Vehicle, in particular a railway vehicle, comprising a lifting device

Abstract

Vehicle, in particular a railway vehicle, comprising a lifting device The invention relates to a vehicle (10), in particular a railway vehicle, comprising: - a lower floor (26), and an upper floor (24), a free edge of the lower floor (26) and a free edge of the upper floor (24) delimiting between them at least partially a passage (48), - a lifting device (28) comprising a platform (50) at least movable in translation in the passage (48) between a high position and a low position. The vehicle (10) further comprises an upper profile (30) enclosing the free edge of the upper floor (24) and a lower profile (32) enclosing the free edge of the lower floor (26), the upper profile (30) and the lower profile (32) being arranged away from the platform (50). Figure for abstract: Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: Vehicle, in particular a railway vehicle, comprising a lifting device

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle, in particular a railway vehicle, comprising:

[0002] - a lower floor, and an upper floor located above the lower floor in an elevation direction, a free edge of the lower floor and a free edge of the upper floor delimiting between them at least partially a passage,

[0003] - a lifting device comprising a platform at least movable in translation in the passage relative to the upper floor and the lower floor in a direction of movement substantially parallel to the direction of elevation, between a high position in which an upper surface of the platform and an upper surface of the upper floor are substantially flush at the same height taken in the direction of elevation, and a low position in which the upper surface of the platform and an upper surface of the lower floor are substantially flush at the same height taken in the direction of elevation.

[0004] The lifting device makes it easier for people with reduced mobility, particularly people in wheelchairs, to get on board.

[0005] To ensure the proper functioning of the lifting device and to avoid any pinching of a passenger's finger between the moving elements, it is known to provide an operating clearance between the lifting device and the upper and lower floors.

[0006] However, the manufacturing tolerances of the platform and the lower and upper floors do not allow such clearance to be guaranteed between these moving parts.

[0007] An aim of the invention is therefore to propose a vehicle which makes it possible to guarantee clearance between the lifting platform and the upper and lower floors to ensure the proper functioning of the lifting device in complete safety.

[0008] For this purpose, the invention relates to a vehicle, as defined above, in which the vehicle further comprises an upper profile enclosing the free edge of the upper floor and a lower profile enclosing the free edge of the lower floor, the upper profile and the lower profile being arranged away from the platform.

[0009] Thus, the upper profile and the lower profile make it possible to guarantee an operating clearance between the lifting platform and respectively the upper floor and the lower floor. They also make it possible to absorb and mask the dimensional variations of the upper floor and the lower floor inherent in the manufacture of these floors. In addition, the upper profile and the lower profile make it possible to improve the finish at the junction between the lifting platform and the fixed upper and lower floors, while making it possible to improve the resistance to structural and wear constraints linked to intensive passenger traffic at the junction region between the upper and lower floors and the lifting platform.

[0010] The vehicle may include one or more of the following characteristics, taken in isolation or in all technically possible combinations:

[0011] - the free edge of the upper floor and the free edge of the lower floor have each a curved shape;

[0012] - the upper profile and the lower profile are made of aluminum;

[0013] - the upper profile and the lower profile are deformable curved profiles;

[0014] - the upper profile and the platform defining between them a first peri-interstice spherical, the lower profile and the platform defining between them a second peripheral gap;

[0015] - the first peripheral gap and the second peripheral gap each have a width less than 5 mm;

[0016] - the upper profile defines at least a first housing oriented towards the free edge of the upper floor and receiving said free edge, the lower profile defining at least a first housing oriented towards the free edge of the lower floor and receiving said free edge;

[0017] - the vehicle comprises a chassis, the platform being movable in translation between the high position and low position relative to the chassis, the upper profile and the lower profile being fixed to the chassis;

[0018] - the upper profile and the lower profile are fixed on the frame with a plurality cage nuts; and

[0019] - the platform is furthermore movable in rotation relative to the upper floor and the lower floor around the direction of travel.

