Auto-Tilting Vehicle Headrest for Loudspeaker Alignment

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle headrests require manual adjustment, which can be difficult and time-consuming, and their position can adversely impact the listening experience by not aligning the occupant's head with the sound beams from vehicle loudspeakers.

Innovation Solution

A motor-driven headrest system with sensors and controllers that automatically adjusts the headrest to a predetermined position relative to loudspeakers for optimal listening experience, using sensors to detect the headrest's location and controllers to control the motor for precise alignment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual headrest adjustment is used, then device complexity is reduced, but ease of operation deteriorates and listening experience is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of headrest adjustmentVSAvoidcomplexity of headrest system

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The headrest system automatically adjusts itself using a motor driven by a controller that receives signals from sensors detecting occupant position and loudspeaker locations. The system serves itself by eliminating the need for manual intervention, with the controller autonomously controlling the motor to position the headrest at optimal locations for both comfort and audio experience.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment with an automated electromechanical system. A motor driven by electrical signals from a controller substitutes for manual mechanical operation, enabling precise and repeatable positioning based on sensor data rather than human intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Manufacturing precision

If manual headrest adjustment is used, then device complexity is reduced, but listening experience deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprecision of headrest positioningVSAvoidcomplexity of headrest system

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses sensors to detect the position of the headrest and the locations of loudspeakers, providing feedback to the controller. The controller processes this information and adjusts the motor operation to achieve precise positioning that optimizes both occupant comfort and listening experience, ensuring the headrest is correctly positioned relative to the audio sources.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment with an automated electromechanical system. A motor driven by electrical signals from a controller substitutes for manual mechanical operation, enabling precise and repeatable positioning based on sensor data rather than human intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If automatic headrest adjustment is implemented, then listening experience is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereliability of optimal positioningVSAvoidsimplicity of headrest operation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The headrest system automatically adjusts itself using a motor driven by a controller that receives signals from sensors detecting occupant position and loudspeaker locations. The system serves itself by eliminating the need for manual intervention, with the controller autonomously controlling the motor to position the headrest at optimal locations for both comfort and audio experience.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses sensors to detect the position of the headrest and the locations of loudspeakers, providing feedback to the controller. The controller processes this information and adjusts the motor operation to achieve precise positioning that optimizes both occupant comfort and listening experience, ensuring the headrest is correctly positioned relative to the audio sources.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS12508966B2System and method for auto-tilting headrest for vehicle audio experience

Publication Date: 2025.12.30 HARMAN INT IND INC

AI summary

In at least one embodiment, a seat assembly is provided. The seatback receives an occupant in a vehicle. A headrest is coupled to the seatback. The headrest includes a motor, at least one sensor, and at least one controller. The motor rotates the headrest to orient an occupant's head relative to one or more loudspeakers positioned in the vehicle. The at least one sensor is configured to detect a location of the headrest. The at least one controller is programmed to control the motor to move the headrest to a predetermined location relative to the one or more loudspeakers positioned in the vehicle to optimize a listening experience for the occupant in the vehicle.