Railway Seat Shell Assembly With Quick-Release Frame Mounting

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for installing and maintaining railway vehicle seats are complex, requiring significant logistics, space, and posing risks to operators due to the bulk and weight of pre-assembled rows, which complicates transportation, installation, and maintenance.

Innovation Solution

A modular interior equipment assembly comprising a separable shell and frame with a quick fixing system, allowing for separate storage and simplified handling, installation, and maintenance, where the frame is fixed to the vehicle's wall and the shell is easily locked onto the frame using a variety of locking mechanisms, reducing the need for specialized tools and minimizing operator strain.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If pre-assembled seat rows are transported and installed as complete units, then installation is straightforward, but transportation logistics become complex and storage space requirements increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation simplicityVSAvoidstorage volume
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The seat assembly is divided into separate modular components: the frame structure and the shell units. Each shell can be independently transported and stored separately from the frame, significantly reducing storage volume requirements and improving logistics efficiency. The shell is then attached to the frame at the installation location through a quick-fixing system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If pre-assembled seat rows are handled and moved in tight spaces, then complete rows must be maneuvered, but this requires specialized grippers and poses safety risks to operators

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandling easeVSAvoidspecialized equipment requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

By separating the shell from the frame, the heavy and bulky components are divided into lighter, more manageable units. The shell can be handled individually without requiring specialized grippers, and operators can work in tight spaces more safely and efficiently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The shell is extracted from the pre-assembled row configuration and can be handled independently. This extraction eliminates the need for specialized handling equipment designed for complete seat rows, as the shell is sufficiently light and compact to be managed with standard tools.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Ease of repair

If entire seat rows are dismantled for maintenance or reconfiguration, then access to vehicle parts is improved, but the maintenance process becomes time-consuming and complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess to componentsVSAvoidmaintenance time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The seat assembly is segmented into the frame and interchangeable shell units. For maintenance or reconfiguration, only the specific shell needing service is detached from the frame using the quick-fixing system, while the rest of the seat row remains in place. This dramatically reduces maintenance time compared to dismantling entire rows.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The quick-fixing system enables dynamic reconfiguration of the seat rows. Shells can be rapidly attached and detached from the frame without complex tools or procedures, allowing maintenance personnel to quickly access vehicle parts behind seats or replace shells as needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Ease of operation

If operators install heavy pre-assembled seat rows, then complete rows are secured to the vehicle, but operators must adopt uncomfortable or dangerous poses increasing safety risks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation processVSAvoidoperator safety risks
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The installation process is simplified by working with separate, lighter shell components rather than heavy complete rows. The frame is first secured to the vehicle, then shells are individually attached using the quick-fixing system. This eliminates the need for operators to maneuver and position heavy pre-assembled rows, reducing physical strain and safety risks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4063225B1Assembly of interior equipment for a railway vehicle with quick attachment
Publication Date: 2024.01.10 SNCF VOYAGEURS
  • EP4063225B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4063225B1 patent drawingFigure 2~2a
  • EP4063225B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to an assembly of interior equipment for a vehicle, particularly a railway vehicle, characterized in that it comprises: - at least one shell (20a, 20b) configured to receive at least one element (22a, 22b) constituting interior equipment, - a frame (12) comprising a beam (14) configured to receive each shell (20a, 20b), a foot (16) connected to the beam (14) and configured to form a support on the ground when the frame (12) is installed in the vehicle, and means (18) for fixing the beam (14) to a wall of the vehicle, - for each shell (20a, 20b), a quick-release fastening system comprising at least one shoulder arranged on the beam (14) of the frame (12), at least one tongue arranged in the lower part of the seat (22a, 22b) of each shell (20a, 20b) and configured for a push-fit with the shoulder, and locking means for each hull (20a, 20b) with the frame (12).