Headrest
By setting speakers and connecting members in the headrest frame and utilizing the arrangement of vertical and horizontal frames to avoid loads applied in the front, the problem of deformation of speakers and connecting members is solved, and a more stable headrest design is achieved.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202380056002.X
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2023-09-19
- Filing Date
- 2023-09-27
- Publication Date
- 2025-04-04
AI Technical Summary
In the existing headrest, speakers and connecting members are arranged in front of the headrest frame, and are prone to deformation due to loads applied in front.
A headrest is designed, and its headrest frame includes a headrest pillar, a vertical frame and a horizontal frame. The speaker and the connecting member are arranged on the outside of the vertical frame and are connected by the rear of the horizontal frame to avoid loading in the front.
With this configuration, the deformation of the speaker and the connecting member is reduced, the change in the relative position of the electronic components is reduced, and the stability of the headrest is improved.
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Figure CN119768308A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The invention relates to a headrest. Background Art
[0002] Patent document 1 discloses a headrest for a vehicle seat in which a speaker is provided. The headrest includes a headrest frame, a pair of speakers attached to the headrest frame, and a headrest cushion member covering the headrest frame and the speakers. Left and right speaker units are connected to each other via a connecting member. An opening is formed in the headrest cushion member at a position in front of the speaker unit. Prior art literature Patent Literature
[0003] Patent Document 1: JP2017-525456A Summary of the invention The task to be accomplished by the present invention
[0004] In the headrest disclosed in Patent Document 1, the speaker and the connecting member are arranged in front of the headrest frame. This arrangement causes the speaker and the connecting member to be deformed by applying a load from the front.
[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the problems of the prior art, and a main object of the present invention is to provide a headrest provided with a speaker, which is configured to reduce deformation of the speaker and a connecting member. Means of accomplishing the task
[0006] As a solution to the above-mentioned task to be accomplished, one aspect of the present invention provides a headrest (4) for a vehicle seat (1), the headrest comprising: a headrest frame (5) supported by a seat back; a pair of left and right electronic components (6) supported by the headrest frame; and a connecting member (10) extending in the left-right direction and configured to connect the left and right electronic components, wherein the headrest frame comprises: a pair of left and right headrest pillars (12) supported by the seat back and extending in the vertical direction; a pair of left and right vertical frames (13A) extending in the vertical direction and attached to the corresponding headrest pillars; and a horizontal frame (13B) extending in the left-right direction and connecting the upper ends of the left and right vertical frames, wherein the upper portions of the left and right vertical frames extend upwardly and obliquely toward the front, wherein the left and right electronic components are arranged on the outer sides of the left and right vertical frames in the left-right direction, wherein the lower portions of the left and right electronic components are supported by the lower portions of the left and right vertical frames, and wherein the connecting member is located behind the horizontal frame.
[0007] The relative positions of the left and right components are determined in a configuration in which the left and right components are connected by a connecting member and thus supported by the headrest frame. Since the left and right electronic components are arranged at a lateral position outside the vertical frame and the connecting member is located behind the horizontal frame, this prevents a load from being applied to the electronic components from the front, thereby reducing deformation of the speaker and the connecting member. In other words, this configuration reduces changes in the relative positions of the left and right electronic components.
[0008] The vehicle seat may also be configured such that the left and right vertical frames are provided with first brackets (21) extending outward in the left-right direction, and wherein the left and right electronic components are fixed to the corresponding first brackets.
[0009] In this configuration, the left and right housings are placed at lateral positions outside the vertical frame. As a result, when the electronic component is a speaker, the electronic component can output sound toward the seated occupant.
[0010] The vehicle seat can also be configured so that the connecting member includes: a connecting member body (51) having a forward-facing surface and a rearward-facing surface, a first reinforcement portion (52) extending rearward from an upper end of the connecting member body, and a plurality of second reinforcement portions (53) protruding rearward from the rearward-facing surface of the connecting member body and connected to the first reinforcement portion.
[0011] In this configuration, the first reinforcement prevents deformation of the connection member due to a load from behind, and the second reinforcement prevents deformation of the connection member due to a load from above.
