Abstract
A warning device and system for a rail vehicle includes at least the following components: an error detection apparatus, designed to detect at least one error condition of the rail vehicle, an image memory containing a number of images which indicate an actual condition of a rail vehicle, a first selection unit for selecting at least one of the images from the image memory in accordance with a detected error condition of the rail vehicle, at least one user interface with at least one display unit, a display control unit for controlling the display unit such that the image selected in accordance with the detected error condition is output on the display unit. There is also disclosed a corresponding method for warning a vehicle driver of a rail vehicle and the use of a warning system of a rail vehicle for displaying an actual condition of a rail vehicle.
Claims
1-16. (canceled)
17. A warning device for a rail vehicle, the warning device comprising: an error detection apparatus configured to detect at least one error condition of the rail vehicle; an image memory containing a plurality of images indicating an actual condition of a rail vehicle, the images being designed as image symbols; a first selection unit for selecting at least one of the images from the image memory depending on a detected error condition of the rail vehicle; a user interface with a display unit, said user interface having an input unit for detecting a text display command; a display control unit for controlling said display unit and to output a warning to a vehicle driver by selecting and displaying the image selected by the first selection unit in dependence on the detected error condition; an error text memory containing a plurality of error information texts for different error conditions of the rail vehicle; a second selection unit for selecting at least one of the error information texts from the error text memory depending on the detected error condition of the rail vehicle; said display control unit being configured to warn the vehicle driver by outputting on the display unit the error information text selected in dependence on the detected error condition; and wherein, when an error condition of the rail vehicle is detected, the image selected depending on the error condition is output first on the display unit, and only after a text display command is detected, the error information text selected in dependence on the error condition is output on the display unit.
18. The warning device according to claim 17, wherein the input unit for detecting the text display command is integrated within the display unit.
19. The warning device according to claim 17, wherein said error detection apparatus comprises at least one error detection interface for detecting at least one error signal of at least one component of the rail vehicle.
20. The warning device according to claim 19, wherein said error detection apparatus further comprises an evaluation unit configured to determine an error condition of the rail vehicle based on the detected error signal or a plurality of detected error signals.
21. The warning device according to claim 17, wherein the image symbols are pictograms and/or icons.
22. The warning device according to claim 17, wherein said display control unit is configured to output the selected error information text on said display unit next to the image.
23. The warning device according to claim 17, wherein said display control unit is configured to output the selected error information text on said display unit instead of the image.
24. The warning device according to claim 17, wherein an area in which the image is displayed on said display unit comprises a sensor region that forms part of said input unit for entering the text display command.
25. The warning device according to claim 17, comprising radio system for transmitting at least one error condition signal.
26. A rail vehicle, comprising a warning device according to claim 17.
27. A warning system for rail vehicles, the warning system comprising: a warning device according to claim 17 mounted on a rail vehicle, said warning device comprising a vehicle-side radio system for transmitting at least one error condition signal; and a track-side radio system configured for communicating with the vehicle-side radio system and for a track-side reception of the at least one error condition signal output by said vehicle-side radio system.
Description
[0056] The invention is explained in more detail once again below with reference to the enclosed figures on the basis of exemplary embodiments. Thereby, identical components in the various figures are provided with identical reference numbers. The figures are generally not to scale. In the figures:
[0057] FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a warning device according to the invention in accordance with a first exemplary embodiment in a rough schematic view,
[0058] FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of a warning device according to the invention in accordance with a second exemplary embodiment in a rough schematic view,
[0059] FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of a warning device according to the invention of a according to the invention in accordance with a third exemplary embodiment in a rough schematic view,
[0060] FIG. 4 shows a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a warning system according to the invention, which contains a warning device in accordance with a fourth exemplary embodiment in a rough schematic view,
[0061] FIG. 5 shows a monitor of a warning device according to the invention, on which a first image corresponding to an actual condition of a rail vehicle is displayed in a schematic view,
[0062] FIG. 6 shows the monitor from FIG. 5, on which a second image is displayed corresponding to an actual condition of the rail vehicle in a schematic view,
[0063] FIG. 7 shows the monitor from FIG. 5, on which a third image is displayed corresponding to an actual condition of the rail vehicle in a schematic view,
[0064] FIG. 8 shows the monitor from FIG. 5, on which a fourth image is displayed corresponding to an actual condition of the rail vehicle in a schematic view,
[0065] FIG. 9 shows the monitor from FIG. 5, on which a fifth image is displayed corresponding to an actual condition of the rail vehicle in a schematic view, and
[0066] FIG. 10 shows the monitor from FIG. 5, on which the second image from FIG. 6 and the third image from FIG. 7, as well as error information texts are displayed corresponding to error conditions of the rail vehicle, in a schematic view.
