Energy absorbing headrest for a vehicle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle headrests have limited energy absorption capabilities, which restrict their effectiveness in reducing head injury during rear-end collisions.
Innovation Solution
An energy absorbing headrest design featuring a base member, a pivotally mounted frame, a biasing member, a release mechanism, and travel limiters formed from resilient materials, including a double torsion spring and solenoid, to enhance energy absorption and limit head movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional foam padding is used in headrest, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the energy absorbing capability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The headrest is divided into multiple functional segments: a frame structure, a separately mounted biasing member (double torsion spring), and a release mechanism with solenoid actuator. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for its specific function while collectively providing enhanced energy absorption capabilities beyond simple foam padding.
Solution Approach 2:
The headrest transitions from a static foam structure to a dynamic system with movable frame elements controlled by biasing members and release mechanisms. The frame can actively adjust its position and absorption characteristics in response to collision forces, providing adaptive energy absorption that responds to the magnitude and direction of impact.
2Loss of energy
If a biasing member and release mechanism are added to enhance energy absorption, then the energy absorbing capability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The double torsion spring biasing member introduces controlled mechanical elasticity and vibration damping to the headrest system. This mechanical vibration capability allows the headrest to absorb impact energy through elastic deformation and oscillatory motion, enhancing energy absorption without requiring complex electronic control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The biasing member and release mechanism are designed to function automatically in response to collision forces. The system self-regulates its energy absorption characteristics through the mechanical interaction of spring forces and frame geometry, minimizing the need for external control and reducing overall system complexity despite the added components.
3Loss of energy
If the frame is allowed to move freely to absorb energy, then energy absorption is enhanced, but control over head movement is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The release mechanism incorporates feedback through the mechanical interaction between the biasing member and frame position. As the frame moves during collision, the biasing member's force characteristics change, providing automatic feedback that regulates the absorption process and maintains controlled head movement throughout the impact event.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes physical parameters during operation: the biasing member's effective spring constant, the frame's position, and the engagement state of the release mechanism all vary during collision. These parameter changes allow the headrest to provide both movement freedom for energy absorption and controlled restraint when needed.
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 enhanced energy absorption capabilities of the headrest reduce the impact of rear-end collision forces on the user's head, minimizing injury by effectively constraining and absorbing energy through the combination of biasing forces and controlled frame movement.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing member mounted between the base member and the frame. The biasing member provides a biasing force to the frame
Implementation Method 2
The biasing member comprises a double torsion spring
Implementation Method 3
a travel limiter is mounted to the base, the travel limiter constraining motion of the frame provided by the biasing force
Implementation Method 4
the resilient material comprises rubber
Implementation Method 5
the release mechanism comprises a solenoid
Data Source
AI summary
An energy absorbing headrest for a vehicle includes a base member, a frame pivotally mounted to the base member, and a biasing member mounted between the base member and the frame. The biasing member provides a biasing force to the frame. A release mechanism is mounted to the base member and retains the frame against the biasing force. The release mechanism selectively releases the frame upon receipt of a release signal.