Vehicle Headrest Positioning Using Occupant Head Spatial Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle headrests often remain unadjusted, compromising occupant comfort and safety due to the lack of effective adjustment systems that can optimize their position based on individual preferences and spatial relationships with the occupant's head.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle seat headrest adjustment system that utilizes sensors and cameras to determine spatial parameters of both the headrest and the occupant's head, issuing alerts and automatically adjusting the headrest to achieve optimal positioning through a processor-controlled automated adjustment apparatus.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual headrest adjustment is provided, then occupant comfort can be adjusted to personal preference, but the headrest often remains unadjusted and comfort is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically adjusts the headrest without requiring manual operation by the occupant. Sensors detect the occupant's presence and head position, and the processor controls the adjustment mechanism to autonomously position the headrest at the optimal location, making the system self-regulating rather than dependent on user action.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses sensors to continuously monitor the occupant's head position and the headrest's location, feeds this information back to the processor, and automatically makes adjustments based on the detected spatial relationship. This closed-loop feedback ensures the headrest maintains proper positioning relative to the occupant's head.
2Reliability
If automated adjustment system is implemented, then optimal headrest positioning is achieved, but device complexity increases with sensors and processors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment with an automated electromechanical system. Sensors and processors substitute for human judgment and manual operation, controlling the headrest positioning mechanism through electronic signals rather than direct mechanical manipulation by the occupant.
Solution Approach 2:
The system integrates multiple functions into a single automated apparatus: detection of occupant presence, measurement of spatial parameters, processing of positional data, and execution of adjustment commands. This multi-functional integration reduces the need for separate systems while achieving reliable optimal positioning.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure generally pertains to a vehicle seat headrest adjustment system. An example method executed by a processor includes determining, based on data received from a first sensor, a spatial parameter associated with a headrest of a seat in a vehicle and determining, based on data received from the first sensor and/or a second sensor, a spatial parameter associated with a head of an occupant of the seat. The processor evaluates the spatial parameters with respect to a reference spatial relationship between the headrest and the head of the occupant and issues an audible alert and/or a visual advisory to reposition and/or reorient the headrest based on the evaluation. The spatial parameters can be, for example, an orientation of the headrest, a separation distance between the headrest and the head of the occupant, or a relative orientation of the head of the occupant with respect to the headrest.