EP2694352B1 - Signalling equipment for a rail vehicle - Google Patents

Description

Technical area

The invention relates to a signaling device for a rail vehicle.

State of the art

Passenger rail vehicles indicate important information on the outer surfaces for the passengers. In particular, in local transport (subway, suburban train, tram), it is essential that passengers can recognize this information quickly and clearly. One of the most important information is the line signaling at platforms with mixed operation of several lines. Usually, a signaling system is used on the front mask of the rail vehicle, which displays the line, possibly the destination or special operating conditions (for example, an empty drive) as text. Other information relates to the status of the passenger doors.
It is currently not possible for a passenger to determine if a means of transport will leave immediately or if there is still enough time to reach the entry point. Passengers who do not possess this information may be in too much of a hurry and yet not reach their means of transport. This situation causes an increased risk of accidents on the platform, or in the entry area and the associated risk of injury. Furthermore, passengers who do not reach their means of transport in spite of haste, disappointed and could be tempted in the future to use other means of transport. Simple known solutions to this problem are provided by door status lights in the vicinity of the door or lights integrated in door operating devices. According to experience, these lights are poorly perceived by the passengers and can not adequately fulfill the desired purpose.

The documents EP 1 431 158 A1 and US Pat. No. 6,897,771 B1 disclose signaling devices for rail vehicles, in which different light distribution patterns are emitted through the outer glazing.

Presentation of the invention

The invention is therefore based on the object of specifying a signaling device and an associated control device for signaling, which ensure a well-recognizable even from a greater distance signaling of vehicle conditions.
The object is achieved by a signaling device having the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the subordinate claims. According to the basic idea of the invention, a signaling device for a rail vehicle is described which comprises at least one light source and a control device, wherein the at least one light source and the control device are set up and controlled so as to generate at least two different light distribution patterns, these light distribution patterns being through a pane of the outer glazing the surroundings of the rail vehicle are radiated and wherein the one light source couples light at an edge of the pane of the outer glazing into the pane and scatters the light at an impurity in the pane and exits normal to the pane plane in the area of this defect. As a result, the advantage is achievable to be able to signal certain operating conditions to the environment of the rail vehicle, with good visibility is given.

An embodiment of the invention provides the arrangement of the luminous areas (light distribution pattern) in a (glass) pane of a door leaf. By means of variation of this light distribution pattern, the imminent closing of the door can be displayed, this display being made directly in the field of vision of a passenger to be boarded.
In this way, it is ensured that approaching passengers can read the departure readiness of the means of transport directly from the light distribution pattern. In particular, it is not necessary for the passengers to pay attention to the signaling devices arranged on the platform side or not in the immediate vicinity of the door opening, but they can immediately see to the means of transport whether a further, optionally accelerated, access makes sense.

Thus, the advantage can be achieved to be able to increase the passenger comfort, since the passenger can plan his way optimized on the platform and disappointment due to the failure to reach the means of transport can be avoided immediately before departure.

In a further embodiment of the invention, it is advantageous to make the arrangement of the light distribution pattern so that they are visible from the interior of the rail vehicle. As a result, the advantage can be achieved that even outgoing passengers are informed about the imminent closing of the doors.

Any desired geometries or shapes of the light-emitting surface are suitable as the light distribution pattern, wherein these are in any case to be arranged in the field of vision of the passengers entering. It is particularly advantageous to arrange the light distribution pattern on the edge of the pane of a door leaf.

The individual light distribution patterns can be realized by different luminous intensities (modulation of the luminous intensity, on / off switching), different light colors (gradual or continuously changing light colors) or different geometrical arrangements of the respective luminous slice regions.
A preferred embodiment of the invention provides light distribution patterns, which in their course offer the impression of a geometric color change. For example, by means of a light bar, which from the initial state "green bright" at one end has a color change in the color red. This color change to red continues chronologically over the entire length of the light bar until the final state "shining red" occurs.
An unlimited variety of light distribution patterns and color changes as well as speeds of these changes is possible.

According to the invention, a control device is provided which controls the individual luminous means of the signaling system, the luminous intensity and possibly the light color of the luminous means being controlled individually or in groups. The control device has signal inputs, via which the control device of the vehicle electronics, the light distribution pattern to be generated are specified, wherein the selection of the light distribution pattern as a function of certain operating conditions of the vehicle is controlled. Typical operating states, which lead to different light distribution patterns in each case are "door open", "door before closing", "door during closing", "door closed", door malfunction ", etc.

