EP3816014A1 - Device and method for detecting geometrical data of a track formed from two rails with a frame movable on the track - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device and a method for acquiring geometric data of a track formed from two rails with a frame that can be moved on the track. These are intended to simplify and accelerate the calibration of measuring tracks for rail vehicles. According to the invention, this is achieved in a device-oriented manner in that the device has a first and a second measuring device carrier (3, 4), each held on the frame, as well as means for aligning at least one of the two measuring device carriers with respect to one of the two rails (1 , 2), each measuring device carrier (3, 4) having a console (5) which has a first detachable receiving device (51) for a leveling staff (6) and a second detachable receiving device (52) for a laser beam having arranged reflector element (7).

Description

The invention relates to a device and a method for acquiring geometric data of a track formed from two rails with a frame that can be moved on the track.

Workshops in which rail vehicles are newly manufactured or maintained often have so-called "measuring tracks" on which the rail vehicles are measured. In contrast to the mainline tracks on which the rail vehicles run in productive operation, such measuring tracks are classified as test equipment and are therefore subject to increased requirements with regard to their geometric features, such as evenness, straightness, parallelism and track width. In order to reliably adhere to the required small tolerances, measuring tracks must therefore be regularly checked and calibrated by measuring technology. This is time-consuming and labor-intensive when using conventional measuring technology. For example, to check the evenness deviations, the height of each rail in the area of each rail fastening (ie at a distance of approximately 0.6 m - 0.9 m along the rail) must be recorded with a leveling device. Two people are required to carry out such a measurement. This is followed by measurements with gauge measuring devices and coordinate measuring devices to record the straightness and parallelism of both rails.
Numerous devices for measuring the various geometric parameters of a track are known from the prior art, the aim of which is to make a plurality of different parameters measurable using only a single device and in this way to simplify and accelerate the measuring processes . For example, reveal DD 265 189 A1 and DE 20 2014 004 017 U1 Frame racks which can be moved on the track and which carry a plurality of sensors or feelers for measuring various geometric features of a track (such as the height of the arrow, the track width, as well as transverse and longitudinal inclinations). However, these devices do not achieve the measuring accuracies required for the measurement of measuring tracks and are therefore only used for the metrological checking of conventional track tracks suitable. The same goes for that out DE 1 950 807 A Known method for leveling a track, in which by means of a measuring car, which is designed as a frame movable on the track, a reference line between the measuring car and a jug leveling machine or a further front car arranged between the measuring car and the jug leveling machine is spanned, which can be used to correct the height of a sleeper at the location of the jug leveling machine. For this purpose, a measuring stick is set up on the measuring car with which the height deviations of the track sleeper relative to the reference line can be determined.

To simplify the labor-intensive and time-consuming surveying work on the aforementioned "measuring tracks", the use of laser trackers was therefore considered, by means of which the spatial coordinates of measuring points or reflector elements arranged along the measuring track can be recorded. One possible approach to simplifying and accelerating the measurement process is therefore to use a laser tracker with integrated leveling. In practice, however, it has been found that with measuring range lengths of at least 30 meters, as can typically be achieved when checking and calibrating a measuring track, these do not comply with the maximum permissible measuring uncertainty prescribed in the standards. In addition, changes in the ambient temperature, which cannot be prevented in the operational environment of measuring tracks even during the measuring and calibration process, have a very negative effect on the stability of the object coordinate system (so-called "device drift"). The use of laser trackers with integrated leveling for the calibration of measuring tracks has therefore proven to be unsuitable. Another major disadvantage is that there are neither standards nor a standard for calibrating laser trackers. Thus, a leveled measurement carried out by means of a laser tracker cannot be traced back. However, the suitability of a measuring track for carrying out conformity assessments requires that the correctness of the measurement results obtained by means of this measuring track is ensured. Thus, according to the state of the art, the use of a laser tracker for measurements on which later conformity assessments are based is excluded.

The invention is therefore based on the object of providing a device and a method for acquiring geometric data of a track formed from two rails with a frame movable on the track, which make it possible to simplify and accelerate the calibration of measuring tracks for rail vehicles. In particular, the use of laser trackers for the acquisition of geometric data of a measuring track should be made possible.

