Compartment of a rail vehicle, related assembly, rail vehicle and method

Abstract

Compartment of a rail vehicle, related assembly, rail vehicle and method. A compartment (2) of a rail vehicle (1) defines an internal volume (16) and comprises a shutter (22) movable between an open position, in which the shutter (22) is offset from the internal volume (16), and a closed position, in which the shutter (22) screens the internal volume (16) and at least partially delimits the internal volume (16), a bar (24) of which a central region (44) extends outside the internal volume (16), and a hinge (20) defining a path of the shutter (22) between the open position and the closed position. The shutter (22) is rotatable about an axis (A-A) of the bar (24) between the open position and the closed position of the shutter, the bar (24) forming a pin (23) of the hinge (20).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a compartment of a rail vehicle comprising:

[0002] - a cover, the cover being movable between an open position, in which the cover is offset with respect to the internal volume, and a closed position, in which the cover conceals the internal volume and at least partially delimits the internal volume,

[0003] - a rod, a central region of the rod extending outside the internal volume, and

[0004] - a hinge, the hinge defining a path of the cover between the open position and the closed position.

[0005] The invention is particularly suitable for a compartment located in a rail vehicle, in particular for a compartment protecting a door opening system. BACKGROUND

[0006] A compartment located in a rail vehicle is generally located in a passenger area. In such an area, it is necessary to ensure that the passengers have means to secure themselves with respect to the vehicle.

[0007] To this end, a grab bar is provided in the vehicle in order to provide the passengers with means to stabilize themselves when necessary. Such a grab bar is particularly useful near a door of the vehicle to facilitate access to or exit from the vehicle. However, the door mechanism is located in the area near the door which can be suitable for installing a grab bar.

[0008] It is known to integrate a grab bar into a compartment cover, in particular a compartment cover comprising a door opening system in order to improve user comfort while protecting the door opening system.

[0009] However, such a rail vehicle compartment is complex to install and difficult to open. SUMMARY

[0010] It is an object of the invention to provide a rail vehicle compartment which is simplified and easy to open.

[0011] To this end, it is an object of the invention to provide a rail vehicle compartment as described, wherein the cover is rotatable about an axis of the rod, the rod forming a pin of the hinge, and

[0012] The upper region and the lower region of the rod extend into the internal volume, the rod passing through the cover between its lower region and its central region and between its upper region and its central region.

[0013] According to other advantageous aspects of the invention, the rail vehicle compartment can comprise one or more of the following features taken separately or in any technically feasible combination:

[0014] - the rod is a grab bar for being grasped by a passenger and supporting the weight of a user of the rail vehicle,

[0015] - the central region extends into the cavity of the canopy and is offset by at least 40 mm from the cavity wall of the canopy, and

[0016] - the electrical equipment of the rail vehicle, in particular the door opening mechanism, is arranged at least partially in the interior.

[0017] The invention also relates to an assembly comprising:

[0018] - a vehicle structural element, and

[0019] - a compartment of a rail vehicle as described before, the compartment comprising a lower support holding a lower end of the rod relative to the vehicle structural element and an upper support holding an upper end of the rod relative to the vehicle structural element, the articulation comprising a wing, the canopy and the wing being integral.

[0020] According to other aspects of the invention, the assembly can comprise one or more of the following features taken separately or in any technically feasible combination:

[0021] - the lower support and the upper support form a joint of the articulation and are adapted to hold the rod stationary relative to the vehicle structural element; and, the canopy is rotatable relative to the rod, and

[0022] the upper end of the rod is screwed into the upper support, the lower support comprising:

[0023] - a connection element attached to the vehicle structural element; and

[0024] - a detachable assembly comprising:

[0025] - a centering pin adapted to be inserted into the connection element and to center the rod within the connection element, and

[0026] - a locking member adapted to be attached to the connection element and to prevent rotation of the rod about said axis,

[0027] the rod remains stationary relative to the vehicle structural element when the centering pin is inserted and the locking member is attached.

[0028] The invention also relates to a rail vehicle comprising said assembly.

