Vehicle, particularly railway vehicle, comprising a lifting device
The incorporation of upper and lower profiles on the edges of the floors in railway vehicles addresses the issue of clearance and structural integrity, ensuring safe and reliable operation of the lifting device despite manufacturing tolerances.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- FR2023015124
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2023-12-22
- Publication Date
- 2026-01-02
- Estimated Expiration
- 2043-12-22
AI Technical Summary
Existing vehicles, particularly railway vehicles, face challenges in ensuring a safe and reliable clearance between the lifting platform and the upper and lower floors due to manufacturing tolerances, which can lead to finger pinching and improper functioning of the lifting device.
Incorporating upper and lower profiles that enclose the edges of the upper and lower floors, respectively, to create a consistent clearance and absorb manufacturing variations, while being made of deformable aluminum and fixed to the chassis with cage nuts for adjustment.
Ensures a safe and functional clearance between the lifting platform and the floors, preventing finger pinching and enhancing structural resistance and finish, despite manufacturing variations.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: Vehicle, in particular 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 situated above the lower floor along a direction of elevation, 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 at least one platform that is movable in translation in the passage relative to the upper floor and the lower floor along 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 along 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 along the direction of elevation.
[0004] The lifting device makes it easier for people with reduced mobility, in particular wheelchair users, to access the vehicle 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 parts, 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] One object of the invention is therefore to provide a vehicle which makes it possible to guarantee a 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 and lower profiles ensure adequate clearance between the lifting platform and, respectively, the upper and lower floors. They also absorb and conceal dimensional variations in the upper and lower floors inherent to their manufacture. Furthermore, the upper and lower profiles improve the finish at the junction between the lifting platform and the fixed upper and lower floors, while also enhancing resistance to structural and wear constraints related to intensive passenger traffic at the junction area between the upper and lower floors, and the lifting platform.
[0010] The vehicle may include one or more of the following features, taken individually or in any technically possible combination:
[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 aluminium;
[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-gap pherical, 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 of less than 5 mm;
[0016] - the upper profile defines at least one 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 lower profile being fixed to the chassis;
[0018] - the upper profile and the lower profile are fixed to the chassis with a plurality cage nuts; and
[0019] - the platform is also mobile in rotation relative to the upper floor and the lower floor around the direction of movement.
[0020] The invention will be better understood upon reading the following description, given by way of example, and made with reference to the accompanying drawings, among which:
[0021] - [Fig. 1] [Fig. 1] is a schematic top view of a vehicle according to the invention in which the lifting device is in the raised position,
[0022] - [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a partial schematic section of the vehicle in [Fig.1]. along a first direction L1 between the upper floor and the lifting platform shown in the raised position, and
[0023] - [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a partial schematic section of the vehicle of [Fig.1] along a second direction L2 between the lower floor and the lifting platform shown in the raised position.
[0024] Figure 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 for transporting passengers such as a bus, a boat, etc.
[0025] The vehicle 10 comprises at least one car 12, partially shown in [Fig. 1]. The car 12 comprises a chassis 54 and extends mainly along 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 along a transverse direction T substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L.
[0026] The interior space 16 comprises a passenger compartment 18 and a reception area 20, arranged on either side of the transverse wall 19. The passage between the passenger compartment 18 and the reception area 20 is made through an access 22 delimited in the transverse wall 19.
[0027] The passenger compartment 18 includes, for example, seats (not shown) for the transport of passengers.
[0028] The reception area 20 includes 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 following description, the terms "upper" and "lower" are defined with respect to the Z elevation direction. Thus, an element called "upper" is arranged above an element "lower" along the Z elevation direction. Similarly, the term "height" is defined with respect to the Z elevation direction.
[0032] In the illustrated example, at least a portion of the upper floor 24 extends opposite 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, at substantially the same height. Alternatively (not shown), the vehicle 10 includes 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 an upper surface 38 of the lower floor 26 and at least an 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 direction of elevation, 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 plane P.
