FR2962030A1 - ARRANGEMENT FOR ACCESS BETWEEN A VEHICLE AND A DOCK - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an access arrangement between a vehicle and a platform, comprising: a vehicle access platform (1) comprising a floor (8), a gap-gap device (12) comprising at least one movable element (14, 16) with respect to the floor (8), the gap-gap device (12) being movable between a withdrawal position in which it is entirely contained in the access platform (1) and an extended position in which at least one element (14, 16) of the gap-gap device (12) is at least partially extended outside the access platform (1) towards the platform. This access arrangement (1) further comprises a protection device (18) comprising at least one protective element (20, 24) movable with respect to the access platform (1), the protective device (18) being able to prohibit access to the gap-gap device (12) when it is in the withdrawn position or in the deployment phase, and to authorize access to the gap-gap device (12) when it is in an unfolded position.

Description

The invention relates to an access arrangement between a vehicle and a platform, comprising an access platform comprising a floor and a gap-filling device extending inside thereof and comprising at least one element. movable relative to the floor, the gap-gap device being movable between a retracted position in which it is entirely contained in the access platform, and an extended position in which at least one element of the gap-gap device is extended outside the access platform, towards the wharf. Such an access arrangement is known from US 2001/0038787 A1 or EP-1 034 765 A2. These patent applications describe an arrangement comprising a floor and a gap-gap device. This arrangement allows passengers in wheelchairs or with reduced mobility (such as the elderly or those with strollers) to reach docks (or sidewalks, in the case of buses) at different heights without walking or without danger. the floor of the vehicle, and at different distances from one platform (or sidewalk) to another. Integrating a mobile element of the gap-gap device as part of the floor avoids engaging the vehicle template in the subframe, makes it easier to maintain compared to gap-gap devices located under the floor . This also allows reaching docks higher and lower than the floor level, and limiting the height of the projections (that is to say the small steps) between the fixed part and the mobile part of the gap-gap . The disadvantage is that people who would stand, or who would advance on these elements when they are set in motion, while the devices filled-gaps are not fully deployed, may lose their balance and hurt themselves during a fall. The object of the invention is to limit at best such accidents. The invention aims to improve the access arrangements of the state of the art by making them more secure, especially when the gap-gap devices are in the deployment phase. According to the invention, the access arrangement is of the aforementioned type and further comprises a protection device comprising at least one movable protective element relative to the access platform of the vehicle, the protective device being able to prohibit access to the gap-gap device when it is in the withdrawn position or in the deployment phase, and to authorize access to the gap-gap device when it is in an extended position. It should be noted that when the protection device prohibits access to the full-gap device, it effectively prohibits passengers from getting out of the vehicle towards the platform as well as from entering the vehicle. crossing the vehicle. The arrangement of the invention may, in addition, satisfy at least one of the following features: The protection device further comprises at least one activation mechanism capable of moving the movable protection element between a position of extension, in which the protection element prohibits access to the gap-gap device when the latter is in the retracted position or in the deployment phase, and a withdrawal position in which the protection element authorizes access when the latter is in an extended position, the protection element extends, in an extended position, in at least one vertical plane parallel to a vertical plane passing through the front edge of the platform. an access shape oriented towards the platform, between said plane of the front edge of the platform and a vertical plane facing the inside of the platform. In particular in the box where the bridging-gap device is integrated in the floor of the platform, the protection element extends between the vertical plane passing through the front edge of the access platform facing the dock. and a vertical plane passing through the rear edge of the movable floor zone, oriented towards the inside of the platform. Especially in the case where the gap-gap device is installed under the floor and is not the cause of movement of the floor, the protection element extends, in the extended position, in at least one plane vertical contained between a vertical plane passing through the front edge of the access platform facing the platform and a vertical plane parallel and close to the door leaves, facing inwards. The protection element has a rigidity adapted to withstand a thrust in the transverse direction of 200 daN.

