A timeline of innovation: How natured inspired the design and engineering of the Shinkansen 500 series
By Cheri
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JR seeks to improve their famous trains
Japan Railways seeks to find ways to make bullet trains more efficient. The re-design of the train started in 1989 with a proposed launch date of 1994. -
Nature and Curiosity
Research suggests that Engineer Eiji Nakatsu was inspired by nature, and as an avid birdwatcher was able to integrate some of the characteristics of birds and other wildlife to redesign the shinkansen based on the principles of aerodynamics in nature. -
The Challenge
There were several key problems identified with the current trains operating between Shin-Osaka to Hakata Challenges included the high level of noise, vibration and the pressure waves or ‘sonic boom’ when the train passed through a tunnel. -
When Biomimicry and Creativity Meet
Engineers looked to biomimicry as a way to overcome the current challenges. They sought to adopt and repurpose patterns, ideas and insights from nature in their design process -
The Creative Brief
Interestingly, the brief to the team of engineers was not how to make the train run faster, but how to make it run with less noise. -
How Owl Feathers Inspired the Design Process
Curiosity + Creativity = Action: The challenge for engineers was to reduce the loud vibrating noise emanating from the pantograph (the device that is mounted on the top of the trains to collect currents from several wires). Looking to the owl as inspiration and how its feathers have the ability to minimise sound the pantograph was redesigned to include small serrations, which resulted in reduced noise. -
How the Form of the Adele Penguin Inspired Engineers
Most of the noise emanated from the supporting frame of the pantograph, examining the body of the Adelie Penguin, shaped like a spindle, this was adapted to reshape the pantograph’s supporting shaft and like the Adelie Penguin’s ability to move effortlessly in water, it lowered the train’s resistance to wind. -
How the Kingfisher's Beak Inspired a Radical New Approach
The biggest challenge facing the engineering team was the loud ‘bang' that occurred due to pressure changes when entering and exiting tunnels. Eiji, an avid birdwatcher used the Kingfisher’s head and beak shape as inspiration. He observed that a kingfisher is able to transition from land to water efficiently diving into the water to capture prey with a minimal splash. -
How Curiosity and Creativity Led to a New Engineering Paradigm
Adapting the shape and length of the Kingfishers beak was the driving force behind the redesign of the Shinkansen to a 15-metre long nose for the 500 series, which managed to eliminate the loud bang—or sonic boom—that occurred when exiting a tunnel. -
The Launch of the Shinkansen 500
Eiji Nakatsu is appointed Director of Technical Development and Test Operation Department of JR-West overseeing the design, and engineering and launch of the trains -
The Results of Curiosity, Creativity and Action
The newly launched 500 series, were reportedly not only quieter than its predecessor, but having applied the principles of biomimicry to other components of the train, they were also reported to use 15% less electricity and travel 10% faster.