Friction Module for Adjustable Headrest Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing airplane seat headrests face challenges in providing a lightweight, adjustable, and maintenance-friendly solution that ensures safety and comfort for passengers of varying heights, while also resisting unintended movement during vehicle operations.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable headrest apparatus featuring a guide coupled to a seat, a head support movable along an adjustment path, and a slider with a friction module and retainers to maintain friction between components, preventing unintended movement and ensuring the headrest remains securely positioned.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If a lightweight headrest is used to decrease fuel costs, then weight is reduced, but the ability to resist unintended movement during vehicle operations may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The headrest assembly is divided into separate components: a lightweight headrest unit and a guide mechanism with friction modules. This segmentation allows the headrest to be light while the guide provides stability through friction-based positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
A guide mechanism with friction modules acts as an intermediary between the headrest and the seat. The guide's friction modules create controlled resistance that maintains headrest position without requiring a heavy headrest structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If an adjustable headrest mechanism is provided to accommodate different passenger heights, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The headrest mechanism transitions from static to dynamic, allowing vertical adjustment along the guide. The friction modules enable controlled movement when force is applied and maintain position when force is removed, providing adaptability without complex locking mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The friction modules provide self-regulating resistance that automatically maintains headrest position without requiring additional locking mechanisms or complex control systems. The user simply moves the headrest to the desired position and it holds there through friction.
3Reliability
If a complex adjustment mechanism is used to maintain headrest position, then position stability is improved, but maintenance time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The friction modules are designed as separate, extractable components from the guide mechanism. This extraction capability allows for easy replacement and maintenance of the friction elements without disassembling the entire headrest system.
Solution Approach 2:
The friction modules can be easily removed and replaced when worn, allowing for quick maintenance. The simple design enables rapid replacement of consumable friction elements without requiring complex repair procedures.
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
The solution provides a lightweight, easily adjustable headrest that maintains position effectively, reducing maintenance time and enhancing passenger safety and comfort by resisting forces such as gravity and vehicle movements.
Implementation Method 1
one or more retainers positioned to urge the surface of the slider against the surface of the guide, thereby maintaining friction between the surface of the slider and the surface of the guide
Implementation Method 2
maintaining friction between the surface of the slider and the surface of the guide and resisting unintended movement of the slider with respect to the guide along the adjustment path
Data Source
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AI summary
An adjustable headrest 300 includes a guide 360 configured to be coupled to a seat, a head support 302 coupled to the guide and configured to be movable along an adjustment path relative to the seat, and a slider 370 having a surface defining a recess 373 receiving the guide such that the surface of the slider contacts a surface of the guide. The adjustment headrest further includes a retainer 390 positioned to urge the surface of the slider against the surface of the guide, thereby maintaining friction between the surface of the slider and the surface of the guide and resisting unintended movement of the slider with respect to the guide along the adjustment path. Also, a friction module and a friction hinge are provided, which can be incorporated into an adjustable headrest or other assemblies in which sliding and/or hinged components are desired.