EP4365053A1

EP4365053A1 - Rail vehicle with a toilet room usable by wheelchair users

Info

Publication number: EP4365053A1
Application number: EP22306653.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Harald Hortmann
Original assignee: Alstom Holdings SA
Current assignee: Alstom Holdings SA
Priority date: 2022-11-01
Filing date: 2022-11-01
Publication date: 2024-05-08

Abstract

The invention relates to a rail vehicle with a toilet room (1) usable by wheelchair users, the toilet room (1) comprising a flush toilet (5) with- a seat to be taken by a user during use of the flush toilet (5), the flush toilet (5) defining a forward direction into which the user is facing while sitting on the seat (19), so that there is a right side and a left side of the flush toilet (5) with respect to the forward direction,- a fluid inlet pipe interface,- a drain pipe interface (12),- a mechanical interface for mechanically connecting the flush toilet (5) to a support structure of the toilet room (1),wherein the toilet room (1) comprises at least one set of a fluid inlet pipe, a drain pipe and a support structure for fitting the flush toilet (5) with its fluid inlet pipe interface to the fluid inlet pipe, with its drain pipe interface (12) to the drain pipe and with its mechanical interface to the support structure andwherein the toilet room (1) is adapted to allow a wheelchair user to move the wheelchair while sitting on the wheelchair (7) to a change position next to the seat in order to take the seat while already facing into the forward direction,- the change position in a first state of the toilet room (1) being on the right side of the flush toilet (5) and- the change position in a second state of the toilet room (1) being on the left side of the flush toilet (5).The first state can be changed into the second state, for example by turning the toilet seat as indicated by a curved arrow.

Description

The present invention relates to a rail vehicle with a toilet room usable by wheelchair users. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method of providing a rail vehicle with a toilet room usable by wheelchair users.
Rail vehicles with a toilet room usable by wheelchair users have been proposed earlier. However, there are wheelchair users who prefer or are only capable of changing from their wheelchair to the toilet seat from the right-hand side of the toilet or from the left-hand side of the toilet.
One option to satisfy the needs of this kind of wheelchair users is to provide the rail vehicle with at least two toilet rooms, wherein at least one toilet room is adapted to allow wheelchair users to change to the toilet seat from the right-hand side of the toilet (in the following: right-hand access toilet) and wherein at least one other toilet room is adapted to allow wheelchair users to change to the toilet seat from the left-hand side of the toilet (in the following: left-hand access toilet).
DE 43 364 18 A1 describes sanitary units for rail vehicles. Based on a modular construction, the sanitary units can be used for a range of users (handicapped individuals, non-handicapped individuals, individual of both sexes) and can be used in a variable manner in a large variety of areas.
DE 299 244 87 U1 describes a toilet for wheelchair users in rail vehicles with a toilet bowl that can be moved relative to the place occupied by the user with his/her wheelchair.
WO 02/08529 A1 discloses a rotatable and/or slidable water closet. The water closet comprises a rotatable joint in the drain pipe of the water closet, which drain pipe is adapted to be connected to a vertical sewage drainpipe inlet in a toilet. The joint allows the water closet portion above the joint to rotate around a vertical axis with respect to the floor from a first position providing good access to the water closet to a second position providing more limited access to the water closet but which may be closer to wash facilities which enable a user to more easily perform personal hygiene. Such water closets simplify a visit to the toilet for a disabled person and enable a more compact disabled toilet than possible with a conventional water closet.
The rail vehicle may be a train or a part of a train. In particular parts of a train that can be coupled together can be named consist, car or waggon. In the following, the term consist stands for all parts of a train than can be coupled together to form a train or prolong the train. In many cases, a consist comprises only one toilet room that is usable by wheelchair users or comprises only one toilet room in each of the two opposite end regions of the consist. Therefore, it may happen that the train formed by coupling several consists together has sections with only left-hand access toilet with only right-hand access toilets. This may result in long travel times for wheelchair users through the train to their desired type of toilet rooms. Alternatively, the user has to enter a car of a train that comprises or is nearby the toilet room which is suitable to his/her needs.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a rail vehicle with a toilet room usable by wheelchair users that allows to be adapted to the needs of the wheelchair users. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a corresponding method of providing a rail vehicle with a toilet room usable by wheelchair users.
The present invention aims at facilitating the design of a toilet room within a rail vehicle to be either a left-hand access toilet or a right-hand access toilet. In particular, an existent toilet room can be altered from left-hand access to right-hand access and vice versa. This allows in particular rail vehicle operators to adapt the state of the existent toilet in this way. Therefore, in particular, trains and other rail vehicles can be equipped with several wheelchair user toilets of the same type and each toilet can be brought into the desired or prescribed state with respect to the side from which the wheelchair user can change onto the seat (i.e. take the seat) of the toilet. Furthermore, this allows to remove a part of a train, like the above-mentioned consist, and to mount or couple it with other parts so as to form a new train, and to alter the state of left-hand or right-hand access then, if necessary or suitable.
Different embodiments of a rail vehicle with such a toilet room usable by wheelchair users will be described, but first a more general solution of the object is defined.
A rail vehicle is proposed with a toilet room usable by wheelchair users, the toilet room comprising a flush toilet with

