Railway system with diagnostic system and method for operating same

[0001] The invention relates to railway systems which are equipped with a diagnostic system for monitoring railway components of the railway system.

[0002] When new railway components (system or equipment parts) that require diagnosis are introduced into diagnostic systems for monitoring railway components of a railway system, said new components must be made known to the diagnostic system so that they can be included in the diagnosis. Specifically, the diagnostic system must replicate both the railway component as such (i.e. its construction type) and the actual entity (i.e. in the form of component-specific identification data such as e.g. serial number, individual address information for communication, etc.) as a diagnostic object in the memory, and must know both the properties and the methods/rules for the respective diagnostic object.

[0003] The data required for the diagnosis forms a data set which is specific to the railway component. At present, the input of the data sets usually consists in said data sets being input into the diagnostic system as project planning data in the course of programming, configuration, or in the course of system project planning.

[0004] The input of data sets into diagnostic systems today is temporally independent of the connection of the respective railway components to the railway system. Consequently, the project planning data or data sets might not correspond to the connected railway components. Exemplary scenarios of this are as follows:

• • [0005] One or more railway components were added to the railway system without amending or updating the project planning data or data sets in the diagnostic system accordingly.
  • [0006] Data sets or project planning data do not correspond to the current railway system because errors were made during project planning, e.g., railway components were omitted.

[0007] In the case of conversion works in particular, the project planning or configuration of the diagnostic system must be updated following the introduction of one or more new railway components into the railway system that is to be diagnosed, and this can lead to problems of consistency between the actual railway system and the diagnostic system. Costly regression tests are often also necessary in order to verify that the changes introduced will not affect the project planning that is already in place (so-called change effect analysis).

[0008] The object of the invention is to improve a railway system with regard to simple configuration of the diagnostic system.

[0009] This object is inventively achieved by a railway system as claimed. Advantageous embodiments of the inventive railway system are specified in the dependent claims.

[0010] Accordingly, provision is made according to the invention for the railway component to be designed to autonomously transmit a self-describing data set and/or allow the diagnostic system to request such a data set as part of a plug-and-play method following connection to the diagnostic system, and the diagnostic system is designed to receive the data set from the railway component and to integrate the railway component into the further diagnostic operation on the basis of the data set.

[0011] It is considered an important advantage of the inventive railway system that the inventively provided diagnostic system ensures automatic (i.e., autonomous) reconfiguration or automatic adaptation of the diagnostics to the latest or the new system situation, i.e., without the need for manual intervention by maintenance personnel, when new railway components are connected to the diagnostic system. In other words, there is no need for project replanning, let alone new integration tests, change effect analyses or regression tests, following the addition of new railway components.

[0012] The diagnostic system is preferably designed in such a way that it receives or can receive the data set from the railway component, and integrates or can integrate the railway component into the further diagnostic operation, while live diagnostic operation is taking place in relation to other railway components. In other words, the integration of new railway components preferably takes place during the diagnostic operation of the other railway components that are already integrated.

[0013] In an advantageous variant, provision is made for the railway component to have a first component part which meets or exceeds a predetermined safety standard, and a second component part which does not meet the cited safety standard, and for the data set to be stored in the second component part.

[0014] In the last-cited variant, it is advantageous for the second component part to autonomously transmit the data set to the diagnostic system following connection to the diagnostic system.

[0015] Alternatively or additionally, provision can advantageously be made for the second component part to enable the diagnostic system to request the data set following connection to the diagnostic system.

[0016] With regard to sealing off the cited first “safety-relevant” component part against unauthorized access from the outside and/or with regard to so-called absence of interaction, it is considered advantageous for the first and the second component parts to be connected via a data diode which allows a data flow exclusively from the first component part into the second component part, and for information relating to the first component part, which must be transmitted to the diagnostic system for the purpose of diagnosis, to be transferred via the data diode to the second component part and from there to the diagnostic system.

[0017] Alternatively or additionally, provision can be made for the railway component to be connected to the diagnostic system via a data diode which allows a data flow exclusively from the railway component to the diagnostic system, and for the railway component, following connection to the diagnostic system, autonomously to transmit the data set and subsequently information which must be transmitted to the diagnostic system for the purpose of diagnosis, via the data diode to the diagnostic system as part of the plug-and-play method.

[0018] The railway component or at least one of the railway components is preferably a set of points which, as information that must be transmitted to the diagnostic system for the purpose of diagnosis, transmits current values and/or point throwing times to the diagnostic system.

