CZ304889B6 - Circuit arrangement for evaluation of signal lantern functional state - Google Patents

Abstract

A first version of a circuit arrangement for functional state evaluation of a signal lantern, provided with a light source (S) and supplied via a supervision circuit block (DNZ) for controlling lighting of the signal lantern and via a reducing signal transformer from an alternating current voltage source, has a safety modification block (BBM) for modification of a feeding signal with a coupling to the supervision circuit block (DNZ) for recognition of light interruption and execution of a reaction in a superior interlocking safety device, wherein the safe modification block (BBM) is connected between the reducing signal transformer and the light source (S). Said safety modification block (BBM) is connected to the output of a safe supervision block (BBD) for the detection of the light interruption of the light source (S), which safe supervision block (BBD) has an optical coupling to the light source (S). A second version of a circuit arrangement for functional state evaluation of a signal lantern, provided with a light source (S) and supplied via a supervision circuit block (DNZ) for controlling lighting of the signal lantern from a direct current voltage source, is characterized in that the safe modification block (BBM) intended for modifying a feeding signal with a coupling to the supervision circuit block (DNZ) for recognition of light interruption and execution of a reaction in a superior interlocking safety device, is connected between the supervision circuit block (DNZ) for controlling lighting of the signal lantern and the light source (S). Said safe modification block (BBM) is connected the output of the safe supervision block (BBD) for the detection of the light source (S) light interruption, wherein said safe supervision block (BBD) has an optical coupling to the light source (S).

Description

Connection for evaluation of the functional status of the signal lantern

Technical field

The present invention relates to a circuit for evaluating the functional status of a signal lantern, using light emitting LEDs, in particular as part of railway signaling devices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The systems for supervising and safely responding to lamps in railway signals shall comply with the strict requirements for railway signaling equipment. The signal lamp in the signal is a light element, which transmits its light (color, frequency of oscillating light) to the driver about the current situation on the track (speed, occupancy). Since it is an element which permits or limits speed, or completely prevents the train from running on the basis of safety-related information, ie it is directly involved in railway safety, the safety requirements are imposed on the lamp so that the so-called multi-permit signaling .

Currently required instead of conventional light bulbs with light emitting LEDs. The present state of the art is such that the prior art solutions have problems with functional properties, consisting in the impossibility of fast oscillating light. As they contain a large number of light-emitting LEDs, their safety is also problematic, namely the detection of the illumination of the lamp. This in turn often requires complex and sophisticated lighting supervision solutions for light-emitting LEDs. These solutions cannot be used as a simple replacement for current bulbs and require a correspondingly complicated connecting element in the connected superior system (interlocking, crossing, car block, etc.).

The object of the present invention is to replace the signal lamp without major interference with the lamp itself and, moreover, to significantly reduce the cost of currently available LED lamps. The aim is also a minimum reliability of electronic components and higher reliability of such a system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a circuit for evaluating the functional status of a signal lantern with a light source, fed via a block of supervisory circuits to control the lighting of the signal lantern and via a signal-reducing transformer from an AC voltage source. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A safe modification block is provided between the downstream signal transformer and the light source to modify the power supply signal coupled to the supervisory circuit block for detecting unlit and performing a response in a superior security device, where the safe modification block output is connected a supervisor for detecting the illumination of the light source having an optical link to the light source. Alternatively, the signal lantern may be supplied via a supervisory circuit block to control its illumination from a direct current source. In such a case, the safe modification block is connected directly to the supervisory circuit block to control the lighting of the signal lantern, connected to a DC voltage source.

The safe modification block is adapted to interrupt the power supply of the signal lantern in case of failure of the light source, the safe supervision block or the safe modification block. The safe modification block may also be adapted to modify the power supply signal of the signal lantern by modulating the data signal to the supervisory circuit block. In another embodiment, the safe modification block is adapted for direct data communication with the supervisory circuit block to control the lighting of the signal lantern.

-1 CZ 304889 B6

Advantageously, according to the described connection, a simple and cheap replacement of the signal lamp can be realized, which can be placed in existing lamps without any complicated interventions. Instead of an incandescent lamp, an alternative light source, such as a light emitting LED, can be used, which is safely monitored optically. The following elements then ensure that, in the event of insufficient light from the light source, such a reaction occurs at the entrance portion of the signal lantern that the adjacent elements of the security device detect non-illuminating and perform the prescribed safe response, e.g. All this will make it possible to replace the signal lamp without major interference with the lamp itself and, in addition, it will enable a significantly cheaper solution compared to the currently available LED lamps. Due to the simple principle and minimum demands on electronic components, higher reliability of such a device can be expected.

