Elastic Headrest with Torsion and Compression Springs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Individuals who must maintain their head in extension for long periods or frequently experience discomfort, pain, and potential lesions due to compression on the cervical vertebrae, particularly in professions like climbing, construction, and electrical work, where traditional headrest devices fail to provide adequate comfort and prevent musculoskeletal disorders.
Innovation Solution
A headrest device equipped with elastic extension means that include a torsion spring and compression spring, allowing for adjustable mounting to maintain the head in a non-sliding, natural position, combined with a harness system for distributing forces and relieving pressure on the lumbar and cervical vertebrae, enabling fine adjustments for individual comfort and morphology.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the headrest is rigidly mounted on the back support, then the structural stability is improved, but the comfort and adaptability to individual users deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The headrest is mounted on the back support through a hinge joint that allows rotational movement, transforming the rigid static connection into a dynamic adjustable connection. This enables the headrest to adapt to different head positions and user morphologies while maintaining structural integrity through controlled articulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge mounting allows change in the angular parameter of the headrest relative to the back support. By adjusting the headrest angle within a range, the device adapts to different user needs and head positions, resolving the contradiction between structural stability and adaptability.
2Device complexity
If elastic return means act only on tipping movement, then the manufacturing complexity is reduced, but the comfort and support quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic return means are segmented into two independent components: a first elastic element acting on tipping movement and a second elastic element acting on longitudinal translation. This segmentation allows each element to be simpler in design while collectively providing comprehensive comfort and support, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing complexity and support quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution adds another dimension of elastic support by introducing the second elastic element for longitudinal translation, independent from the first element for tipping. This multi-dimensional approach enhances comfort without proportionally increasing manufacturing complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the headrest allows longitudinal translation, then the adaptability to different head positions is improved, but the stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The headrest is mounted on the back support through a hinge joint that allows rotational movement, transforming the rigid static connection into a dynamic adjustable connection. This enables the headrest to adapt to different head positions and user morphologies while maintaining structural integrity through controlled articulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge mounting allows change in the angular parameter of the headrest relative to the back support. By adjusting the headrest angle within a range, the device adapts to different user needs and head positions, resolving the contradiction between structural stability and adaptability.
4Ease of operation
If adjustment means are made accessible to users during work, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment means are designed to be accessible to and operable by the user themselves during work activities, without requiring assistance or removal of the device. This self-service capability improves ease of operation while the integration into the existing structure minimizes additional complexity.
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 device provides enhanced comfort and reduces musculoskeletal strain by maintaining the head in a stable position, relieving pressure on the cervical and lumbar vertebrae, and allowing for easy adjustments to suit individual users and specific working conditions, thereby preventing fatigue and discomfort.
Implementation Method 1
a torsion spring bearing on the headrest and on an upper bearing surface of a slider slidably mounted in the main body of the back support
Implementation Method 2
a compression spring maintained in a guide bore inside the slider and that tends to deploy this by extending the back support
Data Source
AI summary
A headrest device includes a headrest (1) which is movably mounted on a back support (3) associated with a harness (4) for holding the back support on the back of a user. The headrest is mounted to elastically slide in longitudinal translation along the back support and is elastically attached to the back support in an articulated manner to tilt transversely. The headrest is used continuously according to the movements of the head in extension thereof towards a nominal resting position. The device may include a first torsion spring acting antagonistically in relation to the transverse tilting movements of the headrest and a compression spring acting antagonistically in relation to the longitudinal translation movements of the headrest. The two springs act synchronously during operation, continuously tracking movements of the head of the wearer in relation to a nominal rest position, with non-sliding support at the back of the head.