a seat to be taken by a user during use of the flush toilet, the flush toilet defining a forward direction into which the user is facing while sitting on the seat, so that there is a right side and a left side of the flush toilet with respect to the forward direction,
a fluid inlet pipe interface
a drain pipe interface,
a mechanical interface for mechanically connecting the flush toilet to a support structure of the toilet room,

wherein the toilet room comprises at least one set of a fluid inlet pipe, a drain pipe and a support structure for fitting the flush toilet with its fluid inlet pipe interface to the fluid inlet pipe, with its drain pipe interface to the drain pipe and with its mechanical interface to the support structure and
wherein the toilet room is adapted to allow a wheelchair user to move the wheelchair while sitting on the wheelchair to a change position next to the seat in order to take the seat while already facing into the forward direction,
- the change position in a first state of the toilet room being on the right side of the flush toilet and
- the change position in a second state of the toilet room being on the left side of the flush toilet.

Since the toilet room has the first state and the second state, the state can be changed. Therefore, right-hand access toilets and left-hand access toilets can be provided at suitable locations within the train and can be distributed over the train so that wheelchair users can travel within a reasonable travel time in the train to a desired type of toilet.
Furthermore, a method is proposed of providing a rail vehicle with a toilet room usable by wheelchair users, in particular a rail vehicle according to any embodiment described in this description and/or the claims, the toilet room comprising a flush toilet with

a seat to be taken by a user during use of the flush toilet, the flush toilet defining a forward direction into which the user is facing while sitting on the seat, so that there is a right side and a left side of the flush toilet with respect to the forward direction,
a fluid inlet pipe interface,
a drain pipe interface,
a mechanical interface for mechanically connecting the flush toilet to a support structure of the toilet room,

wherein the toilet room comprises at least one set of a fluid inlet pipe, a drain pipe and a support structure for fitting the flush toilet with its fluid inlet pipe interface to the fluid inlet pipe, with its drain pipe connection to the drainpipe and with its mechanical interface to the support structure and
wherein the toilet room is adapted to allow a wheelchair user to move the wheelchair while sitting on the wheelchair to a change position next to the seat in order to take the seat while already facing into the forward direction,
- the change position in a first state of the toilet room being on the right side of the flush toilet and
- the change position in a second state of the toilet room being on the left side of the flush toilet,
wherein the flush toilet is brought from the first state into the second state or vice versa.

