PLATFORM GAP FILLER DEVICE FOR A RAILWAY VEHICLE AND RAILWAY VEHICLE COMPRISING SAID DEVICE

Abstract

 The invention relates to a platform gap filler device for a railway vehicle, comprising a bridging element (110) coupleable to the outside of the vehicle below a door in order to minimize the separation between the vehicle and the platform (2), a retractable element (120) which is partially housed in a gap (111) of the bridging element (110) which is movable between a retracted position (P1) and an extended position in which the retractable element (120) protrudes from the bridging element (110), and spring means (130) to force the retractable element (120) towards the extended position which comprise an elastically deformable bar (131) fixed between the bridging element (110) and the retractable element (120), such that when the retractable element (120) contacts the platform (2), the retractable element (120) moves from the extended position to the retracted position (P1) compressing the elastically deformable bar (131).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to devices used for filling the gap existing between a railway vehicle and the platform.

PRIOR ART

[0002] The platform gap, also called PTI "platform train interference", is the separation existing between the side of a railway vehicle body and the end of the platform from which passengers access the vehicle.

[0003] Ideally, the platform must be aligned with the floor of the railway vehicle on which passengers travel; in some cases, there is a slight difference in height, but in any case, there must be a separation between the platform and the railway vehicle in order to allow vehicles to move freely without interfering with the platform.

[0004] For reasons relating to passenger safety and comfort, the separation between the railway vehicle and the platform must be minimized when passengers access the vehicle from the platform or access the platform from the vehicle. To that end, in order to reduce the separation between the vehicle and the platform, platform gap filler devices which can be arranged in the vehicle or directly in the platform are known.

[0005] Platform gap filler devices for railway vehicles are arranged in the region of the vehicle doors and can be movable with respect to the vehicle or fixed with respect to the vehicle.

[0006] Movable filler devices are concealed when the vehicle is running and configured for performing an emerging movement and covering the platform gap when the vehicle arrives at the station, allowing passengers to get on and off the vehicle safely. These devices are operated by electric, pneumatic, or hydraulic drives and are, in general, mechanically complex and involve a high manufacturing and maintenance cost.

[0007] Fixed filler devices do not present said complexity and are bridging elements projecting in cantilever fashion from the body of the railway vehicle at the lower region of the vehicle doors. See DE102015213651A1, for example.

[0008] The dimensions of the bridging element must be designed so that the vehicle complies with the railway gauge of the track through which the vehicle runs, particularly so that the cross-section of the vehicle does not interfere with any track element. In practice, this leads to fixed devices not completely covering the separation between the platform and the vehicle, and therefore not being completely satisfactory in terms of safety and comfort. This problem is exacerbated in curved platforms, where the separation between the vehicle and the platform can be larger in some areas.

[0009] EP3473513A1 shows a railway vehicle with platform gap filler devices. The device comprises a bridging element extending in a longitudinal direction and coupleable to the outside of the railway vehicle below the region of a door of the vehicle in order to minimize the separation between the railway vehicle and the platform, a retractable element which is partially housed in a gap of the bridging element and which is configured to be translationally movable in a transverse direction, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, between a retracted position and an extended position in which the retractable element protrudes from the bridging element, and spring means arranged in the gap of the bridging element, between the bridging element and the retractable element, to force the retractable element towards the extended position. The bridging element is coupled by means of guides to the vehicle doors, such that the drive of the doors is utilized to move the bridging element; therefore, when the vehicle doors open, both the bridging element and the retractable element emerge from below the region of the door and move in the transverse direction to contact the platform, and when the doors are closed, both the bridging element and the retractable element are concealed.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The object of the invention is to provide a platform gap filler device and a railway vehicle comprising said device, as defined in the claims.

[0011] One aspect of the invention relates to a platform gap filler device for a railway vehicle, comprising a bridging element extending in a longitudinal direction and coupleable to the outside of the railway vehicle below the region of a door of the railway vehicle in order to minimize the separation between the railway vehicle and the platform, a retractable element which is partially housed in a gap of the bridging element and which is configured to be translationally movable in a transverse direction, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, between a retracted position and an extended position in which the retractable element protrudes from the bridging element, and spring means arranged between the bridging element and the retractable element to force the retractable element towards the extended position. The spring means comprise an elastically deformable bar extending in the longitudinal direction and which is fixed between the bridging element and the retractable element, such that when the retractable element contacts the platform, the retractable element moves from the extended position towards the retracted position compressing the bar.