This is achieved according to the invention in a device-oriented manner in that the device comprises a first and a second measuring device carrier, each held on the frame, as well as means for aligning at least one of the two measuring device carriers with respect to one of the two rails, each measuring device carrier has a console which has a first detachable receiving device for a leveling rod and a second detachable receiving device for a reflector element set up to reflect a laser beam. Such a leveling staff and such a reflector element form the target marks of two different measuring systems, by means of which - in a manner known per se - geometric measured values or coordinates at the respective location occupied by the target mark can be determined. Thus, both the leveling staff and the reflector element represent a measuring means within the meaning of the present invention. The invention enables the integration of both - known per se - measuring methods on a common console of the same measuring device, so that the measuring track to be calibrated can be measured in a simple manner using both methods, without any modifications to the measuring device being necessary for this. In the context of this invention, a detachable receiving device is to be understood as any receiving device in which the measuring means can be mounted or dismantled on the console or the measuring means carrier by means of simple handling means. In this way, the invention enables the correlation of a first traceable measuring system, based on the use of a leveling rod, with a second, per se non-traceable measuring system, based on the use of a laser tracker, and thus enables a traceable measurement by correlating the two measuring systems using a laser tracker. The first receiving device for the leveling staff is preferably designed as an essentially horizontal support surface, while the second receiving device is designed for the reflector element according to a preferred embodiment in the form of a spherical or concave recess or recess, which is designed to receive a likewise spherical reflector element. In this way, a measuring device carrier with a common reference base for two different measuring systems is provided, which integrates the two measuring systems, namely the measuring system of the laser tracker and the measuring system of the level, in a common device of the generic type for acquiring the geometric data of the measuring track made possible, so that any erroneous measured values of the first measuring system (laser tracker) can be correlated by means of the measured data of the second measuring system (leveling) and can thus be subjected to a correction. In addition, such an integration of the target marks of both measuring systems on a common console of the same measuring device carrier accelerates and simplifies the data acquisition as such, since the target marks can be moved quickly and easily over the measuring track by means of the frame movable on the rails. In this way, the invention enables a quasi-continuous measurement, with which a significantly higher measuring point density and thus also a significantly higher information content can be realized without increasing the time and personnel expenditure than when using conventional measuring methods. In addition, the measurement data determined with a device according to the invention enable the evaluation of additional features derived from the measurement data, such as the twisting of the track, for wheel contact lengths of almost any length.

In addition, at least one of the two measuring device carriers has means for aligning it with respect to one of the two rails of the measuring track. The device according to the invention can be designed according to a first variant in such a way that the two measuring means carriers can be displaced independently of one another relative to the frame and can each be aligned on one of the two rails. According to a second and particularly preferred embodiment, however, it is provided that the first measuring device carrier is held on the frame in such a way that when the device is used as intended (ie when the frame is correctly placed on the rails of the measuring track) it is directly on a first rail of the measuring track is directed. Thus, it is sufficient to use the alignment means only for the second measuring means carrier to be provided. In both embodiment variants, the alignment means are designed such that the measuring means carrier is aligned along a first direction that extends at right angles to the longitudinal axes of both rails, and along a second direction that is at right angles and perpendicular to this Running surface or surface of the rail head of the first and / or second rail is directed.
For measurement by means of the leveling system, a leveling device is provided, which is placed in a known manner on the rail to be measured at a predetermined distance from the device according to the invention and is aligned with the leveling staff. The leveling device is thus - taken by itself - not part of the invention claimed here. For measurement by means of the laser tracker, a laser tracker positioned in the spatial near field to the measuring track is also provided, which is also known per se and is not part of the invention.

According to a first preferred embodiment of the basic concept of the invention, the console is set up to alternately accommodate the leveling staff and the reflector element. This means that the console either carries a leveling staff or a reflector element. This has the advantage that the console has smaller dimensions. However, in order to carry out the calibration, it is necessary to convert the measuring equipment on the console, i.e. to replace the leveling staff with a reflector element (or vice versa). According to a second embodiment alternative to this, a parallel or simultaneous arrangement of both measuring means on the same console is therefore provided, so that such a change can be avoided.