The protection element is a solid element, such as a door leaf or a shutter. The floor has a floor opening extending towards the dock, the gap-filling device having a shape complementary to the opening of the floor extending inside thereof.

The protective member extends in the extended position to form a volume above at least a portion of the floor opening. The protection element is a hollow element having at least one flexible part, and in particular two flexible parts extending facing one another, in particular in a substantially vertical and longitudinal plane, the two parts being offset one in relation to the other in the direction of the wharf. The flexible elements are each attached to a vertical axis winder, the reels being spaced a distance at least equal to the length of the floor opening.

The movable member of the gap-gap device is slidable with respect to the floor. The gap-gap device further comprises a ramp rotatably mounted on the movable member sliding around rotation axis pivoting means parallel to the platform.

The ramp can rotate, the pivot means are inside the access platform. Alternatively, the pivoting means can be outside the access platform during the rotation of the ramp. The gap-gap device comprises a frame structure disposed below the floor and having guide means extending towards the wharf along the side edges of the floor opening. The sliding mobile element comprises support means able to slide along the guide means of the frame structure. The invention also relates to a method of actuating the access arrangement described above, a method using electronic and / or computer-based control means, of the calculator type, which allow or not the opening of the doors of the access of the vehicle to allow the extension of the movable part (s) of the gap-gap device, and which control the movement of said movable part (s) as a function of the size of the vertical and / or horizontal gap to be filled between the access platform and the dock, in particular using sensor-type measuring means.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent on reading the description of the nonlimiting embodiments of the invention, a description given in connection with the drawings in which: FIGS. 1A and 1B are respectively views; external and internal arrangement of the access arrangement according to a first embodiment, wherein the passage between a platform and a vehicle stopped at this platform is prohibited, - Figures 2A and 2B are views respectively external and internal of the access arrangement according to a first embodiment, wherein the passage between a platform and a vehicle stopped at this platform is possible, - Figures 3A and 3B are respectively external and internal views of the access arrangement according to a second embodiment, wherein the passage between a platform and a vehicle stopped at this platform is prohibited, - Figures 4A and 4B are respectively external and internal views of the access arrangement according to a second embodiment, wherein the passage between a platform and a vehicle stopped at this platform is possible; - Figure 5 is a sectional view of the second embodiment, in which the passage between a and a vehicle stopped at this platform is possible, - Figure 6 is a side section of a gap-gap device according to one embodiment, in the retracted position, - Figure 7 is a side section of a device. gap-gap according to one embodiment, in the deployed position. To facilitate the reading of the drawings, only the elements necessary for understanding the invention have been shown. The same elements bear the same references from one drawing to another. These figures are schematic and do not necessarily respect the scale between the different elements represented. Throughout the description of this text, the terms "vertical" and "horizontal" are defined relative to the floor of the access platform of a vehicle. Thus, a horizontal plane is substantially parallel to the plane in which the floor extends and the vertical plane is substantially parallel to the plane in which the lateral faces of the vehicle body extend. The term "longitudinal" is defined with respect to the direction in which a vehicle extends in a horizontal plane and the term "transverse" is defined in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction in a horizontal plane.

The invention applies to a rail vehicle, but can be applied to any type of guided displacement vehicle. It applies in a similar way to vehicles with unguided travel, of the type of public transport vehicle (bus, bus) or freight transport (truck).

FIG. 1A shows a partial view of an access arrangement comprising a platform 1 of a railway vehicle from outside the vehicle, stopped at a platform (not shown), according to a first embodiment. Figure 1B shows a partial view of this same arrangement from inside the vehicle.

