Modular Sanitary Cell Floor Pan for Flexible Rail Vehicle Layouts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sanitary cabins in vehicles, particularly rail vehicles, have inflexible designs due to their floor pans, which are costly to modify when space or design changes are needed, limiting cost-effective design options and modernization.
Innovation Solution
A modular system with a subdivided floor pan consisting of a support plate and a peripheral edge profile with connecting elements allows for various layout configurations, integrating all necessary installations and enabling easy adaptation to different spatial conditions, using a waterproof HPL compact laminate support plate and a stainless steel edge profile for both structural and aesthetic functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional integrated floor pan design is used, then structural integrity and waterproofing are ensured, but design flexibility and adaptability to different spatial conditions deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The floor pan is divided into modular components: a base plate (11) made of HPL compact laminate and a separate peripheral edge profile (50). This segmentation allows the components to be independently manufactured and then assembled, enabling flexible adaptation to different spatial configurations while maintaining structural integrity through the connecting elements (tongue and groove connection).
2Adaptability or versatility
If new floor pans are produced to accommodate design changes, then adaptability to new spatial conditions is achieved, but manufacturing costs increase due to new tool molds
Solution Approach 1:
The base plate (11) and edge profile (50) are designed as universal components with standardized connecting elements. The edge profile features a tongue that fits into a groove on the base plate, creating a reusable connection system. This universality allows the same components to be reconfigured for different layouts without requiring new tool molds, significantly reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining adaptability.
3Ease of manufacture
If glass fiber reinforced plastic is used for the floor pan, then waterproofing and durability are ensured, but ease of cleaning and maintenance deteriorate due to dirt accumulation in complex geometries
Solution Approach 1:
The design transitions from a fixed, monolithic floor pan to a dynamic assembly of modular components. The base plate (11) and edge profile (50) can be easily disassembled and reassembled, allowing for simple cleaning and maintenance. The standardized tongue and groove connection enables quick reconfiguration while maintaining the waterproof integrity of the assembly.
4Volume of moving object
If space-saving components are used to meet wagon construction requirements, then space efficiency is improved, but design flexibility and ease of adaptation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The modular segmentation of the floor pan into base plate (11) and edge profile (50) components enables efficient space utilization while maintaining design flexibility. The compact laminate base plate provides a flat, space-efficient surface, and the separate edge profile with standardized connecting elements allows for easy adaptation to different spatial requirements without compromising the space-saving design.
Data Source
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Figure 3
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AI summary
The cabin has a base tub that is formed with a circular edge section by a support plate (11), which is connected with a vehicle floor. The edge section has an integral connecting unit for positively retaining wall units (12 - 17). The support plate is attached to a door slide rail, and the spatially formed arrangement of the support plate and the wall units is selected according to the space ratio of the vehicle.