[0012] A platform gap filler device with a simple structural embodiment that does not require complex drives or guiding systems for the correct operation thereof is thereby obtained. Furthermore, the retractable element contacts the platform and protects the bridging element from contact with the platform or from contact with other elements of the railway track, thereby prolonging the service life of the device since, in the case of wear, only the retractable element has to be replaced.

[0013] The elastically deformable bar is an elongated element extending in the longitudinal direction, like the bridging element, and allows the entire retractable element to be guided in its translation between the extended position and the retracted position. For example, in the device described in EP3473513A1, several springs must be placed in parallel in the gap of the bridging element so as to enable ensuring a suitable movement of the entire retractable element; furthermore, if one of the springs becomes slack due to use, the retractable element may not be suitably guided. The elastically deformable bar allows the retractable element to be suitably moved and guided.

[0014] Another aspect of the invention relates to a railway vehicle with platform gap filler devices such as that defined above which are located below the region of the doors of the railway vehicle.

[0015] These and other advantages and features of the invention will become apparent in view of figures and detailed description of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] 

Figure 1 shows an example of a railway vehicle with platform gap filler devices according to the invention.

Figure 2 shows a perspective view of an example of the platform gap filler device of the invention.

Figure 3 shows an enlarged view of the area marked with line comprising dashes and dots with reference III in Figure 2.

Figure 4 shows a cross-section of the device of Figure 2 with the retractable element in the extended position protruding with respect to the bridging element.

Figure 5 shows a cross-section of the device of Figure 2 with the retractable element in the retracted position contacting the platform.

Figure 6 shows a bottom view of the device of Figure 2 with the elastically deformable bar keeping the retractable element in the extended position.

Figure 7 shows a bottom view of the device of Figure 2 with the elastically deformable bar compressed and the retractable element in the retracted position contacting the platform.

Figure 8 shows a bottom view of the device of Figure 2 with the retractable element in a maximum retracted position.

Figure 9 shows a bottom view of the device of Figure 2 with the retractable element in a retracted position in which the retractable element has moved in the transverse and longitudinal directions.

Figure 10 shows an exploded perspective view of a pin which fixes one end of the elastically deformable bar with one end of the retractable element.

DETAILED DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0017] The invention relates to a platform gap filler device for a railway vehicle.

[0018] Figure 1 shows a schematic plan view of a railway vehicle 1 stopped at a station next to a platform 2. There is a separation S between the body of the vehicle 1 and the end of the platform 2.

[0019] The railway vehicle 1 is configured for running in a direction of circulation on the rails 3 of a track. In the sense of the invention, longitudinal direction L is understood as a direction parallel to the direction of circulation of the vehicle 1 on the rails 3 of the track and transverse direction T is understood as a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L. Vertical direction V is understood as a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L and perpendicular to the transverse direction T.

[0020] The railway vehicle 1 has doors 4 on the side of the body from which passengers access the vehicle 1 from the platform 2 or access the platform 2 from the vehicle 1.

[0021] The railway vehicle 1 has platform gap filler devices 100 in the region of the doors 4 which minimize the separation S existing between the vehicle 1 and the platform 2 so as to ensure the movement of passengers between the vehicle 1 and the platform 2.

[0022] The platform gap filler device 100 comprises a bridging element 110 extending in the longitudinal direction L and coupleable to the outside of the railway vehicle 1 below the region of a door 4 of the vehicle 1 in order to minimize the separation S between the railway vehicle 1 and the platform 2, a retractable element 120 which is partially housed in a gap 111 of the bridging element 110 and which is configured to be translationally movable in the transverse direction T, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L, between a retracted position P1 (see Figure 5) and an extended position P2 in which the retractable element 120 protrudes from the bridging element 110 (see Figure 4), and spring means 130 arranged between the bridging element 110 and the retractable element 120 to force the retractable element 120 towards the extended position P2.