[0019] The railway component or at least one of the railway components is preferably a signal device which, as information that must be transmitted to the diagnostic system for the purpose of diagnosis, transmits current values to the diagnostic system.

[0020] The railway component or at least one of the railway components is preferably an interlocking tower which, as information that must be transmitted to the diagnostic system for the purpose of diagnosis, transmits interlocking tower data to the diagnostic system.

[0021] The railway component or at least one of the railway components is preferably an axle counter which, as information that must be transmitted to the diagnostic system for the purpose of diagnosis, transmits axle counter data to the diagnostic system.

[0022] The railway component or at least one of the railway components is preferably a vehicle control center (in particular an ETCS vehicle control center) which, as information that must be transmitted to the diagnostic system for the purpose of diagnosis, transmits vehicle control center data to the diagnostic system.

[0023] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the data set which arrives at the diagnostic system as part of the plug-and-play method following connection to the diagnostic system is a complete data set in the sense that by itself it completely describes the railway component and itself alone enables the subsequent diagnosis by the diagnostic system.

[0024] Alternatively, provision can be made for the data set which arrives at the diagnostic system, as part of the plug-and-play method following connection to the diagnostic system, to merely identify the railway components, such that the diagnostic system can expand the data set received from the railway component by adding supplementary component data from another source, e.g. a central database, thus forming a complete data set which completely describes the railway component and enables the subsequent diagnosis by the diagnostic system.

[0025] In order that the diagnostic system can diagnose railway components in a particularly simple manner, e.g. store and evaluate the status data of the railway component, the data set which is transmitted from the railway components to the diagnostic system or the subsequently expanded data set preferably comprises at least the following information:

• • [0026] an unambiguous identification of the respective railway component,
  • [0027] a data structure of the information or diagnostic data of the railway component,
  • [0028] rules which could lead to a diagnostic result, and/or
  • [0029] further component-specific information, e.g. alarm reports in different languages, symbols which graphically represent the components, etc.

[0030] The diagnostic system can advantageously be realized as a cloud application or as a software module of a computing system of the railway system.

[0031] The invention further relates to a railway component for a railway system. According to the invention, said railway component is so designed as to autonomously transmit a self-describing data set and/or allow the diagnostic system to request such a data set as part of a plug-and-play method following connection to a diagnostic system of the railway system.

[0032] Concerning the advantages of the inventive railway component and concerning advantageous embodiments of the inventive railway component, reference is made to the foregoing explanations relating to the inventive railway system and advantageous embodiments thereof.

[0033] A subsequent diagnosis is preferably enabled by the data set itself, or at least after the addition of supplementary component data from another source.

[0034] In an advantageous embodiment, the railway component has a computing device which is programmed in software or in hardware to autonomously transmit a self-describing data set and/or allow the diagnostic system to request such a data set as part of a plug-and-play method following connection to a diagnostic system of the railway system.

[0035] The invention further relates to a diagnostic system for a railway system. According to the invention, said diagnostic system is so designed as to receive a data set from a railway component which is newly connected to the diagnostic system, and integrate said railway component into the further diagnostic operation on the basis of the data set.

[0036] Concerning the advantages of the inventive diagnostic system and concerning advantageous embodiments of the inventive diagnostic system, reference is made to the foregoing explanations relating to the inventive railway system and advantageous embodiments thereof.

[0037] It is advantageous if the diagnostic system has a computing device which is programmed in software or in hardware to receive a data set from a railway component which is newly connected to the diagnostic system, and integrate said railway component into the further diagnostic operation on the basis of the data set.

[0038] The invention further relates to a method for operating a railway system which has a diagnostic system for monitoring railway components of the railway system.

[0039] According to the inventive method, following connection of a railway component to the diagnostic system, the railway component autonomously transmits a self-describing data set and/or allows the diagnostic system to request such a data set as part of a plug-and-play method, and the diagnostic system receives the data set from the railway component and integrates the railway component into the further diagnostic operation on the basis of the data set.

[0046] The same reference signs are used for any identical or comparable components in the figures.

[0047] FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a railway system 10 which is equipped with a diagnostic system 20. The diagnostic system 20 comprises a computing device 21 which interacts with a memory 22. Stored in the memory 22 is a diagnostic module DM which enables a diagnosis of railway components that are connected to the diagnostic system 20.

[0048] In the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 1, three railway components are connected to the diagnostic system 20, specifically a signal device 31, an axle counter 32 and an interlocking tower 33. The three railway components 31, 32 and 33 each transmit information INF to a diagnostic module of the diagnostic system 20, on the basis of which a diagnosis of the respective component will take place.

