Vehicle Seat Headrest with Rotation Locking for Neck Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing safety belt systems can cause injuries to the neck and face region during vehicle collisions due to the shoulder belt's arrangement, leading to additional external injuries and increased manufacturing costs from complex configurations and additional devices.
Innovation Solution
A safety belt system for vehicle seats that includes a headrest connected to the backrest via a rotation shaft, equipped with a sensor to detect impact and a rotation locking unit that prevents the headrest from rotating when an accident signal is sensed, using a cushion with convex sides to protect the face and neck region.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the safety belt uses a standard shoulder belt configuration, then it can effectively restrict the occupant's body during collision, but it causes injuries to the neck and face region when the body leans toward the side
Solution Approach 1:
The headrest is divided into multiple cushion portions (first, second, third, and fourth cushion portions) arranged at different positions and orientations. Each cushion portion is specifically positioned to protect different areas of the occupant's head and neck, segmenting the protection function across multiple specialized elements rather than a single uniform structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Different cushion portions are strategically placed at specific locations (upper end, lower end, side surfaces) of the headrest to provide localized protection where needed most. The cushions have different orientations and positions tailored to protect specific vulnerable areas like the neck and face from shoulder belt impact during lateral body movement.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If additional devices are added to prevent neck and face injuries, then protection is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The headrest with its multiple cushion portions serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides normal head support during regular driving, and actively protects the neck and face from shoulder belt impact during lateral collisions or rollovers. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate dedicated protection devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The injury protection function is merged into the existing headrest structure by integrating cushion portions directly into the headrest assembly. This combines the head support function and the neck/face protection function into a single integrated component, avoiding additional separate devices and complex arrangements.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the headrest is made fixed to provide stable protection, then protection reliability is improved, but the driver's visibility and driving performance are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The headrest is designed with rotational freedom around a vertical axis, allowing it to dynamically adjust its orientation according to the driver's head position and driving needs. This dynamic adjustability maintains optimal visibility and comfort during normal driving, while the cushion portions remain positioned to provide protection when lateral forces occur.
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 system effectively prevents injuries to the face and neck region during vehicle collisions by automatically locking the headrest in place, improving safety and reducing manufacturing costs through a simpler design.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor (510) which senses impact of the vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a safety belt system for vehicle seats, including: a vehicle seat part which includes a seat portion, and a backrest; a safety belt which includes a shoulder belt, and a waist belt, and restricts a body of an occupant; a headrest which is connected with the backrest by a rotation shaft, and protects a face or neck region of the occupant from the shoulder belt using a cushion having both convex sides; a sensor which senses impact of the vehicle; and a rotation locking unit which prevents the headrest from being rotated when the sensor senses an accident signal that is equal to or greater than a predetermined output.