Aircraft Seat Headrest Side Wings With Sliding Pivot Support

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional aircraft passenger seat headrests in economy seating lack sufficient adjustability and comfort due to constraints in side wing width, hinge distance, and seat back width, limiting head support and causing discomfort, especially when sleeping or resting.

Innovation Solution

A headrest design featuring slide assemblies and hinges that allow side wings to move further apart and extend outward, providing a more acute angle of support, with roller assemblies for low-friction movement and support arms for adjustable positioning, while maintaining fit within standard seat dimensions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the side wings are moved further apart and extended outward to provide more acute angle of support, then head support and comfort are improved, but the headrest width exceeds standard economy seat dimensions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehead support comfortVSAvoidheadrest width

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The headrest is divided into a central mounting plate and two separate hinged side wings that can be independently positioned. This segmentation allows each side wing to be optimized for head support while the central plate remains compact, resolving the contradiction between providing extended support and maintaining overall compactness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The side wings are made dynamically adjustable through hinges and slide assemblies, allowing them to extend outward and move apart when needed for head support, then retract to a compact position when not in use. This dynamic capability enables the headrest to transition between compact storage and extended support configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If slide assemblies and hinges are added to enable side wings to move apart and extend outward, then adjustability and head support are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheadrest adjustabilityVSAvoidmechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Hinges and slide assemblies are incorporated to enable dynamic adjustment of side wings. The hinges allow pivotal movement for extending outward, while slide assemblies permit sliding motion for moving apart. These mechanical elements provide multi-degree-of-freedom adjustability while maintaining relatively simple construction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The adjustment mechanism is segmented into separate hinge joints and slide assemblies rather than a single complex mechanism. This modular approach to the adjustment system makes each component simpler and easier to manufacture while collectively providing the desired adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If roller assemblies are added to permit low-friction sliding movement, then ease of adjustment is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveside wing adjustment easeVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Roller assemblies are used to replace high-friction sliding contacts with low-friction rolling contacts. This substitution dramatically reduces the force needed to adjust the side wings while the roller components themselves remain relatively simple to manufacture using standard mechanical elements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

The design enhances head support and comfort by increasing side wing distance and angle, allowing for better head positioning, and maintains compactness for standard seat compatibility, offering improved adjustability and comfort without increasing seat width.

Implementation Method 1

first and second roller assemblies carried by respective first and second head-supporting side wings and adapted to permit low-friction sliding movement of the first and second head-supporting side wings on the respective first and second slide assemblies

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRolling friction reduction: Roller

Implementation Method 2

first and second hinges are provided on which the first and second head-supporting side wings are respectively mounted for pivotal movement between a retracted position against the mounting plate and a deployed head-supporting position extending outwardly away from the mounting plate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHinged pivoting: Hinge

Data Source

PatentUS9611041B2Passenger seat headrest

Publication Date: 2017.04.04 BE AEROSPACE INC

AI summary

A seat headrest is provided that includes a mounting plate for attachment to a seat back of the seat. First and second side wings are mounted on opposite ends of the mounting plate. The side wings are mounted for pivotal movement between a retracted position against the mounting plate and a deployed position extending outwardly away from the mounting plate, and for sliding movement between the retracted position against the mounting plate and a further deployed position extending outwardly away from the mounting plate.