[0067] In FIG. 1, the system architecture of an exemplary embodiment of a warning device 1 is shown schematically in a block diagram. The system architecture here is roughly divided into three levels. In the lowest level E3 there is an error detection apparatus 2, which here detects an error condition FZg of a rail vehicle 20 (see FIG. 4). The error detection apparatus 2 comprises here an error detection interface 3 to detect error signals FS1, FS2, FS3 of components of a rail vehicle 20. The detected error signals FS1, FS2, FS3 are transmitted to an evaluation unit 4 of the error detection apparatus 2. From the transmitted error signals FS1, FS2, FS3, the evaluation unit 4 determines here an error condition FZg or an overall error condition FZg of the rail vehicle 20. The overall error condition FZg determined here is transmitted to the second level E2, here a control device 15.
[0068] In the lowest level E3 of the system architecture of the display device 1 there is also an image memory 7, which contains a number of images S1, S2, S3, which describe a corresponding error condition. These images S1, S2, S3 are also transmitted to the control device 15.
[0069] By means of a selection unit 5 of the control device 15, a corresponding image S1 is then transmitted on the basis of the error condition FZg transmitted by the error detection apparatus 2 to a display control unit 8 of the control device 15. The display control unit 8 can then control a display unit 12a, which is located in a first level E1 of the system architecture of the warning device 1, so that the image S1 transmitted to the display control unit 8 is represented on the display unit 12a. The display unit 12a can be, as explained later in more detail, for example a driver's cab display or a zone of a driver's cab display in a rail vehicle 20. On this, an actual condition of the rail vehicle 20 can then be displayed to a vehicle driver by means of the transmitted image S1 from the image memory 7.
[0070] In FIG. 2, a block diagram of the system architecture of a second exemplary embodiment of a warning device 1′ is shown. Here, however, the error detection apparatus 2 does not have an evaluation unit 4, but only an error detection interface 3. An evaluation unit 4 is not necessary here, because the error signal directly already indicates an error condition and does not have to be analyzed or converted first. In FIG. 2, for example, the error signal is an error code and thus signals the error condition FZg directly. The further structure of the warning device 1′ according to the invention corresponds to that of FIG. 1.
[0071] With the warning device according to the invention, however, not only an error condition FZg or an overall error condition FZg of a rail vehicle 20 can be output and displayed, as this is described in FIGS. 1 and 2. A plurality of error conditions FZ1, FZ2 can also be detected and displayed. These error conditions FZ1, FZ2 can, for example, describe error conditions of individual components of the rail vehicle 20. FIG. 3 schematically shows this in a third exemplary embodiment of a warning device 1″ according to the invention. By means of the evaluation unit 4 of the error detection apparatus 2, here, an error condition FZ1 of a first component and a second error condition FZ2 of a second component of the rail vehicle 20 are detected and transmitted to a selection unit 5. The selection unit 5 then selects an image S2 to match the first error condition FZ1 and selects an image S3 to match the second error condition FZ2 from the image memory 7, thereby displaying it on the display unit 12a.
[0072] If, in addition to the pictures S1, S2, S3, further information on the actual condition of the rail vehicle 20 is to be displayed to the vehicle driver, for example, the warning device 1″, as shown in FIG. 3, can comprise an error text memory 9. This error text memory 9 is located in the lower level E3 with the error detection apparatus 2 and the image memory 7. The error text memory 9 comprises various error information texts FT1, FT2, FT3. Each of the error information texts FT1, FT2, FT3 can also be assigned to an error condition FZ1, FZ2. In the selection unit 5, a first error information text FT2 and a second error information text FT3 are then transmitted to the display control unit 8 according to the received error conditions FZ1, FZ2. Again, for example, only an error information text FT1 could be transmitted here if an overall error condition FZg is to be described.
[0073] For displaying the error information texts FT2, FT3, the display device 1″ here comprises a second display unit 12b. The second display unit 12b is controlled by the display control unit 8 in such a way that the corresponding error information texts FT2, FT3 can be displayed on the display unit 12b. However, they could also be displayed on the display unit 12a.
[0074] The display control unit 8 can correspond to the display control unit 8, which controls the display unit 12a in such a way that the images S2, S3 selected depending on the detected error condition FZ1, FZ2 can be displayed on the display unit 12a. The display control unit 8 can also be separate from the first display control unit 8.
[0075] The corresponding error information texts FT2, FT3 are displayed here only after entering or receiving a text display command TB by a vehicle driver on the second display unit 12b. For example, by pressing an input unit 10, which will be explained in more detail later.
[0076] To display the actual conditions of a rail vehicle 20 and also outside a rail vehicle 20, for example, in a service center, the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 4 of a warning system 40 according to the invention comprises components that are located in the rail vehicle 20 and components that are located on a landside 30. The components of the warning system 40, which are arranged in the rail vehicle, are comprised here by a fourth exemplary embodiment of a warning device 1′″. In order to display the error condition FZg on a landside 30, the warning device 1′″ comprises a first radio system 13a, which detects an error condition FZg transmitted by the control device 15. The first radio system 13a then, due to the received error condition FZg, passes a resulting error condition signal FZS to a second radio system 13b, which is located on the landside, for example, in the service center. The second radio system 13b passes the error condition signal FZS to an evaluation device 14. In the evaluation device 14, the error conditions of the rail vehicle can then be evaluated statistically for example. The evaluation unit 14 is again electronically connected to a display unit 12c, in which a picture S1 corresponding to the error condition FZg and if necessary, also a corresponding error information text FT1 can be displayed. In an error memory 16 electronically connected with the evaluation device 14, the previously determined error conditions FZg and, for example, additional information collected about the error conditions FZg can then be stored, such as vehicle type, date and time of occurrence of the error condition, etc. The remaining structure of the warning device 1′″ according to the invention corresponds to that of FIG. 3.