[0023] The bridging element 110 has a U shape with an upper flange 1112 and a lower flange 1113 between which the gap 111 housing the retractable element 120 is defined. As can be observed in the enlarged detail of Figure 3, the upper flange 1112 has on its upper face a non-slip surface 1114 which passengers step on. The upper flange 1112 extends rearward into a rear flange 1115 which is configured for being coupled to the floor of the railway vehicle 1 in the region of a door 4. The rear flange 1115 also has on its upper face a non-slip surface 1116 which the passengers step on. For reasons of clarity, the non-slip surfaces are shown in Figure 3, but not in Figure 2.

[0024] Preferably, the retractable element 120 also has a non-slip surface on its upper face. Said non-slip surface covers at least the part of the upper face of the retractable element 120 protruding from the gap 111 of the bridging element 110 when the retractable element 120 is in the extended position.

[0025] The bridging element 110 is configured for supporting the weight of the passengers accessing the vehicle 1 from the platform 2 or accessing the platform 2 from the vehicle 1. The bridging element 110 is therefore configured for supporting forces in the vertical direction V.

[0026] The bridging element 110 is a metallic extrusion profile, preferably an aluminum extrusion profile.

[0027] The spring means 130 comprise an elastically deformable bar 131 extending in the longitudinal direction L and which is fixed between the bridging element 110 and the retractable element 120, such that when the retractable element 120 contacts the platform 2, the retractable element 120 moves from the extended position P2 towards the retracted position P1 compressing the bar 131. See Figures 6 to 9.

[0028] The elastically deformable bar 131 keeps the retractable element 120 in the extended position P2 (see Figures 4 and 6), and when the retractable element 120 contacts the platform 2 (see Figures 5 and 7) or another track element, the retractable element 120 moves from the extended position P2 towards the retracted position P1 compressing the bar 131; in that sense, when the retractable element 120 no longer contact the platform 2, the bar 131, due to its elastic behavior, recovers its shape, moving the retractable element 120 towards the extended position P2 again.

[0029] Preferably, the elastically deformable bar 131 comprises a first bar segment 132 and a second bar segment 133. The retractable element 120 comprises a first end 121 and a second end 122. The first bar segment 132 has a free end 134 which is attached to the first end 121 of the retractable element 120, and the second bar segment 133 has another free end 135 which is attached to the second end 122 of the retractable element 120. The two bar segments 132 and 133 are attached to a central region 112 of the bridging element 110.

[0030] Therefore, when the retractable element 120 contacts the platform 2, as shown in Figures 5 and 7, the free ends 134 and 135 of the bar 131 move together with the retractable element 120, with each segment 132 and 133 of the bar 131 being compressed between the central region 112 of the bridging element 110 and the respective free end 134 and 135 thereof. When the retractable element 120 no longer contacts the platform 2, as shown in Figures 4 and 6, the bar 131 recovers its shape and the free ends 134 and 135 of the bar 131 move, driving the retractable element 120 from the retracted position P1 to the extended position P2. The bar 131 therefore has a crossbow-like behavior, wherein the two bar segments 132 and 133 guide the retractable element 120 between the extended position P2 and the retracted position P1.

[0031] The elastically deformable bar 131 is an elongated element extending in the longitudinal direction L. The bar 131 can have a rounded or prismatic shape.

[0032] For example, the elastically deformable bar 131 can be manufactured in steel.

[0033] The elastically deformable bar 131 is arranged below the bridging element 110. The elastically deformable bar 131 is arranged on the lower face of the lower flange 1113 below the gap 111. The bar 131 is therefore located in an external position from which it is readily accessible to enable the performance of maintenance operations.

[0034] Preferably, as shown in the example of Figures 6 to 9, the bar 131 is a single elongated element, wherein the first bar segment 132 extends continuously towards the second bar segment 133. Alternatively, the first bar segment 132 and the second bar segment 133 can be independent segments, such that each bar segment 132 and 133 is attached to the bridging element 110 in the central region 112 of the bridging element 110.

[0035] Even more preferably, the bar segments 132 and 133 are symmetrical with respect to the central region 112, such that guiding of the retractable element 120 is improved.

