Pivoting Air Diffusion Grille for Accessible Train Ventilation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional air ventilation systems in passenger transport vehicles, particularly in railway vehicles, are difficult to maintain due to the need to disassemble seats or parts to access the ventilation system, making maintenance costly and time-consuming.

Innovation Solution

An air ventilation system with a pivotable air diffusion grille that can be moved between closed, open, and unhooked positions, allowing for access to the ventilation ducts without dismantling seats, facilitated by a flexible joint and aluminum profile, enabling easier cleaning and maintenance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If ventilation ducts are positioned under passenger seats, then air circulation into the compartment is improved, but maintenance accessibility deteriorates requiring seat removal

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair circulation efficiencyVSAvoidmaintenance accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The ventilation system is segmented into modular components: the ventilation duct remains fixed under the seat, while the air diffusion grille is separated and mounted on the seat backrest. This segmentation allows the grille to be independently accessed for maintenance without removing the seat, resolving the contradiction between maintaining air circulation efficiency and improving maintenance accessibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The air diffusion grille acts as an intermediary element between the ventilation duct and the passenger compartment. It is mounted on the seat backrest rather than being integrated into the seat structure itself, allowing it to serve as a accessible interface for air distribution while enabling maintenance personnel to reach the ventilation system without dismantling the seat.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If air diffusion grille is fixed in closed position, then air diffusion function is maintained, but maintenance access deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair diffusion functionVSAvoidventilation system accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The air diffusion grille is designed with dynamic positioning capability, allowing it to pivot between a closed position (for normal air diffusion operation) and an open position (for maintenance access). The hinge mechanism enables the grille to move from its functional closed state to an accessible open state, resolving the contradiction between maintaining air diffusion reliability and enabling ventilation system maintenance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3865326B1Passenger transport vehicle compartment comprising an air ventilation system
Publication Date: 2023.11.01 SPEEDINNOV
  • EP3865326B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3865326B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3865326B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a passenger vehicle compartment comprising an air ventilation system, said ventilation system comprising at least one air diffusion grille (30), the compartment further comprising passenger seats and a voussoir (20) positioned above said seats. The air diffusion grille (30) is mounted on a pivoting hinge (32), said hinge being fixed to said voussoir (20), the diffusion grille (30) being configured to be movable around said hinge between a closed position and an open position.