Vehicle Headrest Linkage Locking for Compact Position Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing headrests lack a compact design and a reliable locking mechanism to securely maintain the headrest in adjusted positions, particularly in vehicle applications, where stability and adjustability are crucial.
Innovation Solution
A headrest design featuring an adjusting device with linked arms and a locking mechanism that includes positive locking means, allowing for secure engagement and disengagement to lock the headrest in place, utilizing a system of interconnected links and latches that provide stability and adjustability, enabling movement in non-linear paths and secure locking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a locking device is added to secure the headrest in adjusted positions, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking device is divided into separate components: a locking element with locking surfaces on the adjustment mechanism, and a corresponding locking component on the headrest assembly. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each part while maintaining reliable engagement through precisely matched locking surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is designed to automatically engage and disengage based on the position of the adjustment mechanism. When the headrest reaches a predetermined position, the locking element automatically engages with the locking component without requiring additional actuation, providing self-service locking functionality.
2Length of moving object
If the headrest design is made compact, then the side view width is reduced, but the locking mechanism space is constrained
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is designed to operate primarily in the vertical dimension rather than requiring lateral space. The locking element and locking component engage through vertical movement and positioning, allowing the headrest to maintain a compact side profile while accommodating a functional locking mechanism within the available vertical space.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking element is integrated within the adjustment mechanism structure, with locking surfaces formed on existing components rather than requiring separate dedicated locking structures. This nesting approach minimizes the overall side view width while maintaining full locking functionality.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a headrest with a head support element (13) which can be mounted on a structure of a vehicle, in particular on a vehicle seat, by means of a holding device (11), wherein the head support element (13) can be moved forwards towards the head of a user and backwards in the opposite direction relative to the holding device (11) by means of an adjusting device (14), wherein the adjusting device (14) comprises at least a first link (16, 40) and a second link (17, 41), wherein each link (16, 17, 40, 41) forms at least one joint with a head support device encompassing the head support element (13) and with the holding device (11), and wherein a relative movement between the holding device (11) and the head support element (13) can be releasably blocked by means of a locking device (15).The special feature is that the locking device (14) has first locking means (24a, 24b, 25a, 25b, 43a, 43b) which are formed on at least one link (16, 17, 40) and second locking means (35a, 35b, 36a, 36b, 49a, 49b) which are assigned to the head mounting part (13) or the holding device (11), wherein the first locking means and the second locking means can be releasably engaged.