Adjustable Headrest with Co-Rotating Belt Guide for Child Seats
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing child seats lack a comfortable and adaptable headrest system that effectively adjusts to the child's size and position, compromising both comfort and safety, especially during impacts.
Innovation Solution
A child seat with an inclination-adjustable headrest featuring a co-rotating belt guide and side cheeks, which can be adjusted to various positions, including a steeper inclination upon exceeding a predetermined inertial force, ensuring the child's head is securely positioned and minimizing movement during deceleration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the headrest is made fixed and non-adjustable, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to different child sizes and positions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The headrest is designed with an adjustable inclination mechanism that allows it to change its angle relative to the backrest. The headrest can be positioned in multiple inclination angles (e.g., more reclined or more upright positions) to adapt to different child sizes, ages, and seating positions, transforming a static structure into a dynamic, adaptable one without excessive complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The headrest system serves multiple functions: it provides head support for different child sizes, maintains proper seating posture, and works in conjunction with the co-rotating belt guide to ensure safety during impacts. This multi-functionality increases adaptability while keeping the overall design integrated and manageable
2Ease of operation
If the headrest inclination is adjusted to a flatter position for comfort, then the comfort for younger children is improved, but the safety during impacts deteriorates due to increased head movement
Solution Approach 1:
The headrest inclination is made adjustable rather than fixed, allowing it to be dynamically positioned based on the child's age, size, and whether they are sleeping or awake. This enables optimization of both comfort (flatter position for sleeping infants) and safety (more upright position for active older children), with the belt guide system adapting to each position
Solution Approach 2:
The inclination angle of the headrest relative to the backrest is changed as a key parameter to adapt to different usage scenarios. By adjusting this geometric parameter, the system optimizes the balance between comfort (larger angle for sleeping) and safety (smaller angle for active children), with the co-rotating belt guide maintaining effectiveness across the range
3Device complexity
If a fixed belt guide is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the safety during impacts deteriorates due to unoptimized force distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The belt guide is designed to rotate together with the headrest when the headrest inclination is adjusted. This dynamic coupling ensures that the belt guide maintains its optimal orientation relative to the child's body regardless of the headrest position, allowing for effective force distribution during impacts while keeping the overall system integrated and manageable
Solution Approach 2:
The co-rotating belt guide acts as an intermediary element that transfers and distributes impact forces optimally. By rotating with the headrest, it maintains the correct geometric relationship with the safety belt and child's body, ensuring that forces are distributed effectively across the child's torso and shoulders during deceleration events
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 adjustable headrest system enhances comfort and safety by distributing forces more effectively during impacts, reducing the risk of injury and maintaining a high level of safety across different child sizes and positions.
Implementation Method 1
a predetermined inertial force, which preferably amounts to at least 2 g, more preferably at least 4 g and/or preferably at most 12 g, more preferably at most 9 g, is exceeded
Implementation Method 2
the possible adjustment relative to the backrest of the inclination of the headrest includes at least one (in this case co-rotating) belt guide
Implementation Method 3
When a predetermined inertial force, which preferably amounts to at least 2 g, more preferably at least 4 g and/or preferably at most 12 g, more preferably at most 9 g, is exceeded, the headrest (13) is transferred into the steeper, in particular the steepest, inclined position
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a child seat for attaching to a motor vehicle seat, comprising a seat region, a backrest, a headrest having at least one belt guide, and a headrest inclination adjustment device for adjusting an inclination of the headrest relative to the backrest.