Vehicle Headrest With Sliding Side Parts For Compact Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle headrests often compromise on compactness, aesthetics, ease of use, and adaptability, failing to provide both secure and comfortable support while occupying excessive space, especially when not in use.
Innovation Solution
A headrest design featuring a central part with L-shaped side parts that can be easily adjusted parallel to the central part's side surface, allowing for compact integration in non-use positions and providing lateral support through a flexible, L-shaped structure that utilizes spring force for secure positioning without additional locking mechanisms, along with a pivotable central part for space optimization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If side parts are designed to protrude laterally from the center part, then head support functionality is improved, but headrest volume increases when not in use
Solution Approach 1:
The side parts are designed to be movable between a retracted position (where they are incorporated into the contour of the center part) and a supporting position (where they protrude laterally). This dynamic configuration allows the headrest to minimize volume when not in use while providing full lateral support when needed, directly resolving the contradiction between support functionality and compact storage.
2Manufacturing precision
If complex adjustment mechanisms are provided for side parts, then positioning precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The side parts utilize spring elements that automatically provide positioning force and maintaining pressure against the head. The springs self-adjust to maintain optimal positioning without requiring complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms, cam systems, or multiple locking positions, thereby achieving reliable positioning with minimal structural complexity.
3Strength
If side parts are rigidly attached to the center part, then structural strength is improved, but adaptability to different head positions decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The side parts are attached to the center part through movable connections that allow relative movement between the components. This dynamic attachment enables the side parts to adapt to different head positions and occupant sizes while maintaining sufficient structural strength through spring-based force application, resolving the contradiction between rigidity and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring elements allow the side parts to change their position and applied force dynamically based on head position and occupancy. This parameter change capability enables the same structural component to adapt to various usage scenarios while maintaining structural integrity, balancing strength requirements with adaptability needs.
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 design achieves a compact, aesthetically pleasing, and universally applicable headrest that ensures secure head support in both use and non-use positions, enhancing passenger comfort and vehicle interior space efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a spring element arranged in a region of the side part between its two ends for pushing the side part from its non-support position into its support position
Implementation Method 2
The friction force occurring between the spring element and the guide structure for the spring element is used to hold the side part in the support position
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a headrest for a vehicle seat comprising a central section (2), a fastening means (3, 5) for attaching the central section (2) to a backrest (16) of the vehicle seat, and at least one side section (4) which, in a support position, projects laterally from the central section (2) beyond its front surface (10) and, in a non-support position, is recessed into the contour of the central section (2). The side section (4) is slidably attached to a side surface (11) of the central section (2) parallel to it. The invention further relates to a vehicle seat with such a headrest (1).