Rotatable Visor Headrest for In-Flight Entertainment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current in-flight entertainment systems in tightly packed seating arrangements often compromise passenger comfort and experience, as they either require all passengers to share a single entertainment source or are space-constrained, leading to inadequate relief from the stress of compact seating.
Innovation Solution
A headrest with an integrated entertainment system featuring a rotatable visor with display, adjustable to a neutral position, and an integrated sound system, allowing individual passengers to enjoy personalized entertainment without disturbing others, while maintaining comfort and visibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If seating arrangements are made more compact to increase carrying capacity, then passenger carrying capacity is improved, but passenger comfort and living space deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The entertainment system is merged with the headrest structure, combining two previously separate functions (seating support and entertainment) into a single integrated unit. This allows the entertainment system to be positioned within the compact headrest space while still providing individualized content delivery to each passenger.
Solution Approach 2:
The headrest serves as an intermediary structure that houses the entertainment system components and delivers content to passengers through integrated speakers and displays. This intermediary approach allows the entertainment system to operate independently within the constrained headrest space without interfering with other passengers.
2Device complexity
If a single shared entertainment system is used, then device complexity is reduced, but individual passenger entertainment quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The entertainment system is segmented into individual zones within the headrest, with separate speakers and display elements positioned to serve each passenger independently. This segmentation allows multiple passengers to consume different content simultaneously through the same headrest structure without cross-interference.
3Ease of operation
If individual entertainment systems are provided for each passenger, then individual entertainment quality is improved, but device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple entertainment functions are merged into a single headrest unit, combining speakers, displays, and control mechanisms into one integrated structure. This merging reduces the overall system complexity compared to providing completely separate entertainment systems for each passenger while still delivering individualized content.
4Volume of moving object
If entertainment systems are integrated into compact headrests, then space utilization is improved, but adjustment flexibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The visor is designed with dynamic adjustment capabilities, allowing it to rotate and tilt to various positions while remaining integrated within the headrest structure. This dynamic design provides multiple viewing angles and positions, maintaining flexibility despite the compact integration space.
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 provides a personalized and immersive entertainment experience, reducing passenger stress and discomfort in compact seating by allowing individual control over entertainment and maintaining visibility of the surroundings.
Implementation Method 1
The neutral position mechanism may comprise an elastic compression material
Implementation Method 2
The headrest mount may comprise a ball joint
Implementation Method 3
The headrest may further comprise an electric motor. The electric motor may rotate the visor from a stowed position to a deployed position
Data Source
AI summary
Described are headrests with integrated entertainment systems. The headrest includes a shell that is coupled to a seat through a headrest mount that has at least one degree of freedom of movement. The headrest shell also supports a visor with at least one side arm and a display span that may rotate between stowed and deployed positions. A neutral position mechanism supports the headrest in a neutral position and provides resistance to movement between the headrest and the passenger seat. The attachment of the visor to the headrest shell may also include an adjustment slot to allow fore and aft translation of the visor with respect to the headrest shell. The fore and aft translation of the visor allows for positioning the visor at different focal lengths, and provides extra clearance for the visor as it moves between stowed and deployed positions.