According to a particularly preferred further development of the inventive basic idea, each measuring device carrier has an arrangement of measuring elements, comprising at least one first measuring element that can be positioned against the running surface of the rail head of a rail and a second measuring element that can be positioned laterally against the inside of the rail head of the same rail. The adjustment movement of the first measuring element takes place essentially in a vertical direction from above against the running surface or surface of the rail head. The adjustment movement of the second measuring element takes place essentially in a horizontal one and a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the rail. The pitching movements serve to produce a touch contact of the measuring elements with the rail head of the respective rail of the measuring track to be tested. In this way, not only is a kind of "mechanical stop" implemented for the correct alignment of the measuring device carrier in relation to the respective rail, but it is also possible by evaluating the relative distance between the two measuring device carriers or their measuring element after the horizontal adjustment movement has been completed an additional metrological recording of the gauge of the measuring track is possible. The adjustability of the first measuring element in the vertical direction allows the measurement of height dimensions of the rails, which can be evaluated, for example, to determine the twisting of the measuring track.
In this case, the measuring elements are preferably designed as measuring rollers. These are mounted in such a way that they roll on the rail during a movement of the frame and thus support a jolt-free and vibration-free movement. As an alternative to this, it is also possible to design the measuring elements in the form of balls or as sliding pieces with a sliding surface adapted to the respective contour of the rail head in the area of the touch contact.

In a manner according to the invention, the means for aligning the at least one measuring means carrier comprise a central element of the frame adjustable in length in a first direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the track, as well as a vertical guide at right angles to this on one end of this central element.
By means of the length adjustability of the central element, the relative distance between the second measuring device carrier and the first measuring device carrier can be changed. In particular, the second measuring device carrier can be set to a position vertically above the second rail of the track to be measured, provided that the position of the first measuring device carrier is fixed in relation to the first rail of the same track. In this case, the central element is preferably designed to be telescopic, for example in the form of an inner tube that is linearly guided in an outer sleeve and movable against a spring force.

By means of the vertical guide on the end face of the central element, the or both measuring device carriers can be adjusted or approached in the vertical direction against the surface of the rail head.

In this case, the frame is preferably formed from a central element which, on its end face oriented towards a first rail of the track, has a first arrangement of support elements for forming a first contact point on the first rail and on its second end face, distally opposite thereto, two essentially in having mutually opposite direction from the central longitudinal beam projecting support arms with support elements for forming a second and third contact point on the second rail of the track. In this way, the frame is mounted in a non-tiltable manner in a three-point mounting on the two rails of the track to be measured. By means of the aforementioned vertical guide on the end face of the central element, the vertical distance of the second measuring device carrier can be varied or adjusted in relation to the rail head of the second rail, so that there is no static overdetermination in cooperation with the two support arms.
In a particularly preferred manner, the support elements are designed as support rollers. Similar to the above-mentioned measuring rollers, these support rollers are also mounted in such a way that they roll on the rail during a movement of the frame and thus support a jolt-free and vibration-free movement. As an alternative to this, it is also possible to design the support elements in the form of balls or as sliding pieces with a sliding surface adapted to the respective contour of the rail head in the area of the touch contact.

It is particularly advantageous here if the opening angle between the at least one support arm and the central element can be adjusted. For this purpose, each support arm has an adjustment rod, the length of which can be adjusted by means of a knurled screw and the end of which is adjustable in length is articulated on a guide rod guiding the support arm. Such an adjustability of the opening angle can, in particular, result in a static overdetermination between the support elements that can be adjusted in the horizontal direction on the rail head and the support elements on the same Rail head adjustable in a horizontal direction measuring element can be avoided in that when the measuring element is in contact with the rail head, the opening angles of both support arms are reduced so that the support elements have a small amount of horizontal play in relation to the rail head. In this way, sluggishness or jamming of the device during the process over the measuring track with measuring elements resting against the rail heads in the horizontal direction are avoided.

• ▪ in einem ersten Verfahrensschritt die Vorrichtung mit einer auf einer ersten lösbaren Aufnahmevorrichtung der Konsole des ersten und / oder zweiten Meßmittel-Trägers aufgesetzten Nivellierlatte entlang einer Meßstrecke über das Gleis bewegt wird, wobei der erste und / oder zweite Meßmittel-Träger derart in Bezug auf eine der beiden Schienen ausgerichtet ist, daß die mindestens eine Konsole vertikal oberhalb des Schienenkopfs angeordnet ist, sowie mittels eines die Nivellierlatte anvisierenden Nivelliergeräts eine erste Menge von Höhenstützstellen an diskreten Positionen entlang der Meßstrecke ermittelt wird,
• ▪ in einem zweiten Verfahrensschritt die Vorrichtung mit einem auf einer zweiten lösbaren Aufnahmevorrichtung der Konsole desselben Meßmittel-Trägers aufgesetzten Reflektorelement entlang derselben Meßstrecke über das Gleis bewegt wird und mittels eines auf das Reflektorelement gerichteten Lasertrackers eine zweite Menge von Meßpunkten an denselben Positionen der Meßstrecke ermittelt wird,
• ▪ sowie in einem dritten Verfahrensschritt für jede Position entlang der Meßstrecke die Meßpunkte der zweiten Menge mit den Höhenstützstellen der ersten Menge korreliert werden.

