METHOD FOR THE STATE-BASED MAINTENANCE OF A COUPLING ARRANGEMENT, AND MONITORING SYSTEM

Abstract

A method for the state-based maintenance of a coupling arrangement of a track-bound vehicle includes the steps of: providing coupling arrangement data and surroundings data; transmitting the coupling arrangement data and/or the surroundings data to a data processing system and determining a target specification for a maintenance requirement of the coupling arrangement as a function of the coupling arrangement data and the surroundings data; recording images of the coupling arrangement for optical reproduction of an actual state and transmission to the data processing system; and evaluating an optical actual state of the coupling arrangement from the images taking account of the target specification, which is formed from the operating data and the state data, for the maintenance requirement at an evaluation time and taking the evaluating as a basis for correcting the target specification.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation of PCT application no. PCT/EP2022/069034, entitled “METHOD FOR THE STATE-BASED MAINTENANCE OF A COUPLING ARRANGEMENT, AND MONITORING SYSTEM”, filed Jul. 8, 2022, which is incorporated herein by reference. PCT application no. PCT/EP2022/069034 claims priority to German patent application no. 10 2021 117 808.8, filed Jul. 9, 2021, which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to monitoring systems, and, more particularly, to monitoring systems with respect to track-bound vehicles.

2. Description of the Related Art

The term “track-bound vehicle” is intended to be understood to mean, among other things, trains, wagons and locomotives that travel or are driven on one or more rails. These are in particular fuel-operated or electric trains or trams.

The term “coupling arrangement” is intended to be understood to mean primarily at least the part of a coupling system of track-bound vehicles that facilitates mechanical connection between the two vehicles. The coupling arrangement permits both impact and tensile forces to be absorbed and transmitted. These are installed or formed on the rail vehicles such that the latter are able to be moved and pivoted on a curve or gradient in order to robustly maintain their alignment and therefore the mechanical coupling. The coupling arrangement includes in particular a coupling head having coupling elements for coupling to a coupling head of a mating coupling, and also, depending on the version, a coupling rod, an articulation or a bearing and if necessary energy dissipating elements. The term coupling arrangement here covers in particular all elements from the interface to the car body to the interface for coupling to the mating coupling.

The coupling arrangements and their individual components are normally designed for a specific use in order to be mechanically robustly and reliably coupled to one another in a wide variety of situations, regardless of rail vehicle type and/or straight or curved track sections on a horizontal plane or with a gradient. Furthermore, the design is provided in order to be able to transmit predefined tensile forces over a predefined operating period and to compensate for impact forces of predefined magnitude. To this end, such coupling arrangements have provision for a damping device to absorb tensile and impact forces up to a defined magnitude and to pass on forces beyond said magnitude to the vehicle chassis. As a result, tensile and impact forces that arise between the individual car bodies, for example in the case of a multielement rail vehicle, during normal running operation are absorbed in this shock protection, which is generally of regenerative design. This prevents the tensile and impact forces that occur during normal running operation from being passed on to the vehicle chassis. However, the damping device is not capable of fundamentally preventing tensile and impact forces from being introduced into the components of the coupling arrangement. As a result, the components of the coupling arrangement are subject to more or less constant wear during operation.

During operation of the respective rail-bound vehicle, the coupling arrangements are furthermore subject to further diverse conditions that may have a not inconsiderable influence on the theoretically envisaged life of the individual components of the coupling arrangement. As such, wear on the coupling arrangement during the coupling operation may increase if self-centering of the coupling arrangements to be coupled to one another is hampered when the couplings are at a greater distance or offset from one another.

Too fast an approach by the rail vehicles to be coupled to one another and an associated collision between the coupling arrangements may also lead to increased wear and deformation and therefore to a shorter service life for the couplings. In this context, reference is made by way of example to the document WO 2016/193063 A1, which describes an automatic coupling system between rail vehicles.

In addition, the meteorological boundary conditions of the use, in particular ambient temperature, humidity, type, nature and speed or intensity of precipitation may have a not inconsiderable influence on the functionality of the coupling arrangement and the components thereof and on the aging of the materials of individual parts, which in turn have an influence on the components as a whole.

Maximum reliability of the coupling arrangement is indispensable during the operation of a rail vehicle, however. This implies that all components of the coupling arrangement are designed and operating correctly. In this context, “operating correctly” means that the properties and behavior of the individual components of the coupling arrangement have not or have not substantially changed compared with the original design. Due to the compact physical shape of coupling arrangements that are normally used, however, the functionality of the individual components of the coupling arrangement can normally be checked only as part of an inspection and maintenance that must be scheduled in rotation, in which the individual components in the coupling arrangement are inspected and if necessary replaced as appropriate. Such inspections currently need to be performed regularly in order to ensure that all the components of the coupling arrangement are operating correctly. However, they are very complex and time-consuming, since a comprehensive visual examination of the components of the coupling arrangement is often not possible.

