Vehicle Headrest Adjustment Mechanism Using Ball Chain
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing headrest height adjustment devices require significant space and lack flexibility in their arrangement within the vehicle equipment, limiting their adaptability to varying available spaces.
Innovation Solution
A headrest design featuring a movable headrest part with a channel containing solid bodies, such as balls, that form a stream or chain, allowing for flexible and space-efficient adjustment by transmitting compressive forces through a drive element, enabling the actuator to be positioned anywhere within the vehicle equipment part.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional height adjustment device with electric motor and toothing is used, then the headrest can be adjusted in height, but the device requires significant space and lacks flexibility in arrangement within the vehicle equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional electric motor with toothing mechanism with a mechanical adjustment device using a channel filled with solid bodies (balls or cubes). This substitution eliminates the need for complex electrical components and toothing, significantly reducing the space required while maintaining the height adjustment function. The solid bodies transmit forces through the channel to achieve movement of the headrest part.
Solution Approach 2:
The channel containing the solid bodies can be routed flexibly within the vehicle equipment, allowing the adjustment device to be adapted to various available spaces. The channel may be formed by a groove in a wall of the first member and can be spatially routed to accommodate different installation configurations, providing high adaptability to the available space.
2Volume of stationary object
If a compact adjustment device is used to reduce space, then space efficiency improves, but the actuator positioning flexibility may be limited
Solution Approach 1:
The channel filled with solid bodies acts as an intermediary mechanism that decouples the actuator from the headrest part. The solid bodies transmit forces through the channel, allowing the actuator to be positioned anywhere within the vehicle equipment part regardless of the actual location of the support between the first element and the second element. This intermediary mechanism provides both compactness and positioning flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustment device with a channel of solid bodies serves multiple functions: it provides compact space utilization, allows flexible actuator positioning anywhere in the vehicle equipment part, and maintains reliable force transmission. The same basic mechanism accommodates different installation configurations and positions, making it a universal solution for various space constraints.
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
The solution provides a functionally reliable and flexible adjustment mechanism that minimizes space usage, allowing the headrest to be adapted to different spaces and compensates for size changes due to temperature variations, while ensuring secure and efficient power transmission.
Implementation Method 1
Forces, in particular compressive forces, can be transmitted between the solid bodies that are in contact
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a vehicle accessory, such as a head restraint (10) or armrest, comprising a first element (11) that is mounted movably to at least one second element (14a, 14b), wherein an adjusting device is provided, by means of which the first element (11) and the second element (14) are movable relative to one another. The special detail is that the adjusting device is associated with the first element (11) and comprises at least one channel (16), wherein solid bodies (19) that are in contact are guided in the channel (16), wherein the solid bodies (19) are movable relative to the channel (16), and wherein at least one solid body (19) is supported on the second element (14).