Railway car ceiling assembly, railway car and associated maintenance method
The rotatable hatch in the railway car ceiling assembly addresses space constraints by concealing equipment when closed and providing easy access for maintenance when open, enhancing passenger capacity and maintenance efficiency.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- FR2021004697
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2021-05-04
- Publication Date
- 2025-08-01
- Estimated Expiration
- 2041-05-04
AI Technical Summary
Existing railway car designs occupy significant space with electrical cabinets, reducing passenger and cargo capacity.
A railway car ceiling assembly with a rotatable hatch that houses equipment, allowing it to be concealed when closed and accessible for maintenance when open, freeing up space for passengers or cargo.
Reduces space requirements for onboard equipment, enabling additional seating or mobility spaces and facilitating equipment maintenance.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: Railway car ceiling assembly, railway car and associated maintenance method
[0001] The invention relates, according to a first aspect, to a railway car ceiling assembly.
[0002] The invention also relates, according to a second aspect, to a railway car comprising such a ceiling assembly.
[0003] The invention also relates, according to a third aspect, to a method of maintaining equipment, preferably an electrical panel, of such a railway car.
[0004] It is known to place equipment of a railway vehicle, in particular electrical panels, in cabinets arranged inside the cars, on the floor, in the space intended to accommodate passengers or in technical rooms, for example at the end of the railway cars. This equipment makes it possible, for example, to control the electrical supply of equipment of the railway vehicle, such as a heating or air conditioning system, a lighting system, etc.
[0005] However, these cabinets occupy a significant amount of space inside the railway car, which reduces the space available for passengers and / or for objects transported in this car.
[0006] One objective of the invention is to overcome this drawback by proposing a railway car ceiling assembly making it possible to free up the space usually occupied by electrical cabinets.
[0007] To this end, the invention relates to a railway car ceiling assembly comprising:
[0008] - an upper ceiling structure and a lower ceiling structure terminating between them at least one internal housing, the lower ceiling structure defining at least one opening in communication with the internal housing,
[0009] - at least one hatch movable in rotation along an axis of rotation relative to the lower ceiling structure between a closed position in which the hatch at least partially obscures the opening and an open position in which the hatch extends away from the opening,
[0010] - at least one piece of equipment, preferably an electrical panel, fixed to the hatch, the equipment being received in the internal housing in the closed position of the hatch and extending out of the internal housing in the open position of the hatch.
[0011] Thus, the equipment pivots with the hatch. When the hatch is in the closed position, the equipment is received inside the internal housing and is completely invisible for the passenger. When the hatch is in the open position, the equipment extends with the hatch projecting from the lower ceiling structure, inside the passenger reception area. Access to the equipment is facilitated for maintenance operations because the equipment then extends to chest height.
[0012] The ceiling assembly thus makes it possible to reduce the space required by the presence of equipment on board railway carriages, in particular electrical panels. The space thus freed up allows, for example, the creation of areas for people with reduced mobility or, more generally, to increase passenger capacity.
[0013] According to different embodiments, the assembly further comprises one or more of the following characteristics, taken individually or in all technically possible combinations:
[0014] - the assembly further comprises a locking system adapted to lock the hatch in the closed position;
[0015] - the assembly further comprises a removable fall arrest device comprising a chain connecting the hatch to the lower ceiling structure;
[0016] - in the closed position, the hatch comprises an internal surface facing towards the interior of the internal housing, the equipment being fixed on said internal surface;
[0017] - the equipment comprises at least one face comprising a plurality of devices electrical, said face extending in a plane substantially parallel to the internal surface of the hatch; and
[0018] - the axis of rotation extends along an outer edge of the hatch.
[0019] The invention relates to a railway car extending mainly in a longitudinal direction, said car comprising at least one ceiling assembly as described above, the axis of rotation being substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction.
[0020] According to particular embodiments, the car comprises one or more of the following features:
[0021] - the car further comprises a floor extending opposite the assembly of ceiling and two longitudinal walls extending between the floor and the ceiling assembly, the floor, the ceiling assembly and the longitudinal walls defining between them a passenger reception space, the equipment extending into the reception space in the open position of the hatch; and
[0022] - in the open position, the hatch extends in a vertical plane.
[0023] The invention also relates to a method for maintaining equipment, preferably an electrical panel, of a ceiling assembly as described above, comprising the following steps:
[0024] - moving the hatch from the closed position to the open position,
[0025] - equipment maintenance,
[0026] - moving the hatch from the open position to the closed position.
[0027] Other aspects and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following description, given by way of example, and made with reference to the appended drawings among which:
[0028] - [Fig.l] [Fig.l] is a schematic sectional view of a railway car according to the invention in which the hatch is in the closed position; and
[0029] - [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a schematic sectional view of the railway car of the [Fig.l] in which the hatch is in the open position.
