Railway Car Access Platform with Movable Pane

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional rail vehicle cars face challenges in adapting to varying platform heights, particularly for accessibility by people with reduced mobility, and have operational safety concerns related to mobile platforms and door sealing.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a movable pane that rotates to close or open a lower portion of the access opening, a transversely movable step, and remote control mechanisms to adjust the platform height, along with a fixed platform and sealing system to improve safety and adaptability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a mobile platform is added to adapt to varying platform heights, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity and operational safety worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to varying platform heightsVSAvoiddoor structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The access opening is divided into two separate controllable sections: an upper portion controlled by a door and a lower portion controlled by a movable pane. This segmentation allows independent control of each section, enabling the system to adapt to different platform heights while maintaining simpler door structures that don't need to accommodate the full range of motion required for height adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The pane is designed to be movable relative to the crate, rotating between a closed position and an open position. This dynamic element allows the lower portion of the access opening to be selectively opened or closed, providing adaptability to varying platform heights without requiring the entire door structure to be complex and reconfigurable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If a mobile platform is added to adapt to varying platform heights, then adaptability is improved, but operational safety worsens

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to varying platform heightsVSAvoidoperational safety
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the access opening into upper (door-controlled) and lower (pane-controlled) portions, the system can independently manage safety for each section. The pane specifically controls the lower portion where the step mechanism operates, providing targeted safety control without compromising overall operational safety while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The movable pane acts as an intermediary safety mechanism between the access opening and the step mechanism. It provides an additional layer of control and protection, ensuring that the lower portion of the access opening is securely managed during operation, thereby improving operational safety while preserving adaptability to different platform heights.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If additional sealing is added to the mobile platform, then noise and pressure wave sealing is improved, but device complexity worsens

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenoise and pressure wave sealingVSAvoiddoor structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing function is segmented and distributed: the door provides sealing for the upper portion of the access opening, while the movable pane provides sealing for the lower portion. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific sealing requirements without requiring one complex door structure to handle all sealing needs, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining effective noise and pressure wave sealing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3466790B1Railway vehicle car comprising an access device of variable height
Publication Date: 2021.05.05 ALSTOM TRANSPORT TECH SAS
  • EP3466790B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3466790B1 patent drawingFigure 2~5

AI summary

The present invention relates to a railway car (10) comprising: a body; a platform (32) movable vertically relative to said body between a raised and a lowered position; an access opening formed laterally opposite said platform; a step (36) arranged opposite the access opening, said step being movable transversely between a retracted and a deployed position; and a door adapted to reversibly close an upper portion of the access opening. The car further comprises a flap (25) movable relative to the body between a closed and an open position, respectively closing and uncovering a lower portion of the access opening, said flap in the closed position forming a stop preventing movement of the step (36) in the deployed position.