headrest

Abstract

The present invention relates to a headrest (10) having a headrest (13) movable between a front position and a rear position by means of an adjustment device (20), the adjustment device (20) including at least one link (15, 16) forming at least one hinge (17, 18) with a retaining device (11) and at least one hinge with the headrest (13), the adjustment device (20) including an adjustment housing (25) at least partially covering the at least one link (15, 16), characterized in that the adjustment housing (25) is kinetically associated with the retaining device (11) such that the adjustment housing can follow the movement of the link (15, 16).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a headrest, and more particularly to a headrest for vehicle seats. Background Technology

[0002] This type of headrest is known from its well-known prior use. The headrest includes a headrest member supported by a retaining device fixed to the backrest via a four-bar linkage. Two linkages are arranged sequentially, one in front of the other, and hinge to both the retaining device and the headrest member. The headrest member can therefore be adjusted between a rear position and a front position.

[0003] To prevent injury to vehicle occupants and for a better aesthetic appearance, the headrest features an adjustable housing that is fixedly connected to the backrest structure, where a four-link system can occupy all positions. The adjustment range of the vehicle seat back must also be considered, as it expands the headrest's adjustment range.

[0004] The drawback of this existing technology is that the adjustable housing gives the visual impression of being bulky, which may be undesirable. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The objective of this invention is to provide a headrest of the type described at the beginning, wherein the linkage mechanism requires a small space.

[0006] This task was solved using a headrest.

[0007] The headrest includes a headrest that is movably supported on a retaining device fixed to the seat between a forward position and a rearward position via an adjustment mechanism. In the forward position, the headrest moves closer to the occupant's head than in the rearward position. The adjustment mechanism includes at least one link. The link is, for example, constructed as a rod with a large longitudinal extension about its width and height. The adjustment mechanism includes, for example, two, three, four, or more than four links. The at least one link forms a hinge with the retaining device and with an attachment to the headrest. Two links, for example, form a four-bar linkage with the attachment and the retaining device in this manner.

[0008] The adjusting device includes an adjusting housing that at least partially covers the at least one link. The adjusting housing is constructed separately from the adjusting device, for example. That is, the adjusting housing is separate from the possible connections between the at least one link and the two links. However, the adjusting housing may be fixed to the adjusting device, for example, one link or a pair of links. The adjusting housing may be movable relative to the at least one link, for example.

[0009] For example, the adjustment housing substantially completely covers the at least one linkage. The entire housing or at least one housing assembly is constructed to be substantially rigid, i.e., it is not movable on its own. The entire housing or at least one housing assembly is made of plastic, for example. The above features should prevent injury to the seat occupant and improve the appearance of the headrest. The adjustment housing includes at least one housing portion.

[0010] The adjusting housing and the adjusting device are kinematically linked, allowing the adjusting housing to follow the movement of the connecting rod.

[0011] One advantage of this invention is that the adjustment housing follows the movement of the linkage, and therefore the adjustment housing can be constructed to be relatively small in size. This gives the headrest an advantageous appearance, especially a slimmer side view.

[0012] The adjusting housing is connected to, for example, a connecting rod, or fixed to the connecting rod. In this case, the adjusting housing is constructed as a single piece, i.e., formed by a single component or housing portions fixedly connected to each other. In this embodiment, the adjusting housing pivots together with the connecting rod. If there is a first connecting rod and a second connecting rod, or two pairs of connecting rods (each pair having two connecting rods laterally offset from each other), the adjusting housing can be fixed to the first connecting rod, the second connecting rod, or one of the two pairs of connecting rods.

[0013] According to an alternative embodiment, at least two housing portions are configured to move relative to each other, wherein one housing portion is fixed to a first link and the other housing portion is fixed to a second link. This embodiment provides the possibility of adjusting the housing to have a very narrow extension in the adjustment direction. During movement of the links relative to each other and relative to the retaining device or relative to the attachment, the housing portions also move relative to each other. For this purpose, each housing portion has, for example, a guide device, by which the housing portions are guided in contact. Optionally or additionally, for example, in this embodiment, the two housing portions overlap in at least one region.

[0014] In another embodiment, at least one housing component forms a hinge with the retaining device. In this case, the adjusting housing is configured, for example, as a single piece, such that the entire adjusting housing can pivot about the hinge together with the retaining device.

[0015] For example, at least two housing parts are configured to move relative to each other. For example, each housing part forms a hinge with a retaining device.