The rail vehicle and the method have the advantage that only one type of toilet room must be provided. In addition, the toilet rooms of existing trains can be re-configured, in particular if consists of the train are removed, are added and/or are re-arranged.
Optionally, the rail vehicle may comprise at least one sign visible from the outside of the rail vehicle which indicates the location of a toilet usable by a wheelchair user, wherein the sign also indicates if the toilet is a right-hand access toilet or a left-hand access toilet. In case of the third embodiment described below, the sign may indicate that the toilet is both usable as a right-hand access toilet and a left-hand access toilet
In particular, according to a first embodiment, the toilet room may comprise at least a first and a second set for fitting the flush toilet with its inlet pipe interface to the fluid inlet pipe, with its drain pipe interface to the drainpipe and with its mechanical interface to the support structure, the flush toilet being fitted in the first state to the first set and in the second state to the second set.
According to a corresponding embodiment of the method, the toilet room comprises at least a first and a second set for fitting the flush toilet with its inlet pipe interface to the fluid inlet pipe, with its drain pipe interface to the drain pipe and with its mechanical interface to the support structure, the flush toilet when being fitted in the first state to the first set is refitted to the second set in order to achieve the second state or the flush toilet is removed and another flush toilet is fitted to the second set in order to achieve the second state, or vice versa.
The first set and the second set reduce the effort of changing the state. For example, only some tools and expertise are required for changing the state. It is even possible to adapt the first set and the second set so that no tools are required to change the state, for example if so called quick-release fasteners are provided for fitting and/or connecting the flush toilet with its fluid inlet pipe interface to the fluid inlet pipe, with its drain pipe interface to the drain pipe and with its mechanical interface to the support structure.
In particular, the first set and the second set may each comprise one fluid inlet pipe connection (for connecting the fluid inlet pipe interface of the toilet), one drain pipe connection (for connecting the drain pipe interface) and one support structure (for mechanically connecting the toilet to the support structure) that allows for establishing the corresponding state of the toilet room. The fluid inlet pipe connections, the drain pipe connections and the support structures of the first set and of the second set may be different elements, but in another embodiment the first set and the second set may at least share one of the three elements. It is preferred that at least a support structure is part of the first set and at least another support structure is part of the second set. For example, the fluid inlet pipe connection, but optionally also the drainpipe connection, can be the same for the first set and the second set, e.g. if pipe sections are flexible and therefore capable of being bent and redirected in a desired direction. Therefore, the fluid inlet pipe and the drain pipe may be fixed in the wall in one case. Alternatively, at least one of the pipes may be flexible. For example, the fluid inlet pipe may be a flexible hose that can be connected to the toilet flush water inlet in the first state and in the second state.
Preferably, any connection and/or support structure that is not in use is covered, for example by a cover part or a set of cover parts.
According to a second embodiment, the toilet room comprises in the first state a first flush toilet, fitted to a fluid inlet pipe connection, to a drain pipe connection and to a support structure of a first set, with its forward direction being oriented into a first room direction of the toilet room and the toilet room comprises in the second state a second flush toilet, fitted to the fluid inlet pipe connection, to the drain pipe connection and to the support structure of the first set, with its forward direction being oriented into a second room direction of the toilet room, the second room direction being different from the first room direction, in particular the first room direction and the second room direction defining an angle of about 90 degrees.
According to a corresponding embodiment of the method, the toilet room comprises in the first state a first flush toilet, fitted to the fluid inlet pipe, to the drain pipe and to the support structure of a first set comprising a fluid inlet pipe connection, a drain pipe connection and a support structure, with its forward direction being oriented into a first room direction of the toilet room, the toilet room comprises in the second state a second flush toilet, fitted to the fluid inlet pipe connection, to the drain pipe connection and to the support structure of the first set, with its forward direction being oriented into a second room direction of the toilet room, the second room direction being different from the first room direction, in particular the first room direction and the second room direction defining an angle of about 90 degrees, and the first flush toilet is removed from the first set and the second flush toilet is fitted to the first set in order to achieve the second state, or vice versa.
In particular, at least the toilet pan (also know as toilet bowl) is exchanged to bring the toilet room from the first state into the second state and vice versa. For example, a first toilet pan of the first flush toilet may comprise a fluid inlet pipe interface, a drain pipe interface and a mechanical interface at the back of the flush toilet, while a second toilet pan of the second flush toilet may comprise a fluid inlet pipe interface, a drain pipe interface and a mechanical interface at a side (the right-hand side if the second state allows for left-hand access and the left-hand side if the second state allows for right hand access) of the flush toilet. In this case, the toilet pan is exchanged for changing the state, but is connected to the same fluid inlet pipe connection, drain pipe connection and support structure of the toilet room as before the toilet pan of the other flush toilet.
The second embodiment facilitates production of the toilet room with its fluid inlet pipe connection, drain pipe connection and support structure. Only the flush toilet needs to be exchanged, in particular the toilet pan. Possibly, the toilet seat can be used again with the exchanged toilet pan.
According to a third embodiment, the flush toilet comprises a turning device integrated in and/or combined with a toilet bowl of the flush toilet for turning the forward direction of the seat from a first room direction being the room direction in the first state of the flush toilet to a second room direction being the room direction in the second state of the flush toilet. In particular, the forward directions of the two states may differ by 90 degrees.
According to a corresponding embodiment of the method, the flush toilet comprises a turning device integrated in and/or combined with a toilet bowl for turning the forward direction of the seat from a first room direction being the room direction in the first state to a second room direction being the room direction in the second state and wherein the flush toilet is turned using the turning device in order to change the first state into the second state or vice versa.
