Pneumatic bladder arrangement for neckrest
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing seat designs, particularly vehicle seats, often result in a gap between the headrest and backrest, leading to comfort and safety issues, especially for users of varying heights, and fail to provide adequate neck support and configuration for different neck shapes, which can be problematic during accidents.
Innovation Solution
A pneumatic bladder arrangement for a neckrest or cushion support that includes a base inflatable bladder and side bladders, allowing for adjustable thickness and shape to accommodate different neck sizes and provide both rear and lateral support, which can be independently controlled for optimal comfort and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If rigid mechanical elements (plates, pivots, joints) are used to implement the neckrest, then structural strength and stability are improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase, and safety risks in collisions arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces rigid mechanical elements (plates, pivots, joints) with a pneumatic system consisting of inflatable bladders connected to a pump. This substitution eliminates complex mechanical assemblies while providing adjustable support through air pressure control, reducing manufacturing complexity and eliminating collision safety risks associated with rigid moving parts
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses inflatable bladders filled with air to provide neck support. The pneumatic system allows for adjustable thickness and shape of the neckrest by controlling air pressure, replacing rigid mechanical structures with flexible pneumatic elements that can be inflated to the required firmness level
2Stability of the object's composition
If rigid mechanical elements are used for the neckrest, then structural stability is improved, but adaptability to various neck shapes is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic neckrest system where the thickness and shape can be adjusted in real-time through pneumatic control. The pump can inflate or deflate the bladders to adapt to different neck sizes and shapes, providing both structural stability when inflated and adaptability through variable pressure control
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the neckrest by adjusting air pressure in the bladders. By varying the pressure, the system can modify the thickness and firmness of the neckrest to match different user requirements and neck geometries, maintaining stability while achieving adaptability
3Adaptability or versatility
If the neckrest provides comprehensive support for all neck shapes, then comfort and safety are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the neckrest into multiple separate inflatable bladders (typically three: two lateral and one central). Each bladder can be independently controlled by the pump, allowing selective inflation to create different support configurations. This segmentation enables adaptability to various neck shapes while keeping the control system simple
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs a universal neckrest system where the same pneumatic bladder arrangement can accommodate different neck shapes and sizes through variable inflation patterns. The system performs multiple functions (lateral support, central support, adjustable thickness) using a single integrated pneumatic mechanism rather than multiple dedicated structures
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 pneumatic bladder arrangement provides customizable support and safety by adjusting to fit various neck shapes and sizes, reducing the risk of whiplash and improving comfort, while also serving as a passive safety device in collisions by absorbing impact.
Implementation Method 1
A pneumatic bladder arrangement for a neckrest or cushion support of a seat S comprises a base inflatable bladder (320) having a shape mainly elongated along a longitudinal axis, at least two side inflatable bladders (330), partially overlapping the base inflatable bladder (320)
Implementation Method 2
The pneumatic bladder arrangement provides customizable support and safety by adjusting to fit various neck shapes and sizes, reducing the risk of whiplash and improving comfort, while also serving as a passive safety device in collisions by absorbing impact
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a pneumatic bladder arrangement (300) for a neckrest (N) or cushion support (C) of a seat (S) comprising a base inflatable bladder (320) having a shape mainly elongated along a longitudinal axis (X), at least two side inflatable bladders (330), partially overlapping the base inflatable bladder (320) and positioned so that end regions (R1, R3) of the base inflatable bladder (320) are covered by the side inflatable bladders (330) while a central region (R2) of the base inflatable bladder (320) is not covered by the side inflatable bladders (330). The invention further relates to a neckrest (N), a seat comprising the neckrest (N) and to a seat comprising the cushion support (C).