Hidden Front Passenger Head Restraint Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Front passenger seat head restraints in vehicles often remain in a raised position when unoccupied, obstructing driver and rear seat visibility, as it is impractical for occupants to consistently raise and lower them based on occupancy.
Innovation Solution
Integration of occupant sensors and a head restraint actuator system, controlled by a central controller, to automatically move the head restraint between an upright and lowered position based on detected occupancy, ensuring it is raised when a front seat passenger is present and lowered when the seat is unoccupied or the rear seat is occupied.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the front passenger head restraint is left in the raised position at all times, then neck and head protection during rear impacts is ensured, but side visibility to the driver and front visibility to rear seat occupants is obstructed
Solution Approach 1:
The head restraint is designed to dynamically change its position between raised and lowered states based on real-time occupancy detection. The system uses sensors to detect whether the front passenger seat and rear seat are occupied, and automatically adjusts the head restraint position accordingly - raised when front seat is occupied, lowered when front seat is empty and rear seat is occupied, resolving the contradiction between protection function and visibility
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback control by using sensors to continuously monitor seat occupancy status and automatically adjusting the head restraint position based on this feedback. The controller receives occupancy signals and commands the actuator to move the head restraint to the appropriate position, creating a closed-loop control system that adapts to changing conditions
2Object-affected harmful factors
If occupants are required to manually raise and lower the head restraint based on seat occupancy, then visibility can be optimized, but the discipline and consistency required to maintain this regimen are impractical
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs the head restraint adjustment function automatically without requiring occupant action. Sensors detect occupancy status and the actuator system self-adjusts the head restraint position, eliminating the need for occupants to manually operate the head restraint and ensuring consistent behavior regardless of occupant discipline or awareness
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical operation of raising and lowering the head restraint by occupants is replaced with an automated electromechanical system. Sensors and actuators substitute for human action, detecting occupancy and automatically positioning the head restraint, thereby eliminating the compliance issue while maintaining visibility optimization
Data Source
AI summary
An interior arrangement for a vehicle including a front passenger seat having a head restraint, a rear seat, seat occupant sensors fitted to the seats, a head restraint position sensor, a motor for moving the head restraint between its functional position and its lowered position, and a central controller operatively associated with the sensors and the motor. The front passenger head restraint is moved up to its functional position from a stowed position each time a front seat passenger presence is detected according to one embodiment. According to another embodiment the front passenger head restraint is moved from a functional or upright position to a stowed or hidden position if the front seat is unoccupied and the rear seat is occupied.