Aircraft Headrest Side Wings Pivoting Slide Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional aircraft economy seat headrests are limited in adjustability and comfort due to constraints in side wing width, hinge distance, and seat back width, which restrict head support and lead to an uncomfortable vertical head position during sleep or rest.
Innovation Solution
The headrest features roller assemblies and hinged pivoting arms that allow side wings to move further apart and extend outward, providing a more acute angle of support, with flexible membranes or padded tongues for enhanced comfort, while maintaining fit within standard seat dimensions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If side wings are moved further apart and extended outward to provide more acute angle of support, then head support comfort is improved, but the headrest width exceeds standard seat dimensions
Solution Approach 1:
The headrest employs a dynamic mechanism with slide assemblies and hinged pivoting arms that allow the side wings to transition between a retracted position (fitting within standard seat width) and a deployed position (extending outward at acute angles for optimal head support). This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by providing both compact storage and expanded functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanism nests the movable side wings within the seat back structure when retracted, and allows them to unfold and extend outward when deployed. The slide assemblies and hinged arms enable the side wings to be contained within the seat width constraints while still achieving the extended acute angle configuration needed for comfort.
2Shape
If side wings are hinged closer together to allow greater outward extension, then head support angle is improved, but the distance between hinges exceeds available seat back width
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanism transitions the side wing movement from a simple lateral hinge rotation to a two-dimensional path involving both outward sliding and angular pivoting. The slide assemblies provide linear movement while the hinged arms provide angular adjustment, creating an acute support angle without requiring large hinge separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The combination of sliding and hinged pivoting creates a dynamic mechanism that achieves the desired acute support angle through coordinated movement in multiple directions, rather than relying solely on large hinge spacing.
3Ease of manufacture
If fixed headrest structure is used to maintain fit within seat width, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but adjustability and comfort are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The headrest incorporates movable components with slide assemblies and hinged connections that allow adjustment between different configurations. Despite the added complexity, the mechanism maintains a compact retracted position while providing extended deployed positions for improved comfort and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The headrest is divided into modular components including the mounting plate, slide assemblies, hinged pivoting arms, and side wings. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while working together to provide both compactness and adjustability.
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
This design increases side wing distance by 30%, angle by 4%, and forward extension by 30%, offering improved head support and comfort without exceeding standard seat width, enabling more comfortable head positioning and versatility across different seating applications.
Implementation Method 1
roller assemblies carried by respective first and second head-supporting side wings and adapted to permit low-friction sliding movement of the first and second head-supporting side wings on the respective first and second slide assemblies
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A seat headrest (10, 20) is provided that includes a mounting plate (12, 22) for attachment to a seat back of the seat. First and second side wings (16, 18, 26, 28) are mounted on opposite ends of the mounting plate (12, 22). The side wings (16, 18, 26, 28) are mounted for pivotal movement between a retracted position against the mounting plate (12, 22) and a deployed position extending outwardly away from the mounting plate (12, 22), and for sliding movement between the retracted position against the mounting plate (12, 22) and a further deployed position extending outwardly away from the mounting plate (12, 22).