Vehicle Headrest Actuation for Precise Vertical Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle headrest devices lack fine adjustment capabilities and user convenience due to manual operation, which can result in suboptimal positioning and increased risk of injury during collisions.
Innovation Solution
A headrest device with a stationary portion and a movable portion connected by an actuator, featuring a driving motor, lead screw, and carrier system that allows precise vertical adjustment of the headrest using a small electric load, reducing power consumption and costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual operation with guide pin is used, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision and ease of operation deteriorate due to inability to finely adjust headrest position
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical guide pin system with an electric actuator system comprising a driving motor and lead screw. This substitution enables automated, precise vertical movement of the headrest without requiring manual manipulation, thereby improving both ease of operation and positioning precision simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the control parameter from manual mechanical positioning to electrically controlled motor rotation. By controlling the rotation of the driving motor, the lead screw converts rotational motion into precise vertical linear motion, enabling fine adjustment of headrest position with high controllability and precision.
2Ease of operation
If entire headrest is moved vertically, then ease of operation improves, but use of energy increases due to larger moving mass
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the headrest into two separate portions: a stationary headrest portion coupled to the seatback and a movable headrest portion that can be independently adjusted. The actuator only moves the movable portion, significantly reducing the moving mass and thus the energy required for adjustment, while still providing effective head support.
Solution Approach 2:
The stationary headrest portion acts as a counterweight or support base, bearing the majority of the headrest mass. This allows the actuator to only move the lighter movable portion, reducing the energy consumption required for vertical adjustment while maintaining overall headrest functionality.
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 fine adjustment of the headrest position to match the occupant's head, improving user convenience and reducing the risk of neck injuries during collisions by allowing precise positioning and efficient maintenance of the actuator components.
Implementation Method 1
a lead screw coupled to the rotation shaft of the driving motor and formed to extend in the vertical direction
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a headrest device for a vehicle. The headrest device may include a stationary headrest portion coupled to a seatback of the vehicle and formed to extend upwards. The stationary headrest portion may be located at a rear of a head of an occupant. The headrest device may include a movable headrest portion coupled to the stationary headrest portion so as to be slidable in a vertical direction, the movable headrest portion may be located in front of the stationary headrest portion. The headrest device may include an actuator including a first side coupled to the fixed part, and a second side coupled to the movable headrest portion. The actuator may be configured to cause the movable headrest portion to slide in the vertical direction.