The third embodiment has the advantage that no part of the flush toilet or of the toilet room needs to be exchanged in order to change the state from left-hand access to right-hand access or vice versa.
The turning device may be adapted to be driven manually and/or automatically so as to perform the turning from the first state to the second state and/or vice versa. Therefore, a mechanical drive may be provided, which mechanical drive transmits forces and/or torques to the turning device in order to perform the turning. The drive may be, according to one specific embodiment, part of a motor. However, the input to the mechanical drive may generally be generated by the toilet user and/or by a force generating device, such as a motor, in particular an electric motor. In case of a force generating device, the turning may be effected automatically. The term automatically does not exclude the option that the toilet user or staff of the train triggers the automatic turning. A particularly suitable mechanical drive comprises a worm drive, since a worm drive typically prevents any non-intended operation. Therefore, the turning can be effected only intentionally.
In particular, the third embodiment includes the case that a top part of the flush toilet is turned/turnable, while a bottom part (in particular comprising the toilet bowl) is not turned (i.e. is a stationary part) when the turning in order to change the state is performed.
More generally speaking, the turning device can be considered as a device which allows for re-directing the toilet seat, i.e for changing the forward direction of the toilet seat. While it is preferred that the turning device guides a turning motion (e.g. around a vertical turning axis) of a part of the seat, of the whole seat or of the whole seat and a part of the toilet bowl (see below for these three variants), it is also possible to re-direct the toilet seat for example by lifting at least the upper part of the toilet seat, re-directing it and attaching it to the remaining parts of the toilet in the re-directed state.
However, it is preferred that the turning device comprises the mentioned guide for a turning motion, in particular including a kinematic pair comprising a connection between two parts of the toilet, which kinematic pair imposes constraints on their relative turning movement. In particular, the kinematic pair defines an interface between a/the stationary part of the flush toilet and the turnable part of the flush toilet. Especially, the kinematic pair may comprise a joint that allows for the turning motion while the stationary part and the turnable part are still in mechanical contact with each other. There are at least three variants regarding the location of the turning interface.
In a first variant, the turning interface may be integrated in the toilet bowl, so that an upper part of the toilet bowl is turnable relative to a lower part of the toilet bowl. Optionally, in this case, the upper part of the toilet bowl may form the toilet seat, i.e. provides the function of the seat, namely provides the upper surface on which the user may sit. For example, at least the upper surface may be formed by stainless steel. Alternatively, the seat is fixed on the upper part of the toilet bowl. In this case, for example a toilet seat with standard means for fixing it to the toilet bowl may be used and the upper part of the toilet bowl may also comprise standard means for fixing the toilet seat (for example recesses for inserting a part or protrusion of a joint that allows the seat to be turned upwards and downwards, i.e. to open and to close the toilet bowl.
The toilet bowl, and the same applies to any upper part and lower part of the toilet bowl (not only in the first variant), has the function to form a surface along which flush water, urine and feces may move in order to be removed from the toilet through the drain pipe. This is in contrast to, for example, the inner surface of an additional toilet seat body that is provided on the toilet bowl. This inner surface of the additional toilet seat body is not intended to guide such flush water, urine and feces, in particular because there is typically at least a small gap between the additional toilet seat body and the toilet bowl. However, it may happen of course that some splashes in particular of flush water and urine reach the inner surface of the additional toilet seat body. It should be noted however, that there is no additional toilet seat body if the toilet bowl forms the upper surface of the toilet on which a user may sit.
In a second variant, the toilet seat (having an additional toilet seat body) is turnable relative to the toilet bowl while the turning interface is located between the toilet bowl and the toilet seat. Therefore, the additional toilet seat body is turnable relative to the toilet bowl. For example, both the toilet bowl and the toilet seat form and/or comprise parts of a turning joint so that a turning motion of the toilet seat relative to the toilet bowl can be performed. The part of the toilet seat that is to be connected to the toilet bowl may comprise standard means for fixing the seat to the toilet bowl and the toilet bowl may comprise corresponding standard means, such as the recesses mentioned above for the first variant.
In a third variant, the turning interface is located in the toilet seat, for example at least partially in the lower part of the toilet seat. In this case, a particularly stiff construction of the toilet seat is required in order to meet the requirements of being operated within trains.
The turning device may comprise a drive for driving a turning motion of the turnable part relative to the fixed part of the toilet. In particular if there is no worm drive, it is preferred that the flush toilet of the third embodiment (this includes all three variants) comprises a fixing device adapted to fix the turning device so that the turning device cannot be turned. This applies also to embodiments which do not comprise a drive for driving the turning motion. Consequently, the fixing device has at least two states, one state in which the turning can be performed and one state in which the fixing device prevents the turning. In particular, the fixing device may be a mechanical device with at least two parts that may interact with each other to achieve the at least two states. For example, a handle of the fixing device may be manipulated so as to insert it into a recess of the fixing device in order to bring the fixing device into the state in which it prevents the turning. However, the fixing device is not limited to being an entirely mechanical device. For example, it may comprise a magnetic or electromagnetic device that may prevent the turning if activated and/or brought in the corresponding position and/or orientation.
Another option of the fixing device is that the fixed state, in which the turning motion is blocked or impeded, is achieved automatically when a user sits on the seat. For example, the user's weight may activate the fixed state, e.g. by pressing at least a part of the seat downwards.
With respect to all embodiments, additional components of the toilet room and/or the flush toilet may be altered when the first state is changed into the second state or vice versa. Examples are handrails, buttons (such as an emergency alarm button) and other components the toilet user may interact with or which limit or expand the space within the toilet room that may be occupied by the user or its equipment.
Examples of the present invention will be described with reference to the attached figures. The individual figures show:

