Rail Vehicle Underbody Recesses for Aisle Width Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Low-floor rail vehicles face restricted aisle widths due to the turning angle of bogies, which is limited by the components like wheels and frames, and this restriction becomes more pronounced on routes with larger track curve radii, necessitating costly adaptations in the car body structure.
Innovation Solution
The underbody design features recesses in the lateral walls that allow chassis parts to penetrate without collision during steering, maximizing aisle width by eliminating material obstructions and using interchangeable cover elements to adapt to varying steering angles without structural changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the car body structure is designed based on the smallest track curve radius to ensure proper turning on routes with different curve radii, then the vehicle can operate on routes with varying track curve radii, but the aisle width is unnecessarily restricted on rail networks with larger track curve radii
Solution Approach 1:
The underbody is divided into modular components including lateral walls, floor panels, and interchangeable cover elements. These segmented parts allow the structure to adapt to different turning angles while maintaining a consistent maximum aisle width, as each segment can be independently configured or replaced based on operational requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The underbody design incorporates dynamic adaptability through interchangeable cover elements that can be swapped depending on the track curve radius requirements. This allows the structure to transition between different configurations - using larger clearance areas for sharp curves and maximizing aisle width for gentler curves - without requiring a complete redesign of the car body structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the car body structure is redesigned to accommodate larger turning angles for routes with smaller track curve radii, then the vehicle can navigate sharper curves, but considerable expense is incurred for structural modifications
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of permanent structural modifications, the invention employs dynamically interchangeable cover elements that can be easily swapped to adjust the underbody clearance for different turning angle requirements. This approach maintains adaptability while avoiding costly structural redesigns, as the cover elements are simple, replaceable components rather than integral structural changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The design allows for parameter changes in the underbody configuration by replacing cover elements with different geometries or dimensions. This enables adjustment of the clearance area to match specific turning angle requirements without changing the fundamental car body structure, thereby reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining operational flexibility.
3Length of moving object
If material obstructions are eliminated from the underbody to maximize aisle width, then passenger comfort is improved, but the structural integrity and support function of the underbody may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The underbody is segmented into load-bearing structural components (lateral walls, floor panels, carrier structure) and non-structural cover elements. This segmentation allows the load-bearing parts to maintain structural integrity while the cover elements are optimized to minimize obstructions and maximize aisle width. The structural components remain intact and functional, while the removable covers are shaped to clear chassis parts during steering movements.
Data Source
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AI summary
Floor assembly (1) for a railway vehicle car body, comprising side walls (5, 6) extending in the longitudinal direction (X) of the car body, between which a passageway is formed, wherein the side walls have recesses (7, 8, 9, 10) which can each be penetrated by a part (14, 22, 15, 16, 25) of a running gear, in particular a bogie (14), an axle (22) and/or a wheel (15, 16, 25), when the running gear performs a steering movement.