Retractable Stair Assembly for Rail Vehicle Emergency Exit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing emergency exit solutions for vehicles, such as rail vehicles, face challenges in providing a safe and efficient evacuation path due to protruding couplers and the need for air and water tightness, especially when the exit device may collide with the coupler and occupies the complete height of the carriage.
Innovation Solution
A retractable stair assembly with a hinged door and guide unit allows the stairway to move horizontally and rotate from an inverted upside-down orientation to a regular orientation, bridging the gap between the vehicle and the coupler, ensuring safe exit without occupying the full carriage height and maintaining air and water tightness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the exit device bends downwards to reach track level, then the horizontal distance is bridged, but the device collides with the protruding coupler
Solution Approach 1:
The exit device is divided into two independent functional segments: a horizontal telescopic component that extends outward to bridge the gap, and a vertical rotating component that lowers the stairs to track level. This segmentation allows each component to perform its function independently, preventing the vertical component from colliding with the coupler while the horizontal component bridges the distance.
Solution Approach 2:
The exit device employs dynamic movement sequences where the horizontal telescopic extension occurs first, followed by the vertical rotation downward. This dynamic, multi-stage deployment ensures that the stairs are positioned horizontally beyond the coupler before rotating down, eliminating collision while maintaining reach.
2Ease of operation
If the emergency exit is located on the front of the driver's cabin, then evacuation is enabled, but air and water tightness is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The door assembly uses a dynamic hinged mechanism that rotates outward and downward during emergency evacuation. When closed, the door maintains a sealed position ensuring air and water tightness. During evacuation, the hinge allows the door to open dynamically, providing access while the retractable stair assembly deploys independently to maintain the sealed cabin structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The emergency exit system is segmented into the door assembly and the retractable stair assembly. The door assembly handles the sealing and opening function, while the stair assembly handles the evacuation path provision. This segmentation allows the door to remain sealed when closed while providing evacuation access when opened.
3Productivity
If state of the art exit devices occupy the complete height of the carriage, then maximum exit capacity is provided, but space efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The stair assembly uses a rotating mechanism that allows the stairs to be positioned horizontally during storage, occupying minimal vertical space. During evacuation, the stairs rotate vertically to provide the necessary exit path. This dynamic repositioning maintains full exit capacity while dramatically reducing the space occupied during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The stair assembly transitions from a vertical orientation during storage to a horizontal orientation during deployment. By changing the dimensional orientation of the stairs, the system provides full exit capacity when needed while occupying minimal space during normal operation, effectively utilizing three-dimensional space efficiently.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enables safe and efficient evacuation by providing a clear path between the vehicle and the coupler, avoiding collisions and maintaining structural integrity during emergency situations, while allowing for safe operation without electrical power.
Implementation Method 1
a hinged door connected to the body by at least one first hinge
Implementation Method 2
a second hinge provided to rotate the stairway in said second position from the inverted upside-down orientation to a third position in which the stairway is in the regular orientation
Implementation Method 3
a first guide unit which is horizontally extending
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3
AI summary
The invention discloses a vehicle (1) comprising a body (2) and a door assembly (20) with a door (21) hingely connected to the body (2) by at least one first hinge (22), a door frame (23), and a first horizontally extending guide unit (24). Further provided is a retractable stair assembly (100) comprising a stairway (110) with steps (112) configured to be horizontally retractable between a first position, in which the stairway (110) is provided inside the body (2) in an inverted upside-down orientation and a second position, in which the stairway (110) is provided outside the body (2) and still in the inverted upside-down position, a hand rail (120) coupled on a first end (122) to the first guide unit (25) and on an opposing second end (124) coupled to the stairway (110), a second hinge (130) provided to rotate the stairway (110) in said second position to the regular orientation.