A vehicle active safety headrest

Abstract

The application discloses a vehicle active safety headrest, which comprises a headrest fixing part fixedly connected with a seat framework, a headrest supporting part slidably connected with the headrest fixing part, a headrest air bag arranged between the headrest supporting part and the headrest fixing part, and a shoulder air bag arranged on the seat framework, wherein the shoulder air bag is connected with the headrest air bag through a trigger air path, and a pressure limiting valve and a one-way valve are arranged on the trigger air path; when the shoulder air bag is pressed by a driver to make the air pressure in the shoulder air bag exceed a set threshold, the pressure limiting valve is opened to make the gas in the shoulder air bag flow into the headrest air bag, so that the headrest supporting part is pushed to slide relative to the headrest fixing part in a first linear direction to move away from the headrest fixing part; a one-way locking assembly is arranged to prevent the headrest supporting part from sliding relative to the headrest fixing part in a second linear direction opposite to the first linear direction; and the one-way valve is arranged to allow the gas to flow from the shoulder air bag to the headrest air bag.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] Existing vehicle headrest fore-and-aft adjustment mechanisms mainly include manual adjustment and electric adjustment based on motor drive, among which:

[0003] The manual adjustment method is based on a gear and rack transmission mechanism for guidance and requires a separate manual locking and unlocking mechanism. Its main disadvantages are that the transmission mechanism is complex, heavy, costly, and inconvenient for users.

[0004] Electric adjustment is based on motor drive and generally uses a screw and helical adjustment mechanism to achieve guidance and self-locking. Its main disadvantages are heavy structure, loud noise from the motor located in the headrest area, and high cost.

[0005] With the continuous development of product technology, more and more vehicles are now equipped with active safety headrests, a highly effective safety feature that can effectively protect occupants' necks in rear-end collisions. Existing active safety headrest technologies mainly include two types:

[0006] One type is the mechanical lever-driven active safety headrest. Its basic principle is to use a lever mechanism to connect the backrest shoulder to the headrest. In the event of a collision, the human shoulder first presses against the pressure plate on the upper part of the seat back. The pressure plate moves backward under force, simultaneously driving the headrest forward through the lever mechanism, thus advancing the head-to-headrest contact time and reducing Whiplash injuries. However, this type of safety headrest has high material costs and a heavy structure.

[0007] Another type of airbag-deployable headrest works by placing an airbag inside the headrest. When a rear-end collision occurs, the airbag deploys, propelling the headrest forward rapidly to shorten the head-to-headrest contact time and reduce Whiplash injuries. However, this type of airbag headrest has drawbacks, including the high cost of the airbag and deployment mechanism, and its single-use nature. Furthermore, the high-speed forward movement of the headrest during deployment poses a potential risk of injury to occupants. Summary of the Invention

[0008] The purpose of this invention is to provide a vehicle active safety headrest that can quickly replenish the headrest airbag through the shoulder airbag in the event of a collision, thereby enabling the headrest to move forward and ensuring that the headrest does not move backward when the head hits the headrest, thus providing stable support for the head and neck.

[0009] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides a vehicle active safety headrest, which is connected to the seat frame, and the vehicle active safety headrest includes:

[0010] The headrest fixing part is fixedly connected to the seat frame;

[0011] The headrest support is slidably connected to the headrest fixing part;

[0012] A headrest airbag is disposed between the headrest support part and the headrest fixing part;

[0013] Shoulder airbags are mounted on the seat frame and are connected to headrest airbags via a trigger air circuit. The trigger air circuit is equipped with a pressure limiting valve and a one-way valve.

[0014] When the shoulder airbag is compressed by the driver or passenger to the point that the air pressure inside the shoulder airbag rises to exceed a set threshold, the pressure relief valve opens to allow gas to enter the headrest airbag from the shoulder airbag, thereby pushing the headrest support to slide away from the headrest fixing part in a first linear direction.

