Adjustable headrest

Abstract

A vehicle seat includes a seat base and a seat back connected to the seat base. The seat back includes an adjustable top cushion having a first cushion element and a second cushion element. The first and second cushion elements are selectively movable to accommodate one of a head restraint and a neck restraint.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to the field of vehicles, and more specifically to an adjustable headrest for accommodating a helmeted driver. Background Technology

[0002] Most (if not all) manufactured vehicles include multiple headrests or head protection devices. That is, each seating position includes a corresponding headrest. Headrests are designed to limit the backward displacement of the driver's or passenger's head that may be caused by sudden acceleration. In many cases, sudden acceleration is caused by a rear-end collision. Reverse displacement of the head can result in head or neck injury to the driver or passenger.

[0003] Typical headrests are vertically height adjustable to accommodate a wide range of driver / passenger body types. In some cases, headrests may be fore-and-aft adjustable. Under no circumstances are production vehicle headrests designed to accommodate drivers wearing helmets or not, particularly those wearing head and neck braces or HANS devices. Some production vehicles are taken to the track and driven for enjoyment and / or competition. When driving on the track, drivers are required to wear helmets. Current headrest designs interfere with the helmets and HANS devices worn by drivers. Therefore, it is desirable to provide a headrest that is adjustable not only to accommodate a wide range of users but also to accommodate users with and without helmets and / or HANS devices. Summary of the Invention

[0004] According to a non-limiting example, the vehicle seat includes a seat base and a seat back connected to the seat base. The seat back includes an adjustable top liner having a first liner element and a second liner element. The first liner element and the second liner element are selectively movable to accommodate one of a head protection device and a neck protection device.

[0005] In addition to one or more features described herein, the first padding element and the second padding element are selectively vertically displaced on the seat back.

[0006] In addition to one or more features described herein, the first padding element includes an upper end, a lower end, an inner edge, and an outer edge, and the second padding element includes an upper end portion, a lower end portion, an inner edge portion, and an outer edge portion, and the first padding element is movable relative to the second padding element along an axis.

[0007] In addition to one or more features described herein, the first pad element is movable relative to the second pad element along two axes.

[0008] In addition to one or more features described herein, the first pad element and the second pad element are rotatable about the upper end and the upper portion to separate the lower end and the lower portion.

[0009] In addition to one or more features described herein, the first padding element and the second padding element are displaceable along the seat back, thereby creating a gap between the inner edge and the inner edge portion.

[0010] In addition to one or more features described herein, the first padding element and the second padding element are rotatable relative to the seat back, thereby creating gaps between the outer edge and the seat back, and between the outer edge portion and the seat back.

[0011] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, a manual actuator is connected to an adjustable top liner, which releases the first and second liner elements to move along the adjustable top liner.

[0012] In addition to one or more features described herein, the adjustment controller is operatively connected to the first pad element and the second pad element.

[0013] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the actuator is mounted to the vehicle seat and is connected to an adjustment controller to selectively displace a first padding element and a second padding element on an adjustable top liner.

[0014] According to another non-limiting example, the vehicle includes a plurality of wheels and a body supported by the plurality of wheels. The body includes a passenger compartment. Seats are arranged in the passenger compartment. Each seat includes a seat base and a seat back connected to the seat base. The seat back includes an adjustable top liner having a first liner element and a second liner element. The first liner element and the second liner element are selectively movable to accommodate one of a head protection device and a neck protection device.

[0015] In addition to one or more features described herein, the first padding element and the second padding element are selectively vertically displaced on the seat back.

[0016] In addition to one or more features described herein, the first padding element includes an upper end, a lower end, an inner edge, and an outer edge, and the second padding element includes an upper end portion, a lower end portion, an inner edge portion, and an outer edge portion, and the first padding element is movable relative to the second padding element along an axis.

[0017] In addition to one or more features described herein, the first pad element is movable relative to the second pad element along two axes.

[0018] In addition to one or more features described herein, the first pad element and the second pad element are rotatable about the upper end and the upper portion to separate the lower end and the lower portion.

[0019] In addition to one or more features described herein, the first and second padding elements are displaceable along the adjustable top padding, thereby creating a gap between the inner edge and the inner edge portion.

[0020] In addition to one or more features described herein, the first padding element and the second padding element are rotatable relative to the seat back, thereby creating gaps between the outer edge and the seat back, and between the outer edge portion and the seat back.