[0012] The vehicle seat can also be configured so that the connecting member also includes a protruding tab (55) protruding downward from the connecting member body and a tab hole (56) formed above the protruding tab, wherein each of the left and right electronic components includes a speaker unit (31), a first wiring harness (33) and a female connector (34), the first wiring harness having a first end connected to the speaker unit, the female connector connected to a second end of the first wiring harness, wherein the first end of the first wiring harness is located behind the connecting member body of the connecting member, and wherein the female connector is fixed to the front surface of the protruding tab.
[0013] This configuration reduces interference between the female connector and other components, thereby facilitating assembly of the electronic component to the headrest frame.
[0014] The vehicle seat may also be configured such that each of the left and right electronic components includes a male connector (64) assembled into the female connector and a second wiring harness (66) connected to the male connector, wherein each of the left and right headrest pillars has a tubular shape, wherein a front portion of an upper end of each of the left and right headrest pillars is coupled to a rear portion of a lower end of a corresponding vertical frame, and wherein each of the respective second wiring harnesses extends through a hole in the corresponding headrest pillar.
[0015] This configuration in which the left and right headrest pillars are disposed rearward of the corresponding vertical frames allows load from the front to be applied to the vertical frames, which reduces contact between an edge defining an upper opening of each headrest pillar and a corresponding one of the second harnesses.
[0016] The vehicle seat can also be configured so that the headrest also includes a headrest cover (8) which covers the left and right electronic components, the left and right vertical frames and the horizontal frames, wherein the headrest cover includes a front cover (8A) and a rear cover (8B), the front cover covers the left and right electronic components, the left and right vertical frames and the horizontal frames from the front, the rear cover engages the front cover and covers the left and right electronic components, the left and right vertical frames and the horizontal frames from the rear, and wherein each second wire harness is fixed to a wire harness catcher (121) provided on the rear cover.
[0017] This configuration in which the load to the headrest 4 is applied to the headrest cover effectively reduces deformation of the speaker and the connecting member. This configuration also reduces movement of the second wire harness.
[0018] The vehicle seat can also be configured so that each of the left and right first brackets has at least one first through hole (22B) formed therein, wherein the front cover has a plurality of front first fastening holes (83) aligned with the respective first through holes, wherein the rear cover has a plurality of rear first fastening holes (102) aligned with the respective first through holes and the plurality of front first fastening holes, wherein each of the plurality of rear first fastening holes is threaded to form a female thread, and wherein the front cover and the rear cover are fastened using a plurality of first bolts (118A) extending through the respective first through holes and the plurality of front first fastening holes and being screwed into the female threads formed in the plurality of rear first fastening holes.
[0019] Such a configuration in which the front and rear covers are fastened to the vertical frame via the first bracket allows the headrest cover to be stably supported by the headrest frame.
[0020] The vehicle seat may also be configured such that the horizontal frame includes a second bracket (24) disposed at a position aligned with the tab hole, wherein the second bracket has a second through hole (26) formed therein, wherein the front cover has a front second fastening hole (84) aligned with the second through hole, wherein the rear cover has a rear second fastening hole (104) aligned with the second through hole and the front second fastening hole, wherein the rear second fastening hole is threaded to form a female thread, and wherein the front cover and the rear cover are fastened using a second bolt (118B) extending through the second through hole and the front second fastening hole and being screwed into the female thread formed in the rear second fastening hole.
[0021] Such a configuration in which the front cover and the rear cover are fastened to the horizontal frame via the second bracket allows the headrest cover to be more stably supported by the headrest frame.
[0022] The vehicle seat may also be configured so that the front cover has a front cover protrusion (81C) that protrudes rearward from the front cover and overlaps the headrest frame when viewed from the front.
[0023] In this configuration, a load applied to the front cover from the front is transmitted to the frame.
[0024] The vehicle seat may also be configured so that the protruding tab of the connecting member body has a positioning hole (59) extending therethrough in the front-rear direction, and wherein the rear cover has a positioning protrusion (112) engaging the positioning hole.