Fig. 1: a first embodiment of a toilet room within a rail vehicle in a first state, with a flush toilet for right-hand side access of a wheelchair user,
Fig. 2: the toilet room of Fig. 1 in a second state, with a flush toilet for left-hand side access of a wheelchair user,
Fig. 3: a second embodiment of a toilet room within a rail vehicle in a second state, with a flush toilet for left-hand side access of a wheelchair user,
Fig. 4: the toilet room of Fig. 3 in a first state, with a flush toilet different than the flush toilet shown in Fig. 3 for right-hand side access of a wheelchair user,
Fig. 5: a third embodiment of a toilet room within a rail vehicle in a second state, with a flush toilet for left-hand side access of a wheelchair user,
Fig. 6: the toilet room of Fig. 5 in a first state, with the flush toilet shown in Fig. 5 for right-hand side access of a wheelchair user and
Fig. 7: a sectional view in a vertical plane through a flush toilet that can be used as a specific realisation of the flush toilet of the third embodiment.

The toilet room 1 shown in Fig. 1 has a window 6, can be entered through a door 3 and comprises a flush toilet 5. The forward direction of the flush toilet 5, the direction in which a user of the flush toilet 5 is facing while sitting on a seat of the flush toilet 5, is indicated by an arrow pointing to the left of Fig. 1.
On the right-hand side of the flush toilet 5, Fig. 1 shows a wheelchair 7 with a back rest 9 of the wheelchair 7 next to the wall 14 of the toilet room 1 on the right side of Fig. 1, i.e. the wheelchair's and a wheelchair user's forward direction are parallel to the forward direction of the flush toilet 5. The user therefore can change between the wheelchair 7 and the flush toilet 5, while facing in the forward direction. Consequently, the access to the flush toilet is available from the right-hand side of the flush toilet 5. In Fig. 1, only one of the handles of the wheelchair 7 is denoted by reference numeral 8.
The toilet room comprises two sets of connections, a first set of connections 2a and a second set of connections 2b. Each set of connections 2 comprises, according to the specific embodiment described here, a fluid inlet pipe connection, a drain pipe connection and a support structure. In the first state shown in Fig. 1, the fluid inlet pipe interface, the drain pipe and the mechanical interface (commonly indicated by interface 11 in Fig. 1 and in Fig. 2) of the flush toilet 5 is connected to the first set of connections 2a. In other embodiments, the connections and the support structure can be realised in a different manner.
For example, the mechanical interface and the support structure may be constructed for wall mounting the flush toilet 5 in case of the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 and 2, but may be constructed for fixing the flush toilet to the floor in another embodiment, so that the flush toilet rests on the floor. In both cases, at least one of the pipe connections may be realised at the wall 14 or at the floor.
Fig. 2 shows the flush toilet 5 connected with its interface 11 to the second set of connections 2b of the toilet room. The wheelchair 7 with its back rest 9 is also shown in Fig. 2. The user therefore can change between the wheelchair 7 and the flush toilet 5, while facing in the forward direction, but the access to the flush toilet is available from the left-hand side of the flush toilet 5.
Re-fitting the flush toilet 5 in order to change the first state of Fig. 1 to the second state of Fig. 2 and vice versa requires little effort. Depending on the specific realisation of the embodiment, tools may be required, but the connections and the support interface are present for both states. In both states, the respective set of connections 2a, 2b that is not connected to the interfaces of the flush toilet 5 can be covered by a cover 13, as shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2.
According to the second embodiment of a toilet room 1 within a rail vehicle, which second embodiment is shown in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, different flush toilets 5a, 5b are used for the first state (as shown in Fig. 4 for right-hand access) and for the second state (as shown in Fig. 3 for left-hand access).
The second state of the second embodiment may be very similar to the second state of the first embodiment shown in Fig. 2, but this is only true for this very specific realisation of the embodiments. The specific realisation of the second embodiment shown in Fig. 3 only differs with respect to the following details from the specific realisation of the first embodiment shown in Fig. 2: There is only one interface 2 with a fluid inlet pipe connection, a drain pipe connection and a support structure required in the second embodiment. In order to bring the toilet room 1 of the second embodiment into the first state (as shown in Fig. 4), the flush toilet 5a (which may be the flush toilet 5 of Fig. 2) with its set of interfaces 11a is replaced by the flush toilet 5b. This flush toilet 5b comprises a set of interfaces 11b (with a fluid inlet pipe interface, a drain pipe interface and a mechanical interface) that is different to the set of interfaces 11a of the flush toilet 5a with respect to its location relative to the toilet seat. The set of interfaces 11b is on the left-hand side of the flush toilet 5b, so that the forward direction indicated by an arrow in Fig. 4 is turned by an angle of 90° compared to the forward direction of the flush toilet 5a in the second state.
It should be noted that it is not required for all specific realisations of the second embodiment to construct the interfaces for connecting them with the pipe connections and a support structure of the toilet room on one side of the toilet. Rather, at least one interface can be constructed to be connected with the corresponding connection / support structure of the toilet room at the floor, in particular under the toilet seat. Furthermore, it should be noted that if at least one of the interfaces of the flush toilet are constructed for side connection, the side may alternatively be the right-hand side, other than shown in the specific embodiment of Fig. 4.