[0021] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, a manual actuator is connected to the adjustable top cushion, which releases the first cushion element and the second cushion element to move along the seat back.

[0022] In addition to one or more features described herein, the adjustment controller is operatively connected to the first pad element and the second pad element.

[0023] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the actuator is mounted to the vehicle seat and is connected to an adjustment controller to selectively displace a first padding element and a second padding element on the seat back.

[0024] The above-described features and advantages, as well as other features and advantages, of this disclosure will become apparent when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the following detailed description. Attached Figure Description

[0025] Other features, advantages, and details appear only by way of example in the following detailed description, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0026] Figure 1 According to the non-limiting example, this includes a vehicle with a seat having an adjustable headrest;

[0027] Figure 2 It is a perspective view of a vehicle seat with a seat back including an adjustable headrest, based on a non-limiting example;

[0028] Figure 3 It is a plan view of an adjustable headrest in an adjustable configuration, based on a non-limiting example;

[0029] Figure 4 It is a plan view of an adjustable headrest in an adjustable configuration according to another non-limiting example;

[0030] Figure 5 This is a plan view of an adjustable headrest in an adjustable configuration, based on yet another non-limiting example;

[0031] Figure 6 It is based on the non-restrictive example. Figure 2 A top view of the vehicle's seat back;

[0032] Figure 7 It is based on the non-restrictive example. Figure 6 A top view of the vehicle seat back, with the headrest in the first adjustment position;

[0033] Figure 8 It is based on the non-restrictive example. Figure 7 A top view of the vehicle seat back, with the headrest in the second adjustment position; and

[0034] Figure 9 It is a perspective view of a vehicle seat including a seat back with an adjustable headrest, according to another non-limiting example. Detailed Implementation

[0035] The following description is exemplary in nature only and is not intended to limit this disclosure, its application, or use. It should be understood that throughout the drawings, corresponding reference numerals denote the same or corresponding parts and features. As used herein, the term module refers to processing circuitry, which may include application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), electronic circuitry, processors (shared, dedicated, or grouped) and memories executing one or more software or firmware programs, combinational logic circuitry, and / or other suitable components that provide the described functionality.

[0036] According to the non-restrictive example of the vehicle in Figure 1 The vehicle 10 is generally indicated by the number 10. The vehicle 10 includes a body 12 supported on a plurality of wheels 16. At least one of the plurality of wheels 16 is a steerable wheel. That is, changing the position of at least one of the plurality of wheels 16 relative to the body 12 will cause the vehicle 10 to change direction. In the non-limiting example shown, the two front wheels (not separately labeled) of the plurality of wheels 16 are steerable. The body 12 partially defines a passenger compartment 20 having a seat 23 positioned behind an instrument panel 26. A steering control 30 is arranged between the seat 23 and the instrument panel 26. The steering control 30 is operated to control the orientation of the steerable wheels.

[0037] exist Figure 2In the non-limiting example shown, seat 23 includes a seat base 38 and a seat back 40. In the non-limiting example, seat back 40 includes a base portion 42 pivotally connected to seat base 38. Seat back 40 may include lumbar support 44 and an adjustable top liner 46 that limits rearward head displacement due to acceleration forces. Side supports 48 may extend around seat back 40 and provide support for adjustable top liner 46. In the non-limiting example, adjustable top liner 46 includes a first liner element 56 and a second liner element 58. As will be described in detail herein, the first liner element 56 and the second liner element 58 are movable relative to adjustable top liner 46 to accommodate a helmeted driver and / or a driver wearing a head and neck support (HANS) device (not shown).

[0038] In a non-limiting example, the first padding element 56 includes an upper end 62, a lower end 64, an inner edge 66, and an outer edge 68. The inner edge 66 and the outer edge 68 extend between and connect to the upper end 62 and the lower end 64. The first padding element 56 includes a pad (not shown) covered by a material (not separately labeled). The pad can be formed of various materials. In a non-limiting example, the second padding element 58 includes an upper portion 72, a lower portion 74, an inner edge portion 76, and an outer edge portion 78. The inner edge portion 76 and the outer edge portion 78 extend between and connect to the upper end portion 72 and the lower end portion 74. The second padding element 58 includes a pad (not shown) covered by a material (not separately labeled). The pad can be formed of various materials.