Various approaches are conceivable for the performance of an inspection and maintenance. This is usually done at fixed intervals. The intervals are predefined in view of the design of the coupling arrangement in such a way that, under normal conditions, failure of individual components due to wear is avoided with certainty before the maintenance time is reached. A predefined period of time is usually firmly specified or the maintenance requirement is defined for a distance covered by the rail vehicle that describes the operating period.

Additionally, the information obtained from monitoring systems associated with the coupling arrangements about the operation and state of the coupling arrangement may be used in a supportive role for an inspection and maintenance. Such a monitoring system for monitoring is described in DE 10 2013 206 977 A1, for example. It is used to capture not only the data relating to the coupling arrangement that describe the normal operation of the coupling arrangement but also particular incidents, for example heavy coupling impacts, that may have an influence on the life of individual components and assemblies.

To detect a structural failure of coupling arrangements that may lead to accidents and sometimes to catastrophic damage, in particular in the case of heavy freight and high-speed trains, in real time, there is provision according to US 2018/0162423 A1 for a monitoring system that captures the structural changes directly on the coupling itself, in particular on the coupling rod. DE 10 2019 106 961 A1 describes the arrangement of capture devices for state variables or operating variables on force transmission elements of the coupling.

U.S. Pat. No. 10,618,532 B2 provides a state monitoring system for train couplings that detects both exterior and interior structural damage, including damage to the part concealed beneath the car bodywork, even when the train is operating. The state monitoring system includes one or more sensors that are installed on or integrated in the coupling arrangement, a data capture unit for receiving signals or data from the sensors and a processing unit for determining the structural state of the train coupling on the basis of the received signal or the received data. Checks using the system may be performed continuously or periodically in real time during the operation of a train. This may also be performed offline while a train is not operating.

Furthermore, the approach of predictive maintenance is known generally in the field of rail vehicles, and the advantages are described in Jacob Schreiner, Elisa Mundt: “Was ist Predictive Maintenance? Definition, Anwendung, Beispiele”, Jan. 31, 2020 https://www.industry-of-things.de/was-ist-predictive-maintenance-definition-anwendung-und-beispiele-a-693842/?print.

The maintenance process based on the evaluation of operating and state data determined in real time presupposes a multiplicity of appropriate capture devices and the provision of appropriate monitoring systems, however. Reliable integration or the addition of the requisite capture devices necessitates additional modifications to the individual components, in particular the coupling arrangement, and ensuring the functional safety of the capture devices and monitoring systems is complex and costly.

The approach of using visual inspections to identify states is known from DE 10 2015 205 978 A1, which describes a system for documenting the state of a motor vehicle by way of image and data capture with time association by setting a timestamp.

Chao Zheng, Zhenzhong Wei: “Automatic online vision-based inspection system of coupler yoke for freight trains”; Journal of Electronic Imaging 25(6), 061602 (2016) describes a method in which regular images of a part, in particular an intermediate piece of an AAR coupling, that are produced while travelling on the vehicle are used to detect failure of components, in particular the bolt. However, the approach of state identification solely on the basis of images presupposes ongoing creation of such images in order to obtain an early indication of possible damage occurring that adversely affects operation. The complexity of this is relatively high, however, and the individual cameras for image capture are also subject to the environmental influences, which means that incorrect information may be transferred.

What is needed in the art is a method for maintaining coupling arrangements that allows relatively reliable statements regarding necessary maintenance/servicing with as little additional design complexity for the coupling arrangement itself as possible, unnecessary outage times being intended to be avoided. What is needed in the art is that the individual components of the coupling arrangement—even after a relatively long operating time—operate correctly and are involved in the overall coupling concept of the vehicle as appropriate without this requiring the individual components of the coupling arrangement to be individually and regularly checked as part of a conventional inspection.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a method for the state-based maintenance of a coupling arrangement for track-bound vehicles, in particular rail vehicles, and also a monitoring system.