The invention also relates to a method for acquiring geometric data of a track formed from two rails by means of a device according to one of the aforementioned features, wherein

• ▪ In a first process step, the device with a leveling rod placed on a first detachable receiving device of the console of the first and / or second measuring device carrier is moved along a measuring section over the track, the first and / or second measuring device carrier in such a manner in relation to one of the two rails is aligned so that the at least one console is arranged vertically above the rail head, and a first set of height support points is determined at discrete positions along the measuring section by means of a leveling device aiming at the leveling staff,
• ▪ In a second process step, the device with a reflector element placed on a second detachable mounting device of the console of the same measuring device carrier is moved along the same measuring section over the track and a second set of measuring points is determined at the same positions on the measuring section by means of a laser tracker aimed at the reflector element ,
• ▪ and in a third method step for each position along the measuring section the measuring points of the second set are correlated with the height support points of the first set.

Since when measuring with a laser tracker, the reduction of the required measuring times is of great importance for the stabilization of the measuring system against environmental influences, it has proven to be very useful to divide the measurement into a first measuring run in which the device according to the invention equipped with a leveling rod is in the Single point method for acquisition of geometric data is moved over the measuring track, as well as in a second measurement run, in which the device according to the invention equipped with a reflector element is moved in a continuous measuring process for the acquisition of geometric data over the measuring track. In this context, a "single point measurement" is understood to mean that the device according to the invention is stopped during the travel movement on the measuring track at individual measuring points suitable as support points - for example at each location of a rail fastening - and the measurement is carried out there by means of the leveling device. This is to be distinguished from the continuous measuring method, in which the measuring points are generated by reflecting the laser beam emitted by the laser tracker on the reflector element during a continuous movement of the device according to the invention over the measuring track.

The correlation of the geometric data determined in both measurement runs then takes place in a third method step.

• Figur 1: perspektivische Ansicht einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung
• Figur 2: Darstellung des Details "A" des zweiten Meßmittel-Trägers

The present invention is explained in more detail below using an exemplary embodiment and the associated drawing. Show it

• Figure 1 : perspective view of a device according to the invention
• Figure 2 : Representation of the detail "A" of the second measuring device carrier

The frame of the in Figure 1 The device according to the invention shown comprises a central element (10) which is constructed from an outer sleeve and an inner tube that is linearly guided or movable in this outer sleeve against a spring force. A first and a second measuring device carrier (3, 4) are attached to each of the two distal end faces of the outer sleeve and inner tube. While the first measuring device carrier (3) is rigidly (that is, in a non-adjustable manner) attached to the end face of the outer sleeve of the central element (10), the second measuring device carrier (4) is on the end face of the vertically adjustable linear guide Inner tube of the central element (10) attached. Both measuring device carriers (3, 4) each have an approximately horizontally aligned bracket (5), each of which has a first detachable receiving device (51) in the form of a flat support surface for setting up a leveling staff (6) and a has a second detachable receiving device (52) in the form of a concave recess for receiving a spherical reflector element for reflecting a laser beam emitted by a laser tracker. On the other hand, the two measuring device carriers (3, 4) each comprise an arrangement of two measuring rollers (8, 9) aligned at right angles to one another, the first measuring roller (8) for contact in the vertical direction against the running surface or surface of the rail head of one to be measured The rail is set up and the second measuring roller (9) is set up to rest in the horizontal direction against the inner running edge of the same rail head with respect to the track. While the first measuring device carrier (3) on the first end face of the frame is rigid (i.e. not displaceable or displaceable in relation to the central element), the measuring device carrier (4) opposite to this is in relation to the second end side of the frame executed on this adjustable. The means provided for this purpose for aligning the second measuring device carrier (and thus also the second arrangement of measuring rollers) in the vertical direction include the aforementioned vertical guide and, in the horizontal direction, the linear displaceability of the inner tube in the outer sleeve of the central element. The consoles (5) of both measuring device carriers are arranged in such a way that their first and second receiving devices (51, 52) provided for receiving the leveling rod or the reflector element are aligned vertically above the lower-lying first measuring roller (8). Details on the structure of the measuring device carrier and its vertical guidance are given in Figure 2 (= Detail "A") shown.

