Apparatus for adjusting height of headrest for motor vehicle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional motor vehicle headrests fail to properly support the head and neck of occupants with smaller body sizes, leading to discomfort and the need for additional neck support cushions, which increases costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A headrest apparatus with a rear portion fixed to the seatback and a front portion that can be adjusted up and down, featuring a locking mechanism and spring-loaded system, allowing for customizable height adjustment to accommodate various body sizes and preferences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the headrest is adjusted to its lowest position by inserting the stay up to its shortest position, then the headrest can support occupants with smaller body sizes, but the neck portion still cannot be properly supported
Solution Approach 1:
The headrest is divided into a rear portion (fixed to seatback) and a front portion (movable relative to rear portion). This segmentation allows independent adjustment of the front portion to provide proper neck support while maintaining overall headrest functionality for different body sizes.
Solution Approach 2:
The front portion is made movable relative to the rear portion through a mechanism involving guide pins, guide holes, and a locking system. This dynamic structure enables the front portion to be adjusted to different positions to support the neck properly, resolving the contradiction between fixed height and adaptable neck support.
2Ease of operation
If a separate neck supporting cushion is added to the headrest, then neck support is improved, but additional expenditure of time and money is required
Solution Approach 1:
The neck support function is merged into the headrest structure itself by making the front portion movable. This eliminates the need for separate neck cushions while providing integrated neck support, reducing both additional costs and structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable front portion serves multiple functions: it provides neck support and can be adjusted to different positions to accommodate various body sizes and preferences. This multi-functionality replaces the need for separate neck cushions and enhances the overall versatility of the headrest.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the headrest height is fixed, then the structure is simple, but it cannot accommodate occupants with different body sizes and preferences
Solution Approach 1:
The headrest incorporates a dynamic adjustment mechanism where the front portion can move relative to the rear portion. This is achieved through guide pins moving in oblique guide holes, connected to a locking system with springs and buttons, enabling height adjustment while maintaining structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The headrest is segmented into movable and fixed portions, allowing independent adjustment of the front portion. This segmentation enables adaptability to different body sizes without requiring complete structural redesign, balancing complexity and versatility.
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 apparatus provides comfortable support for both head and neck regardless of body size, eliminating the need for separate neck cushions and enhancing the commercial value of the seat by offering customizable support.
Implementation Method 1
a spring formed in the front portion thereof which is elastically supported on the rear surface portion of the front cover
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus of adjusting height of a headrest for a motor vehicle is provided. By forming the headrest with two divided parts, a rear portion fastened to a seatback by a stay and a front portion assembled to the rear portion movably in an up and down direction, the apparatus allows an occupant to adjust the height of the front portion according to his or her body size or preference, and thus is configured for comfortably supporting the head or neck portion of the occupant with the front portion regardless of the body size of the occupant.