Adjustable Headrest with Pivoting Neck Supports for Passenger Comfort
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing headrests for passenger vehicles, particularly in aircraft, primarily focus on safety rather than providing comfort and adequate neck support, lacking adjustable features that can effectively support the user's neck during various movements.
Innovation Solution
A fully adjustable headrest with pivotally connected wing-like neck supports that swing downward from an upper stowed position, combined with a vertically adjustable head support and easily adjustable chin support members, utilizing friction hinges and strategically positioned comfort cushions for enhanced support and comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If headrests are designed primarily for safety with vertical adjustment only, then safety protection is improved, but comfort and neck support are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The headrest is divided into multiple functional segments: a vertical head support member and separate lateral neck support members that can be independently adjusted. This segmentation allows the headrest to provide both vertical safety support and lateral neck comfort support simultaneously, resolving the contradiction between safety and comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The neck support members are designed to be dynamically adjustable relative to the head support member, allowing users to customize the support configuration based on their specific comfort needs while maintaining the primary safety function. This dynamic adjustability enables the headrest to adapt to different user preferences without compromising safety.
2Ease of operation
If headrests include lateral headrest elements and adjustability features, then comfort is improved, but device complexity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The neck support members are integrated with the head support member through a unified adjustment mechanism. The lateral neck support members are connected to the vertically adjustable head support member, allowing both vertical and lateral adjustments to be coordinated through a single system, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining comfort and adjustability features.
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 headrest provides improved comfort and safety by allowing customizable support for the neck and head, ensuring optimal positioning and stability during use, addressing the limitations of prior art headrests by incorporating adjustable and ergonomic design elements.
Implementation Method 1
the adjustable wing like neck supports are pivotally connected to a vertically adjustable head support member by means of a friction hinge
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates generally to headrests for seats. More particularly, the invention concerns a fully adjustable headrest with novel neck support members for use in connection with furniture and with passenger vehicles such as aircraft, trains and buses.