Headrest Cover Segmented Locking Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional bag-like headrest covers are unstable, difficult to attach and detach, and often require force to fit or remove, with indistinct front and back sides, making them inconvenient for users.

Innovation Solution

A changeable headrest cover featuring a first locking part, such as a through-hole or cutout, and a second locking part, like a hook-and-loop fastener, to securely attach and detach from the headrest, ensuring stability and easy fitting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If a bag-like cover is used to enclose the headrest, then the cover can be fitted to the headrest, but the cover cannot be held on the headrest in a stable orientation and may turn as the head continuously contacts it

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestability of cover orientationVSAvoidease of fitting cover

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The cover is divided into multiple functional parts: a main body portion, a first locking part with through-holes for stay insertion, and a second locking part with fastening members. This segmentation allows different portions of the cover to perform specific functions - the through-holes provide stable positioning while the fastening members enable easy attachment and detachment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The through-holes are preliminarily formed at specific positions on the cover to correspond with the stays of the headrest. This preliminary positioning structure ensures that when the cover is attached, it automatically achieves stable orientation without requiring additional adjustment during the fitting process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If a bag-like cover is used to enclose the headrest, then the cover can be fitted to the headrest, but it is difficult to attach and detach and may need to be separated by force

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment reliabilityVSAvoidease of attachment and detachment

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The locking mechanism is segmented into two independent parts: a first locking part using through-holes for stable positioning and a second locking part using fastening members for secure attachment. This segmentation allows the cover to be reliably fixed while maintaining ease of detachment by simply releasing the fastening members.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Fastening members act as an intermediary mechanism between the cover and the headrest, providing a controlled attachment and detachment interface. This intermediary structure enables reliable fixing during use while allowing easy removal when needed, eliminating the need to force the cover off.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If a bag-like cover is used to enclose the headrest, then the cover can be fitted to the headrest, but the front and back of the cover are not easy to distinguish

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of orientation identificationVSAvoidcover structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cover employs asymmetric design elements to distinguish front from back: the first locking part with through-holes is positioned at a specific location, and the second locking part with fastening members is placed at another location. This asymmetric arrangement of functional components creates visual and functional cues that make orientation identification intuitive without adding excessive complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

4Reliability

If a bag-like cover is used to enclose the headrest, then the cover can be fitted to the headrest, but the cover may be tight or not smooth, making it difficult to put on the headrest

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefitting stabilityVSAvoidease of fitting process

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The fitting process is segmented into distinct steps facilitated by different locking parts: first, the through-holes guide the stays for initial positioning; second, the fastening members provide controlled fastening. This segmentation allows the cover to be fitted smoothly in a systematic manner, avoiding the problem of tight or uneven fitting that occurs with monolithic bag-like designs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS10358064B2Headrest cover

Publication Date: 2019.07.23 TACHI S CO LTD

AI summary

A changeable cover for a seat headrest comprises: a first locking part for locking a portion of the cover with a stay of the headrest; and a second locking part for locking another portion of the cover with the headrest. The first locking part may be, for example, a through-hole into which the stay is inserted. The second locking part may be, for example, a hook-and-loop fastener member.