Chin rest
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for supporting the head while seated in mass transit, such as neck pillows and portable headrests, often fail to provide adequate support under the chin, leading to discomfort and strain due to spatial constraints and the need for frequent purchases or loss of devices.
Innovation Solution
A chin rest with a semi-rigid, closed cell polystyrene material design featuring a concave top and bottom surface, angled planes, and transverse channels for accommodating the chin and upper chest, allowing neutral head positioning without straining the neck, and enabling inexpensive mass production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a neck pillow is used to support the head, then the head can be supported during travel, but the pillow does not provide adequate support under the chin, causing the head to lean forward and strain the neck
Solution Approach 1:
The chin rest is designed as a separate device from the neck pillow, with distinct functional zones: a top surface for chin support and bottom surfaces for chest/shoulder support. This segmentation allows each surface to be optimized for its specific function, providing proper anatomical support without the compromises of a single integrated pillow design.
Solution Approach 2:
Different surfaces of the chin rest have different geometric properties tailored to specific body parts: the top surface is concave to cradle the chin, while the bottom surfaces are planar or slightly contoured to distribute pressure across the chest and shoulders. This local optimization of surface quality ensures comfortable and effective support at each contact point.
2Reliability
If a portable headrest is placed between the head and shoulder, then some support is provided, but the device must be repositioned to lean to the other side and can be lost or misplaced between travels
Solution Approach 1:
The chin rest is designed to be universally applicable to both sides of the body through its symmetrical geometry. The identical bottom surfaces on both sides allow the device to be positioned on either the left or right chest/shoulder area, eliminating the need for repositioning when changing sides. This universal design also makes the device easy to identify and retrieve.
Solution Approach 2:
The chin rest is designed to be inexpensive to manufacture and replace, addressing the issue of loss or misplacement between travels. By lowering the cost barrier, users are more likely to carry the device on every trip without concern about replacement costs, ensuring consistent availability when needed.
3Reliability
If existing resting devices are purchased for each travel, then adequate support is provided, but the cost becomes prohibitive for infrequent travelers
Solution Approach 1:
The chin rest is designed with simplicity and low material requirements, enabling inexpensive mass production. The basic geometric form requires minimal processing and can be manufactured from common materials, dramatically reducing the cost compared to complex pillows or adjustable devices. This cost reduction makes the device economically viable for infrequent travelers who would otherwise forego purchasing support equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of designing expensive, complex, and highly durable devices that travelers must protect and replace, the invention inverts the approach by designing simple, affordable devices that can be easily replaced if lost. This inversion shifts the value proposition from durability to accessibility, ensuring that support is available to all travelers regardless of frequency or budget.
Data Source
AI summary
A chin rest includes a body having opposing sides, a front, a back, a top having a top surface, and a bottom having a bottom surface. The top further defines a top plane between a front and back of the top, and the bottom defines a bottom plane between a front of the bottom and a back of the bottom. The top plane and bottom plane form an angle so that the chin rest can comfortable sit between a user's chin and the user's chest, with the user's chin resting on the top surface, and the bottom surface engaged against the user's upper chest. The user's head can be comfortably supported while the user is seated, allowing the user to relax muscles in the neck and avoid strain and other issues normally associated with resting without support in a seated position.