Train carriage layout adapted for wheelchair access to a compartment

Abstract

Train carriage layout (10) designed for wheelchair access to a wheelchair accessible compartment (C i ) of the towing vehicle, the towing vehicle comprising a plurality of compartments, the position of the wheelchair accessible compartment being different from one end of the towing vehicle, the towing vehicle layout (10) comprising a partition wall section of the towing vehicle arranged in a triangular shape extending from an aisle (12) of the towing vehicle towards the wheelchair accessible compartment (C i ), this triangular shape allows more space for the doorway to the wheelchair accessible compartment, each of two adjacent compartments (C i , C i+1 ), including the wheelchair accessible compartment (C i ), a partition wall (18) corresponding to one side of the triangular shape, the partition wall (18) of the wheelchair accessible compartment (C i) comprising a compartment access door (S1) and dimensions and orientation configured to allow movement of the wheelchair and minimize loss of space in the compartment.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a train carriage layout adapted for wheelchair access to a wheelchair accessible compartment of the train carriage, the train carriage comprising a plurality of compartments, wherein the location of the wheelchair accessible compartment is different from one end of the train carriage.

[0002] The present invention also relates to a train car having the train car layout.

[0003] The invention also relates to a train comprising at least one train carriage of the above-mentioned type.

[0004] The disclosure relates to layouts of railway vehicles and, in particular, to a layout that allows persons with reduced mobility to access train carriages (i.e., train carriage or wagon).

[0005] More specifically, the disclosure relates to accessibility to a sleeping compartment (i.e., room) of a train car.

[0006] The turning circle for wheelchair users required by the International Union of Railways (UIC) cannot be achieved in the narrow aisle with conventional construction, as there is no way to turn around or pass each other. Wheelchair users would have to exit the narrow aisle backwards.

[0007] More specifically, wheelchair access from a passageway (i.e., aisle) to a compartment depends on the width of the passageway. The Technical Specifications for Interoperability (TSI) for Persons with Reduced Mobility (PRM) define minimum requirements regarding passageway width and doorway width combinations. These requirements result either in an increase in the passageway width that is unnecessary for wheelchair and passenger traffic, resulting in a loss of space in the compartments (i.e., cabins), or in very large doors, resulting in a loss of space in the compartment (i.e., cabin), and a host of other problems associated with oversized doors.

[0008] Various solutions have been proposed regarding the accessibility of sleeping compartments in a train carriage.

[0009] On the Caledonian sleeping car train, for example, accessible compartments are located at each end of the carriage.

[0010] The article, accessible via the following URL: https: / / transportandtravel.wordpress.com / 2022 / 02 / 25 / nexgen night trains / #new-principles, discloses a train carriage layout with compartments specifically designed for passengers with reduced mobility, with compartment Q in particular being accessible to a passenger in a wheelchair and resulting in a loss of space in the train carriage.

[0011] The invention therefore aims to solve the problem of optimizing the layout of train carriages in order to improve the accessibility of the compartment by avoiding the layouts proposed by the prior art which are based on an end position of the accessible carriage or on a layout which involves a loss of space.

[0012] To this end, the subject of the invention is a train carriage layout adapted for wheelchair access to a wheelchair-accessible compartment of the train carriage, the train carriage comprising a plurality of compartments, wherein the location of the wheelchair-accessible compartment differs from one end of the train carriage, wherein the train carriage layout comprises a partition section of the train carriage arranged in a triangular shape extending from an aisle of the train carriage towards the wheelchair-accessible compartment, this triangular shape allowing more space for the door passage to the wheelchair-accessible compartment, each of two adjacent compartments comprising the wheelchair-accessible compartment has a partition corresponding to one side of the triangular shape, the partition of the wheelchair-accessible compartment comprising a compartment access door and having the dimensions and an orientation configured,to allow movement of the wheelchair and minimize loss of space in the compartment.

[0013] Advantageously, the accessible compartment could thus be positioned anywhere in the vehicle (e.g., the carriage). In particular, the train car layout according to the present disclosure is arranged with a triangular partition wall section of the train car. The triangular partition wall section of the train car, also referred to below as a "recessed partition wall," improves wheelchair accessibility of the compartment, in particular access to a sleeping compartment located in the center of the vehicle. More specifically, the train car layout creates space for people with reduced mobility (PRM) (people with disabilities, walkers, or strollers) to ensure a smooth passenger flow.

