Extendable Vehicle Headrest for Adjustable Neck Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle headrests are often of fixed size and shape, providing limited adjustability, which can lead to discomfort during long periods of rest or sleep, especially in parked vehicles, and do not adequately support the head and neck in various resting positions.
Innovation Solution
A headrest with a housing and an extension cushion that is laterally translatable within a channel, allowing the extension cushion to extend from the housing for increased support and comfort, featuring a worm and pinion gear system controlled by an actuator for automatic positioning based on the vehicle's state.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the headrest is made of fixed size and shape, then the structure is simple and rigid, but the comfort and support for various resting positions is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The headrest is divided into two separate cushions: a primary support cushion and an extension cushion. The extension cushion can be independently translated relative to the primary support cushion, allowing the headrest to be segmented into different functional zones that can be independently positioned to accommodate various resting positions and occupant needs.
2Ease of operation
If the extension cushion is made translatable to provide enhanced support, then comfort is improved, but the device complexity increases with channel and translation mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The extension cushion is configured to be manually translatable by the occupant along the channel, eliminating the need for complex motorized or automated translation mechanisms. The simple channel structure guides the cushion's movement while keeping the overall device complexity low, yet still provides ease of operation for comfort adjustment.
3Area of moving object
If the extension cushion extends from the housing, then the rest surface area is increased, but the volume of the headrest increases
Solution Approach 1:
The extension cushion is designed to nest within the housing when not in use, with the channel providing a pathway for the cushion to be stored compactly inside the headrest housing. When the extension cushion is translated outward, it increases the rest surface area, but when retracted, it returns to a compact nested state, minimizing the overall volume occupied by the headrest.
Data Source
AI summary
A headrest includes a housing defining a channel therethrough, a primary support cushion disposed on the housing, and an extension cushion disposed within the channel and translatable between a stowed position in which the extension cushion is stored within the channel and an extended position in which the extension cushion extends from the housing. A vehicle includes a body defining a passenger compartment and a seat disposed within the passenger compartment. The seat includes a frame, a seating surface supported by the frame, and the headrest attached to the frame. A method of adjusting the headrest includes determining whether the vehicle is in a parked or driving state and whether an actuator is in an on or off condition. If the actuator is in the on condition and the vehicle is in the parked state, the method includes translating the headrest from the stowed to the extended position.