[0036] The bar 131 is attached to the bridging element 110 by means of half-parts 115 between which the bar 131 is arranged and said half-parts 115 are attached to the central region 112 of the bridging element 110 with screws 116.

[0037] As shown in Figures 6 to 8, the free end 134 and 135 of each bar segment 132 and 133 is attached to its bar segment 132 and 133 by means of a curvature segment 136 and 137, such that the free ends 134 and 135 can be bent with respect to the bar segments 132 and 133 as a result of the curvature segments 136 and 137. The curvature segments 136 and 137 therefore favor compression of the bar 131 in the event of forces in the longitudinal direction L which can occur the moment the railway vehicle arrives at a station and contacts the platform. For example, Figure 6 depicts the retractable element 120 in the extended position P2 right before coming into contact with the platform 2, and Figure 9 depicts the retractable element 120 in the retracted position P1 right after contacting the platform 2, wherein the retractable element 120 has moved in the transverse direction T but also in the longitudinal direction L. The curvature segments 136 and 137 therefore allow forces in the longitudinal direction L, which can occur at the initial moment of contact with the platform 2 or when the retractable element 120 contacts other track elements when the vehicle is running, to be absorbed.

[0038] The free ends 134 and 135 of the elastically deformable bar 131 are attached to the retractable element 120 by means of pins 138 and 139 going through openings 113 of the bridging element 110. Contact between the pins 138 and 139 and the edge of the openings 113 therefore establishes a guiding of the retractable element 120 with respect to the bridging element 110, and furthermore also establishes a stop which limits the movements of the retractable element 120.

[0039] The bar 131 and the contact between the pins 138 and 139 and the edge of the openings 113 limit the movements of the retractable element 120 in the transverse direction T and the longitudinal direction L.

[0040] The openings 113 of the bridging element 110 therefore have a shape allowing the free movement of the free ends 134 and 135 of the bar 131 in the transverse direction T and the longitudinal direction L when the retractable element 120 moves between the extended position P2 and the retracted position P1.

[0041] Preferably, the openings 113 have a triangular shape. Even more preferably, the openings 113 have a triangular shape, for example, an isosceles triangle shape, with an obtuse angle oriented towards the platform 2, such that in the extended position P2, the pins 138 and 139 are fitted in the vertex of the obtuse angle of the openings 113, as shown in Figure 6. The shape of the openings 113 and the movement of the pins 138 and 139 also favor the adaptability of the retractable element 120 to curved platforms 2.

[0042] The retractable element 120 has oblong-shaped holes 124 in the transverse direction T for fixing the pins 138 and 139 which allow the distance by which the retractable element 120 protrudes from the bridging element 110 to be adjusted.

[0043] A hole 124 for the fixing of a pin 138 or 139 is arranged at each end 121 and 122 of the retractable element 120. Figure 10 shows an exploded perspective view of the fixing of the pin 139 at the second end 122 of the retractable element 120. The first end 121 is identical. The retractable element 120 has recesses 125 in which the oblong hole 124 is located for arranging plates 126 into which the pin 139 is threaded. Changing the position of the pin 138 in the oblong hole 124 allows the distance by which the retractable element 120 protrudes from the gap 111 of the bridging element 110 to be adjusted. For example, the plates 126 can be positioned in different positions in the recesses 125, such that the position of the pin 139 in the oblong hole 124 can be brought forward or moved back.

[0044] Preferably, the retractable element 120 is manufactured in a consumable material that gradually becomes worn with use and allows absorbing impacts when it comes into contact with the platform 2 or other track elements, protecting the bridging element 110 from said impacts. The retractable element 120 can therefore be replaced when it has been worn without having to replace the bridging element 110. For example, the retractable element 120 can be manufactured in polyamide.

