Automotive Seat Headrest Sheath with Radial Lug for Dual Stem Support

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mounting systems for motor vehicle seat headrests require separate sheaths for straight and curved stems, hindering standardization and efficiency in seat component design.

Innovation Solution

A sheath with a rectilinear duct and a radially arranged lug, forming support zones with the duct edges, capable of securely receiving either a straight or curved rod, ensuring tight contact and accommodating different stem types.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate sheaths are provided for straight and curved stems, then each sheath can be optimized for its specific stem type, but the number of different sheath types increases, hindering standardization

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetight contact between sheath and rodVSAvoidcompatibility with different stem types

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The sheath is designed with a rectilinear duct and a radially arranged lug that can accommodate both straight and curved rods. The lug positioned radially opposite the window creates support zones that adapt to different rod geometries, allowing a single sheath design to serve multiple stem types while maintaining tight contact and vibration reduction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a single sheath design is used for both straight and curved rods, then standardization is improved, but achieving tight contact with both stem types becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility with different stem typesVSAvoidtight contact between sheath and rod

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The sheath incorporates a lug with specific geometric features positioned radially opposite the window, creating localized support zones within the duct. These local structural variations enable the sheath to adapt to different rod types (straight or curved) while maintaining tight contact, thus resolving the contradiction between universality and contact reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If the sheath is designed with multiple support zones, then tight contact and vibration reduction are achieved, but the structural complexity of the sheath increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetight contact and vibration reductionVSAvoidsheath structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sheath creates multiple support zones along the duct length, with the lug positioned radially opposite the window providing additional localized support. This segmentation of the contact interface allows tight contact and vibration reduction without requiring a completely complex sheath structure, as the support zones are distributed along the existing duct geometry.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2439103B1Sheath for installing a headrest on a backrest of an automotive vehicle seat

Publication Date: 2013.05.08 CENTRE DETUDE ET DE RECHERCHE POUR LAUTOMOBILE (CERA)

Figure 1~2

AI summary

The sheath (1) has a rectilinear conduit (3) emerged from a section similar to that of a straight rod (2a). The conduit comprises an opening (4) defined axially by an upper edge (5) and a lower edge (6). An upper edge and a lower edge of the conduit are arranged axially with respect to each other, and arranged radially opposite the opening. A pin (9) is arranged radially opposite the opening. The edges of the conduit, the edges of the opening, and the pin are arranged so as to form support zones of the rod after being introduced into the conduit. An independent claim is also included for a mounting device comprising a straight rod supported on a pin.