Vehicle structure and related vehicle body allowing the passage of pressurized fluid or gas

Abstract

The invention relates to a body structure (10) for a body of a public transport vehicle, in particular a railway vehicle or a road transport vehicle, such as a rail-road transport vehicle, comprising a wall (12) extending in a longitudinal direction (X). The wall (12) comprises at least one cavity (24) extending in the longitudinal direction (X), wherein the cavity (24) forms a passage for a pressurized fluid, such as a pressurized gas.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a body structure for a body of a public transport vehicle, in particular a railway vehicle or a road transport vehicle, such as a track-mounted road transport vehicle, the body structure comprising a wall extending in a longitudinal direction. Background Art

[0002] Sometimes it is necessary to circulate the air in the vehicle through pneumatic ducts, for example, in order to distribute the pneumatic energy to different parts of the train, such as seats, doors, brakes, suspension and other accessories.

[0003] To this end, pneumatic ducts which are fixed to the wall surface facing the interior of the vehicle, for example by means of mounting brackets, are currently known in the prior art in order to allow the passage of fluids or gases.

[0004] However, the pneumatic ducts take up space. Therefore, equipment for equipping the vehicle body (such as luggage racks or other interior accessories) must bypass the ducts, which may complicate the geometry of the equipment, for example by leaving gaps or by adding volume to the interior of the vehicle and affecting the interior of the passenger compartment.

[0005] Furthermore, securing the duct to the wall requires additional assembly steps during manufacture of the vehicle. Summary of the invention

[0006] One of the objects of the present invention is therefore to provide a system for a vehicle body that allows the passage of fluids or gases of reduced size and that does not complicate the manufacture of the vehicle body.

[0007] To this end, the object of the invention is a vehicle body structure of the above-mentioned type, in which the wall comprises at least one cavity extending in the longitudinal direction, wherein the cavity forms a passage for a pressurized fluid, for example a pressurized gas.

[0008] The pneumatic duct is thus formed directly in the wall. Integrating the passage for fluid or compressed gas in the wall allows a considerable reduction in volume.

[0009] Furthermore, it should be noted that the embodiment of the cavity in the wall does not require additional operations in the machining of the wall.

[0010] Furthermore, the structure may have one or more of the following features, considered alone or in any technically feasible combination:

[0011] The pressure of the pressurized fluid is greater than 2×10 5 Pa (Pascal), preferably 5×10 5 Pa and 10×10 5 Between Pa,

[0012] The wall is integrally formed.

[0013] The wall has a specified length in the longitudinal direction,

[0014] The cavity extends in the longitudinal direction over the entire length of the wall,

[0015] The cavity has a constant profile along the entire length of the wall,

[0016] The wall has a plurality of cavities, at least one group of said cavities forming a reservoir for a fluid or a compressed gas,

[0017] The wall includes an inner surface, an outer surface, and ribs connecting the inner surface and the outer surface, each cavity is formed between the inner surface, the outer surface, and two adjacent ribs,

[0018] The vehicle body structure includes a plurality of chambers, wherein each chamber is isolated from each other, and / or

[0019] The wall includes at least one opening leading to the cavity, and the connecting plate is welded to the wall to completely cover the opening.

[0020] The invention also relates to a car body for a railway vehicle or a rail transit vehicle, the car body comprising a car body structure as defined above, the cavity comprising a fluid or a pressurized gas, the wall at least partially defining the interior of the car body.

[0021] Furthermore, the body may be such that the cavity is provided at one end with at least one connecting element and / or at least one distributing element and / or at least one end plug. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given below, which is intended to provide information only and not limitation, as shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0023] Figure 1 A perspective view showing an example of a vehicle body structure according to a first embodiment of the present invention,

[0024] Figure 2 A perspective view showing an example of a vehicle body structure according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and

[0025] Figure 3 A schematic cross-sectional view of a vehicle body having a vehicle body structure according to a first embodiment is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] Figure 1 A portion of a vehicle body structure 10 for a vehicle body, for example a railroad vehicle or a road transport vehicle, is shown according to a first embodiment of the invention.

[0027] The vehicle body structure 10 comprises a wall 12 extending in a longitudinal direction X.

