Rail Vehicle Deflector Deploying to Intercept Pedestrians
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern rail vehicles face challenges in protecting pedestrians from further injury after a secondary impact, as existing safety devices often lack sufficient installation space and fail to effectively prevent pedestrians from being run over due to kinematic delays and residual gaps, especially in low-floor trams with limited underbody clearance.
Innovation Solution
A safety device comprising two functional elements: a deflector device that transitions from a horizontal to a vertical position and a braking device, which can be activated to spread in the direction of travel, using mechanical or airbag technology, to intercept and potentially push pedestrians away from the vehicle's path, ensuring comprehensive protection without compromising the vehicle's kinematic clearance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a mechanical deflector mechanism is triggered with kinematic delay, then the deflector can be fully extended, but a certain distance must be maintained between the triggering mechanism and the deflector, creating an imprinted installation space that is problematic in modern low-floor trams
Solution Approach 1:
The deflector mechanism transitions from a static pre-positioned design to a dynamic deployable design. The deflector is stored in a compact configuration during normal operation and only deploys when needed, eliminating the need for permanent installation space while maintaining full extension capability when activated.
Solution Approach 2:
The deflector structure is designed to nest within or collapse into the vehicle body contour when not in use. The mechanism allows the deflector to be stored in a space-efficient manner that does not compromise the vehicle's low-floor design or require additional installation volume.
2Shape
If the deflector does not protrude from the vehicle contour, then the vehicle's fashionable arrowed shape is maintained, but the deflector does not cover the maximum vehicle width, leaving unprotected areas on the side
Solution Approach 1:
The deflector transitions from a static non-protruding position to a dynamic extended position during activation. When deployed, the deflector can extend beyond the vehicle contour to provide maximum width coverage, then return to its streamlined position during normal operation to maintain the vehicle's aesthetic shape.
Solution Approach 2:
The deflector is divided into multiple segments or sections that can independently extend or retract. This allows different portions of the deflector to protrude at different times, providing comprehensive coverage across the maximum vehicle width while maintaining the overall vehicle contour when not activated.
3Adaptability or versatility
If permanently active deflection mechanisms are used with a residual gap to the track, then all driving conditions can be accommodated, but the remaining gap represents an uncertainty with regard to small obstacles
Solution Approach 1:
The deflector mechanism transitions from a permanently active fixed-position design to a dynamically adjustable design. The system can adapt its position and configuration based on detected obstacles, providing reliable protection for small obstacles when activated while maintaining adaptability to various driving conditions through controlled deployment and retraction.
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 prevents pedestrians from being run over further by gently intercepting and potentially pushing them out from under the vehicle, ensuring enhanced safety without reducing the vehicle's operational capabilities, even in tight spaces like modern low-floor trams.
Implementation Method 1
a braking device (3) which can be activated to move or spread in the direction of travel, using mechanical or airbag technology
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a safety device for protecting persons, said device being arranged below the car body of a vehicle, in particular a rail vehicle, preferably a low-platform rail vehicle. The device comprises two functional elements which can interact with each other and which are arranged in a horizontal position and transversely to the travel path in the rest position. The invention further relates to a rail vehicle which is equipped with such a safety device and to a method for protecting persons after a vehicle impact.