[0045] Preferably, the retractable element 120 has a shape corresponding to the gap 111 of the bridging element 110, and the retractable element 120 has beveled edges 123 at its ends 121 and 122. Those edges 123 generate an oblique surface with respect to the longitudinal direction L which allows the impacts suffered by the retractable element in the longitudinal direction L to be gradually absorbed. Figure 6 shows the moment prior to the contact of the platform 2 with the edge 123 of the end 121 of the retractable element 120. The edges 123 and the curvature segments 136 and 137 therefore help to ensure gradual forces in the longitudinal direction, increasing the service life of the device 100. The retractable element 120 has beveled edges at the two ends 121 and 122 of the retractable element 120 since the railway vehicle can run equally in the two directions of travel.

[0046] The bridging element 110 can have windows 114 communicating the gap 111 of the bridging element 110 with the outside. Those windows 114 are located in a rear region of the bridging element opposite the area through which the retractable element 120 protrudes, such that the retractable element 120 does not completely cover those windows 114, even though it is in the retracted position P1. Those windows 114 help to remove moisture or dirt which may accumulate in the gap 111 of the bridging element 110, such that damage to the retractable element or slowing down of the movement thereof can be prevented. Furthermore, the windows 114 allow accessing the area for attaching the bridging element 110 with the railway vehicle.

Claims

1. Platform gap filler device for a railway vehicle, comprising a bridging element (110) extending in a longitudinal direction (L) and coupleable to the outside of the railway vehicle (1) below the region of a door (4) of the railway vehicle (1) in order to minimize the separation (S) between the railway vehicle (1) and the platform (2), a retractable element (120) which is partially housed in a gap (111) of the bridging element (110) and which is configured to be translationally movable in a transverse direction (T), which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (L), between a retracted position (P1) and an extended position (P2) in which the retractable element (120) protrudes from the bridging element (110), and spring means (130) arranged between the bridging element (110) and the retractable element (120) to force the retractable element (120) towards the extended position (P2), characterized in that the spring means (130) comprise an elastically deformable bar (131) extending in the longitudinal direction (L) and which is fixed between the bridging element (110) and the retractable element (120), such that when the retractable element (120) contacts the platform (2), said retractable element (120) moves from the extended position (P2) towards the retracted position (P1) compressing the elastically deformable bar (131).

2. Device according to claim 1, wherein the elastically deformable bar (131) comprises a first bar segment (132) and a second bar segment (133), and the retractable element (120) comprises a first end (121) and a second end (122), the first bar segment (132) has a free end (134) which is attached to the first end (121) of the retractable element (120), and the second bar segment (133) has another free end (135) which is attached to the second end (122) of the retractable element (120), and the two bar segments (132, 133) are attached to a central region (112) of the bridging element (110).

3. Device according to claim 2, wherein the free end (134, 135) of each bar segment (132, 133) is attached to its bar segment (132, 133) by means of a curvature segment (136, 137), such that the free ends (134, 135) can be bent with respect to the bar segments (132, 133) as a result of the curvature segments (136, 137).

4. Device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the bar segments (132, 133) are symmetrical with respect to the central region (112).

5. Device according to any of claims 2 to 4, wherein the free ends (134, 135) of the elastically deformable bar (131) are attached to the retractable element (120) by means of pins (138, 139) going through openings (113) of the bridging element (110).

6. Device according to claim 5, wherein the openings (113) of the bridging element (110) have a shape allowing the free movement of the free ends (134, 135) of the elastically deformable bar (131) in the transverse direction (T) and the longitudinal direction (L) when the retractable element (120) moves between the extended position (P2) and the retracted position (P1).

7. Device according to claim 6, wherein the openings (113) have a triangular shape with an obtuse angle oriented towards the platform (2), such that in the extended position (P2), the pins (138, 139) are fitted in the vertex of the obtuse angle of the openings (113).

8. Device according to any of claims 5 to 7, wherein the retractable element (120) has oblong-shaped holes (124) in the transverse direction (T) for fixing the pins (138, 139) allowing the distance by which the retractable element (120) protrudes from the bridging element (110) to be adjusted.

9. Device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the elastically deformable bar (131) is arranged below the bridging element (110).

10. Device according to claim 9, wherein the bridging element (110) has a U shape with an upper flange (1112) and a lower flange (1113) between which the gap (111) housing the retractable element (120) is defined, and the elastically deformable bar (131) is arranged on the lower face of the lower flange (1113) below the gap (111).