[0029] The invention also relates to a method for installing said assembly, comprising the steps of:

[0030] - attaching the rod to the canopy;

[0031] - attaching the connection element and the upper support to the vehicle structural element;

[0032] - screwing a rod, equipped with a cover, into the upper support;

[0033] - inserting a centering pin into the connection element;

[0034] - partially unscrewing the rod from the upper support, the centering pin interacting with the connection element to center the rod within the connection element; and

[0035] - attaching a locking member to the connection element to prevent rotation of the rod about the axis. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0036] The application will be better understood from the following description, given solely by way of non-limiting example and with reference to the figures, in which:

[0037] Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a rail vehicle compartment according to the application; and

[0038] Figure 2 is Figure 1 a detail of the compartment in an exploded schematic cross-sectional view along a plane passing through the longitudinal axis A-A. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] In the following description, a direct orthonormal basis (X, Y, Z) is considered. The height direction Z is defined according to the height of the vehicle, which, when the vehicle is on a horizontal track, for example, corresponds to the vertical direction. The longitudinal direction X corresponds to the front-rear direction of the vehicle, and the transverse direction Y corresponds to the direction along the width of the vehicle.

[0040] The expressions "upper" and "lower" and "high" and "low" are defined with respect to the height direction Z. The expressions "left" and "right" are defined with respect to the transverse direction Y in the normal direction of travel of the vehicle.

[0041] Figure 1 A rail vehicle 1 provided with a compartment 2 according to the application is shown in Fig. 1. The rail vehicle is, for example, a motorized tram, such as a tramcar.

[0042] With reference to Figure 1 , the rail vehicle 1 comprises a passenger compartment 4 delimited by side walls 6, transverse walls 8, a floor 10 and a roof 12. The side walls 6 extend, for example, longitudinally along one side of the rail vehicle 1 and comprise doors 14. The transverse walls 8 extend in a plane different from that formed by the side walls 6, in particular in a plane transverse to the longitudinal axis X of the rail vehicle 1. The side walls 6 and the transverse walls 8 extend between the floor 10 and the roof 12.

[0043] The compartment 2 delimits an internal volume 16 in which at least part of the electrical equipment of the rail vehicle, for example a door opening mechanism 18, is arranged. The door opening mechanism 18 is, for example, adapted to open and close the doors 14 of the rail vehicle 1.

[0044] The compartment 2 comprises a hinge 20 comprising a wing 21. The compartment 2 comprises a cover 22 attached to the wing 21. More particularly, the cover 22 forms the wing 21 of the hinge 20. The cover 22 is movable between an open position, in which the cover 22 is offset with respect to the internal volume 16, and a closed position, in which the cover 22 conceals the internal volume 16 and at least partially delimits the internal volume 16. The hinge 20 comprises a pin 23 formed by a rod 24 having a longitudinal axis A-A, the rod 24 extending partially into the internal volume 16 and through the cover 22. The hinge comprises a joint 26 formed by a lower support 27 and an upper support 28, the joint 26 supporting the rod 24.

[0045] The compartment 2 comprises a panel 31 fitted in the passenger compartment 4 of the vehicle 1 and defining an internal volume 16.

[0046] The assembly 29 comprises a vehicle structural element 30 and the compartment 2, the lower support 27 and the upper support 28 being attached to the vehicle structural element 30.

[0047] The cover 22 comprises a main panel 32 and a secondary panel 34 that are non- coplanar, connected by a lower curved region 36 and an upper curved region 37. In a particular embodiment, the main panel 32 and the secondary panel 34 are perpendicular.

[0048] The cover 22 comprises a cavity wall 38 forming a cavity 39, which extends between the main panel 32 and the secondary panel 34 and connects the main panel 32 to the secondary panel 34. The cavity wall 38 extends between the lower curved region 36 and the upper curved region 37 and connects the lower curved region 36 to the upper curved region 37. The cavity 39 extends mainly along the longitudinal axis A-A.

[0049] The cover 22 is rotatable about the longitudinal axis A-A between the open position and the closed position. The hinge 20 delimits the path of the cover 22 between the open position and the closed position.

[0050] The open position corresponds to such a position of the cover 22 in which the cover 22 is offset with respect to the internal volume 16, and in which the door opening mechanism 18 is accessible from outside the internal volume 16.