[0025] This configuration determines the relative positions of the left and right electronic components when the left and right electronic components are attached to the rear cover. Effects of the Invention
[0026] As a solution to the above-mentioned task to be accomplished, the present invention can be embodied as a headrest (4) for a vehicle seat (1), the headrest comprising: a headrest frame (5) supported by a seat back; a pair of left and right electronic components (6) supported by the headrest frame; and a connecting member (10) extending in the left-right direction and configured to connect the left and right electronic components, wherein the headrest frame comprises: a pair of left and right headrest pillars (12) supported by the seat back and extending in the vertical direction; a pair of left and right vertical frames (13A) extending in the vertical direction and attached to the corresponding headrest pillars; and a horizontal frame (13B) extending in the left-right direction and connecting the upper ends of the left and right vertical frames, wherein the upper portions of the left and right vertical frames extend upwardly and obliquely toward the front, wherein the left and right electronic components are arranged on the outer sides of the left and right vertical frames in the left-right direction, wherein the lower portions of the left and right electronic components are supported by the lower portions of the left and right vertical frames, and wherein the connecting member is located behind the horizontal frame.
[0027] The relative positions of the left and right components are determined in a configuration in which the left and right components are connected by a connecting member and thus supported by the headrest frame. Since the left and right electronic components are arranged at a lateral position outside the vertical frame and the connecting member is located behind the horizontal frame, this prevents a load from being applied to the electronic components from the front, thereby reducing deformation of the speaker and the connecting member. In other words, this configuration reduces changes in the relative positions of the left and right electronic components.
[0028] The vehicle seat may also be configured such that the left and right vertical frames are provided with first brackets (21) extending outward in the left-right direction, and wherein the left and right electronic components are fixed to the corresponding first brackets.
[0029] In this configuration, the left and right housings are placed at lateral positions outside the vertical frame. As a result, when the electronic component is a speaker, the electronic component can output sound toward the seated occupant.
[0030] The vehicle seat can also be configured so that the connecting member includes: a connecting member body (51) having a forward-facing surface and a rearward-facing surface, a first reinforcement portion (52) extending rearward from an upper end of the connecting member body, and a plurality of second reinforcement portions (53) protruding rearward from the rearward-facing surface of the connecting member body and connected to the first reinforcement portion.
[0031] In this configuration, the first reinforcement prevents deformation of the connection member due to a load from behind, and the second reinforcement prevents deformation of the connection member due to a load from above.
[0032] The vehicle seat can also be configured so that the connecting member also includes a protruding tab (55) protruding downward from the connecting member body and a tab hole (56) formed above the protruding tab, wherein each of the left and right electronic components includes a speaker unit (31), a first wiring harness (33) and a female connector (34), the first wiring harness having a first end connected to the speaker unit, the female connector connected to a second end of the first wiring harness, wherein the first end of the first wiring harness is located behind the connecting member body of the connecting member, and wherein the female connector is fixed to the front surface of the protruding tab.
[0033] This configuration reduces interference between the female connector and other components, thereby facilitating assembly of the electronic component to the headrest frame.
[0034] The vehicle seat may also be configured such that each of the left and right electronic components includes a male connector (64) assembled into the female connector and a second wiring harness (66) connected to the male connector, wherein each of the left and right headrest pillars has a tubular shape, wherein a front portion of an upper end of each of the left and right headrest pillars is coupled to a rear portion of a lower end of a corresponding vertical frame, and wherein each of the respective second wiring harnesses extends through a hole in the corresponding headrest pillar.
[0035] This configuration in which the left and right headrest pillars are disposed rearward of the corresponding vertical frames allows load from the front to be applied to the vertical frames, which reduces contact between an edge defining an upper opening of each headrest pillar and a corresponding one of the second harnesses.
[0036] The vehicle seat can also be configured so that the headrest also includes a headrest cover (8) which covers the left and right electronic components, the left and right vertical frames and the horizontal frames, wherein the headrest cover includes a front cover (8A) and a rear cover (8B), the front cover covers the left and right electronic components, the left and right vertical frames and the horizontal frames from the front, the rear cover engages the front cover and covers the left and right electronic components, the left and right vertical frames and the horizontal frames from the rear, and wherein each second wire harness is fixed to a wire harness catcher (121) provided on the rear cover.
[0037] This configuration in which the load to the headrest 4 is applied to the headrest cover effectively reduces deformation of the speaker and the connecting member. This configuration also reduces movement of the second wire harness.
