Polymeric Headrest Socket with Sheet Steel Plate Spring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing headrest socket designs face challenges in adapting to varying installation conditions and manufacturing costs, particularly due to the limitations of wire elements in providing spring effects and torque, which require different materials and complex configurations.
Innovation Solution
A headrest socket with a socket body made of polymeric material incorporating a displaceable spring tongue and a sheet metal or plate spring fashioned from a sheet steel strip, allowing for adjustable spring characteristics and torque application through geometric configuration and deformation, which can be securely fixed to the socket body with minimal additional components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a wire element is used to provide spring effect, then the headrest socket can be produced economically with plastic components, but different wire materials and configurations are required for different installation conditions and spring characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of the spring element from wire (circular cross-section) to plate (flat cross-section). This parameter change allows the same basic plate spring structure to be adapted to different installation conditions by modifying geometric parameters such as plate thickness, width, length, and curvature, eliminating the need for different material types while maintaining manufacturing economy
Solution Approach 2:
The plate spring design serves multiple functions: it provides the spring effect, can be configured to provide torque, and can be adapted to various installation spaces. By changing the geometric configuration of the single plate spring type, it can replace multiple specialized components (different wire materials, spring shackles, mounting elements), achieving universality without increasing manufacturing complexity
2Force
If the thickness of the wire element is increased to provide different spring characteristics, then the spring effect can be adjusted, but different wire materials are required for different headrest models
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of changing wire material or thickness, the patent uses a plate spring where spring characteristics are adjusted by changing geometric parameters: plate thickness, width, length, and curvature. This allows continuous variation of spring effects (force, stiffness) within the same material type, providing versatility without requiring multiple wire material specifications
3Strength
If a spring shackle configuration with inwardly displaceable wall portion is used, then the clamping action can be achieved, but the mounting requires elongated wire mounting with longitudinal extension
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex spring shackle mechanism with inwardly displaceable wall portions and elongated mounting requirements. The plate spring is mounted directly to the socket body in a simple configuration, removing the intermediate shackle components while maintaining the clamping function through the plate spring's inherent elasticity and direct attachment to the spring tongue
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the spring shackle function and the mounting structure into a single integrated plate spring component. The plate spring both provides the clamping force and is directly mounted to the socket body, eliminating the need for separate shackle components and complex longitudinal mounting arrangements
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 configuration enables flexible adaptation to different installation conditions, standardizes spring characteristics, and reduces manufacturing costs by utilizing sheet metal plates, allowing for precise control of spring effects and torque without the need for complex additional components, thus providing a sturdy and reliable solution.
Implementation Method 1
a spring device disposed on the socket body for applying a tensioning or pressure action upon the spring tongue, wherein the spring device is configured as a sheet metal or plate spring fashioned from a sheet steel strip
Implementation Method 2
a spring tongue provided as part of the socket body, or monolithically formed on the socket body, with the spring tongue being displaceable in a direction toward the inner space for exerting a clamping effect
Data Source
AI summary
A headrest socket for accommodating a headrest rod, including a socket body of polymeric material that has an inner space for accommodating a headrest rod. A spring tongue is provided as part of the socket body, or is monolithically formed on the socket body, and is displaceable toward the inner space for exerting a clamping effect. A spring device is disposed on the socket body for applying a tensioning or pressure action upon the spring tongue. The spring device is configured from a sheet steel strip.