Vehicle Seat Head Restraint Automatic Pivot Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
In vehicle seat assemblies, the head restraint often remains in a folded position when the seat back pivots from its folded to its unfolded position, requiring manual intervention or additional mechanisms for proper alignment.
Innovation Solution
A pivot mechanism incorporating a cable and spring system that automatically pivots the head restraint from its folded to unfolded position when the seat back transitions from its folded to unfolded position, utilizing a cable to rotate the head restraint and a spring to bias it towards the unfolded position, ensuring synchronized movement with the seat back.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If the head restraint is designed to automatically pivot when the seat back pivots from unfolded to folded position, then the head restraint can be automatically folded with the seat back, but when the seat back pivots from folded to unfolded position, the head restraint remains in its folded position requiring manual intervention
Solution Approach 1:
A cable acts as an intermediary mechanism connecting the seat back and head restraint. The cable transmits motion from the seat back pivot to the head restraint, enabling automatic pivoting in both directions without requiring manual intervention. The cable is routed through a guide structure that ensures proper tension and motion transfer during both folding and unfolding sequences.
Solution Approach 2:
The head restraint system performs self-service by automatically pivoting itself in response to seat back movement. The mechanical connection through the cable and guide structure allows the head restraint to self-adjust its position based on the seat back's state, eliminating the need for separate actuators or manual operation.
2Extent of automation
If a cable mechanism is used to connect the seat back and head restraint, then automatic pivoting is achieved, but the cable requires translation within an outer sheath mounted to the mounting bracket
Solution Approach 1:
The cable is allowed to translate within the outer sheath rather than being rigidly fixed, providing an additional degree of freedom. This dimensional flexibility enables the cable to accommodate the pivot motions of both the seat back and head restraint while maintaining tension, simplifying the overall routing configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting bracket is designed to allow the outer sheath to move or adjust its position, changing the spatial parameters of the cable routing. This adaptability in the mounting structure enables the cable mechanism to function smoothly through the range of motion without requiring complex fixed routing.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the head restraint pivots automatically with the seat back, then synchronized movement is achieved, but additional mechanisms or actuators would be needed without the cable-spring system
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical actuator systems with a simpler cable-spring mechanism. The spring provides the necessary force to tension the cable, and the cable transmits this force to pivot the head restraint, achieving synchronized movement through passive mechanical elements rather than active actuators.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable-spring system engages and disengages periodically based on the seat back's position. During folding, the cable is tensioned to pivot the head restraint; during unfolding, the spring allows the cable to slacken and the head restraint to return. This periodic engagement provides synchronized movement through cyclic mechanical action.
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
Enables automatic and synchronized pivoting of the head restraint with the seat back, enhancing user convenience and maintaining proper alignment without the need for manual operation or additional actuators.
Implementation Method 1
a first spring captured between the head restraint and the seat back and configured to bias the head restraint toward its unfolded position
Implementation Method 2
The cable pivots the head restraint from its unfolded position to its folded position when the seat back pivots from its unfolded position to its folded position
Data Source
AI summary
A seat assembly includes a seat bottom, a seat back, and a head restraint. The seat back is connected to the seat bottom and is configured to pivot relative to the seat bottom between an unfolded position and a folded position. The head restraint is connected to the seat back and is configured to pivot relative to the seat back between an unfolded position and a folded position. The head restraint is configured to automatically pivot from its folded position to its unfolded position when the seat back pivots from its folded position to its unfolded position.