Rail Passenger Tabletop With Pivoting Tray for Impact Energy Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing table tops in passenger vehicles, such as rail vehicles, fail to effectively reduce the risk of severe abdominal injuries during collisions while maintaining comfort and accessibility for passengers, particularly those with reduced mobility.
Innovation Solution
A table top design featuring a fixed part connected to the vehicle with a mobile tray that rotates and translates, allowing the tray to pivot from a deployed to an inclined position, increasing the surface area to absorb energy and reduce injury risk, incorporating features like friction hinges and a damping device for stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the table top is made rigid and thick (20mm to 40mm), then the structural strength is improved, but the risk of severe abdominal injuries to passengers increases
Solution Approach 1:
The table top is designed with mobile parts that can rotate and translate, transforming from a static rigid structure to a dynamic system. The mobile tablet rotates about an axis and translates along a perpendicular axis, allowing the surface area to increase during impact and absorb passenger energy while maintaining structural strength through the frame mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical parameters of the table top by increasing its effective surface area during impact. The mobile tablet rotates to an inclined position and translates to maximize distance from the fixed part, transforming the compact rigid surface into an extended energy-absorbing surface, thereby reducing impact pressure on the passenger's abdomen.
2Ease of operation
If the table top incorporates foldable parts for better access, then the ease of operation is improved, but the ability to reduce injury risk deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The table top incorporates mobile parts that can rotate and translate, providing dynamic adaptability. The mobile tablet rotates about an axis parallel to the plate plane and translates along a perpendicular axis, allowing the surface area to increase during impact and absorb passenger energy while maintaining structural strength through the frame mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical parameters of the table top by increasing its effective surface area during impact. The mobile tablet rotates to an inclined position and translates to maximize distance from the fixed part, transforming the compact rigid surface into an extended energy-absorbing surface, thereby reducing impact pressure on the passenger's abdomen.
3Loss of energy
If the table top uses basic rigid structure for protection, then the energy absorption capability is improved, but the comfort of use deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The table top is designed with mobile parts that can rotate and translate, transforming from a static rigid structure to a dynamic system. The mobile tablet rotates about an axis and translates along a perpendicular axis, allowing the surface area to increase during impact and absorb passenger energy while maintaining structural strength through the frame mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical parameters of the table top by increasing its effective surface area during impact. The mobile tablet rotates to an inclined position and translates to maximize distance from the fixed part, transforming the compact rigid surface into an extended energy-absorbing surface, thereby reducing impact pressure on the passenger's abdomen.
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 dual mobility and adjustable orientation of the tray enhance energy absorption and distribute passenger impact, reducing the risk of abdominal injuries while maintaining comfort and accessibility for passengers.
Implementation Method 1
The damping device is an axle fixed to the frame and sliding with friction in the fixed part of the plate
Implementation Method 2
The damping device is a cylinder, one part of which is fixed to the frame and another part is fixed to the fixed part of the plate
Implementation Method 3
The tablet is mounted on the frame by means of friction hinges able to maintain the tablet in an inclined position
Data Source
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AI summary
This tabletop (2) for a passenger compartment (H) of a vehicle (V), particularly a railway vehicle, comprises a fixed portion (4) connected to the vehicle (V) and at least one movable shelf (6) intended to be positioned opposite a passenger seat (F). This shelf (6) is movable about an axis of rotation parallel to a plane (P2) of the tabletop (2). The tabletop (2) comprises a frame (8) on which the shelf (6) is mounted, allowing rotation about the axis parallel to the plane (P2) of the tabletop (2). This frame (8) is movable in translation relative to the fixed portion (4) of the tabletop (2) along an axis parallel to the plane (P2) of the tabletop (2) and perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the shelf (6). In its deployed configuration, the shelf (6) is deployed flush with the fixed portion (4) of the tabletop (2), with the frame (8) positioned at its maximum distance from the fixed portion (4) of the tabletop (2).In a folded configuration, the tablet (6) is pivoted about its axis of rotation in an inclined position relative to the fixed part (4) of the platform (2), the chassis (8) being in a position of minimal distance from the fixed part (4) of the platform (2).