Folding Chair Headrest Hinge for Secure Stowable Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Chairs with removable headrests are prone to loss and require cumbersome installation and removal, limiting their usability and completeness when the headrest is not in use.

Innovation Solution

A chair design featuring a headrest connected via hinge units and safety caps, allowing for quick and intentional detachment and reattachment, ensuring the headrest remains associated with the chair and can be easily converted between operating and inoperative positions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the headrest is fixed to the backrest, then the headrest remains securely attached and cannot be lost, but the user cannot remove the headrest when not needed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to remove headrestVSAvoidheadrest attachment security

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The headrest attachment system transitions from a static fixed connection to a dynamic removable connection through hinge units that allow the headrest to be attached and detached while remaining associated with the chair framework, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The headrest is nested within the chair framework through hinge units that allow it to be stored in an inoperative position folded against the backrest, ensuring it remains associated with the chair while allowing removal when needed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the headrest is made removable, then the user can remove it when not needed, but the headrest may be easily lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to remove headrestVSAvoidheadrest loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The headrest is designed to be nested within the chair framework when not in use, folded against the backrest and held in place, ensuring it remains associated with the chair and cannot be lost while still allowing easy removal when needed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The hinge units act as intermediary connection elements between the headrest and chair framework, providing a controlled removable connection that prevents loss while allowing adaptability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the headrest is fixed to the backrest, then the chair maintains complete and unified appearance, but the user cannot transform the chair configuration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechair configuration transformationVSAvoidchair appearance completeness

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The headrest connection system is designed to be dynamically transformable between operative and inoperative configurations through hinge units, allowing the chair to adapt its appearance while maintaining structural integrity and visual completeness in both states

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Adaptability or versatility

If the headrest is made removable, then the user can adapt the chair to different uses, but the transformation process is cumbersome and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechair configuration transformationVSAvoidheadrest installation and removal time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The hinge units enable dynamic and quick transformation of the headrest between operative and inoperative positions through simple rotational movements, reducing the time and effort required for configuration changes while maintaining full adaptability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 seamless transformation between chair configurations without losing the headrest, reducing the risk of loss and simplifying the process to a few seconds, enhancing the chair's functionality and user convenience.

Implementation Method 1

a headrest (6) associated to the backrest (4) through at least one hinge unit (20) configured to allow the rotation of the headrest (6) with respect to the backrest (4)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHinge: Hinge

Data Source

PatentEP3177182B1Improved chair with headrest

Publication Date: 2018.05.09 NARDI SPA

Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6

AI summary

A chair (1 ) comprising: a framework (2) supporting a seating plane (3) and a backrest (4) configured to define a seating area (5); a headrest (6) associated to the backrest (4) through two hinge units (20) configured to allow the rotation of the headrest (6) with respect to the backrest (4). The headrest may be arranged according to an operating configuration (A) in which it is arranged projecting from the upper part of the backrest (4) with respect to which it is arranged resting and with respect to which it is aligned and substantially coplanar, and according to an inoperative configuration (B) in which it is arranged substantially parallel to and facing the backrest (4) on the opposite side of the seating area (5). Each hinge unit (20) comprises a cylindrical bushing (10) rotatably associated to the upper part of the frame (4a) which delimits the backrest (4) and a projecting rod (9) belonging to the headrest (6) configured to be slidably inserted in a through opening (10a) present in a corresponding cylindrical bushing (10).