[0016] At least one housing portion of the adjusting housing is hinged to the headrest. The housing portion is hinged, for example, to an attachment of the headrest. For example, the adjusting housing is constructed as a single piece; then the single-piece adjusting housing is hinged to a retaining device and to the headrest. According to an alternative, the adjusting housing has at least two housing portions, then, for example, at least the first housing portion is hinged to the headrest. The other housing portion is hinged to the headrest or connected, for example, to the first housing portion.

[0017] One implementation is a hybrid form in which a first housing portion of the adjusting housing is fixedly connected to one of the connecting rods, and another housing portion movable relative to the first housing portion forms a hinge with the retaining device and is connected to the first housing portion, for example, by hinge.

[0018] For example, a housing component (e.g., a one-piece adjustable housing) is dragged by a headrest or accessory by means of a hinge and pivots about the hinge together with a retaining device. For example, a drive element on one of the components in the headrest and the housing portion forms a hinge with a mating element on another component in the housing portion and the headrest.

[0019] The driving element is formed, for example, by a pin that engages in a recess of a mating element. For example, a headrest has a pin that engages in a recess of an adjusting housing. Alternatively, for example, the driving element is a recess in the headrest into which a pin of the adjusting housing engages. According to an alternative embodiment, at least a first housing portion of the adjusting housing has a driving element that forms a hinge with a second housing portion that moves relative to the first housing portion.

[0020] In order to adjust the hinge between the headrest and the housing in cases where the headrest and the housing may move differently, at least one hinge is constructed with an elongated hole into which a pin can be engaged in a translational and rotational manner.

[0021] The adjusting housing, for example, has at least two housing portions, wherein a first housing portion is movable relative to a second housing portion. The housing is divided, for example, parallel to its longitudinal axis. This arrangement, for example, can compensate for different movements of multiple links when the housing portions are fixed to different links. The housing portions are guided, for example, in contact with each other. Optionally, for example, the housing portions overlap to compensate for different movements of the housing portions and to avoid creating gaps that allow access to and observation of the adjusting device. The at least two housing portions overlap, for example, in all positions of the adjusting device.

[0022] Alternatively, the regulating housing may be constructed as a single piece. For example, two or more housing components may be fixedly connected to each other, thus preventing relative movement. Alternatively, the regulating housing may be formed integrally, thus being a single piece. The regulating housing may be formed, for example, in a tubular shape.

[0023] At least one housing portion is constructed, for example, in a shell shape. In this way, the linkage of the adjusting device can be at least partially enclosed.

[0024] The adjustment device includes, for example, at least two links that form a four-bar linkage with the holding device and the headrest. For example, two links or two pairs of links are provided, each forming a four-bar linkage with the holding device and the headrest. A pair of links includes two links arranged laterally and offset from each other in the adjustment direction. The two links form a four-bar linkage with the holding device and the headrest. The two links or two pairs of links are arranged successively and offset on the holding device and the headrest, for example, in the adjustment direction. For example, the links move within an angle range of + / - 30° from the vertical.

[0025] The headrest housing of the headrest member overlaps with at least one housing component of the adjustment housing and can move relative to that housing component. For example, the headrest housing forms an internal space into which the adjustment housing of the adjustment device is fitted. Alternatively, the adjustment housing overlaps with the headrest housing, for example. In this case, a gap between the headrest housing and the adjustment housing of the adjustment device (where a user's body part might get stuck) can also be avoided, and the adjustment mechanism of the adjustment device can be prevented from being seen visually.

[0026] Embodiments of the invention are described exemplarily with reference to the accompanying drawings in the following description. For clarity—even when different embodiments are involved—the same reference numerals (some with lowercase letters) are used to denote the same or similar parts, elements, or areas.

[0027] Features described with respect to only one embodiment may also appear in any other embodiments of the invention within the scope of the invention. Such modified embodiments are included in the invention even if they are not shown in the drawings.

[0028] All disclosed features are essential to this invention. This disclosure also fully includes disclosures in relevant priority documents (copies of earlier applications), as well as in cited publications and descriptions of prior art devices, and for this purpose, individual or multiple features of these documents are included within the scope of protection of this application. Attached Figure Description

[0029] In the attached diagram:

[0030] Figure 1 A perspective view of a first embodiment of the headrest is shown, viewed from a frontal angle, in which the headrest is moved to a forward position and positioned at the lower end relative to the adjustment device.

