Retractable Vehicle Headrest Latching Structure to Eliminate Play
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle headrests with play in the mechanical structure due to deformation and wear in guide members and position restricting members hinder comfortable seating and can be dangerous, especially when folding seats for loading baggage.
Innovation Solution
A headrest with a unique structure featuring a base formed by front and rear base members, a turn restricting bracket, a center shaft, and a latching panel with a spring mechanism that allows adjustable fore-and-aft angle positioning and secure switching between use and retracted positions, eliminating play through a coil spring and control knob operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the headrest is retracted to improve visibility and facilitate seat folding, then visibility and ease of loading are improved, but play in the mechanical structure develops due to deformation and wear in guide members and position restricting members
Solution Approach 1:
The headrest assembly is divided into separate functional components: the headrest cushion, the base member, the turn restricting bracket, and the latching mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, with the latching mechanism providing reliable positioning while the guide members maintain smooth motion without bearing the full latching load.
Solution Approach 2:
The latching function is extracted from the guide members and position restricting members, and assigned to a dedicated latching panel mechanism. This separates the motion guidance function from the positioning and securing function, allowing the guide members to wear less and maintain smoother operation over time.
2Ease of manufacture
If the headrest is retracted to facilitate seat folding for loading baggage, then ease of loading is improved, but play in the turning parts develops due to wear in guide members and position restricting members
Solution Approach 1:
The latching panel is designed to engage with the turn restricting bracket at predetermined positions (erect position and retracted position) before actual use. This preliminary latching action ensures that the headrest is securely positioned at these key points, preventing play and maintaining positioning precision even after repeated folding and unfolding operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The latching panel acts as an intermediary mechanism between the headrest base and the turn restricting bracket. It provides a positive engagement interface that eliminates play in the turning parts, while allowing the guide members to continue providing smooth motion guidance without bearing the brunt of positioning stresses.
3Ease of operation
If a simple retraction mechanism is used to improve ease of operation, then ease of operation is improved, but play develops in guide members and position restricting members
Solution Approach 1:
The latching mechanism incorporates a spring-loaded latching panel that dynamically engages and disengages from the turn restricting bracket. During normal operation, the spring maintains light pressure to keep the latching surface engaged, eliminating play. When the control knob is operated, the latching panel dynamically disengages to allow retraction or adjustment, providing ease of operation without compromising stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The latching mechanism changes the engagement parameter between engaged and disengaged states. In the engaged state, the latching surface contacts the turn restricting bracket to eliminate play and provide stable positioning. When the control knob is actuated, the engagement parameter changes to disengaged, allowing free movement for retraction. This parameter change enables both ease of operation and mechanical stability.
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 provides secure, adjustable, and comfortable headrest positioning by eliminating play, enhancing safety and visibility, while allowing easy switching between use and retracted positions, and reducing manufacturing costs through material savings.
Implementation Method 1
a latching panel provided between the front and rear base members with one end thereof hinged to the rear base member, the latching panel being urged toward the rear base member by being pulled by a spring provided between the latching panel and the base member or by being pushed by a spring provided between the latching panel and the front base member
Implementation Method 2
a coil spring, in which an inner diameter thereof is smaller than the outer diameter of the center shaft and one end thereof is linked to the base member, is further provided. This coil spring is wound on the center shaft, thus increasing resistance to the turning of the base member and allowing the position of the headrest to be secured, against a load
Data Source
AI summary
A headrest including a base material having a front base member and a rear base member, a turn restricting bracket installed the front and rear base members and having an abutting portion and a protruding step, a center shaft attached to the turn restricting bracket, and a latching panel installed between the front and rear base members with one end thereof hinged to the rear base member, the latching panel being pulled by a spring. The headrest has forward and rearward use limitation positions: at forward use limitation position, when the headrest turns forward and a latching surface formed in the latching panel catches on the protruding step, a further forward turning of the headrest is restricted; and at the rearward use limitation position, when the headrest turns rearward and the abutting portion strikes the front base member, further rearward turning of the headrest is restricted.