Another embodiment of the invention provides for use on the rail vehicle front (front mask). At this point, usually headlights, tail lights, direction indicator (trams), line and destination displays are provided. With objective invention, it is possible to give a rail vehicle a specific, striking appearance, which makes it easier for the passenger to recognize the respective line already from a greater distance. For example, by means of this signaling device, a color-bright area of the vehicle mask can be created, whose light color can be easily changed. Such a vehicle can be easily used for different lines (each with a different assigned color). By contrast, state-of-the-art solutions (luminaires with color filters) require conversion work.

For generating the light distribution pattern bulbs are provided. One embodiment provides for the arrangement of the luminous means on the side of the pane of the external glazing opposite the light exit, wherein the light emitted by the luminous means exits the pane either directly or via a diffusing screen.

A further embodiment provides the arrangement of the bulbs on the side opposite the light exit side of the pane of the outer glazing, wherein the of the Bulbs emitted light is reflected before entering the disc on a reflective surface. As a result, the advantage can be achieved that the illuminants are invisible to the observer, so that a clearly more uniform appearance of the luminous part of the disc surface is ensured and glare is reduced or avoided.

Another embodiment provides the coupling of the light by means of a light guide. In this case, the light is guided in the light guide and scattered on a designed as a diffuser boundary surface of the light guide. The light thus scattered penetrates the disk substantially normal to the disk surface, penetrates the disk and exits on the opposite disk surface. As a result, light distribution patterns can be achieved, which have no recognizable for the viewer light sources and are thus suitable for high design requirements.

Another embodiment provides the coupling of the light in the disk plane in the disk itself. A disk used in this way as an optical waveguide does not emit any light normal to the disk surface, since this is reflected back to the disk inside at the disk surface. According to the invention, in this embodiment, impurities are introduced into the disk material at certain points, at which point the light is scattered. This scattered light is partially conducted at a steeper angle than the critical angle of total reflection to the disk surface and, as a result, exits the disk. As a result, light distribution patterns are achievable, which can be generated without recognizable light sources at any point of a disc surface, which is particularly high design Claims is suitable. The defects in the disc material can be introduced into the disc at the desired locations, for example, by means of a laser beam. Alternatively, it is possible to assemble a disk of partial disks, wherein the connecting surfaces (eg by means of roughening) have the required scattering properties.

As illuminants all common for rail vehicles electric bulbs are used. In particular, the use of light-emitting diodes (LED) is advantageous because they represent very compact and efficient lighting means. By means of LED, the change in light color is possible, on the one hand by arranging LED of different light color and the appropriate driving, on the other hand by the use of LED with electrically adjustable light color.

The use of organic light-emitting diodes (OLED) is advantageous, since OLEDs can be used to construct particularly flat illuminants.

The objective signaling system can also be used as a replacement for conventional taillights, enabling particularly sophisticated vehicle ends.

Another embodiment of the invention provides, instead of radiating light across a pane of exterior glazing, to emit light over the interior glazing. Internal glazings are those glass surfaces which are arranged in the interior of the rail vehicle. For example, partitions with glass filling, Passage doors with glass filling, entrance area partitions with glass filling etc. to these interior glazings. The signaling device according to the invention can also be used on these internal glazings. All of the possibilities mentioned at the outset for the purpose of coupling light into the pane are also applicable when used on interior glazing.
As a result, the advantage can be achieved that a visually appealing lighting design, in particular of the input areas can be achieved. It is also particularly advantageous to indicate the imminent closing of the doors on these interior glazings close to the door, wherein in the case of external glazing, possible light distribution patterns can also be used on interior glazings.

Internal glazing is often bordered so that the glass edge is covered. In such internal glazings, the measures described above for generating light distribution patterns can be used. In particular, roughening the wafer surface (e.g., by sand blasting or etching) is advantageous for de-coupling light at certain locations on the wafer surface.

For interior glazings, which are not enclosed, in which therefore at least one glass edge is exposed, this exposed glass edge can be used to emit light. This is particularly advantageous since, in the case of light emission via a glass edge, a great deal of light can be coupled out and this type of light emission is also suitable for general illumination purposes. For example, a holding rod arranged in front of the light-emitting glass edge can be illuminated in such a way, which increases its visibility. Likewise, this can Type of light emission, as well as the radiation on the window surface are also intended for use as emergency lighting.