[0051] The closed position corresponds to such a position of the cover 22 in which the cover 22 conceals the internal volume 16, and in which the door opening mechanism 18 is not accessible and is hidden under the cover 22 and the panel assembly 31.

[0052] The cover 22 is for example molded in one piece.

[0053] The rod 24 extends in a substantially vertical direction between the floor 10 and the ceiling 12.

[0054] The rod 24 is fixed relative to the passenger compartment 4 so as not to be translatable.

[0055] The rod 24 comprises a lower region 40 and an upper region 42 connected by a central region 44, the lower region 40, the upper region 42 and the central region 44 being continuous with each other.

[0056] The lower region 40 and the upper region 42 extend into the internal volume 16. In particular, the lower region 40 extends in a recess formed by the lower curved region 36 and the upper region 42 extends in a recess formed by the upper curved region 37.

[0057] The central region 44 extends outside the internal volume 16. More particularly, the central region extends into the cavity 39.

[0058] The rod 24 extends through the cover 22 through the cavity wall 38, into a lower region of the cavity 39 and into an upper region of the cavity 39.

[0059] The rod 24 extends through the cover 22 between its lower region 40 and its central region 44 and between its upper region 42 and its central region 44. In other words, the central region 44 of the rod is the region of the rod that extends between the lower region of the cavity 39 and the upper region of the cavity 39 through which the rod passes through the cover 22.

[0060] The central region 44 of the rod 24 is offset relative to the cavity wall 38 by at least 40 mm for example. The skilled person will understand here that the central portion of the central region 44 extends at least 40 mm from the cavity wall 38.

[0061] The length of the rod 24 is for example between 1 m and 3 m.

[0062] The diameter of the rod 24 is for example between 20 mm and 80 mm, preferably between 25 mm and 50 mm.

[0063] The rod 24 is for example a metal rod.

[0064] The rod 24 is a grab bar for gripping by a user or for supporting the weight of a user. In particular, the rod 24 is adapted to support a user using the rod to maintain balance. In particular, the central region 44 is for gripping by a passenger, the amount of offset between the central region and the cavity wall 38 being adapted to allow the passage of a user's hand.

[0065] The rod 24 forms a pin of the articulation 20, the cover being rotatable about the longitudinal axis A-A of the rod 24.

[0066] The lower support 27 is attached to the vehicle structure element 30. The lower support 27 keeps the lower region 40 of the rod fixed so as not to be translatable in the frame 4.

[0067] The upper support 28 is attached to the vehicle structural element 30. The upper support 28 keeps the upper region 42 of the rod fixed in the chassis 4 against translation.

[0068] According to the first embodiment, the lower support 27 and the upper support 28 are embedded in the rod 24, and all degrees of freedom of the rod with respect to the vehicle structural element 30, and thus with respect to the rest of the passenger compartment 4, are locked.

[0069] In this first embodiment, the lower support 27 and the upper support 28 form a pin of the articulation 20, adapted to keep the rod 24 immobile with respect to the vehicle structural element. The shroud 22 is rotatable with respect to the rod 24, and thus with respect to the vehicle structural element, about the axis A-A.

[0070] The upper support 28 then comprises a receiving zone 48 adapted to receive the rod 24. The receiving zone 48 is a threaded zone.

[0071] The rod 24 comprises a threaded zone 50 at the end of the upper region 42 opposite the central region 44. The rod 24 comprises a through opening 52 having an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A-A at the end of the lower region 40 opposite the central region 44. The end of the upper region 42 is screwed into the upper support 28. In particular, the threaded zone 50 is screwed into the receiving zone 48.

[0072] The lower support 27 comprises a connecting element 54 attached to the vehicle structural element 30 and a detachable assembly 56.

[0073] The detachable assembly 56 comprises a centering pin 58 and a locking member 60.

[0074] The centering pin 58 is adapted to be inserted into the connecting element 54. The centering pin 54 is adapted to center the rod 24 in the connecting element 54. The centering pin 58 for example comprises a head 62 adapted to be inserted into a longitudinal hole of the rod 24 extending along the longitudinal axis A-A. The head 62 is for example cylindrical, the outer diameter of the head 62 being for example substantially equal to the inner diameter of the longitudinal hole of the rod 24.