The method according to the present invention for the state-based maintenance of a coupling arrangement of a track-bound vehicle, the coupling arrangement having at least one coupling head for coupling to a diametrically opposed coupling head of a mating coupling and optionally at least one line coupling for coupling to a line coupling of a mating coupling to transmit electrical charge and/or data and/or liquid or gaseous media, includes the following method steps:

• • a) providing coupling arrangement data in the form of operating data and optionally state data relating to the coupling arrangement;
  • b) providing surroundings data for describing information relating to the ambient conditions to which the coupling arrangement is subject;
  • c) transmitting the provided data to a data processing system and determining a target specification for a maintenance requirement of the coupling arrangement as a function of the provided coupling arrangement data and surroundings data;
  • d) recording images of the coupling arrangement for optical reproduction of the actual state and transmission to the data processing system;
  • e) evaluating the optical actual state of the coupling arrangement from the images taking account of the target specification, which is formed from the operating and state data, for the maintenance requirement at an evaluation time and forming a correction specification for the target specification of the maintenance requirement on the basis of the evaluation.

“Coupling arrangement data” within the context of the present invention are understood to mean in particular data that are suitable for at least indirectly describing the functioning of the coupling arrangement and the individual components thereof and/or the ambient conditions. They include operating data, surroundings data and optionally, but not necessarily, also state data.

“Operating data” are in particular data that describe the functioning of the coupling arrangement. In particular, they include: number of coupling operations in a definable period; state—coupled/uncoupled; coupling speed; coupling impacts; operating period (length of time, km travelled); GPS data.

“State data” are in particular data that describe the physical or chemical properties of the coupling arrangement and the components thereof.

“Surroundings data” within the context of the present invention are understood to mean data that include environmental information, which is available in particular as chemical or physical variables that may have an influence on the aging and wear of the components of the coupling arrangement. These include physical and chemical variables such as for example temperature, humidity, type, intensity and nature of precipitation, etc.

A “target specification of a maintenance requirement” is understood to mean in particular information that relates to and describes the next required maintenance and/or the next replacement of a component.

The solution according to the present invention affords the advantage of firstly by and large providing a purely data-based specification for a maintenance requirement for the coupling arrangement and of verifying it by way of an additional visual inspection and if necessary being able to flexibly adapt it. Taking account of the data that characterize the functioning of the coupling arrangement and environmental data including the information about ambient influences, which may affect service life, permits very precise target specifications that are oriented closely towards the actual stresses to which the coupling arrangement is subject. This avoids unnecessary downtimes caused firstly by early loss or failure of individual components or else, secondly, by the performance of an inspection and maintenance that is not yet required based on the state. The solution according to the present invention therefore facilitates optimum matching of the service intervals to the real actual state of the coupling arrangement.

The target specification for the maintenance requirement optionally includes a theoretically possible variable that optionally at least indirectly characterizes a maximum permissible remaining operating period of the coupling arrangement before the next maintenance as a function of the captured coupling arrangement data and surroundings data. This remaining operating period describes the interval in which the coupling arrangement is still “operating correctly”.

Specifically, the theoretically possible remaining operating period may be described by way of

• • a) a time statement, in particular
    • a1) a period of time in the form of a still permissible remaining operating period before the next required maintenance or
    • a2) a date statement or a limited period of time
    • or
  • b) a length statement, in particular a statement about km still to be travelled before the next required maintenance
    • or
  • c) a combination of the two.

While variant a) also includes downtimes in which the coupling arrangement may, however, also be subject to extreme weather conditions, variant b) includes the actual operating period in which the coupling arrangement is subject to the stresses.

In particular variant c) permits very precise advance determination of the next required maintenance and allows it to be easily planned, in particular in view of the field of use of the rail vehicle bearing the coupling arrangement.

In a particularly advantageous development, the data including the provided coupling arrangement data, the surroundings data and the images are provided with a timestamp and stored together therewith. As a result, the changes in the data over time become transparently evident and the change response of said data over a defined period may likewise be taken into account and used to draw conclusions about the remaining operating period.

There are multiple options for providing the coupling arrangement data and surroundings data. According to a particularly advantageous variation of the method, during the operation of the vehicle that bears or has the coupling arrangement the coupling arrangement data and the surroundings data are captured at least in part, optionally in full, on the vehicle, in particular by way of a data providing device associated with the vehicle anyway for other tasks. Optionally, the data captured or present anyway in the controller of the vehicle itself are used. This variation affords the advantage of being able to access and using data that are available and required anyway for open-loop and/or closed-loop control tasks of the vehicle. The additional capture and therefore the provision of appropriate capture devices on the coupling itself may be reduced or even avoided completely. In particular for the coupling arrangement itself, the complexity in terms of devices that additionally need to be provided for capturing specific data may be minimized or avoided completely.

