Rail Vehicle Underfloor Carrier Airflow Direction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Underfloor device carriers in rail vehicles face challenges in managing hot exhaust air from electrical equipment, particularly braking resistors, which can cause discomfort and safety issues for passengers due to the discharge of hot air into passenger compartments, especially in tunnels and bus stops, and existing cooling systems are inefficient in directing exhaust air effectively.

Innovation Solution

An underfloor device carrier with a forced ventilation system equipped with an air guiding device that can be switched between two positions to direct exhaust air in specific directions, allowing for controlled discharge of hot air away from the platform when stopped, and an air cooling system that can be automatically or mechanically controlled to optimize cooling efficiency and passenger comfort.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If forced-air cooling is used to dissipate heat from electrical equipment, then cooling capacity is improved, but hot exhaust air causes discomfort and safety issues for passengers

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling capacityVSAvoidpassenger comfort
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The air guidance device is designed to be switchable between at least two positions, allowing dynamic adjustment of exhaust air direction. This enables the system to adapt to different operating conditions (stationary at platform vs. in motion) and direct hot exhaust air away from passengers when stopped, while maintaining optimal cooling airflow when moving.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The exhaust air outlet is divided into multiple outlet openings, with at least one air guidance device assigned to each. This segmentation allows independent control of different exhaust streams, enabling precise directional control of hot air away from the platform while maintaining cooling efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If exhaust air is discharged in all directions, then cooling efficiency is maximized, but hot air enters the passenger compartment through the platform gap

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling efficiencyVSAvoidhot air discharge into passenger compartment
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Different outlet openings are assigned different functions based on local requirements. At least one air guidance device is assigned to each outlet opening, allowing localized control of exhaust air direction. This enables the system to direct hot air away from the platform while maintaining optimal cooling airflow paths.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The air guidance device acts as an intermediary element between the exhaust air source and the environment. It intercepts and redirects the exhaust air flow, preventing hot air from directly entering the passenger compartment through the platform gap while maintaining the cooling function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If braking resistors are cooled at maximum capacity, then equipment reliability is improved, but the released heat creates safety hazards in tunnels

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveequipment reliabilityVSAvoidpassenger safety
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The air guidance device is positioned and configured to preemptively redirect hot exhaust air away from the platform and passenger compartment before the hot air can cause harm. This preliminary action prevents the formation of hazardous conditions while maintaining full cooling capacity for the braking resistors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution effectively directs hot exhaust air away from the platform, enhancing passenger comfort and maintaining cooling efficiency by ensuring maximum cooling capacity at all times during operation, reducing the load on air conditioning systems and minimizing the risk of injuries from hot air exposure.

Implementation Method 1

They comprise forced ventilation with at least one supply air intake point and at least one exhaust air outlet opening

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectForced Convection: Forced Convection

Implementation Method 2

passed over heat-emitting surfaces inside the carrier, and then released back into the environment

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP3740407B1Underfloor device carrier for a rail vehicle
Publication Date: 2023.04.26 SIEMENS MOBILITY AUSTRIA GMBH
  • EP3740407B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3740407B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3740407B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to an underfloor device carrier (1) for a rail vehicle (2), comprising a forced ventilation system having at least one supply-air suctioning point (3) and at least one exhaust-air outlet opening (4), an air-guiding device (5) being provided, which can be switched between at least two positions. In a first position of the air-guiding device (5), the exhaust air (6) flows out in a first outflow direction. In a second position of the air-guiding device (5), the exhaust air (6) flows out in a second outflow direction.