[0049] In order to enable the diagnostic module DM to perform a component-specific diagnosis, an associated data set DS31, DS32 and DS33 is stored in the diagnostic module DM for each of the respective connected railway components, i.e. the signal device 31, the axle counter 32 and the interlocking tower 33. In this case, the data set DS31 relates to a diagnosis of the signal device 31, the data set DS32 to a diagnosis of the axle counter 32, and the data set DS33 to a diagnosis of the interlocking tower 33.

[0050] Also shown in FIG. 1 is a further railway component, which can be a set of points 34, for example. The set of points 34 comprises a first “safety-relevant” component part 100, which meets or exceeds a predetermined safety standard such as e.g. the safety standard SIL 4.

[0051] The first component part 100 comprises a computing device 110 and a memory 120. Stored in the memory 120 is a control program module SPM, which enables operation or interaction with connected devices.

[0052] In the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 1, an actuator 130, which can be e.g. a point machine for the set of points 34, is connected to the first component part 100 or the control program module SPM. The actuator 130 is activated by means of control commands SB from the first component part 100 or the control program module SPM thereof.

[0053] In addition to the actuator 130, further actuators, of which one is shown by way of example in FIG. 1 and is identified there by the reference sign 131, can be connected to the first component part 100 or the control program module SPM thereof. The activation of the one or more further actuators 131 can be or is likewise effected by means of control commands SB from the control program module SPM.

[0054] In the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 1, sensors 140 and 141 are also connected to the first component part 100. The sensor 140 can be a current sensor, for example, which captures the current flow when operating the set of points 34 and transmits the corresponding current values I to the first component part 100, e.g. in the form of maximum values or in the form of the total current flow.

[0055] The sensor 141 can be a timer, for example, which captures the throwing time of the set of points 34 when they are switched and transmits a corresponding throwing time value T to the first component part 100.

[0056] The control of the actuators 130 and 131 by the control program module SPM can advantageously be based on the measurement results or signals from the connected sensors 140 and 141, and from further sensors not shown in FIG. 1 if applicable.

[0057] Also stored in the memory 120 of the first component part 100 is a sending module SM which, when executed by the computing device 110 of the first component part 100, forms a sending device. The sending module SM will send the signals of the connected sensors 140 and 141 in processed or unprocessed form as information INF to a second component part 200 of the set of points 34.

[0058] In this case, the transmission of the information INF takes place via a data diode 300, which ensures an absence of interaction between the two component parts 100 and 200 and prevents access to the first component part 100 from the second component part 200.

[0059] Unlike the first component part 100, the second component part 200 is e.g. not “safety-relevant”, since it does not itself meet the predetermined safety standard which is met or exceeded by the first component part 100.

[0060] The second component part 200 comprises a computing device 210 and a memory 220. Stored in the memory 220 are an information transfer module IM, a data set DS34 and a data set sending module DSSM.

[0061] In FIG. 1, the set of points 34 is not yet connected to the diagnostic system 20 and therefore the diagnostic system 20 or the diagnostic module DM thereof is not able to take the set of points 34 into account as part of its diagnosis.

[0062] In order to integrate the set of points 34 into the diagnosis of the diagnostic system 20, it is merely necessary in the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 1 to connect the set of points 34 to the diagnostic system 20, since following such a connection the diagnostic system 20 or the diagnostic module DM is automatically extended as part of a plug-and-play method for the purpose of integrating the set of points 34. This is explained in greater detail by way of example in the following:

[0063] FIG. 2 shows the arrangement as per FIG. 1 after the set of points 34 has been connected to the diagnostic system 20. Following such a connection and the establishment of a data connection to the diagnostic system 20, the data set sending module DSSM of the second component part 200 of the set of points 34 will autonomously, or alternatively in response to a corresponding prompt from the diagnostic system 20, transmit the data set DS34 which is stored in the memory 220 to the diagnostic system 20.

[0064] In the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 2, the data set DS34 which arrives at the diagnostic system 20 is a complete data set, meaning that said data set itself completely describes the set of points 34 and itself alone enables the subsequent diagnosis by the diagnostic system 20.

[0065] A receiving module DSEM which is stored in the memory 22 of the diagnostic system 20 will, when executed by the computing device 21, receive the data set DS34 and subsequently transmit it to the diagnostic module DM for the purpose of integration.