In any case, the second has the advantage that the toilet room only requires one set of pipe connections. However, there may be a second set of pipe connections for the other one of the states and/or there may be a second mechanical interface for the other one of the states. All these variations are possible for realising the basic principle of the second embodiment, namely to use a second flush toilet for the other state and to mount the two different flush toilets in particular in the same local area of the toilet room, but with differently oriented forward directions in the different states. One advantage of the second embodiment is the fact that the flush toilets can be accessed from different sides in the different states while the flush toilets are mounted at least essentially within the same local area of the toilet room. As a consequence, no other equipment (except possibly for equipment that is to be accessed while the user is seated on the flush toilet) needs to be re-fitted when the state is changed.
A third embodiment of a toilet room 1 within a rail vehicle is shown in Fig. 5 and 6. A specific realisation of a flush toilet 5 of this embodiment is shown in Fig. 7.
According to the third embodiment, the same flush toilet 5 is used for the first state (as shown in Fig. 6 for right-hand access) and for the second state (as shown in Fig. 5 for left-hand access).
The second state of the third embodiment may be very similar to the second state of the first embodiment shown in Fig. 2 and to the second state of the second embodiment shown in Fig. 3, but this is only true for this very specific realisation of the embodiments. The specific realisation of the third embodiment shown in Fig. 5 only differs with respect to the following details from the specific realisation of the first embodiment: There is only one interface 2 with a fluid inlet pipe connection, a drain pipe connection and a support structure required in the second embodiment. In order to bring the toilet room 1 of the third embodiment into the first state (as shown in Fig. 6), the upper part of the flush toilet 5 is turned around a vertically extending turning axis (i.e. an axis that is directed perpendicularly to the image plane of the Fig. 5 and 6. This is indicated by a curved arrow in Fig. 5.
Since the same flush toilet 5 is used for the first state and for the second state, only one set of interfaces of the flush toilet 5 and only one set of pipe connections / mechanical support structure of the toilet room 1 are required. In addition, no changes need to be made to the interfaces and pipe connections or to the support structure when changing the state.
The specific realisation of the flush toilet 5 of Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 that is shown in Fig. 7 is wall-mounted to a wall 14 of the toilet room. In particular, the drain pipe interface 12 of the flush toilet 5 is connected to the drain pipe connection 10 of the toilet room. The flush toilet 5 comprises a toilet bowl 15 and a toilet seat 19. A turning device 17 is located partially between the toilet bowl 15 and the toilet seat 19. Exemplary fixations 25 for fixing the flush toilet 5 on the wall 14 are schematically indicated in Fig. 7. The fixations 25 may, for example, comprise a threaded rod in each case. The rods may be permanently fixed to and/or partially integrated in the wall 14 and the flush toilet 5 may be mounted to the wall by means of threaded nuts that interact with the threaded rods.
In the specific realisation shown in Fig. 7, an inner part 17a of the turning device 17 is mounted to the toilet bowl 15 and an outer part 17b of the turning device 17 is mounted to the toilet seat. The inner part 17a and the outer part 17b can be turned by for example 90° (or in another embodiment by any other angle, or turnable without any limitation) relative to each other around the vertical axis indicated in Fig. 7. In particular, the inner part 17a and the outer part 17b may form or may comprise a pivot bearing. Due to the turning device 17, there is a certain height H between the upper end of the toilet bowl 15 and the toilet seat 19, which height H may be larger than the usual corresponding height of flush toilets that do not comprise a turning device.
In particular, both the inner part 17a and the outer part 17b of the turning device 17 may be parts of the toilet bowl 15. This means that especially the inner part 17a is intended to guide flush water, urine and any feces towards the lower part of the toilet bowl 15. In particular, it is preferred that there is no vertical gap between the inner part 17a and the lower part of the toilet bowl 15. In addition or alternatively, the outer part 17b may comprise means and in particular standard means for mounting the toilet seat 19 to the outer part 17b. Therefore, the toilet seat 19 may be a standard toilet seat.
Furthermore, there is a mechanical fixing device 21 adapted to fix the turning device 17, so that the turning device 17 cannot be turned when the fixing device 21 is in its fixed state. In the specific embodiment of the fixing device 21 shown in Fig. 7, the fixing device 21 comprises a movable part (for example a bar with a handle) that can be inserted to and removed from a recess in a protrusion of the outer part 17b of the turning device 17. If the movable part is inserted in the recess, it is also inserted in a further recess in the upper region of the toilet bowl 15. In fact, there are two recesses in the upper region of the toilet bowl 15 spaced apart to each other by 90° (or in another case spaced apart to each other by a different angle) around the turning axis around which the toilet seat 19 together with the outer part 17b of the turning device 17 can be turned in order to bring the flush toilet 5 and thereby the toilet room from the first state into the second state and vice versa. Furthermore, it is possible that there are more than two recesses in the upper region of the toilet bowl 15, so that the outer part 17b can be fixed in more than two turning positions. More generally speaking, any embodiment of the fixing device may be designed to fix the turnable part of the toilet in at least two angular positions with respect to a vertical turning axis.
It should be noted for any turning motion of the turnable part, that at least one linear horizontal motion may be overlaid to the rotation around a vertical axis. In other words, the vertical turning axis may not be fixed during the turning motion.
Fig. 7 also shows a fluid inlet pipe 24 of the toilet room that is connected via a fluid inlet pipe interface 22 to a fluid inlet canal 23 of the flush toilet 5. In the example shown in Fig. 7, the fluid inlet canal 23 extends through the toilet bowl 15 and ends at an inner wall surface of the toilet bowl 15.
As mentioned before, other specific realisations of the flush toilet of the third embodiment may be realised in a different manner. For example, the turning of the toilet seat may not be done manually, but driven by an electric drive. In addition or alternatively, the fixing device may not be a manual fixing device, but for example a magnetic fixing device.
List of reference signs