[0015] A one-way locking assembly that prevents the headrest support from sliding relative to the headrest fixing part in a second linear direction opposite to the first linear direction;

[0016] The one-way valve is configured to allow gas to flow only from the shoulder airbag to the headrest airbag.

[0017] When a vehicle is rear-ended, the occupant's torso accelerates forward with the vehicle, while the head lags behind due to inertia, causing the head to rotate backward and resulting in a neck injury. This type of injury is called a "whiplash injury" because it resembles the swinging motion of a whip. An important evaluation criterion for whiplash injuries is the Neck Injury Index (NIC). The closer the head acceleration is to the chest acceleration, the better the NIC.

[0018] Considering that passengers' chests are usually pressed against the backrest while their heads are separated from the headrest, the design principle of the active safety headrest is to slow down the rate of chest acceleration and accelerate the rate of head acceleration, thereby achieving synergy between the two.

[0019] Based on this, the present invention uses headrest airbags and shoulder airbags as actuators for X-axis forward movement adjustment. The active safety headrest function is realized by using pressure limiting valves and one-way valves in the trigger air circuit connecting the shoulder and headrest airbags. The one-way locking component is used to realize the one-way locking of the headrest support, ensuring that the head is fully and reliably supported when a rear-end collision occurs, and without restricting forward movement during this process, thereby matching the headrest to achieve actions that conform to the active safety logic.

[0020] When a collision occurs, due to inertia, the occupant's initial posture remains unchanged. The vehicle accelerates forward, causing the seat to move forward. At this moment, the occupant's torso first compresses the shoulder airbags, causing the gas pressure inside the shoulder airbags to rise rapidly. When the pressure exceeds a set threshold, the pressure relief valve opens, and gas enters the headrest airbags through a one-way valve, causing the headrest support to move forward rapidly. As a result, the occupant's head makes contact with the headrest support earlier, and the head acceleration increases rapidly. This achieves a synchronous increase in head and chest acceleration, reducing the difference between the two and thus lowering the neck injury index (NIC), achieving the effect of active safety protection.

[0021] Furthermore, the vehicle active safety headrest of the present invention also includes a first venting solenoid valve, which is connected to the headrest air bag to release the gas in the headrest air bag.

[0022] After a collision, in order to allow the headrest support to return to its original position, the gas in the headrest airbag can be released through the first venting solenoid valve.

[0023] Furthermore, the vehicle active safety headrest of the present invention also includes an air pump, which is connected to the headrest air bag through a headrest air circuit, and a first inflation solenoid valve is provided on the headrest air circuit.

[0024] When the first inflation solenoid valve is opened, the headrest air bag can be inflated directly by the air pump.

[0025] Furthermore, the vehicle active safety headrest of the present invention also includes a second venting solenoid valve, which is connected to the shoulder airbag to release gas in the shoulder airbag.

[0026] Furthermore, in the vehicle active safety headrest described in this invention, a second inflation solenoid valve is provided between the air pump and the shoulder air bag.

[0027] In this embodiment, by controlling the opening and closing of the second deflation solenoid valve and the second inflation solenoid valve, the minimum air pressure of the shoulder airbag can be maintained, thereby ensuring that the active safety headrest has sufficient and reliable power storage in the event of a collision.

[0028] Furthermore, in the vehicle active safety headrest described in this invention, the headrest support portion is provided with a slide rod, and the headrest fixing portion is provided with a slide groove adapted to the slide rod.

[0029] Furthermore, in the vehicle active safety headrest described in this invention, a preload spring is connected between the tail end of the slide rod and the headrest fixing part.

[0030] Furthermore, in the vehicle active safety headrest described in this invention, the one-way locking component includes:

[0031] A one-way locking caliper is provided on the headrest support, and the one-way locking caliper is provided with one-way locking teeth;

[0032] The locking slider has a pre-tightening locking point, which engages with the headrest fixing part when not triggered; the lower end of the locking slider has a locking part that matches the one-way locking tooth.