[0066] FIG. 3 shows the arrangement as per FIGS. 1 and 2 after the data set DS34 of the set of points 34 has been transmitted via the data set sending module DSSM and the receiving module DSEM and implemented by the diagnostic module DM.

[0067] Following such an implementation of the data set DS34, the diagnostic module DM can diagnose the set of points 34 on the basis of the information INF relating to the set of points 34.

[0068] The information INF, which is preferably based on the measurement results of the sensors 140 and 141, is transmitted from the data sending module SM of the first component part 100 via the data diode 300 to the second component part 200, and then from the information transfer module IM of the second component part 200 to the diagnostic system 20 or the diagnostic module DM thereof.

[0069] The diagnosis of the set of points 34 on the basis of the data set DS34 can take place in a conventional manner, for example, by evaluating the current values or current flows I that occur during operation of the set of points 34 and/or by monitoring throwing times T in respect of compliance with predetermined parameters or limit values when the set of points 34 is operated.

[0070] For example, if it can be identified that the current flow I is too high and/or the throwing time T is too long when the set of points 34 is operated, a degree of sluggishness of the set of points can be deduced and a corresponding maintenance order can be triggered to maintain the set of points 34.

[0071] This applies correspondingly to a diagnosis of the other railway components 31, 32 and 33. If the diagnostic system 20 or the diagnostic module DM thereof determines that the signal device 31 is not transmitting information INF, in the form of electrical signals, to indicate that it is operating correctly, a corresponding maintenance order can be triggered to replace parts of the signal device 31.

[0072] In the exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 1 to 3, the railway components 31 to 34 which must be monitored or integrated into the diagnosis are directly connected to the diagnostic system 20.

[0073] As shown in FIG. 4, it is alternatively possible to provide a connection between the components via a network, e.g., the internet. Such an embodiment is shown by way of example in FIG. 4, in which the railway components 31 to 34 are connected to the diagnostic system 20 via a communication network 400.

[0074] In other respects, the foregoing explanations concerning FIGS. 1 to 3 apply correspondingly to the arrangement shown in FIG. 4, particularly in relation to the functioning of the diagnostic system 20 and the functioning of the railway components 31 to 34 connected thereto.

[0075] FIG. 5 shows an exemplary embodiment variant in which a data set DS34′, which merely identifies the set of points 34, is transmitted to the diagnostic system 20.

[0076] In order to generate the complete data set DS34 which completely describes the set of points 34 and enables the subsequent diagnosis by the diagnostic system, the diagnostic system 20 will expand the received data set DS34′, for example, by adding supplementary component data EKD from another source, for example a central database DB, which is connected to the diagnostic system 20 directly or indirectly via the communication network 400.

[0077] In other respects, the foregoing explanations concerning FIGS. 1 to 4 apply correspondingly to the arrangement shown in FIG. 5, particularly in relation to the functioning of the diagnostic system 20 and the functioning of the railway components 31 to 34 connected thereto.

[0078] FIG. 6 shows a further exemplary embodiment of a railway component in the form of a set of points 34 which is connected to the diagnostic system 20 according to FIGS. 1 to 3.

[0079] Unlike the exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 1 to 4, the set of points 34 according to FIG. 6 only comprises a safety-relevant component part 100′, which meets or exceeds a predetermined safety standard such as the safety standard SIL 4, for example.

[0080] In the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 6, the component part 100′ corresponds to the first component part 100 according to FIGS. 1 to 4 with the difference that the data set sending module DSSM, the data set DS34 and the information transfer module IM are stored in the memory 120, and the data set DS34 arrives at the diagnostic system 20 from the information transfer module IM of the memory 120 via the data diode 300. Following connection to the diagnostic system 20, the component part 100′ transfers the data set DS34 itself to the receiving module DSEM via the data diode 300 and then transfers the information INF itself to the diagnostic module DM of the diagnostic system 20.

[0081] Here again, the data diode 300 is used to reliably separate the set of points 34 or the safety-relevant component part 100′ from the diagnostic system 20, and to prevent any access to the set of points 34 from outside.

[0082] In other respects, the foregoing explanations concerning FIGS. 1 to 4 apply correspondingly to the arrangement shown in FIG. 6, particularly in relation to the functioning of the diagnostic system 20 and the functioning of the railway components 31 to 34 connected thereto.

[0083] In the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 6, the data diode 300 is directly connected to the diagnostic system 20. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 7, it is also possible to connect a communication network 400 between them as explained above in relation to FIG. 4.