The central element (10) of the frame also comprises two support arms (12) which can be folded out with respect to the inner tube with the formation of an opening angle (α) at the end of the inner tube, and a pair of support rollers (14, 15) are arranged at each of their outer ends which are set up for vertical and horizontal contact against the rail head of the rail to be measured. Each support arm (12) is linearly guided on the inner tube by means of a guide rod (16) and a slide to increase stability. By means of an adjusting rod (17), the length of which can be adjusted by means of a knurled nut or the like and which is hinged to the guide rod (16) with its variable-length end, the opening angle (α) of each support arm (12) in relation to the central element ( 10) can be fine-tuned. When used as intended of the device according to the invention, this is thus with its first measuring device carrier (3) arranged rigidly on the frame on a first rail (1) of a track to be measured and placed and with two support arms (12, 13) on the second rail opposite thereto ( 2) on the same track can be supported. The second measuring device carrier (4) can be adjusted both vertically and horizontally against the running surface or the running edge of the rail head of the second rail by means of the vertical slide and the inner tube which is horizontally adjustable against the outer sleeve. To avoid static overdetermination in the case of a measuring device carrier (4) or its measuring rollers (8, 9) positioned against the second rail in this way, the opening angle (α) of both support arms (12) can be individually adjusted by means of the adjusting rod (17), in particular reducible.

List of reference symbols:

1, 2

rails

3, 4

Measuring device carrier

5

console

51

Mounting device for leveling staff

52

Mounting device for reflector element

6th

Leveling staff

7th

Reflector element

8th

first measuring roller

9

second measuring roller

10

Central element of the frame

11

Vertical guide

12th

Support arm

14, 15

Support rollers

16

Guide rod

17th

Adjustment rod

L.

Longitudinal direction of the track

α

Opening angle

Claims (7)

Device for the acquisition of geometric data of a track formed from two rails (1, 2) with a frame that can be moved on the track,
characterized in that
the device comprises a first and a second measuring device carrier (3, 4) each held on the frame and means for aligning at least one of the two measuring device carriers with respect to one of the two rails (1,2), each measuring device carrier (3, 4) has a console (5) which has a first detachable receiving device (51) for a leveling rod (6) and a second detachable receiving device (52) for a reflector element (7) set up to reflect a laser beam. Device for recording geometric data of a track formed from two rails according to claim 1, characterized in that each measuring device carrier (3, 4) has an arrangement of measuring elements, comprising at least one first measuring element which can be positioned against the running surface of the rail head of a rail and a second measuring element which can be placed laterally on the inside of the rail head of the same rail. Device for recording geometric data of a track formed from two rails according to claim 2, characterized in that the measuring elements are designed as measuring rollers (8, 9). Device for recording geometrical data of a track formed from two rails according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the means for aligning the at least one measuring means carrier is one in a first to the longitudinal direction (L) of the track vertical direction length-adjustable central element (10) of the frame as well as a vertical guide (11) at right angles thereto on one end face of this central element (10). Device for recording geometric data of a track formed from two rails according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the frame is formed from a central element (10) which has a face on its end face oriented towards a first rail (1) of the track comprises a first arrangement of support elements for forming a first contact point on the first rail and, on its second end face distally opposite thereto, two support arms (12) with support elements (14, 15) projecting essentially in opposite directions from the central longitudinal member (10) for forming a second and third contact point on the second rail (2) of the track. Device for recording geometric data of a track formed from two rails according to claim 5, characterized in that the opening angle (α) between the at least one support arm (12) and the central element (10) is adjustable. Method for acquiring geometric data of a track formed from two rails by means of a device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that ▪ in a first process step the device with a leveling rod (6) placed on a first detachable receiving device (51) of the console (5) of the first and / or second measuring device carrier (3, 4) is moved along a measuring section over the track, wherein the first and / or second measuring device carrier (3, 4) is aligned with respect to one of the two rails (1, 2) in such a way that the at least one bracket (5) is arranged vertically above the rail head, and by means of a die Leveling device aiming at the leveling staff (6), a first set of height support points is determined at discrete positions along the measuring section, ▪ In a second process step, the device with a reflector element (7) placed on a second receiving device (52) of the console (5) of the same measuring device carrier is moved along the same measuring section over the track and a laser tracker directed at the reflector element (7) is used to move a second set of measuring points is determined at the same positions on the measuring section, ▪ and in a third method step for each position along the measuring section the measuring points of the second set are correlated with the height support points of the first set.

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