Design of a Mobile Head Support Based on a Compliant Mechanism

In the Netherlands, approximately 100,000 people have a muscle disease. Often this disease is progressive, so patients’ disabilities get worse over time. They end up in a wheelchair and will be dependent on technical supports. Head supports are often not used because of bad cosmetics, comfort, and control. This paper presents a slim, disguisable, and body supported innovative head rest. The prototype is tested in two ways: by tilting the setup to simulate accelerations and observing it during a car drive. It proved to withstand accelerations varying up to around $5m/s2$⁠, comparable to normal driving conditions in a bus. While there remains scope for improvement, the prototype was appreciated by the patient. A company is willing to further develop the design.