[0033] A preload spring, disposed between the locking slider and the headrest fixing part, applies a vertically downward force to the locking slider;

[0034] Under the triggering condition, the locking slider and the headrest fixing part move relative to each other in the horizontal direction to disengage the pre-tightening locking point from the headrest fixing part. The locking slider moves vertically downward under the action of the pre-compression spring to engage the locking part with the one-way locking tooth. The engagement of the locking part with the one-way locking tooth only allows the headrest support part to slide away from the headrest fixing part in the first linear direction, while preventing the headrest support part from sliding relative to the headrest fixing part in the second linear direction opposite to the first linear direction.

[0035] In this embodiment, when a rear-end collision occurs:

[0036] Because the headrest fixing part is directly connected to the seat frame, it accelerates along with the vehicle body. The locking slider remains in place due to inertia, causing the pre-tensioning locking point to disengage from the headrest fixing part. Then, under the action of the preload spring, the locking slider moves down quickly, matching the one-way locking caliper to achieve a one-way locking effect. That is, the headrest support can move forward under the action of the active safety connection air circuit, but due to the one-way locking of the one-way locking caliper, the headrest support cannot collapse backward when the head hits the headrest, thus achieving a stable head support effect.

[0037] Furthermore, the vehicle active safety headrest of the present invention also includes an unlocking push rod, which is disposed on the headrest fixing part. The unlocking push rod is provided with a first wedge-shaped part, which cooperates with a second wedge-shaped part on the locking slider, so that when the unlocking push rod is pressed in the horizontal direction, the locking slider is lifted in the vertical direction.

[0038] In this embodiment, after the collision ends, the unlocking push rod is pressed from the side of the headrest. The locking slider slides upward under the action of the inclined surface of the push rod until it re-engages with the headrest fixing part through the pre-tightening locking point. At this time, the headrest resumes its comfort adjustment function.

[0039] Furthermore, in the vehicle active safety headrest described in this invention, the shoulder airbag includes an air curtain capable of fanning out.

[0040] In this embodiment, the fan-shaped multi-layered curtain-like air bag enables pneumatic shoulder angle adjustment.

[0041] The active safety headrest for vehicles described in this invention has the following advantages and beneficial effects:

[0042] The active safety headrest of this invention can rapidly replenish the headrest airbag via the shoulder airbag during a collision, thereby enabling the headrest to move forward and ensuring that it does not move backward when the head hits the headrest, thus providing stable support for the head and neck.

[0043] The vehicle active safety headrest function described in this invention has high integration. It can be expanded based on the current seat pneumatic lumbar support and massage system without the need for additional controllers and air source equipment, and the cost increase of the new function is relatively low.

[0044] The vehicle active safety headrest structure described in this invention is simple, reliable, and highly adaptable, and can be adapted to the equipment without changing the existing seat frame structure.

[0045] The vehicle active safety headrest described in this invention is lightweight, and the total weight required to realize all functions can be controlled within 1kg. Attached Figure Description

[0046] Figure 1 The diagram schematically illustrates the structure of the vehicle active safety headrest according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0047] Figure 2 The diagram illustrates the changes of the vehicle active safety headrest described in this invention during a collision.

[0048] Figure 3 The diagram illustrates the air circuit connection of the vehicle active safety headrest according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0049] Figure 4 The illustration schematically shows the headrest support portion of the vehicle active safety headrest described in this invention in a viewpoint under one embodiment, with the headrest support portion not open.

[0050] Figure 5 The diagram schematically shows the headrest support portion of the vehicle active safety headrest described in this invention in an open state from one perspective in one embodiment.

[0051] Figure 6 The diagram schematically illustrates the structure of the vehicle active safety headrest described in this invention from another perspective in one embodiment.

[0052] Figure 7 The structure of the locking slider in one embodiment is shown schematically.

