Offset Doors and Acoustic Partition in Rail Car Vestibule

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current railway passenger cars lack optimal design for passenger comfort, particularly in vestibules, which are often noisy and not adequately adapted for various passenger needs due to limited space and layout constraints.

Innovation Solution

A railway car design featuring offset exterior doors, multiple levels with a staircase connection, and modular spaces within vestibules for improved access and service equipment placement, allowing for enhanced passenger comfort and flexibility in use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the vestibule volume is reduced to maximize passenger compartment volume, then the number of passengers increases, but the passenger comfort and usability of the vestibule deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of passengersVSAvoidvestibule usability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The vestibule is segmented into multiple functional zones: a first zone with a window for external access and communication, and a second zone for internal functions. This segmentation allows the limited vestibule volume to serve multiple purposes - passenger access, noise isolation, and provision of services - thereby maintaining usability despite reduced overall size.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a vertical dimension by incorporating a window at a height different from the floor level. This allows the vestibule to utilize vertical space for communication and external access, effectively increasing the functional capacity without increasing the horizontal footprint or overall volume.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Volume of stationary object

If the vestibule is located above the bogie to maximize passenger compartment space, then the passenger compartment volume increases, but the noise from bogie movement disturbs passengers

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepassenger compartment volumeVSAvoidnoise disturbance
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The partition wall between the vestibule and passenger compartment is enhanced with specific acoustic properties. The partition includes a window with acoustic glass and is designed with sound insulation characteristics, creating a localized acoustic barrier that protects the passenger compartment from noise generated in the vestibule above the bogie.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of manufacture

If the exterior doors are positioned symmetrically to simplify manufacturing, then the manufacturing complexity decreases, but the passenger access efficiency and vestibule space utilization deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedoor installation simplicityVSAvoidpassenger access efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs asymmetric positioning of exterior doors relative to the vestibule structure. The first exterior door is positioned at a specific height and location to optimize access from one platform side, while the vestibule layout is asymmetrically arranged to accommodate this positioning. This asymmetric design improves passenger access efficiency and vestibule space utilization while remaining manufacturable through precise fabrication.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

4Object-affected harmful factors

If the vestibule is separated from the passenger compartment by a partition to reduce noise, then the noise isolation improves, but the overall car volume available for passengers decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenoise isolationVSAvoidavailable car volume
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The partition wall is designed as a thin but acoustically effective barrier. By using thin film or shell structures with enhanced acoustic properties (such as acoustic glass in windows and sound-absorbing materials), the partition provides effective noise isolation while occupying minimal space, thereby preserving maximum volume for passenger compartments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentEP3225493B1Passenger rail car and train comprising such a car
Publication Date: 2018.08.01 ALSTOM TRANSPORT TECH SAS
  • EP3225493B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

The invention relates to a passenger rail car (10) extending in a longitudinal direction (DL), comprising a first side wall (15) and a second side wall (20), the first passenger compartment ), A corridor (35) making it possible to enter the car (10), an inner partition wall (62) separating the corridor (35) from the passenger compartment (45) in the first inner partition wall A first inner door 85 making it possible to enter the passenger compartment 45 from the corridor 35 and a first outer door 75 provided in the first side wall 15 and a second outer door 75 provided in the second side wall 20), the first and second outer doors (75, 80) each provide an entrance to the corridor (35), the first outer door (75) and the second outer door (80) are offset with respect to each other in the longitudinal direction (DL).