Removable Vehicle Headrest Locking for Seat Folding Clearance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle seats with removable headrests often require excessive storage space due to their large size, and the folding motion is hindered by insufficient clearance with dashboard and steering wheel, posing a challenge for safe and efficient operation.
Innovation Solution
A removable headrest with a locking and release mechanism that engages with armatures of the seat back, allowing for safe storage within the vehicle interior and ensuring proper installation before folding operations, facilitated by sensors to detect the headrest's presence or absence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the headrest is made large to provide adequate support, then comfort is improved, but storage space requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The headrest is divided into multiple segments that can be folded relative to each other, allowing the headrest to maintain its supportive function when extended while collapsing into a compact form for storage within the seat structure
Solution Approach 2:
The headrest folds are designed to nest within the seat back structure when not in use, with each segment fitting into the overall seat assembly, eliminating the need for separate storage space
2Volume of moving object
If the headrest is made removable to improve storage, then storage space efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism utilizes the natural weight and positioning of the headrest itself to engage and disengage locks, with gravity and simple cam surfaces providing the locking action without requiring additional motors or complex actuation systems
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is extracted as a separate, modular component that can be independently designed and manufactured, simplifying the overall assembly and allowing for easy maintenance or replacement without affecting the entire headrest structure
3Reliability
If sensors are added to detect headrest presence, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A simple mechanical intermediary component serves as the sensor, using the physical presence or absence of the headrest to directly trigger the folding mechanism through mechanical contact or position detection, eliminating the need for electronic sensors and complex signal processing systems
Data Source
AI summary
A seat of a vehicle can include a removable headrest with a locking and release mechanism and a trimmed bun region which engages with armatures of the seat that extend from a seat back. The user can remove the headrest by pressing a release button on a side of the headrest. The user can then lift up to slide the headrest from the armatures. The headrest can then be stored within the vehicle interior (e.g., glovebox, back on the seat, on the seat cushion) or frunk for safe storage. One or more sensors (e.g., interior camera) can be operated to ensure that the headrest is removed from the seat prior to folding operation. One or more sensors (e.g., interior camera) can be operated to ensure that the headrest is installed onto the seat prior to one or more operations of the vehicle.