Another embodiment of the invention provides to use the respective recognition color of a particular line on the door leaves. The lights in the door leaves are controlled so that they emit light in the detection color of the respective line. This is particularly advantageous at platforms, on which trains of different lines hold, because thereby the passengers can see very clearly and in immediate accessibility near the currently holding line. It is particularly advantageous to jointly select both the light color of the front mask illumination and the light color of the light bands in the door leaves so that they correspond to the recognition color of the respective line. Furthermore, a train on different lines can be used without any conversion work would be required. This dependence of the light color of the respective line in which the rail vehicle is used may additionally be supported by color changes and geometrically different, temporally successive light distribution patterns.

Brief description of the drawings

• Fig.1 Eine Signalisierungseinrichtung.
• Fig.2 Eine Frontmaske eines Schienenfahrzeugs.
• Fig.3 Eine Leuchte - erste Ausführungsform.
• Fig.4 Eine Leuchte - zweite Ausführungsform.
• Fig.5 Einen Einstieg in ein Verkehrsmittel.
• Fig.6 Ein Türblatt mit einer Signalisierungseinrichtung.
• Fig.7 Eine Leuchte - dritte Ausführungsform.
• Fig.8 Eine Leuchte - vierte Ausführungsform.
• Fig.9 Eine Leuchte - fünfte Ausführungsform.
• Fig.10 Einen Eingangsbereich eines Schienenfahrzeugs.
• Fig.11 Eine beleuchtete Haltestange.

They show by way of example:

• Fig.1 A signaling device.
• Fig.2 A front mask of a rail vehicle.
• Figure 3 A luminaire - first embodiment.
• Figure 4 A luminaire - second embodiment.
• Figure 5 An entry into a means of transport.
• Figure 6 A door leaf with a signaling device.
• Figure 7 A luminaire - third embodiment.
• Figure 8 A luminaire - fourth embodiment.
• Figure 9 A luminaire - fifth embodiment.
• Figure 10 An entrance area of a rail vehicle.
• Figure 11 An illuminated handrail.

Embodiment of the invention

Fig.1 shows by way of example and schematically a signaling device.
A signaling device 1 comprises a control device 3 and at least one light 14. Each light 14 is electrically connected to the control device 3, the light output of each light is controlled by the control device 3. In this case, the luminous intensity and optionally the light color of each luminaire 14 can be controlled either individually or together with other luminaires 14. The control device 3 has an electrical power supply (in. Fig.1 not shown). Furthermore, the control device 3 comprises an interface to a vehicle electronics 10, via which the control electronics 3 with the vehicle electronics 10 exchanges data relating to the operating states of the rail vehicle. In particular, data relating to the time of the planned closing of the doors is transmitted from the vehicle electronics 10 to the control device 3. The control device 3 transmits to the vehicle electronics 10 Data regarding their internal status, in particular error messages such. B. lamp failures.

Fig.2 shows by way of example and schematically a front mask of a rail vehicle. The front mask of a rail vehicle forms the exterior view from the front and is designed mainly according to aesthetic aspects, taking into account regulatory approval conditions such as the driver's field of vision or the light guide. Usually, white headlights are provided. For symmetrical vehicles, which are used in bidirectional operation, the front mask must also include red taillights. It is a windshield 6 is provided, which comprises three lights 14, which are part of a signaling device 1. These lights 14 are arranged in the lower region of the windscreen 6 and emit light only to the outside. As a result, any dazzling effect for the driver is excluded. The number and arrangement of the lights 14 is determined according to design considerations. The light color of the luminaires 14 may correspond, for example, to the color of a specific line and be variable by the control device 3, so that a vehicle can be used on different lines and in each case has the associated color of the front lighting. Furthermore, it is possible to make one or more lights 14 as a tail light, so that the tail lights are particularly harmoniously integrated into the vehicle outer skin.

Figure 3 shows by way of example and schematically a luminaire - first embodiment. It is a lamp 14 is shown, which is arranged on one side of a pane 4 of an external glazing of a rail vehicle. The lamp 14 includes at least one luminous means 2, a reflector 12 and emits light 11 substantially normal to the disc plane. This light 11 penetrates the disc 4 and exits on the opposite side of the disc 4. In the beam path of the light 11, a diffusing screen 8 is arranged, which minimizes the luminous intensity differences within the light exit surface. This is especially true for punctiform light sources 2, such. B. advantageous in light-emitting diodes. Furthermore, opaque areas 9 of the disc 4 are provided on the side facing the lamp 14. These opaque areas 9 delimit the light-emitting part of the pane 4 and cause a clearly defined contour of this light-emitting area.
The diffuser 8 and the opaque region 9 are only optional provided.