[0031] Figure 2 The basis for viewing from the oblique rear is shown. Figure 1 A perspective view of the headrest;

[0032] Figure 3 Showing according to Figure 1 A front view of the headrest;

[0033] Figure 4 Showing according to Figure 3 A sectional view of section line AA, in which the headrest is arranged at the lower end position;

[0034] Figure 5 Showing according to Figure 4 A sectional view, in which the headrest is arranged at the upper end position;

[0035] Figure 6 Showing according to Figure 4 A sectional view showing the headrest positioned between the front end position and the rear end position;

[0036] Figure 7 Showing according to Figure 5 A sectional view showing the headrest in the rear position;

[0037] Figure 8 A headrest in the rear position is shown according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

[0038] Figure 9 Showing according to Figure 8 The headrest is located in the front position. Detailed Implementation

[0039] The headrest according to the first embodiment of the present invention is generally indicated by reference numeral 10 in the accompanying drawings.

[0040] The headrest 10 includes a retaining device 11, which allows the headrest 10 to be secured to a vehicle seat. In this embodiment, the retaining device 11 includes retaining elements 12a and 12b that can be secured to the seat structure. Furthermore, the headrest 10 includes a headrest member 13 having a headrest surface 14, which forms a support for the head of the seat occupant. The headrest member 13 can be adjusted between a forward and a rearward position about the X direction via an adjusting device 20. Additionally, the headrest member 13 can be adjusted between an upper and a lower position along the Z direction.

[0041] The front position is Figures 1 to 5 As shown in the image, the rear position is... Figure 7 As shown in [the image]. Figure 6 The image shows the intermediate position between the rear and front positions.

[0042] according to Figure 4The adjusting device 20 includes links 15 and 16. Link 15 forms a hinge 17 with a retaining device 11 having a pivot a1, and a hinge 21 with an attachment 19 of the headrest 13 having a pivot a2. Similarly, link 16 forms a hinge 18 with the retaining device 11 having a pivot a3, and a hinge 22 with an attachment 19 of the headrest 13 having a pivot a4. Links 15 and 16 form a four-bar linkage 23, by which attachment 19 moves along a coupling curve between a rear position and a front position.

[0043] The headrest 13 includes a headrest housing 24, and the adjustment device 20 includes an adjustment housing 25. The headrest housing 24 is provided with an opening 26 such that the adjustment housing 25 can be fitted into the opening 26 and thus no gap is generated between the headrest housing 24 and the adjustment housing 25 in all positions of the headrest 13.

[0044] The adjusting housing 25 is formed by two housing shells 27a and 27b, which are fixedly connected to each other to form a unit. In this embodiment, housing shells 27a and 27b cannot move relative to each other. The adjusting housing 25 is fixedly connected to the connecting rod 15. Therefore, when the headrest 13 moves between the rear position and the front position, it pivots together with the connecting rod 15 (see...). Figure 4 , 6 (and 8). The internal space 28 of the adjusting housing 25 is configured such that at least a portion of the connecting rods 15 and 16, and in this embodiment, the attachment 19, can be located within the adjusting housing 25.

[0045] It should also be mentioned that Annex 19 includes a first guide device, which works in conjunction with a second guide device for the headrest 13 to adjust the headrest 13 in the Z direction and form a height adjustment device 30. The lower end of the headrest 13 is located at... Figure 4 As shown in the figure, the upper end position is at Figure 5 As shown in the diagram. For example, when the headrest 13 is height adjusted relative to accessory 19 in the z-direction, the headrest housing 24 does not move.

[0046] According to an alternative embodiment, an adjusting housing 25 forming a unit is fixedly connected to a connecting rod 16, while the adjusting housing is not connected to the connecting rod 15. The adjusting device 20 is configured as in the first embodiment. This embodiment is not shown.

[0047] In another alternative embodiment, the adjusting housing 25 is formed of two movable portions 27a and 27b relative to each other, with the front housing portion 27a fixed to the front connecting rod 15 and the rear housing portion 27b fixed to the rear connecting rod 16. The adjusting device 20 is constructed as in the first embodiment. This embodiment is also not shown.

[0048] exist Figure 8 and 9 Another embodiment is shown. The adjustment device 20 is constructed as in the first embodiment. Link 15 forms a hinge 17 with the retaining device, and link 16 forms a hinge 18 with the retaining device 11, which is structurally fixedly connected to the backrest 34. Furthermore, link 15 forms a hinge 21 with the attachment 19 of the headrest 13, and link 16 forms a hinge 22 with the attachment of the headrest.

[0049] In this configuration, the adjusting housing 25 is formed by two housing shells 27a and 27b that are fixedly connected to each other without movement. Links 15 and 16, as well as accessory 19, are covered by the adjusting housing 25 and are therefore shown in dashed lines. The rear end of the adjusting device 20 is located at... Figure 8 As shown, the front end position is at Figure 9 As shown in the image.

