Rotatable Rail Vehicle Control Console for Visibility and Cable Stress

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current railway vehicle control consoles are not optimized for passenger space and vision, as existing solutions like removable covers are complex and obstructive, and retractable consoles risk damaging cables, reducing reliability.

Innovation Solution

A rotatable control console that extends from a support when deployed, retracting into a cavity for accessibility, with a cover that moves to maintain passenger visibility and reduce stress on cables, featuring a seal to prevent liquid ingress and a locking mechanism for stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a removable cover is placed on the console to make it inaccessible to passengers, then passenger safety is improved, but the device complexity increases and the field of vision is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepassenger safetyVSAvoidcover installation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The console is designed to be rotatable between a deployed position (for operation) and a retracted position (for passenger access). This dynamic configuration allows the console to adapt its state based on operational needs, eliminating the need for removable covers while maintaining safety and visibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using a cover that blocks the front window area, the console is retracted along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. This dimensional change allows the console to be stored without obstructing the passenger's field of vision through the front window.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If the console is retracted by translation in side supports, then passenger access is improved, but cable damage risk increases due to significant deflection

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepassenger access to cockpit areaVSAvoidcable connection reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The console is designed to be rotatable between a deployed position (for operation) and a retracted position (for passenger access). This dynamic configuration allows the console to adapt its state based on operational needs, eliminating the need for removable covers while maintaining safety and visibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using a cover that blocks the front window area, the console is retracted along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. This dimensional change allows the console to be stored without obstructing the passenger's field of vision through the front window.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Area of stationary object

If the console is made retractable to increase passenger space, then reception capacity is improved, but cable stress increases reducing reliability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepassenger spaceVSAvoidcable connection reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The console is designed to be rotatable between a deployed position (for operation) and a retracted position (for passenger access). This dynamic configuration allows the console to adapt its state based on operational needs, eliminating the need for removable covers while maintaining safety and visibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using a cover that blocks the front window area, the console is retracted along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. This dimensional change allows the console to be stored without obstructing the passenger's field of vision through the front window.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP3686077B1Rail vehicle
Publication Date: 2021.06.02 ALSTOM TRANSPORT TECH SAS
  • EP3686077B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3686077B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

A railway vehicle comprising a railway vehicle control console and a support (20), the support (20) being configured to support the control console, the support (20) having a first upper face delimiting the support (20) along a direction of elevation of the railway vehicle, the control console comprising means (45) for controlling the railway vehicle. The control console is rotationally movable relative to the support (20) between at least one deployed position in which the control means (45) are accessible to an operator and a retracted position in which the control means (45) are inaccessible to the operator, the control console being housed in a cavity (42) of the support (20) when the control console is in the retracted position, the control console extending out of the support (20) from the first upper face when the control console is in the deployed position.