By and large, the combination of data that need to be provided or captured on the vehicle anyway (data that at least indirectly or directly describe the functioning of the coupling arrangement and/or surroundings data) and the additional visual inspection, in particular if this takes place only temporarily or after a request has been made, affords a—due to the omission of capture devices that can be provided on the coupling arrangement—simple, particularly inexpensive but, as a result of the additional visual inspection, also very reliably, in respect of the statement that can be derived therefrom, providable way of optimizing the maintenance intervals.

In an alternative variation, during the operation of the vehicle bearing the coupling arrangement the coupling arrangement data and the surroundings data are captured at least in part, optionally in full, using a data providing device associated with the coupling arrangement. This permits capture independently of the vehicle.

In an advantageous development, at least the coupling arrangement data and surroundings data cited below are captured and provided for the individual coupling arrangement in order to derive a target specification for a maintenance requirement:

• • running time of the vehicle bearing the coupling arrangement, in particular mileage of the vehicle;
  • number of coupling operations performed;
  • GPS coordinates of the coupling arrangement or the vehicle;
  • coupling speed;
  • exterior temperature;
  • coupling ID.

These minimum variables are sufficient to derive an informative target specification for the maintenance requirement. According to an already cited particularly advantageous variation, they are provided in full on the vehicle, either directly or, as these variables, at least indirectly, i.e. in a functional or proportional association with these static variables. That is to say that any additional modifications, the provision of additional capture devices, may be omitted.

In a particularly advantageous development, not only the minimum data but also additional operating and state data may be captured that allow even more precise clarification of the target specification for the maintenance requirement. These include force/distance statements and information regarding the acceleration and deceleration behavior of the rail vehicle over a predefinable period. In a particularly advantageous variation, these may also be provided by way of the vehicle controller.

Multiple variants are conceivable for the timing of the individual method steps a) to e). According to a first advantageous variant, the optical images are recorded only on demand at a demand time or in predefined time intervals and then evaluated at an evaluation time. The provision of the coupling arrangement data and the determination of the target value specification for the maintenance requirement in accordance with method steps a) to c) take place at least at the demand time or in the predefined intervals for recording the images.

In this case, there is the option of recording the images also only manually on demand, which means that it is possible to dispense with corresponding permanently installed devices on the coupling arrangement.

In a second variant, the coupling arrangement data may also be captured on an ongoing basis and method steps a) to c) may be cyclically or iteratively repeated. Combination with a timestamp allows the images recorded on demand to be associated with the coupling data available at this time and the information obtained therefrom and subjected to an evaluation. The cyclic or regular provision of coupling arrangement data and surroundings data and the resultant adaptation of the target specification allow brief and extreme changes in the functioning to be taken into account promptly when determining the next maintenance time or period.

According to a third variant, all the method steps (a) to (e) described above are cyclically or iteratively repeated. In this case, however, there is provision on the coupling arrangement for devices that correspond in terms of apparatus in order to record the images. These may in particular be capture devices, in particular image sensors, integrated on or in the coupling arrangement.

In the simplest case, the optical actual state of the coupling arrangement is evaluated by comparing the actual state with a target state. If no variances between the actual state and the target state are determined, the target specification for the maintenance requirement from the coupling arrangement data is retained or will even be extended on the basis of the still available remaining operating period from the target specification.

If a variance is detected, a change of target specification for a maintenance requirement is determined and set as the new target specification on the basis of the type, the extent and the direct or indirect influence of the variance on the functioning and the remaining operating period, determined by the target specification, before the next maintenance of the coupling arrangement and/or individual components.

In an advantageous development, evaluation involves classifying the variances into different classes as a function of their direct or indirect effect on the functioning and/or remaining operating period of the coupling arrangement. Each class is assigned at least one specification to change/correct the target specification for the maintenance requirement, the change/correction of the target specification within a class being determined as a function of the variance having the greatest effect on the functioning and/or remaining operating period of the coupling arrangement.

By way of example, a distinction may be drawn between variances between the actual state and the target state that have no influence on the functioning and state of the coupling arrangement during the outstanding remaining operating period predetermined by the target specification of the maintenance requirement and variances that do influence the functioning and state of the coupling arrangement during the outstanding remaining operating period predetermined by the target specification of the maintenance requirement. The former do not correct the target specification. The latter may also be analyzed in respect of the extent and a theoretical time of occurrence of an impairment of the functioning of the coupling arrangement, the target specification of the maintenance requirement from the operating and surroundings data then being corrected as appropriate.

Specifically, damage to components/parts that may lead to later failure thereof and hence to loss and impairment of the whole coupling arrangement may thus be detected early and replaced or overhauled in good time by correcting the maintenance specification.