[0030] Figures 1 and 2 are schematic cross-sectional views of a railway car 10 according to the invention in a transverse direction T.
[0031] The railway car 10 extends mainly in a longitudinal direction L substantially perpendicular to the transverse direction T, and in an elevation direction Z substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal directions L and transverse directions T.
[0032] The railway car 10 comprises a ceiling assembly 12, a floor 14 extending opposite the ceiling assembly 12 and two longitudinal walls 16 extending between the floor 14 and the ceiling assembly 12. The floor 12, the longitudinal walls 16 and the ceiling assembly 12 define between them a space 18 for receiving passengers and / or objects.
[0033] The ceiling assembly 12 comprises an upper ceiling structure 20, a lower ceiling structure 22, at least one hatch 24 and at least one piece of equipment 26 fixed to the hatch 24.
[0034] The upper ceiling structure 20 is for example a structure which extends between the longitudinal walls 16. The upper ceiling structure 20 extends for example in a plane substantially parallel to the plane in which the floor 14 extends.
[0035] Alternatively, the upper ceiling structure 20 is formed by a structure of the railway car 10, for example the roof of the railway car 10.
[0036] The upper ceiling structure 20 and the lower ceiling structure 22 define between them at least one internal housing 30. In the example of Figures 1 and 2, the upper ceiling structure 20 and the lower ceiling structure 22 define between them at least two internal housings 30 located on either side of a median longitudinal plane P. The median longitudinal plane P separates the passenger reception space 18 into two substantially equal volumes.
[0037] As visible in Figures 1 and 2, the upper ceiling structure 20 and the lower ceiling structure 22 also define a central volume 32, between the two internal housings 30, receiving for example an air circulation duct 34 of a ventilation, heating and / or air conditioning system of the railway vehicle.
[0038] The lower ceiling structure 22 includes a lower surface 36 facing toward the floor 14 and an upper surface 38 opposite the lower surface 36 facing toward the interior of the internal housing 30. The lower ceiling structure 22 defines at least one opening 40 between the lower surface 36 and the upper surface 38, i.e., the opening 40 is a through opening.
[0039] In the example of Figures 1 and 2, the lower ceiling structure 36 defines at least two openings 40. Each opening 40 is in communication with an internal housing 30.
[0040] The hatch 24 is preferably fixed to the lower ceiling structure 22 along an outer edge 45. In the example of Figures 1 and 2, the outer edge 45 extends in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction L.
[0041] The hatch 24 is rotatable about an axis of rotation R relative to the lower ceiling structure 22 between a closed position in which the hatch 24 at least partially obscures the opening 40 and an open position in which the hatch 24 extends away from the opening 40. In the open position, the hatch 24 projects from the lower surface 36 of the lower ceiling structure 22 toward the floor 14. In other words, in the open position, the hatch 24 extends into the reception space 18.
[0042] Preferably, in the open position, the hatch 24 extends substantially in an elevation plane, coincident with a vertical plane when the railway car 10 is arranged on a horizontal surface.
[0043] The hatch 24 comprises an inner surface 42 and an outer surface 44 opposite the inner surface 42. In the closed position of the hatch 24, the inner surface 42 is oriented towards the inside of the internal housing 30. In this same closed position, the outer surface 44 is oriented towards the inside of the passenger reception space 18 and is visible to the passengers. The outer surface 44 of the hatch 24 is for example coated with a decorative coating layer to for example visually mask the presence of the hatch 24 in the lower ceiling structure 22 when the hatch 24 is in the closed position.
[0044] The ceiling assembly 12 includes a hatch 24 for each opening 40 as seen in Figures 1 and 2.
[0045] Preferably, the axis of rotation R of the hatch 24 extends along the outer edge 45 of the hatch 24.
[0046] More preferably, the axis of rotation R extends in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction L.
[0047] Advantageously, the ceiling assembly 12 comprises a locking system 46 adapted to lock the hatch 24 in the closed position. The locking system 46 comprises, for example, a lock adapted to receive a key. Thus, hatch 24 cannot be opened by an unauthorized person but only by an operator during maintenance operations.
[0048] Preferably, the ceiling assembly 12 further comprises a removable fall arrester 48 formed by a chain connecting the hatch 24 to the lower ceiling structure 22. The fall arrester 48 is intended to prevent rotation of the hatch 24 beyond a predetermined angle relative to the lower surface 36 of the lower ceiling structure 22. The predetermined angle is for example between 10° and 30°. This further improves the control of the opening of the hatch 24 by avoiding an unexpected opening of the hatch 24, due to a failure of the locking system 46, which could injure a passenger or an operator.
[0049] The equipment 26 is preferably an electrical panel.
[0050] The equipment 26 is fixed on the hatch 24. The equipment 26 is received in the internal housing 30 in the closed position of the hatch 24. The equipment 26 extends out of the internal housing 30 in the open position of the hatch 24. Thus, the equipment 26 extends into the passenger reception space 18 in the open position of the hatch 24.
