Automobile Seat Massage Positioning Independent of Headrest Height
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automobile seat massage devices integrated into headrests require adjustment of the headrest height, limiting individual customization and posing safety concerns when attempting to vary the headrest beyond its tolerable range.
Innovation Solution
A massage device is integrated into the upper portion of the seat back, allowing independent adjustment perpendicular and parallel to the direction of travel, as well as pivoting, enabling precise targeting of neck and shoulder areas without compromising headrest safety functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the massage device is integrated into the headrest, then the massage device can be adjusted with the headrest, but the adjustment range is limited by safety requirements for headrest height
Solution Approach 1:
The massage device is separated from the headrest and integrated into the seat back instead. This segmentation allows the massage device to have independent adjustment capabilities while the headrest maintains its original safety function and adjustment range limitations.
Solution Approach 2:
The massage device is extracted from the headrest structure and relocated to the seat back. This extraction removes the constraint where massage device adjustment was coupled with headrest height adjustment, allowing independent optimization of both components.
2Ease of operation
If the headrest height is adjusted to change massage device position, then the massage device can be positioned, but the headrest adjustment range is restricted by safety tolerances
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning function is separated from headrest adjustment. The massage device in the seat back can be positioned independently through its own adjustment mechanism, allowing full customization without being constrained by headrest safety tolerances.
Solution Approach 2:
The massage device is made dynamically adjustable with multiple degrees of freedom (vertical movement, horizontal movement, pivoting) allowing it to adapt to different passenger anatomies independently of the static headrest structure.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the massage device is integrated into the seat back, then the massage device can be adjusted independently of the headrest, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment mechanism is segmented into independent components: vertical adjustment, horizontal adjustment, and pivoting mechanism. Each component handles a specific degree of freedom, making the overall complex function manageable through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The seat back structure is given multi-functionality by integrating the massage device with independent adjustment capabilities. This allows the seat back to serve both as structural support and as a platform for the adjustable massage device, reducing overall system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An automobile seat with a massage device (3) with at least one massaging element (3a) to stimulate and/or massage the neck and/or shoulder area which includes a seat back (1) and a headrest (2). The massage device (3) is connected with the seat back (1) on its upper section (1a) facing the headrest (2), and may be adjusted relative to the seat back without having to adjust the headrest.