11. Device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the retractable element (120) is manufactured in a consumable material.

12. Device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the retractable element (120) has a shape corresponding to the gap (111) of the bridging element (110), and the retractable element (120) has beveled edges (123) at its ends (121, 122).

13. Device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the bridging element (110) has windows (114) communicating the gap (111) of the bridging element (110) with the outside.

14. Device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the retractable element (120) has a non-slip surface on its upper face.

15. Railway vehicle comprising at least one platform gap filler device according to any of the preceding claims.

Amended claims

Amended claims in accordance with Rule 137(2) EPC.

1. Platform gap filler device for a railway vehicle, comprising a bridging element (110) extending in a longitudinal direction (L) and coupleable to the outside of the railway vehicle (1) below the region of a door (4) of the railway vehicle (1) in order to minimize the separation (S) between the railway vehicle (1) and the platform (2), a retractable element (120) which is partially housed in a gap (111) of the bridging element (110) and which is configured to be translationally movable in a transverse direction (T), which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (L), between a retracted position (P1) and an extended position (P2) in which the retractable element (120) protrudes from the bridging element (110), and spring means (130) arranged between the bridging element (110) and the retractable element (120) to force the retractable element (120) towards the extended position (P2), characterized in that the spring means (130) comprise an elastically deformable bar (131) extending in the longitudinal direction (L) and which is fixed between the bridging element (110) and the retractable element (120), the elastically deformable bar (131) comprises a first bar segment (132) and a second bar segment (133), and the retractable element (120) comprises a first end (121) and a second end (122), the first bar segment (132) has a free end (134) which is attached to the first end (121) of the retractable element (120), and the second bar segment (133) has another free end (135) which is attached to the second end (122) of the retractable element (120), and the two bar segments (132, 133) are attached to a central region (112) of the bridging element (110), such that when the retractable element (120) contacts the platform (2), said retractable element (120) moves from the extended position (P2) towards the retracted position (P1) compressing the elastically deformable bar (131).

2. Device according to claim 1, wherein the free end (134, 135) of each bar segment (132, 133) is attached to its bar segment (132, 133) by means of a curvature segment (136, 137), such that the free ends (134, 135) can be bent with respect to the bar segments (132, 133) as a result of the curvature segments (136, 137).

3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the bar segments (132, 133) are symmetrical with respect to the central region (112).

4. Device according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the free ends (134, 135) of the elastically deformable bar (131) are attached to the retractable element (120) by means of pins (138, 139) going through openings (113) of the bridging element (110).

5. Device according to claim 4, wherein the openings (113) of the bridging element (110) have a shape allowing the free movement of the free ends (134, 135) of the elastically deformable bar (131) in the transverse direction (T) and the longitudinal direction (L) when the retractable element (120) moves between the extended position (P2) and the retracted position (P1).

6. Device according to claim 5, wherein the openings (113) have a triangular shape with an obtuse angle oriented towards the platform (2), such that in the extended position (P2), the pins (138, 139) are fitted in the vertex of the obtuse angle of the openings (113).

7. Device according to any of claims 4 to 6, wherein the retractable element (120) has oblong-shaped holes (124) in the transverse direction (T) for fixing the pins (138, 139) allowing the distance by which the retractable element (120) protrudes from the bridging element (110) to be adjusted.

8. Device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the elastically deformable bar (131) is arranged below the bridging element (110).

9. Device according to claim 8, wherein the bridging element (110) has a U shape with an upper flange (1112) and a lower flange (1113) between which the gap (111) housing the retractable element (120) is defined, and the elastically deformable bar (131) is arranged on the lower face of the lower flange (1113) below the gap (111).

10. Device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the retractable element (120) is manufactured in a consumable material.

11. Device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the retractable element (120) has a shape corresponding to the gap (111) of the bridging element (110), and the retractable element (120) has beveled edges (123) at its ends (121, 122).

12. Device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the bridging element (110) has windows (114) communicating the gap (111) of the bridging element (110) with the outside.

13. Device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the retractable element (120) has a non-slip surface on its upper face.

14. Railway vehicle comprising at least one platform gap filler device according to any of the preceding claims.

Drawing