Headrest support structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing headrest support structures in vehicles face issues with rattling and inadequate bending rigidity during rear-end collisions, leading to potential deformation and noise due to insufficient grip and distribution of forces across the headrest stay.
Innovation Solution
A headrest support structure featuring a bushing with a support section that includes a fixed portion and a flexing portion, which grip the headrest stay to prevent rattling and enhance bending rigidity by distributing forces effectively across the headrest stay during collisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the headrest stay is supported at two locations near the center of the bushing, then the bending rigidity toward the vehicle front is reduced allowing greater displacement, but the headrest rattles due to insufficient grip at the ends
Solution Approach 1:
The bushing incorporates different functional zones: fixed portions at the front and rear ends provide rigid grip points to prevent rattling, while a flexing portion at the center provides compliant support for controlled displacement. This local differentiation of structural properties resolves the contradiction between stability and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The bushing is segmented into distinct functional sections: front fixed portion, rear fixed portion, and center flexing portion. Each segment performs a specific function - the fixed portions anchor the headrest stay to prevent rattling, while the flexing portion allows controlled movement for safety displacement.
2Loss of time
If the retention section and bushing have open wall faces at the lower end, then the headrest stay can tilt toward the vehicle front reducing contact time, but excessive input causes deformation and noise
Solution Approach 1:
The bushing implements local quality by providing open wall faces only at specific locations (front and rear ends) while maintaining structural integrity through fixed portions. This allows controlled tilting motion for reduced contact time while preventing excessive deformation through the reinforced fixed portions.
3Device complexity
If the headrest stay is not gripped by the bushing at any restriction portions, then the structure is simpler, but the headrest rattles due to insufficient grip
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than making the entire bushing complex, the invention applies local quality by adding grip-enhancing features only where needed - the fixed portions at the front and rear ends provide localized grip points to prevent rattling, while the rest of the structure remains relatively simple.
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 structure effectively prevents rattling and secures the headrest's performance in rear-end collisions by providing enhanced grip and bending rigidity, ensuring the headrest stays stable and reduces noise.
Implementation Method 1
a flexing portion that is provided on the opposite side of the headrest stay from the fixed portion, and that is capable of flexing so as to be abutted against the outer peripheral face of the headrest stay
Data Source
AI summary
A headrest support structure includes: a headrest body; a bushing; and a headrest stay, the bushing comprises a support section that supports the headrest stay in the bushing, and the support section includes: a fixed portion that is abutted against an outer peripheral face of the headrest stay, and a flexing portion that is provided on an opposite side of the headrest stay from the fixed portion, and that is capable of flexing so as to be abutted against the outer peripheral face of the headrest stay when the bushing has been inserted into the retention section and the headrest stay has been inserted into the bushing.