Foldable Headrest Cam Linkage for Coordinated Seat Folding
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing occupant supports for vehicles with folding headrests lack an efficient mechanism for folding the headrest during the overall folding movement of the seat, often resulting in complex mechanisms or incomplete folding positions that may obstruct other occupants or fail to provide adequate space.
Innovation Solution
The occupant support incorporates a cam mechanism coupled to the side frame member and headrest via a connecting member, where the rotation of the cam relative to the seat back and side frame member causes the headrest to fold about its own axis, allowing for coordinated folding of the seat back and headrest during the occupant support's folding movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional folding mechanism is used for the headrest, then the headrest can be folded, but the mechanism becomes complex and the folding position may be incomplete causing obstruction to other occupants
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the headrest folding mechanism with the seat back folding mechanism into a single integrated system. The cam mechanism is mounted on the seat back and interacts with the headrest support structure, so that one folding motion simultaneously folds both the seat back and the headrest, eliminating the need for separate folding mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a cam as an intermediary element between the seat back folding motion and the headrest folding motion. The cam converts the linear or rotational motion of the seat back into the appropriate motion to fold the headrest, providing a simple yet effective coupling mechanism
2Device complexity
If the headrest folds about the same axis as the seat back, then the mechanism is simpler, but the headrest cannot achieve proper folded position without obstructing other occupants
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the folding motion into two independent rotational movements: one about the seat back fold axis and another about the headrest fold axis. This allows each component to fold independently about its own optimized axis, achieving both structural simplicity and proper folding position
3Device complexity
If the headrest folding is not coordinated with seat back folding, then the mechanisms can be independent and simpler, but the overall folding movement becomes inefficient and may compromise safety
Solution Approach 1:
The cam mechanism is pre-configured on the seat back in a position that ensures the headrest will fold automatically as the seat back folds. The geometry of the cam and its connection to the headrest support structure is designed beforehand to guarantee coordinated folding without requiring additional control systems
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
This solution enables a smooth and coordinated folding of the headrest and seat back, ensuring the headrest is safely folded without obstructing other occupants or compromising space, enhancing the usability and safety of the occupant support system.
Implementation Method 1
The cam is coupled to the side frame member in a fixed position relative to the side frame member and coupled to the headrest such that rotation of the cam relative to the headrest causes the headrest to rotate about the headrest fold axis
Implementation Method 2
The side frame member is rotatably coupled to the seat back and configured to rotate relative to the seat back about a side frame rotation axis
Implementation Method 3
the seat back rotates in a first rotational direction about the seat back fold axis
Data Source
AI summary
An occupant support includes a seat bottom, a seat back, and a cam. The seat bottom includes a side frame member. The seat back includes a headrest configured to fold about a headrest fold axis. The side frame member is rotatably coupled to the seat back and configured to rotate relative to the seat back about a side frame rotation axis. The cam is coupled to the side frame member and coupled to the headrest such that rotation of the cam causes the headrest to rotate about the headrest fold axis. Rotation of the cam about the side frame rotation axis relative to the seat back causes the cam to pull a connecting member which causes the headrest to rotate about the headrest fold axis to a folded position. The rotation of the headrest about the headrest fold axis occurs during the occupant support folding movement.