VEHICLE WITH LIFTING DEVICE AND METHOD THEREFOR

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a public transport vehicle car, more particularly a railway vehicle, comprising a platform and a room, the room being arranged at a different height from the access platform in an elevation direction.

[0002] Such a car is known from document WO 99 / 48458 A1.

[0003] To enable a person with reduced mobility to access their seat from the platform, staff are generally provided to help the person to access their seat and then exit the vehicle, since vehicles with a platform and a room at different heights are not suitable, for example for a person using a wheelchair.

[0004] On the one hand, the person with reduced mobility is dependent on staff for their movements.

[0005] On the other hand, this mobilizes staff who are no longer available, for example to respond to requests from other users.

[0006] One aim of the invention is to propose a car offering independent access to the station and to the seat of a person with reduced mobility.

[0007] To this end, the invention relates to a car of the aforementioned type, comprising a lifting device for people with reduced mobility, the lifting device being movable between at least one position for access to the platform and one position for access to the room, the lifting device being controlled by a control module, the control module being configured to control the lifting device according to a database comprising information relating to seat reservations by passengers within the vehicle.

[0008] Thus, the lifting device allows a person with reduced mobility to move between the platform and the room independently. The lifting device has a personalized control based on reservations.

[0009] The car according to the invention may further comprise one or more of the following characteristics, considered in isolation or in any technically conceivable combination: the control module is configured to control the movement of the lifting device so that the lifting device is in the room access position when a reservation indicates that a person with reduced mobility exits the car at a next station, and / or so that the lifting device is in the platform access position when a reservation indicates that a person with reduced mobility accesses the car at a next station; the car comprises at least a first call button of the lifting device and at least a second call button of the lifting device, the first call button being arranged at the platform, the second call button being arranged at the room; the lifting device is provided with a detector of an obstacle to the movement of the lifting device;and / or the car includes a visual and / or audible alarm signal, the visual and / or audible alarm signal being configured to be triggered in the event of an incident relating to the lifting device.;

[0010] The invention further relates to a method for controlling a lifting device for a person with reduced mobility in a public transport vehicle carriage, more particularly a railway vehicle, the carriage comprising a platform, a room and the lifting device for a person with reduced mobility, the room being arranged at a different height from the platform in a lifting direction, the lifting device being movable between at least one platform access position and one room access position, the lifting device being controlled by a control module, the control module controlling the lifting device according to a database comprising information relating to seat reservations by passengers within the carriage.

[0011] The method according to the invention may further comprise one or more of the following characteristics, considered in isolation or in any technically conceivable combination: the method comprises a step of moving the lifting device into the access position to the room when a reservation indicates that a person with reduced mobility is leaving the car at a next station or a step of moving the lifting device into the access position to the platform when a reservation indicates that a person with reduced mobility is accessing the car at a next station, said moving step being carried out before the vehicle enters said next station; the lifting device is provided with an obstacle detector for the movement of the lifting device, the detection of an obstacle by the obstacle detector during a first movement causes the first movement of the lifting device to stop, and advantageously a second movement in a direction opposite to the direction of the first movement;the method comprises a step of emergency stopping of the lifting device, the emergency stopping step being triggered by the triggering of an emergency stop button on the lifting device and / or by the presence of an object forming an obstacle to the movement of the lifting device; and / or the method comprises a step of sending an alert signal to personnel following the emergency stopping step.;

[0012] Other aspects and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following description, given by way of example and with reference to the appended drawings, in which: there figure 1 is a schematic side view of a part of a car according to one embodiment of the invention, and the figure 2 is a schematic top view of part of the car of the figure 1 .

[0013] An example of a car 10 of a public transport vehicle, more particularly a railway vehicle, according to an embodiment of the invention, is partially represented in the figures 1 And 2 .

[0014] It is understood that the invention applies to any type of vehicle intended to transport passengers such as a bus, a boat, etc.

[0015] The car 10 extends mainly in a longitudinal direction L corresponding to the normal direction of circulation of the vehicle.