[0039] In a non-limiting example, the seat back 40 may include a manual actuator 82 for releasing the first padding element 56 and the second padding element 58. In a non-limiting example, when released, the first padding element 56 may pivot about an upper end 62, and the second padding element 58 may pivot about an upper end portion 72, thereby forming a gap 86 between the inner edge 66 and the inner edge portion 76, as... Figure 3 As shown. In a non-limiting example, a spring (not shown) can generate a biasing force that causes the first padding element 56 and the second padding element 58 to move away from each other along two axes. In the non-limiting example shown, the inner edge 66 and the inner edge portion 76 are not parallel. The gap 86 is designed to accommodate a helmet or HANS system worn by the driver.

[0040] In a non-limiting example, when released by actuation of the manual actuator 82, the first pad element 56 and the second pad element 58 can move outward relative to each other along a single axis, as... Figure 4As shown. In the non-limiting example shown, a gap 90 is formed between the first padding element 56 and the second padding element 58. More specifically, the gap 90 is defined between the inner edge 66 and the inner edge portion 76. In the non-limiting example, the first padding element 56 and the second padding element 58 are movable relative to each other such that the inner edge 66 and the inner edge portion 76 are parallel to each other. The gap 90 is designed to accommodate a helmet or HANS system worn by the driver.

[0041] In a non-limiting example, when released by actuation of the manual actuator 82, the first pad element 56 and the second pad element 58 can move upward together, as... Figure 5 As shown. By moving upwards together, a space is created on the adjustable top pad 46, which can accommodate a helmet or HANS system worn by the driver. When needed, as in any embodiment described so far, the first pad element 56 and the second pad element 58 can be manually returned to their original positions. Figure 2 The initial set position is shown, and re-engaged by, for example, manual actuator 82.

[0042] In a non-limiting example, the first padding element 56 and the second padding element 58 can be positioned along the first axis from a predetermined location. Figure 2 and Figure 6 Move to, as Figure 7 The first adjustment position is shown, wherein the inner edge 66 and the inner edge portion 76 are separated from each other by a gap 90. In a non-limiting example, the first padding element 56 and the second padding element 58 can then be rotated outward, as... Figure 8 As shown. In this configuration, the first padding element 56 and the second padding element 58 can accommodate the helmet 96, with the gap 90 accommodating the HANS system.

[0043] Now refer to Figure 9 In the description of the controller 110 connected to the first cushion element 56 and the second cushion element 58, the same reference numerals denote corresponding portions in the respective views. The controller 110 may be connected to an actuator motor or linear actuator 112 that adjusts the position of the first cushion element 56 and the second cushion element 58, as discussed herein. The controller 110 may be connected to an actuator 120 that can be mounted to the seat 23. The actuator 120 may also be mounted to other locations in the dashboard 26 or passenger compartment 20. Therefore, it should be understood that the non-limiting example described herein provides a headrest that can accommodate a helmeted driver, a driver wearing a HANS device, or both.

[0044] While the foregoing disclosure has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes can be made and elements can be substituted with equivalents without departing from its scope. Furthermore, many modifications can be made to adapt particular situations or materials to the teachings of this disclosure without departing from the basic scope of this disclosure. Therefore, this disclosure is not intended to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, but will include all embodiments falling within its scope.

Claims

1. A vehicle seat, comprising: Seat base; as well as A seat backrest connected to the seat base, the seat backrest including an adjustable top pad having a first padding element and a second padding element, the first padding element and the second padding element being selectively movable to accommodate one of a head protection device and a neck protection device; The first padding element includes an upper end, a lower end, an inner edge, and an outer edge, and the second padding element includes an upper end portion, a lower end portion, an inner edge portion, and an outer edge portion. The first padding element and the second padding element are rotatable about the upper end and the upper end portion to separate the lower end and the lower end portion, and the rotation axis of the first padding element and the second padding element extends approximately along the front-rear direction of the vehicle.

2. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein, The first padding element and the second padding element are capable of selective vertical displacement on the seat back.

3. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein, The first pad element is movable relative to the second pad element along two axes.

4. The vehicle seat of claim 1, further comprising a manual actuator connected to an adjustable top cushion, the manual actuator releasing the first cushion element and the second cushion element to move along the seat back.

5. The vehicle seat of claim 1, further comprising an adjustment controller operatively connected to the first cushion element and the second cushion element.

6. The vehicle seat of claim 5, further comprising an actuator mounted to the vehicle seat, the actuator being connected to the adjustment controller to selectively displace the first padding element and the second padding element on the seat back.

Images