1: toilet room
2: set of connection
3: door
5: flush toilet
6: window
7: wheelchair
8: handle
9: back rest
10: drain pipe connection
11: interface
12: drain pipe interface
13: cover
14: wall
15: toilet bowl
17: turning device
19: toilet seat
21: fixing device
22: fluid inlet pipe interface
23: fluid inlet canal
24: fluid inlet pipe
25: fixation
H: height

Claims

A rail vehicle with a toilet room (1) usable by wheelchair users, the toilet room (1) comprising a flush toilet (5) with
- a seat to be taken by a user during use of the flush toilet (5), the flush toilet (5) defining a forward direction into which the user is facing while sitting on the seat (19), so that there is a right side and a left side of the flush toilet (5) with respect to the forward direction,

- a fluid inlet pipe interface,

- a drain pipe interface (12),

- a mechanical interface for mechanically connecting the flush toilet (5) to a support structure of the toilet room (1),

wherein the toilet room (1) comprises at least one set of a fluid inlet pipe, a drain pipe and a support structure for fitting the flush toilet (5) with its fluid inlet pipe interface to the fluid inlet pipe, with its drain pipe interface (12) to the drain pipe and with its mechanical interface to the support structure and

wherein the toilet room (1) is adapted to allow a wheelchair user to move the wheelchair while sitting on the wheelchair (7) to a change position next to the seat in order to take the seat while already facing into the forward direction,
- the change position in a first state of the toilet room (1) being on the right side of the flush toilet (5) and

