Aircraft Headrest Flexwing Positioning Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aircraft headrests lack advanced adjustability, reliability, cost-effectiveness, and comfort, particularly in their flexwing mechanisms, which are often limited by vertical friction hinges and lack intuitive positioning mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A movable flexwing headrest design featuring arcuate slides and receivers with a pivot arm and a spring-activated friction mechanism that allows independent movement of side portions relative to the main body, enabling intuitive positioning and secure holding in desired orientations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If vertical friction hinges are used to allow flexwings to pivot relative to the central portion, then the flexwings can be secured in a desired orientation, but the mechanism lacks intuitive positioning and the friction members experience excessive wear
Solution Approach 1:
A cam member acts as an intermediary between the user's manual input and the friction member. When the user rotates the cam member, it converts rotational motion into linear motion that directly pushes or releases the friction member against the positioning surface, providing intuitive control while protecting the friction member from excessive wear
Solution Approach 2:
The spring member provides self-service by automatically applying force to maintain friction between the friction member and positioning surface. This eliminates the need for additional actuators or complex control systems, while the cam member's geometry automatically ensures proper engagement and release of the friction member during positioning operations
2Reliability
If friction members are used to hold the slide in position, then the side portions can be secured, but the friction members experience excessive wear over time
Solution Approach 1:
The cam member serves as a mediator that controls when and how the friction member engages with the positioning surface. By converting rotational motion into controlled linear motion, it ensures the friction member only contacts the surface when needed for positioning, reducing unnecessary wear while maintaining reliable holding capability
Solution Approach 2:
The spring member dynamically adjusts the contact force between the friction member and positioning surface based on operational conditions. This optimization ensures sufficient friction for secure positioning while minimizing excessive contact pressure that would accelerate wear, thereby extending the service life of the friction member
3Adaptability or versatility
If the side portions are made independently movable relative to the main body, then adjustability and comfort are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The headrest is segmented into a main body and independently movable side portions (flexwings). Each side portion has its own simplified positioning mechanism consisting of a cam member, spring member, and friction member, allowing independent adjustment without affecting the other side or the main body, thereby achieving high adaptability with manageable complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The spring member automatically maintains contact between the friction member and positioning surface, eliminating the need for additional actuators, sensors, or control systems. This self-servicing mechanism provides reliable positioning while keeping the overall device complexity low
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
Enhances adjustability, comfort, and safety by allowing intuitive movement and secure positioning of flexwings, reducing wear on friction members and providing a more comfortable and visually appealing design.
Implementation Method 1
The spring member may provide a force urging the receiver to pivot around a pivot point spaced from the spring member, and may also provide a force substantially normal to the receiver proximate the friction member
Implementation Method 2
a friction member on one of the receiver and the slide, and a securing mechanism attached to the body for causing the friction member to hold the slide in a selected position relative to the receiver
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A headrest for a seat of a vehicle includes a body securable to the seat, a side portion adjacent the body, a receiver pivotally attached to the body, a slide attached to the side portion so as to be movable along the receiver between a first position in which the side portion is in a retracted position and a second position in which the side portion is in an extended position, and a friction member on one of the receiver and the slide. A securing mechanism causes the friction member to hold the slide in a selected position relative to the receiver.