Rail Vehicle Boarding Device Dynamics Damping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rail vehicle boarding aids are complex, difficult to operate, and prone to errors, lacking simplicity, robustness, and ergonomic reliability.
Innovation Solution
A rail vehicle boarding device with a displaceable lower step, guided by a guide device, and equipped with a restoring element and damping element, allowing vertical movement between upper and lower positions, enabling easy access without external aids by counteracting the restoring force with damping force, and featuring a latching device for secure positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a fixed ladder device is used to enable driver access to the entry door, then the driver can overcome the height difference between ground level and the entry door, but the ladder device may protrude beyond the clearance gauge of the rail vehicle requiring complex folding or retracting mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The ladder device is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to extend when needed for driver access and retract when not in use. The lower step can be manually displaced by the driver to the lower position for access, then automatically returns to the upper position, eliminating the need for complex manual folding mechanisms while maintaining clearance gauge compliance.
Solution Approach 2:
The ladder device incorporates a return element that automatically returns the lower step to its upper position after use without requiring manual intervention. The damping element controls the return motion to prevent sudden movement. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for complex folding or retracting systems while ensuring the ladder remains compact when not in use.
2Ease of operation
If a movable lower step with return element is used to enable easy access, then the driver can easily board the rail vehicle, but the return force may cause sudden or uncontrolled movement of the step
Solution Approach 1:
The damping element is pre-installed in the ladder device to cushion and control the return motion of the lower step. This damping element is configured to gradually reduce the return force, ensuring the step returns to its upper position in a controlled manner rather than snapping back suddenly, thereby preventing uncontrolled movement while maintaining ease of operation.
3Ease of operation
If the lower step is positioned close to ground level for easy access, then the driver can easily reach the entry door, but the step may not be stable when not in use
Solution Approach 1:
The lower step is designed to be dynamically positioned: it automatically returns to and is held in the upper position (close to the entry door) by the return element when not in use, providing stability. When the driver needs to access the vehicle, they can manually displace the step to the lower position (close to ground level). The guide device ensures the step moves along a predetermined path, maintaining stability throughout the transition.
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 boarding device provides a simple, robust, and ergonomic solution for rail vehicle access, allowing easy climbing by vehicle drivers without external aids, ensuring reliable operation and reduced complexity.
Implementation Method 1
a return element and a damping element are arranged between the lower step and the entry area such that the lower step can be moved from the lower position to the upper position by a return force provided by the return element during a return movement
Implementation Method 2
Simultaneously, a damping force is generated by the damping element, which can counteract the return force
Implementation Method 3
The lower step of the entry device is arranged to be movable at the entry area by means of the guide device, whereby the translation of the lower step can take place in a vertical direction between an upper position and a lower position
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The invention relates to a rail vehicle having an extendable boarding device. It is found that such entry doors are arranged significantly above the rail level in the vehicle body. In order to allow a vehicle operator to reach the entry door even if a railway platform is not present, many of such rail vehicles comprise a type of ladder device in the outer wall of the vehicle body. However, the previously known concepts of such rail vehicles having corresponding boarding aids are of very complex design and/or are failure-prone. A rail vehicle, having a boarding region and a boarding device arranged thereon, is disclosed. The boarding device comprises a lower tread, a guide device, a restoring element, and a damping element. In particular, the boarding region can be designed as a doorsill and/or lower door edge of a door device. The boarding device is arranged near the door device in such a way that a person using the boarding device can directly grasp and actuate the door device and finally move through the door device.