[0038] The vehicle seat can also be configured so that each of the left and right first brackets has at least one first through hole (22B) formed therein, wherein the front cover has a plurality of front first fastening holes (83) aligned with the respective first through holes, wherein the rear cover has a plurality of rear first fastening holes (102) aligned with the respective first through holes and the plurality of front first fastening holes, wherein each of the plurality of rear first fastening holes is threaded to form a female thread, and wherein the front cover and the rear cover are fastened using a plurality of first bolts (118A) extending through the respective first through holes and the plurality of front first fastening holes and being screwed into the female threads formed in the plurality of rear first fastening holes.
[0039] Such a configuration in which the front and rear covers are fastened to the vertical frame via the first bracket allows the headrest cover to be stably supported by the headrest frame.
[0040] The vehicle seat may also be configured such that the horizontal frame includes a second bracket (24) disposed at a position aligned with the tab hole, wherein the second bracket has a second through hole (26) formed therein, wherein the front cover has a front second fastening hole (84) aligned with the second through hole, wherein the rear cover has a rear second fastening hole (104) aligned with the second through hole and the front second fastening hole, wherein the rear second fastening hole is threaded to form a female thread, and wherein the front cover and the rear cover are fastened using a second bolt (118B) extending through the second through hole and the front second fastening hole and being screwed into the female thread formed in the rear second fastening hole.
[0041] Such a configuration in which the front cover and the rear cover are fastened to the horizontal frame via the second bracket allows the headrest cover to be more stably supported by the headrest frame.
[0042] The vehicle seat may also be configured so that the front cover has a front cover protrusion (81C) that protrudes rearward from the front cover and overlaps the headrest frame when viewed from the front.
[0043] In this configuration, a load applied to the front cover from the front is transmitted to the frame.
[0044] The vehicle seat may also be configured so that the protruding tab of the connecting member body has a positioning hole (59) extending therethrough in the front-rear direction, and wherein the rear cover has a positioning protrusion (112) engaging the positioning hole.
[0045] This configuration determines the relative positions of the left and right electronic components when the left and right electronic components are attached to the rear cover. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0046] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a seat provided with a headrest according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A front view of a headrest of an embodiment; Figure 3 It is an exploded perspective view of the headrest; Figure 4 is a front view showing the headrest with the front cover removed; Figure 5 is a rear view of the headrest with the headrest cover removed; Figure 6 is a cross-sectional plan view of the headrest; Figure 7 is a cross-sectional plan view of the headrest; Figure 8 is a perspective view showing the rear side of the front cover; Fig. 9 is a perspective view showing the front side of the rear cover; Fig.10 is a cross-sectional plan view of the left side of the headrest; Fig.11 It is a front view of the important part of the headrest; Fig.12 is a front view showing one of the headrest pillars and the protective member; and Fig.13 include Fig.13 (A) and 13(B), where Fig.13 (A) is a cross-sectional side view showing the protection member viewed from the side, and Fig.13 (B) is a plan view showing the protection member viewed from above. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0047] An embodiment of a headrest according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein the headrest is used in a seat of an automobile. In the following description, front / rear, left / right (lateral) and up / down (vertical) directions are defined relative to a vehicle equipped with a vehicle seat.
[0048] like Figure 1 As shown, the seat 1 includes a seat cushion 2, a seat back 3 and a headrest 4. The seat cushion 2 supports the buttocks of the occupant from below. The seat back 3 extends upward from the rear of the seat cushion 2. The seat back 3 supports the back of the occupant from behind. The headrest 4 is provided at the upper end of the seat back 3. The headrest 4 supports the head of the occupant from behind.
[0049] like Figures 2 to 4As shown, the headrest 4 includes a headrest frame 5 serving as a structural frame of the headrest 4, a pair of left and right electronic components 6 supported by the headrest frame 5, and a headrest cover 8 covering the electronic components 6 and the headrest frame 5. Examples of the electronic components 6 include speakers and microphones. In the present embodiment, the electronic components 6 are speakers and microphones. The left and right electronic components 6 are connected to each other by a connecting member 10.
[0050] like Figures 2 to 5 As shown, the headrest frame 5 includes a pair of headrest pillars 12 extending in the vertical direction, a pair of vertical frames 13A connected to the corresponding headrest pillars 12, and a horizontal frame 13B connecting the upper ends of the vertical frames 13A.
