Movable Cabin Table Control for Passenger Impact Mitigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle safety systems do not effectively manage the motion of objects within a compartment during sudden changes in acceleration, speed, or direction, particularly in fully autonomous vehicles where passenger safety is a concern without a human driver.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle safety system that includes a table with an adjustable support assembly and sensors, where a controller detects vehicle events and moves the table top away from the seat assembly to absorb energy and reduce force on passengers, using actuators and a crushable material for energy absorption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the table top is kept fixed near the seat assembly, then the table is stable and easy to use during normal operation, but it becomes a harmful object that increases force on passengers during sudden acceleration changes
Solution Approach 1:
The table top is transformed from a static fixed structure to a dynamic movable structure. The adjustable support assembly with actuators enables the table top to move away from the seat assembly upon detection of vehicle events, converting it from a harmful rigid object to a controllable safety feature that reduces passenger force during acceleration changes
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies preliminary anti-action by detecting vehicle events (sudden acceleration changes) and proactively moving the table top away from the seat assembly before the harmful effect fully manifests. This preemptive movement counteracts the potential harm by removing the table top from the path of passenger motion during safety events
2Strength
If the table top is made from rigid material, then it provides structural strength and stability, but it increases the force transmitted to passengers during vehicle events
Solution Approach 1:
The table structure is segmented into distinct functional zones: the support assembly and connection points use rigid materials for structural strength, while the table top surface uses energy-absorbing material. This segmentation allows the structural framework to maintain strength while the contact surface reduces force transmission to passengers during vehicle events
Solution Approach 2:
The table employs composite material construction combining rigid structural components (support assembly, connection points) with energy-absorbing materials (table top surface). This composite approach enables the table to simultaneously achieve structural strength for stability and force attenuation for passenger safety during acceleration changes
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the table top is moved away from the seat assembly during vehicle events, then passenger safety is improved, but the table cannot be used for its intended purpose during the event
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by moving the table top away from the seat assembly in response to detected vehicle events. This preliminary movement occurs automatically upon event detection, prioritizing passenger safety over table functionality during the event, while allowing full functionality to be restored when the vehicle returns to normal operation
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 system effectively reduces the force experienced by passengers during vehicle events by moving the table top to absorb energy, enhancing passenger safety in autonomous vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
absorb energy during an event that causes a sudden abnormal change in acceleration, speed, and/or direction of the compartment
Implementation Method 2
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 system includes a body structure that defines a cabin, a seat assembly that is located in the cabin, and a support structure that includes a top portion and an adjustable support assembly. The support structure is located adjacent to the seat assembly, the adjustable support assembly includes actuators, and the adjustable support assembly is configured to move the top portion with respect to the seat assembly. The system also includes sensors that are configured to generate sensor outputs regarding an environment outside of the system, and a controller that 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 top portion away from the seat assembly.