Headrest with Adjustable Lower Pillow Section for Neck Support Area
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle headrests inadequately support the head from below, leading to increased burden on the neck, as the contact surface area between the neck and the neck support section is reduced due to the narrower lateral width of the neck compared to the head.
Innovation Solution
A headrest design featuring an upper pillow section and a lower pillow section, where the lower pillow section's position and protrusion are adjustable to align with the neck, providing broader support to the head and alleviating neck burden, with additional features like a support panel for emergency support and adjustable mechanisms for various occupant builds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the neck support section merely supports the neck from the rear, then the structure is simple, but the contact surface area between the neck and neck support section is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The headrest is divided into an upper pillow section and a lower pillow section, with the lower pillow section further segmented into a seat width direction intermediate portion and seat width direction side portions. This segmentation allows the lower pillow section to provide broader support to the head while maintaining structural simplicity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The lower pillow section is made adjustable with two degrees of freedom: it can swing about a shaft extending along the seat width direction to adjust the front-rear position, and the seat width direction side portions can swing about shafts extending in the seat vertical direction to adjust the protrusion amount. This dynamic adjustability allows the contact surface area to be optimized for different occupants without increasing overall structural complexity.
2Ease of operation
If the lower pillow section is made adjustable to support the head from below, then occupant comfort is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lower pillow section serves multiple functions: it supports the head from below, provides lateral support through protruding side portions, and can be adjusted to accommodate different occupant builds. The same structural elements (shafts and swingable portions) enable both position adjustment and shape adjustment, reducing the need for separate mechanisms and thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the positional parameters of the lower pillow section through mechanical adjustment. The front-rear position is changed by swinging about a horizontal shaft, and the lateral protrusion parameter is changed by swinging side portions about vertical shafts. These parameter changes enable customized support for different occupants while using simple mechanical mechanisms rather than complex electronic or hydraulic systems.
3Volume of moving object
If the lower pillow section protrudes toward the seat front side, then the support range for the head is widened, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lower pillow section is segmented into an intermediate portion and side portions that can move independently. This segmentation allows the side portions to protrude forward to widen the support range while the intermediate portion remains relatively stable, reducing the overall structural complexity compared to moving the entire lower pillow section.
Solution Approach 2:
The lower pillow section employs asymmetric geometry where the side portions are designed to swing outward and forward about vertical shafts, creating a shape that naturally widens the support range. This asymmetric design allows the protruding side portions to provide lateral support without requiring additional structural elements, thereby limiting the increase in structural complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A headrest is provided including an upper pillow section that configures a front side of an upper portion of the headrest, and a lower pillow section that configures a front side of a lower portion of the headrest. A front-rear position of the lower pillow section with respect to the upper pillow section is adjustable by swinging the lower pillow section about a shaft extending along a seat width direction at an upper edge side of the lower pillow section, and a protrusion amount by which respective seat width direction side portions of the lower pillow section protrude toward a seat front side being adjustable with respect to a seat width direction intermediate portion of the lower pillow section by swinging the two seat width direction side portions about a shaft extending in a seat vertical direction.