[0053] Figure 8 The structure of the vehicle active safety headrest described in this invention is schematically shown from another perspective in one embodiment.

[0054] Figure 9 The diagram schematically illustrates a shoulder airbag in one embodiment of the vehicle active safety headrest described in this invention. Detailed Implementation

[0055] The active safety headrest for vehicles described in this invention will be further explained and described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. However, this explanation and description do not constitute an undue limitation on the technical solution of this invention.

[0056] Figure 1 The diagram schematically illustrates the structure of the vehicle active safety headrest according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0057] like Figure 1 As shown, in this embodiment, the vehicle's active safety headrest is connected to the seat frame and includes: a headrest fixing part 2 fixedly connected to the seat frame; a headrest support part 1 slidably connected to the headrest fixing part 2; a headrest airbag 3 disposed between the headrest support part 1 and the headrest fixing part 2; and a shoulder airbag 4 disposed on the seat frame. The shoulder airbag 4 and the headrest airbag 3 are connected through a trigger air passage 5, which is equipped with a pressure limiting valve 51 and a one-way valve.

[0058] Figure 2 The diagram illustrates the changes of the vehicle active safety headrest described in this invention during a collision.

[0059] like Figure 2 As shown, when a collision occurs, due to inertia, the occupant's initial posture remains unchanged, and the vehicle body accelerates forward, causing the seat to move forward. At this time, the occupant's torso first compresses the shoulder airbags. Figure 2 (Right-side view) When the air pressure inside the shoulder airbag 4 rises above a set threshold, the pressure relief valve 51 opens, allowing gas to enter the headrest airbag 3 from the shoulder airbag 4. This pushes the headrest support 1 relative to the headrest fixing part 2, causing it to slide in the first linear direction (the vehicle's forward direction) away from the headrest fixing part. Simultaneously, the one-way locking assembly prevents the headrest support 1 from sliding relative to the headrest fixing part 2 in a second linear direction opposite to the first linear direction (i.e., prevents the headrest support 1 from retracting relative to the headrest fixing part 2). As a result, the occupant's head contacts the headrest support early, causing a rapid increase in head acceleration. This synchronizes the acceleration of the head and chest, reducing the difference between them and thus lowering the neck injury index (NIC), achieving an active safety protection effect.

[0060] Figure 3 The diagram illustrates the air circuit connection of the vehicle active safety headrest according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0061] like Figure 3As shown, in this embodiment, the safety headrest is also connected to a first venting solenoid valve 62 to release the gas in the headrest airbag. After a collision, in order to allow the headrest support to return to its original position, the gas in the headrest airbag can be released through the first venting solenoid valve 62.

[0062] In addition, both the headrest airbag and the shoulder airbag can be connected to an air pump via air passages, with a first inflation solenoid valve 61 connecting the headrest airbag to the air pump. When the first inflation solenoid valve 61 is opened, the headrest airbag can be directly inflated by the air pump.

[0063] The shoulder airbag is connected to the air pump via the second inflation solenoid valve 64, and the gas in the shoulder airbag is released via the second deflation solenoid valve 63.

[0064] The one-way valve is set to allow gas to flow from the shoulder airbag to the headrest airbag, but not from the headrest airbag to the shoulder airbag.

[0065] Therefore, by controlling the opening and closing of the second deflation solenoid valve 63 and the second inflation solenoid valve 64, the minimum air pressure of the shoulder airbag can be maintained, so as to ensure that the active safety headrest has sufficient and reliable power storage in the event of a collision.

[0066] Figure 4 The illustration schematically shows the headrest support portion of the vehicle active safety headrest described in this invention in a viewpoint under one embodiment, with the headrest support portion not open.

[0067] Figure 5 The diagram schematically shows the headrest support portion of the vehicle active safety headrest described in this invention in an open state from one perspective in one embodiment.

[0068] like Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, in this embodiment, the headrest support 1 is provided with a slide rod 11, and the corresponding headrest fixing part 2 is provided with a slide groove 21 adapted to the slide rod 11. A preload spring 12 is connected between the tail end of the slide rod 11 and the headrest fixing part 2.

