Inclinable Headrest Tension Spring Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ratchet-type inclination adjustment mechanisms for headrests are cumbersome and time-consuming to assemble due to the narrow space between the base bracket and lock gear, making it difficult to install and secure the tension spring, which is essential for adjusting the headrest's angle.
Innovation Solution
The design includes a base bracket with a U-shaped cross-section and a tension spring mounting area that allows for easy access to the connecting holes and regions, enabling the tension spring to be quickly connected between the lock gear and base bracket, with the tension spring being attached on the outer surface to facilitate quick assembly and maintain the lock gear's engagement with the ratchet gear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the tension spring is installed in the narrow space between the base bracket and lock gear, then the headrest structure is compact, but the assembly process becomes time-consuming and difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves the tension spring from the narrow internal space between the base bracket and lock gear to the external surface of the base bracket. This dimensional transition from internal 3D space to external 2D surface allows workers to access and install the spring from any direction, completely eliminating the assembly difficulty caused by narrow internal spaces while keeping the headrest structure compact.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a mounting area on the outer surface of the base bracket that serves as an intermediary interface between the tension spring and the internal lock gear mechanism. This mounting area includes a connecting hole that extends from the external surface to the internal space, allowing the spring to be installed externally while still functioning internally, thus bridging the gap between compact design and ease of assembly.
2Device complexity
If the tension spring mounting area is located inside the base bracket, then the structure is compact, but the assembly time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-configures a mounting area on the outer surface of the base bracket with a connecting hole that provides direct access to the internal space where the lock gear is located. This preliminary preparation of the mounting area allows the tension spring to be installed quickly from the external surface without requiring workers to manually navigate through narrow internal spaces, significantly reducing assembly time while maintaining structural compactness.
3Ease of operation
If the base bracket is made larger to facilitate spring installation, then assembly becomes easier, but the overall headrest size and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the tension spring installation function from the internal narrow space of the base bracket and relocates it to the external surface. By taking out the mounting function from the constrained internal environment and placing it on the unrestricted external surface, the patent eliminates the need to enlarge the base bracket, thereby maintaining the headrest's compact size and weight while achieving easy spring installation.
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 allows for rapid assembly of the tension spring, reducing the time and effort required to connect it, while enabling the base bracket to be made smaller in size and weight, improving the overall efficiency and usability of the headrest adjustment mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
a tension spring element (1) adapted for normally biasing the lock gear (2) into engagement with the ratchet gear (3)
Implementation Method 2
a ratchet gear (3) and a lock gear (2) provided inside said three walls (10A, 10B and 10C) of said base bracket (10)
Data Source
AI summary
An inclinable headrest includes a base bracket including first and second side walls, a ratchet gear, and a lock gear movable for engagement with the ratchet gear. Both ratchet and lock gears are disposed inwardly of the first and second side walls. The lock gear has a connecting hole. The first side wall of the base bracket has an opening defined at a location where the connecting hole of the lock gear exists, and a connecting region defined near to that opening. Provision of those opening and connecting regions allows direct and quick connection by a worker's hand of a tension spring between the lock gear and base bracket from the outside, such that the worker can directly engage one end of the tension spring with the lock gear's connecting hole through the opening, while directly engaging the other end thereof with the base bracket's connecting region.