DEVICE AND METHOD FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF AN OVERHEAD LINE SYSTEM OF A TRACK

Abstract

A device for the maintenance of an overhead line system of a track has a handling device and a displacement device. The displacement device serves to displace the handling device between a transport position and a working position. In the working position, the handling device reaches the overhead line system and is able to perform maintenance work by way of a tool. At least one sensor serves for controlling and/or monitoring the handling device. The device thus enables a simple, efficient and safe maintenance of the overhead line system.

Claims

1. A device for the maintenance of an overhead line system of a track, the device comprising: a handling device for handling a tool; a displacement device for displacing the handling device between a transport position and a working position; and at least one sensor for controlling and/or monitoring the handling device.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein said displacement device defines at least one displacement axis for displacing said handling device in a vertical direction.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein said displacement device defines at least one linear axis for linearly displacing the handling device.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein said displacement device defines at least one swivel axis for swiveling the handling device.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein said handling device comprises at least three movement axes.

6. The device according to claim 1, further comprising at least one electrically insulating insulation element configured to prevent an undesired current flow due to an overhead line voltage.

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said handling device or said displacement device comprises at least one electric drive.

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said handling device or said displacement device comprises at least one fluid-operated drive.

9. The device according to claim 1, wherein said handling device comprises a tool holder in which a tool is accommodated.

10. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a tool magazine for providing tools.

11. The device according to claim 1, further comprising at least one of an energy generator or an energy storage device.

12. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a control unit for at least one of controlling or monitoring said handling device.

13. The device according to claim 1, further comprising at least one protective element configured for protecting said handling device in the transport position.

14. A mobile maintenance system for the maintenance of an overhead line system of a track, the maintenance system comprising: a chassis; a plurality of wheels rotatably mounted to said chassis; and a device according to claim 1 disposed on said chassis.

15. A method for the maintenance an overhead line system of a track, the method comprising the following steps: providing a device according to claim 1; transporting the device to a place of use with the handling device being in the transport position; transferring the handling device from the transport position to the working position with the displacement device; and performing maintenance work with the handling device and a tool.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0028] FIG. 1 shows a side view of a mobile maintenance system for maintaining an overhead line system of a track according to a first embodiment in a transport state;

[0029] FIG. 2 shows a side view of the mobile maintenance system according to FIG. 1 in a working state;

[0030] FIG. 3 shows a side view of a mobile maintenance system for the maintenance of an overhead line system of a track according to a second embodiment in a working state; and

[0031] FIG. 4 shows a side view of a mobile maintenance system for the maintenance of an overhead line system of a track according to a third embodiment in a working state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0032] A first embodiment of the invention is described below with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. A mobile maintenance system 1 is designed as a rail vehicle. The maintenance system 1 serves to maintain an overhead line system 2 of a track. The overhead line system 2 comprises overhead line masts 3 to which an overhead line 5 is fastened by means of insulators 4. In a operating state, an overhead line voltage U is applied to the overhead line 5.

[0033] The maintenance system 1, which is designed as a rail vehicle, comprises a chassis 6 on which a number of axles with wheels 7 fastened to them are rotatably mounted. The wheels 7 are guided on rails 8 of the track. The maintenance system 1 has an electric traction drive 9 which is supplied with electric energy either from the overhead line 5 or from a power supply unit. The power supply unit is described in more detail below.

[0034] The maintenance system 1 has a device 10 for the maintenance of the overhead line system 2. The device 10 comprises a handling device 11 and a displacement device 12 for displacing the handling device 11 between a transport position and a working position. FIG. 1 illustrates the maintenance system 1 in a transport state, in which the handling device 11 and the displacement device 12 are in the transport position. In the transport state, the handling device 11 and the displacement device 12 are completely accommodated in a receiving space 13 of the maintenance system 1 or the rail vehicle. The receiving space 13 is bounded by the chassis 6, side walls 14 and a protective element 15.

[0035] The protective element 15 is arranged on an upper side of the receiving space 13 opposite the chassis 6. A maintenance opening 16 is formed on the upper side of the receiving space 13, which is closed by the protective element 15 in the transport state and is released and exposed by the protective element 15 in the working state. For this purpose, the protective element 15 can be displaced manually or by means of a drive not shown in more detail. The protective element 15 is designed, for example, as a sectional cover or roof which can be displaced along a side wall 14.

