Ventilation unit for ventilating the passenger compartment of a vehicle and railway vehicle car comprising such a ventilation unit

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ventilation boxes for vehicles, such as railway cars, are not adequately protective and are bulky, making them unsuitable for installation above windows, and they are not easy to produce or install quickly.

Innovation Solution

A compact ventilation box design with ducts having a main section in the form of a baffle, an inclined plate forming an angle with the frame, and a snap-fastening device for easy installation, produced by additive manufacturing, which allows for efficient air circulation while protecting against external elements like rain.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If conventional ventilation boxes are used, then ventilation function is provided, but the boxes are bulky and not suitable for installation above windows

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveventilation box sizeVSAvoidinstallation location flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The ventilation box transitions from a traditional three-dimensional bulky structure to a predominantly two-dimensional planar configuration. The ducts are arranged in a plane with the plate extending transversely, creating a flat profile that can be installed above windows without protruding into the passenger compartment or requiring significant space.

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

2Object-affected harmful factors

If conventional ventilation boxes are used, then ventilation is provided, but protection against external elements like rain is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection from rainVSAvoidventilation box structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The plate is inclined relative to the frame, forming an angle between 0 and 45 degrees, which creates a sloped surface that actively directs rainwater away from the ventilation openings. This angular configuration passively protects the ducts and passenger compartment from rain without requiring additional protective components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The ventilation box is divided into distinct functional elements: a frame for structural support and mounting, inclined plates for weather protection and water drainage, and ducts for air flow. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Productivity

If conventional ventilation boxes are used, then ventilation function is achieved, but production and installation are time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction and installation speedVSAvoidmanufacturing simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The frame, inclined plates, and ducts are integrated into a single unified ventilation box assembly. This merging of components eliminates the need for separate manufacturing and assembly steps for multiple parts, enabling rapid production through additive manufacturing and quick installation by simply mounting the complete unit into the vehicle opening.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Object-affected harmful factors

If the plate is inclined at an angle, then drainage efficiency is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater drainage efficiencyVSAvoidplate angle precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The plate angle is defined as a range (0 to 45 degrees, preferably 10 to 45 degrees) rather than a single precise value. This parameter flexibility allows manufacturers to achieve effective drainage within a broad tolerance range, reducing the stringency of precision requirements while maintaining functional performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3530541B1Ventilation unit for ventilating the passenger compartment of a vehicle and railway vehicle car comprising such a ventilation unit
Publication Date: 2020.08.19 ALSTOM TRANSPORT TECH SAS
  • EP3530541B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3530541B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3530541B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

This ventilation housing (30) is intended for ventilating the passenger compartment of a vehicle. It has a first lateral face (32) and a second lateral face (34) spaced apart along a transverse direction (Y), and internally defines a plurality of ducts (70) joined together along a longitudinal direction (X) perpendicular to the transverse direction (Y). Each duct (70) opens into the first lateral face (32) through a first opening (72), and into the second lateral face (34) through a second opening (74). Each duct (70) includes a duct portion having a main cross-section, taken in a principal plane parallel to the transverse direction (Y), in the form of a baffle.