The coupling arrangement data and/or surroundings data and/or images are optionally stored in a database that may be part of the providing devices or of an edge device or cloud structure. The determination of the target specification for the maintenance requirement and/or the evaluation of the optical actual state of the coupling arrangement from the images taking account of the target specification, which is formed from the operating and state data, for the maintenance requirement at an evaluation time are performed optionally in a decentralized manner by edge processing or cloud computing. The data are transmitted wirelessly, there being no restrictions in respect of the type of transmission and technology. This may take place for example by way of WLAN, radio, Bluetooth, etc., depending on the arrangement of the memory.

In one development, the target specification and/or the correction specification for the target specification are determined using at least one mathematical model. The mathematical model may be created using artificial intelligence methods, such as machine learning or a neural network. Alternative methods use decision trees, linear or non-linear regression methods, etc. This permits qualitatively high-precision and reproducible specifications for the service intervals.

According to one development, the target specification formed in the data processing system or the corrected value for the target specification of the maintenance requirement may be read and displayed on arbitrary external devices.

A monitoring system for the state-based maintenance of a coupling arrangement of a track-bound vehicle, the coupling arrangement having at least one coupling head for coupling to a diametrically opposed coupling head of a mating coupling and optionally a line coupling for coupling to a line coupling of a mating coupling to transmit electrical charge and/or data and/or liquid or gaseous media, includes:

• • at least one device for capturing and providing coupling arrangement data and/or surroundings data;
  • a device for recording images of the coupling arrangement and/or the components thereof;
  • at least one data memory for storing the coupling arrangement data, surroundings data and images;
  • a data processing system for analyzing and processing the coupling arrangement data, surroundings data and images, the data processing system being able to be coupled to the providing devices to transmit data.

A data processing system within the context of the present invention may be understood to mean for example a central or decentralized structure suitable for receiving, storing, analyzing and processing data. If arranged centrally, it may be understood as a machine or an electronic circuit or a powerful computer. A processor may be in particular a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor or a microcontroller, for example an application-specific integrated circuit or a digital signal processor, possibly in combination with a storage unit for storing program instructions, etc. A processor may also be understood to mean a virtualized processor, a virtual machine or a soft CPU. By way of example, it may also be a programmable processor that is equipped with configuration steps for carrying out said method according to the present invention or is configured with configuration steps such that the programmable processor produces the inventive features of the method, the component, the modules or other aspects and/or subaspects of the present invention. This may be integrated in a control unit associated with the vehicle, for example.

According to a particularly advantageous variation, the data processing system is formed by a cloud structure for cloud computing, however.

A “memory” or “storage module” and the like within the context of the present invention may be understood to mean for example a volatile memory in the form of random access memory (RAM) or a permanent memory such as a hard disk or a data carrier or, for example, a removable storage module. This may be associated with the providing devices. Optionally, however, the memory module is a cloud-based storage solution connected to the individual providing devices via a wireless connection, for example mobile radio connection.

The data processing system is optionally in decentralized form and, in a particularly advantageous variation, in the form of a cloud structure for cloud computing that permits various external resources to be used.

The monitoring system according to the present invention is therefore of simple design and may be incorporated into already existing cloud structures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention will be better understood by reference to the following description of embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 shows the design and the basic functioning of a monitoring system according to the invention; and

FIG. 2 uses a flowchart to show a method according to the invention.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplifications set out herein illustrate embodiments of the invention, and such exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows a schematically simplified representation of a coupling arrangement 1 of a track-bound vehicle 2, including a coupling head 3 for coupling to a diametrically opposed coupling head of a coupling arrangement of a further track-bound vehicle, not shown here. The coupling arrangement 1 may also optionally have at least one line coupling 10 for coupling to a line coupling of a mating coupling for transmitting electrical charge and/or data and/or liquid or gaseous media.

The coupling arrangement 1 has an associated monitoring system 4. The monitoring system 4 is optionally in decentralized form. FIG. 1 shows a particularly advantageous variation of the monitoring system 4. Said monitoring system includes at least one data processing system 5 and at least one providing device 6 for providing and transmitting coupling arrangement data KAD and/or surroundings data UD relating to the coupling arrangement 1 and also at least one providing device 7 for providing and transmitting images of the coupling arrangement 1 to the data processing system 5. The term “data processing system” is not necessarily intended to be understood as an apparatus. The data processing system 5 may be in central form or else, in a particularly advantageous variation according to the invention as depicted in FIG. 1, be produced by way of a cloud architecture for cloud computing.

