Passenger transport vehicle with variable number of seats, and method for managing the space available inside the vehicle

Abstract

Passenger transport vehicle with variable number of seats, and method for managing the space available inside the vehicle Passenger transport vehicle (1) and method for managing the space inside the vehicle (1), in which a system for managing the space inside the vehicle is configured to vary the number of seats available depending on the level of passenger traffic to be transported. Figure for abstract: 1

Description

Title of the invention: Passenger transport vehicle with variable number of seats, and method for managing the space available inside the vehicle

[0001] The present invention relates in general to a passenger transport vehicle, and in particular to a passenger transport vehicle equipped with a space management system inside the vehicle which makes it possible to adapt the space available between seated passengers and standing passengers according to the actual service conditions, and especially the density or quantity of passengers transported during the different moments of the service.

[0002] The present invention also relates to a method for managing the space available inside a passenger transport vehicle.

[0003] It is well known that means of passenger transport, such as trains, subways and buses, are increasingly used throughout the world.

[0004] As a result, particularly in certain areas, such as in large urban centres, the vehicles or convoys used are very congested for at least some part of their service, and especially during peak hours.

[0005] Since the vehicles used today have a predetermined capacity and a generally predefined configuration of their interior space, the result is that the comfort on board the vehicle is not optimal, neither during peak hours nor during off-peak hours.

[0006] Indeed, the number of seats available and their positioning is generally predefined and during peak hours most passengers must therefore remain standing; on the other hand, during off-peak hours, it is also possible for passengers to remain standing, even if there is a lot of space available inside the vehicle.

[0007] Therefore, a main object of the present invention is to provide a solution offering improvements over the known state of the art, and especially to realize passenger transport vehicles where the exploitation of the space inside the vehicle can be optimized according to the different conditions of use during the service schedule, in particular according to the passenger traffic.

[0008] This object is achieved by a passenger transport vehicle, characterized in that it comprises a space management system inside the vehicle which is configured to vary the number of available seats depending on the level of passenger traffic to be transported.

[0009] According to advantageous but not mandatory aspects of the invention, such a passenger transport vehicle may incorporate one or more of the following features, taken in any technically admissible combination:

[0010] - the management system comprises a support structure which is installed in a manner fixed inside the vehicle, and at least one movable surface which is connected to the support structure in a movable manner between a first position where the movable surface forms at least one seating position available for passengers and a second position where the movable surface is moved into a position inaccessible to passengers;

[0011] - the management system comprises at least one control device installed on board of the vehicle and configured to provide at least one remote control signal to activate, preferably in real time, the variation of the number of seats available for passengers;

[0012] - the management system comprises actuation means which are configured to move the at least one movable surface between the first position and the second position in accordance with a control signal remotely transmitted by the control device;

[0013] - the support structure comprises at least one post which is installed in position es substantially vertical within the vehicle, and the at least one movable surface is slidably connected to the post of the support structure between the first position where the movable surface is positioned proximate to and at a predetermined distance from the floor of the vehicle and the second position where the movable surface is positioned proximate to or against the ceiling of the vehicle;

[0014] - the actuating means comprise at least one remotely controlled motor;

[0015] - the actuating means comprise a linear motor mounted to slide on the at least one post of the support structure, being essentially integral with the at least one movable surface;

[0016] - the support structure comprises at least two posts which are installed in essentially vertical position inside the vehicle at a distance from each other;

[0017] - the at least one movable surface comprises a single movable surface which forms a plurality of seats side by side and is connected at its ends to the two posts in a sliding manner, and the actuating means comprises a single linear motor mounted on one of the two posts, or two motors each mounted on a corresponding post;

[0018] - the at least one movable surface comprises at least two movable surfaces separate which are each connected, in a sliding manner, to a corresponding post, each movable surface forming at least one seat, and in which the actuating means comprise, for each movable surface, a linear motor mounted to slide on the corresponding post.

[0019] This aim is also achieved by a method for managing space inside a vehicle, comprising at least one step consisting of modifying the number of seats available depending on the level of passenger traffic to be transported.

[0020] Other aspects and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following description, given solely by way of example and with reference to the appended drawings, among which:

[0021] [Fig-1] [Fig.l] is a view schematically illustrating the interior of a vehicle of transporting passengers in a first configuration that can be used during a smooth passenger traffic condition;

[0022] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a view schematically illustrating the interior of a vehicle of transporting passengers in a second configuration which can be used during a denser passenger traffic condition;

[0023] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a view schematically representing components of a space management system inside a vehicle according to the invention, according to a first exemplary embodiment;

[0024] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is a view schematically representing components of a system for managing space inside the vehicle according to the invention, according to a second exemplary embodiment.

[0025] It should be noted that in the following detailed description, components that are identical or similar, from a structural and / or functional point of view, bear the same numerical references, whether or not they are represented in different embodiments of the present description.