[0016] Car 10 includes a platform 12, a room 14 and a lifting device 16 for people with reduced mobility.

[0017] Room 14 is arranged at a different height from the access platform according to an elevation direction Z substantially perpendicular to the vehicle's rolling plane.

[0018] More specifically, room 14 is located below platform 12 along the Z elevation direction.

[0019] In the remainder of the description, the terms "upper" and "lower" or "below" and "above" are defined relative to the elevation direction Z. Thus, a so-called "upper" element is arranged above a "lower" element in the elevation direction Z. In the same way, the term "height" is defined in the elevation direction Z.

[0020] A transverse direction T is further defined, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L and to the elevation direction Z.

[0021] The access platform 12 is provided with at least one entrance 18 for users to allow access to said platform 12.

[0022] Entrance 18 is, for example, an access to platform 12 from outside the vehicle, for example from a platform, or for example a sidewalk.

[0023] The platform 12 here comprises a flat floor, that is to say extending substantially at the same height, at least between at least one entrance 18 and the lifting device 16.

[0024] The platform 12 comprises, for example, a flat floor over the entire platform 12.

[0025] The floor of the platform 12 at the entrance 18 and an upper surface of the platform (not shown) extend for example at substantially the same height. Alternatively (not shown), the vehicle comprises an access ramp connecting the floor of the platform 12 to the platform.

[0026] Room 14 here has a flat floor.

[0027] Room 14, for example, is a passenger compartment.

[0028] For example, room 14 includes seats for transporting passengers, including at least one seat 19 adapted for a person with reduced mobility.

[0029] In one embodiment, room 14 does not communicate with any space other than the platform.

[0030] Alternatively, room 14 communicates with an adjoining space, the adjoining space being, for example, an additional passenger compartment. The adjoining space is, for example, at a different height from room 14.

[0031] The lifting device 16 is arranged between the platform 12 and the room 14.

[0032] More particularly, in the diagram shown, the platform 12 and the room 14 are separated by the lifting device 16 on the one hand and by at least one staircase 20 on the other hand.

[0033] Each of the floors of platform 12 and room 14 comprises, for example, a rigid base layer and a carpet layer covering the upper surface of the base layer.

[0034] Each of the floors of the platform 12 and of the room 14 respectively defines a free edge 22, 24, corresponding to a surface extending from the end of the corresponding floor.

[0035] Each free edge 22, 24 extends substantially in the elevation direction Z from an edge of the corresponding floor.

[0036] The free edges 22, 24 delimit between them a passage 26 receiving the lifting device 16.

[0037] In the illustrated example, the free edges 22, 24 each have a curved shape. In particular, in a longitudinal plane P substantially perpendicular to the elevation direction, the free edges 22, 24 each form an arc of a circle of the same radius.

[0038] Thus, passage 26 is circular in plane P.

[0039] According to the invention, the lifting device 16 comprises a base 28.

[0040] The base 28 has, for example, the shape of a disc, corresponding substantially to the shape of the passage 26 in the plane P.

[0041] Optionally, the lifting device 16 also comprises two guardrails 32 fixed to the upper surface 30 of the base 28 and delimiting between them an airlock 34 intended to receive a passenger, for example in a wheelchair.

[0042] The lifting device 16, including in particular the base 28, is movable between a position for access to the platform (in solid lines on the figure 1 ) and a position of access to the room (dotted on the figure 1 ).

[0043] The movement between the platform access position and the room access position comprises a translation in the passage 26 relative to the platform and the room in a direction of movement D substantially parallel to the elevation direction Z.

[0044] In the platform access position, an upper surface 30 of the base 28 and the upper surface of the platform floor 12 are substantially flush with the same height taken along the elevation direction Z.

[0045] In the room access position, the upper surface 30 of the base 28 and the surface of the room floor 14 are substantially flush with the same height taken along the elevation direction Z.

[0046] In the illustrated example, the lifting device 16 is furthermore movable in rotation relative to the room and the platform around the direction of movement D.

