Pivoting Headrest Bar Release for Forward and Rearward Dump
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing folding headrest designs often fail to allow rearward or forward rotation of a headrest without it abutting the back of a forward seat, limiting flexibility and space in vehicle seating arrangements.
Innovation Solution
A slim profile headrest with a widthwise extending engagement bar that can be lifted and rotated, featuring a biased and elevatable bar within a housing, allowing the headrest to pivot rearward or forward by disengaging from sector supports using a strap mechanism, and incorporating compression springs and torsion springs for biasing and rotational assistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional folding headrest design is used, then the headrest can be folded, but it abuts the back of the forward seat, limiting rotation flexibility
Solution Approach 1:
The headrest assembly is designed with dynamic movement capabilities, allowing it to rotate between upright, forward-folded, and rearward-dumped positions. The sector supports and engagement bar create a mechanical system that enables continuous rotation rather than fixed folding positions, resolving the contradiction by making the headrest adaptable to multiple spatial configurations without obstructing forward seat movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a rearward dumping motion as an additional dimensional movement beyond the conventional forward-folding action. By adding the capability to rotate rearwardly via the engagement bar disengaging from sectors, the headrest gains access to a third spatial dimension of movement, allowing it to clear the forward seat back area while maintaining rotation flexibility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the headrest is designed to rotate rearwardly, then space utilization improves, but the mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement bar serves multiple functions: it engages with the sector supports to enable controlled rotation, acts as a lifting mechanism when pulled by the strap, and provides a pivot point for both forward and rearward movements. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate mechanisms for each movement type, thereby managing complexity while achieving versatile seating arrangements.
Solution Approach 2:
The compression springs attached to the engagement bar provide automatic biasing forces that assist the rotation movement. When the strap is released, the springs automatically return the engagement bar to its engaged position, eliminating the need for additional actuators or complex control systems to maintain the headrest in various positions.
3Ease of operation
If a strap mechanism is used to lift the engagement bar, then ease of operation improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The strap acts as an intermediary element that translates user input (pulling motion) into the lifting of the engagement bar. Rather than requiring direct manipulation of the engagement bar or complex electronic controls, the strap provides a simple mechanical interface that the user can easily operate to initiate the rotation sequence.
Solution Approach 2:
The strap mechanism extracts the complex multi-step release process into a single simple action. By concentrating the release function into the strap-pulling motion that directly lifts the engagement bar, the system eliminates the need for multiple levers, buttons, or sequential operations, thereby improving ease of operation while managing complexity through functional consolidation.
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
Enables the headrest to rotate freely without abutting the forward seat, enhancing seating flexibility and space utilization by allowing the headrest to be easily moved to non-use positions without obstructing the seatback rotation.
Implementation Method 1
A pair of spaced apart bushing supports extend from the shell and in turn seat thereupon a pair of compression springs exerting a biasing force against a top underside of the housing and in order to bias the rod into engagement with the side sectors
Implementation Method 2
A selected rivet further comprising an elongated and inwardly extending stem upon which is seated a torsion spring. A first end of the spring engages a location established upon a proximately located sector at a location offset from its pivotal location, with a second end engaging a location associated with the housing and in order to bias the housing to the dump position
Data Source
AI summary
A pivoting headrest including a pair of upwardly projecting supports associated with a vehicle seatback and terminating in a pair of spaced apart sectors. A headrest bun supporting frame is pivotally secured to the sectors and includes a pair of elongated and side extending structural supports and a lower interconnecting housing. A widthwise extending bar is disposed relative to the housing, opposite extending ends of which engage the sectors at a first upright position and seat within channels in the side supports. The bar is biased in a first engaging direction against the sectors and, upon being displaced in a reverse direction, causes its ends to unseat from the sectors and the bun to rotate about the sectors to a dump position.