January 2016 Archives

In response to concerns about global warming and depletion of subterranean resources such as petroleum oil, the automobile industry is rapidly shifting from gasoline-based cars to hybrid and electric cars. As a CO₂ emissions-reduction measure, many countries are competing to make solar power or wind power generation fit for practical use as a source of energy.

Weight-reduction techniques are one of the most important technological innovations in the midst of this competition. This section explains weight-reduction techniques.

(1) Purpose of weight-reduction techniques

• The purpose of adopting weight-reduction techniques is to save energy consumption by reducing the weight of a moving body.

Examples:
(1)Substitute an automobile body made of steel with one made of aluminum alloy to reduce weight ([Fig.1])
(2)Reduce the weight of bullet train cars by adopting aluminum alloy materials
(3)Reduce the weight of an airplane by increasing the ratio of CFRP composite materials

• Adopting weight-reduction technologies is becoming more important in the field of automation devices and mechanical devices for the same purpose.

Examples:
(4)Substitute the metal stock with resin material to reduce the weight of a movable body
(5)Substitute the steel material of the device column portion with resin composite, concrete composite, or ceramic materials
(6)Adopt a slim or hollow design for the component parts, such as linear slide guides, or reduce the weight by material substitution

(2)Overview and agenda of weight-reduction techniques

In line with the rapid aging of society on a global scale in the 21st century, incorporating design concepts with consideration to elderly people and people with disabilities is one of the most important themes for ISO in creating international standards.

Similar Terms Used in Universal Design

• Similar terms for "Universal Design" include the following:

  (1)Accessible Design
  (2)Design for All
  (3)Barrier Free Design
  (4)Inclusive Design

Accessible Design

• The word "accessible" means approachable and easy-to-use.
• In Japan, "design with consideration to elderly people and people with disabilities" and "design in response to the needs of elderly people and people with disabilities" are adopted as language used in the accessible design concept.
• However, the term "accessible" meaning approachable or easy-to-use does not target only elderly people and people with disabilities. This also refers to sophisticated designs that everyone can easily become familiar with.

Design for All

• This literary means "designs for everyone".
• This concept aims at creating user-friendly products, services, and systems, regardless of the user's ability or situation.
• This concept is mainly prevalent in Europe.
• This could be close to the meaning of universal design in terms of the design concept.

Barrier Free Design

• The concept of designing products, public services, buildings or environments, including commercial facilities and transportation systems, so that they are easily accessible to people with physical impairments.
• This is the fundamental concept of "barrier free" frequently used in building designs.

Inclusive Design

• The term "inclusive" means that it includes everything in a comprehensive manner.
• This term is used for representing all-inclusive designs that accommodate everyone's needs.
• This design concept includes design research toward creating a future market structure based on changes in demographics and the social involvement of people with disabilities.

For more information, please refer to "JIS HB Ergonomics: JIS Z 8071".