Retractable Head Restraint Actuation for Safety and Rear Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle seat head restraints are inefficiently manually actuated between stowed and deployed positions, often impinging on rear vehicle visibility when not in use, as they lack automatic detection of occupant presence for adaptive positioning.
Innovation Solution
An electromechanical retractable head restraint system using a cable carriage and electric motor, actuated by an occupant detection system, moves between stowed and deployed positions, with a mechanical override for manual control and spring bias for automatic retraction when unoccupied.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the head restraint is left in the deployed position, then passenger head support safety is improved, but rear vehicle visibility is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The head restraint is designed to dynamically change its position between deployed and stowed states based on real-time occupancy detection. The system transitions from a static fixed position to a dynamic adaptive position, automatically deploying when an occupant is detected and retracting when the seat is empty, thus resolving the contradiction between safety and visibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates an occupancy sensor that provides feedback about seat usage status to the head restraint control system. This feedback loop enables the head restraint to automatically sense when an occupant is present or absent and相应ly adjust its position, ensuring safety when needed and visibility when the seat is empty.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If the head restraint is manually retracted to the stowed position, then rear vehicle visibility is improved, but operational efficiency is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The head restraint system performs the retraction operation automatically without requiring manual intervention from the user. The occupancy sensor and motorized actuation system enable the head restraint to self-adjust its position based on seat occupancy status, eliminating the need for manual operation and improving efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical operation of the head restraint is replaced with an automated electromechanical system. The motorized actuator substitutes for manual user action, and the electronic sensor system replaces the need for human judgment about when to retract, thereby improving operational efficiency.
3Productivity
If the head restraint is automatically actuated between stowed and deployed positions, then operational efficiency is improved, but device complexity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces an occupancy sensor as an intermediary component that automatically detects seat usage and triggers the appropriate head restraint position. This intermediary sensor system manages the complexity by providing simple binary input (occupied/not occupied) that controls the motorized actuator, making the automation straightforward and reliable.
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
Automatically adjusts the head restraint based on occupant presence, enhancing passenger safety and visibility by efficiently transitioning between stowed and deployed positions without manual intervention.
Implementation Method 1
A cable extends between a first end coupled to the head restraint and a second end coupled to the cable carriage for moving the head restraint between the stowed position and the deployed position in response to actuation of the cable carriage between the home position and the lift position.
Data Source
AI summary
A seat assembly comprises a seat cushion and a seat back having a bottom portion coupled to the seat cushion and an opposite top portion. A head restraint is coupled to the seat back for movement between a stowed position adjacent the top portion of the seat back and a deployed position spaced above the top portion of the seat back. A cable carriage is coupled to the seat back for actuation along a longitudinal axis between a home position and a lift position. A cable extends between a first end coupled to the head restraint and a second end coupled to the cable carriage for moving the head restraint between the stowed position and the deployed position in response to actuation of the cable carriage between the home position and the lift position.