Rail Vehicle Emergency Actuator Shield Mechanism

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing emergency actuation devices for vehicles, particularly rail vehicles, are either complex and expensive due to power requirements or pose risks of injury from destroying protective glass panes, failing to provide a simple and reliable solution for quick and safe access in emergency situations.

Innovation Solution

A compact and reliable emergency actuation device with a shielding mechanism that can be unlocked in a single action, either mechanically or without tools, allowing the actuating element to be operated without destroying the shield, and featuring a locking device that can be easily destroyed or opened using a magnetic element for secure and safe operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an emergency switch with power supply and electromagnet is used for door unlocking, then the door can be unlocked reliably in emergency situations, but the device becomes complex and expensive due to power supply requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedoor unlocking reliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the electromagnet and power supply components from the emergency actuation system, extracting the complex powered components while retaining the essential door unlocking function through a purely mechanical linkage between the shield and door mechanism

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system is segmented into two functional parts: a protective shield that can be opened to access the actuating element, and a mechanical linkage that transfers the actuation force from the handle to the door locking mechanism, eliminating the need for powered components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If a glass pane covering the emergency switch is destroyed to actuate the emergency release, then the emergency function can be activated, but the risk of injury increases and the pane requires complex replacement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveemergency release activationVSAvoidinjury risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The shield transitions from a closed protective state to an open accessible state through a controlled mechanical opening motion, allowing the actuating element to be reached and operated without destroying any protective components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The movable shield acts as an intermediary between the external environment and the actuating element, providing protection when closed while allowing controlled access when opened, eliminating the need for destructive glass pane removal

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Strength

If the shield is firmly bolted to the vehicle frame, then the shield provides robust protection, but the shield cannot be opened to access the actuating element

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshield protectionVSAvoidshield accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The shield mounting transitions from a static firmly bolted connection to a dynamic removable connection that allows the shield to be opened when needed while maintaining strong protection during normal operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The shield assembly is segmented into the shield body and the mounting connection, allowing the shield to be firmly attached during normal operation but easily removed or opened when emergency access is required

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2332801B2Emergency actuation device for a vehicle, in particular a rail vehicle
Publication Date: 2022.01.26 BOMBARDIER TRANSPORTATION GMBH
  • EP2332801B2 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2332801B2 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The device (104) has an actuator (105) provided for a control device (107), and a screen arranged to the actuator. The control device unlocks an entry device (103) i.e. door, during actuation of the actuator from a rest position. A locking device of the screen has a locked condition, in which the screen is locked in the position by the locking device. The locking device is adjustable to an unlocked condition by an associated key element e.g. square socket key. The screen is removed from the actuator for releasing the actuation of the actuator in the unlocked condition.