[0069] like Figure 4 As shown, when the headrest air bag 3 is not inflated, the headrest support part 1 is not open relative to the headrest fixing part 2, and the preload spring 12 is in a free state.

[0070] like Figure 5 As shown, when the headrest air bag 3 is inflated, the headrest support part 1 opens relative to the headrest fixing part 2, and the pre-tension spring 12 is in a stretched state.

[0071] Figure 6 The diagram schematically illustrates the structure of the vehicle active safety headrest described in this invention from another perspective in one embodiment.

[0072] Figure 7 The structure of the locking slider in one embodiment is shown schematically.

[0073] like Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, in one embodiment, the one-way locking component includes:

[0074] A one-way locking caliper 71 is mounted on the headrest support 1 and extends horizontally from it. The caliper has one-way locking teeth 711, one side of which is beveled and the other side is vertical. A locking slider 72 has a locking part 721 at its lower end that matches the one-way locking teeth 711. The slider 72 also has a pre-tightening locking point 722, which engages with the headrest fixing part 2 in the untriggered state (e.g., ...). Figure 7 (As shown). A preload spring 73 is provided between the locking slider 72 and the headrest fixing part 2 to apply a vertically downward force to the locking slider 72.

[0075] Under triggered conditions (e.g., when a collision occurs), the headrest fixing part 2, being directly connected to the seat frame, accelerates along with the vehicle body. The locking slider 72 remains in place due to inertia, causing the pre-tightening locking point 722 to disengage from the headrest fixing part 2. Then, under the action of the pre-compression spring 73, the locking slider 72 moves rapidly downwards, causing the locking part 721 to engage with the one-way locking tooth 711. This engagement only allows the headrest support part 1 to slide relative to the headrest fixing part 2 in a first linear direction to move away from the headrest fixing part, while preventing it from sliding relative to the headrest fixing part 2 in a second linear direction opposite to the first linear direction. In other words, the headrest support part 1 can move forward under the action of the headrest airbag, but when the head impacts the headrest, the headrest support part 1 cannot collapse backwards, thus achieving a stable head support effect.

[0076] Figure 8 The structure of the vehicle active safety headrest described in this invention is schematically shown from another perspective in one embodiment.

[0077] In this embodiment, the vehicle active safety headrest also includes an unlocking push rod 8, which is disposed on the headrest fixing part 2. The unlocking push rod 8 has a first wedge-shaped part 81, which cooperates with a second wedge-shaped part 723 on the locking slider 72, so that when the unlocking push rod 8 is pressed in the horizontal direction Q, the locking slider 72 is lifted in the vertical direction. After being lifted, for example... Figure 7 A spring (not shown in the figure) can be installed at the gap P in the middle. The spring pushes the locking slider 72 to the left in the horizontal direction, so that the pre-tightening locking point overlaps with the headrest fixing part again, and the headrest restores its comfort adjustment function.

[0078] Figure 9 The diagram schematically illustrates a shoulder airbag in one embodiment of the vehicle active safety headrest described in this invention.

[0079] like Figure 9 As shown, in this embodiment, the shoulder airbag 4 is constructed as an air curtain capable of fan-shaped deployment. The upper end of this fan-shaped, multi-layered curtain-like airbag can open in a fan shape around the lower axis, thereby achieving pneumatic shoulder angle adjustment. Figure 9 Q1 in the diagram shows the position of the shoulder skin before inflation, and Q2, which is shown by a dashed line, shows the position of the shoulder skin after inflation.

[0080] Therefore, it can be seen that the vehicle active safety headrest described in this invention can quickly replenish the headrest airbag through the shoulder airbag when a collision occurs, thereby realizing the forward movement of the headrest. When the head hits the headrest, the one-way locking component ensures that the headrest does not move backward, thus providing stable support for the head and neck.

