Ratchet Mechanism Headrest for Collision Impact Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing headrests fail to effectively cushion an occupant's head during collisions and prevent whiplash, as they rely on sensors and electronic components, which can malfunction, and do not utilize mechanical interactions to reduce impact and recoil.

Innovation Solution

A reduced-impact-and-recoil headrest featuring a ratchet mechanism with complementary surfaces that translate upon impact to cushion the head and prevent recoil, utilizing friction and a biasing member to absorb kinetic energy and minimize whiplash without relying on sensors or electrical components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional stationary headrests are used, then the headrest structure is simple, but the headrest cannot cushion the occupant's head during collision and may cause severe TBI

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehead cushioning effectivenessVSAvoidheadrest structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The headrest is designed with a ratchet mechanism that allows it to transition from a stationary state to a movable state during collision. The proximal wall can translate toward the distal wall to cushion the occupant's head, while the ratchet mechanism prevents the headrest from moving backward, thus providing dynamic protection without requiring complex electronic sensors or actuators.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If active headrests with sensors and electronic components are used, then the headrest can detect and respond to collision, but the device complexity increases and reliability decreases due to potential sensor failure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecollision response reliabilityVSAvoidsensor and electronic components

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The headrest employs a passive ratchet mechanism that automatically activates during collision without requiring external sensors or electronic control systems. The mechanical design itself detects the collision through force application and responds by allowing the proximal wall to translate toward the distal wall, eliminating the need for complex electronic components while maintaining high reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces electronic sensor and actuator systems with a purely mechanical ratchet mechanism. The collision detection and response functions are achieved through mechanical force transmission and the one-way locking action of the ratchet, substituting complex electronic systems with a simpler, more reliable mechanical system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If stationary headrests are used, then the device complexity is low, but the headrest does not reduce the recoil of the occupant's head toward the front end of the vehicle, leading to whiplash

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewhiplash preventionVSAvoidrecoil prevention mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The ratchet mechanism converts the harmful recoil motion into a beneficial one-way constraint. During collision, the proximal wall can move forward to cushion the head, but the ratchet prevents backward movement, thereby stopping the headrest and the occupant's head from recoiling toward the front of the vehicle. This mechanical constraint transforms the potential whiplash hazard into a protective feature.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 headrest effectively reduces the impact on the occupant's head and neck during collisions, minimizing the risk of traumatic brain injuries and whiplash by translating to absorb force and preventing recoil through mechanical interaction.

Implementation Method 1

the ratchet mechanism allows the headrest to cushion an occupant's head and prevents the occupant's head from springing toward a front end of a vehicle during a collision

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

A reduced-impact-and-recoil headrest features a ratchet mechanism with complementary surfaces that translate upon impact to cushion the head and prevent recoil, utilizing friction and a biasing member to absorb kinetic energy and minimize whiplash

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS11584277B1Reduced-impact-and-recoil headrest

Publication Date: 2023.02.21 LIFE ALIGNED SAFETY PROD LLC

AI summary

A reduced-impact-and-recoil headrest that includes a ratchet mechanism, allowing components to incrementally translate with respect to each other. The reduced-impact-and-recoil headrest includes an exterior housing surface that is deformable, providing cushioning for a vehicle occupant's head. The headrest also includes an interior compartment within the housing, with the ratchet mechanism disposed within the interior compartment. The headrest is configured to decrease the force of a collision experienced by the occupant, thereby decreasing the likelihood and severity of traumatic brain injuries resulting from the occupant's head striking a stationary headrest. Instead, the reduced-impact-and-recoil headrest is configured to incrementally move with the occupant's head, providing an incremental cushion for the occupant's head. The ratchet mechanism also prevents the reduced-impact-and-recoil headrest from automatically translating back to its pre-impact position, thereby decreasing the occupant's risk of ligament tear and whiplash.