[0084] In other respects, the foregoing explanations concerning FIGS. 1 to 4 apply correspondingly to the arrangement shown in FIG. 7, particularly in relation to the functioning of the diagnostic system 20 and the functioning of the railway components 31 to 34 connected thereto.

[0085] FIG. 8 shows an exemplary embodiment variant of the embodiment according to FIG. 7, in which a data set DS34′ which merely identifies the set of points 34 is transmitted to the diagnostic system 20. The foregoing explanations concerning FIG. 5 apply here correspondingly.

[0086] In summary, the railway system 10 according to the FIGS. 1 to 8 can have one, a plurality of, or all of the advantages or features listed again below in the form of key points:

• • [0087] The diagnostic system can be enabled to read out the required data from the components by means of a “just-in-time upgrade” (as soon as a new component is connected and becomes operational), such that project planning of the diagnostic system is no longer necessary.
  • [0088] Components can log onto the diagnostic system and submit not only their own identifier but also their type configuration (the data model which replicates their diagnosis), as well as further information such as methods describing the diagnosis and data for language switching and symbols.
  • [0089] The project planning data can be loaded directly into the railway components. As soon as a (new) railway component becomes operational in a railway system, said railway component logs onto the diagnostic system and the data set, which comprises both the data model of the diagnostic data and the methods describing the diagnosis of this component type, is transferred into the diagnostic system.
  • [0090] The entities (actual individual railway components) no longer require project planning, but are generated “on-the-fly” in the diagnostic system.
  • [0091] The project planning can be simplified, with costs being saved because project planning is not required for further entities. These are automatically generated in the diagnostic system as soon as the railway components log on (and deleted again if the railway components disappear).
  • [0092] Railway components can be diagnosed as soon as they are connected to a railway system.
  • [0093] Changes in the project planning data do not necessitate change effect analyses or regression tests, since no project planning data has to be changed.
  • [0094] The railway components to be diagnosed can be both not-safety-relevant railway components (in the signaling sense) and safety-relevant railway components, which can be configured up to SIL 4.
  • [0095] The railway components can consist of at least one not-safety-relevant part, which can operate non-interactively in relation to the safety-relevant part (e.g. FM platform).
  • [0096] In the railway components, the not-safety-relevant part of the railway component can be used to store the following data: the diagnosis data model; customer-specific data such as e.g. languages and symbols; methods that can be applied for the purpose of fault analysis for this type of railway component; methods that can be applied for the purpose of fault analysis in connection with other component types.
  • [0097] The diagnostic system can optionally be designed as a cloud application.
  • [0098] The status data can be transmitted as before.
  • [0099] The diagnostic system or the cloud application which is implemented as a diagnostic system preferably has the ability to receive, store and therefore process the models and methods, as in the case of input via a conventional project planning system.
  • [0100] The diagnostic system preferably replicates the entity data automatically.
  • [0101] The upgrade preferably takes place during live operation. Likewise, in the case of a software update of the components, the data in the diagnostic system is preferably updated automatically such that data consistency is guaranteed at all times.

[0102] Although the invention is illustrated and described above in detail with reference to preferred exemplary embodiments, the invention is not limited by the examples disclosed and other variations can be derived therefrom by a person skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention.

• • [0103] 10 Railway system
  • [0104] 20 Diagnostic system
  • [0105] 21 Computing device
  • [0106] 22 Memory
  • [0107] 31 Signal device
  • [0108] 32 Axle counter
  • [0109] 33 Interlocking tower
  • [0110] 34 Set of points
  • [0111] 100 Component part
  • [0112] 100′ Component part
  • [0113] 110 Computing device
  • [0114] 120 Memory
  • [0115] 130 Actuator
  • [0116] 131 Further actuator
  • [0117] 140 Sensor
  • [0118] 141 Sensor
  • [0119] 200 Component part
  • [0120] 210 Computing device
  • [0121] 220 Memory
  • [0122] 300 Data diode
  • [0123] 400 Communication network
  • [0124] DB Database
  • [0125] DM Diagnostic module
  • [0126] DS31 Data set
  • [0127] DS32 Data set
  • [0128] DS33 Data set
  • [0129] DS34 Data set
  • [0130] DS34′ Data set
  • [0131] DSEM Receiving module
  • [0132] DSSM Data set sending module
  • [0133] EKD Supplementary component data
  • [0134] I Current value/current flow
  • [0135] IM Information transfer module
  • [0136] INF Information
  • [0137] SB Control command
  • [0138] SM Sending module
  • [0139] SPM Control program module
  • [0140] T Throwing time value