Neck rest

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing neck rests for car seats lack features such as a stuffed animal design with legs and arms, hook and loop fasteners, and noise-making capabilities, which are essential for providing comfort and soothing children during sleep, leading to potential neck strains and discomfort.

Innovation Solution

A neck rest with a cushion assembly featuring a plush stuffed animal design, hook and loop fasteners for secure mounting, and a noise assembly with a speaker, microcontroller, and battery for soothing sounds, which can be removably attached to car seats using a locking mechanism and seat belt integration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a traditional neck rest is used, then basic neck support is provided, but the user lacks comfort and soothing features for children during sleep

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveneck support effectivenessVSAvoiduser comfort during sleep

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines a traditional neck rest with a stuffed animal design, integrating multiple functions including noise-making features, hook and loop fasteners for attachment, and comforting tactile elements. This merging transforms a simple support device into a multi-functional comfort system that provides both neck support and soothing capabilities for children.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The neck rest serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides neck support, generates soothing noises, attaches securely to car seats via seat belt integration, and offers a comforting stuffed animal appearance. This multi-functionality addresses various needs (support, comfort, security, entertainment) within a single device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If a stuffed animal design with noise-making features is added, then user comfort and soothing capabilities are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser comfort during sleepVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The stuffed animal is divided into functional segments: the body serves as the neck rest, the legs contain hook and loop fasteners for attachment, and integrated noise-making components are embedded within specific sections. This segmentation allows each part to serve its function while maintaining the overall simplicity of the design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The noise-making features are designed to operate automatically based on movement or environmental triggers, eliminating the need for manual control. The hook and loop fasteners self-attach to the seat belt without requiring complex fastening mechanisms, reducing operational complexity while maintaining effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If hook and loop fasteners and locking mechanism are integrated, then secure mounting to car seats is achieved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemounting securityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the attachment mechanism by integrating both hook and loop fasteners and a locking mechanism into the stuffed animal's leg structure. This consolidation allows secure mounting to car seats while using standard, easily manufactured components rather than custom-designed complex fastening systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses inexpensive, easily manufactured hook and loop fasteners and standard locking mechanisms that can be produced through simple assembly processes. These components prioritize ease of manufacture and cost-effectiveness over durability, allowing for economical production while maintaining sufficient security for the application.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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 neck rest provides effective neck support and soothing sounds to help children sleep comfortably, reducing the risk of neck strains and promoting restful sleep during car rides, while being easy to implement and maintain.

Implementation Method 1

hook and loop fasteners for secure mounting

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHook and loop fastening mechanism: Mechanical Fastener

Data Source

PatentUS11484126B1Neck rest

Publication Date: 2022.11.01 VEST LATOYA

AI summary

A system for a neck rest including a cushion assembly, a noise assembly and a seat assembly is disclosed. The cushion assembly provides a cushion, being a predetermined stuffed animal, to provide support to the neck of a user while the user sleeps or rests. The cushion includes legs that secure underneath of the chin of the user, with hook and loop fastener. The noise assembly includes a speaker which emits sounds such as sayings, melodies or songs to help soothe and comfort the user as the user falls asleep. The cushion is secured in place onto a seat belt of the seat assembly with a stopper. The stopper being a male and female member which engage one another to keep the cushion positioned properly. The seat belt being on a vehicle or on a car seat.