[0036] The handling device 11 is designed as a multi-axis robot. The handling device 11 is, for example, an industrial robot. The handling device 11 has six movement axes, which are designated B.sub.1 to B.sub.6 in detail. The movement axes B.sub.1 to B.sub.5 are designed as swivel axes. The movement axis B.sub.6 is designed as a rotary axis. For receiving a tool W, the handling device 11 has a tool holder 17. The structure of the handling device 11 or of the multi-axis robot is known and usual.

[0037] The handling device 11 serves for handling a received tool W. For actuating the movement axes B.sub.1 to B.sub.6, the handling device 11 has associated electric drives A.sub.B1 to A.sub.B6. The electric drives A.sub.B1 to A.sub.B6 are generally designated A.sub.B.

[0038] For providing tools W required for the maintenance, the device 10 comprises a tool magazine 18. The tool magazine 18 is arranged in the receiving space 13. If required, an additional tool changer may be provided.

[0039] The handling device 11 is connected to the displacement device 12 via an electrically insulating insulation element 19. By means of the insulating element 19, the handling device 11 is electrically insulated from the displacement device 12 and the chassis 6. An undesired current flow due to the overhead line voltage U is prevented by means of the insulation element 19.

[0040] The displacement device 12 is fastened to the chassis 6. The chassis 6 extends in an x-direction and a y-direction perpendicular to the x-direction. The displacement device 11 forms a displacement axis V.sub.L. The displacement axis V.sub.L serves to displace the handling device 11 in a vertical z-direction. The z-direction is perpendicular to the x-direction and the y-direction. The x, y and z directions form a Cartesian coordinate system.

[0041] The displacement device 12 is designed as a lifting platform. The displacement device 12 comprises a platform 20 and a scissor kinematics 21. The handling device 11 is connected with the platform 20 via the insulation element 19. The scissor kinematics 21 is connected with the platform 20 and the chassis 6. The scissor kinematics 21 is actuatable by means of an electric drive A.sub.V. The displacement axis V.sub.L is designed as a linear axis, so that the handling device 11 can be displaced linearly in the vertical z-direction. The z-direction runs essentially parallel to the direction of gravity. The handling device 11 can thus be displaced towards or away from the overhead line 5.

[0042] In order to carry out maintenance work, the device 10 has sensors 22, 23, 24 and a control unit 25. A first sensor 22 is designed as a camera. The first sensor 22 is arranged in the region of the tool holder 17 at the handling device 11. A second sensor 23 is designed as a camera and is arranged in the receiving space 13 on one of the side walls 14. A third sensor 24 is designed as a voltage measurement sensor and is arranged on the handling device 11. The third sensor 24 serves for measuring the overhead line voltage U.

[0043] The sensors 22, 23, 24 are in signal communication with the control unit 25. The control unit 25 serves to form a remote control. For this purpose, the control unit 25 has at least one screen 26 and operating elements 27 as well as a computer 28. The control unit 25 is arranged in a cabin 29.

[0044] For electric energy supply, the device 10 has an energy supply unit 30. The energy supply unit 30 comprises an energy generator 31 and an energy storage 32 for providing electric energy. The energy supply unit 30 is arranged on the chassis 6. The energy generator 31 comprises, for example, a power unit having a drive operable by means of a fuel and a power generator driven thereby. The energy storage 32 is designed, for example, as an accumulator. By means of the energy supply unit 30, the electric traction drive 9 may also be supplied with electric energy. The energy supply unit 30 may comprise rectifiers, inverters and/or converters not shown in greater detail.

[0045] In the following, the operating principle of the mobile maintenance system 1 is described:

[0046] FIG. 1 shows a disturbance object S located on the overhead line 5. The disturbance object S is, for example, a branch. The disturbance object S is to be removed by means of the mobile maintenance system 1.