[0037] According to the invention, the lifting device 28 comprises a platform 50 that moves in translation in the passage 48 relative to the upper floor 24 and the lower floor 26 along a direction of movement D substantially parallel to the direction of elevation Z, between a high position ([Fig.1]) in which an upper surface 52 of the platform 50 and the upper surface 36 of the upper floor 24 are substantially flush at the same height taken along the direction of elevation 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 at the same height taken along the direction of elevation Z.
[0038] The platform 50 is, for example, disc-shaped in the longitudinal plane P.
[0039] Preferably, the lifting device 28 also includes two guardrails 56 fixed to 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 include a control device (not shown) configured to move the platform 50 from the raised position to the lowered position and vice versa.
[0040] In the illustrated example, the platform 50 is also rotationally mobile 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 rotationally mobile between a first position and a second position spaced angularly 90° apart.
[0041] Thus, for example, a passenger entering in a wheelchair through entrance 34 moves along the upper floor 24 towards platform 50, which is positioned in the raised position. Platform 50 is then rotated 90° from the first position to the second position in a counterclockwise direction around the direction of travel D. Platform 50 is then moved in translation along the direction of travel D to reach the lowered position. The passenger then enters the passenger compartment 18 through access 22.
[0042] To exit the vehicle 10, the passenger moves onto the platform 50 positioned in The platform is moved from the lower position (26) to the lower floor. Platform 50 is then rotated around the direction of travel D from the second position to the first position in a clockwise direction. Platform 50 is then moved translationally along the direction of travel D to reach the upper position. The passenger then moves to the upper floor (24) and onto the platform via entrance 34.
[0043] Alternatively, to allow access to the passenger compartment 18, the platform 50 first moves from the upper position to the lower position, and then from the first position to the second position. Alternatively, the rotational and translational movements occur 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 shown in [Fig. 2], the upper profile 30 defines at least one first upper recess 60A oriented towards the free edge 46A of the upper floor 24. The first upper recess 60A supports the free edge 46A of the upper floor 24. In the illustrated example, the upper profile 30 is formed by a first profile 62 and a second profile 64, both having a C-shaped cross-section, fixed one on top of the other. The first profile 62 and the second profile 64 define between themselves a second internal upper recess 66A which stiffens 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 support from the free edge 46B of the lower floor 26. The lower profile 32 has, for example, the same section as the upper profile 30, that is to say, it is formed by a first profile 62 and a second profile 64, both in the shape of a “C”, fixed one on top of the other.
[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, when a force is applied to 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 upper 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 separated 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 lower 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 separated from each other by the second gap 70.
[0053] Advantageously, the first peripheral gap 68 and the second peripheral gap 70 each have a width dH d2, measured in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement D, of less than 5 mm. This prevents any pinching of a passenger's fingers.
[0054] Preferably, the width di of the first peripheral gap 68 is constant around the entire perimeter of the free edge 46A of the upper floor 24. Similarly, preferably, the width d2 of the second peripheral gap 70 is constant around the entire perimeter 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 ensure a working clearance between the movable platform 50 and, respectively, the upper floor 24 and the lower floor 26. They also absorb and conceal the dimensional variations of the upper floor 24 and the lower floor 26 inherent in the manufacturing of these floors 24, 26. In addition, the upper profile 30 and the lower profile 32 improve the finish at the junction between the platform 50 mobile and the lower floor 26 and upper floor 24 fixed while allowing to withstand the structural and wear stresses related to intensive passage of passengers and wheelchairs.
Claims
Demands
1. Vehicle (10), in particular railway, comprising: - a lower floor (26), and an upper floor (24) situated above the lower floor (26) along 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 within the passage (48) relative to the upper floor (24) and the lower floor (26) along 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 at the same height taken along 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 at the same height taken along the direction of elevation (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 aluminium.
4. Vehicle (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein 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, wherein 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. 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, wherein 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. Vehicle (10) according to claim 8, wherein the upper profile (30) and the lower profile (32) are fixed to the chassis (54) with a plurality of cage nuts.
10. Vehicle (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the platform (50) is further mobile in rotation relative to the upper floor (24) and the lower floor (26) around the direction of travel (D).