Seat Back Sleep Support With Hinged Chest and Face Cushions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle transport seats, such as airline seats, do not provide sufficient support for passengers to sleep comfortably in an upright position due to limited reclination and existing solutions like neck pillows or tray tables are either ineffective or inconvenient, causing discomfort and disruption during turbulence.
Innovation Solution
An integrated sleep support system comprising a head cushion with a face relief aperture and a chest cushion attached via a hinged support structure, with suspension arms that attach to the seat back frame, allowing angular adjustment for comfortable support and stabilization of the head and chest, preventing intrusion into adjacent space and accommodating different body types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a neck pillow is used to support the head in an upright position, then head support is provided, but the pillow filling materials shift or deform during use and the covers are non-breathable
Solution Approach 1:
The sleep support system is divided into separate functional components: a headrest portion with breathable cover for head support, a chest cushion for torso support, and a hinged linkage mechanism connecting them. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, with the headrest providing stable support while the chest cushion and hinge mechanism enable positioning adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinged linkage mechanism allows the chest cushion and headrest assembly to be dynamically adjusted to multiple angles, enabling the passenger to find optimal sleeping positions. The hinge provides controlled movement while maintaining stability in the selected position, resolving the contradiction between support reliability and adaptability.
2Volume of moving object
If an inflatable neck pillow is used to reduce transport space, then storage space is reduced, but inflation and deflation are required at beginning and end of use
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the headrest and chest cushion into distinct components connected by a hinge, with the chest cushion serving as the structural base. This segmentation eliminates the need for inflation mechanisms while maintaining compact storage capability, as the components can be folded or positioned in a space-efficient manner without compromising usability.
Solution Approach 2:
The sleep support system is designed to be self-supporting through the hinged linkage between the chest cushion and headrest, eliminating the need for external inflation or power sources. The structure automatically maintains its form and support capabilities without requiring active intervention for setup or teardown.
3Ease of operation
If the tray table is used as a support surface for sleeping, then arm and head support is provided, but the space available is determined by the person in front and may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of relying on the horizontal tray table surface, the invention extends support into the vertical dimension by using the seat backrest as the primary support structure. The headrest and chest cushion assembly utilizes the vertical space above and behind the passenger, effectively adding a new dimensional space for support that is not constrained by the tray table's limited horizontal area.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the support function from the tray table and relocates it to the seat backrest structure. By taking out the head and chest support functionality from the tray table context, the system creates a dedicated support structure that is independent of the tray table's space constraints and the actions of passengers in front.
4Volume of stationary object
If the seat back is reclined to create space for support objects, then space for support is increased, but the support object may not be positioned at the appropriate height
Solution Approach 1:
The hinged linkage mechanism allows the chest cushion and headrest assembly to be dynamically adjusted to multiple angles and positions. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the support structure to adapt to different seat configurations and passenger preferences, maintaining appropriate support height regardless of the seat back recline angle or available space.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the geometric parameters of the support structure through the hinged mechanism, allowing the chest cushion and headrest to be positioned at various angles and distances from the passenger's body. This parameter adjustment capability ensures proper support height and positioning without requiring specific seat back recline angles or fixed spatial configurations.
Data Source
AI summary
A sleep support system incorporates a head cushion having a face relief aperture to receive the nose and chin of a passenger placing his face against the head cushion and a chest cushion attached to the head cushion with a hinged support structure for angular adjustment. The chest cushion receives the passenger's chest in a forward leaning position. Suspension arms are attached to the hinged support structure and extend over the passenger's shoulders for attachment to a seat back frame.