Rail Vehicle Component Fastening Using Hidden Magnetic Actuation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional fastening methods in rail vehicles, accessible from the front, compromise aesthetics and security as they can be easily accessed and tampered with by passengers, posing unauthorized access risks to technical components.

Innovation Solution

A magnetically actuated connection mechanism for attaching and detaching vehicle components, which is invisible and requires a special tool for operation, ensuring secure and aesthetic integration within the vehicle interior.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional fastening elements (screws) are used to attach vehicle components, then the component can be securely fastened and easily removed for maintenance, but the fastening elements become visible and accessible to passengers, compromising aesthetics and security

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure fasteningVSAvoidaesthetic impairment and security risk
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the conventional mechanical screw fastening system with a magnetic fastening system. The magnetic connecting mechanism uses magnetic attraction forces to securely attach the vehicle component to the vehicle wall, eliminating the need for visible mechanical fasteners. This substitution maintains secure fastening while removing the aesthetic and security problems associated with accessible mechanical screws.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the fastening function from the visible exterior of the vehicle component and relocates it to the rear side where it can be concealed. The magnetic connecting mechanism is positioned at the rear of the component, allowing the front surface to remain clean and aesthetic while the fastening action occurs hidden from view. This extraction separates the functional fastening element from the aesthetic visible surface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If fastening elements are concealed with caps or cover frames, then aesthetics are improved, but the fastening mechanism becomes more complex and may still be accessible to unauthorized persons

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaesthetic appearanceVSAvoidfastening mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of adding complex mechanical concealment structures like caps or cover frames over conventional fasteners, the patent substitutes the entire mechanical fastening system with a magnetic system. This eliminates the need for additional concealment components, reducing overall device complexity while achieving both aesthetic and security goals.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If a magnetically actuated connecting mechanism is used to attach vehicle components, then aesthetics are improved by eliminating visible fasteners and security is enhanced by requiring a special tool, but the device complexity increases due to the magnetic actuation system

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaesthetic appearance and securityVSAvoidmagnetic actuation system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs magnetic actuation to replace complex mechanical fastening and concealment systems. The magnetic connecting mechanism provides both aesthetic benefits (no visible fasteners) and security benefits (requires specific magnetic tool for removal) while actually simplifying the overall device structure compared to conventional mechanical systems with caps or specialized fasteners.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 magnetic connection mechanism provides a secure and aesthetically pleasing attachment method that prevents unauthorized access and tampering, as it operates without visible fasteners and requires a special tool for operation, enhancing both security and appearance.

Implementation Method 1

a magnetically actuated connecting mechanism with which the vehicle component (2) can be attached and/or detached in the vehicle wall (10)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic field: Magnetic Field

Implementation Method 2

it operates without visible fasteners and requires a special tool for operation, enhancing both security and appearance

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic field: Magnetic Field

Data Source

PatentEP4470868A1Rail vehicle with vehicle component and fastening method
Publication Date: 2024.12.04 SIEMENS MOBILITY GMBH
  • EP4470868A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4470868A1 patent drawingFigure 3~6
  • EP4470868A1 patent drawing

AI summary

The present invention relates to a rail vehicle with a vehicle component (2) and a method (100, 200) for attaching and/or detaching such a vehicle component (2). The vehicle component (2) is designed for attachment in the rail vehicle (4) by means of a magnetically actuated connection mechanism (20).