Headrest Support Bar Mounting with Elastic Contact Regions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bearing devices for vehicle seat headrests fail to compensate for tolerances in the shape and distance between support rod ends, leading to rattling and unreliable mounting.

Innovation Solution

A bearing device with multiple contact regions distributed around the support rod, featuring elastic connecting elements that allow radial movement and are supported by a spring mechanism to maintain secure, rattle-free mounting despite shape and distance deviations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If rigid contact areas are used to securely mount the support rod, then mounting reliability improves, but tolerance compensation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting reliabilityVSAvoidtolerance compensation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The contact areas are designed to be movable relative to the support rod through elastic connecting elements, allowing the bearing device to dynamically adapt to tolerance variations while maintaining secure mounting. The elastic elements enable the contact areas to self-adjust their position within the opening.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic connecting elements change their deformation state based on the support rod's position and tolerances, allowing the contact areas to automatically adjust their engagement parameters with the support rod surface, thereby compensating for dimensional variations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple contact regions are distributed around the support rod, then tolerance compensation improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetolerance compensationVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The bearing device is segmented into multiple independent contact regions, each capable of independent movement and force application. This segmentation allows distributed tolerance compensation around the support rod while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure through modular design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If elastic connecting elements with radial movement capability are used, then tolerance compensation improves, but mounting precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetolerance compensationVSAvoidmounting precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic connecting elements automatically self-adjust their radial position based on the support rod's actual location and orientation, eliminating the need for precise pre-positioning or complex adjustment mechanisms. The system self-compensates for mounting variations through the elastic deformation of the connecting elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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

Ensures the headrest is securely mounted without rattling, even with variations in support rod dimensions and distances, by distributing forces and allowing for radial adjustment.

Implementation Method 1

a spring element (26) which acts on the resilient tongue (25) and exerts a radial force (F) on the resilient tongue (25), so that the tongue (25) is loaded against the support rod (13a)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a spring element (26) which acts on the resilient tongue (25) and exerts a radial force (F) on the resilient tongue (25)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring force: Spring

Implementation Method 3

at least one of the bearing elements is flexible to establish a frictional connection with the support rod

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 4

The connecting element is designed to be elastic and radially movable

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3802206B1Mounting device and headrest
Publication Date: 2025.09.03 GRAMMER AG
  • EP3802206B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3802206B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3802206B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to a mounting device for a support bar (13a, 13b) of a headrest (11) for vehicle seats, having at least one frame (16), which forms an opening (17), which can be penetrated by the support bar (13a, 13b), the frame (16) surrounding the openings (17) at least in part, and the mounting device (10) having at least one contact region (18) for bearing against the outer face (27) of the support bar (13a, 13b), which contact region is connected by a connection element to a retaining region (28), which is formed on the frame (16).