Seat Support Sliding Guide for Lock-Free Headrest Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle seat headrests require complex mechanisms for height adjustment and assembly/disassembly, leading to unsatisfactory appearance and user inconvenience.

Innovation Solution

A seat support element with a support element mounted on the outer surface, adjustable via a guide element and sliding element, allowing simple position change without locking systems and easy mounting/dismounting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a complex locking mechanism with rods and sleeves is used for headrest adjustment, then the headrest can be securely locked in position, but the assembly becomes complex and requires specific user actions for adjustment and cleaning

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheadrest position lockingVSAvoidadjustment mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the support element from the body structure, allowing it to be mounted on the external surface rather than integrated into the body. This eliminates the need for complex internal locking mechanisms with rods and sleeves, while maintaining secure positioning through friction and geometric constraints between the support element, guide element, and sliding element.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces the traditional mechanical locking system (rods and sleeves with locking mechanisms) with a simpler sliding system. The sliding element moves along the guide element to adjust position, and friction plus geometric constraints provide the locking effect, eliminating complex mechanical locks while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If rods and sleeves with openings are used for headrest mounting, then the headrest can be adjusted in height, but the openings remain visible when the headrest is removed, degrading the appearance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheadrest height adjustmentVSAvoidbackrest appearance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The guide element is mounted on the external surface of the body and can be covered by upholstery or trim materials. This allows the adjustment mechanism to remain visible during operation but be aesthetically integrated when the support element is removed, eliminating the appearance degradation caused by visible openings.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The invention moves the adjustment mechanism from an internal configuration (rods and sleeves within the body) to an external configuration (guide element on the external surface). This allows the mechanism to be accommodated within the surface layer rather than requiring穿透 openings through the body, preserving appearance when the support element is removed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Reliability

If a manual locking system is used for headrest adjustment, then the headrest can be securely positioned, but the user must perform specific actions to adjust and lock the position

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheadrest position stabilityVSAvoiduser action required for adjustment
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The sliding element automatically maintains the support element in its adjusted position through friction between the sliding element and guide element, combined with geometric constraints. No additional locking action is required by the user - the system self-locks in the adjusted position, eliminating the need for specific user actions to secure the headrest while maintaining position stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4219231B1Seat support element with adjustable support element
Publication Date: 2025.08.27 FAURECIA SIEGES D AUTOMOBILE SA
  • EP4219231B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4219231B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4219231B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The support element (1) comprises a body (6) defining an external surface (8) and a bearing element (2) adjustablely mounted on the body (6) by means of an adjustment device (4) comprising a guide element (16) extending on the external surface (8) of the body (6). The guide element (16) comprises a strip (22) fixed to the external surface (8) of the body (6), the adjustment device (4) comprising a sliding element (17) integral with the bearing element (2), and mounted in sliding contact on the strip (22) and comprising a free end (30) extending between said strip (22) and the external surface (8) so as to allow adjustment of the position of the bearing element (2) relative to the body (6) by sliding the sliding element (17) on the guide element (16).