Railway Floor Height Control via Secondary Suspension Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for adjusting the height of railway vehicle floors to match platform heights are inadequate, particularly for users with reduced mobility, as they fail to consistently meet the 16 mm height difference standard due to variations caused by load and wheel wear.
Innovation Solution
A method that estimates the height of the bogie chassis and axle, adjusting the secondary suspension to match the platform height by calculating the flexure under load and theoretical wear, using load sensors and pneumatic cushions to ensure the floor is within a 16 mm difference from the platform.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the floor height is adjusted to match the platform height, then accessibility for users with reduced mobility is improved, but the floor height varies due to load and wheel wear causing non-compliance with the 16 mm standard
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously measures the actual floor height relative to the platform using sensors and feeds this information back to the control unit. The control unit then adjusts the secondary suspension elements based on this feedback to maintain the floor height within the required 16 mm tolerance, ensuring both accessibility and precision compliance
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static floor height design to a dynamic adjustment system that can actively modify the floor height in real-time based on measured conditions. The secondary suspension elements are made adjustable to allow continuous height modification, enabling the system to adapt to varying loads and wheel wear while maintaining precision
2Manufacturing precision
If the floor height is fixed during manufacturing, then manufacturing precision is maintained, but the system cannot adapt to varying loads and wheel wear
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces fixed manufacturing specifications with dynamic adjustment capabilities. The secondary suspension elements incorporate adjustable mechanisms that allow the floor height to be modified in service, maintaining manufacturing precision while enabling adaptation to varying operational conditions such as load changes and wheel wear
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the physical parameters of the secondary suspension elements (such as pneumatic pressure or mechanical extension) to adjust the floor height. This allows the system to maintain the manufactured precision of the base structure while adapting to varying conditions through parameter modification
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a method for controlling the position relatively to a platform of a floor of a carriage including a bogie including a chassis, a primary suspension, and a secondary suspension, the method including the steps: measuring the height of the secondary suspension; and adjusting the height of the secondary suspension, according to the height of the platform for positioning the floor at the height of the platform. This method includes a step for estimating the height of the top of the chassis, the adjustment of the height of the secondary suspension being achieved according to the estimated height of the top of the chassis.