Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B61—RAILWAYS
  • B61L—GUIDING RAILWAY TRAFFIC; ENSURING THE SAFETY OF RAILWAY TRAFFIC
  • B61L1/00—Devices along the route controlled by interaction with the vehicle or train
  • B61L1/16—Devices for counting axles; Devices for counting vehicles
  • B61L1/162—Devices for counting axles; Devices for counting vehicles characterised by the error correction
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B61—RAILWAYS
  • B61L—GUIDING RAILWAY TRAFFIC; ENSURING THE SAFETY OF RAILWAY TRAFFIC
  • B61L1/00—Devices along the route controlled by interaction with the vehicle or train
  • B61L1/16—Devices for counting axles; Devices for counting vehicles
  • B61L1/169—Diagnosis

Definitions

• the invention relates to masking methods and axle counting devices with a masking function; such methods and devices are used in the field of railway technology for monitoring railway track systems.
• the invention specifically relates to a method for masking a malfunction of a counting point located between a first track section and an adjacent second track section within the framework of a masking method, wherein a virtual track section spanning the first and second track sections is taken into account within the framework of the masking method.
• a method for masking a malfunction of a counting point located between a first track section and an adjacent second track section within the framework of a masking method wherein a virtual track section spanning the first and second track sections is taken into account within the framework of the masking method.
• the invention is based on the objective of further developing a method of the type described.
• the masking method requires prior activation, wherein the activation of the masking method requires that, after a baseline of the first and second real track sections, a complete train passage through the two track sections is detected and the absence of the virtual track section due to the train passage is confirmed, wherein, in the case of prior activation of the masking method, the malfunction of the counting point is masked if the monitoring of the virtual track section confirms that the virtual track section is free, but the counting point is considered to be faulty because it outputs contradictory information or no information, and the masking of the malfunction is terminated if the fault of the counting point lasts longer than a predetermined maximum fault duration.
• a significant advantage of the method according to the invention is that the pass-through-dependent activation of the fault masking provided for in the invention in Combining this with a time limit for fault masking significantly improves operational reliability compared to conventional masking methods. This is because masking only begins or is activated after the functionality of the involved counting points has been verified. It is then automatically terminated – for example, on the axle counter side – as soon as continuing the masking is recognized as problematic because it persists too long for a merely temporary fault. Most often, non-critical faults are caused by an external injection of strong electromagnetic fields, such as those generated by arcing in the area of the pantographs of rail vehicles, for example, when the pantographs are adjusted.
• the actual track sections are preferably reported externally as occupied if the disturbance at the counting point lasts longer than the specified maximum disturbance duration.
• the maximum disturbance duration is preferably between 4 and 20 seconds, in order to, for example, filter out disturbances caused by arcing as described above.
• an internal occupancy assumption of the first and/or second real track section caused by the disturbance is preferably set as the default by internally defining the affected real track sections as free.
• the basic setting of the first and/or second real track section preferably includes, in the case of a first section-related counter reading error caused by the fault, affecting the first real track section, and/or second to correct the affected section-related counter readings, for example by setting them to zero, in case of a section-related counter reading error affecting the second real track section.
• the separation period can take into account the latency or transmission delay between the counting points and an axis counter connected to them, thus preventing a single error event from being recorded multiple times by the axis counter or misinterpreted as a multiple error event due to latency; the separation period is preferably a maximum of 5 seconds.
• the method is preferably carried out by an axle counting device, which is connected on the input side to the counting point located between the first track section and the adjacent second track section, and on the output side to a higher-level device.
• This device masks the malfunction of the counting point from the higher-level device by reporting the actual track sections as clear to the higher-level device, despite the malfunction.
• the higher-level device is preferably a signal box.
• the axle counting device will preferably correct an internal occupancy assumption of the first and/or second real track section caused by the disturbance by internally defining the affected real track sections as free.
• the axle counter device will correct a first counter reading error caused by the disturbance, which affects the first real track section, and/or a second counter reading error, which affects the second real track section, preferably by correcting the affected counter readings, in particular by setting them to zero.
• the two real track sections can be delimited externally by additional counting points.
• the axle counting device is preferably also connected to these additional counting points and initiates the prior activation of the masking procedure when, after a basic setting of the first and second real track sections, it has detected the train's passage through the virtual track section based on the counting event messages supplied by the additional counting points.
• the initial positioning of the first and second real track sections is preferably carried out upon an external instruction from the superior institution, i.e., by an instruction from an institution other than the axle counting device.
