Table for vehicle

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle tables with movable parts do not adequately protect passengers during sudden stops or accelerations, as they can exert significant pressure on passengers, and do not provide sufficient space access for those with reduced mobility.

Innovation Solution

A table design featuring a first element secured to the vehicle, a second movable element that translates between extended and retracted positions, and a third rotatable element that deploys between 80° and 95°, with a convex curved lower surface to absorb impact and a hinge mechanism that resists torque, allowing for ergonomic device placement and enhanced safety.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of moving object

If a movable second table element is deployed to increase work surface area, then the area of moving object is improved, but the object-affected harmful factors worsen due to higher collision risk with passengers during sudden stops or accelerations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvework surface areaVSAvoidcollision risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The table is divided into a fixed first table element and a movable second table element that can be deployed or retracted independently. This segmentation allows the work surface area to be increased when needed while keeping the fixed element available to reduce collision risks during sudden vehicle movements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The fixed first table element acts as a cushioning structure that remains in place during sudden stops or accelerations. When the movable second element is deployed, the fixed element provides a buffer zone that reduces the harmful impact on passengers, preparing the system in advance for potential collision scenarios.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Ease of operation

If a movable second table element is retracted to facilitate access to seats, then the ease of operation is improved, but the area of moving object decreases, reducing work surface availability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess to seatsVSAvoidwork surface area
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSArea of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The second table element is designed to be dynamically movable between deployed and retracted positions. This dynamic capability allows the table to adapt its configuration based on operational needs - extended to provide work surface area when passengers are seated, and retracted to facilitate easy access to seats when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Volume of moving object

If the third table element is deployed at an angle between 80° and 95° to create additional space, then the volume of moving object is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the hinge mechanism and resistive torque requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadditional spaceVSAvoidhinge mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The third table element is designed with specific local qualities - a convex curved lower surface at the deployment end and a groove for receiving the projection. These localized features enable the element to achieve the required 80°-95° deployment angle and create additional space, while the groove-projection interface simplifies the hinge mechanism by providing natural alignment and stopping points.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 solution reduces the risk of injury from table impacts during sudden movements by distributing pressure and creating additional space for passengers with reduced mobility, while maintaining ergonomic functionality.

Implementation Method 1

the lower surface of the third element being configured to come into contact with the first element during the rotation of the third element from its rest position to its deployment position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectImpact force distribution: Impact Force

Implementation Method 2

the hinge being configured to exert a resistive torque between the second element and the third element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTorque: Torque

Data Source

PatentEP3640086B1Table for vehicle
Publication Date: 2021.03.10 ALSTOM TRANSPORT TECH SAS
  • EP3640086B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3640086B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP3640086B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

This vehicle table comprises: - a first element (12), - at least one second element (14), movably mounted on the first element (12) between a deployed position and a retracted position. The second element (14) is movably mounted in translation on the first element (12) between the deployed and retracted positions. The table (10) further comprises: - at least one third element (16) movably mounted in rotation on the second element (14) between a rest position and a deployed position, - coupling means (18) for the movement of the second and third elements (14, 16), configured to rotate the third element (16) from its rest position to its deployed position when the second element (14) is moved in translation from its deployed position to its retracted position.