Vehicle Headrest Pivot-Lock Assembly for Easy Height Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing headrest designs for vehicles are complex, costly, heavy, and difficult to adjust, especially for users who cannot reach behind their heads while driving, making them uncomfortable and unsafe.
Innovation Solution
A lightweight, simplified headrest assembly with a connecting member and mechanism that allows vertical adjustment by pivoting, using teeth or windows, allowing users to easily tilt and lock the headrest into place without needing to find a release button, enabling easy adjustment and secure positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If prior art headrest designs use complex connection mechanisms to the seat, then the headrest achieves secure positioning and adjustment functionality, but the device complexity, cost, and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The connection mechanism is segmented into discrete functional elements: a connecting member with multiple teeth, a locking mechanism with a single tooth, and a pivotable guide assembly. This segmentation allows each component to perform a specific function independently, simplifying the overall design while maintaining secure positioning through the tooth-to-tooth engagement system.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the essential locking function from complex mechanical assemblies and implements it through a simple tooth-based engagement system. The connecting member features multiple teeth that engage with corresponding teeth on the seat, eliminating the need for complex buttons, levers, or multi-component locking mechanisms while achieving reliable secure positioning.
2Adaptability or versatility
If prior art headrest designs use complex connection mechanisms with small release buttons, then the headrest achieves adjustable positioning, but the ease of operation deteriorates as users must reach behind their heads to find and engage the button
Solution Approach 1:
The headrest adjustment mechanism is designed to be self-service through the pivotable guide assembly that automatically engages and disengages from the teeth on the connecting member during pivoting motion. Users simply pivot the headrest forward or backward to adjust height, and the guide assembly self-locks into position without requiring users to search for or manipulate small buttons, making the operation intuitive and accessible.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of requiring users to push a button to release the locking mechanism, the invention inverts the operation: users pivot the headrest forward to automatically disengage the guide from the teeth, and pivot backward to automatically re-engage and lock. This reversal of the traditional button-push operation eliminates the need for users to reach behind their heads to find controls.
3Stability of the object's composition
If prior art headrest designs use complex structures, then the headrest achieves stable connection to the seat, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting member and locking mechanism are designed with homogeneous, simple geometries consisting of rods with teeth and guide assemblies with basic pivot points. These uniform, repetitive elements can be manufactured using standard machining or molding processes, reducing tooling costs and simplifying production compared to complex multi-component assemblies requiring specialized manufacturing techniques.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges multiple functions into single components: the connecting member simultaneously provides structural support, positioning reference through its teeth, and attachment points; the guide assembly combines pivot motion, locking engagement, and height adjustment control in one integrated piece. This consolidation reduces the total number of parts, simplifies assembly, and lowers manufacturing costs while maintaining connection 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 a cost-effective, lightweight, and user-friendly headrest that is comfortable and safe, allowing easy vertical adjustment without requiring users to reach behind their heads, enhancing usability and safety.
Implementation Method 1
the tooth may be biased by a leaf spring located between a front guide containing the tooth and a front wall of the mechanism
Data Source
AI summary
A headrest assembly may have a connecting member extending between a headrest and a seat back of the headrest assembly. A mechanism may be located in the headrest assembly or the seat back. The mechanism permits selective movement of the headrest with respect to the connecting member.