• the invention further relates to an axle counting device with at least one input connection for connection to a counting point arranged between a first track section and an adjacent second track section, as well as for connection to further counting points that define the outer boundaries of the two actual track sections, and at least one output connection for connection to a higher-level device.
• an axle counting device is configured to carry out a method as described above.
• the axle counting device includes a computing unit and a memory in which a control program module is stored, which is designed to carry out the procedure as described above when executed by the computing unit.
• control program module includes a counting module that records the counting point messages of the counting points and determines a section-related counter reading for each of the two real track sections and the virtual track section.
• control program module includes a masking module that performs the masking procedure described above upon receipt of the activation command. For example, if a malfunction of the second counting point occurs, as explained above, the masking module preferably masks this fault from the interlocking system by continuing to report the actual track sections as clear via a corresponding interlocking message.
• the masking module preferably transmits a reset command to the counting module, which sets the counter values of the two actual track sections to zero and returns the masking procedure to its active initial state, i.e., the state after its activation by the monitoring module; otherwise, the masking module preferably terminates the masking and reports the actual track sections as occupied via an interlocking message and/or transmits a fault message to the interlocking system. As long as the masking procedure is inactive, the masking module preferably transmits the counter readings of the actual track sections and/or the resulting occupied and/or free reports for the respective track sections directly as part of the interlocking message.
• the Figure 1 Figure 1 shows a first real track section GA1 and an adjacent second real track section GA2 of a railway track system 10.
• the first track section GA1 is bounded by a first counting point ZP1 and a second counting point ZP2; the second track section GA2 is bounded by the second counting point ZP2 and a third counting point ZP3.
• the second counting point ZP2 is thus located between the first track section GA1 and the second track section GA2, separating and connecting them, respectively.
• the counting points ZP1 to ZP3 are typically configured to detect train passages and output corresponding counting point messages ZPM.
• the counting points ZP1 to ZP3 are connected to an axle counter 20, which evaluates the counting point messages ZPM from counting points ZP1 to ZP3 and determines the occupancy or vacancy status of the track sections by evaluating these ZPM messages. For example, based on the ZPM messages from counting points ZP1 to ZP3, the axle counter 20 can generate a section-specific counter reading ZS for each of the two track sections GA1 and GA2, indicating the number of rail vehicle axles located in the respective track section GA1 or GA2: If the section-specific counter reading ZS is zero, the respective track section GA1 is considered vacant; if the counter reading ZS is not zero, the respective track section GA1 is considered occupied.
• the axle counting device 20 monitors the occupancy status of a virtual track section VGA spanning the two track sections GA1 and GA2. Its status, i.e., occupied or free, is determined by the axle counter 20 based on the counter point messages ZPM supplied by the first counter point ZP1 and the third counter point ZP3, thus independently of counter point messages from the second counter point ZP2; the The counting point messages from the first and third counting points ZP1 and ZP3 define a counter reading ZS, which indicates the number of axles located in the virtual track section VGA.
• the counter point messages ZPM from counter points ZP1 to ZP3 can, for example, be event messages that report each passing event individually; alternatively, counter points ZP1 to ZP3 can record passing events by incrementing or decrementing internal counter point counter values and transmitting these counter point counter values to the axle counter 20.
• the design of the counter point messages ZPM is irrelevant as long as the axle counter 20 can use the counter point messages ZPM to determine the section-related counter values ZS and thus the occupancy status of the real and virtual track sections GA1 and GA2 or VGA.
• one of the counting points ZP1 to ZP3 may fail or be temporarily disrupted by external influences, resulting in no or incorrect counting point messages ZPM.
• the axle counter 20 is designed to implement a masking procedure that temporarily conceals counting point errors from the signal box 30.
• the axle counting device 20 according to Figure 1
• the error masking system is designed such that it requires prior activation and also terminates the masking process if an error situation exceeds a predefined maximum fault duration Tmax.
• the operation of the axis counter 20 with regard to the masking process is explained below using the example of the case where the second counting point ZP2 has failed or malfunctioned and delivers an erroneous counting point message ZPM.
• axle counting device 20 Prior activation of the masking procedure is required for axle counting device 20 according to Figure 1 two things, namely firstly a signal box-side basic setting of the real Track sections GA1 and GA2 and a subsequent complete train passage through the virtual track section VGA.
• the Figure 1 This shows a point in time t1 after a basic interlocking command SB has been transmitted from interlocking 30 to axle counter 20 and axle counter 20 has internally reset track sections GA1 and GA2 by setting the section-related counter values ZS for the real track sections GA1 and GA2 to zero.
• the virtual track section VGA is not yet affected by the basic reset, so its counter value has not yet been set to zero and remains at a default value DW; the virtual track section VGA is only reset once axle counter 20 has been able to detect a complete train passage based on the counter point message ZPM of counter points ZP1 to ZP3, thereby confirming the basic reset of the real track sections GA1 and GA2 enforced by the interlocking system and also independently confirming the correct functionality of the counter points by axle counter 20.