The following description applies equally to these two figures: The platform 1 extends between two lateral faces 2 of which only one is here shown. The lateral face 2 shown comprises an access opening 4 and a door 6 - here represented with two leaves - with the dimensions of the access opening 4, mounted movable with respect to the lateral face 2. Its movement is controlled by a embedded computer on board the vehicle (not shown). The other face may comprise a second identical opening disposed opposite the opening of the first face. It may also have no opening, or have a second opening that is not arranged next to the first. The platform 1 of the vehicle comprises a floor 8 extending between the two faces 2 and a gap-gap device 12 disposed under the floor 8. This device is of the type comprising a pallet 14 movable in translation, able to fill the gap horizontal between the access platform 1 and the platform. In FIGS. 1A and 1B, the gap-gap device 12 is in the retracted position, the pallet 14 being entirely contained under the floor 8.

In FIGS. 2A and 2B (detailed below), the gap-gap device 12 is in the deployed position in which the pallet 14 extends outside the access platform 1 in the direction of the platform. The access arrangement further comprises a protection device 18 formed in this mode by a secondary door having two solid leaves mounted movable relative to the access platform 1. In FIGS. 1A and 1B, this door secondary 18 is in the extended position and blocks access to the platform 1 when the bridging device 12 is in the withdrawn position or deployment phase. The leaves 20 of the secondary door 18 are fixed on either side of the access opening 4 to two door posts 22 arranged laterally to the gap-gap device 12 on the access platform 1. The door secondary 18 extends, in the extended position, in a median vertical plane passing through a vertical plane parallel and close to the access doors 6. The leaves 20 have a rigidity adapted to withstand a thrust in the transverse direction of 200 daN at least. Thus, a passenger on the access platform 1 who tries to exit by pushing on the leaves 20 would remain blocked on the access platform 1. The leaves 20 are made for example of composite material with two sandwich panels between which is arranged a honeycomb with a thickness of 50 mm. The secondary door 18 further comprises an activation mechanism (not shown) able to move each leaf 20 between an extended position (closing) and a retracted position (opening). This activation mechanism is housed here inside each door jamb 22 and notably comprises an electric motor. This engine is connected to the on-board computer on board the vehicle, which thus controls the movements of all the protective devices of the vehicle and of all the access doors 6. FIGS. 2A and 2B show an access arrangement close to that of Figures 1A and 1B, except that the gap-gap device 12 here also makes it possible to fill a vertical gap. An opening in the floor makes it easier to move. The gap-gap device is here represented in the deployed position towards a platform situated at substantially the same height (+/- 50 mm) as that of the platform 1 and those of the secondary doors 18, which are in the retracted position, allowing the passage between the access platform 1 and the platform. In this position, the leaves 20 are folded against the door posts 22 to which they are attached. The secondary door 18 extends, in the extended position, in a vertical plane parallel to and close to the plane of the access door and which extends inwardly.

Such a protective device 18 is particularly suitable for gap-gap devices which comprise only a movable element making a transverse movement outside the vehicle, to fill only a horizontal gap. The device is small and can be placed very close to the access doors, for example 50 mm behind them. The grip of this protective device on the platform 1 is very small. This device thus has the advantage of being able to be installed behind a sealed door, which must be fully open before the bridging device 12 is deployed, which secures access to the vehicle when deploying the pallet 14.

Figure 3A shows a partial view of another embodiment of an access arrangement of a vehicle, stopped at a platform (not shown), whose access door 6 is open. Figure 3B shows a partial view of this same arrangement from inside the vehicle. Only the different elements of the first embodiment will be described.

Here, the protection device is made in the form of two protection elements 24 each defining, here, a hollow volume, and mounted movable relative to the access platform 1. The platform 1 comprises a floor 8 extending between the two faces 2, the floor having an aperture 10 of substantially parallelepiped shape, extending in a transverse direction towards the wharf. The access arrangement also comprises a gap-gap device 12 having a shape complementary to the opening of the floor 10, extending inside thereof. The gap-gap 12 is described in detail in the following description, in connection with Figures 6 and 7. In extended position, the protective elements 24 extend towards each other in the longitudinal direction. so as to form a single volume above at least a portion of the opening of the floor 10. Each protective element 24 thus extends in a median vertical plane disposed between a first vertical plane passing through the front edge of the floor. the platform 1, oriented towards the outside of the platform 1 towards the platform, and a second vertical plane passing through the longitudinal rear edge of the floor opening 10. The protection elements 24 have a suitable rigidity to withstand a thrust in the transverse direction of 200 daN. Thus, a passenger on the access platform 1 who tries to push out will remain blocked on the access platform 1. Figures 4A and 4B represent an access platform 1 identical to that of the FIGS. 3A and 3B, except that the gap-gap device 12 is deployed towards a platform located at a height less than that of the access platform 1 and that the protection elements 24 are in the retracted position, allowing thus the passage between the access platform 1 and the platform. In this position, these elements 24 are wound against the door posts 22 to which they are attached.