[0014] Compared to the prior art solutions, the solution of the present disclosure achieves narrower door widths and space savings through shorter compartments while simultaneously increasing comfort, as explained in more detail below. This improves passenger flow in the aisle.

[0015] In other words, the solution of the present disclosure allows wheelchair users to turn around in the middle of the train car and access sleeping compartments. Thus, the present disclosure not only solves wheelchair accessibility, as it also provides a space-saving solution for turning wheelchairs and allowing forward and backward access to the compartments (i.e., cabins).

[0016] It should also be noted that this spatial principle can be used as an additional benefit for all compartments that are used by larger train equipment, such as trolleys, serving carts, etc.

[0017] According to certain embodiments, the train car layout comprises one or more of the following features, individually or in any technically possible combination: - the triangular shape is isosceles and the base of the isosceles triangle is a portion of the proximal longitudinal boundary of the aisle with respect to the two adjacent compartments, the aisle extends longitudinally along the direction of travel of the train carriage, the two equal sides of the isosceles triangle corresponding to the partition walls, comprising a compartment access door of the two adjacent compartments; - the wheelchair accessible compartment is a sleeping compartment; - those dimensions depend on a predetermined pair formed, on the one hand, by the aisle width and, on the other hand, by the usable door width or a vertical aisle width, that predetermined pair being defined by a technical specification for interoperability with regard to persons with reduced mobility; - the door width of the wheelchair accessible compartment is obtained using the pair and a predetermined turning circle corresponding to the dimensions of the wheelchair.

[0018] The invention also relates to a train carriage as such having the train carriage layout described above.

[0019] According to certain embodiments, the tractor comprises one or more of the following features, individually or in any technically possible combination: - the compartment access door of the wheelchair accessible compartment is an automatic door that can be opened via an access system; - the compartment access door of the wheelchair accessible compartment is an upward-opening swing door or a curved sliding door when viewed from above.

[0020] The invention also relates to a train as such, comprising at least one train carriage as described above.

[0021] The invention and its advantages will be better understood upon reading a respective embodiment, given only as a non-limiting example, this description being made with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: - Fig. 1 illustrates the proposed train car layout according to the present disclosure; - Fig.2 illustrates a step of a method for dimensioning a tractor adapted for wheelchair access to a wheelchair accessible compartment of the tractor according to the present disclosure.

[0022] An example of the layout 10 of a train car (ie a train wagon or wagon) according to the present disclosure is shown by Fig. 1 illustrates.

[0023] More specifically, when considering the direction of travel D of a train carriage of a train, the train carriage comprises, from a first end E1 to a second end E2, a plurality of compartments C i-1 , C i , C i+1 , C i+2 . In Fig. 1 there are adjacent compartments C i and C i+1 on both sides of the center M of the train carriage. Compartment C i is a sleeping compartment.

[0024] An aisle 12 (ie a passage) serves the entire compartment group of the train carriage.

[0025] According to the present disclosure, the train car layout is designed for wheelchair W access to the sleeping compartment C i which is not located at the end of the train carriage, by comprising a partition section arranged in a triangular shape, extending from the aisle 12 of the train carriage to a common access area of ​​adjacent compartments C i and C i+1 extends.

[0026] More specifically, according to an optional aspect, the triangular shape is isosceles, the base 14 of the isosceles triangle being part of the proximal longitudinal boundary of the aisle 12 with respect to the two adjacent compartments C i and C i+1 the aisle extends longitudinally along the direction of travel D of the carriage, the two equal sides of the isosceles triangle corresponding to the partitions 16 and 18, in the example of Fig. 1 a compartment access door of the two adjacent compartments Ci and C i+1 includes.

[0027] It should be noted that the train carriage according to the present invention for providing access to PRM sleeping compartments should always have such a triangular shape architecture, either with one entrance door to one of the compartments (not shown) or even with two entrance doors, as shown in Fig. 1 in the partition walls 16 and 18 to both compartments (ie cabins).The Fig. 1 illustrative example with the "mirrored" compartments (ie cabins) and the door entrance on both sides of the partition 17, which acts as a mirror, is the solution that saves the most space.

[0028] The apex of this triangle opposite the base 14 corresponds to the proximal end of the passage of the partition 17, which separates the two adjacent compartments C i and C i+1 separates.