• the axle counter 20 considers the virtual track section VGA to be clear, sets the counter value ZS of the virtual track section to zero, and activates the masking procedure.
• the metering points ZP1 to ZP3 are still functioning correctly and that the section-related meter readings ZS are therefore zero.
• the internal section-related counter readings ZS for the two actual track sections GA1 and GA2 are therefore no longer zero, but In the described example, "-1" and "+1" are displayed. However, the counter reading ZS for the virtual track section VGA remains at zero because the first counting point ZP1 and the third counting point ZP3 are functioning correctly and have not signaled any train passing through.
• the axle counter 20 now masks the malfunction of the second counting point ZP2 by reporting both actual track sections GA1 and GA2 as clear to the signal box 30 with a signal box message ZM. Furthermore, the axle counter 20 starts a timer and monitors the subsequent counting point messages ZPM of the second counting point ZP2.
• the maximum disturbance time Tmax is preferably in a range between 4 and 20 seconds.
• the separation period Tmin is preferably in a range between 2 and 10 seconds.
• the Figure 5 shows - starting from the one in the Figure 3
• the shown state – an example of a different scenario, i.e., a different one than the one in the Figure 4
• the second time point t2 shown continuously transmits incorrect metering point messages ZPM at time intervals below the separation time interval Tmin and the maximum fault period Tmax has expired.
• the axle counting device 20 terminates the masking procedure at the end of the maximum fault duration Tmax and transmits to the signal box 30, using the signal box message ZM, that the real track sections GA1 and GA2 can no longer be considered free, i.e., must be considered occupied; with the signal box message ZM, for example, occupancy signals B can be transmitted for the real track sections GA1 and GA2.
• the Figure 6 shows components of an exemplary embodiment for the axle counting device 20 according to the Figures 1 to 5
• the axle counting device 20 comprises a computing unit 200 and a memory 210.
• a control program module SPM is stored in the memory 210, which, when executed by the computing unit 200, controls the operation of the axle counting device 20 and thus also determines the masking procedure described above.
• the SPM control program module includes a counting module 211, which records the counting point messages ZPM of the counting points ZP1 to ZP3 and determines a section-related counter reading ZS for each of the two real track sections GA1 and GA2 as well as the virtual track section VGA.
• the SPM control program module also includes a basic control module 212, which, upon receipt of a control command SB from the signal box 30 ordering the basic control of the two real track sections GA1 and GA2, sets the counter values ZS assigned to the two real track sections GA1 and GA2 to zero by connecting to the counting module 211 (see Figure 7 ) transmitted a zeroing command NSB1.
• the SPM control program module also includes a monitoring module 213, which, after the initial setting of the counter readings ZS assigned to the two real track sections GA1 and GA2, monitors the counter point messages ZPM of counter points ZP1 to ZP3 for the occurrence of a complete transit event, as described above in connection with the Figure 2 explained; furthermore, after detecting such a passing event, the monitoring module 213 sets the counter value ZS assigned to the virtual track section VGA to zero by means of a zeroing command NSB2 and activates the masking procedure by means of an activation command AB (see Figure 8 ).
• the SPM control program module also includes a masking module 214, which performs the masking procedure described above after receiving the activation command AB. For example, if there is a malfunction of the second counting point ZP2, as described above in connection with the Figure 3 As explained, the masking module 214 masks this error to the signal box 30 by continuing to report the real track sections as clear using a corresponding signal box message ZM.
• the masking module 214 transmits a reset command RS to the counting module 211 (see below).
• Figure 9 which internally sets the counter readings of the two real track sections to zero, and resets the masking procedure back to its active initial state, i.e., to the state after its activation by the monitoring module 213 (see Figure 8 ); otherwise, the masking module 214 ends the masking and reports the real track sections GA1 and GA2 as occupied using the interlocking message ZM and/or transmits a fault message to the interlocking 30 using the interlocking message ZM.
• the masking module 214 transmits the counter readings ZS of the real track sections GA1 and GA2 and/or the resulting occupied and/or free reports for the respective track sections as part of the interlocking message ZM.
• the two actual track sections GA1 and GA2 can also be externally delimited by further counting points ZP4 and ZP5, so that more complex track topologies can be recorded, such as the following example: Figure 10 shows.
• the axle counting device can The axle counting device 20 is connected to these additional counting points.
• the axle counting device 20 initiates the prior activation of the masking procedure preferably when, after a basic setting of the first and second real track sections GA1 and GA2, it has been able to detect a train passage through the virtual track section VGA, also based on the counting point messages ZPM supplied by the additional counting points ZP4 and ZP5.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Automation & Control Theory (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Biomedical Technology (AREA)
• General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Train Traffic Observation, Control, And Security (AREA)
• Electric Propulsion And Braking For Vehicles (AREA)

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Citations (5)

• 2024
  • 2024-07-19 EP EP24189805.5A patent/EP4682017A1/fr active Pending
• 2025
  • 2025-06-26 AU AU2025204842A patent/AU2025204842A1/en active Pending
  • 2025-07-17 CN CN202510983867.1A patent/CN121361490A/zh active Pending

Patent Citations (6)

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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