Railway Interior Lining Multifunction Support System

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Solution Overview

Problem

The complexity and cost associated with manufacturing and installing diverse supports for various furniture elements in railway vehicles lead to increased manufacturing and logistics costs, as well as complex installation processes.

Innovation Solution

A multifunctional support system comprising lower and upper rails with sliding connections and adjustable locking and adjustment members, allowing for the easy installation and adaptation of different trim elements, such as seats, shelves, and partitions, by sliding on the rails and being locked into place.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If diverse supports are used for various furniture components, then each furniture item can be securely fixed, but manufacturing and logistics costs increase substantially

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefixing reliabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure is designed as a universal bracket system that can accommodate multiple types of furniture components (seats, shelves, partitions, cable trays) through standardized mounting interfaces. This multi-functional bracket replaces numerous specialized supports, reducing manufacturing variety and logistics complexity while maintaining secure fixation for different furniture items.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If diverse supports are used for various furniture components, then each furniture item can be securely fixed, but installation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefixing reliabilityVSAvoidinstallation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A single standardized bracket design serves multiple furniture types through adjustable mounting configurations, eliminating the need for installers to handle numerous specialized support components. The universal bracket system provides consistent installation procedures across different furniture items, significantly reducing installation complexity and training requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The support structure is divided into modular bracket units that can be independently installed and configured for different furniture items. This segmentation allows for simplified handling and installation of individual modules while maintaining overall system reliability, as each bracket can be installed separately using the same standardized procedure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple different supports are used, then various furniture elements can be accommodated, but logistics costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefurniture accommodationVSAvoidlogistics cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The universal bracket system consolidates multiple specialized support components into a single standardized product line. This reduces the variety of parts that need to be manufactured, stored, and transported, thereby lowering logistics costs while maintaining the ability to accommodate diverse furniture elements through the bracket's adjustable and configurable design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Ease of operation

If a multifunctional support system is used, then installation is simplified and costs reduced, but the structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation easeVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

While the universal bracket has a more sophisticated internal structure to accommodate multiple furniture types, this structural complexity is consolidated into a single component design. From the installer's perspective, the system appears simpler because the same bracket design and mounting procedure apply to all furniture items, eliminating the need to learn and handle multiple specialized support types.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3808626B1Assembly for covering the inside of a railway vehicle, associated railway vehicle
Publication Date: 2024.04.24 SPEEDINNOV
  • EP3808626B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3808626B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3808626B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The interior lining assembly (2) of a railway vehicle (1) comprises: - at least one upper rail (14) and at least one lower rail (12), the upper rail (14) and the lower rail (12) being intended to be fixed one below the other on the same interior wall (10) of a railway vehicle (1), - at least one lining element, and - a multi-function support (16) comprising: - an upper link cooperating with the upper rail (14), - a lower link cooperating with the lower rail (12), and - a receiving element (24) integral with the lower link and the upper link, the receiving element (24) being configured to receive the lining element(s).