Foldable Seat Headrest Locking for Rear Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing headrests obstruct access to areas behind the seat, such as storage compartments or controls, in vehicles or aircraft, due to their fixed position, hindering user access from the seated position.
Innovation Solution
A headrest design with a pivotally attached upper frame part that can be locked in fully open and folded positions, featuring a spring-loaded push-button mechanism to facilitate easy folding and locking, allowing unobstructed access when needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the headrest is made fixed and permanent, then head support comfort and safety are improved, but access to the area behind the seat is obstructed
Solution Approach 1:
The headrest is designed with a movable upper frame part that can pivot between a fully open position (providing head support) and a folded position (clearing the path to the storage area). The dynamic configuration allows the headrest to adapt between two functional states: supported when needed for comfort/safety, and folded when needed for access.
Solution Approach 2:
The headrest is divided into two separate frame parts: a lower frame part that remains fixed to the seat back, and an upper frame part that can pivot independently. This segmentation allows the lower part to maintain structural stability and support function, while the upper part can be moved to clear the access path without compromising the overall structure.
2Ease of operation
If the headrest is made movable to improve access, then access to the area behind the seat is improved, but structural stability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The headrest employs a pivotal connection that allows controlled movement between defined positions while maintaining structural integrity. The dynamic design includes a locking mechanism that stabilizes the upper frame part in both the fully open and folded positions, ensuring the headrest is stable when providing support and can be reliably positioned when folded for access.
Solution Approach 2:
By separating the headrest into a fixed lower frame part and a movable upper frame part, the structural stability is preserved in the lower portion that remains anchored to the seat, while only the necessary upper portion becomes movable to enable access without compromising overall structural integrity.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a locking mechanism is added to maintain positions, then positional stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is designed to automatically engage and lock the upper frame part in either the fully open or folded position without requiring manual intervention. The mechanism self-activates based on the position of the upper frame part, providing automatic positional stabilization and reducing the need for complex control systems or manual operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism replaces complex mechanical linkages or electronic control systems with a simpler spring-loaded detent system that uses elastic potential energy storage and gravitational forces to achieve automatic locking, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining positional stability.
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
Enables convenient access to areas behind the seat by allowing the headrest to be easily folded away, maintaining support when needed and locking in place for normal use.
Implementation Method 1
a spring arranged to bias the locking member into locking engagement with the opening
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A seat headrest comprising: a headrest frame (12) having: a lower frame part (14) configured to be attached to a seat back; an upper frame part (24) pivotally attached to the lower frame part at a pivot point to be moveable between a fully open position and a folded position; and a locking mechanism (40) at the pivot point to releasably lock the upper frame part relative to the lower frame part in the fully open position and the folded position, the locking mechanism including a release member (42) for operation by a user to release the lock to enable the upper frame part to be pivoted relative to the lower frame part.