[0020] The invention will be better understood on reading the following description, given by way of example, and made with reference to the appended drawings, among which:

[0021] - [Fig.l] [Fig.l] is a schematic view from above of a vehicle according to the invention in which the lifting device is in the high position,

[0022] - [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a partial schematic section of the vehicle of [Fig.l] the along a first direction L1 between the upper floor and the lifting platform shown in the high position, and

[0023] - [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a partial schematic section of the vehicle of [Fig.l] the along a second direction L2 between the lower floor and the lifting platform shown in the high position.

[0024] [Fig. 1] represents a vehicle 10 according to the invention. The vehicle 10 is in particular a railway vehicle. It is understood that the invention applies to any type of vehicle 10 intended to transport passengers such as a bus, a boat, etc.

[0025] The vehicle 10 comprises at least one car 12 shown partially in [Fig.l]. The car 12 comprises a chassis 54 and extends mainly in a longitudinal direction L corresponding to the normal direction of travel of the vehicle 10. The car 12 comprises two longitudinal walls 14 each extending in directions substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction L and delimiting an interior space 16. The car 12 further comprises at least one transverse wall 19 extending in a transverse direction T substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L.

[0026] The interior space 16 comprises a passenger compartment 18 and a reception space 20, arranged on either side of the transverse wall 19. The passage between the passenger compartment 18 and the reception space 20 is effected by an access 22 delimited in the transverse wall 19.

[0027] The passenger compartment 18 comprises, for example, seats (not shown) for transporting passengers.

[0028] The reception space 20 comprises an upper floor 24, a lower floor 26, a lifting device 28, an upper profile 30 and a lower profile 32.

[0029] At least one of the longitudinal walls 14 delimits an entrance 34 to allow passengers to access the reception area 20, for example from a station platform.

[0030] The upper floor 24 is located above the lower floor 26 in an elevation direction Z substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L and to the transverse direction T.

[0031] In the remainder of the description, the terms “upper” and “lower” 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.

[0032] In the illustrated example, at least a portion of the upper floor 24 extends facing the entrance 34. At least one upper surface 36 of the upper floor 24 and one upper surface of the platform (not shown) extend for example substantially at the same height. As a variant (not shown), the vehicle 10 comprises an access ramp connecting the upper surface 36 of the upper floor 24 to the platform.

[0033] The lower floor 26 extends opposite the access 22 to the passenger compartment 18, that is to say that at least one upper surface 38 of the lower floor 26 and at least one upper surface 40 of the passenger compartment 18 extend substantially in the same plane.

[0034] Each of the upper 24 and lower 26 floors comprises, for example, a rigid base layer 42 and a carpet layer 44 covering the upper surface of the base layer 42.

[0035] Each of the upper 24 and lower 26 floors respectively defines an edge free 46A, 46B. The free edge 46A of the upper floor 24 and the free edge 46B of the lower floor 26 delimit between them a passage 48 receiving the lifting device 28.

[0036] In the illustrated example, the free edge 46A of the upper floor 24 and the free edge 46B of the lower floor 26 each have a curved shape. In particular, in a longitudinal plane P substantially perpendicular to the elevation direction, the free edge 46A of the upper floor 24 and the free edge 46B of the lower floor 26 each form an arc of a circle of the same radius. Thus, the passage 48 is circular in the plane P.

[0037] According to the invention, the lifting device 28 comprises a platform 50 movable in translation in the passage 48 relative to the upper floor 24 and to the lower floor 26 in a direction of movement D substantially parallel to the elevation direction Z, between a high position ([Fig.l]) in which an upper surface 52 of the platform 50 and the upper surface 36 of the upper floor 24 are substantially flush with the same height taken in the elevation direction Z, and a low position in which the upper surface 52 of the platform 50 and the upper surface 38 of the lower floor 26 are substantially flush with the same height taken in the elevation direction Z.

[0038] The platform 50 has for example the shape of a disc in the longitudinal plane P.

