Modular Rail Carriage Frame for Flexible Length and Function Assembly

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing technologies face challenges in producing rail vehicle carriages efficiently and cost-effectively, particularly when dealing with varying lengths and functional configurations.

Innovation Solution

A modular component framework for rail vehicle carriages, comprising standard and vehicle-specific modules, allows for flexible assembly and adaptation to different lengths and functionalities, with pre-assembled components for simplified installation and connection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional non-modular production methods are used for rail vehicle carriages, then each carriage must be manufactured completely from scratch according to its specific requirements, but this results in high manufacturing effort and costs, especially when producing many different carriage types with varying lengths and functionalities

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to produce different carriage lengths and functionalitiesVSAvoidmanufacturing effort and costs

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The carriage is divided into modular components (support structure, supply lines, functional assemblies) that can be pre-assembled into complete assembly units. These standardized units can be rapidly configured for different carriage types by selecting and combining appropriate modules, eliminating the need to manufacture each carriage completely from scratch.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The assembly units are designed with universal interfaces and standardized components that can serve multiple carriage configurations. The support structure, supply lines, and functional assemblies are created as reusable modules that can be adapted to different carriage lengths and functional requirements through selective combination rather than redesign.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Manufacturing precision

If carriage-specific components are manufactured individually for each carriage type, then each carriage can be precisely tailored to its requirements, but this increases production time and complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecarriage-specific configuration accuracyVSAvoidproduction efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Assembly units are pre-assembled with all necessary components (support structure, supply lines, functional assemblies) configured and tested before installation into the carriage. This preliminary preparation ensures precise carriage-specific configurations are achieved while significantly reducing on-site assembly time and improving overall production efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4015338B1Modular component frame, carriage of a railway vehicle and method for manufacturing a carriage

Publication Date: 2025.12.03 ALSTOM HOLDINGS SA

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3b

AI summary

The invention relates to a modular component framework for arrangement in a carriage (1) of a rail vehicle, wherein the modular component framework (2) comprises a framework module (3, 3a,..., 3n), wherein the modular component framework (2) comprises at least one further framework module (4, 4a, 4b), wherein a first framework module of the modular component framework is a functional module (3, 3a,..., 3n) and a carriage-independent standard module, wherein the at least one further framework module (4, 4a, 4b) is a carriage-specific framework module, as well as a carriage (1) of a rail vehicle and a method for manufacturing a carriage (1).