Elastically Adjustable Vehicle Headrest Base Body for Cervical Spine Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional headrests fail to adequately address the risk of cervical spine injuries during rear collisions, particularly due to the head rebound velocity effect, which is exacerbated by the need for increased distance between the headrest and head in normal driving conditions, limiting their application area.
Innovation Solution
An elastically adjustable base body with a support surface that connects to the base via deformation elements, allowing the support surface to move relative to the base during a collision, dissipating kinetic energy and preventing excessive head acceleration, while maintaining stability and avoiding permanent deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the distance between the headrest and head is increased in normal driving operation, then the comfort function is improved, but the safety function is worsened due to the head rebound velocity effect in rear collisions
Solution Approach 1:
The headrest base body is designed with elastic deformable elements that allow the structure to dynamically change its characteristics during a collision. The elastic elements enable the base body to deform and absorb energy during impact, transforming the static headrest into a dynamic safety system that activates only when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and mechanical properties of the base body through elastic deformation. During normal operation, the base body maintains its rigid structural form for comfort, but during collision, it transitions to a deformable state that absorbs kinetic energy, thereby changing the parameter of structural rigidity from fixed to variable.
2Device complexity
If conventional inactive headrests are used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to prevent cervical spine injuries is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The base body is designed with built-in elastic deformable elements that prepare the structure in advance for potential collision impacts. These elements are pre-configured to deform and absorb energy, providing beforehand cushioning that activates automatically during rear collisions to protect against cervical spine injuries.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful kinetic energy from collision impacts into beneficial elastic deformation of the base body. The elastic elements absorb the impact energy through controlled deformation, transforming the harmful force into a protective mechanism that reduces the risk of injury while maintaining structural integrity.
3Reliability
If the base body is designed to be elastically adjustable, then the safety function is improved by dissipating kinetic energy, but the manufacturing complexity is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the elastic deformable elements directly into the base body structure, creating an integrated component rather than separate parts. This merging allows the base body to be manufactured as a single piece with built-in elastic properties, reducing assembly complexity while maintaining the safety function of kinetic energy dissipation.
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 effectively reduces the risk of cervical spine injuries by dissipating kinetic energy and preventing negative head acceleration, ensuring the headrest remains functional and safe after an accident without the need for replacement.
Implementation Method 1
the base and the headrest are connected together via at least one, preferably two, elastically deformable deformation elements
Implementation Method 2
the support surface is elastically adjustable relative to the base... the occurring kinetic energy be dissipated due to the elastic deformation. The generated energy is absorbed
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a base body of a headrest of a vehicle seat having a base, particularly for receiving headrest carriers for arranging the headrest at a vehicle seat, and a support body having a support surface for a head. In order to provide a base body for a headrest and a headrest, which in the case of a crash reduces the risk of cervical spine injuries, it is provided that the support body is connected to the base such that the support surface is elastically adjustable relative to the base.