[0051] More precisely, the equipment 26 is fixed on the internal surface 42 of the hatch 24. Thus, the equipment 26 is integral with the hatch 24 and moves in rotation with it relative to the lower ceiling structure 22 between the closed and open positions of the hatch 24.
[0052] The equipment 26 comprises at least one face 50 comprising a plurality of electrical devices. The plurality of electrical devices comprises for example at least one circuit breaker and / or a switch configured to cut / restore the electrical power supply to a piece of equipment.
[0053] Preferably, said face 50 extends in a plane substantially parallel to the internal surface 42 of the hatch 24. Thus, when the hatch 24 is in the open position, preferably, said face 50 extends in a substantially vertical plane. This allows the operator to easily access the equipment 26 by standing facing the latter. The equipment 26 then extends at human height. In the example illustrated by FIGS. 1 and 2, the face 50 of the equipment 26 comprising the electrical equipment extends in a longitudinal plane substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction L.
[0054] Alternatively (not shown), the ceiling assembly 12 comprises a box receiving the equipment 26, preferably an electrical box. The equipment 26 is then fixed to the hatch 24 via said box.
[0055] A method of maintaining equipment 26 of a railway car 10 will now be described.
[0056] The operator first moves the hatch 24 from the closed position to the open position. For example, he unlocks the locking system 46 and deactivates the fall arrest device 48.
[0057] The equipment 26 comes out of the internal housing 30 and moves with the hatch 24 to extend into the passenger reception space 18 when the hatch 24 is in the open position.
[0058] The operator performs maintenance on the equipment 26.
[0059] Finally, the operator moves the hatch 24 from the open position to the closed position. Preferably, he activates the fall arrest device 48 and locks the closure of the hatch 24 using the locking device 46. The equipment 26 is then received in the internal housing 30.
[0060] The ceiling assembly 12 according to the invention is particularly advantageous because it allows the space requirement linked to the presence of equipment on board railway cars to be reduced, and in particular electrical panels. The space thus freed up allows, for example, the provision of spaces for people with reduced mobility or the addition of additional seats or luggage racks. In the closed position of the hatch 24, the equipment 26 is invisible to passengers. In the open position, the equipment 26 extends to man height, thus facilitating maintenance operations.
Claims
Claims
1. Ceiling assembly (12) of a railway car (10) comprising: - an upper ceiling structure (20) and a lower ceiling structure (22) defining between them at least one internal housing (30), the lower ceiling structure (22) defining at least one opening (40) in communication with the internal housing, - at least one hatch (24) movable in rotation about an axis of rotation (R) relative to the lower ceiling structure (22) between a closed position in which the hatch (24) at least partially conceals the opening (40) and an open position in which the hatch (24) extends away from the opening (40), - at least one piece of equipment (26), preferably an electrical panel, fixed to the hatch (24), the equipment (26) being received in the internal housing (30) in the closed position of the hatch (24) and extending out of the internal housing (30) in the open position of the hatch (24),- a locking system (46) adapted to lock the hatch (24) in the closed position, - a removable fall arrest device (48) comprising a chain connecting the hatch (24) to the lower ceiling structure (22), the fall arrest device being intended to prevent rotation of the hatch (24) beyond a predetermined angle relative to a lower surface of the lower ceiling structure (22).,
2. An assembly (12) according to claim 1, wherein in the closed position, the hatch (24) comprises an internal surface (42) facing the interior of the internal housing (30), the equipment (26) being fixed on said internal surface (42).
3. Assembly (12) according to claim 2, in which the equipment (26) comprises at least one face (50) comprising a plurality of electrical devices, said face (50) extending in a plane substantially parallel to the internal surface (42) of the hatch (24).
4. An assembly (12) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the axis of rotation (R) extends along an outer edge (45) of the hatch (24).
5. Railway car (10) extending mainly in a longitudinal direction (L), said car (10) comprising at least one ceiling assembly (12) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the axis of rotation (R) being substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction (L).
6. A railway car (10) according to claim 5 further comprising a floor (14) extending opposite the ceiling assembly (12) and two longitudinal walls (16) extending between the floor (14) and the ceiling assembly (12), the floor (14), the ceiling assembly (12) and the longitudinal walls (16) defining between them a passenger reception space (18), the equipment (26) extending into the reception space (18) in the open position of the hatch (24).
7. A railway car (10) according to claim 5 or 6, wherein, in the open position, the hatch (24) extends in a vertical plane.
8. Method for maintaining equipment (26), preferably an electrical panel, of a ceiling assembly (12) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising the following steps: - moving the hatch (24) from the closed position to the open position, - maintaining the equipment (26), - moving the hatch (24) from the open position to the closed position.