Pivoting Headrest Cam Release for Collision-Free Seat Dumping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing headrest folding mechanisms often result in headrest collision with forward seats during rear seat dumping, as they fail to effectively transition from an upright to a forward rotated position without interference.
Innovation Solution
A pivoting headrest assembly featuring a cable-operated release lever that disengages a cam from a spring-loaded sector, allowing the headrest supports to pivot from an upright to a forward dump position, utilizing a pivot rod and bun supporting headrests slaved to the release sector, ensuring clearance from the seatback cushion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the headrest remains in the upright position during seat dumping, then the headrest provides proper support, but the headrest collides with the forward seat and prevents smooth seat rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The headrest is automatically pivoted forward before the seat dumping operation completes, preparing the system in advance to avoid collision. The cam mechanism is pre-positioned to engage the release sector as the seatback rotates, ensuring the headrest clears the forward seat before contact could occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The headrest transitions from a static upright position to a dynamic forward-pivoted position during the seat dumping operation. The cam and release sector mechanism enables the headrest to automatically adjust its position based on the seatback rotation angle, clearing the forward seat path while maintaining support function.
2Reliability
If a complex latch release mechanism is used to control headrest movement, then the headrest can be reliably released, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The headrest release function is merged with the seatback latch mechanism through the cam and release sector. The same cable actuation that releases the seatback also triggers the headrest release through the cam mechanism, eliminating the need for a separate headrest release system and reducing overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The cam acts as an intermediary between the cable actuation and the release sector. Instead of directly controlling the release sector, the cam translates the cable movement into precise engagement and disengagement of the release sector, simplifying the control mechanism while maintaining reliability.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the headrest pivots forward during seat dumping, then collision with forward seat is avoided, but the overall height profile increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of pivoting the headrest forward in the horizontal plane (which would increase height profile), the mechanism allows the headrest to pivot slightly forward and downward, utilizing the vertical dimension to clear the forward seat while maintaining a compact overall height profile.
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 smooth and collision-free forward rotation of the headrest, reducing the overall height profile and preventing interference with forward seats during seat dumping.
Implementation Method 1
A cam is pivotally supported upon the bracket and biased in a first direction to abut the sector in an upright design position established by the headrest support
Implementation Method 2
A pivoting headrest assembly incorporating a cable operated release lever which, upon pivotally engaging a cam, displaces the cam out of engagement with a spring loaded release sector
Data Source
AI summary
A pivoting headrest assembly including a bracket supported upon a seatback frame. A headrest support secures a bun and is pivotally secured to the bracket in a forward biased direction. A rotating sector is supported upon the bracket and is pivotally slaved to the headrest support. A cam is pivotally supported upon the bracket and biased in a first direction to abut the sector in an upright design position established by the headrest support. A contact portion extends from a location of the cam offset from its pivotal connection to the bracket. A lever is independently rotated and coaxially supported relative to the rotating sector in a first biased direction. The lever is actuated against the bias to engage the contact portion, with continued actuation causing the cam to pivotally disengage from the rotating sector, whereupon the headrest support and bun pivotally actuates to a forward dump position.