the brush can also serve as a seal between housing and tread, especially in the starting position of the tread.

A separate seal is provided according to a further embodiment, in particular below the tread, but also at other locations in the region between the housing opening and the tread. The seal seals the housing in the region of the housing opening in the starting position and / or in the at least one end position and preferably occupies the entire width of the tread transversely to the extension direction. The seal, which may be a preferably elastic plastic strip or rubber lip, may be disposed on the housing and / or on the tread.

According to yet another embodiment of the sliding step arrangement according to the invention, a drain opening is provided, preferably below the tread. Through this drainage pebbles, for example, from the litter material, and / or thawed by the heater melt water or moisture penetrated downwards escape. For maintenance work, an inspection flap can be provided in the lower part of the housing.

In order to further prevent the icing of the individual components and the mechanism moving the step, the housing can also be provided with insulating material. For example, insulating mats can be attached to the bottom and / or top of the housing, for example by gluing.

The object is further achieved according to a second teaching of the present invention in a method for controlling a Schiebetrittanordnung, preferably a Schiebetrittanordnung of the type described above, characterized in that the drive means sets the power delivered by the engine in a first portion of the travel path higher than in a subsequent second section.

By the method according to the invention it is achieved that at the beginning of the extension and / or retraction movement of the tread broken by the higher output engine power to the components of the Schiebetrittanordnung adhering ice and adhering snow, etc., and thereby blocking the tread can be prevented. In this way, the winter suitability of the Schiebetrittanordnung is ensured with simple means even under extreme conditions.

Finally, the object is achieved according to a third teaching of the present invention by a rail vehicle with a Schiebetrittanordnung of the type described above.

Fig. 1

eine perspektivische Ansicht einer Schiebetrittanordnung für ein Schienenfahrzeug und

Fig. 2a) und b)

eine Schnittansicht der Schiebetrittanordnung in einer Endlage bzw. einer Ausgangslage.

There are now a variety of ways to design and further develop the Schiebetrittanordnung invention, the inventive method and the rail vehicle according to the invention. Reference is made, for example, on the one hand to the claims subordinate to claim 1, on the other hand, on the Description of an embodiment in conjunction with the drawing. In the drawing shows:

Fig. 1

a perspective view of a Schiebetrittanordnung for a rail vehicle and

Fig. 2a) and b)

a sectional view of the Schiebetrittanordnung in an end position or a starting position.

In Fig. 1 is shown - schematically - a Schiebetrittanordnung 1 for a rail vehicle, which has a on a car body (not shown) attachable housing 2 with a front housing opening 2a. Further, a tread 3 is provided which is movably mounted in a starting position I in the housing 2. In the present case, the starting point I, which is also in Fig. 2b ) is shown, the position in which the tread 3 is fully retracted into the housing 2.

The step 3 is through the housing opening 2a from the initial position I in the extension direction A in a first, maximum end position II and, if necessary, after a reversion due to an obstacle in a further end position II ', which is disposed between the first end position II and the starting position I. is, extendable. Accordingly, the tread 3 in the opposite direction from the respective end position II or II 'in the starting position I retractable.

A drive device 4, which in Fig. 1 is shown only schematically, has a tread 3 driving electric motor 5 and a motor controller. 6 on. The drive device 4 is a means for preventing the freezing of the tread 3 and is designed such that the deliverable from the motor 5 to the tread 3 performance when extending the tread 3 in a first section a of the travel X higher than in a subsequent second section b is. At the same time, the drive device 4 is designed in such a way that the power that can be output by the motor 5 during retraction is also higher in a first section a 'of the travel path X than in a subsequent second section b'.

Furthermore, an obstacle detection device 7 is provided as part of the drive device 4, which in Fig. 1 also shown only schematically. The obstacle detection device 7 has a designed as a current detector sensor 8, which is designed so that it can detect an obstacle, such as a platform, due to an increased applied power when touched by the tread 3 and transmit a detection signal to the motor controller 6. The motor controller 6 then stops the tread 3 before it can reach the first end position II, and reverses this by 40 mm until it reaches the second end position II '.

The components 4 to 8, in particular the sensor 8 are arranged in the presently illustrated schematic representation in the extension of the housing 2, but are advantageously housed independently of the housing 2 in the interior of the car body of the rail vehicle, whereby they do not affect the environment, in particular the relative low temperatures compared to Wagenkasteninnern, are exposed.

The FIGS. 2a) and b) also show the Schiebetrittanordnung 1, this time in a sectional view. The step 3 is in Fig. 2a ) in the outer end position II, whereas Fig. 2b ) the starting position I shows.

In the FIGS. 2a) and b) is further as a further means for preventing the freezing of the tread 3, a heater 9 in the form of heating mats in the interior of the housing 2 immediately below the tread 3 or of the tread surface forming corrugated metal sheet of the tread 3 recognizable.