[0026] It should also be noted that, in order to clearly and concisely describe the present invention, the drawings are not necessarily to scale and that certain features may be presented in schematic form.

[0027] Further, when the term "adapted" or "arranged" or "configured" is used herein with reference to any component as a whole, or any part of a component, or a combination of components, it is to be understood to mean and encompass the structure and / or configuration and / or shape and / or positioning of the component or part to which such term refers.

[0028] In particular, with respect to electronic and / or software means / modules, each of the terms indicated above encompasses electronic circuits, as well as software codes and / or algorithms or complete programs stored or being executed.

[0029] Figures 1 and 2 schematically illustrate the interior of a passenger transport vehicle according to the present invention, designated with the reference numeral 1.

[0030] In the example illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, vehicle 1 is a train on a metropolitan line; however, the definition of "passenger transport vehicle" used herein shall be interpreted in the broadest possible sense, i.e. as including any type of passenger transport vehicle, and this definition may therefore be considered as also covering other vehicles, for example trams, surface trains, buses, and the like.

[0031] The vehicle 1 according to the present invention comprises a system for managing the space inside the vehicle 1, which is configured to modify the configuration of this space intended to accommodate the passengers, and in particular to modify the number of seats available as a function of the actual density of the passengers to be transported, that is to say the level of passenger traffic to be transported.

[0032] According to a possible embodiment, the management system comprises at least one control device 2, shown schematically in Figures 3 and 4 in the form of a dotted line box, which is configured to generate at least one control signal Sc adapted to activate the modification of the number of seats available for passengers.

[0033] Preferably, the control device 2 is configured to generate the control signal Sc remotely relative to the position of the seats to be modified, i.e. far from the seats, and in particular where the passengers cannot activate it.

[0034] Preferably, the control device 2 is installed on board the vehicle 1, for example in the cockpit or cockpit of the vehicle 1, or in any position inaccessible to passengers, and is configured to activate the modification of the number of seats available for passengers, preferably in real time during the journey of the vehicle 1, in particular according to the actual conditions of passenger traffic.

[0035] For example, an operator on board the vehicle 1 can activate the modification of the number of seats available for passengers on the basis of his direct view or on the basis of images captured by video cameras; these video cameras can be mounted for example in the space intended to accommodate the passengers and / or on the platforms of the stations, and can monitor the actual density of the passengers to be transported.

[0036] According to a possible embodiment, the management system further comprises a support structure, indicated overall with the reference number 10 in Figures 1 and 2, which is fixedly installed inside the vehicle 1, and at least one movable surface 20 which is connected to the support structure 10 in a movable manner between a first position where the movable surface 20 forms at least one seat 21 available for the passengers, as illustrated in [Fig.l], and a second position where the movable surface 20 is moved into a position inaccessible to the passengers, as illustrated in [Fig.2].

[0037] Furthermore, the management system used in the vehicle 1 according to the invention comprises actuating means 30 which are configured to move the at least one movable surface 20 between the first position and the second position as a function of a command signal Sc received and which has been emitted remotely by the control device 2.

[0038] In particular, the actuating means 30 comprise at least one motor 30 controlled remotely by the control device 2.

[0039] According to a possible embodiment, the support structure 10 comprises at least one post 11 which is installed inside the vehicle 1, preferably in an essentially vertical position, and the at least one movable surface 20 is slidably connected to the post 11 of the support structure 10 between the first position where the movable surface 20 is positioned close to the floor 5 of the vehicle 1, for example at a predetermined distance, as illustrated in [Fig.l], and the second position where the movable surface 20 is positioned close to the ceiling 6 or directly against the ceiling 6 of the vehicle 1, as illustrated in [Fig.2].

[0040] According to this embodiment, the at least one remotely controlled motor 30 is a linear motor mounted on the at least one post 11 of the support structure 10 and which slides, along the post 11, essentially integrally with the at least one movable surface 20.

[0041] In particular, according to a possible exemplary embodiment illustrated in [Fig. 3], the support structure 10 comprises at least two posts 11 which are installed in the vehicle 1 at a distance from each other, for example in an essentially vertical position; according to this possible exemplary embodiment, the at least one movable surface 20 comprises a single movable surface 20 which is positioned transversely with respect to the two posts 11 and is connected at its ends to the same posts 11.

[0042] In this case, the movable surface 20 therefore has the shape of a sliding bench which comprises a plurality of seats or places 21, placed side by side.

[0043] According to this possible embodiment, the actuating means 30 comprise a single linear motor mounted on one of the two posts 11, or alternatively, two motors each mounted on a corresponding post 11; each motor 30 slides along the post 11 where it is mounted, with the post forming in practice a sliding rail.

[0044] According to another possible embodiment, the at least one movable surface 20 comprises at least two separate movable surfaces which are each connected, in a sliding manner, to a corresponding post 11.

[0045] In the example illustrated in [Fig.4], there are three movable surfaces 20 each connected, in a sliding manner, to a corresponding post 11.

