Vehicle Seat Head-Neck Support With Linear Lift and Swivel Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing adjustable head and neck supports require complex movements involving rotational components for height adjustment, which complicates the adjustment process and does not allow for a pure height adjustment without swiveling, and often result in uncomfortable contact during swiveling movements.
Innovation Solution
A simple adjustment mechanism that enables a coupled movement of the head and neck support areas, allowing for linear height adjustment in the Z direction and independent swiveling of at least one area, with a toggle lever mechanism and electric motor control to compensate for Z-direction movement during swiveling, ensuring comfortable and efficient adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a complex adjustment mechanism with rotational components is used for height adjustment, then the head and neck support can be adjusted to different positions, but the adjustment process becomes complicated and swiveling movements cannot be avoided during height adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment mechanism is divided into two independent functions: a height adjustment mechanism that moves both support areas linearly in the Z direction without swiveling, and a separate swivel adjustment mechanism that rotates at least one support area independently. This segmentation allows each mechanism to perform its specific function without interfering with the other, eliminating the need for complex rotational components during height adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanism allows dynamic switching between two adjustment modes: pure height adjustment mode where both support areas move linearly together, and swivel adjustment mode where at least one support area rotates independently. The system can transition between these modes seamlessly, providing adaptability while maintaining simplicity in each specific adjustment operation.
2Ease of operation
If swivel adjustment is performed without compensation, then the neck support area can be oriented toward the user, but Z-direction movement occurs during swiveling causing uncomfortable contact
Solution Approach 1:
The height adjustment mechanism acts as a feedback compensation system that actively counteracts the unwanted Z-direction movement generated during swivel adjustment. When the swivel mechanism rotates the neck support area toward the user, the height adjustment mechanism simultaneously moves in the Z direction to compensate for the vertical displacement, maintaining constant contact pressure and preventing uncomfortable sensation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies preliminary counter-action by using the height adjustment mechanism to preemptively compensate for the Z-direction movement that will occur during swiveling. This anticipatory compensation ensures that the support area maintains optimal positioning and contact throughout the swivel adjustment process, eliminating uncomfortable contact before it occurs.
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustable head and neck support has a common adjustment mechanism by which a coupled movement of a head support area and a neck support area is enabled. The adjustment mechanism is configured in such a way that, on the one hand, a linear, joint height adjustment of the head support area and the neck support area in a Z direction is enabled and, on the other hand, alternatively, only a swivel adjustment of at least the neck support area is enabled, so that the neck support area can be swiveled forward in the direction of a user. The adjustment mechanism is embodied in particular as an asymmetrically configured toggle lever mechanism. This allows for easy adjustment of the head and neck support.