Headrest Stem Locking Mechanism for Lateral Assembly and Smooth Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing translation movement guidance mechanisms for automobile vehicle seats, such as headrest height adjustment, face challenges with assembly difficulties due to elbowed stems, limited continuous positional adjustment, and aggressive contact between locking components and stems, leading to potential damage and installation issues.
Innovation Solution
A translation movement guidance mechanism with a support plate and elastically deformable split bushes allowing lateral insertion of stems, featuring a locking component with parallel bearing elements and a recess for easy assembly, and a pivoting metallic wire for continuous positional adjustment and efficient locking, minimizing stem damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If stems are made elbowed to adapt to installation requirements, then adaptability is improved, but assembly difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of inserting stems from the end through guide bushes, the invention inverts the assembly sequence by first inserting the guide bushes laterally into the headrest, then inserting the stems laterally into the bushes. This reversal of assembly order eliminates the problem of elbowed stems unable to pass through guide bushes, as the lateral insertion path accommodates any stem configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide bushes are divided into two separate halves that can be assembled independently onto the headrest, then joined together to form the complete bush. This segmentation allows the bushes to be installed laterally without requiring stems to pass through them during assembly, accommodating elbowed stem configurations.
2Reliability
If locking blade hole edges engage aggressively with stems for secure locking, then locking reliability is improved, but stem surface damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the locking component by providing bearing elements with rounded edges instead of sharp edges. This parameter change maintains the gripping force and locking reliability while significantly reducing the aggressiveness of contact with the stem surface, thereby preventing damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing elements have different local qualities: rounded edges at the contact points with the stem to prevent damage, while maintaining sufficient friction and gripping capability through the bearing surface geometry and material properties. This localized differentiation resolves the contradiction between secure locking and stem protection.
3Ease of operation
If notch systems are used for positional locking, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the notching operation from the stem manufacturing process. Instead of cutting notches into the stems, the locking mechanism uses a blade with bearing elements that engage with the smooth stem surface through friction and geometric constraint. This eliminates the complex notching manufacturing step while maintaining easy operation.
4Adaptability or versatility
If continuous positional adjustment is implemented, then adaptability is improved, but locking aggressiveness increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the contact geometry parameters of the locking blade, providing bearing elements with rounded edges and appropriate surface area. This allows the blade to engage the stem with sufficient friction for secure locking in continuous positions while the rounded geometry prevents aggressive contact and surface damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing elements provide uniform distributed contact with the stem surface rather than concentrated edge contact. This homogeneous contact distribution enables continuous positioning while reducing peak stresses and preventing stem surface damage.
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
Enables easy assembly and continuous positional adjustment of elbowed stems, reduces aggressive contact, and provides sturdy locking with a buttressing effect, ensuring secure headrest positioning during accidents.
Implementation Method 1
elastically deformable split bushes allowing lateral insertion of stems
Implementation Method 2
exert a gripping force on two diametrically opposite sides of the stem
Implementation Method 3
a pivoting metallic wire for continuous positional adjustment and efficient locking
Data Source
AI summary
The translation movement guidance mechanism with positional locking includes a stem and one or more bushes sliding in relation to the stem, the bushes being attached to a support plate which extends parallel to the stem and a locking component which includes two bearing elements more or less parallel and arranged so that, in a locking position of the locking component, they exert a gripping force on two diametrically opposite sides of the stem. The bushes are arranged so that the stem can be installed on the support plate in an assembly direction perpendicular to the support plate and the locking component includes, between the two bearing elements, a recess allowing the insertion of the stem into the recess simultaneously with the installation of the stem on the support plate. The translation movement guidance mechanism could be applied to adjustable elements of an automobile vehicle seat, especially the headrests.