[0029] In other words, the partition walls 16, 17 and 18 are arranged in the shape of a “Y”.

[0030] The triangular shape, consisting of segments 14, 16 and 18, provides more space for access to the wheelchair accessible compartments C i and C i+1 .

[0031] In Fig. 1 are the two adjacent compartments C i and C i+1 Wheelchair accessible compartments having a partition 18 or 16 corresponding to one side of the triangular shape, each partition 18 and 16 of compartments C i and C i+1 , which is wheelchair accessible, has a compartment access door S1 or S2, and with dimensions and orientation specifically configured to allow wheelchair movement and minimize loss of space in the compartment.

[0032] More precisely, compartment C i in the example of Fig. 1 a bedroom, where the bed has a length L Bwhile the adjacent compartment C i+1 is a living room.

[0033] Such a triangular corridor construction thus optimizes the space for double compartments or adjoining rooms with shared use of the corridor.

[0034] The main advantage of the door arrangement with a “retracted partition” (i.e. the triangular partition section of the train carriage) is that the overall length of the doors in the longitudinal direction D of the carriage is reduced.

[0035] If the doors are along a straight wall between compartments C i-1 , C i , C i+1 , C i+2 and aisle 12, the doors take up more length in the longitudinal direction D.

[0036] Compared to the length of the sleeping compartment C i , which according to the present invention is represented by L1, the length L B of sleeping compartment C i, represented by L2, when the doors are arranged longitudinally D, would have to be extended to meet the requirements of the TSI PRM (as described below), which would result in a loss of space in other areas of the compartment (i.e. in other cabins).

[0037] According to an optional aspect, the dimensions of the partition 16 and 18 and / or the compartment access door S1 and S2 depend on a predetermined pair formed, on the one hand, by the aisle passage width and, on the other hand, by the usable width of the door along the longitudinal direction of travel D of the train carriage or a vertical passage width of the aisle, the predetermined pair being derived from a technical specification for interoperability TSI for persons with reduced mobility PRM.

[0038] One such pair is taken, for example, from Table K1 of the TSI PRM on aisle width for wheelchair accessible areas in vehicles: Aisle width (mm) 1200 1100 1000 900 850 800 Usable door width or vertical 800 850 900 1000 1100 1200 Aisle width (mm)

[0039] According to an optional aspect, the access doors S1 and S2 of the wheelchair accessible compartments C i and C i+1 Automatic doors that can be opened via an access system. Indeed, for wheelchair users, automatic doors for wide entrances are required to meet ergonomic requirements.

[0040] According to a further optional aspect, the compartment access doors S1 and S2 are upward-opening swing doors, which enables weight reduction by avoiding heavy sliding doors and cost savings through simple door technology, locking technology and access system identical to the other compartment doors.

[0041] Alternatively, the compartment doors S1 and S2 are curved sliding doors when viewed from above.

[0042] In Fig. 1 it can be seen that the compartment access door S1 of the wheelchair accessible compartment C iis closed, while the compartment access door S2 of the wheelchair accessible compartment C i+1 is open.

[0043] As a result, the train car from Fig. 1 a turning area for passengers with and without disabilities (e.g. wheelchair users) and thus a better passenger flow and easier access to the two compartments C i and C i+1 .

[0044] In addition, the Fig. 1, train cars according to the present disclosure illustrated an optimized door size and less effort than sliding doors as well as a space saving compared to conventional solutions.

[0045] Fig. 2 is a schematic plan view illustrating one step of a method for dimensioning a tractor car adapted for wheelchair access to a wheelchair accessible compartment of the tractor car according to the present disclosure.

[0046] This procedure takes into account at least: - a predetermined pair formed, on the one hand, by the passage width and, on the other hand, by the usable width of the door or a vertical passage width, the predetermined pair being derived using technical specifications for interoperability with regard to persons with reduced mobility, and - a predetermined turning circle associated with the dimensions of the wheelchair.

[0047] More precisely, Fig. 2 is obtained when considering a pair derived from Table K1 above, where the aisle width C W is equal to 945 mm and where the usable width of the door (not shown) along the longitudinal direction D of travel of the towing vehicle is equal to 955 mm.

