Vehicle Multi-Headrest Assembly with Integrated Pivotable Seatback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle seat designs lack efficient integration of multi-headrest assemblies and pivotable seatback arrangements, which can compromise safety and aesthetics by allowing gaps between seatback portions and failing to effectively absorb impact energy.

Innovation Solution

A multi-headrest assembly with an elongate crossbar and brackets that supports two headrests, allowing them to be aligned with pivotable seatback portions, and a seatback arrangement where one portion is pivotable relative to the other, with energy-absorbing capabilities to reduce frame impact.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional separate headrest and seatback designs are used, then manufacturing is simpler, but gaps appear between seatback portions compromising safety and aesthetics

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesafetyVSAvoidassembly integration
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the headrest assembly and seatback arrangement into a single integrated multi-headrest assembly. The crossbar of the headrest mount is continuously connected to the seatback portions, eliminating gaps between components. This merging ensures that impact forces are distributed across the entire assembly rather than being isolated to separate parts, thereby improving safety while maintaining structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If pivotable seatback portions are added for adjustable configurations, then passenger comfort improves, but the structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseating configurationsVSAvoidseatback structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates pivotable seatback portions that can rotate relative to the seat bottom, enabling adjustable seating configurations for different passenger needs. The dynamic design allows the seatback to move between upright and reclined positions while remaining structurally integrated with the headrest assembly through the continuously connected crossbar, balancing versatility with structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If energy-absorbing capabilities are integrated into the seatback, then impact safety improves, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimpact energy absorptionVSAvoidframe structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates energy-absorbing capabilities directly into the seatback structure beforehand, allowing the seatback to dissipate impact forces during collisions. The continuously connected crossbar and integrated seatback portions create a unified structure that absorbs and distributes impact energy across multiple components, reducing the force transmitted to the vehicle frame and improving overall safety without requiring separate cushioning systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentUS10556531B2Headrest assembly for a vehicle
Publication Date: 2020.02.11 LEAR CORP
  • US10556531B2 patent drawing
  • US10556531B2 patent drawing
  • US10556531B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A multi-headrest assembly for a vehicle includes first and second headrests for first and second seats of the vehicle, respectively, and a multi-headrest mount having a crossbar and first and second brackets coupled to and spaced along the crossbar for supporting the first and second headrests, respectively. The crossbar has a length for defining a space between the first and second headrests for aligning the first and second headrests with the first and second seats, respectively, when mounted in the vehicle. The multi-headrest assembly further includes first and second seatback portions configured to be coupled to and supported by the first and second brackets, respectively.