FIG. 5 shows in detail the protection device 18 and its activation mechanism 28. Each protective element 24 comprises in this example two flexible elements 24a extending, in an extended position, in a vertical and substantially longitudinal plane. , offset relative to each other in the transverse direction: they are arranged opposite one another. Flexible elements 24a are connected by one of their vertical edge to a plane element 24b, extending in a vertical and substantially transverse plane. The opposite vertical edges of the flexible elements 24a are each fixed to a reel 26 of vertical axis of rotation, housed in each door jamb 22. The two reels 26 are spaced in the transverse direction by a distance at least equal to the length of the floor opening 10, to cover all or the moving parts of the bridging device 12. The flexible elements 24a and 24b are made for example by curtains of elastic material (for example rubber) mounted on a frame metal, or by slat devices, or by any other device winding easily around the reels 26. In the retracted position, the ends of the flexible elements 24a are wound inside the door posts 22. Each protective element 24 further comprises an activation mechanism 28 able to move it between an extended position and a retracted position (the protection element 24 and its mechanical activation soul 28 are shown in full line in the retracted position, and in dashes in extended position). This activation mechanism 28 comprises an electric motor 30 housed inside a door jamb 22 and a control device 32 (a device 32 is shown partially in dashed extension position in FIG. 3A, and in FIG. dotted withdrawal position in Figure 3B) fixed on the one hand to the door jamb 22 and on the other hand inside the plane element 24b. A control device 32 is for example formed of two articulated arms, spaced from each other in the vertical direction and interconnected by a rod at their point of articulation, so as to perform a uniform movement in the direction longitudinal. Other designs of the control device 32 are conceivable, provided that they allow a controlled movement, particularly uniform, protection elements 24 in the longitudinal direction. Each motor 30 is also connected to the onboard computer.

