Device for fixing a table top
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing table top fastening devices in railway vehicles do not adequately protect passengers from injury during abrupt deceleration events, as they can cause collisions between passengers and the table tops, leading to potential serious injuries.
Innovation Solution
A table top fastening device with bending onset zones that deform plastically when a predetermined force is applied, allowing the beams to pivot and absorb impact energy, thereby reducing the risk of injury by controlling the table's movement and preventing it from colliding with passengers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the table top is rigidly fastened to the side wall, then the table top provides a stable horizontal surface, but passengers may collide with the table top during abrupt deceleration, causing serious injuries
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure transitions from a rigid static configuration to a dynamic semi-collapsed state during impact events. The beams are designed to pivot at bending onset zones when subjected to forces exceeding a predetermined threshold, allowing the table top to move relative to the side wall and absorb impact energy, thereby reducing injury risk while maintaining stability during normal operation
Solution Approach 2:
The bending onset zones are pre-configured with reduced thickness to create predetermined weak points that will deform plastically upon impact. This beforehand cushioning mechanism ensures that during abrupt deceleration, the table top can collapse in a controlled manner to absorb impact energy before it reaches passengers, preventing serious injuries
2Strength
If the support structure is made rigid to prevent table top movement, then structural strength is maintained, but impact energy cannot be absorbed, increasing harm to passengers
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure exhibits non-uniform properties with bending onset zones having reduced thickness compared to other portions of the beams and crosspieces. This local quality differentiation allows the structure to maintain overall strength while creating specific regions designed to deform plastically and absorb impact energy during collisions
Solution Approach 2:
The thickness parameter of the beams and crosspieces is varied along their length, with bending onset zones having a thickness smaller than the average thickness. This parameter change enables the structure to transition from a uniformly rigid configuration to one with controlled deformation zones that can absorb impact energy while maintaining structural integrity
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The device effectively absorbs impact energy during collisions, reducing the risk of injury to passengers by ensuring the table top does not move excessively and causing harm, thus enhancing passenger safety in railway vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
bending onset zones configured to deform plastically when a force greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold force is applied on said support structure along the transverse direction
Data Source
AI summary
A device for fastening a table top to a side wall of a vehicle includes: a structure for fastening to the side wall, and a support structure of the plate. The support structure includes: at least one crosspiece extending along a transverse direction, and at least two beams each extending in a longitudinal direction substantially orthogonal to the transverse direction, with the crosspiece being connected to each of the beams. The support structure includes bending onset zones configured to deform plastically when a force greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold force is applied on the support structure along the transverse direction.