Modular Rail Car Platform Extensions for Seat Configuration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Modular railway vehicle cars with side platforms face challenges in modifying seat configurations due to the platforms' presence, which restricts the ability to change seat width or number without obstructing the aisle.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating removably fixed lateral platform extensions that can adjust the effective width of the platforms to accommodate different seat configurations, allowing for the modification of seat rows without protruding into the circulation aisle.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the car has side platforms with fixed width, then passenger foot placement is ensured, but the width of seat rows cannot be modified without seats protruding into the aisle

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemodularity of seat configurationsVSAvoidplatform structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The platform is divided into a fixed base portion and a removable extension portion. The extension can be added or removed to adjust the platform width according to the seat configuration, allowing 1-seat or 2-seat rows without protruding into the aisle while maintaining the core platform structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The platform width is made dynamically adjustable through removable extensions that can be installed or removed based on the desired seat configuration. This allows the platform to adapt its width to match different seat row widths while maintaining structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Quantity of substance

If the number of seats per row is increased, then passenger capacity is improved, but seats may protrude into the circulation aisle

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of seats per rowVSAvoidaisle accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The platform extension is segmented into removable parts that can be added to increase platform width. This allows additional seats to be accommodated within the extended platform boundaries without encroaching on the circulation aisle, maintaining aisle accessibility while increasing seating capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If the width of seats is increased, then passenger comfort is improved, but the platform width must be increased which may obstruct the aisle

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepassenger comfortVSAvoidplatform width

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The platform width is made dynamically adjustable through removable extensions. When wider seats are installed for increased comfort, the extension can be added to provide sufficient platform width while keeping the overall platform boundary within acceptable limits to avoid obstructing the circulation aisle.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3121087B1Modular car of a public transport vehicle, in particular of a rail vehicle

Publication Date: 2017.11.29 ALSTOM TRANSPORT TECH SAS

Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4

AI summary

The car (10) includes at least one passenger reception area (14), comprising first (16) and second (18) side walls, and a floor (20), a first side platform (22), raised above the floor (20), intended to accommodate passenger seats (25A), and a second side platform (26), raised above the floor (20), intended to accommodate passenger seats (29A). The reception area (14) includes at least one side platform extension (30) removably fixed to the lateral extension of the first platform (22), and/or a side platform extension (30) removably fixed to the lateral extension of the second platform (26).