Figure 4 shows by way of example and schematically a luminaire - second embodiment. It is a lamp 14 is shown, which is arranged on one side of a pane 4 of an external glazing of a rail vehicle. This lamp 14 comprises the same components as in FIG Figure 3 illustrated embodiment, however, the lighting means 2 is arranged in the reflector 12 so that the light 11 is guided exclusively via an inner surface of the reflector 12 enters the disc 4. This is an indirect illumination and ensures a more uniform luminous intensity distribution in the light-emitting region of the disc 4. In this case, a lens 8 can be omitted, as well as an inner surface of the reflector 12 may be formed as a diffuser and thus make the luminous intensity distribution uniform. As with the in Figure 3 embodiment shown is also in the in Figure 4 illustrated embodiment, an opaque portion 9 of the disc 4 at the Luminaire 14 facing side provided which ensures a clearly outlined contour of the light emitting area.

Figure 5 shows an example and schematically an entry into a means of transport. It is illustrated by the example of a subway the typical entry situation in a means of transport. The entry is via a door system with two door leaves 5. It is optically not recognizable for a passenger, how long the door leaves 5 remain open.

Figure 6 shows by way of example and schematically a door leaf with a signaling device.
It is a door leaf 5 is shown with a signaling device, wherein the signaling device is provided in the form of a light band, which surrounds the glass filling 4 of the door panel 5. Other embodiments in which this light band does not completely surround the glass filling 4 are also possible. Furthermore, objective invention can also be used for door leaves 5 without glass filling 4. This embodiment is suitable for several types of signaling. For example, a reduction of the illuminated part of the light band can be made, so that at the beginning of the opening the entire light strip is illuminated and is reduced over the period of the open part of the luminous portion of the light strip, so that when closing the door no part of the light strip lights more. Likewise, a support of the signaling effect by the use of alternating light colors is possible.

Figure 7 shows by way of example and schematically a luminaire - third embodiment. It is shown a lamp 14, which is arranged on one side of a pane 4 of external glazing of a rail vehicle. The luminaire 14 comprises at least one luminous means 2, a reflector 12 and a light guide 7. This light guide 7 is connected to the reflector 12 such that the light 11 generated by the light source 2 is conducted into the light guide 7. The optical waveguide has a reflecting surface in the beam path of the light 11, which deflects the light 11 and conducts it into the window 4 substantially normal to the disk surface. This reflective surface of the light guide 7 may be formed as a diffusion plate 8, thereby the light in the passenger compartment (in Figure 7 above the cut slice 4) is emitted. If this is not desired, the light guide 7 can be made to be covered in an opaque manner. Furthermore, it is possible to smoothly execute the reflecting surface of the light guide 7, ie without scattering properties.
At the in Figure 7 illustrated embodiment of a lamp 14, an opaque portion 9 may be provided on the surface of the disc 4 to improve the contour of the light emitting area.
Fig. 7 shows an embodiment which is particularly advantageous for use on a disc 4 of a door panel 5, since this embodiment has only a very small height. It is a section normal to the disc 4 shown, the light 14 extends normal to the plane of the drawing and generally has a plurality of bulbs 2 in the reflector 12.

Figure 8 shows by way of example and schematically a luminaire - fourth embodiment. It is a lamp 14 is shown, which is arranged in the plane of a pane 4 of an external glazing of a rail vehicle. A light source 2 is arranged in a reflector 12, which is arranged at the edge of a disc 4 so that the light 11 is coupled in the direction of the disc plane in the disc 4. At the surface of the disc 4 no light emerges, which has fallen below the critical angle of total reflection between the guided light 11 and the disc surface. In the volume of the disk 4 impurities 13 are arranged at certain points, which scatter the light 11 and partially direct at a greater angle than the critical angle of total reflection to the disk surface. This light 11 emerges on both sides from the disk 4 in the region of the impurities 13. This embodiment provides the lowest height and can produce a luminous image on the disc 4, which is produced without recognizable lights. Furthermore, this embodiment offers the advantage that the light 11 exits the disc 4 on both sides and thus can be seen, for example, both from entering and outgoing passengers.

Figure 9 shows by way of example and schematically a luminaire - fifth embodiment. A light 14 is shown, which is arranged normal to the plane of a pane 4 of an external glazing of a rail vehicle. The light emitted by this luminaire 14 is reflected by means of a mirror 15 and forwarded in the plane of the pane 4. This deflected light 11 enters the disk 4 and is scattered in the region of the impurities 13 and exits the disk 4 on both sides. If the emission direction of the luminaire 14 is not normal to the slice plane, then the angle of the mirror 15 to the slice plane must be adapted accordingly.

