Vehicle Seat Drive Synchronizing Backrest and Headrest Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle seat designs face challenges in efficiently and cost-effectively adjusting the height of a headrest relative to the backrest, particularly when the backrest is folded forward, which can lead to collisions and inadequate head support during crashes.
Innovation Solution
A mechanical coupling between the backrest adjusting mechanism and the headrest adjusting mechanism, powered by an electromotive drive, allows simultaneous adjustment of the backrest and headrest, ensuring the headrest is maximally lowered when the backrest is folded forward, minimizing space usage and ensuring proper head support in any backrest position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a separate drive is provided for headrest adjustment, then the headrest can be adjusted independently, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the backrest drive and headrest drive into a single integrated drive unit. This drive has two output shafts, one connected to the backrest adjusting mechanism and the other to the headrest adjusting mechanism, allowing both adjustments to be controlled by one motor, thereby reducing device complexity and cost
Solution Approach 2:
The single drive unit is designed to perform multiple functions: it can adjust the backrest inclination and simultaneously adjust the headrest height. The drive mechanism is universally applicable to both adjustment operations, eliminating the need for separate drives
2Reliability
If the headrest remains in a fixed position when the backrest is folded forward, then the headrest provides continuous support, but the headrest may collide with components in the vehicle interior
Solution Approach 1:
The drive mechanism is designed to automatically lower the headrest before the backrest is fully folded forward. When the backrest inclination angle decreases below a certain threshold, the drive automatically adjusts the headrest to a lower position, preventing potential collisions with rear components
Solution Approach 2:
The headrest position is made dynamic rather than fixed. The headrest can automatically adjust its height based on the backrest inclination angle, being lowered when the backrest is folded forward and raised when the backrest is in its normal position, thus adapting to different operational states
3Ease of operation
If the headrest is manually adjusted, then the adjustment is simple, but the headrest cannot automatically adapt to different backrest positions
Solution Approach 1:
The drive mechanism incorporates a sensor that detects the backrest inclination angle and provides feedback to the control unit. Based on this feedback, the control unit automatically controls the drive to adjust the headrest position, enabling the headrest to adapt to different backrest positions without manual intervention
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
This solution provides an inexpensive, space-efficient, and effective means to adjust the headrest height and inclination in sync with the backrest, preventing collisions and ensuring adequate head support during crashes, while allowing for manual or power-operated adjustments.
Implementation Method 1
A mechanical coupling between the backrest adjusting mechanism and the headrest adjusting mechanism, powered by an electromotive drive, allows simultaneous adjustment of the backrest and headrest
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle seat is provided. The vehicle seat comprises at least one backrest which is pivotally mounted relative to a seating surface of the vehicle seat; a backrest adjusting mechanism and a drive for pivoting the backrest; and at least one headrest on the backrest, which by means of a headrest adjusting mechanism is adjustable in its height relative to the backrest at least along a direction of longitudinal extension of the backrest. It is provided that beside the backrest adjusting mechanism the drive is coupled with the headrest adjusting mechanism, in order to simultaneously transmit an adjustment force to the headrest adjusting mechanism when the backrest is pivoted in at least one backrest adjustment direction. In addition, there is proposed a backrest module with a drive which beside a backrest adjusting mechanism is coupled with a headrest adjusting mechanism.