Modular Station Canopy With Integrated Passenger Guidance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing train station platforms without roofing expose passengers to weather conditions and pose safety risks due to lack of effective passenger flow management, leading to collisions and delays, especially during peak times, and existing solutions are limited in adapting to changing train stopping positions and types.

Innovation Solution

A modular station canopy with integrated routing systems, sliding doors, and foldable barriers that can be quickly installed to separate boarding and alighting passenger flows, adjust to train positions, and ensure safe entry and exit, using sensors to optimize door alignment and prevent collisions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If platforms are not roofed to save costs, then construction costs are reduced, but passengers are exposed to weather conditions and safety risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconstruction costVSAvoidweather exposure and safety risks
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The station canopy is divided into multiple modular units that can be independently installed on different platforms. Each module contains integrated passenger guidance systems, allowing selective roofing of high-priority platforms while maintaining cost efficiency through standardized, repeatable units.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines multiple functions into the canopy structure: weather protection, passenger guidance through integrated displays and routing systems, and safety monitoring. This merging eliminates the need for separate systems and reduces overall construction costs while providing comprehensive solutions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Area of stationary object

If opposing passenger flows are not separated, then platform space is maximized, but collisions between boarding and alighting passengers increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveplatform spaceVSAvoidpassenger safety
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The canopy structure incorporates localized passenger guidance zones with directional indicators, lighting, and routing systems at specific locations along the platform. These localized interventions guide passenger flows without requiring complete separation of the entire platform, thus maintaining space efficiency while improving safety.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated passenger guidance system acts as an intermediary between opposing passenger flows, using visual cues, directional signage, and routing information to guide passengers along safe paths without physical barriers that would consume platform space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If traditional platform doors are used, then passenger flow control is achieved, but adaptability to changing train positions and types is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepassenger flow controlVSAvoidadaptability to train positions and types
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The canopy integrates dynamic, adjustable components including movable partitions, adjustable lighting zones, and reconfigurable guidance systems that can adapt to different train lengths, positions, and types. These dynamic elements allow the same canopy structure to serve multiple train configurations effectively.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs adjustable parameters such as lighting intensity, guidance message content, and partition positions that can be modified in real-time based on train arrival information, allowing the canopy to adapt to varying train positions and types without physical reconfiguration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Loss of time

If rapid installation is prioritized, then service disruption is minimized, but integration complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation timeVSAvoidintegration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The canopy is designed as modular units that can be pre-assembled and then quickly installed on platforms using standardized connection mechanisms. This segmentation allows rapid deployment while managing integration complexity through standardized interfaces and repeatable installation procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Complex integration elements such as electrical connections, guidance system wiring, and structural attachments are pre-configured during module manufacturing before delivery to the station. This preliminary action reduces on-site integration complexity and accelerates installation while maintaining system integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4079993B1Railway station roof with integrated passenger guidance system
Publication Date: 2023.07.19 CAMBAUM GMBH
  • EP4079993B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4079993B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4079993B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Station canopy, consisting of functional modules (2, 2') to be connected to one another, each comprising a canopy (3) and preferably transparent wall elements (4) made of plastic glass, with integrated wayfinding system, such that the boarding and alighting passenger flows are separated, and waiting areas (6) are also integrated into the modules (2, 2') on the side facing away from the platform (7), wherein these modules (2, 2') can be placed on the existing platform (7) using a crane, the modules (2, 2') are each subdivided such that a passage (12) through the module (2, 2') is connected to the boarding and alighting openings of a stopped train (16), which is bounded on both sides by half-height or full-height passage wall elements (18, 18'), wherein the alighting passengers, after passing through the passage (12), each enter the module (2, 2') exit on the side opposite the train (16),wherein the passage wall elements (18, 18') on one or both sides of the passage (12) are provided with sliding doors (14, 14') or barriers (17, 17'), wherein the passage wall elements (18, 18') are perforated in such a way that a passage is opened on one or both sides by means of the sliding doors (14, 14') so that the passengers located in the waiting areas (6) can enter the passage (12) and through the passage (12) can reach the stopped train (16).