Passenger Transport Vehicle Layout for Accessible Double-Deck Boarding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing passenger transport vehicles face difficulties in ensuring easy accessibility and maximizing passenger transport capacity, particularly due to elevated entry areas and inefficient use of space.

Innovation Solution

A passenger transport vehicle design featuring a car body with single-decker sections above axles and double-decker sections between them, including multiple entry areas and step-free transitions, allowing simultaneous access to lower and upper levels, and optimizing space for seating and utility equipment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the entry area is elevated above the axles to raise the height, then the vehicle structure is simplified and manufacturing is easier, but accessibility for passengers is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevehicle structureVSAvoidaccessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The vehicle body is divided into single-decker sections above axles and double-decker sections between axles, allowing different entry heights at different locations. This segmentation enables the vehicle to maintain structural simplicity while providing varied accessibility options for passengers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces vertical dimension variation by creating both single-decker and double-decker sections along the longitudinal axis. This dimensional approach allows the vehicle to address accessibility needs at ground level while maintaining elevated entry areas for structural benefits.

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

2Quantity of substance

If a double-decker design is used to increase passenger capacity, then seating capacity is improved, but space utilization and accessibility are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepassenger capacityVSAvoidspace utilization
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The vehicle alternates between single-decker and double-decker car sections along its length, creating a segmented structure. This allows the vehicle to maximize passenger capacity in double-decker sections while maintaining accessibility and efficient space utilization in single-decker sections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different sections of the vehicle have different structural qualities - double-decker sections provide maximum capacity where space allows, while single-decker sections provide better accessibility and space efficiency. This local differentiation optimizes overall vehicle performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Stability of the object's composition

If entry areas are positioned above axles, then structural stability is improved, but accessibility and boarding efficiency are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidboarding efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The vehicle alternates between single-decker sections above axles (maintaining structural stability) and double-decker sections between axles (improving accessibility). This segmentation allows simultaneous achievement of structural stability and boarding efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The double-decker car sections act as intermediaries between the axles, providing accessible entry areas and passenger spaces that bridge the structural support points while maintaining overall vehicle stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Ease of operation

If all areas are made accessible without steps, then accessibility for disabled passengers is improved, but structural complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveaccessibilityVSAvoidvehicle structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The vehicle uses segmented single-decker and double-decker sections to create step-free accessible areas without requiring complex mechanical systems. The structural segmentation itself provides the accessibility solution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The vehicle structure itself provides accessibility through its alternating single and double decker design, eliminating the need for additional mechanical assistance systems. The structure serves its own accessibility function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3248853B2Passenger transport vehicle
Publication Date: 2025.08.13 BOMBARDIER TRANSPORTATION GMBH
  • EP3248853B2 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3248853B2 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3248853B2 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a passenger transport vehicle, in particular a double-decker rail vehicle or bus. An object of the present invention is to provide an improved passenger transport vehicle, ensuring in particular easy accessibility while maintaining a high passenger transport capacity. The above object is achieved by a passenger transport vehicle comprising a car body mounted on at least two axles. Furthermore, the car body is structured as follows: in the vertical direction, single-deck car sections are located substantially perpendicular to a region of the axles or a region of the bogies, with a double-deck car section comprising a lower and an upper level being provided in the longitudinal direction between the single-deck car sections.According to the invention, the lower level thus provided has two boarding areas for passengers entering from the side, separated from each other longitudinally in the passenger transport vehicle, with a first passenger area being provided longitudinally between the boarding areas. This ensures that access to the first passenger area is possible simultaneously via two boarding areas, particularly from the same side of the vehicle, thereby accelerating the boarding and alighting process. Each boarding area has at least one door for this purpose.