[0047] In the illustrated example, the lifting device 16 is for example at least movable in rotation between a first position and a second position angularly spaced at least 10° from each other.

[0048] In the example shown, the movement between the platform access position and the room access position includes translation in the direction of movement D and rotation around the direction of movement D.

[0049] Thus, for example, a passenger entering in a wheelchair through the entrance 18, moves on the floor of the platform 12 towards the upper surface 30 positioned in the access position to the platform 12. The base 28 is then moved in rotation from the first position to the second position about the direction of movement D, then moved in translation along the direction of movement D to reach the access position to the room. The passenger then enters the room 14.

[0050] To exit the vehicle 10, the passenger moves onto the base 28 positioned in the access position to the room 14. The base 28 is then moved in rotation around the direction of movement D from the second position to the first position, then moved in translation along the direction of movement D to reach the access position to the platform 12. The passenger then moves towards the platform 12, then onto the platform via the entrance 18.

[0051] Alternatively, to allow access to the room 14, the base 28 first moves in translation along the direction of movement D, then in rotation from the first position to the second position. Alternatively, the rotational and translational movements are carried out simultaneously, and the base 28 has an apparent helical movement relative to the room 14 and the platform 12.

[0052] In the example shown, the lifting device 16 comprises a control interface 40 accessible by a user on the base 28, more particularly accessible by a user in a wheelchair on the base 28.

[0053] The control interface 40 is, for example, arranged on one of the guardrails 32, more particularly on a barrier of the guardrail 32.

[0054] The control interface 40 includes a room movement button, a platform movement button, and advantageously an emergency stop button.

[0055] A "button" means a physical button or a touch-sensitive area that functions as a button.

[0056] The command interface 40 is such that: when the user presses the button for moving towards the room, then the lifting device 16 moves into the access position of the room 14, when the user presses the button for moving towards the platform, then the lifting device 16 moves into the access position of the platform 12, and if necessary, when the user presses the emergency stop button, then the lifting device 16 stops in its position at that moment.

[0057] Furthermore, the car 10 comprises at least one first call button 42 of the lifting device 16 and at least one second call button 44, 46 of the lifting device 16, the first call button 42 being arranged at the platform 12, the second call button 44, 46 being arranged at the room 14.

[0058] The first call button 42 is accessible for a person in a wheelchair moving on platform 12.

[0059] The first call button 42 is, for example, arranged on the platform 12 near the lifting device 16.

[0060] The first call button 42 is such that, when the user presses said first call button 42, the lifting device moves to the platform access position.

[0061] The or each second call button 44, 46 is accessible for a person in a wheelchair moving around room 14.

[0062] The second call button 44, 46 is such that, when the user presses said second call button 44, 46, the lifting device moves to the room access position.

[0063] The second call button 44 is, for example, arranged at the level of room 14 near the lifting device 16.

[0064] Alternatively or additionally, the second call button 46 is, for example, arranged near the seat 19 adapted for a person with reduced mobility.

[0065] If room 14 includes a plurality of seats adapted for a person with reduced mobility, then the car then includes, for example, at least one second call button per adapted seat.

[0066] In one embodiment, the lifting device 16 is provided with an obstacle detector (not shown) for the movement of the lifting device 16.

[0067] For example, the lifting device 16 comprises at least one sensor adapted to detect any resistance to the movement of the lifting device.

[0068] Alternatively or additionally, the lifting device 16 comprises at least one sensor adapted to detect any object other than the lifting device 16 present in the passage 26.

[0069] In one embodiment, the car 10 includes an alarm signal 48.

[0070] The alarm signal 48 is adapted to emit a visual signal, for example luminous, and / or audible.

[0071] The alarm signal is configured to be triggered, i.e. to emit the visual and / or audible signal, in the event of an incident relating to the lifting device.

[0072] The alarm signaling includes a visual element on the lifting device 16, more particularly at the level of the control interface 40.

[0073] Additionally and / or alternatively, the alarm signaling comprises at least one visual element on the platform 12, more particularly at the first call button 42, and in the room 14, more particularly at the second call button 44 near the lifting device 16.

