Perch Seat Table Assembly with Curved Transition Surface

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing rail vehicle passenger areas with perch seats lack convenience and safety, as tables are not easily accessible for seated passengers and can pose a risk during sudden acceleration or braking due to sharp edges.

Innovation Solution

A rail vehicle design featuring a perch seat and table assembly with a transition surface that provides a smooth, continuous edge between the seat and table, allowing easy access and minimizing the risk of injury during vehicle movements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the table is positioned away from the perch seat to provide working space, then the table is more accessible for standing passengers, but it becomes difficult for seated passengers to reach and creates a hazard during sudden acceleration or braking

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveTable accessibility for standing passengersVSAvoidRisk of injury to seated passengers during vehicle movement

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The transition surface is designed with a curved, rounded profile that smoothly connects the perch seat to the table. This curvature eliminates sharp edges and corners that could injure passengers during sudden vehicle movements, while the continuous shape maintains structural integrity and provides a safe, ergonomic transition zone for seated passengers

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

A transition surface is introduced as an intermediary element between the perch seat and the table. This intermediate structure serves as a buffer zone that protects seated passengers from direct contact with the table's hard edges during acceleration or braking, while still allowing standing passengers to access the table surface

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Area of moving object

If the table extends far in front of the perch seat to provide adequate working surface, then more working space is available, but the gap makes it difficult for seated passengers to reach the table

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveTable working surface areaVSAvoidTable accessibility for seated passengers

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The transition surface utilizes the vertical dimension by sloping upward from the perch seat level to the table surface level. This dimensional approach allows the table to extend forward while maintaining accessibility, as the inclined surface bridges the gap and enables seated passengers to reach the table without requiring excessive forward extension

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Ease of manufacture

If sharp edges are used at the table-perch seat junction to provide structural definition, then the structure is more clearly defined and easier to manufacture, but it creates injury risks during sudden acceleration or braking

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveStructural definition and manufacturing simplicityVSAvoidInjury risk from sharp edges during vehicle movement

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Data Source

PatentUS11472446B2Rail vehicle having a passenger area equipped with a perch seat and table assembly

Publication Date: 2022.10.18 BOMBARDIER TRANSPORTATION GMBH

AI summary

A rail vehicle is provided with an open passenger space equipped with a perch seat assembly. The perch seat assembly includes a perch seat, a table, and a transition portion joining the table to the perch seat. The table has a horizontal working surface which extends from a wall so that at least a portion of the table extends in front of the perch seat. The transition surface provides a continuous surface between the perch seat surface and the table surface so as to provide a smooth transition.