[0081] It should be noted that the prior art portion of the protection scope of this invention is not limited to the embodiments given in this application. All prior art that does not contradict the solution of this invention, including but not limited to prior patent documents, prior publications, prior public uses, etc., can be included in the protection scope of this invention.

[0082] Furthermore, the combination of the technical features in this case is not limited to the combination methods described in the claims of this case or the combination methods described in the specific embodiments. All technical features described in this case can be freely combined or combined in any way, unless they contradict each other.

[0083] It should also be noted that the embodiments listed above are merely specific embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and similar changes or modifications made thereto are those that can be directly derived or easily conceived by those skilled in the art from the content disclosed in the present invention, and should all fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A vehicle active safety headrest, which is connected to the seat frame, characterized in that, The vehicle active safety headrest includes: The headrest fixing part is fixedly connected to the seat frame; The headrest support is slidably connected to the headrest fixing part; A headrest airbag is disposed between the headrest support part and the headrest fixing part; Shoulder airbags are provided on the seat frame. The shoulder airbags are connected to the headrest airbags through a trigger air circuit. The trigger air circuit is equipped with a pressure limiting valve and a one-way valve. When the shoulder airbag is compressed by the driver or passenger to the point that the air pressure inside the shoulder airbag rises to exceed a set threshold, the pressure relief valve opens to allow gas to enter the headrest airbag from the shoulder airbag, thereby pushing the headrest support to slide away from the headrest fixing part in a first linear direction. A one-way locking assembly that prevents the headrest support portion from sliding relative to the headrest fixing portion in a second linear direction opposite to a first linear direction; wherein, the one-way locking assembly includes: A one-way locking caliper is provided on the headrest support, and the one-way locking caliper is provided with one-way locking teeth; The locking slider has a pre-tightening locking point, which engages with the headrest fixing part when not triggered; the lower end of the locking slider has a locking part that matches the one-way locking tooth. A preload spring is provided between the locking slider and the headrest fixing part to apply a vertically downward force to the locking slider; Under the triggering condition, the locking slider and the headrest fixing part move relative to each other in the horizontal direction to disengage the pre-tightening locking point from the headrest fixing part. The locking slider moves vertically downward under the action of the pre-compression spring to engage the locking part with the one-way locking tooth. The engagement of the locking part with the one-way locking tooth only allows the headrest support part to slide away from the headrest fixing part in the first linear direction, while preventing the headrest support part from sliding in the second linear direction opposite to the first linear direction. The one-way valve is configured to allow gas to flow only from the shoulder airbag to the headrest airbag.

2. The vehicle active safety headrest as described in claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a first venting solenoid valve, which is connected to the headrest air bag to release gas from the headrest air bag.

3. The vehicle active safety headrest as described in claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes an air pump, which is connected to the headrest air bag through a headrest air passage, and a first inflation solenoid valve is provided on the headrest air passage.

4. The vehicle active safety headrest as described in claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a second venting solenoid valve, which is connected to the shoulder air bag to release gas from the shoulder air bag.

5. The vehicle active safety headrest as described in claim 3, characterized in that, A second inflation solenoid valve is provided between the air pump and the shoulder air bag.

6. The vehicle active safety headrest as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The headrest support is provided with a sliding rod, and the headrest fixing part is provided with a sliding groove that matches the sliding rod.

7. The vehicle active safety headrest as described in claim 6, characterized in that, A preload spring is connected between the tail end of the slide rod and the headrest fixing part.

8. The vehicle active safety headrest as described in claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes an unlocking push rod, which is provided on the headrest fixing part. The unlocking push rod has a first wedge-shaped part, which cooperates with the second wedge-shaped part on the locking slider so that when the unlocking push rod is pressed in the horizontal direction, the locking slider is lifted in the vertical direction.

9. The vehicle active safety headrest as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The shoulder airbag includes an air curtain that can be deployed in a fan shape.

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