Vehicle Head Restraint with Internal Storage Receptacles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicles often lack sufficient storage capacity, and head restraints take up valuable space that could be used for storage purposes.
Innovation Solution
A head restraint design featuring a base portion with a separable portion that can transition between unseparated and separated positions, creating internal receptacles accessible from either side, allowing for storage while maintaining functionality as a head restraint.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If head restraint size is increased to improve head restraint functionality, then head restraint performance is improved, but available storage space is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies nesting by placing internal receptacles inside the head restraint structure. The receptacles are positioned within the base portion and side portions of the head restraint, utilizing the internal volume that would otherwise be empty space. This allows storage functionality to be nested within the existing head restraint form factor without increasing its external dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the third dimension (depth) by creating internal receptacles that extend into the head restraint body. Instead of expanding the head restraint's external footprint, the design moves storage capacity into the internal depth of the structure, effectively using the z-dimension to add storage without affecting the x-y plane dimensions.
2Quantity of substance
If head restraint size is reduced to free up space for storage, then storage capacity is improved, but head restraint functionality is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the head restraint into functional zones: the external surfaces maintain head restraint functionality while the internal volume is segmented into discrete receptacles. The base portion contains receptacles accessible from the rear, while side portions contain receptacles accessible from the sides, allowing independent optimization of each zone's function.
Solution Approach 2:
The head restraint structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides head support for safety, contains internal receptacles for storage, and maintains its original external dimensions. The receptacles themselves serve dual purposes by being integrated into the head restraint body while providing accessible storage compartments.
3Ease of operation
If internal receptacles are made accessible from multiple sides, then ease of access is improved, but structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the receptacle system into segments with different access points. The base portion receptacles are accessible from the rear, while side portion receptacles are accessible from the sides. This segmentation allows occupants to access storage from their respective positions without requiring complex mechanical mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The receptacles are designed to be self-accessing through strategically placed openings. Objects can be placed into and removed from the receptacles through openings in the rear and side surfaces, allowing users to service the storage compartments directly without requiring lids, doors, or mechanical release mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
A head restraint for a seating assembly of a vehicle comprising: an exterior surface; one or more interior wall surfaces disposed beneath the exterior surface forming an internal receptacle; an opening into the internal receptacle; the internal receptacle comprising a bottom; and the one or more interior wall surfaces are configured to prevent an object resting on the bottom from falling out of the internal receptacle through the opening during normal use of the vehicle.