Vehicle Seat Headrest Connector Sleeve With Auto Locking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle seat headrests with electrical functions face issues of non-detachable installation, damage to male terminal connectors, and inability to be pre-installed during production, along with inefficient assembly and locking mechanisms.

Innovation Solution

A pluggable connector device with a male terminal connector assembly that can be pre-installed in the headrest rod sleeve assembly, featuring automatic unlocking and locking mechanisms, including locking pieces and elastic snap protrusions, allowing the male terminal connector to move freely and reinsert without disassembling the seat back, and ensuring reliable electrical connection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the male terminal connector is pre-installed in the headrest rod sleeve assembly, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepre-installation capabilityVSAvoidconnector assembly structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The male terminal connector is pre-installed in the headrest rod sleeve assembly during seat production before the headrest is assembled. This preliminary installation allows the connector to be positioned and secured in advance, improving manufacturing efficiency and ease of assembly without requiring complex retro-fitting procedures later.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The male terminal connector is nested within the headrest rod sleeve assembly, with the connector positioned inside the sleeve. This nested configuration allows the connector to be pre-installed and protected within the sleeve structure, reducing exposure to damage while maintaining accessibility for electrical connection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the headrest can be freely detached and reinstalled, then the adaptability is improved, but the reliability of electrical connection deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetachable installationVSAvoidelectrical connection stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The connector assembly incorporates automatic locking and unlocking mechanisms that operate without external intervention. When the headrest is inserted, the male and female connectors automatically engage and lock together, ensuring reliable electrical connection. When detached, the connectors automatically reset to their initial positions, maintaining readiness for reconnection without manual resetting.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The headrest rod sleeve assembly acts as an intermediary structure that guides and protects the male terminal connector during insertion and extraction. The sleeve ensures proper alignment between male and female connectors, facilitating reliable electrical connection while enabling free detachable installation of the headrest.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If the male terminal connector is exposed during headrest insertion, then the ease of operation is improved, but the object-affected harmful factors increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnector accessibilityVSAvoidconnector damage risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The male terminal connector is nested within the headrest rod sleeve assembly, positioned inside the protective sleeve rather than exposed externally. This nested configuration protects the connector from mechanical damage, contamination, and accidental contact while the headrest is being inserted or removed, reducing harmful factors without compromising electrical connection functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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 enables pre-installation of male terminal connectors during seat production, prevents damage, and ensures reliable electrical connection through automatic locking and unlocking, facilitating easy assembly and disassembly of the headrest.

Implementation Method 1

an elastic snap protrusion is provided at a first end of the locking piece

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4701003A1Pluggable connector device and vehicle seat
Publication Date: 2026.02.25 YANFENG INTERNATIONAL AUTOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGY CO LTD
  • EP4701003A1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP4701003A1 patent drawingFigure 5~8
  • EP4701003A1 patent drawingFigure 9~11

AI summary

The invention discloses a pluggable connector device, which comprises a male terminal connector assembly. The male terminal connector assembly includes a headrest rod sleeve assembly, a male terminal connector, and a male terminal connector wire harness electrically connected to the male terminal connector. The headrest rod sleeve assembly can be fixed on a seat back frame, and the male terminal connector is pre-installed in the headrest rod sleeve assembly. The male terminal connector is configured to follow the female terminal connector to enter and exit the headrest rod sleeve assembly after being combined with the headrest rod and the female terminal connector. The male terminal connector is further configured to return to the headrest rod sleeve assembly and be in a pre-installed state after the female terminal connector is disconnected from the male terminal connector. The male terminal connector of the invention can move up and down with the headrest rod (without disassembling the seat back) and be pulled out of and reinserted into the headrest rod sleeve assembly, so that the male terminal connector is not easily damaged. In addition, the male terminal connector and the female terminal connector of the invention can be automatically locked and unlocked.