Rotating Headrest Mounting Assembly for Rear Seat Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing headrest designs obstruct access to areas behind the seat, requiring two-handed removal or being difficult to maneuver in confined spaces, especially in environments like aircraft or helicopters.
Innovation Solution
A headrest assembly with a mounting system allowing the headrest to be rotated between a normal and open position using a single-handed operation, featuring a first and second rod system with a rotatable housing and cut-out mechanism for easy access without complete removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the headrest is made removable by lifting out of slots, then access to area behind seat is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates (requires both hands and sufficient space above seat)
Solution Approach 1:
The headrest mounting mechanism transitions from a static fixed or removed state to a dynamic rotatable state. The rotatable mounting assembly allows the headrest to be easily rotated between a normal position (providing support) and an open position (providing access), enabling users to access the area behind the seat with one hand by simply rotating the headrest, eliminating the need to completely remove it or require two hands.
2Ease of operation
If the headrest is fixed permanently to seat back, then stability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates (cannot access area behind seat)
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting assembly incorporates a rotatable mechanism that allows the headrest to dynamically change position. The threaded engagement between the rotatable housing and fixed housing provides controlled rotation, enabling the headrest to switch between a stable normal position (when threaded engagement holds it in place) and an open position (when rotated to allow access), thus maintaining stability when needed while enabling access when required.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting assembly is divided into distinct segments: a fixed housing attached to the seat back, a rotatable housing that can rotate relative to the fixed housing, and the headrest itself. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function - the fixed housing provides stable mounting, the rotatable housing enables position change, and the headrest provides support or access depending on its orientation.
3Ease of operation
If the headrest is rotated to open position, then access to area behind seat is improved, but device complexity increases (requires rotatable housing with cut-out and threaded engagement)
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting assembly is segmented into a fixed housing and a rotatable housing, each with specific functions. The fixed housing contains the channel and provides stable mounting to the seat back, while the rotatable housing contains the cut-out and can rotate to allow the second rod to exit, enabling headrest rotation. This segmentation distributes complexity across separate components rather than requiring a completely complex single mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The threaded engagement mechanism acts as an intermediary between the fixed housing and rotatable housing. It provides a simple yet effective means of connecting the two components while allowing controlled rotation, translating rotational motion into positional change without requiring complex linkages or mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
A headrest assembly comprising: a headrest (10); and a mounting assembly (20) for mounting the headrest, in use, to a seat back (30), the mounting assembly comprising: a first rod (21) extending from a bottom of the headrest at a first location; a second rod (22) extending from the bottom of the headrest at a second location; a first mounting part (24) having a housing (241) with a channel (242) extending therethrough defining an axis (A) and arranged to receive the first rod (21) for rotation about the axis relative to the housing, the first mounting part configured to be attached, in use, to the seat back; a second mounting part (25) having a housing with a channel (252) extending therethrough arranged to receive the second rod (22), the housing (251) of the second mounting part (25) being rotatable relative to the second rod (22) and having a cut-out (253) therethrough via which the second rod (22) can exit the second mounting part channel (252) and housing (252) when the cut-out (253) is rotated to a position aligning with the path the second rod (22) moves on rotation of the headrest relative to the seat about the axis (A).