Headrest Actuator Layout for Compact Automatic Seat Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional headrest adjusting mechanisms require significant installation space in the backrest of a seat due to the location of the motor and transmission, limiting design flexibility and interoperability, and often necessitate dedicated installation steps for the drive mechanism.

Innovation Solution

A headrest system with an actuator that includes a spindle transmission and power drive housed within the headrest, allowing for compact construction and easy attachment to the seat backrest, featuring a spindle and spindle nut arrangement that enables translational displacement of the headrest relative to a guide bracket, with a flexible spindle to reduce breakage risk and integrated end stops for travel path delimitation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If the motor and transmission are located in the backrest of the seat, then the headrest can be adjusted automatically, but the installation space in the backrest increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic headrest adjustmentVSAvoidinstallation space in backrest

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The actuator is extracted from the backrest and relocated to the headrest itself. The headrest includes a cavity that houses the actuator, separating the drive mechanism from the backrest structure. This allows automatic headrest adjustment while eliminating the need for dedicated motor and transmission space in the backrest.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The actuator is nested within the cavity of the headrest structure. The motor and transmission components are contained inside the headrest's internal space, utilizing the existing headrest volume rather than requiring additional space in the backrest.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the backrest and headrest are designed with specific interoperability requirements, then the drive mechanism can be integrated, but design flexibility and component interchangeability are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinteroperability of drive mechanismVSAvoiddesign flexibility and component interchangeability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The actuator is designed as a self-contained unit that can be attached to various headrest configurations without requiring custom integration for each application. The standardized attachment mechanism allows the same actuator to work with different headrest and backrest designs, enhancing component interchangeability and design flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The headrest adjusting mechanism is segmented into independent components: the actuator unit, the guide bracket, and the headrest shell. This modular segmentation allows each component to be designed, manufactured, and assembled separately, improving ease of manufacture and enabling greater design flexibility while maintaining interoperability through standardized connection interfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Force

If a power drive is used for headrest adjustment, then adjustment force is sufficient, but the construction space required increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadjustment forceVSAvoidconstruction space

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The manual mechanical adjustment mechanism is replaced with a powered actuator system. The electric motor provides sufficient adjustment force (capable of generating up to 200 N) while the spindle transmission converts rotational motion to linear displacement, achieving powerful adjustment in a compact form factor that fits within the headrest cavity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

This solution reduces installation space requirements, enhances design flexibility, and simplifies the attachment process while providing sufficient adjustment force and durability for the headrest system.

Implementation Method 1

The actuator comprises a spindle transmission and a power drive coupled to the spindle transmission. The spindle transmission comprises a spindle and a spindle nut engaged with the spindle.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpindle transmission: Screw

Implementation Method 2

The spindle may be flexible. The spindle may be configured such that, when a normal force of about 250 N is exerted onto the headrest, the spindle is still elastically deformed. Thereby, the danger of breakage may be reduced.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS9487114B2Headrest system and method of adjusting a headrest

Publication Date: 2016.11.08 SCHUKRA BERNDORF GES MBH

AI summary

A headrest system comprises a headrest, a guide bracket to which the headrest is mounted and an actuator coupled to the headrest and the guide bracket. The actuator is configured to displace the headrest relative to the guide bracket. The actuator comprises a spindle transmission and a power drive coupled to the spindle transmission. The spindle transmission comprises a spindle and a spindle nut engaged with the spindle. The power drive is arranged in a cavity defined within an outer shell of the headrest.