A brush 10 is mounted above the tread 3 on the housing 2 so that it constantly touches during retraction and extension of the tread 3 and thus simultaneously cleans.

Furthermore, two seals 11a and 11b are provided which seal the housing 2 both in the end position II and in the starting position I.

A provided at the bottom of the housing 2 drain opening 12 allows moisture, melt water and dirt can flow away automatically.

Insulating material 13 in the form of insulating mats, which are arranged below in the housing 2 below the tread 3, provide optimum thermal insulation of the housing. 2

Furthermore, in the FIGS. 1 and 2 Fasteners 14 are shown in the form of spacers which allow mounting on the carbody (not shown) in a manner such that the sliding tread assembly 1 is spaced from the underside of the car body.

Finally, the sliding step 3, which is also in the FIGS. 1 and 2 is shown, at its front end in the extension direction A extending over the entire width of the sliding step 3 bead 15, which here has the function of an Anstoßdämpfers and is integrally formed on the frontal rubber seal 11a.

Claims (17)

1. A retractable step arrangement (1) for a rail vehicle

   - with a housing (2) that can be fastened to a car body of the rail vehicle and has a housing opening (2a) and

   - with a step (3) that is movably supported in the housing (2) in an initial position (I), wherein said step can be extended through the housing opening (2a) from the initial position (I) into at least one final position (II, II') in an extending direction (A) and retracted from the at least one final position (II, II') into the initial position (I) opposite to the extending direction (A),

   wherein the retractable step arrangement (1) features at least one means (4, 9, 10, 11a, 11b, 12, 13) for preventing the step (3) from becoming frozen in place,
   characterized in that a drive unit (4) featuring a motor (5) that drives the step (3) and a motor control (6) is provided, wherein the drive unit (4) is realized in such a way that the power that can be outputted by the motor (5) is higher in a first section (a, a') of the displacement path (X) than in a subsequent second section (b, b').
2. The retractable step arrangement (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that a heating device (9) is provided and arranged on or in the housing (2) and/or on the step (3), preferably underneath the step.
3. The retractable step arrangement (1) according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a brush (10) is arranged on the housing (2), particularly above the step (3), wherein said brush contacts the step (3) at least during the extension thereof and preferably extends over the entire width of the step (3) transverse to the extending direction (A).
4. The retractable step arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a seal (11a, 11b) is provided, wherein said seal seals the housing (2) in the region of the housing opening (2a) and preferably extends over the entire width of the step (3) transverse to the extending direction (A).
5. The retractable step arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a drainage opening (12) is provided in the housing (2), preferably underneath the step (3).
6. The retractable step arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing (2) is provided with insulating material (13).
7. The retractable step arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first section is a section (a) of the displacement path (X) during the extension of the step from the initial position (I), wherein the section (a) preferably begins at the initial position (I) and extends in the direction of the at least one final position (II, II').
8. The retractable step arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first section is a section (a') of the displacement path (X) during the retraction of the step (3) from the at least one final position (II, II'), wherein the section (a') preferably begins at the at least one final position (II, II') and extends in the direction of the initial position (I).
9. The retractable step arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the length of the first section (a, a') amounts to less than 50%, particularly less than 30%, preferably less than 25%, of the displacement path (X) during the extension and/or retraction of the step (3).
10. The retractable step arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the motor control (6) is realized in such a way that the power outputted by the motor (5) is higher in the first section (a, a') of the displacement path (X) than in the second section (b, b').
11. The retractable step arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the motor control (6) is realized in such a way that the step (3) retracts from the at least one final position (II, II') into the initial position (I) after a predefined time period elapses.
12. The retractable step arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an obstacle detection device (7) is provided, that particularly forms part of the drive unit (4).
13. The retractable step arrangement (1) according to Claim 12, characterized in that the obstacle detection device (7) features a sensor (8) that is realized in such a way that it can detect an obstacle, particularly a platform, and transmit a detection signal to the motor control (6).
14. The retractable step arrangement (1) according to Claim 13, characterized in that the sensor (8) is an optical sensor that is arranged, in particular, on the step (3) or a power sensor, preferably a current detector, that particularly forms part of the drive unit (4).
15. The retractable step arrangement (1) according to one of Claims 12 to 14, characterized in that the motor control (6) is realized in such a way that the step (3) is during its extension either moved into a first final position (II) corresponding to the maximum extending width or into a second final position (II') arranged between the first final position (II) and the initial position (I) or preferably stopped for a predefined time period in dependence on the detection of an obstacle.
16. A method for controlling a retractable step arrangement (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the drive unit (4) adjusts a higher power outputted by the motor (5) in a first section (a, a') of the displacement path (X) than in a subsequent second section (b, b').
17. A rail vehicle with a retractable step arrangement (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 15.

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