In the extended position, the protective device 18 is extended so that the two flexible elements 24a form a physical barrier on either side of the floor opening 10, in the transverse direction. A volume-forming protection device 18 is particularly suitable for gap-gap devices 12 which comprise two movable elements making transverse movement and rotational movement outside and / or inside the vehicle, to fill at a time the horizontal gap and the vertical gap between the deck floor 8 and the wharf. The device 18 is quite large since it can encroach on the platform up to 500 mm behind the door but it remains light since it is hollow. It also has the advantage of fully securing the moving parts - to prevent people on the platform from entering the vehicle as to prevent people in the vehicle from coming out - as long as the gap-gap device 12 is not not fully deployed. The protection device 18 can thus adapt to different types of gap-gap device 12 to secure them. A first type of gap-gap device 12 is shown in FIG. 6, in the retracted position, and in FIG. 7, in the extended position. It comprises a pallet 14 and a ramp 16 connected by a rotation axis pivoting means 40 which extends longitudinally under the floor 8, substantially parallel to the dock. The ramp 16 may comprise, as shown in Figures 6 and 7, another axis of rotation 44 and an articulated threshold sill 46 disposed towards the side face 2, but this is optional. In a variant not shown, the ramp 16 may comprise between the axis of rotation 40 and the threshold nose 46 one or more other longitudinal axes of rotation, to improve the slope break. In the retracted position (Fig. 6), the ramp 16 forms part of the floor 8 and occupies the entire floor opening 10. The axis of rotation 40 is located at the joint between the floor opening 10 and the floor 8 To reach the extended position (FIG 7), the pallet 14 slides in the direction transverse to the floor 8, in the direction indicated by the arrow F. For this purpose, the gap-filling device 12 comprises a structure frame 44 disposed and fixed under the floor 8. This structure comprises guide means 46 extending in the transverse direction, along the lateral edges of the floor opening 10, under the floor 8. It also comprises, in its upper part facing the floor 8, an opening identical to the floor opening 10. The pallet 14 comprises support means 48 adapted to slide in the guide means, inside the frame structure. For example, the guide means 46 of the frame structure 44 may be in the form of slides, directly formed in the structure or formed by U-shaped profiles reported thereon. The support means 48 of the pallet 14 can thus take the form of rollers, which slide inside the slideways. Other similar embodiments are conceivable. Depending on the vertical and / or horizontal gap to be filled, the pallet 14 may not be fully slid towards the platform, and the ramp 16 may rotate while the axis of rotation 40 is still inside the vehicle. The lower part of the vehicle body, under the access door 6, can be arranged to include a hatch which, opening downwards, allows the ramp 16 to pivot to a platform disposed lower than the floor 8. The rotation can be effected without problems to a platform disposed higher than the floor 8, when the access door 6 is open. The protective device 18 must therefore be positioned so as to leave a gap between the floor 8 and the lower edge of the protection device 18, so that the ramp 16 can be brought into the upper position towards a high platform, even when the axis of rotation 40 of the ramp 16 'is located inside the access platform 1. A second type of gap-gap device for an access platform according to the invention may be made in the form of a box rotatable about a longitudinal axis of rotation disposed at the joint between the floor opening 10 and the floor 8. This type of gap-gap thus makes it possible to fill the gap vertical. The upper face of the box forms part of the floor 8 of the platform 1. The box can also accommodate a ramp and an activation mechanism, also connected to the on-board computer which controls the movement, the ramp being slidable in the direction transverse to the box to fill the gap also horizontal.

To be even more precise during their deployment, the gap-gap device advantageously comprises a device for detecting the presence of the platform and the measurement of the vertical gaps (height between the platform and the floor) and horizontal (distance between the front edge). threshold of the vehicle and the dock). This detection and measurement device is also connected to the onboard computer.

The activation sequence of the different devices of the platform 1 by the computer is as follows: the railway vehicle stops at a station or station at a platform, the access doors are closed, the device 18 is in the extended position and the gap-gap device 12 is in the retracted position, the horizontal and / or vertical gap is evaluated, for example by means of a sensor disposed on the gap-gap device 12, and the measurement is sent to the on-board computer, the computer authorizes the opening of the access doors 6 to allow the extension of a mobile part of the gap-gap device 12, and controls the mobile part or parts over the appropriate distance for fill the gap (s) measured, - the computer verifies that the desired values have been correctly achieved, - the computer then allows the removal of the protective device 18 to allow passage between the vehicle and the dock. When the vehicle is ready to start again, the activation sequence of the different devices is reversed: - a signal warns the passengers of the closing of the access doors 6 and / or a presence sensor verifies that no passenger is present in the access opening 4, the protective device 18 is extended above the gap-gap device 12 to block the passage of persons between the vehicle and the platform, the bridging device 12 is retracted, the access doors 6 are closed, - the railway vehicle starts again. As can be seen from the preceding sequences, the protective device 18 is in the extended position while the vehicle is traveling, in order to prevent persons from accessing the moving parts of the gap-gap device even when the latter is in the retracted position. . Thus, when the vehicle is docked, the bridging device can be deployed safely without fear that its movement would drop a person who would stand on it. Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiment described and illustrated which has been given by way of example. Thus, the protective device 18 may extend over the entire height of the access platform 1, although it is preferable to limit its size and weight. The protective device 18 may comprise only one protective element 20, 24 instead of two, fixed to a single door jamb and covering the entire longitudinal distance between two door posts 22. Thus, in the first mode embodiment, the protective device 18 may comprise only one door leaf 20, and in the second embodiment described, the protection device 18 may comprise only one protective element 24 fixed to a single upright 22 .

