Pivoting Vehicle Head Restraint With Cable-Controlled Stowage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle head restraints require multiple complex operations to pivot and stow, complicating deployment and compliance with safety requirements, particularly in varying heights and orientations.
Innovation Solution
A head restraint system with a pivotable head support mounted via a head restraint mounting assembly, utilizing an actuating cable for automated or semi-automated control, along with a tensioning member and pivot locking mechanism to simplify the pivoting process between usable and unusable positions, and an adjustable height mechanism to optimize positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple discrete operations are required for head restraint deployment, then safety compliance at different heights and orientations is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple discrete operations for head restraint deployment into a single integrated pivoting movement. The head restraint assembly pivots about a horizontal pivot axis to simultaneously achieve the required height adjustment and orientation change, eliminating the need for separate operations while maintaining safety compliance at different positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The single pivoting movement of the head restraint serves multiple functions simultaneously: it adjusts the height of the head support, changes the orientation of the head restraint, and enables both deployed and stowed positions. This multi-functionality reduces deployment complexity while ensuring safety requirements are met across all positions.
2Ease of operation
If head restraint is pivoted downward for improved visibility or stowage, then visibility and space are improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to multiple operations required
Solution Approach 1:
The head restraint is designed with dynamic pivoting capability about a horizontal axis, allowing smooth transition between deployed and stowed positions. This dynamic movement enables the head restraint to be easily pivoted downward for improved visibility or stowage without requiring multiple discrete operations, enhancing ease of operation.
3Ease of operation
If actuating cable is used for automated control, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
An actuating cable is introduced as an intermediary mechanism to transmit force for pivoting the head restraint. The cable connects the mounting assembly to the head support, enabling automated or semi-automated control of the pivoting movement about the horizontal axis, thereby improving ease of operation despite adding some mechanical complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A head restraint for a vehicle seat having a seatback includes a head support and a head restraint mounting assembly for mounting the head restraint to the seatback. The head restraint mounting assembly has a first mounting stem. The head support is pivotably mounted to the head restraint mounting assembly. An actuating cable is configured to control pivoting of the head support about a pivot axis.