[0028] The longitudinal direction is, for example, a direction of travel generally defined for a vehicle. In addition, the elevation direction Z is defined as a direction perpendicular to the running surface of the vehicle, and the lateral direction Y is defined as a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X and the elevation direction Z.

[0029] The wall 12 may be, for example, a subframe, a roof or a surface of a vehicle body.

[0030] Wall 12 at least partially defines an interior 14 of a vehicle body, for example.

[0031] The wall 12 has a defined length in the longitudinal direction X. The wall 12 extends, for example, over the entire length of the vehicle body.

[0032] The length of the wall 12 is, for example, between 15 and 20 meters.

[0033] The wall is formed in one piece, for example by extrusion.

[0034] Alternatively, the wall may be formed from a plurality of parts, for example by extrusion, which are then assembled to one another.

[0035] The walls may be made of, for example, aluminum.

[0036] The wall 12 includes an inner surface 16, an outer surface 18, and a plurality of ribs 20, 22 connecting the inner surface 16 and the outer surface 18. The ribs 20, 22 may be parallel to each other, or at least some of the ribs may not be parallel to the other ribs.

[0037] The inner surface 16 faces toward the vehicle interior 14 and the outer surface 18 faces toward the exterior of the vehicle.

[0038] The wall 12 delimits at least one cavity 24 , preferably a plurality of cavities 24 , extending in the longitudinal direction X. More specifically, each cavity 24 is formed between the inner surface 16 , the outer surface 18 and two adjacent ribs 20 , 22 .

[0039] Each cavity 24 extends in the longitudinal direction X substantially along the entire length of the wall 12 .

[0040] Each cavity 24 extends in the longitudinal direction X between two ends.

[0041] Each cavity 24 defines a passage for a pressurized fluid or gas.

[0042] The pressure of the pressurized fluid or gas is greater than 2×10 5 Pa (Pascal), preferably 5×10 5 Pa and 10×10 5 Between Pa.

[0043] Such values ​​allow in particular optimal service and operation of the supplied equipment.

[0044] Each cavity 24 has a substantially constant profile in the longitudinal direction X along the entire length of the wall.

[0045] More specifically, each cavity 24 represents a volume having as its main axis an axis parallel to the longitudinal direction X. Here, this volume is a cylinder. The base of the cylinder is here a polygon, in particular a quadrilateral, corresponding to a section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X of the inner surface 16, the outer surface 18 and the two adjacent ribs 20, 22.

[0046] Each cavity 24 is isolated relative to the other. The ribs 20, 22 are in particular impermeable to the pressurized fluid circulating in the cavity 24.

[0047] This allows, in particular, different fluids and / or gases to circulate in different chambers.

[0048] Alternatively, at least two cavities 24 are in communication with each other.

[0049] In the example shown, the wall 12 comprises at least one opening 26 leading to the cavity 24. The opening 26 here is an opening through the inner surface 16.

[0050] The connecting plate 28 is assembled, for example, by welding to the wall 12 to completely cover the opening 26. More specifically, the connecting plate 28 can be assembled, for example, by welding to the inner surface 16 of the wall 12 from the outside of the wall 12 (ie, the side of the inner surface 16 facing the vehicle interior 14).

[0051] The connection plate 28 is a plate provided with a central orifice 30. The central orifice 30 may be connected to, for example, a conduit to allow the passage of fluid or gas from the cavity 24 to said conduit and vice versa.

[0052] Advantageously, the connection plate 28 comprises a valve for controlling the amount of fluid or gas passing through the central orifice 30 .

[0053] The connection plate 28 makes it possible, for example, to draw fluid or gas from the chamber 24 or to supply gas or fluid into the chamber 24 at an intermediate position between the two ends of the chamber 24 .

[0054] The chamber 24 is provided at at least one of its at least two ends with at least one connecting element and / or at least one dispensing element and / or at least one end plug which seals the end in a sealing manner.

[0055] More specifically, the chamber 24 is provided at each of its two ends with a connecting or dispensing element or an end plug.

[0056] This connecting element makes it possible, for example, to connect said end of the cavity 24 to the end of a cavity of a body structure of an adjacent vehicle body.