The data processing system 5 has at least one interface to the respective providing device 6 for providing and transmitting coupling arrangement data KAD and/or surroundings data UD relating to the coupling arrangement 1 and also to a providing device 7 for providing and transmitting images of the coupling arrangement 1.

The individual providing device 6 includes capture devices, in particular a sensor system designed to record, over a definable time period, variables/data that at least indirectly characterize the functioning and state of the coupling arrangement 1 in the form of variables/data that describe coupling arrangement data KAD and external environmental influences in the form of surroundings data UD. The coupling arrangement data KAD captured are at least the following data: running time of the coupling arrangement or of the vehicle bearing the coupling arrangement; number of coupling operations performed; GPS coordinates of the coupling arrangement; coupling speed. Surroundings data UD describe the ambient influences. To characterize these, at least the exterior temperatures are measured. Further variables are conceivable, such as e.g. a type, nature, amount and speed of precipitation, air humidity; UV radiation, etc.

These data may be captured by way of sensors mounted or integrated on the coupling arrangement 1 and/or the vehicle 2.

The providing device 7 includes either a sensor system mounted or integrated firmly on and in the coupling arrangement 1, in the form of image sensors for recording the images of the coupling arrangement 1 and the individual components thereof, or else a mobile optical image capture device, for example a camera or smartphone, by way of which images of the coupling arrangement 1 may be recorded only when the rail vehicle is at a standstill.

The integrated sensor system also permits images to be recorded in areas that are not accessible externally using an image capture device.

Optionally, each of the individual providing devices 6, 7 includes an interface for reading and transmitting the data to the data processing system 5.

Each of the providing devices 6, 7 may also have a memory for storing the captured data.

According to a first variation, the function of the providing device 6 for providing and transmitting coupling arrangement data KAD may be performed by a device associated with the track-bound vehicle 2. According to a second variation, which is shown here by way of a broken line, this function is performed solely by a device associated with the coupling arrangement 1. According to a third variation, subfunctions may be performed by both providing devices 6, 7.

The data processing system 5 includes at least one data memory 8 and a data processing device 9 for analyzing, evaluating and processing the coupling arrangement data KAD, surroundings data UD and images. The data are optionally provided with a timestamp and stored in the memories of the providing devices 6, 7 and/or in the memory of the data processing system 5.

The data are transmitted by the providing devices 6, 7 optionally wirelessly, for example by way of WLAN or mobile radio, NFC or Bluetooth.

To process the data, in particular to analyze, evaluate and determine a target specification for the maintenance requirement, i.e. a statement regarding the next imminent inspection and maintenance, the data processing device 9 includes a processor 12 that is configured to process data from the data memory 8 and to output the processing result again to interfaces. By way of example, such an interface is the connection to an external device for retrieving the target specification or corrected target specification, for example a display device in the form of a dashboard 13. This may take place wirelessly by way of WLAN or mobile radio, NFC or Bluetooth.

In a particularly advantageous variation, the data processing system 5 is produced by way of a cloud architecture that is designed to facilitate cloud computing. This involves providing resources, e.g. servers, memory, databases, network components, software, analysis functions and intelligent functions, via the Internet, that is to say the cloud 11.

FIG. 2 uses a flowchart to illustrate a particularly advantageous version of a method according to the invention.

Images ABist of the coupling arrangement 1 are recorded or generated at least at a demand time t. These visually reflect the actual state at this time. With the sensor system mounted and integrated, the images AB may be manually recorded at specific times (demand time) or on an ongoing basis during operation or else, in the simplest case with the least complexity, when the vehicle is at a standstill. This involves recording the whole coupling arrangement 1, the mechanical part and the line coupling, and also details of the components, including surfaces, parts such as seals; line connections; electrical contacts and ports, screw joints, etc.

Optionally, the individual images ABist are always recorded from the same perspective at different demand times, which considerably simplifies a comparison of the change response over a predefinable period. To this end, the data are optionally provided with a timestamp in order to facilitate a precise temporal classification of the actual state and to combine it with the coupling arrangement data KAD or with the target specification Xsoll for a maintenance operation derived therefrom.

Furthermore, at the demand time t, the coupling arrangement data KAD in the form of operating data and optionally state data relating to the coupling arrangement 1 are provided and surroundings data UD for describing information from ambient conditions to which the coupling arrangement is subject are provided. These data may also be captured on an ongoing basis and stored in a memory 8 with an associated timestamp.

The coupling arrangement data KAD captured are optionally at least the following variables:

• • running time of the vehicle bearing the coupling arrangement, in particular mileage of the vehicle;
  • number of coupling operations performed;
  • GPS coordinates of the coupling arrangement or of the vehicle;
  • coupling speed;
  • coupling ID.

