Carrier Head Support Cushion for Upright Sleep Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Passengers experience discomfort and neck strain during long haul flights in economy class due to the inability to maintain head support in upright sitting positions, leading to repeated jerking motions that disrupt sleep.

Innovation Solution

A combination carrier unit and head support apparatus featuring a rucksack or baby carrier with a cushion and adjustable straps, a stiffening member, and arm securing provisions to maintain head support and promote a natural sleeping position.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a passenger sits in an upright position during long haul flights, then the passenger can maintain alertness and posture, but the head weight causes jerking motions that disrupt sleep and cause neck strain

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomfort of upright sitting positionVSAvoidhead weight causing jerking motion and neck strain

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The head support cushion acts as an intermediary device positioned between the passenger's head and the seat backrest. It provides a dedicated support surface that distributes head weight and maintains proper head alignment, preventing the jerking motion that occurs when the head drops forward during sleep in upright positions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The head support is designed as a separable cushion that can be detached from the carrier unit. This segmentation allows the head support function to be independently optimized and adjusted without affecting the carrier unit, enabling passengers to use the head support specifically when needed during flights.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a head support cushion is added to the carrier unit, then head support and sleep comfort are improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehead support stabilityVSAvoidcarrier unit structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment means for the head support cushion are pre-integrated into the carrier unit structure during manufacturing. This preliminary preparation of attachment points (such as loops, clips, or magnetic elements) allows the cushion to be quickly and easily attached or detached without requiring complex assembly procedures or additional tools during use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If the carrier unit is designed with torso engaging edge and arm securing provisions, then the carrier unit prevents head support from falling away and provides additional support, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehead support position stabilityVSAvoidcarrier unit features

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The carrier unit is designed with multi-functional features that serve multiple purposes. The torso engaging edge not only prevents the head support from falling away but also provides additional torso support and positioning. The arm securing provisions serve both to hold the arms in position during sleep and to help stabilize the overall carrier unit on the passenger's body, maximizing the utility of each added feature.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS8333308B2Combination carrier unit and head support apparatus

Publication Date: 2012.12.18 ADVITEX

AI summary

A combination carrier unit and head support apparatus has a carrier unit body with fastening members for releasably fastening the combination carrier unit and head support apparatus to a person. The carrier unit body has a head support in the form of a cushion releasably mountable thereon for supporting a person's head. The cushion may be inflatable or constructed of foam material and is provided with an attachment element to mount the cushion onto the carrier unit body.