[0050] The adjusting housing 25 forming the motion unit and the retaining device 11 form a hinge 29. The hinge 29 has a pivot a5. Furthermore, the accessory 19 forms a driving member 31, which engages with a mating driving member 32 of the adjusting housing, and the driving member and the mating driving member 32 form a hinge 33. In this case, the driving member is formed by a pin, and the mating driving member is formed by an elongated hole into which the pin is inserted.

[0051] Based on hinge 33 in the upper region of the adjusting housing 25, pivot a5 about hinge 29 drags the adjusting housing 25. The pin gains sufficient degrees of freedom through an elongated hole, necessary for movement based on the different movements of the pin and the adjusting housing 25. The adjusting housing 25 is configured such that links 15 and 16, as well as accessory 19, are located therein in all positions.

[0052] The pivoting of the regulating housing 25 causes the internal space 28 to have a smaller volume than when the regulating housing 25 is fixed.

[0053] In this second embodiment, only one Z position of the headrest 13 is shown, but the embodiment can be configured to have a headrest 13 fixed relative to the attachment 19, or optionally have a height adjustment device 30 having a headrest 13 that is adjustable in the Z direction relative to the attachment 19.

Claims

1. A headrest (10) having a headrest (13) movable between a front position and a rear position by means of an adjustment device (20), the adjustment device (20) comprising at least one link (15, 16) forming at least one hinge (17, 18) with a retaining device (11) and at least one hinge with the headrest (13), the adjustment device (20) comprising an adjustment housing (25) at least partially covering the at least one link (15, 16), characterized in that, The adjusting housing (25) is kinematically associated with the retaining device (11) such that the adjusting housing can follow the movement of the connecting rods (15, 16). At least one housing portion (27a, 27b) of the adjusting housing (25) is hinged to the headrest (13) or at least one housing portion (27a, 27b) of the adjusting housing (25) is connected to the connecting rods (15, 16). The adjusting housing is constructed as a unit formed by one component or a plurality of housing portions fixedly connected to each other, the unit forming a hinge with the retaining device and the unit forming a hinge with the headrest, such that the adjusting housing can be dragged by the headrest to pivot about the hinge formed with the retaining device.

2. A headrest (10) having a headrest (13) movable between a front position and a rear position by means of an adjustment device (20), the adjustment device (20) comprising at least one link (15, 16) forming at least one hinge (17, 18) with a retaining device (11) and at least one hinge with the headrest (13), the adjustment device (20) comprising an adjustment housing (25) at least partially covering the at least one link (15, 16), characterized in that, The adjusting housing (25) is kinematically associated with the retaining device (11) such that the adjusting housing can follow the movement of the connecting rods (15, 16). At least one housing portion (27a, 27b) of the adjusting housing (25) is hinged to the headrest (13) or at least one housing portion (27a, 27b) of the adjusting housing (25) is connected to the connecting rods (15, 16). The adjusting housing has two housing portions, wherein the first housing portion is connected to one of the connecting rods (15, 16), and the second housing portion is hinged to the retaining device and connected to the first housing portion.

3. The headrest according to claim 2, characterized in that, The regulating housing (25) has at least two housing portions (27a, 27b), wherein the first housing portion is movable relative to the second housing portion.

4. The headrest of claim 2, wherein The regulating housing (25) is constructed as a unit.

5. The headrest of claim 3, wherein At least one first housing portion is connected to a first link and a second housing portion is connected to a second link, and each of the housing portions is movable relative to the other.

6. The headrest of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, At least one housing portion (27a, 27b) forms a hinge (29) with the retaining device (11).

7. The headrest of claim 6, wherein, At least one first housing portion forms a first hinge with the retaining device (11) and a second housing portion forms a second hinge with the retaining device.

8. The headrest of claim 6, wherein, At least one housing portion is connected to another housing portion.

9. The headrest of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, The first housing portion is fixedly connected to a connecting rod (15, 16), and the second housing portion forms a hinge with the retaining device (11) or the headrest (13), and the second housing portion is connected to the first housing portion.

10. The headrest of claim 6, wherein, The hinge structure consists of a translational guide and a rotational guide.

11. The headrest of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, At least one shell portion (27a, 27b) is constructed in a shell shape.

12. The headrest according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The adjusting device (20) includes at least two links (15, 16), which together with the holding device (11) and the headrest (13) form a four-bar linkage (23).

13. The headrest according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The headrest housing of the headrest member (13) at least partially overlaps the adjustment housing (25) and is movable relative to the adjustment housing (25).

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