Movable Cabin Table Assembly for Passenger Impact Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle safety systems fail to effectively manage passenger motion and energy absorption during sudden changes in acceleration, speed, or direction, particularly in scenarios where traditional passive and active systems are insufficient.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle system featuring a table with an adjustable support assembly, sensors, and a controller that moves the table top away from the seat assembly in response to detected or predicted events, utilizing actuators and a crushable material to absorb energy, and optionally deploying an airbag with the table serving as a reaction surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional passive safety systems (safety belts, mechanical crush components) are used, then energy absorption during vehicle events is achieved, but passenger motion control is insufficient and injury risk remains high
Solution Approach 1:
The table top is moved away from the seat assembly before the vehicle event occurs, based on detection or prediction of the event. This preliminary repositioning creates safety distance and reduces impact forces on the passenger during the event.
Solution Approach 2:
The table support assembly transitions from a static fixed position to a dynamic movable position during vehicle events. The table can be actively repositioned using actuators or passively allow motion through unlocked mechanisms, adapting to safety requirements during collisions or sudden deceleration.
2Reliability
If the table top is moved away from the seat assembly during vehicle events, then energy absorption and impact force reduction are improved, but the device complexity increases due to adjustable support assembly with actuators
Solution Approach 1:
The table support assembly includes self-service features where the table can automatically unlock and move passively during vehicle events without requiring complex active actuators. The system uses vehicle event detection to trigger automatic release mechanisms that allow the table to move under its own weight or spring force.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustable support assembly serves multiple functions: it provides normal table support during regular operation, enables active repositioning during detected vehicle events, and allows passive motion during actual events. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate active actuators for each mode.
3Reliability
If the table top is made movable during vehicle events, then passenger motion control is enhanced, but the loss of time for system response and activation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The system detects vehicle events in advance and moves the table top away from the seat assembly before the actual event occurs. This preliminary action eliminates response time delays during the event itself, as the safety distance is already established when the collision or sudden deceleration happens.
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
Enhances passenger safety by controlling the force and duration of impact through controlled motion of the table top, reducing injury risk during sudden vehicle events, and providing an additional energy absorption mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
a portion of the table top that is adjacent to the seat assembly is formed from a crushable material to absorb energy
Data Source
AI summary
A body structure defines a passenger cabin. An interior portion is located in the passenger cabin, and a support portion that includes a surface and an adjustable support assembly is located in the passenger cabin. The surface is located adjacent to the interior portion, the adjustable support assembly includes actuators, and the adjustable support assembly is configured to move the surface with respect to the interior portion. Sensors are configured to generate sensor outputs, and a controller detects an event based on the sensor outputs. In response to the detection of the event, the controller outputs a control signal that controls the adjustable support assembly so that the adjustable support assembly moves at least part of the surface away from the interior portion.