[0075] The locking member 60 comprises a detachable part 64 and at least one fastening device 66.

[0076] The locking member 60 is adapted to be attached to the connecting element 54 and to block the rotation of the rod 24 about the longitudinal axis A-A.

[0077] The locking member 60, when attached to the connecting element 54, and the centering pin, when inserted into the connecting element 54, keep the rod 24 immobile with respect to the structural element 30.

[0078] The detachable part 64, which is in the form of a tube segment for example, forms, together with the connecting element 54, a tube which accommodates the rod 24. The detachable part 64 has at least one receiving opening for receiving each fastening device 66 for example.

[0079] The fastening devices 66 pass through the receiving openings of the detachable part and through the through opening 52 and pass through the rod 24. In particular, the fastening devices 66 are attached to the connecting element 54 and fix the rod 24 and the detachable part 64 to the fastening element. Each fastening device 66 is a screw for example, which is screwed into the connecting element, thereby clamping the detachable part 64 around the rod 24.

[0080] The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment only in the following. Similar elements have the same reference signs.

[0081] According to the second embodiment, the lower support 27 and the upper support 28 keep the rod fixed non-translatably, but at the same time guide the rod in rotation around its longitudinal axis A-A. The rod 24 is thus rotatable around its longitudinal axis A-A relative to the structural element 30 and relative to the rest of the passenger compartment 4.

[0082] In this second embodiment, the lower support 27 and the upper support 28 form a pin of the articulation 20, which is adapted to keep the rod 24 non-translatably relative to the vehicle structural element 30, for example, the cladding 22 non-rotatably relative to the rod 24. The cladding 22 and the rod 24 can then be rotated, for example, relative to the lower support 27 and the upper support 28, and thus relative to the structural element 30, around the axis A-A.

[0083] A method for installing an assembly comprising a vehicle structural element 30 and a rail vehicle compartment 2 according to the invention will now be described. In particular, the method described below is a method for installing an assembly comprising a vehicle structural element 30 according to the first embodiment, in which the cladding 22 is rotatable relative to the rod 24 around the longitudinal axis A-A of the rod.

[0084] In a first step, the rod 24 is attached to the cladding. In particular, the rod is inserted through the cladding such that the lower region 40 and the upper region 42 extend into the internal volume 16 and such that the central region 44 extends into the cavity 39. The cladding 22 is mounted on a bearing which is integral with the rod 24 for example.

[0085] In a second step, the lower support 27 and the connecting element 54 are attached to the vehicle structural element 30. The lower support 27 and the connecting element 54 are attached to the side wall 6 and to the transverse wall 8 for example.

[0086] In a third step, the rod equipped with the cladding 22 is screwed into the upper support 28. In particular, the threaded section 50 is screwed into the receiving section 48.

[0087] In a fourth step, the centring pin 58 is inserted into the connection element 54. In particular, the centring pin 58 is inserted into the space formed between the connection element 54 and the rod 24 screwed into the upper support 28.

[0088] In a fifth step, the rod 24 is partially unscrewed from the upper support 28. The centring pin 58 then interacts with the connection element 54 and the rod 24 to centre the rod 24 in the connection element 54. In particular, the rod 24 is centred by the centring pin 58 inserted into the connection element 54.

[0089] In a sixth step, the detachable portion 64 is mounted around the rod 24, which interacts with the connection element 54 to form a tube for receiving the rod 24. At least one fastening device is then attached to the connection element 54, passing through the receiving portion of the detachable portion 64 and the through opening 52, thus preventing the rotation of the rod 24 around the longitudinal axis A-A and, similarly, the translation of the rod 24 along the longitudinal axis A-A by preventing the screwing / unscrewing of the rod 24 with respect to the upper support 28.

[0090] The use of a cover 22 that can move around the axis A-A of the rod 24, and more specifically the use of a compartment in which the rod forms a hinge pin, is particularly advantageous, as it allows a simplified and more economical compartment to be obtained.

[0091] It is also particularly advantageous for the rod 24 of the cover 22 to serve both as a hinge pin 23 and as a grab bar, allowing the compartment 2 to be further simplified. This simplified design also makes it possible to assemble and disassemble the compartment more quickly, thus facilitating maintenance operations.