Clarification of drawings

The accompanying drawings show exemplary embodiments of the present invention. Fig. 1 is a block diagram of a system for evaluating the functional status of a signal lantern. Fig. 2 is a state diagram of the normal operation of the system without failure; and Fig. 3 is a state diagram of the wiring in which the light source is not lit immediately after the supply voltage is connected. Fig. 4 is a state diagram of the wiring where the light source fails during operation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The signal lantern is powered by an AC voltage source, but alternatively a DC voltage source may be used. The power supply unit is connected to a block of DNZ surveillance circuits for checking the signaling lamp lighting, which usually control the signaling lamp lighting on the basis of the amount of electricity consumed, when zero current means no lighting (usually broken light bulb filament). In some cases, over-current is also supervised, which usually means a short circuit in the lamp circuit. Subsequently, the power signal is fed via a signal-reducing contact transformer directly to the lamp where the light source S is supplied from it. The power signal is routed to the light source S through a safe modification block BBM. The light source S is coupled, for example, by an optical coupling, a BBD safe supervision block that detects the light source S is not illuminated and then instructs the BBM safe modification block that modifies the power signal in such a way that the control light of the signal lantern, has detected non-lighting and could have performed the prescribed safe response in the higher-level security device, for example, generating a so-called less permitting signal.

For example, the simplest possible way of modifying the BBM safe modification blocking the electric current flow through the signal lantern appears to be a particular way of modifying the power signal, and the reaction of the lantern with the alternative light source S is thus identical to that of a conventional signal bulb. Such an interruption in the flow of electric current can be realized irreversibly, for example by means of a fuse, or reversibly, for example by a circuit breaker, depending on the method of use. A more complex specific way of modifying the power signal can then be the data modification of the power signal, where the BBM safe modification to the power signal modulates the data signal that the supervision of the downstream device, the DNZ block With regular lights on or off. Another possible example of modification of the power signal may be a separate data communication where the BBM of the safe modification communicates directly with the supervision of the downstream device, i.e. a block of DNZ supervision circuits to control the lighting of the signal lantern. Even in the case of data communications, the ability of the safe modification block BBM to modify the signal to the light source S may be maintained in such a way that it can no longer light.

-2GB 304889 B6

The wiring according to the present invention, when the light source S is not illuminated, optically detects this via the BBD safe supervision block and modifies the power supply signal of the signal lantern using the BBM safe modification block in such a way that the downstream device is in sight. unambiguously identified the fact that the lantern was not lit and could carry out a safe response in its logic. This principle is evident from Figures 2 to 4 with state diagrams. In Fig. 2, a standard run is shown, when the light source S is illuminated when the voltage U is applied, which is then detected by the safe supervision block BBD and there is no reason for the safe modification block BBM to react. In contrast, Fig. 3 shows the extreme case where the light source S does not light immediately after the voltage U has been applied, which does not even detect the BBD block of safe supervision and thus the BBM block of the safe modification subsequently reacts. that even the power supply U is interrupted, which is reflected by the dashed line of states. The last Fig. 4 shows a malfunction of the light source S during operation where after this failure, the safe supervision block BBD is determined that the light source S is not lit and therefore the safe modification block BBM reacts safely, depending on the use, even interrupting the power supply U. reflects the dashed line of states. Similar safety responses, when the BBM safe modification block reacts, occur not only when the light source S fails, but because it is a security device, even if the BBD safe supervision block or BBM safe block fails. modifications.

Claims (5)

PATENT CLAIM A wiring for evaluating the functional status of a signal lantern, with a light source (S) fed via a block (DNZ) of the supervisory circuits for controlling the signal lantern lighting and via a signaling transformer from an AC voltage source, a light modification block (BBM) is connected to the light source (S) for modifying the supply signal coupled to the block (DNZ) of the supervisory circuits for detecting unlit and reacting in the supervisory alarm device where the block output (BBD) is connected to the block (BBM) ) a safe supervision for detecting the illumination of the light source (S) having optical coupling to the light source (S). A wiring for evaluating the functional status of the signal lantern, with a light source (S) fed through the supervisory circuit block (DNT) for controlling the signal lamp illumination from a DC voltage source, characterized in that between the supervisory circuit block (DNZ) and S) the light modification block (BBM) of the safe modification is used to modify the supply signal coupled to the block (DNZ) of the supervisory circuits for detecting unlit and reacting in a higher-level alarm, where the output of the block (BBD) a safe supervision for detecting the illumination of the light source (S) having optical coupling to the light source (S). Connection according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the safe modification block (BBM) is adapted to interrupt the power supply of the signal lantern in case of failure of the light source (S) or safe supervision block (BBD) or the safe modification block (BBM). Connection according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the safe modification block (BBM) is adapted to modify the power supply signal of the signal lantern by modulating the data signal to the supervision circuit block (DNZ). Connection according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the safe modification block (BBM) is adapted for direct data communication with the supervision circuit block (DNZ).