[0074] The lifting device 16 is controlled by a control module 36 configured to move the base 28 from the platform access position to the room access position, and vice versa.

[0075] The control module 36 is implemented in the form of software, or a software brick, executable by a processor.

[0076] In a variant not shown, the control module 36 is produced in the form of a programmable logic component, such as an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or in the form of a dedicated integrated circuit, such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit).

[0077] When the control module is produced in the form of one or more software programs, i.e. in the form of a computer program, it is also capable of being recorded on a computer-readable medium, not shown. The computer-readable medium is, for example, a medium capable of storing electronic instructions and of being coupled to a bus of a computer system. For example, the readable medium is an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a ROM memory, a RAM memory, any type of non-volatile memory (for example EPROM, EEPROM, FLASH, NVRAM), a magnetic card or an optical card. A computer program comprising software instructions is then stored on the readable medium.

[0078] The control module 36 is configured to control the lifting device 16 based on a database comprising information relating to seat reservations by passengers within the vehicle.

[0079] The control module 36 is, for example, configured to control the movement of the lifting device so that the lifting device is in the platform access position when a reservation indicates that a person with reduced mobility is accessing the car at a next station.

[0080] More particularly, the vehicle, here the car, includes a memory 38 including the database.

[0081] Memory 38 is connected to control module 36.

[0082] The database includes, for example, a file including, for all reservations for room 14 of the car, whether the user benefiting from the reservation is a person with reduced mobility, and where applicable the departure station and arrival station of the corresponding reservation.

[0083] In a particular embodiment, the file includes, for all reservations for room 14 of the car, whether the user benefiting from the reservation is a person with reduced mobility, and the departure station and the arrival station of each reservation.

[0084] By "if the user benefiting from the reservation is a person with reduced mobility" we mean that the user is identified as such, for example by a prior declaration from the user, for example when making the reservation. Thus, if a user has made a reservation without indicating that they are a person with reduced mobility, then they will not be identified as such in the reservation file.

[0085] The control module 36 is further connected to the control interface 40 and to the various buttons, here the control interface 40 and the call buttons 42, 44, 46.

[0086] The control module 36 is further connected to the alarm signaling 48.

[0087] In an advantageous embodiment, the control module 36 is adapted to send a message or an alarm to a remote device or to send a signal for sending a message or an alarm to a remote device.

[0088] The remote equipment is, for example, mobile equipment, communicating for example via a connection according to a local network, for example wired, for example according to the Ethernet protocol. Alternatively, the connection is a wireless connection, for example according to the Bluetooth standard and / or the Wi-Fi protocol.

[0089] The remote equipment is, for example, intended for vehicle personnel, i.e. at least one of the personnel has the remote equipment.

[0090] The lifting device is, for example, electrically connected, so as to allow movement between the platform access position and the room access position.

[0091] The lifting device may be electrically isolated and thus immobilized, for example following an action by personnel, for example as a safety measure.

[0092] A method of controlling the lifting device 16 as described previously will now be described.

[0093] The control module 36 controls the lifting device based on a database comprising information relating to seat reservations by passengers within the car, as described previously.

[0094] The lifting device 16 is, by default, in the room access position, for example when the vehicle is moving, no weight is detected in the elevator and in the absence of a contrary command.

[0095] If when the vehicle is in motion, and no weight is detected in the elevator, the lifting device 16 is in a position other than the room access position, then the control module 36 commands the movement of the lifting device 16 to the room access position 14.

[0096] The method here comprises a step of moving the lifting device 16 into the access position to the platform 12 when a reservation indicates that a person with reduced mobility is accessing the car at a next station, said moving step being carried out before entering said next station.

[0097] This movement step is performed only if no weight is detected in the elevator.

[0098] A "station" means any location intended for stopping and for people to board and / or disembark. Thus, a station may include a platform, but may also be simply a stop provided within the infrastructure through which the vehicle operates.

