Vehicle Seat Backrest Head Module With Extended Pivot Range
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle seat backrests have limited adjustable ranges for the backrest head, typically between 10° to 18°, which may not provide sufficient comfort and flexibility, especially in luxury class vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A backrest design featuring a pivotable support element with a drive unit and lever mechanism, allowing for a larger adjustable range of 20° or more, and incorporating a headrest that can be adjusted in two directions for enhanced comfort and flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a divided backrest frame or additional component is used to enable separate adjustment of the backrest head, then the backrest head can be adjusted in inclination, but the adjustment range is limited to 10° to 18°
Solution Approach 1:
The backrest is divided into a lower backrest part and an upper backrest head that can be independently adjusted. The support element for the shoulder region is separable from the main backrest frame, allowing independent inclination adjustment of the backrest head while maintaining structural integrity of the overall backrest assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The support element is designed to be pivotably mounted on the backrest frame, enabling dynamic inclination adjustment. The lever mechanism provides a mechanical advantage system that allows the support element to be pivoted by external force, converting a limited linear adjustment into a larger angular pivoting range of 20° or more.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a lever mechanism is used to convert adjustment force into pivoting movement, then the adjustment mechanism becomes more compact and the pivoting range increases to 20° or more, but the mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A lever mechanism is introduced as an intermediary between the drive unit and the support element. The lever mechanism converts the linear adjustment force from the drive unit into rotational pivoting movement of the support element, achieving a pivoting range of 20° or more while keeping the overall adjustment mechanism compact.
3Ease of operation
If the support element is designed to extend over the region between two backrest longitudinal sides, then flat contact support is achieved for the backrest cushion, but the structural complexity of the support element increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support element serves multiple functions: it provides flat contact support for the backrest cushion in the upper third region, acts as a mounting base for the headrest, and functions as a pivotable connection point between the backrest frame and the adjustable backrest head. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components.
Data Source
AI summary
A backrest for a vehicle seat, comprising a backrest frame on which a backrest head support element provided for supporting a seat user in the shoulder region can be pivoted. In particular, the support element can be pivoted via a drive unit arranged on the support element and a lever mechanism which interacts with the drive unit so as to be actuated by an external force.