Vehicle Technical Hatch With Folding Flaps for Space-Limited Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Rail and road vehicles equipped with hinged flaps for accessing technical compartments risk accidents due to unintended opening while in motion, exceeding space limits and potentially harming passengers or causing collisions.
Innovation Solution
A closing device comprising two flaps aligned vertically and a central element that can be hinged to the vehicle's outer wall, allowing the flaps to fold back against the wall or central element for access, ensuring the flaps remain within safety limits even if accidentally opened during motion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a single large flap is used to access the technical compartment, then quick and easy access is achieved, but the space requirement exceeds traffic regulation limits when opened accidentally during motion
Solution Approach 1:
The single large flap is divided into two smaller flaps (first flap and second flap) that are aligned in the longitudinal direction. Each flap is hinged independently and can be opened separately, reducing the space requirement when opened while maintaining access to the technical compartment.
Solution Approach 2:
The flaps are hinged to rotate along a substantially vertical axis instead of a horizontal axis. This dimensional change allows the flaps to fold back against the outer wall or central element in the longitudinal direction, containing the form factor within safety limits while providing access.
2Ease of operation
If the flap is hinged to allow easy opening, then quick access is enabled, but unintended opening while in motion can exceed space limits and cause accidents
Solution Approach 1:
Dividing the access opening into two separate flaps reduces the risk that a single accidental opening will exceed space limits. Even if one flap opens unintentionally, the other remains closed, maintaining compliance with traffic regulations.
Solution Approach 2:
By hinging the flaps to rotate along a vertical axis rather than a horizontal axis, the flaps fold back in the longitudinal direction against the outer wall or central element. This contains the form factor within safety limits defined by traffic regulations, preventing accidents while allowing quick access when needed.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the central element is permanently fixed to the body, then structural stability is improved, but ease of maintenance and repair is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The central element is hinged to the outer wall along a horizontal axis, allowing it to be rotated between a closed position (providing structural stability) and an open position (allowing maintenance access). This dynamic configuration enables both structural integrity and ease of repair.
Solution Approach 2:
The central element can be completely removed from the outer wall by detaching the removable attachment elements. This allows full access to the technical compartment for maintenance and repair operations, while the hinged connection provides stability during normal operation.
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 allows for quick and safe access to technical compartments while preventing overrunning and maintaining compliance with traffic regulations by containing the form factor, thus reducing the risk of accidents.
Implementation Method 1
each flap being rotatable with respect to the outer wall of the body, along a substantially vertical axis
Data Source
AI summary
A land vehicle includes a body, a technical compartment opening onto an outer wall of the body; and a closing device that closes the technical compartment. The closing device includes first and second flaps, which are rotatable relative to the body, and a central element, which is connected to the body between the flaps. In a closed configuration of the closing device, each of the flaps extends in a longitudinal direction with one end of each in contact with the central element, so that the flaps close the technical compartment. In an open configuration of the closing device, both of the flaps folded against the outer wall or against the central element, so as to provide access to the technical compartment.