[0051] Each headrest pillar 12 has a tubular shape. Figure 1 As shown, the left and right headrest pillars 12 are supported by a seat back frame 14 serving as a structural frame of the seat back 3. The seat back frame 14 has left and right pillar supports 16 that receive the headrest pillars 12. Each pillar support 16 has a hollow cylindrical shape with open ends at both ends. The pillar supports 16 are preferably formed of a plastic material. Each headrest support 12 is inserted into the corresponding pillar support 16. The lower end of each headrest pillar 12 protrudes from the lower end of the corresponding pillar support 16. Figure 2 As shown, each headrest pillar 12 has an outer surface on which a plurality of engagement grooves 17 are formed in rows and at intervals along the length direction thereof. Figure 1 As shown, each pillar support 16 is provided with a locking device 18 that selectively engages with one of the plurality of engagement grooves 17. The engagement of the locking device 18 with one of the plurality of engagement grooves 17 determines the height of the headrest 4 relative to the seat back 3.
[0052] like Figure 4 , 5 As shown in Figure 7, each vertical frame 13A is placed in front of the corresponding headrest pillar 12. Each vertical frame 13A has a lower portion extending in the vertical direction. The rear portion of the lower portion of each vertical frame 13A is connected to the front portion of the upper end of the corresponding headrest pillar 12. The lower rear portion of each vertical frame 13A can be joined to the upper end front portion of the corresponding headrest pillar 12, for example, by welding. Each vertical frame 13A has an upper portion extending upwardly and tilted toward the front. More specifically, the upper portion of each vertical frame 13A is tilted toward the front upper portion and laterally inwardly. The horizontal frame 13B extends in the left and right directions and connects the upper ends of the left and right vertical frames 13A. In other words, the horizontal frame 13B is placed in front of the lower ends of the left and right vertical frames 13A. The left and right vertical frames 13A and the horizontal frame 13B can be formed by bending a single pipe.
[0053] like Figure 4 and5 As shown, each vertical frame 13A has a first bracket 21 to which a corresponding electronic component 6 is fixed. Each first bracket 21 extends laterally outward from the lower part of the corresponding vertical frame 13A. Each first bracket 21 has a plate shape with a surface facing forward and a surface facing backward. Each first bracket 21 has a frame side base end, which is bonded to the lower front part of the corresponding vertical frame 13A, for example, by welding. Each first bracket 21 has a plurality of first through holes 22 extending through in the thickness direction. In the present embodiment, each first bracket 21 has an outer first through hole 22A and an inner first through hole 22B at its outer end and lateral center, respectively.
[0054] The horizontal frame 13B is provided with a second bracket 24 for supporting the headrest cover 8. The second bracket 24 extends downward from the center of the horizontal frame 13B. The second bracket 24 has a plate shape with a surface facing forward and a surface facing backward. The upper end of the second bracket 24 is joined to the front of the horizontal frame 13B by welding, for example. The second bracket 24 has a second through hole 26 extending therethrough in the thickness direction.
[0055] like Figure 3 and 4 As shown, the left and right electronic components 6 are located outside the corresponding vertical frame 13A. Each electronic component 6 has a speaker unit 31, a microphone unit 32, a first wiring harness 33 connected to the speaker unit 31 and the microphone unit 32 at one end (first end), and a female connector 34 connected to the other end (second end) of the first wiring harness 33. The speaker unit 31 is an audio output unit with a speaker, and the microphone unit 32 is an audio input unit with a microphone. Each first wiring harness 33 extends roughly in the left and right directions. Each female connector 34 is connected to the lateral inner end of the corresponding first wiring harness 33. The lateral outer end of each first wiring harness 33 is bifurcated into two or more connector ends, which are connected to the corresponding speaker unit 31 and the microphone unit 32.
