Rail vehicle, in particular lightweight motor car

Abstract

A rail vehicle, in particular a lightweight motor car, has a vehicle head which contains a driver's cab, and a car body with a passenger compartment. The vehicle head is embodied as a self-supporting unit. Shock absorbing elements which operate in a telescopic fashion and which absorb the energy occurring during a collision are arranged underneath this vehicle head.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A rail vehicle, comprising: 
 a vehicle head, including a driver compartment; and    a car body including a passenger compartment, wherein the vehicle head is embodied as a self-supporting unit, and wherein shock absorbing elements, which operate in a telescopic fashion and which absorb energy occurring during a collision, are arranged underneath the vehicle head.    
     
     
         2 . The rail vehicle as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the shock absorbing elements include at least one of a reversible step and a nonreversible step.  
     
     
         3 . The rail vehicle as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the shock absorbing elements are covered by a front panel.  
     
     
         4 . The rail vehicle as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the vehicle head is equipped, as a mechanically premounted and electrically pretested assembly, with corresponding components.  
     
     
         5 . The rail vehicle as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the vehicle head includes a driver outer door.  
     
     
         6 . The rail vehicle as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the rail vehicle is a lightweight motor car.  
     
     
         7 . The rail vehicle as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the shock absorbing elements are covered by a front panel.  
     
     
         8 . The rail vehicle as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the vehicle head is equipped with at least one of a seat and a console.  
     
     
         9 . The rail vehicle as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the vehicle head is equipped, as a mechanically premounted and electrically pretested assembly, with corresponding components.  
     
     
         10 . The rail vehicle as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the vehicle head is equipped, as a mechanically premounted and electrically pretested assembly, with corresponding components.  
     
     
         11 . The rail vehicle as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the vehicle head is equipped, as a mechanically premounted and electrically pretested assembly, with corresponding components.  
     
     
         12 . The rail vehicle as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the vehicle head is equipped with at least one of a seat and a console.  
     
     
         13 . The rail vehicle as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the vehicle head is equipped with at least one of a seat and a console.  
     
     
         14 . The rail vehicle as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the vehicle head is equipped with at least one of a seat and a console.  
     
     
         15 . A rail vehicle, comprising: 
 a first portion including a first compartment;    a second portion including a second compartment; and    a plurality of shock absorbing elements, arranged beneath the vehicle head and adapted to operate in a telescopic fashion to absorb energy from a collision.    
     
     
         16 . The rail vehicle as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the shock absorbing elements include at least one of a reversible step and a nonreversible step.  
     
     
         17 . The rail vehicle as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the shock absorbing elements are covered by a front panel.  
     
     
         18 . The rail vehicle as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the first portion is equipped, as a mechanically premounted and electrically pretested assembly, with corresponding components.  
     
     
         19 . A rail vehicle, comprising: 
 a first portion including a first compartment;    a second portion including a second compartment; and    means, arranged beneath the vehicle head, for operating in a telescopic fashion to absorb energy from a collision.    
     
     
         20 . The rail vehicle as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein the means include at least one of a reversible step and a nonreversible step.