- the change position in a second state of the toilet room (1) being on the left side of the flush toilet (5).
The rail vehicle of claim 1, wherein the toilet room (1) comprises at least a first and a second set for fitting the flush toilet (5) with its inlet pipe interface to the fluid inlet pipe, with its drainpipe interface to the drainpipe and with its mechanical interface to the support structure, the flush toilet (5) being fitted in the first state to the first set and in the second state to the second set.
The rail vehicle of claim 1, wherein the toilet room (1) comprises in the first state a first flush toilet (5), fitted to a fluid inlet pipe connection, to a drain pipe connection and to a support structure of a first set, with its forward direction being oriented into a first room direction of the toilet room (1) and
the toilet room (1) comprises in the second state a second flush toilet (5), fitted to the fluid inlet pipe connection, to the drain pipe connection and to the support structure of the first set, with its forward direction being oriented into a second room direction of the toilet room (1), the second room direction being different from the first room direction, in particular the first room direction and the second room direction defining an angle of about 90 degrees.
The rail vehicle of claim 1, wherein the flush toilet (5) comprises a turning device (17) integrated in and/or combined with a toilet bowl (15) for turning the forward direction of the seat (19) from a first room direction being the room direction in the first state of the flush toilet (5) to a second room direction being the room direction in the second state of the flush toilet (5).
The rail vehicle of claim 4, wherein the flush toilet (5) comprises a fixing device (21) adapted to fix the turning device (17) so that the turning device (17) cannot be turned.
The rail vehicle of claim 4 or 5, wherein the flush toilet (5) comprises a drive for driving the turning of the turning device.
The rail vehicle of claim 6, wherein the drive comprises a worm drive.
A method of providing a rail vehicle with a toilet room (1) usable by wheelchair users according to any one of the preceding claims, the toilet room (1) comprising a flush toilet (5) with
- a seat (19) to be taken by a user during use of the flush toilet (5), the flush toilet (5) defining a forward direction into which the user is facing while sitting on the seat (19), so that there is a right side and a left side of the flush toilet (5) with respect to the forward direction,

- a fluid inlet pipe interface,

- a drain pipe interface (12),

- a mechanical interface for mechanically connecting the flush toilet (5) to a support structure of the toilet room (1),

wherein the toilet room (1) comprises at least one set of a fluid inlet pipe, a drain pipe and a support structure for fitting the flush toilet (5) with its fluid inlet pipe interface to the fluid inlet pipe, with its drainpipe connection to the drainpipe and with its mechanical interface to the support structure and

wherein the toilet room (1) is adapted to allow a wheelchair user to move the wheelchair (7) while sitting on the wheelchair (7) to a change position next to the seat in order to take the seat while already facing into the forward direction,
- the change position in a first state of the toilet room (1) being on the right side of the flush toilet (5) and

- the change position in a second state of the toilet room (1) being on the left side of the flush toilet (5),

wherein the flush toilet (5) is brought from the first state into the second state or vice versa.
The method of claim 8, wherein the toilet room (1) comprises at least a first and a second set for fitting the flush toilet (5) with its inlet pipe interface to the fluid inlet pipe, with its drainpipe interface to the drain pipe and with its mechanical interface to the support structure, the flush toilet (5) when being fitted in the first state to the first set is refitted to the second set in order to achieve the second state or another flush toilet (5) is fitted to the second set in order to achieve the second state, or vice versa.
The method of claim 8, wherein the toilet room (1) comprises in the first state a first flush toilet (5), fitted to the fluid inlet pipe, to the drain pipe and to the support structure of a first set comprising a fluid inlet pipe connection, a drain pipe connection and a support structure, with its forward direction being oriented into a first room direction of the toilet room (1),
the toilet room (1) comprises in the second state a second flush toilet (5), fitted to the fluid inlet pipe connection, to the drain pipe connection and to the support structure of the first set, with its forward direction being oriented into a second room direction of the toilet room (1), the second room direction being different from the first room direction, in particular the first room direction and the second room direction defining an angle of about 90 degrees, and

the first flush toilet (5) is removed from the first set and the second flush toilet (5) is fitted to the first set in order to achieve the second state, or vice versa.
The method of claim 8, wherein the flush toilet (5) comprises a turning device integrated in and/or combined with a toilet bowl for turning the forward direction of the seat (19) from a first room direction being the room direction in the first state to a second room direction being the room direction in the second state and wherein the flush toilet (5) is turned using the turning device in order to change the first state into the second state or vice versa.
The method of claim 11, wherein the flush toilet (5) comprises a fixing device that is operated to fix the turning device so that the turning device cannot be turned.
The method of claim 11 or 12, wherein the flush toilet (5) comprises a drive and the drive is actuated in order to drive the turning of the turning device.
The method of claim 12, wherein the drive comprises a worm drive.