[0039] Preferably, the lifting device 28 also comprises two guardrails 56 fixed on the upper surface 52 of the platform 50 and delimiting between them an airlock 58 intended to receive a passenger, for example in a wheelchair. The lifting device 28 may further comprise a control device (not shown) configured to move the platform 50 from the high position to the low position and vice versa.

[0040] In the illustrated example, the platform 50 is furthermore rotatable relative to the upper floor 24 and the lower floor 26 around the direction of movement D. In the illustrated example, the platform 50 is for example at least rotatable between a first position and a second position angularly spaced 90° from each other.

[0041] Thus, for example, a passenger entering in a wheelchair through the entrance 34 moves on the upper floor 24 towards the platform 50 positioned in the high position. The platform 50 is then rotated 90° from the first position to the second position counterclockwise around the direction of movement D. The platform 50 is then moved in translation along the direction of movement D to reach the low position. The passenger then enters the passenger compartment 18 through the access 22.

[0042] To exit the vehicle 10, the passenger moves onto the platform 50 positioned in low position from the lower floor 26. The platform 50 is then rotated about the direction of travel D from the second position to the first position clockwise. The platform 50 is then translated along the direction of travel D to reach the high position. The passenger then moves to the upper floor 24, then onto the platform via the entrance 34.

[0043] Alternatively, to allow access to the passenger compartment 18, the platform 50 first moves from the high position to the low position, then from the first position to the second position. Alternatively, the rotational and translational movements are carried out simultaneously and the platform 50 has an apparent helical movement relative to the upper floor 24 and the lower floor 26.

[0044] According to the invention, the upper profile 30 encloses the free edge 46A of the upper floor 24 and the lower profile 32 encloses the free edge 46B of the lower floor 26. In particular, as visible in [Fig.2], the upper profile 30 defines at least one first upper housing 60A oriented towards the free edge 46A of the upper floor 24. The first upper housing 60A receives the free edge 46A of the upper floor 24 as a support. In the example illustrated, the upper profile 30 is formed by a first profile 62 and a second profile 64, both having a “C”-shaped section, fixed to each other. The first profile 62 and the second profile 64 delimit between them a second internal upper housing 66A making it possible to stiffen the upper profile 30.

[0045] Alternatively, the upper profile 30 is formed by a single profile having a “C” shaped section.

[0046] The lower profile 32 defines at least one first lower housing 60B oriented towards the free edge 46B of the lower floor 26. The first lower housing 60B receives the free edge 46B of the lower floor 26 as a support. The lower profile 32 has for example the same section as the upper profile 30, that is to say that it is formed by a first profile 62 and a second profile 64 both in the shape of a “C” fixed to one another.

[0047] Each of the upper profile 30 and lower profile 32 is curved. The upper profile 30 and the lower profile 32 are for example made of aluminum. The upper profile 30 and the lower profile 32 are preferably deformable, that is to say that when a force is exerted on each of the profiles 30, 32, up to a certain predetermined threshold, they deform without breaking. Beyond the predetermined threshold, they break. This is particularly advantageous because the upper profile 30 and the lower profile 32 can be adjusted to the shape of the free edge 46A of the upper floor 24 and the lower floor 26 respectively.

[0048] Each of the upper profile 30 and lower profile 32 is preferably fixed on the chassis 54, for example by using cage nuts. This is particularly advantageous because the cage nuts make it easier to adjust the profiles 30, 32 relative to the floors 24, 26.

[0049] The upper profile 30 is arranged away from the platform 50 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement D. In particular, the upper profile 30 and the platform 50 define between them a first peripheral gap 68. The first peripheral gap 68 extends along the free edge 46A of the upper floor 30, around the platform 50.

[0050] In particular, in the high position of the platform 50, the upper surface 36 of the upper floor 24 and the upper surface 52 of the platform 50 extend substantially in the same plane and are spaced from each other by the first peripheral gap 68.

[0051] The lower profile 32 is arranged away from the platform 50 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement D. In particular, the lower profile 32 and the platform 50 define between them a second peripheral gap 70. The second peripheral gap 70 extends along the free edge 46B of the lower floor 32, around the platform 50.

