Neck Rest Sleeve Wire Spring for Permanent Tolerance Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sleeves for neck rests face challenges in providing permanent tolerance compensation due to the loss of resilience in materials like resilient portions and metallic springs, especially under temperature variations, and involve high manufacturing efforts and noise issues.
Innovation Solution
A wire portion made of resilient metal, such as a circular steel wire, is mounted parallel to the axis of the sleeve body, providing a biasing force to elastically deformable resilient portions for tolerance compensation, which is easy to manufacture and maintain.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If resilient portions or ribs are provided to ensure tolerance compensation, then tolerance compensation is achieved, but the resilience property is gradually lost during temperature variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional resilient portion made of elastomeric material with a metallic spring element. This substitution transitions from a material-based resilience solution to a mechanical spring-based solution, which maintains its elastic properties across temperature variations without flowing away or losing resilience.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention combines a metallic spring element with the plastic sleeve body, creating a composite structure that leverages the temperature stability of metal springs while maintaining the structural integrity of the plastic sleeve. This composite approach resolves the temperature sensitivity issue of pure elastomeric resilient portions.
2Reliability
If metallic springs are mounted on the neck rest body, then tolerance compensation is achieved, but manufacturing efforts increase and noise is generated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the spring element directly into the sleeve body structure, where the spring is received within the hollow interior of the sleeve and cooperates with the neck rest bar. This integration eliminates the need for separate mounting operations and reduces the number of assembly steps compared to mounting springs on the neck rest body.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring element acts as an intermediary between the sleeve body and the neck rest bar, providing biasing force to maintain engagement. This intermediary approach allows tolerance compensation without requiring direct mechanical connections that would increase manufacturing complexity.
3Reliability
If resilient portions are provided for tolerance compensation, then tolerance compensation is achieved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the tolerance compensation function into a separate spring element that can be independently manufactured and then integrated into the sleeve. This segmentation allows for simpler manufacturing of individual components compared to forming complex resilient portions directly into the sleeve body.
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 solution ensures permanent and efficient tolerance compensation with minimal manufacturing effort and noise, maintaining effectiveness across temperature variations.
Implementation Method 1
A wire portion made of resilient metal is mounted in parallel with the axis of the sleeve body at the outer side such that a wire portion can be resiliently deflected away from the sleeve body
Implementation Method 2
The wire portion, e.g. of circular steel wire, is extremely easy to manufacture as it is cut off from an endless wire. The wire is appropriately attached to the outer side of the sleeve body and serves as a spring supporting the resilient portion
Data Source
AI summary
A sleeve for a neck rest with tolerance compensation, comprising a sleeve body of plastic material for the accommodation of a rod of the neck rest, the sleeve body including at least one integrally formed resilient portion which is biased towards the interior of a sleeve body against an accommodated rod, characterized in that a wire portio is attached to the outer side of the sleeve body parallel to the axis of the sleeve body such that the wire portion can be resiliently deflected away from the sleeve body, the wire portion engaging the outer side of the resilient portion.