[0077] If instead of an overall error condition FZg, as shown in FIG. 4, a plurality of error conditions FZ1, FZ2 are transmitted, then of course the radio system 13a can also emit a corresponding number of error condition signals FZS.
[0078] FIG. 5 shows an example of a user interface 6, here a monitor 6, an exemplary embodiment of a warning device according to the invention. The monitor 6 is located in a driver's cab of a rail vehicle 20 for example. On the monitor 6 or on the driver's cab display, on the one hand, a speedometer 21 is displayed, on which the current speed in km/h of the rail vehicle 20 can be read. On the other hand, an indicator 22 is shown, which shows the pulling force corresponding to the speed in N/m. In addition, various menu items 23, 23′, 23″ can be seen on the monitor 6, under which the vehicle driver can make further entries or retrieve further information about the course of the journey for example.
[0079] In accordance with an overall error condition FZg of the rail vehicle 20 detected by the warning device 1, 1′, 1″, 1′″ according to the invention, an image S1, here a symbol S1 or a pictogram S1, is shown in the display unit 12a in FIG. 5. The pictogram S1 here is a small “i”, preferably in blue, by means of which it is communicated to the vehicle driver that there is no operational restriction.
[0080] FIGS. 6 to 10 show the same monitor 6 or the same driver's cab display from FIG. 5, but with different pictograms, which are displayed on the display unit 12a.
[0081] The pictogram S2 on the display unit 12a in FIG. 6, shows a lowercase x in a circle, preferably colored red and a hand above it, preferably shown in green, thereby extending its thumb and index finger. This pictogram S2 indicates to the vehicle driver that there is an operating error, or that an operating action is necessary.
[0082] In FIG. 7, a pictogram S3 is shown in the display unit 12a that contains a locomotive, preferably colored black, with a superimposed warning triangle, preferably shown in yellow. An exclamation point, preferably shown in black, is arranged in the warning triangle. If this pictogram S3 appears on the driver's cab display, this indicates that there is an operational restriction of the rail vehicle, but further travel is possible.
[0083] In FIG. 8 another pictogram with a locomotive, preferably in black, with a superimposed spanner, preferably in yellow, is shown. This pictogram S4 indicates to the vehicle driver that there is an operational restriction and that a prompt stop at a workshop is necessary.
[0084] The pictogram S5 in FIG. 9 shows a locomotive, preferably shown in black, with a superimposed stop sign, preferably in red. This means that it is not possible for the rail vehicle 20 to travel further and that the rail vehicle 20 should be brought to a safe stop immediately.
[0085] In FIGS. 5 to 9 a total error condition FZg of the rail vehicle 20 was displayed in each case in the driver's cab display 6. As already explained, a plurality of error conditions FZ1, FZ2 can also be displayed by means of different images or pictograms. FIG. 10 shows a first pictogram S2 and a second pictogram S3 on a monitor 6 in the display area 12a. In the same display area 12a, corresponding error information texts FT2, FT3 are displayed next to the pictograms S2, S3.
[0086] The error information texts FT2, FT3 can be displayed next to the pictograms S2, S3, as shown in FIG. 10. However, they can also be displayed instead of the pictograms. For this purpose, the display device 12a has an input unit 10, 10′. The input unit 10 may correspond to a sensor region 11 in a preferred variant of the warning device according to the invention, as shown in FIG. 5. The sensor region 11 comprises an area on which the first symbol S1 is displayed on the display unit 12a. For example, if a vehicle driver taps the symbol S1, the input unit 10 is actuated and a text display command TB is emitted and instead of the symbols or also next to the symbols an error information text is displayed (not shown in FIG. 1). The input unit 10′ does not have to correspond to a sensor region 11, but can also correspond, for example, to a kind of button, which is also arranged on the vehicle driver's cab display for example.
[0087] In conclusion, it is again pointed out that the devices, applications and methods described above in detail, are merely exemplary embodiments, which can be modified by the person skilled in the art in various ways without leaving the realm of the invention. For example, a warning device can only display an overall error condition or also a plurality of error conditions using images and, if necessary, also with error information texts. Still, the use of the indefinite article “a” or “an” does not rule out that a plurality of the features in question can also be available. Similarly, the term “unit” does not exclude the possibility that the components in question consist of a plurality of interacting sub-components, which may optionally also be spatially distributed.
