Rail Vehicle Floor Support Element With Modular C-Profile

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing rail vehicle floor structures are limited in their ability to absorb lateral load changes and allow for variable seating arrangements, often requiring cover rails that disrupt the continuity of the floor covering.

Innovation Solution

A floor structure featuring support elements with laterally outward-facing attachment surfaces for first floor panels and second floorboards that cover the support elements, allowing for adjustable seating configurations without the need for additional attachment to the side wall and enabling a continuous floor covering without visible cover profiles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If rigid longitudinal beams are used to support floor panels and fasten seat feet, then structural stability is improved, but the ability to absorb lateral load changes is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidability to absorb lateral load changes
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The floor construction is segmented into modular components: longitudinal girders provide structural stability while transverse floor panels and seat foot attachments are separate modules that can be independently positioned and adjusted, allowing the system to accommodate lateral load variations without compromising overall stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates dynamic adjustment capabilities through movable floor panels and adjustable seat foot attachments on the longitudinal girders, enabling the structure to adapt to changing lateral loads from different seating configurations while maintaining structural integrity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Shape

If floor panels are continuously arranged to cover the support element, then a uniform floor surface is achieved, but access to the support element for fastening foot brackets is blocked

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuniform floor surfaceVSAvoidaccess to support element
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The floor panels are designed to be removable or open in specific sections where seat feet need to be attached to the longitudinal girders, extracting the floor covering from the support element area to allow access while maintaining uniform coverage in other areas

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Attachment mechanisms or intermediary components are provided that allow floor panels to be temporarily removed or opened during installation and adjustment of foot brackets, then restored to maintain the uniform floor surface appearance during normal operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If cover rails are used to cover transitions in the floor covering, then the support element is protected, but the floor covering continuity is disrupted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesupport element protectionVSAvoidfloor covering continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The support element and floor covering are merged into an integrated design where the longitudinal girders are structurally integrated with the floor panels, eliminating the need for separate cover rails and maintaining continuous floor covering appearance while providing adequate protection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2570322B1Holder element for constructing a floor of a rail vehicle car, floor of a rail vehicle car and rail vehicle car
Publication Date: 2014.12.17 BOMBARDIER TRANSPORTATION GMBH
  • EP2570322B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2570322B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2570322B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A support element, fixed to the car body shell of a rail vehicle, is proposed for constructing the floor of a rail vehicle. At least two C-profiles (130, 132), extending longitudinally along the support element (100) and spaced apart transversely, serve to attach footrests for passenger seats. At least one cable duct (120), open on one side, runs longitudinally between the C-profiles (130, 132) along the support element (100). In the assembled state, the footrests are supported on bearing surfaces (131) of the C-profiles (130, 132).