[0048] Such a pair 945 / 955 is obtained by a linear function between the two pairs 100 / 900 and 900 / 1000 of the above table K1, when the aisle width C W on the ordinate and the usable door width in the longitudinal direction D of travel on the abscissa.

[0049] Based on such a pair, dimensioning a train carriage layout adapted for wheelchair access to a wheelchair accessible compartment of the train carriage includes taking into account a predetermined turning circle A1 associated with the dimensions of the wheelchair W.

[0050] More precisely, in Fig. 2 For example, it is assumed that the wheelchair W has a standard length of 1250 mm, but an extended length (not shown) can also be considered, corresponding, for example, to a customer-specific wheelchair length of 1400 mm.

[0051] Each wheelchair length is associated with its corresponding turning circle A1. Fig. 2, for example, the turning circle A1 is the turning circle associated with a standard length of 1250 mm of the wheelchair W.

[0052] Then, the position and dimensions of the partitions PW1, PW2, PW3 can be optimized to form, according to the present invention, the partition section of the train carriage arranged with a triangular shape, also called “retracted partition” with respect to the aisle, ensuring, thanks to the turning circle A1, that a person with reduced mobility using a wheelchair W can easily access each compartment defined by the partitions PW1, PW2, PW3, as shown in Fig. 2 is shown.

[0053] Thus, the train car layout, train car, train, and method of sizing a train car layout of the present disclosure provide for improved wheelchair compartment accessibility, and in particular, wheelchair sleeping compartment accessibility.

[0054] More specifically, the present disclosure allows for modifying the train layout to accommodate the sleeping compartment in the middle of the vehicle rather than at the end. The partition walls were assembled in a triangular shape to facilitate wheelchair turning and provide access to the sleeping compartment.

[0055] The present disclosure additionally provides optimal space utilization with increased comfort while avoiding sliding doors, while meeting UIC requirements. QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited non-patent literature

[0000] https: / / transportandtravel.wordpress.com / 2022 / 02 / 25 / nexgen

[0010]

Claims

[1] Train carriage layout (10) designed for wheelchair access to a wheelchair accessible compartment (C i ) of the towing vehicle, the towing vehicle comprising a plurality of compartments, the position of the wheelchair accessible compartment being different from one end of the towing vehicle, the towing vehicle layout (10) comprising a partition wall section of the towing vehicle arranged in a triangular shape extending from an aisle (12) of the towing vehicle towards the wheelchair accessible compartment (C i ), this triangular shape allows more space for the doorway to the wheelchair accessible compartment, each of two adjacent compartments (C i , C i+1 ), including the wheelchair accessible compartment (C i ), a partition wall (18) corresponding to one side of the triangular shape, the partition wall (18) of the wheelchair accessible compartment (C i) comprising a compartment access door (S1) and dimensions and orientation configured to allow movement of the wheelchair and minimize loss of space in the compartment. [2] A train car layout (10) according to claim 1, wherein the triangular shape is isosceles and the base (14) of the isosceles triangle is a portion of the proximal longitudinal boundary of the aisle (12) with respect to the two adjacent compartments (C i , C i+1 ), the aisle (12) extends longitudinally along the direction of travel of the train carriage, the two equal sides of the isosceles triangle corresponding to the partition walls (16, 18), comprising a compartment access door (S1, S2) of the two adjacent compartments (C i , C i+1 ). [3] A train carriage layout (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the wheelchair accessible compartment (C i ) is a sleeping compartment. [4] Tractor layout (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the dimensions depend on a predetermined pair defined on the one hand by the aisle width (C W ) and, on the other hand, by the usable door width or a vertical aisle width, the predetermined pair being defined by a technical specification for interoperability with regard to persons with reduced mobility. [5] A train carriage layout (10) according to claim 4, wherein the door width of the wheelchair accessible compartment (C i ) is obtained using the pair and a predetermined turning circle (A1) associated with the wheelchair dimensions. [6] A train carriage having a train carriage layout (10) according to any one of the preceding claims. [7] A train carriage according to claim 6, wherein the compartment access door (S1) of the wheelchair accessible compartment (C i) is an automatic door that can be opened via an access system. [8] A train carriage according to claim 7, wherein the compartment access door (S1) of the wheelchair accessible compartment (C i ) is a swing door opening upwards or a sliding door curved when viewed from above. [9] Train comprising at least one train carriage according to one of the preceding claims 5 to 8.

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