Cable Driven Head Restraint for Reversible Seat
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Solution Overview
Problem
Reversible seats in vehicles face interference issues with the headliner when the head restraint remains upright during seat movement between forward-facing and rearward-facing positions, necessitating a solution to avoid this interference while maintaining ergonomic support.
Innovation Solution
A cable-driven head restraint that articulates to a fold flat position as the seat moves between forward-facing and rearward-facing positions, utilizing a mechanism connected to seat linkages to automatically pivot and lock in place, avoiding interference with the vehicle headliner.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the head restraint remains upright during seat movement, then ergonomic support is maintained, but interference with the vehicle headliner occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The head restraint is designed to dynamically change its orientation based on seat position. It automatically articulates between upright and fold-flat positions through a cable-driven mechanism linked to seat movement, allowing it to adapt its configuration to avoid headliner interference while maintaining ergonomic support when needed
Solution Approach 2:
The head restraint system uses the kinetic energy from seat movement itself to drive the articulation mechanism. The cable linkage converts the mechanical energy of seat reconfiguration into rotational motion of the head restraint, eliminating the need for separate actuators or manual intervention
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the head restraint articulates to fold flat position, then interference with headliner is avoided, but manual adjustment is required
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically utilizes the existing mechanical energy from seat reconfiguration to drive the head restraint articulation. The cable-driven mechanism converts seat movement kinetic energy into rotational motion, enabling self-adjustment without requiring separate actuators, power sources, or manual intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The articulation mechanism is integrated with the seat reconfiguration system through a shared cable-driven linkage. The head restraint articulation is merged with the seat movement mechanism, allowing both functions to be controlled by the same actuation force and mechanical energy source
Data Source
AI summary
An improved head restraint is provided for a reversible seat that is movable between two use positions, namely a forward-facing position and a rearward-facing position. The improved head restraint automatically pivots to a fold flat position upon unlocking of the seat, wherein the head restraint is positioned in this fold flat position during reversing seat movement, so as to reduce the seat height and clear the vehicle headliner. The head restraint is cable driven and operably connected to the seat linkages that control movement of the seat cushion and seat back during reversing movement. As such, the seat movement articulates the head restraint so that the head restraint angles forwardly toward the occupant in the forward-facing position and rearwardly toward the occupant in the rearward-facing position, while permitting the head restraint to automatically articulate to the fold flat position during travel of the seat between these two use positions.