Headrest Support-Rod Bracket With Wobble-Fastened Cross Rod
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing support brackets and headrests for vehicle seats are difficult to assemble and install, lacking efficient fastening methods that facilitate easy and flexible installation.
Innovation Solution
The use of wobble fasteners, produced through cold-shaping, to attach a cross rod to support rods, combined with guide formations and actuators, enables easy assembly and movement of the headrest between positions, using wobble deformation to create secure riveted joints and allowing for adjustable installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional fastening methods are used to attach the cross rod to support rods, then the connection is secure, but the assembly process becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies cold-shaping deformation to transform the physical state of the fastener from a simple pin to a deformed rivet-like structure. The fastener is deformed in-place during assembly, changing its geometry to create a secure interference fit that prevents disassembly without special tools, thereby simplifying the assembly process while ensuring secure connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastening system is designed to be self-contained and self-securing. The cold-shaping process deforms the fastener itself to create the locking mechanism, eliminating the need for separate locking components, threads, or additional fastening elements. The fastener serves both as the connecting element and the locking mechanism simultaneously.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the headrest structure is made rigid for stability, then positioning accuracy is maintained, but adjustability and ease of positioning are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The support bracket incorporates a dynamic positioning mechanism that allows the headrest to be adjusted to different positions during assembly and use. The cold-shaped fasteners provide secure attachment at selected positions while allowing the bracket to be repositioned before final tightening, enabling both adjustability and stability.
3Reliability
If multiple fastening points are used to secure the cross rod, then connection reliability is improved, but assembly time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple fastening functions into a single integrated fastener component. The cold-shaping process deforms the fastener to create multiple contact points and locking surfaces simultaneously, achieving reliable multi-point attachment through one piece rather than requiring multiple separate fasteners or attachment operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastener is pre-formed with features that enable easy insertion and alignment before the cold-shaping deformation is applied. The initial geometry is designed to facilitate quick positioning, and the deformation process then secures it in place, separating the alignment function from the securing function to reduce assembly time.
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
This solution simplifies the assembly and installation of support brackets and headrests, ensuring secure attachment and easy adjustment, thereby enhancing the ease and stability of the headrest's positioning on vehicle seats.
Implementation Method 1
Wobble fasteners, which are also referred to as wobble rivets, or radial rivets, are made by a cold-shaping process. In this method the deforming force acts at any instant only on a very limited surface area of the workpiece. With a tumbling motion of the tool it is possible to deform other surfaces of the workpiece.
Implementation Method 2
Because of the wobble deformation of an end of the cross rod the deformed substance flows radially from a center of the tumbling movement radially toward the outside, thereby forming a rivet or closing head.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to, among others, a headrest-assembly method for securing at least two support rods (12a, 12b) in a headrest to the backrest on a vehicle seat, where each support rod (12a, 12b) is held a guide formation (16a, 16b) of the head box (11).The special feature is that cross bar (13) is engaged in the head box (11) such that it passes through at least one slot (19a, 19b, 19c) of the head box (11), and the cross rod (13) is fastened at its ends (31, 32) ends (27) of the support rods (12a, 12b).