Figure 10 shows an example and schematically an entrance area of a rail vehicle. It is a typical entrance area a passenger rail vehicle for mass transit, such as a subway, shown in perspective from inside. A door comprising two door leaves 5 serves as access to the passenger compartment. The passenger compartment is equipped with a partition at each side of this door. This partition divides the entrance area from the seating area of the passenger compartment. To simplify the illustration other fittings, in particular seats are not shown. The partitions extend in the embodiment shown only up to the height of Türoberkante and are attached to the side wall. These partitions comprise a support bar 16 and a disc 4. The support bar is designed in terms of its diameter and its surface finish so that passengers can find their support. Partitions can also be constructed differently, in particular, a floor to ceiling partition, which is attached to the floor and ceiling is possible, as well as the disc 4 may be enclosed.

Figure 11 shows, by way of example and schematically, an illuminated handrail. It is a section through a support rod 16 and a disc 4 in a mounting situation as in Figure 10 shown. The disk 4 is illuminated by a lamp 14, which is arranged in the disk plane. The light 11 propagates in the disc plane and strikes the edge of the disc 4 on the side opposite the lamp 14. At this edge, the light 11 exits the disc 4 and strikes the support rod 16 and is scattered on the support rod 16 , As a result, the support rod 16 is highlighted, which, for example, in the application Objective lighting is particularly advantageous as an emergency light. The disk 4 may further be equipped with means for extracting light on the disk surface itself, in Figure 11 However, such facilities are not shown.

List of terms

1

signaling system

2

Lamp

3

control device

4

disc

5

door leaf

6

windscreen

7

optical fiber

8th

diffuser

9

Opaque area

10

vehicle electronics

11

light

12

reflector

13

impurity

14

lamp

15

mirror

16

Handrail

Claims (14)

1. Signalling equipment (1) for a rail vehicle, comprising at least one lighting means (2) and one control device (3), wherein the at least one lighting means (2) and the control device (3) are configured and can be actuated in such a way that at least two different light distribution patterns are generated, wherein said light distribution patterns are emitted into the surroundings of the rail vehicle through a glass pane (4) of the external glazing,
   characterised in that
   the at least one lighting means (2) couples light into the glass pane (4) at an edge of the glass pane (4) of the external glazing and the light diffuses at an imperfection in the glass pane (4) and exits perpendicular to the plane of the glass pane in the region of said imperfection.
2. Signalling equipment (1) for a rail vehicle according to claim 1, characterised in that the light distribution patterns differ from one another by a respective different colour of light.
3. Signalling equipment (1) for a rail vehicle according to claim 1, characterised in that the light distribution patterns differ from one another by a respective different luminosity.
4. Signalling equipment (1) for a rail vehicle according to claim 1, characterised in that the light distribution patterns differ from one another by a respective different geometric luminosity distribution.
5. Signalling equipment (1) for a rail vehicle according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the glass pane (4) of the external glazing is a windscreen (6).
6. Signalling equipment (1) for a rail vehicle according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the glass pane (4) of the external glazing is a side window.
7. Signalling equipment (1) for a rail vehicle according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the glass pane (4) of the exterior glazing is a glass pane of a door leaf (5).
8. Signalling equipment (1) for a rail vehicle according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the at least one lighting means couples light via a light guide (7) into the glass pane of the exterior glazing.
9. Signalling equipment (1) for a rail vehicle according to claim 8, characterised in that the light guide (7) has a diffusing panel (8) arranged in the beam path.
10. Signalling equipment (1) for a rail vehicle according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that the light-emitting regions of the glass pane of the exterior glazing are surrounded by opaque regions (9) of the surface of the glass pane.
11. Signalling equipment (1) for a rail vehicle according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterised in that light-emitting diodes are provided as lighting means (2).
12. Signalling equipment (2) for a rail vehicle according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterised in that organic light-emitting diodes are provided as lighting means (2).
13. Signalling equipment (1) for a rail vehicle according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterised in that the control device (3) controls the light distribution patterns as a function of certain operating states of the rail vehicle.
14. Signalling equipment (1) for a rail vehicle according to claim 13, characterised in that the control device (3) comprises interfaces for the automatic transmission of certain operating states by the vehicle electronics (10).

Images