Telescoping Train Exit Ladder Assembly for Emergency Egress

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Solution Overview

Problem

Commuter trains often require a means for passengers to safely exit during emergency stops between stations, where the door elevation poses a barrier, necessitating a removable, storable, and securely attachable ladder assembly that does not obstruct passenger space.

Innovation Solution

A ladder assembly comprising vertical rails, horizontal steps, grappling footing pegs, safety handles, and a coupling fixture that securely attaches to the train, allowing easy storage, rapid deployment, and stable use, with features like extendable pegs and foldable handles for versatility and safety.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a permanent ladder is attached to the train door, then passengers can safely exit during emergencies, but the ladder obstructs passenger space and increases device complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepassenger safety during emergency exitVSAvoidladder assembly structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The ladder is divided into multiple telescoping sections that can be stored compactly within the train door assembly and deployed when needed. This segmentation allows the ladder to be space-efficient during normal operations while providing full functionality during emergencies

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The ladder sections are nested within each other in a telescoping configuration, allowing the entire ladder structure to be contained within a compact space inside the door assembly. This nesting principle resolves the contradiction by enabling the ladder to occupy minimal space during storage while providing full extension capability when required for passenger safety

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Area of stationary object

If a removable ladder is stored near the door, then passenger space is not obstructed, but the ladder may not be easily accessible during emergencies

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepassenger space availabilityVSAvoidladder deployment speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The ladder is pre-positioned within the door assembly in a ready-to-deploy configuration. The telescoping sections are pre-aligned and the coupling mechanisms are pre-positioned, allowing for rapid deployment without requiring complex assembly steps during emergencies

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The ladder transitions from a static stored position to a dynamic deployed position through the telescoping mechanism. This dynamic design allows the ladder to be compact during storage and quickly extend to full operational length when needed, balancing space efficiency with rapid deployment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If the ladder is made extendable for versatility, then it can accommodate different door elevations, but the locking mechanism becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccommodation of different door elevationsVSAvoidlocking mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking mechanism automatically engages with the mating fixture on the train door when the ladder is deployed. The coupling fixture and mating fixture are designed to self-align and self-lock, eliminating the need for manual locking operations and reducing the perceived complexity while maintaining adaptability to different door elevations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS9902406B2Commuter train and railway car exit ladder assembly and methods of storage and use

Publication Date: 2018.02.27 RAILCAR PARTS MFG

AI summary

Contemplated ladder assemblies include: a) at least two rails, b) at least one step, wherein each step is coupled to the at least two rails, such that the rails are relatively vertical and the steps are relatively horizontal, c) at least one grappling footing peg, wherein the peg is operationally coupled with a rail, d) at least one safety handle, wherein the handle is coupled with at least one rail, and e) at least one commuter train, passenger train or railway car coupling fixture, wherein the coupling fixture operationally engages with a mating fixture on the commuter train, passenger train or railway car. In addition, contemplated ladder assemblies for use with a commuter train, a passenger train or a railway car include: at least two rails, at least one step, wherein each step is coupled to the at least two rails, such that the rails are relatively vertical and the steps are relatively horizontal, at least one grappling footing peg, wherein the peg is operationally coupled with a rail, at least one safety handle, wherein the handle is coupled with at least one rail, and at least one commuter train, passenger train or railway car coupling fixture, wherein the coupling fixture operationally engages with the ladder assembly.