[0092] The lower support 27 and the upper support 28 directly support the rod 24, thus ensuring an improved rigidity of the rod 24 with respect to the passenger compartment 4.

[0093] So-called "first-level" maintenance operations, i.e. visual inspections of the equipment, such as the door opening mechanism 18, which require frequent maintenance operations. This type of maintenance operation is the most frequent type of operation, which is improved by the railway vehicle compartment 2.

[0094] So-called "second-level" maintenance operations, i.e. the replacement of components of the door opening mechanism 18, which are performed by disassembling the cover 22. The second-level maintenance operations are less frequent than the first-level maintenance operations, so the railway vehicle compartment 2 according to the present application simplifies the overall maintenance operations.

Claims

1. Compartment (2) of a rail vehicle (1), the compartment defining an internal volume (16) and comprising: - a shutter (22) movable between an open position, in which the shutter (22) is offset with respect to the internal volume (16), and a closed position, in which the shutter (22) screens the internal volume (16) and at least partially delimits the internal volume (16), - a bar (24) of which a central region (44) extends outside the internal volume (16), and - a hinge (20) defining a path of the shutter (22) between the open position and the closed position, characterized in that: - the shutter (22) is rotatable about an axis (A-A) of the bar (24) between the open position and the closed position of the shutter, the bar (24) forming a pin (23) of the hinge (20); and - an upper region (42) and a lower region (40) of the bar (24) extend into the internal volume (16), the bar (24) passing through the shutter (22) between its lower region (40) and its central region (44) and between its upper region (42) and its central region (44).

2. Compartment (2) of a rail vehicle (1) according to claim 1, wherein The bar (24) is a grab bar (24) for being gripped by a passenger and supporting the weight of a user of the rail vehicle (1).

3. Compartment (2) of a rail vehicle (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The central region (44) extends into a cavity (39) of the shutter (22) and is offset by at least 40 mm with respect to a cavity (39) wall of the shutter (22).

4. Compartment (2) of a rail vehicle (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein Electrical equipment of the rail vehicle is arranged at least partially in the internal volume (16).

5. Compartment (2) of a rail vehicle (1) according to claim 4, wherein The electrical equipment of the rail vehicle is a door opening mechanism.

6. Assembly (29) comprising: - a vehicle structural element (30), and - a compartment (2) of a rail vehicle (1) according to claim 1 or 2, the compartment (2) comprising a lower support (27) holding a lower end of the bar (24) with respect to the vehicle structural element (30) and an upper support (28) holding an upper end of the bar (24) with respect to the vehicle structural element (30), the hinge (20) comprising a wing (21), the shutter (22) and the wing (21) being integral.

7. The assembly (29) according to claim 6, wherein The lower support (27) and the upper support (28) form a joint (26) of the hinge (20) and are adapted to hold the bar (24) immobile with respect to the vehicle structural element (30); and, the shutter (22) is rotatable with respect to the bar (24).

8. The assembly (29) according to claim 7, wherein The upper end (42) of the bar (24) is screwed into the upper support (28), the lower support (27) comprising: - a connection element (54) attached to the vehicle structural element (30); and - a detachable assembly (56) comprising: - a centering pin (58) adapted to be inserted into the connection element (54) and to center the bar (24) within the connection element (54), and - a locking member (60) adapted to be attached to the connection element (54) and to block rotation of the bar (24) about said axis (A-A), When the centering pin (58) is inserted and the locking member (60) is attached, the bar (24) is held immobile with respect to the vehicle structural element (30).

9. A rail vehicle (1), characterized in that The rail vehicle comprises an assembly (29) according to claim 6.

10. A method for mounting an assembly (29) according to claim 8, comprising the steps of: attaching the stem (24) to the cover (22); attaching the connecting element (54) and the upper support (28) to the vehicle structural element (30); screwing the stem (24) equipped with the cover (22) into the upper support (28); inserting the centering pin (58) into the connecting element (54); partially unscrewing the stem (24) from the upper support (28), the centering pin (58) interacting with the connecting element (54) to center the stem (24) within the connecting element (54); and attaching the locking member (60) to the connecting element (54) to prevent rotation of the stem (24) about the axis (A-A).

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