[0099] More particularly, before entering said next station, for example when said next station is detected, for example five hundred meters before the platform of this same station, the control module 36 consults the database comprising information relating to seat reservations by passengers within the car.

[0100] If the database indicates that a person with reduced mobility gets out of the car at a next station, then the control module 36 commands the movement of the lifting device 16 to the access position for the room 14.

[0101] If the database indicates that a person with reduced mobility is accessing the car at a next station, then the control module 36 commands the movement of the lifting device 16 into the access position to the platform 12.

[0102] If the database indicates that a first person with reduced mobility exits the car at a next station and that a second person with reduced mobility accesses the car at a next station, then the control module 36 commands the movement of the lifting device 16 into the access position for the room 14.

[0103] This makes it easier for the first person to exit, and thus get out of the vehicle, before the second person enters.

[0104] When a user presses a button, here on the control interface 40 and the call buttons 42, 44, 46, then the lifting device performs the corresponding action, either a movement towards the room access position, or a movement towards the platform access position, or where appropriate a stop in position.

[0105] In the case where the database indicates that a first person with reduced mobility exits the car at a next station and that a second person with reduced mobility accesses the car at a next station, the first person will probably use the lifting device previously moved to the access position to room 14, will control the movement of said lifting device to the access position to platform 12 to exit the vehicle. Then, the second person will enter the vehicle at platform 12 and will use the lifting device already in position, to reach room 14 by controlling the movement of the lifting device to the access position to room 14.

[0106] This makes the exit and entry of users smooth.

[0107] Additionally, if a user presses the emergency stop button, then the lifting device 16 stops in its position at that instant in an emergency stop step, and advantageously the control module sends a message or an alarm to the remote equipment.

[0108] This allows, in particular, the intervention of a member of staff to help the user.

[0109] In addition, pressing the emergency stop button triggers an inhibition of all movement controls of the lifting device, until the controls are reset, i.e. the lifting device remains in its stop position.

[0110] Rearming is, for example, carried out by staff.

[0111] More particularly, the control module 36 sends a control signal to the elevator device corresponding to the button pressed.

[0112] This order by a user takes priority over an order relating to the database including information relating to seat reservations by passengers within the car.

[0113] The said order by a user is carried out first, then the order relating to the database is carried out in a second step.

[0114] Alternatively, only the order by a user is carried out.

[0115] Thus, if a passenger calls the lifting device at hall 14, then the lifting device moves to the position for access to hall 14, even though the control module would have sent a command to move the lifting device to the position for access to the platform because of the boarding of a person with reduced mobility at the next station.

[0116] The lifting device then moves into the room access position allowing the user to use said lifting device as desired by the user, then once the user has exited the lifting device, then the control module sends, for example, a command to move the lifting device into the platform access position in anticipation of the person with reduced mobility boarding at the next station.

[0117] During a first movement of the lifting device, if the obstacle detector detects an obstacle, then a specific sequence is carried out.

[0118] The specific sequence is, for example, a stop of the first movement of the lifting device in position upon detection of the obstacle, a test step to clear the obstacle and a resumption of the movement after a time delay.

[0119] The obstacle clearance test step is, for example, a second movement in a direction opposite to the first movement.

[0120] The second movement is carried out here, over a limited withdrawal distance, for example between 20 mm and 100 mm, more particularly substantially equal to 50 mm.

[0121] The time delay is a stopping of the device in the position after the obstacle clearance test step for a given duration, for example between 2 and 5 seconds.

[0122] Then the first movement of the lifting device is resumed.

[0123] If the obstacle is still detected after performing the specific sequence, the specific sequence is repeated a given number of times or until no obstacle is detected.

[0124] The specific sequence is, for example, repeated once, in addition to the initial iteration.

[0125] If after the given number of repetitions of the specific sequence, an obstacle is still detected, then the elevator is kept stationary in an emergency stop step.

[0126] This involves, for example, sending an alert signal to a member of staff, for example a so-called escort agent, for example by sending the signal to the remote equipment.