The surroundings data UD taken into account are at least the exterior temperature.

In a particularly advantageous development, additional variables are also taken into account, however, that permit load spectra to be formed over predefined periods, which are also used for determining the target specification of the maintenance requirement and facilitate even more precise target specifications. These include capturing the acceleration and deceleration behaviors of the vehicle, which are available anyway via the drive controller and are reflected in the forces present on the coupling arrangement.

The coupling arrangement data KAD and the surroundings data UD at a time are used to form a target specification Xsoll for the maintenance requirement, for example a period before the next inspection and maintenance. This is combined at the demand time t with the information from the images ABist (t), analyzed and if necessary corrected.

If the actual state ABist that results and is identifiable from the images AB corresponds to the target state ABsoll, the maintenance requirement Xsoll (t) may be retained and if necessary even extended for the purpose of extending the period before the next necessary maintenance. Xsoll (t) is then set as the new target specification Xsollneu.

If the evaluation of the optical actual state of the coupling arrangement 1 from the images taking account of the target specification, formed from the operating and state data or coupling arrangement data KAD and surroundings data UD, for the maintenance requirement at an evaluation time and on the basis of the evaluation reveals a variance W, in particular W1 to Wn, from the target state ABsoll, the target specification Xsoll (t) of the maintenance requirement is corrected XK. There are various options for this. Optionally, the evaluation takes place as part of a model, in particular a mathematical model. As such, for example the variances W1 to Wn, where n=1 to x, may be classified as variances that have no influence on the functionality and safety of the coupling arrangement 1 before the required maintenance term from the target specification Xsoll and variances that necessitate an earlier inspection and maintenance or even immediate maintenance. By way of example, these include detached line and cable connections, leaks, etc.

The correction specifications XKn for the coupling arrangement 1 are each determined as a function of the variance W1 to Wn, the correction specification that describes the shortest remaining operating period before the next maintenance or that influences the functioning of the coupling arrangement such that safety-relevant requirements are no longer met being set as the correction value. The target specification thus corrected is denoted by XKmin. If it is smaller than the target specification caused by the coupling arrangement data KAD, the corrected target specification XKmin is set as the new target specification Xsollneu.

The target value specification Xsollneu may then be either manually read or automatically transmitted to a decision entity for planning and performing the maintenance.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

• • 1 coupling arrangement
  • 2 track-bound vehicle
  • 3 coupling head
  • 4 monitoring system
  • 5 data processing system
  • 6 providing device
  • 7 providing device
  • 8 data memory
  • 9 data processing device
  • 10 line coupling
  • 11 cloud
  • 12 processor
  • 13 dashboard

While this invention has been described with respect to at least one embodiment, the present invention can be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method for the state-based maintenance of a coupling arrangement of a track-bound vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:

a) providing coupling arrangement data (KAD) and surroundings data, the coupling arrangement data (KAD) being formed as operating data and state data relating to the coupling arrangement, the surroundings data (UD) being for describing information relating to a plurality of ambient conditions to which the coupling arrangement is subject, the coupling arrangement including at least one coupling head configured for coupling to a diametrically opposed coupling head of a mating coupling;

b) transmitting at least one of the coupling arrangement data (KAD) and the surroundings data (UD) to a data processing system and determining a target specification (Xsoll) for a maintenance requirement of the coupling arrangement as a function of the coupling arrangement data (KAD) and the surroundings data (UD);

c) recording a plurality of images of the coupling arrangement for optical reproduction of an actual state and transmission to the data processing system; and

d) evaluating an optical actual state of the coupling arrangement from the plurality of images taking account of the target specification (Xsoll), which is formed from the operating data and the state data, for the maintenance requirement at an evaluation time and taking the evaluating as a basis for correcting the target specification (Xsoll) of the maintenance requirement.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the target specification (Xsoll) determined for the maintenance requirement is a variable that at least indirectly characterizes a permissible remaining operating period of the coupling arrangement before a next maintenance as a function of at least one of (i) a captured coupling arrangement data (KAD) and surroundings data (UD) and (ii) a correction (XKn) of the target specification (Xsoll) using at least one mathematical model.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein a data comprising the coupling arrangement data (KAD), the surroundings data (UD) and the plurality of images are provided with a timestamp and stored therewith.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein, during an operation of the track-bound vehicle that bears or has the coupling arrangement, the coupling arrangement data (KAD) and the surroundings data (UD) are captured at least in part on the track-bound vehicle.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein, during the operation of the track-bound vehicle (2) that bears or has the coupling arrangement, the coupling arrangement data (KAD) and the surroundings data (UD) are captured in full on the track-bound vehicle by way of a data providing device associated with the track-bound vehicle.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the coupling arrangement data (KAD) and the surroundings data (UD) relating to at least one of the coupling arrangement and a plurality of components thereof are captured at least in part using a data providing device associated with the coupling arrangement.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein at least the coupling arrangement data (KAD) and the surroundings data (UD) that follow are captured for the coupling arrangement:

