Headrest Dump Assembly With Cam Wedge Lock and Dual Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle headrest mechanisms lack efficient and user-friendly methods for transitioning between upright and forward dump positions, often requiring complex electromagnets, cables, or modular assemblies that are cumbersome and difficult to customize.
Innovation Solution
A headrest actuating mechanism integrated into a housing package, featuring a cam wedge and pivot rod system with button or cable actuation, torsion springs, and force-absorbing mounting portions, allowing for smooth rotation between upright and forward dump positions, guided by sectors and a load dispersion plate for stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electromagnetic locking and latch release mechanism is used, then the head restraint can be securely locked in upright position, but the mechanism becomes complex and requires multiple components (electromagnet, lock members, cable redirection)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the electromagnet and complex latch release mechanism from the headrest system. Instead, it uses a simple cam wedge and pivot rod assembly that can be manually actuated, reducing the number of components while maintaining the locking function through mechanical geometry rather than electromagnetic forces
Solution Approach 2:
The cam wedge and pivot rod system is designed to be self-locking through its geometric configuration. The cam wedge naturally maintains engagement with the pivot rod in the upright position without requiring active electromagnetic holding forces, and the system self-releases when the cam wedge is manually actuated to the dumped position
2Adaptability or versatility
If modular brackets with multiple separate components are used, then the assembly can be customized, but the assembly process becomes difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the cam wedge, pivot rod, spring, and housing into a single integrated assembly that functions as one unit. This consolidated design eliminates the need to separately assemble multiple modular brackets and components, significantly simplifying the manufacturing and assembly process while maintaining the ability to customize headrest configurations
3Ease of operation
If cable actuation from remote location is used, then the user can operate the headrest from a distance, but the cable routing becomes complex and requires offset redirection locations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the complex cable redirection system and offset routing mechanisms. The cable is directly connected to the cam wedge actuation point, eliminating the need for intermediate redirection locations and complex routing paths, thereby simplifying the overall system while preserving remote actuation functionality
4Reliability
If multiple separate components are individually assembled, then each component can be optimized, but the final assembly becomes cumbersome and difficult to integrate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the cam wedge, pivot rod, spring, and housing into a pre-assembled integrated unit that is installed as one component. This approach maintains the optimization benefits of individually designed components while eliminating the integration difficulties of assembling multiple separate parts, as the optimized components are already configured and secured together in the final assembly
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
Enables easy and reliable transition between upright and forward dump positions with reduced complexity, improved user control, and enhanced stability through the use of a cam wedge and pivot rod system, addressing the limitations of prior art mechanisms.
Implementation Method 1
a compression spring seated within a rear side vertical channel defined in the cam wedge... such that an opposite bottom end of the spring biases against a lower end surface of the channel defined in the cam wedge in order to bias the cam wedge in a normally downward and engaged position against the flattened central profile of the fixed pivot rod
Implementation Method 2
A torsion spring seats over the pin and includes a lower end which engages the lever, an upper end of the spring engaging a surface of the package defined interior to bias the lever away from the projecting portion
Data Source
AI summary
An assembly embedded into a headrest bun for permitting rotation of the bun between upright design and forward dump positions. The assembly includes a pair of tubes extending upwardly from a seatback frame and a fixed pivot rod extending between the tubes. A housing defines a package containing interior and including a pair of front and rear covers assembleable around the fixed pivot rod. A block shaped cam wedge is displaceably supported within the interior and biased in a first direction in seating fashion against an abutting location of the fixed rod. An actuating mechanism elevates the cam wedge to unseat from the pivot rod, the housing subsequently rotating from the design position to the forward dump position.