[0046] In this possible embodiment, each movable surface 20 forms a seating place 21 or several seating places 21, and the actuating means 30 comprise, for each movable surface 20, a linear motor; each motor 30 is slidably mounted on the post 11 of the support structure to which the specific movable surface 20 is connected.

[0047] As will be obvious to those skilled in the art, the present invention can be easily implemented in the form of a method for managing space inside a vehicle 1, comprising at least one step of modifying the number of seats available as a function of the level of passenger traffic to be transported.

[0048] This step comprises one or more sub-steps in which the components of the system are used according to the methods previously described.

[0049] For example, said step comprises a first sub-step of actuation of the control device 2 by an operator, in particular by the driver of the vehicle, and a second sub-step of displacement of at least one movable surface between the first position and the second position by sliding along the post 11.

[0050] It is clear from the above description that the passenger transport vehicle 1 and the method for managing the space inside the vehicle 1 make it possible to achieve the aim underlying the present invention because the space available inside the vehicle can be managed more efficiently compared to known solutions; in fact, in the vehicle 1 according to the invention, the space inside the vehicle is used in an optimized manner either during off-peak hours or during peak hours of the service.In particular, the internal configuration of the vehicle can be adapted to the traffic in real time; when passenger traffic is flowing smoothly, the number of available seats is increased; on the contrary, when traffic is denser, these seats, individual or grouped for example in the form of benches, are moved, freeing up all the space available so as to allow the greatest number of passengers to have standing space. In this configuration, the capacity gain is optimal.

[0051] These results are obtained with a solution that is relatively simple from a constructive point of view and very flexible to apply.

[0052] The vehicle 1 and method thus designed are susceptible to modifications and variations. For example, the movable surfaces may also comprise parts forming backrests, indicated in the figures with the reference number 22, for the movable seating places 21; alternatively, the backrests 22 may be formed by separate surfaces and mounted in a non-movable position. It is possible to make a combination with seats or seating places in the form of benches or the like, as illustrated in [Fig. 3], and with individual seats or seats as illustrated in [Fig. 4]. Furthermore, the movable seating places 21 may be positioned along the central aisle of the vehicle 1 and / or along the sides; the control device 2 may be configured to selectively move a a certain number of movable seats and not all at the same time

[0053] All fittings can also be replaced by technically equivalent elements.

Claims

Claims

1. - Vehicle (1) for transporting passengers, comprising a space management system inside the vehicle which is configured to vary the number of available seating places depending on the level of passenger traffic to be transported, in which the management system comprises a support structure (10) which is fixedly installed inside the vehicle (1), and at least one movable surface (20) which is connected to the support structure (10) in a movable manner between a first position where the movable surface (20) forms at least one seating place (21) available for the passengers and a second position where the movable surface (20) is moved into a position inaccessible to the passengers, characterized in that the support structure (10) comprises at least one post (11) which is installed in an essentially vertical position inside the vehicle (1),and the at least one movable surface (20) is slidably connected to the post (11) of the support structure (10) between the first position where the movable surface (20) is positioned in proximity to and at a predetermined distance from the floor (5) of the vehicle (1) and the second position where the movable surface (20) is positioned in proximity to or against the ceiling of the vehicle (1).,

2. - Vehicle (1) according to claim 1, wherein the management system comprises at least one control device (2) installed on board the vehicle (1) and configured to provide at least one remote control signal (Sc) to activate, preferably in real time, the variation of the number of seats available for passengers.

3. - Vehicle (1) according to claim 2, wherein the management system comprises actuating means (30) which are configured to move the at least one movable surface (20) between the first position and the second position as a function of a control signal (Sc) emitted remotely by the control device (2).

4. - Vehicle (1) according to claim 3, wherein the actuating means (30) comprise a linear motor slidably mounted on the at least one post (11) of the support structure (10), being essentially integral with the at least one movable surface (20).

5. - Vehicle (1) according to claim 4, wherein the support structure (10) comprises at least two posts (11) which are installed in a substantially vertical position inside the vehicle (1) at a distance from each other.

6. - Vehicle (1) according to claim 5 taken in combination with claim 3, wherein the at least one movable surface (20) comprises a single movable surface which forms a plurality of seating places (21) side by side and is connected at its ends to the two posts (11) in a sliding manner, and wherein the actuating means (30) comprise a single linear motor mounted on one of the two posts (11), or two motors each mounted on a corresponding post (11).

7. - Vehicle (1) according to claim 5 taken in combination with claim 3, wherein the at least one movable surface (20) comprises at least two separate movable surfaces which are slidably connected, each to a corresponding post (11), each movable surface forming at least one seating position (21), and wherein the actuating means (30) comprise, for each movable surface (20), a linear motor slidably mounted on the corresponding post (11).

8. A method of managing space inside a vehicle (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising at least one step of modifying the number of available seats depending on the level of passenger traffic to be transported.

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