[0127] This allows personnel to remove the detected obstacle or force the movement of the lifting device, for example by a remote control.

[0128] Furthermore, this triggers, for example, the alarm signal 48, i.e. the emission of a visual and / or audible signal.

[0129] This makes it possible, in particular, to signal that the lifting device is not functional to any personnel seeing the alarm signal and to any potential user.

[0130] This also results, for example, in the inhibition of all movement commands of the lifting device, until the controls are reset, i.e. the lifting device remains in its stop position.

[0131] Rearming is, for example, carried out by staff.

[0132] Alternatively or additionally, the resetting is carried out automatically when the lifting device has carried out the initial movement, that is to say when the lifting device is in the access position targeted by the initial movement.

[0133] The commands in the event of obstacle detection here take priority over all other commands of the lifting device 16.

[0134] Thus, the lifting device allows a person with reduced mobility to move between the platform and the room independently.

[0135] The operation of the lifting device within the vehicle presents a control suitable for a public transport vehicle, so that the user experience within the vehicle is improved.

Claims

1. A car (10) of a public transport vehicle, more particularly a rail vehicle, comprising a platform (12), a room (14) and a lifting device (16) for a person with reduced mobility, the room (14) being arranged at a different height from the platform (12) in a lifting direction (Z), the lifting device (16) being movable between at least one position for access to the platform (12) and one position for access to the hall (14), the lifting device (16) being controlled by a control module (36), the car being characterised in that the control module (36) is configured to control the lifting device (16) depending on a database comprising information relating to seat reservations by passengers within the car (10).

2. The car according to claim 1, wherein the control module (36) is configured to control the movement of the lifting device (16) such that the lifting device (16) is in the position for access to the room (14) when a reservation indicates that a person with reduced mobility is exiting the car (10) at a subsequent station, and / or such that the lifting device (16) is in the position for access to the platform (12) when a reservation indicates that a person with reduced mobility is accessing the car (10) at a subsequent station.

3. The car according to claim 1 or 2, comprising at least one first call button (42) for the lifting device (16) and at least one second call button (44, 46) for the lifting device (16), the first call button (42) being arranged at the platform (12), the second call button (44, 46) being arranged at the room (14).

4. The car according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the lifting device (16) is provided with a detector of obstacle to the movement of the elevator device (16).

5. The car according to any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising a visual and / or audible alarm signal (48), the visual and / or audible alarm signal (48) being configured to be triggered in the case of an incident relating to the lifting device (16).

6. A method for controlling a lifting device (16) for a person with reduced mobility in a car (10) of a public transport vehicle, more particularly a rail vehicle, the car (10) comprising a platform (12), a room (14), and the lifting device (16) for a person with reduced mobility, the room (14) being arranged at a different height from the platform (12) in a lifting direction (Z), the lifting device (16) being movable between at least one position for access to the platform (12) and one position for access to the room (14), the lifting device (16) being controlled by a control module (36), characterised in that the control module (36) controls the lifting device (16) depending on a database comprising information relating to seat reservations by passengers within the car (10).

7. The control method according to claim 6, comprising a step of moving the lifting device (16) to the position for access to the room (14) when a reservation indicates that a person with reduced mobility is exiting the car (10) at a next station, or a step of moving the lifting device (16) to the position for access to the platform (12) when a reservation indicates that a person with reduced mobility is accessing the car (10) at a next station, said moving step being carried out before the vehicle enters said next station.

8. The control method according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the lifting device (16) is provided with a detector of obstacle to the movement of the elevator device (16), the detection of an obstacle by the obstacle detector during a first movement causes the first movement of the lifting device (16) to stop, and advantageously a second movement in a direction opposite to the direction of the first movement.

9. The control method according to any one of claims 6 to 8, comprising a step of emergency stop of the lifting device (16), the emergency stop step being caused by triggering an emergency stop button on the lifting device (16) and / or by the presence of an object obstructing the movement of the lifting device (16).

10. The control method according to claim 9, comprising a step of sending an alert signal to personnel following the emergency stop step.