Manual Four-Way Headrest Locking Structure for Easier Adjustment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional manual four-way headrests have a complex internal structure, numerous parts, and poor assembly convenience, making manual adjustment cumbersome and inconvenient for users.
Innovation Solution
A manual four-way headrest design featuring a headrest rod, inner pad block, and support component with a locking mechanism that includes a locking strip, elastic element, and unlocking button, allowing for three-part insertion cooperation for four-way adjustment, with locking and unlocking mechanisms to facilitate easy and stable vertical and front-rear adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional locking mechanisms are used for height and front-rear adjustment, then four-way adjustment is achieved, but the internal structure becomes complicated and assembly convenience deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the height adjustment locking and front-rear adjustment locking into a single integrated locking mechanism. The locking block simultaneously engages with both the guide post (for height adjustment) and the support component (for front-rear adjustment), reducing the number of separate locking mechanisms from two to one, thereby simplifying the internal structure while maintaining four-way adjustment capability
Solution Approach 2:
The locking block serves multiple functions: it locks the guide post for height adjustment, locks the support component for front-rear adjustment, and provides an engagement interface for the unlocking button. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate locking mechanisms for each adjustment direction, reducing part count and simplifying assembly
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional locking mechanisms are used for height and front-rear adjustment, then four-way adjustment is achieved, but the number of parts increases and assembly convenience deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple locking functions into a single locking block component. Instead of having separate locking mechanisms for height and front-rear adjustment (which would require multiple locking blocks, springs, and buttons), one integrated locking block performs all locking functions, significantly reducing the total number of parts
Solution Approach 2:
The locking block is designed as a segmented structure with distinct engagement features: a first locking part for the guide post, a second locking part for the support component, and an unlocking button engagement feature. This segmentation within a unified component allows complex functionality to be achieved without increasing part count
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional locking mechanisms are used, then height and front-rear adjustment are achieved, but manual adjustment becomes troublesome and ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the unlocking operations for height adjustment and front-rear adjustment into a single button press. The unlocking button simultaneously releases both the first locking part from the guide post and the second locking part from the support component, allowing four-way adjustment to be performed with simple single-handed operation rather than requiring multiple separate locking/unlocking actions
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 design provides a simple, cost-effective, and compact structure with enhanced user convenience, allowing for stable and wide-range adjustments while minimizing shaking, and improving the overall user experience.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic element that is disposed between the locking strip and the inner pad block... under an elastic force of the elastic element, the first locking part and the second locking part can be locked on the guide post and the headrest rod
Data Source
AI summary
A manual four-way headrest may have a headrest rod. The headrest may also have an inner pad block, which is fitted around the headrest rod so as to be able to slide vertically. The headrest may also have a support component, which is provided with a guide post that extends in the front-rear direction of the headrest. The headrest may also have a headrest body, which is fixedly mounted on a front end of the support component. The headrest may also have a locking mechanism; the locking mechanism may have a locking strip that is slidably mounted along a width direction of the inner pad block. The headrest may also have an elastic element that is between the locking strip and the inner pad block, and an unlocking button that controls the sliding of the locking strip.