[0056] like Figures 3 to 6 As shown, each electronic component 6 is supported by the corresponding vertical frame 13A, and has a housing 36 for accommodating the corresponding speaker unit 31 and microphone unit 32. Each housing 36 has a lower portion supported by the lower portion of the vertical frame 13A. The housing 36 has a box shape that opens toward the rear. The housing 36 has a front wall 38 with a surface facing forward, an upper wall 39 extending backward from the upper edge of the front wall 38, a left and right side wall 40 extending backward from the left and right side edges of the front wall 38, and a lower wall 41 extending backward from the lower edge of the front wall 38. The left and right inner side walls 40 of each housing 36 are placed on the lateral outside of the corresponding vertical frame 13A. The speaker unit 31 and the microphone unit 32 are arranged in the space defined by the corresponding walls 38, 39, 40 and 41. The housing 36 can be formed by a plastic material.
[0057] like Figures 3 to 5 As shown in Figures 10 and 11, each lower wall 41 is provided with a wing 43 protruding downward from the lower wall 41. The wing 43 has a plate shape with a surface facing forward and a surface facing backward. The wing 43 has a through hole 44 extending through in the thickness direction. The wing 43 is located behind the outer end of the corresponding first bracket 21. More specifically, each through hole 44 formed in the wing 43 is arranged to overlap with the outer first through hole 22A formed in the corresponding first bracket 21 in the front-to-back direction. Each housing 36 is attached to the headrest frame 5 and the headrest cover 8 by a bolt (a third bolt 118C described later) extending through the outer first through hole 22A of the first bracket 21 and the through hole 44 of the wing 43.
[0058] like Figures 3 to 6 As shown, the front wall 38 of each shell 36 is preferably tilted inwardly toward the front. In the present embodiment, the front wall 38 has two holes (not shown) extending through in the thickness direction. The positions of the respective holes in the front wall 38 are vertically aligned with each other. The speaker unit 31 and the microphone unit 32 are exposed through the corresponding holes. Specifically, the speaker unit 31 is exposed through the upper hole, and the microphone unit 32 is exposed through the lower hole. Since each of the left and right shells 36 is arranged on the lateral outside of the corresponding vertical frame 13A, the corresponding speaker unit 31 outputs sound to the occupant; that is, the sound is output in the forward inward direction. The corresponding microphone unit 32 collects sound from the front inner side.
[0059] like Figures 3 to 5 As shown, the connecting member 10 is located at the rear of the horizontal frame 13B. The connecting member 10 includes a connecting member body 51 having a surface facing forward and a surface facing rearward, an upper first reinforcing portion 52A extending rearward from the upper end of the connecting member body 51, and a plurality of second reinforcing portions 53 protruding rearward from the rearward-facing surface of the connecting member body 51 and connected to the upper first reinforcing portion 52A. The connecting member 10 may also include a lower first reinforcing portion 52B extending rearward from the lower end of the connecting member body 51. In the present embodiment, the connecting member 10 and the left and right housings 36 are integrally formed into a single piece. The connecting member 10 may be formed of the same plastic material as the housing 36.
[0060] The connecting member body 51 extends in the left-right direction. The connecting member body 51 has a plate shape with a surface facing forward and a surface facing rearward. In the present embodiment, the front face of the upper portion of the connecting member body 51 faces forward, while the front face of the lower portion of the connecting member body 51 faces downwardly and obliquely toward the front. The upper portion of the connecting member body 51 is arranged at the rear of the horizontal frame 13B.
[0061] The upper first reinforcement 52A and the lower first reinforcement 52B extend in the left-right direction. Each of the upper first reinforcement 52A and the lower first reinforcement 52B is formed in a plate shape having an upwardly facing surface and a downwardly facing surface. Each of the upper first reinforcement 52A and the lower first reinforcement 52B reduces the deformation of the connecting member 10 due to the application of a load from the rear.
[0062] The first raised portion 54 is raised forward from the center of the upper portion of the connecting member body 51. In the present embodiment, the first raised portion 54 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape. The first raised portion 54 may have an upper portion located above the upper portion of the connecting member body 51 of the connecting member 10. In other words, the upper first reinforcement portion 52A partially defines the upper portion of the first raised portion 54.
[0063] Each of the plurality of second reinforcements 53 extends from the rear of the bottom of the first protrusion 54. Each second reinforcement 53 has a plate shape with a surface facing left and a surface facing right. The upper end of each second reinforcement 53 is bonded to the lower surface of the upper first reinforcement 52A defining the upper portion of the first protrusion 54. The lower end of each second reinforcement 53 is bonded to the upper surface of the connection member body 51 defining the lower portion of the first protrusion 54. The second reinforcement 53 reduces deformation of the connection member 10 due to the application of a load from above.