It should be noted that the mobile element 14 of the gap filling device 12 can stop and be operational regardless of the output position imposed by the computer. The invention described above relates to the protection device in themselves, regardless of the type of gap-gap device used.

Conversely, the invention also relates to the gap-gap devices described above, regardless of the type of protection device or in the absence of protection device.

Claims (15)

REVENDICATIONS1. Access arrangement between a vehicle and a platform comprising - a vehicle access platform (1) comprising a floor (8), - a gap-gap device (12) having at least one movable element (14, 16). ) relative to the floor (8), the gap-gap device (12) being movable between a retracted position in which it is fully contained in the access platform (1) and an extended position in which at least one element (14, 16) of the gap-gap device (12) is at least partially extended outside the access platform (1) towards the platform, characterized in that the access arrangement (1) further comprises a protection device (18) comprising at least one protective element (20, 24) movable with respect to the access platform (1), the protection device (18) being adapted to prohibit access to the bridging device (12) when it is in the withdrawn or deployment position, and the access to the gap-gap device (12) when it is in an extended position. 2. Access arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the protection device (18) further comprises at least one activation mechanism (28) able to move the protection element (20, 24) between a extension position, in which the protection element (20, 24) prevents access to the gap-gap device (12) when it is in the retracted position or in the deployment phase, and a retracted position in which the protection element (20, 24) allows access to the gap-gap device (12) when the latter is in an extended position. 3. Access arrangement according to claim 2, characterized in that the movable protection element (20, 24) extends, in extended position between the vertical plane passing through the front edge of the platform d access oriented towards the platform and a vertical plane oriented towards the inside of the platform. 4. Access arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the movable protective element (20, 24) has a rigidity adapted to resist a thrust in the transverse direction of 200 daN.30 5. Access arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the movable protection element (20, 24) is a solid element, such as a door leaf or a flap. 6. Access arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the floor (8) has a floor opening (10) extending towards the platform, the gap-filling device (8) having a shape complementary to the opening of the floor (10) extending inside thereof. Access arrangement according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the movable protective element (20, 24) extends in the extended position so as to form a volume above at least a part of the floor opening (10). Access arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the movable protective element (20, 24) is a hollow element having at least one flexible part (24a) extending in a substantially vertical plane. , in particular two flexible parts arranged opposite one another. 9. Access arrangement according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the movable protective element (20, 24) has two flexible parts arranged opposite one another and each fixed to a winder (26) d vertical axis of rotation, the reels (26) being preferably spaced apart by a distance at least equal to the length of the floor opening (10). 10. Access arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the movable member (14) of the gap-gap device (12) is slidable with respect to the floor (8). 11. Access arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bridging device (12) further comprises a ramp (16) rotatably mounted on the movable element (14) of the bridging device-gap around a pivot axis (40), in particular parallel to the platform. 15 12. Access arrangement according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the ramp (16) is adapted to rotate about its pivot axis (40) located inside the access platform. (1). 13. Access arrangement according to claim 12, characterized in that the gap-gap device (12) comprises a frame structure (44) disposed under the floor (8) and having guide means (46) extending in the wharf direction along the side edges of the floor opening (10). 14. Access arrangement (1) according to claim 13, characterized in that the sliding mobile element (14) comprises support means (48) slidable along the guide means (46) of the structure of frame (48). 15. A method of actuating the access arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that electronic control means and / or computer-like, calculator type, allow or not the opening of the doors (6). access of the vehicle to allow the extension of the movable part or parts (14) of the gap-gap device (12 (, and control the movement of said at least one moving part depending on the size of the vertical gap and / or horizontal to be filled between the access platform (1) and the dock, in particular using measuring means of the sensor type.