[0052] In particular, in the low position of the platform 50, the upper surface 38 of the lower floor 26 and the upper surface 52 of the platform 50 extend substantially in the same plane and are spaced from each other by the second gap 70.

[0053] Advantageously, the first peripheral gap 68 and the second peripheral gap 70 each respectively have a width dH d2, taken in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement D, less than 5 mm. This makes it possible to avoid any pinching of a passenger's finger.

[0054] Preferably, the width di of the first peripheral gap 68 is constant around the entire circumference of the free edge 46A of the upper floor 24. In the same way, preferably, the width d2 of the second peripheral gap 70 is constant around the entire circumference of the free edge 46B of the lower floor 26.

[0055] Preferably, the first peripheral gap 68 and the second peripheral gap 70 have the same width.

[0056] The vehicle 10 according to the invention is particularly advantageous because the upper profile 30 and the lower profile 32 make it possible to guarantee an operating clearance between the mobile platform 50 and respectively the upper floor 24 and the lower floor 26. They also make it possible to absorb and mask the dimensional variations of the upper floor 24 and the lower floor 26 inherent in the manufacture of these floors 24, 26. In addition, the upper profile 30 and the lower profile 32 make it possible to improve the finish at the junction between the platform 50 mobile and the lower 26 and upper 24 fixed floors while being able to withstand the structural constraints and wear associated with intensive passenger and wheelchair traffic.

Claims

Claims

1. Vehicle (10), in particular a railway vehicle, comprising: - a lower floor (26), and an upper floor (24) located above the lower floor (26) in a direction of elevation (Z), a free edge (46B) of the lower floor (26) and a free edge (46A) of the upper floor (24) delimiting between them at least partially a passage (48), - a lifting device (28) comprising a platform (50) at least movable in translation in the passage (48) relative to the upper floor (24) and to the lower floor (26) in a direction of movement (D) substantially parallel to the direction of elevation (Z), between a high position in which an upper surface (52) of the platform (50) and an upper surface (36) of the upper floor (24) are substantially flush with the same height taken in the direction of elevation (Z),and a low position in which the upper surface (52) of the platform (50) and an upper surface (38) of the lower floor (26) are substantially flush with the same height taken in the elevation direction (Z), characterized in that the vehicle (10) further comprises an upper profile (30) enclosing the free edge (46A) of the upper floor (24) and a lower profile (32) enclosing the free edge (46B) of the lower floor (26), the upper profile (30) and the lower profile (32) being arranged away from the platform (50).,

2. Vehicle (10) according to claim 1, wherein the free edge (46A) of the upper floor (24) and the free edge (46B) of the lower floor (26) each have a curved shape.

3. Vehicle (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the upper profile (30) and the lower profile (32) are made of aluminum.

4. Vehicle (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, in which the upper profile (30) and the lower profile (32) are deformable curved profiles.

5. Vehicle (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, in which the upper profile (30) and the platform (50) define between them a first peripheral gap (68), the lower profile (32) and the platform (50) define between them a second peripheral gap (70).

6. A vehicle (10) according to claim 5, wherein the first gap peripheral (68) and the second peripheral gap (70) each have a width (dB d2) less than 5 mm.

7. Vehicle (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, in which the upper profile (30) defines at least one first housing (60A) oriented towards the free edge (46A) of the upper floor (24) and receiving said free edge (46A), the lower profile (32) defining at least one first housing (60B) oriented towards the free edge (46B) of the lower floor (26) and receiving said free edge (46B).

8. Vehicle (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the vehicle (10) comprises a chassis (54), the platform (50) being movable in translation between the high position and the low position relative to the chassis (54), the upper profile (30) and the lower profile (32) being fixed on the chassis (54).

9. A vehicle (10) according to claim 8, wherein the upper profile (30) and the lower profile (32) are secured to the frame (54) with a plurality of cage nuts.

10. A vehicle (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the platform (50) is further rotatable relative to the upper floor (24) and the lower floor (26) about the direction of travel (D).

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