Adjustment device for a headrest
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing headrest adjustment devices for seating and reclining furniture have limited angular adjustment ranges and are often complex due to multiple articulation points, requiring additional space and being costly to produce.
Innovation Solution
A compact adjustment device with a stationary drive unit and a stop element that allows the headrest to pivot beyond the dead center, enabling a pivoting angle of 140° +/- 20°, utilizing a linearly adjustable drive element and a coupling element articulated to both the drive unit and the headrest holder, with a stop element to block further rotation, and optional extension elements for increased usability and space efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a linear drive component with articulated connections is used to motorize headrest inclination, then the headrest can be adjusted, but the pivoting movement requires additional space and the device becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the pivoting function from the drive component itself and relocates it to a dedicated pivoting mechanism with a defined pivoting axis. This separation allows the drive component to remain simple and stationary while the pivoting mechanism handles the rotational movement, reducing overall device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a pivoting mechanism as an intermediary between the stationary drive component and the headrest. This intermediary component with a defined pivoting axis translates the linear drive movement into rotational headrest movement, simplifying the overall system architecture
2Ease of operation
If multiple articulation points are used for headrest pivoting, then inclination adjustment is possible, but the device requires additional installation space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the pivoting function from the distributed articulation points and consolidates it into a single dedicated pivoting mechanism with a defined pivoting axis. This consolidation significantly reduces the space required for installation while maintaining full inclination adjustment capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple articulation points into a single integrated pivoting mechanism. By combining the pivoting function into one location with a defined pivoting axis, the device requires less installation space while achieving the same functional result
3Ease of operation
If a conventional drive mechanism is used, then the headrest can be adjusted, but the angular adjustment range is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a stop element that is pre-positioned to allow the headrest to pivot beyond the dead center position. This preliminary structural arrangement enables the extended angular range from -90° to +140° without requiring complex active control mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a simple stop element rather than a complex active control system to enable extended pivoting. This simple, passive component allows the headrest to move beyond traditional limits without adding significant complexity or cost to the system
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3~4
AI summary
The adjustment device for a headrest (18) has at least one first headrest holder (1) for holding the headrest (18), at least one stationary first mounting plate (2) on which the first headrest holder (1) is held such that it can pivot about a first axis of rotation (3), a drive unit (4) which has a drive element (5) which is linearly adjustable along a stationary spatial axis (17) between an initial position and an end position, and a coupling element (12) which is articulated at one end to the drive element (5) and at the other end articulated to the first headrest holder (1), wherein a linear movement of the drive element (5) causes a rotation of the first headrest holder (1) about the first axis of rotation (3). In addition, a stop element (19) comes into contact with the coupling element (12) or the first headrest holder (1) in an intermediate position of the drive element (5) and blocks a further rotation of the coupling element (12) relative to the first headrest holder (1) between the intermediate position and the end position.