a running time of the track-bound vehicle bearing the coupling arrangement;

number of coupling operations performed;

a plurality GPS coordinates of the coupling arrangement or the track-bound vehicle;

a coupling speed;

an exterior temperature; and

a coupling ID.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of images are recorded and evaluated on demand at a demand time or in predefined time intervals.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the steps a) and b) are carried out at least at the demand time or in the predefined time intervals for recording the plurality of images.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein at least steps a) and b) are cyclically or iteratively repeated, with the result that the target specification (Xsoll) for the maintenance requirement is at least one of verified and adapted.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein steps c) and d) are cyclically or iteratively repeated.

12. The method according to claim 1, wherein the evaluating of the optical actual state of the coupling arrangement involves the actual state (ABist) being compared with a target state (ABsoll), the target specification (Xsoll) for the maintenance requirement from the coupling arrangement data (KAD) and the surroundings data (UD) being retained if no variance between the actual state (ABist) and the target state (ABsoll) is determined, and wherein, if a variance is determined, a change of the target specification (Xsoll) for the maintenance requirement being determined and set as a new target specification (Xsollneu) based on a type, an extent, and a direct or an indirect influence of the variance on a functioning and a remaining operating period, which is able to be described by the target specification (Xsoll), of at least one of the coupling arrangement and a plurality of individual components thereof before a next maintenance.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the method further includes the steps of:

classifying a plurality of the variance into a plurality of classes—which are different from one another—as a function of a direct effect or an indirect effect of the plurality of the variance on at least one of the functioning and the remaining operating period of the coupling arrangement; and

predetermining at least one change of the target specification (Xsoll) for the maintenance requirement for each individual one of the plurality of classes, a correction (Xkmin) of the target specification within a respective one of the plurality of classes being determined as a function of the variance having a greatest effect on at least one of the functioning and the remaining operating period of the coupling arrangement.

14. The method according to claim 1, wherein at least one of (i) the coupling arrangement data (KAD), (ii) the surroundings data (UD), and (iii) the plurality of images are stored in a database that is a part of a plurality of providing devices, of an edge device, or of a cloud structure, and wherein at least one of (i) the determining of the target specification (Xsoll) for the maintenance requirement and (ii) the evaluating of the optical actual state (ABist) of the coupling arrangement from the plurality of images taking account of the target specification (Xsoll), which is formed from the operating and state data, for the maintenance requirement at the evaluation time are performed by edge processing or cloud computing.

15. The method according to claim 1, wherein:

the coupling arrangement includes at least one line coupling configured for coupling to a line coupling of the mating coupling so as to transmit an electrical charge, data, and a liquid media or a gaseous media; and

the evaluating step includes evaluating the optical actual state of the coupling arrangement from the plurality of images taking account of the target specification (Xsoll), which is formed from the coupling arrangement data (KAD) and the surroundings data (UD), for the maintenance requirement at the evaluation time and taking the evaluating as a basis for correcting the target specification (Xsoll) of the maintenance requirement.

16. A monitoring system for the state-based maintenance of a coupling arrangement of a track-bound vehicle, the coupling arrangement including at least one coupling head for coupling to a diametrically opposed coupling head of a mating coupling, the monitoring system comprising:

at least one first device configured for capturing and for providing at least one of coupling arrangement data (KAD) and surroundings data (UD);

a second device configured for recording and providing a plurality of images of at least one of the coupling arrangement and a plurality of components thereof;

at least one data memory configured for storing the coupling arrangement data (KAD), the surroundings data (UD), and the plurality of images; and

a data processing system configured for analyzing and for processing the coupling arrangement data (KAD), the surroundings data (UD), and the plurality of images, the data processing system being configured for being coupled to the at least one first device and the second device so as to transmit data.

17. The monitoring system according to claim 16, wherein the data processing system is formed as a cloud structure configured for cloud computing.

18. The monitoring system according to claim 17, wherein the at least one first device configured for capturing and for providing at least one of the coupling arrangement data (KAD) and the surroundings data (UD) is configured for being formed by a controller associated with the track-bound vehicle.