Motorized Wing-Out Headrest Structure for Low-Force Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wing-out headrests require significant actuation force for operation and provide weak support, making them difficult for women and children to use, and the torque hinge structure used to address this issue is complex and costly.
Innovation Solution
A wing-out headrest design featuring a main frame with a first and second frame assembly, each equipped with a motor assembly and nut plate system, allowing for electrically powered sliding and wing-out operations, reducing actuation force and increasing support through a system of links and hinges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a torque hinge structure is used to reduce actuation force and increase supporting force, then the actuation force decreases and supporting force increases, but the structure becomes complicated and manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical torque hinge structure with an electric motor assembly (motor 110, worm gear 111, worm wheel 151, lead screw 153, nut plate 220) to achieve the same function of reducing actuation force and increasing supporting force. This substitution eliminates the need for complex mechanical torque multiplication while maintaining the desired force characteristics.
2Force
If a torque hinge structure is used to reduce actuation force and increase supporting force, then the actuation force decreases and supporting force increases, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the torque hinge structure with a motor assembly that uses standard off-the-shelf components (motor, worm gear, lead screw, nut plate). This substitution simplifies manufacturing processes and reduces costs compared to the specialized torque hinge mechanism, while still achieving the required force reduction and support increase.
3Strength
If passengers grip the sides of the headrest and apply force to fold them inward, then the headrest provides neck and head support, but the required force (7 to 8 kgf) is too large for women or children to use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual gripping and folding mechanism with an electric motor assembly that automatically adjusts the headrest frames. This eliminates the need for passengers to apply 7-8 kgf of force, making the system easily operable for women and children while maintaining strong supporting force for head and neck support.
Solution Approach 2:
The motor assembly performs the adjustment function automatically without requiring user physical effort. The system serves itself by using the motor to move the frames and position the lateral frames, eliminating the need for manual intervention and making operation accessible to all users regardless of strength.
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 design enhances user convenience and reduces manufacturing costs by enabling easier operation and increased support for passenger heads, while maintaining a compact and efficient structure.
Implementation Method 1
each equipped with a motor assembly and nut plate system, allowing for electrically powered sliding and wing-out operations
Implementation Method 2
a first nut plate for converting a rotation motion of a first motor assembly mounted on the main frame and generating power into a straight-line motion
Data Source
AI summary
A wing-out headrest for a vehicle is disclosed. The headrest for a vehicle includes: a main frame mounted on a stay; a first frame assembly mounted on the main frame to reciprocate in a back and forth direction of the vehicle; a second frame assembly mounted on the main frame to reciprocate in a back and forth direction of the vehicle; and a wing-out frame mounted on the second frame assembly, and including a center frame and a pair of first and second lateral frames rotatably mounted on respective sides of the center frame, wherein the second frame assembly and the wing-out frame may move back and forth as the first frame assembly moves, and the one pair of lateral frames of the wing-out frame may be rotated as the second frame assembly moves.