Railway Window Shading Panels for Precise Light Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing window shading devices in high-speed railway vehicles, such as roller blinds and curtains, lack sufficient control and versatility, as they either move excessively due to vehicle motion or fail to accommodate differing passenger preferences for illumination.

Innovation Solution

A window screening device comprising multiple, independently movable panels with adjustable opacity and length, guided by an upper and optional lower rail system, allowing passengers to precisely control light exposure by positioning panels along the glazed opening.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If roller blinds or curtains are installed to control light, then light control capability is improved, but control precision and individual passenger customization deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight control capabilityVSAvoidcontrol precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The window is divided into multiple independent sections, each equipped with its own shading panel that can be controlled separately. This allows individual passengers to adjust light levels in their specific seating area without affecting other passengers, achieving both light control capability and precise individual customization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the window can have different shading states, with each panel providing localized light control. This enables passengers to customize the illumination in their specific area while maintaining different lighting conditions in adjacent areas, resolving the contradiction between overall light control and individual precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If roller blinds are raised or lowered to control light, then light control is achieved, but stability and resistance to vehicle motion deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight controlVSAvoidstability against vehicle motion
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The shading panels are designed to move horizontally along guides rather than vertically, allowing them to adapt to vehicle motion while maintaining stable positioning. The panels can be adjusted to different positions along the window and locked in place, providing both light control adaptability and stability during high-speed travel.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of manufacture

If a single shading device covers the entire window, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but passenger customization capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidpassenger customization capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The window shading system is segmented into multiple identical or similar panels that can be manufactured using the same processes and then assembled in sequence. This modular approach maintains manufacturing simplicity while enabling individual customization, as each panel is a standardized component that can be independently controlled.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Adaptability or versatility

If panels are made movable to allow positioning, then customization capability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecustomization capabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The panels are designed with simple horizontal movement along fixed guides, allowing customization through basic translation rather than complex mechanisms. Each panel can be positioned and locked in place, providing customization capability while maintaining relatively simple device architecture suitable for railway vehicle applications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3650303B1Railway vehicle car with device for concealing a glazed opening
Publication Date: 2022.05.04 ALSTOM TRANSPORT TECH SAS
  • EP3650303B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3650303B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

A railway car (10) comprising: - a body (12) extending along a longitudinal direction (X-X') of movement of the railway car, defining at least one compartment (14) for passengers (19A, 19B), - at least one glazed opening (22) extending between the compartment (14) and the exterior (16), and - a blinding device (24) for the opening (22), designed to at least partially block the passage of light through at least a portion of the opening (22), in a manner controllable by one of the passengers (19A, 19B). The blinding device (24) comprises a plurality of panels (26) movable along the longitudinal direction (X-X') between a position in which at least one of the panels (26) is located at least partially opposite the opening (22) and a position in which the panels (26) are located away from the opening (22).