[0064] The left and right edges of the connecting member body 51, the upper first reinforcement part 52A and the lower first reinforcement part 52B are respectively bonded to the corresponding inner side walls 40 of the left and right housings 36. Each side wall 40 to which the connecting member 10 is bonded preferably has a cutout 40A ( Figure 6 and 10 ). The cutout 40A is preferably disposed behind the connection member body 51 of the connection member 10 and between the upper and lower first reinforcement portions 52A, 52B.
[0065] In addition, the connecting member 10 has a protruding lug 55 protruding downward from the connecting member body 51 and a lug hole 56 formed above the protruding lug 55. The protruding lug 55 is formed as a plate having a surface facing forward and a surface facing backward. The protruding lug 55 protrudes downward from the center of the lower part of the connecting member body 51. The left and right female connectors 34 are fixed to the front of the protruding lug 55. Figure 6 As shown, for example, each female connector 34 may have a latch pawl 57 that can engage with a latch hole 58 formed in the protruding lug 55, thereby fixing the corresponding female connector 34 to the front of the protruding lug 55. In addition, the protruding lug 55 has a positioning hole 59 extending therethrough in the front-rear direction. The positioning hole 59 engages with a positioning protrusion 112 formed on the rear cover 8B described later.
[0066] A tab hole 56 is formed in an upper portion of a lower portion of the connection member body 51. The tab hole 56 extends through the lower portion of the connection member body 51 in the thickness direction. The tab hole 56 partially overlaps with the second bracket 24 on the horizontal frame 13B.
[0067] like Figure 3 and 5 As shown, each electronic component 6 may have a cover 62 covering the rear of the housing 36. Each cover 62 is formed into a plate shape having a surface facing forward and a surface facing backward. Each cover 62 is preferably connected to the rear edge of the upper wall 39 and the lower wall 41 of the corresponding housing 36. For example, the housing 36 may have a plurality of fastening plates, each of which has a surface facing forward and a surface facing backward and is fastened to the cover 62. Some of the plurality of fastening plates may extend downward from the rear edge of the upper wall 39. The remaining fastening plates may extend upward from the rear edge of the lower wall 41. Each fastening plate may have a fastening hole extending through in the thickness direction. Each fastening hole may be threaded to have a female thread. The cover 62 may have a plurality of through holes, which extend through the cover and overlap with the corresponding fastening holes. The cover 62 may be attached to the connecting member 10 and the corresponding housing 36 by bolts passing through the through holes and screwed into the fastening holes. The cover 62 covers the corresponding housing 36 from the rear, thereby reducing sound leakage to the rear.
[0068] like Figures 4 to 6 As shown, one end of each first wire harness 33 is located behind the connecting member body 51 of the connecting member 10. Each female connector 34 is fixed to the front of the protruding lug 55. Specifically, the inner end of each first wire harness 33 to be connected by the respective female connector 34 is pulled inward through the cutout 40A of the inner side wall 40 of the corresponding housing 36, and further pulled from the rear to the front through the lug hole 56 of the connecting member 10. In other words, the outer end of each first wire harness 33 connected to the speaker unit 31 and the microphone unit 32 is arranged behind the connecting member body 51 of the connecting member 10. The female connector 34 can be connected to the inner end of each first wire harness 33.
[0069] like Figure 4 and 5As shown, the left and right electronic components 6 also include a plurality of male connectors 64 that can be assembled to the corresponding female connectors 34, and a plurality of second wiring harnesses 66 connected to the corresponding male connectors 64. Each second wiring harness 66 extends in the vertical direction. Each male connector 64 is connected to the upper end of the corresponding second wiring harness 66. Each second wiring harness 66 extends through a hole in the corresponding headrest pillar in the left and right headrest pillars 12. Specifically, the upper end of each second wiring harness 66 is pulled out through the inner hole of the corresponding headrest pillar 12. The left and right headrest pillars 12 are arranged behind the corresponding vertical frames 13A, which allows the load from the front to be applied to the vertical frames 13A. This reduces the contact between the second wiring harness 66 and the edge of the upper end opening that defines the headrest pillar 12.
