Integrated Headrest and Seatbelt Web Guide Linkage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle seatbelt systems lack an efficient mechanism to adjust the seatbelt web guide in conjunction with the adjustable headrest, leading to suboptimal positioning of the seatbelt webbing over occupants of varying heights.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable seatbelt web guide system where the seatbelt web guide moves from a lowered to a raised position in sync with the adjustable headrest, utilizing a support element, connector bracket, and release mechanism to ensure proper alignment and positioning of the seatbelt webbing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the headrest is made adjustable to accommodate different occupant heights, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the need for additional adjustment mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the headrest adjustment mechanism and the seatbelt web guide adjustment mechanism into a single integrated system. The support element serves dual functions: supporting the headrest and driving the seatbelt web guide. This merging eliminates the need for separate adjustment mechanisms, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining adaptability to different occupant heights
Solution Approach 2:
The support element is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously performs headrest support and seatbelt web guide adjustment. By making this single component universal, the patent reduces the total number of parts and simplifies the overall system while achieving the goal of accommodating different occupant heights
2Manufacturing precision
If the seatbelt web guide is fixed, then the device complexity is reduced, but the positioning accuracy deteriorates for occupants of varying heights
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the headrest adjustment function with the seatbelt web guide positioning function through the support element. This integration allows the seatbelt web guide to automatically follow the headrest position, achieving accurate positioning for different occupant heights without requiring a separate complex adjustment mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The support element automatically transfers the headrest's vertical position to the seatbelt web guide without requiring additional control mechanisms. The system serves itself by using the headrest adjustment motion to directly control the seatbelt web guide position, achieving positioning accuracy without increased complexity
3Ease of operation
If the seatbelt web guide moves independently of the headrest, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the adjustment operations of the headrest and seatbelt web guide into a single coordinated action through the support element. This ensures that both components move together maintain proper alignment, eliminating the reliability issues that would arise from independent adjustment while keeping the operation simple for the user
4Reliability
If additional components are added to link the headrest and seatbelt web guide, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves the contradiction between reliability and complexity by merging the linkage function into the existing support element rather than adding separate components. The support element is designed to inherently couple the headrest and seatbelt web guide movements, achieving reliable coordination without increasing the number of parts
Solution Approach 2:
The support element is designed as a universal component that simultaneously provides structural support and mechanical linkage between the headrest and seatbelt web guide. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for additional linkage components while ensuring reliable coordinated movement
Data Source
AI summary
A seatback for a seating assembly of a vehicle comprising: a seat frame; an exterior surface at least partially covering the seat frame; an adjustable headrest operably connected to the seat frame having a raised position and a lowered position relative to the seat frame; and a seatbelt web guide, connected to the adjustable headrest beneath the exterior surface, having a raised and lowered position relative to the exterior surface adjacent the seatbelt web guide; wherein, moving the adjustable headrest from the lowered position to the raised position causes the seatbelt web guide to move from the lowered position to the raised position. The adjustable headrest can include a support element operably connecting the adjustable headrest to the seat frame, the support element at least partially disposed beneath the exterior surface. The seatbelt web guide is operably connected to the support element of the adjustable headrest beneath the exterior surface.