Rotatable Rear Center Head Restraint for Vision Clearance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current rear seat head restraints in vehicles are not height adjustable, often obstructing the rearview mirror vision and interfering with rear seat fold-down operations, requiring removal and reconnection, which is inconvenient.
Innovation Solution
A rear-center head restraint system with a rotatable assembly mounted to the seatback, using links and a release system with a biasing member and electric motor to move between stowed and in-use positions, allowing for easy deployment and retraction with a single action.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the rear center head restraint is positioned in the standard fixed location, then it provides adequate head support for rear passengers, but it obstructs the rearview mirror vision and interferes with rear seat fold-down operations
Solution Approach 1:
The head restraint is made dynamically repositionable through a rotatable assembly that allows it to move between a stowed position (clearing the rearview mirror path) and an in-use position (providing head support). This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by allowing the head restraint to adapt its position based on operational requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of adjusting only the vertical height of the head restraint, the invention introduces rotational movement in a horizontal dimension. The rotatable assembly enables the head restraint to swing between positions, adding a new degree of freedom that clears the rearview mirror path without compromising head support functionality.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the rear center head restraint is made height adjustable, then it can clear the rearview mirror vision, but it becomes difficult to accommodate in vehicles with rear seat fold-down capability
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable head restraint assembly provides dynamic positioning that accommodates both rearview mirror clearance and seat fold-down operations. The head restraint can be rotated to a stowed position during fold-down operations, preventing interference while maintaining adjustability for vision clearance during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The head restraint system is segmented into a rotatable assembly that can be independently positioned. This segmentation allows the head restraint to be decoupled from the seat structure, enabling it to move independently during seat fold-down operations while maintaining its head support function when needed.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the rear center head restraint is made removable, then it clears the rearview mirror path and accommodates seat fold-down, but it requires temporary stowage and reconnection operations
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of making the head restraint removable, the invention makes it dynamically repositionable through rotation. The head restraint remains permanently installed but can be rotated to a stowed position, eliminating the need for removal and reconnection operations while still clearing the rearview mirror path.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the head restraint from its fixed position and integrates it into a rotatable assembly. This allows the head restraint to be effectively 'taken out' of the vision path through rotation without actually being removed from the vehicle, simplifying the operation to a simple rotational movement rather than complete removal and reinstallation.
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
Enhances rear vision by lowering the head restraint, facilitates rear seat fold-down operations, and allows customizable orientations and heights, improving safety and convenience.
Implementation Method 1
A rear-center head restraint system of an automobile vehicle includes a rear seatback of the automobile vehicle. A head restraint assembly is rotatably mounted to the rear seatback and is moved between a stowed position and an in-use position.
Implementation Method 2
The release system includes a biasing member biasing the at least one link, wherein rotation of the rear head restraint body about a first arc of rotation compresses the biasing member.
Data Source
AI summary
A rear-center head restraint system of an automobile vehicle includes a rear seatback of the automobile vehicle. A head restraint assembly is rotatably mounted to the rear seatback and is moved between a stowed position and an in-use position. The head restraint assembly includes a rear head restraint body defining an L-shape and includes a forward-facing surface moved toward a head of an occupant at the in-use position. At least a first link and a second link are rotatably connected to the seatback. The first link and the second link are also rotatably connected to the rear head restraint body. A release system rotates the head restraint assembly selectively between the stowed position and the in-use position.