Vehicle Headrest Assembly With Extendable Neck Support Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mass-produced vehicle seats often fail to provide adequate neck support for individuals with neck pain or specific medical conditions, despite offering adjustments for lumbar support and seat angle.
Innovation Solution
A headrest assembly with a neck support cushion and extension members that can transition between retracted and extended configurations, allowing adjustable and releasable locking to support the neck, featuring hinges and motors for positioning and release.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If mass-produced vehicle seats are designed to accommodate a wide range of body shapes and sizes with standard adjustments, then broad comfort and support are provided, but adequate neck support for individuals with neck pain or specific medical conditions cannot be provided
Solution Approach 1:
The headrest assembly is divided into separate functional components: a headrest cushion, a neck support cushion, and extension members that couple them. This segmentation allows the neck support cushion to be independently adjusted and positioned to provide customized neck support while keeping the overall structure manageable and not excessively complex.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a neck support cushion is added to the headrest assembly, then neck support functionality is provided, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The neck support cushion is configured to be received within a recess of the headrest cushion when not in use, creating a nested arrangement. This nesting approach allows the neck support functionality to be integrated into the existing headrest structure without requiring separate mounting space, thereby reducing overall structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The extension members are designed to be movable between retracted and extended configurations, allowing the neck support cushion to dynamically adjust its position relative to the headrest cushion. This dynamic capability provides versatile neck support adjustment while using a compact mechanism that does not significantly increase structural complexity.
3Ease of operation
If the extension members are configured to transition between retracted and extended configurations, then adjustable neck support positioning is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The extension members are designed to be manually operable by the occupant without requiring additional motors or complex actuation systems. The simple mechanical design allows the occupant to easily adjust the neck support cushion position by extending or retracting the extension members, achieving ease of operation with minimal mechanical complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Headrest assemblies and method of use thereof are provided to support a neck of an occupant of a seat. The headrest assemblies include a headrest cushion, a neck support cushion, and one or more extension members coupling the neck support cushion to the headrest cushion. The extension member(s) are configured to be transitioned between a retracted configuration in which the neck support cushion is adjacent to the headrest cushion and a first dimension is defined along a central longitudinal axis of the extension member(s), and an extended configuration in which the neck support cushion is cantilevered from the headrest cushion and a second dimension is defined along the central longitudinal axis of the extension member(s) that is greater than the first dimension. The extension member(s) are configured to releasably lock to secure the neck support cushion in a fixed position at least while in the extended configuration.