[0057] Figure 2A second embodiment of the vehicle body structure according to the present invention is shown.

[0058] In the following description, only the differences between the second embodiment and the first embodiment will be described.

[0059] The same or similar elements will have the corresponding reference numerals of the first embodiment increased by 100.

[0060] The wall 112 defines a plurality of cavities 124 as described above.

[0061] At least one group 132 of chambers 124 forms a reservoir of fluid or compressed gas, ie they contain the same fluid or the same gas at the pressure required for optimal service and operation of the equipment supplied.

[0062] For example, the pressure is greater than 2×10 5 Pa (Pascal), and preferably 5×10 5 Pa to 10×10 5 Between Pa.

[0063] For example, six chambers can be filled with the same fluid or gas. The space defined by the group of chambers represents a volume, making it possible to advantageously replace the reservoir.

[0064] Each cavity 124 in the group 132 is preferably insulated from another cavity in the group 132 .

[0065] Alternatively, a plurality of cavities 124 in the group 132 of cavities 124 may communicate with each other to form a common space.

[0066] Integrating channels for fluids or compressed gases in the walls can significantly reduce their size, making it easier to integrate other elements of the interior, such as luggage racks and other interior decoration.

[0067] The technical field previously dedicated to storage functions in the form of fluid or gas reservoirs can be freed up. In particular, this allows the interior of the train to be improved.

[0068] In addition, the vehicle body structure does not require additional components for the passage of fluid or gas, thereby reducing the weight of the vehicle body and thus reducing the energy consumption of the vehicle.

[0069] Furthermore, providing the cavity in the wall does not require additional operations in the machining of said wall, so that the vehicle body structure is easier to manufacture.

Claims

1. A body structure (10; 110) for a vehicle body of a public transport vehicle, comprising a wall (12; 112) extending in a longitudinal direction (X), It is characterized in that The wall (12; 112) comprises at least one cavity (24; 124) extending in the longitudinal direction (X), wherein the cavity (24; 124) provides a passage for a fluid under pressure, The wall (12; 112) is integrally formed, the wall (12; 112) comprises an inner surface (16; 116), an outer surface (18; 118) and ribs (20; 22, 120, 122) connecting the inner surface (16; 116) and the outer surface (18; 118), each cavity (24; 124) is defined between the inner surface (16; 116), the outer surface (18; 118) and two adjacent ribs (20, 22; 120, 122), wherein the wall (12; 112) comprises at least one opening (26) leading to the cavity (24; 124), and wherein a connecting plate (28) is welded to the wall (12; 112) so as to completely cover the opening (26), the connecting plate (28) being provided with an orifice (30) suitable for connection to a conduit so as to allow fluid or gas to pass from the cavity (24) to the conduit, and vice versa, the connecting plate (28) enabling fluid or gas to be extracted from the cavity (24) or gas or fluid to be supplied to the cavity (24) at an intermediate position between the two ends of the cavity (24).

2. The vehicle body structure according to claim 1, wherein: The pressure of the fluid under pressure is greater than 2×10 5 Pa.

3. The vehicle body structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The wall (12; 112) has a length along the longitudinal direction (X), and the cavity (24; 124) extends along the longitudinal direction (X) over the entire length of the wall (12; 112).

4. The vehicle body structure according to claim 3, characterized in that: The cavity (24; 124) has a constant profile along the longitudinal direction (X) over the entire length of the wall (12; 112).

5. The vehicle body structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The wall (112) includes a plurality of cavities (124), at least one group (132) of the cavities (124) forming a fluid or compressed gas reservoir.

6. The vehicle body structure according to claim 1 or 2, comprising a plurality of cavities (24; 124), each cavity (24; 124) being insulated from each other.

7. A body for a railway vehicle or a guided road transport vehicle, comprising a body structure (10; 110) according to claim 1 or 2, the cavity (24; 124) comprising a fluid or a gas under pressure, and the wall (12; 112) at least partially defining a vehicle interior of the body.

8. The vehicle body according to claim 7, characterized in that: One end of the cavity (24; 124) is provided with at least one connecting element and / or at least one distributing element and / or at least one end plug.

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