Headrest Assembly Attached to Seat Panel to Prevent Rubbing Damage
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Solution Overview
Problem
In commercial aircraft seating, headrests mounted to the seat frame can damage mesh or cloth seat panels when they protrude downward, as they do not move with the seat panel during occupant shifts, leading to potential damage from rubbing.
Innovation Solution
Attaching the headrest directly to the seat panel instead of the frame using wire loops that protrude from the headrest frame and are secured through the panel with a retainer, allowing the headrest to move with the panel and reducing the risk of damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the headrest is mounted to the seat frame, then the headrest is securely positioned, but the seat panel is damaged by rubbing against the headrest when the occupant shifts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a mesh panel as an intermediary element between the headrest and the seat frame. The headrest is attached to the mesh panel, which in turn is attached to the seat frame. This intermediary mesh panel allows relative movement between the headrest and frame, preventing direct rubbing contact while maintaining secure positioning. The mesh panel acts as a flexible connector that absorbs the relative motion caused by occupant shifting.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a static headrest mounting (fixed to frame) to a dynamic mounting system where the headrest is attached to a flexible mesh panel that can move relative to the frame. This dynamic arrangement allows the headrest to follow the movement of the mesh panel when the occupant shifts, preventing rubbing damage while maintaining secure positioning throughout the range of motion.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the headrest is attached to the seat panel using wire loops and retainers, then the headrest moves with the panel preventing damage, but the attachment structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment system is segmented into distinct functional components: wire loops attached to the headrest frame, mesh panel with holes for loop insertion, and retainers for securing the loops. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently while simplifying the overall assembly process. The modular nature of segmented components makes replacement and maintenance easier.
Solution Approach 2:
The wire loops act as intermediaries between the headrest frame and the mesh panel, providing a flexible connection that allows movement. The retainers serve as intermediaries to secure the loops without requiring permanent attachment. This intermediary approach enables the headrest to move with the panel while maintaining a secure connection, preventing rubbing damage without excessive complexity.
3Weight of moving object
If lightweight materials are used for the headrest frame, then the overall weight is reduced, but the structural strength may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The headrest frame utilizes composite construction combining wire loops (metal) with mesh panel (fabric or synthetic material). This composite structure provides the necessary structural strength through the wire loop framework while keeping overall weight low through the lightweight mesh infilling. The combination of materials with different properties achieves both weight reduction and strength maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The mesh panel acts as a flexible thin film structure that provides the necessary support while minimizing weight. The wire loops provide structural reinforcement at critical points without adding significant weight. This approach of using flexible thin film structures with strategic reinforcement achieves the optimal balance between weight and strength for the headrest assembly.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
A headrest assembly is attached to a seat back assembly by providing holes through a panel of the seat back assembly; providing loops protruding from a rear surface of the headrest assembly; inserting the loops of the headrest assembly through the corresponding holes of the seat back assembly; and inserting a retainer through the loops to fasten the headrest assembly to the seat back assembly.