Unitary Headrest Support Rod for Cargo Space Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle headrests often interfere with adjacent seats or surfaces when folding into cargo configurations, leading to design challenges, increased complexity, and higher costs due to multi-part structures that lack aesthetic appeal.
Innovation Solution
A one-piece support rod with a shaft and support portion unitarily formed from a single piece of material, featuring a shaft with an annular wall, a neck transitioning to a planar support portion, and a circular rotation aperture, allowing for pivotal movement and reduced interference during cargo configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a headrest structure is designed to pivot or move to avoid interference with adjacent seats in cargo configurations, then interference is reduced, but the structure becomes complicated, expensive, and less aesthetically appealing
Solution Approach 1:
The support rod is designed as a unitary structure where the shaft portion and support portion are formed as a single integrated component. This merging of functions into one piece eliminates the need for multiple separate parts while maintaining the pivoting capability to avoid interference with adjacent seats during cargo configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The support rod incorporates a pivoting mechanism that allows the headrest to dynamically adjust its position. The rod can rotate about a pivot point, enabling the headrest to move from a fixed position to a pivoted position that clears adjacent seats when the seat back is folded forward for cargo carrying.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple parts are used in the headrest support structure to enable pivoting movement, then functionality is improved, but manufacturing cost and structural complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The support rod combines the shaft and support portions into a single unitary structure formed from one piece of material. This eliminates the need for separate components that would require assembly, reducing manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining the pivoting functionality through the integrated design.
Solution Approach 2:
The unitary support rod structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support, enables pivoting movement, and maintains aesthetic appearance. The single-piece construction performs all these roles without requiring additional components, improving ease of manufacture while maintaining adaptability.
3Shape
If the headrest maintains a fixed position to preserve aesthetic appeal, then appearance is improved, but interference with adjacent seats occurs during cargo configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The support rod enables the headrest to transition between a fixed aesthetic position during normal use and a pivoted position during cargo configurations. The dynamic pivoting capability allows the headrest to maintain its elegant appearance when needed while automatically clearing adjacent seats when the seat back is folded forward.
Solution Approach 2:
The unitary construction of the support rod integrates the aesthetic support structure with the functional pivoting mechanism. The single-piece design maintains clean lines and aesthetic appeal while incorporating the necessary movement capability to avoid interference with adjacent seats during cargo configurations.
Data Source
AI summary
A headrest support rod includes a shaft portion and a support portion. The shaft portion has a first end, a second end, and an annular wall. The annular wall defines a cavity that extends from the first end to the second end. The support portion is formed adjacent to the second end of the shaft portion. At least part of the support portion is a continuous extension of the annular wall of the shaft portion. The shaft portion and the support portion are unitarily formed.