Foldable Head Support Hinge for Seated Travel Sleep
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Solution Overview
Problem
Travelers, especially those in seated positions during long journeys by plane, train, or bus, face challenges in comfortably resting or sleeping due to the lack of suitable support for prone or side-sleeping positions, as conventional neck pillows and tray tables do not provide an optimal solution.
Innovation Solution
A portable head support system consisting of a baseboard and a headrest connected by a hinge, allowing adjustable reclining angles, designed to fit within carry-on luggage, providing a compact and comfortable sleeping solution by supporting the head and torso when used with a backpack or carry-on item.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a neck pillow is used to provide head support, then head support is improved, but it does not provide optimal support for prone or side-sleeping positions
Solution Approach 1:
The head support device incorporates a hinge mechanism that allows the headrest to be adjusted to multiple angles and positions. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the device to adapt to different sleeping positions including upright, reclined, prone, and side-sleeping positions, resolving the contradiction between providing head support and adapting to various sleeping positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The head support device is designed with a baseboard that can function in multiple ways: it can rest on the user's lap, be placed on a surface, or be positioned behind the user. The headrest can be adjusted to various angles and orientations, making the device universally applicable to different sleeping positions and configurations, thus providing both head support and position adaptability.
2Volume of moving object
If a portable head support is designed to be compact and fit inside carry-on luggage, then portability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The head support device is designed to nest within itself when not in use. The headrest folds down onto the baseboard, and the entire assembly can be compacted to fit inside a carry-on bag or backpack. This nesting capability reduces storage volume while maintaining a relatively simple device structure with minimal moving parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is divided into two main segments: a baseboard and a headrest connected by a hinge. This segmentation allows the headrest to be folded or adjusted independently while the baseboard remains stable. The segmented design enables compact storage while keeping the overall device structure simple and manageable.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the hinge range of motion is made adjustable to permit different head reclining angles, then adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge mechanism is designed to be adjustable, allowing the headrest to be positioned at various angles relative to the baseboard. This dynamic adjustability provides adaptability for different sleeping positions without requiring complex mechanisms, as the hinge allows natural movement and positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge mechanism is designed to be simple and intuitive, allowing users to easily adjust the headrest angle without requiring complex controls or mechanisms. The adjustability is achieved through a straightforward hinge design that users can manipulate with one hand, maintaining simplicity while providing adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention is directed to a portable head support designed to fit in the interior of a carry-on article carried by a passenger. The device provides head support for those who prefer sleeping in a face-down position and comprises a base and a head support connected along at least one of their abutting edges by a mechanism which permits the angle between the base and head support to be adjusted by the user.