[0047] First, the maintenance system 1 is in the transport state shown in FIG. 1. The handling device 11 and the displacement device 12 are arranged in the transport position shown in FIG. 1 in the receiving space 13. The protective element 15 closes the maintenance opening 16 so that the handling device 11 and the displacement device 12 are protected from environmental influences. In the transport state, the maintenance system 1 is driven to the place of use by means of the traction drive 9. Electric power is supplied, for example, up to the disturbance object S via the overhead line 5 and at the place of use via the power supply unit 30.

[0048] At the place of use, the maintenance system 1 is transferred from the transport state to the working state shown in FIG. 2. For this purpose, the protective element 15 is first opened so that the maintenance opening 16 is open or exposed. Subsequently, the handling device 11 and the displacement device 12 are remotely controlled by a worker in the cabin 29. The sensors 22, 23 transmit captured images to the screen 26 so that the worker can remotely control the device 10 using the operating elements 27.

[0049] The handling device 11 first picks up a suitable tool W from the tool magazine 18. The tool W is, for example, a gripper. The tool W is designed in such a way that the gripper is opened or closed by a movement about the movement axis B.sub.6.

[0050] The electric drive A.sub.V then actuates the displacement device 12 so that the handling device 11 is displaced linearly along the displacement axis V.sub.L in the z-direction towards the overhead line 5. The displacement device 12 is locked in the working position. The handling device 11 is now in the desired working position.

[0051] The tool W, which is designed as a gripper, and the handling device 11 can now be used to remove the disturbance object S from the overhead line 5. It is not necessary for the overhead line 5 to be de-energized. The overhead line voltage U can therefore be applied during the maintenance work. When a tool change is required, the handling device 11 places the tool W that is no longer required in the tool magazine 18 and removes a needed tool W from the tool magazine 18. The removed disturbance object S may then be placed in the receiving space 13 and transported away with it.

[0052] When the maintenance work is complete, the handling device 11 and the displacement device 12 are moved back to the transport position. The displacement device 12 is locked in the transport position. The protective element 15 is closed again. The handling device 11 deposits the tool W that is no longer required in the tool magazine 18. The mobile maintenance system 1 can now be moved to another place of use.

[0053] A second embodiment of the invention is described below with reference to FIG. 3. In contrast to the first embodiment, the mobile maintenance system 1 is designed as a rail vehicle. The mobile maintenance system 1 is transported to the place of use by means of a rail vehicle and transported away from the place of use again. The mobile maintenance system 1 therefore does not have its own traction drive.

[0054] Furthermore, the drives A.sub.V and A.sub.B of the displacement device 12 and the handling device 11 are fluid-operated. This means that the drives A.sub.V and A.sub.B can be actuated by means of a pressure fluid. The drives A.sub.V and A.sub.B are designed, for example, as a piston-cylinder unit and/or as a fluid motor. The drives A.sub.V and A.sub.B are actuatable, for example, pneumatically by means of compressed air and/or hydraulically by means of a pressure liquid, for example a hydraulic oil. For this purpose, the device 10 comprises a pressure fluid supply unit 33 with a pressure fluid generator 34 and a pressure fluid reservoir 35. The pressurized air generator 34 is designed as an electrically operable pump. For the supply of electric energy, the mobile maintenance system 1 has a connection 36 which is connected to an external supply line 37. The external supply line 37 is connected, for example, to an electric power supply of the rail vehicle. The pressure fluid reservoir 35 is connected to the actuators A.sub.V and A.sub.B via pressure fluid lines, pressure fluid valves and pressure fluid connections that are not shown in detail. The pressure fluid lines, pressure fluid valves and the pressure fluid connections are designed as to be electrically insulating. With regard to the further structure and the further operating principle, reference is made to the first embodiment.

[0055] A third embodiment of the invention is described below with reference to FIG. 4. In contrast to the previous embodiments, a displacement axis V.sub.S of the displacement device 12 is designed as a swivel axis. For this purpose, the displacement device 12 has a carrier 38 and a swivel bridge 39. The carrier 38 is fastened to the chassis 6. The carrier 38 is fork-shaped. The swivel bridge 39 is mounted on both sides on the carrier 38. The displacement axis V.sub.S runs parallel to the y-direction. The drive A.sub.V is designed as to be electric. With regard to the further structure and the further operating principle, reference is made to the preceding embodiments.

[0056] The individual features of the different embodiments may be combined in any desired manner.