Headrest Folding Locking Structure to Prevent Upright Looseness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing headrest folding apparatuses suffer from loose gaps due to wear and tear of components, leading to complex structures and increased manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
A headrest folding apparatus with a locking member having an oblique face that contacts a first member when the headrest is upright, utilizing a main spring and return spring for easy operation and a driving member to prevent loose gaps, simplifying components and assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rubber member is installed in front of the brake member and holding member to prevent wear, then durability is improved, but the structure becomes more complex and manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the rubber member that was previously installed in front of the brake member and holding member. By extracting this unnecessary component, the structure is simplified while still achieving the desired durability through the oblique face design that prevents wear by eliminating relative motion between parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking member is divided into distinct functional portions: an oblique face portion that contacts the first member to prevent loose gaps, and a blocking portion that prevents reverse rotation. This segmentation allows each portion to perform its specific function efficiently without requiring additional protective components like rubber members.
2Reliability
If multiple components (brake member, holding member, rubber member) are used to prevent loose gaps, then reliability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the functions of the brake member, holding member, and rubber member into a single integrated locking member. The oblique face portion prevents loose gaps by contacting the first member, while the blocking portion prevents reverse rotation, eliminating the need for separate components and reducing manufacturing cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking member is designed as a simple, durable component that eliminates the need for expensive rubber members and complex assembly. The oblique face design provides long-lasting loose gap prevention without requiring replaceable wear components.
3Reliability
If the locking member has an oblique face that contacts the first member, then loose gap is prevented, but the locking member structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The locking member features an oblique face at a specific location where it contacts the first member to prevent loose gaps. This localized geometric feature provides the necessary function without requiring complex structures throughout the entire component. The oblique face is simply an inclined surface that guides the first member into proper alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking member has an asymmetric design with an oblique face on one side that contacts the first member at a specific angle. This asymmetric geometry effectively prevents loose gaps by creating a wedging action, while the rest of the component maintains a simple symmetric structure for ease of manufacturing.
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 prevents loose gaps between the headrest and locking member, simplifies the apparatus, reduces manufacturing costs, and enhances durability and ease of operation.
Implementation Method 1
a main spring that is connected between the first member and the second member and applies an elastic force to the first and second members so as to displace the headrest to a second position
Implementation Method 2
a brake member 50 which is installed at a lower portion of the inner face of one of the lateral plates 11 by a brake axle 50b so as to be turned in the direction opposite to the holding member by a repulsive force of a brake spring 50a
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a headrest folding apparatus. An oblique face is formed on a support for supporting a headrest. When the headrest is in an upright position, the oblique face comes into contact with a first member. The headrest folding apparatus prevents a loose gap from occurring in an upright state, simplifies components to be made compact, and allows a seat to be easily assembled and a manufacturing cost to be cut down.