[0070] The headrest also includes a control device 68, which is connected to the speaker unit 31 and the microphone unit 32 via the first wire harness 33, the female connector 34, the male connector 64, and the second wire harness 66. In other words, the lower end of each second wire harness 66 is connected to the control device 68 ( Figure 1 ). The control device 68 is an electronic control device, which is a computing device having a microprocessor (MPU), a non-volatile memory, a volatile memory, and an interface. The control device 68 implements various applications by causing the microprocessor to execute a program stored in the non-volatile memory. The control device 68 is preferably located inside the seat back 3, under the seat cushion 2, or at any other appropriate location.
[0071] like Figure 2 and 3 As shown, the headrest cover 8 includes a front cover 8A covering the electronic component 6, the vertical frame 13A and the horizontal frame 13B from the front, and a rear cover 8B joined to the front cover 8A and covering the electronic component 6, the vertical frame 13A and the horizontal frame 13B from the rear. The headrest cover 8 can be formed of a plastic material.
[0072] like Figure 8 As shown, the front cover 8A has a box shape with an opening facing rearward. The front cover 8A includes a front cover front wall 71 having a surface facing forward and a surface facing rearward, a front cover upper wall 72 extending rearward from the upper edge of the front cover front wall 71, left and right front cover side walls 73 extending rearward from the left and right side edges of the front cover front wall 71, and a front cover lower wall 74 extending rearward from the lower edge of the front cover front wall 71.
[0073] The front cover front wall 71 has a plurality of second raised portions 75 raised forward. In the present embodiment, the front cover front wall 71 includes two second raised portions 75 on its left and right edges. The bottom of each second raised portion 75 faces the front wall 38 of the corresponding housing 36. In other words, the respective front sides of the left and right second raised portions 75 face forward and laterally inward. The bottom of each second raised portion 75 facing the speaker unit 31 has a cover opening 76 extending through in the thickness direction. Each of the left and right cover openings 76 is provided with a lattice 77.
[0074] The front cover front wall 71 has a plurality of front side bosses 81 protruding rearward from the front portion of the front cover front wall 71. Each front side boss 81 may be formed in a hollow cylindrical shape with a bottom that is open to the front. In the present embodiment, the front side bosses 81 include a plurality of first front side bosses 81A facing the first bracket 21 on the vertical frame 13A, and a second front side boss 81B facing the second bracket 24 on the horizontal frame 13B. The bottom (facing rearward) of each first front side boss 81A may contact the center of the corresponding first bracket 21.
[0075] The front cover 8A has a plurality of front first fastening holes 83 at positions aligned with the first through holes 22 of each first bracket 21. Each front first fastening hole 83 extends through the front cover. Specifically, each front first fastening hole 83 is formed at the bottom of the corresponding first front boss 81A. Each front first fastening hole 83 is arranged to align with the inner first through hole 22B of the corresponding first bracket 21. In addition, the front cover 8A has a front second fastening hole 84 arranged to align with the second through hole 26 of the second bracket 24. The front second fastening hole 84 extends through the front cover in the front-to-back direction. The front second fastening hole 84 is formed at the bottom (facing rearward) of the second front boss 81B.
[0076] The front cover 8A has a plurality of protrusions, which are arranged to overlap with the headrest frame 5 when viewed from the front. Specifically, the front side boss 81 also has a pair of third front side bosses 81C, which partially overlap with the upper portion of the vertical frame 13A when viewed from the front. The bottom (rear side) surface of each third front side boss 81C points obliquely upward and backward, facing the corresponding upper portion of the vertical frame 13A. When a predetermined load is applied to the front cover 8A from the front, the bottom of each third front boss 81C is preferably in contact with the corresponding vertical frame 13A. As a result, the load applied to the front cover 8A from the front is transmitted to the left and right vertical frames 13A. Each front side boss 81 also has a plurality of fourth front side bosses 81D, which partially overlap with the upper portion of the connecting member 10.
[0077] A rib 85 is provided in the center of the rear surface of the front cover front wall 71. The rib 85 may be formed in a lattice pattern. The rib 85 may extend so as to connect the front side bosses 81A, 81B, 81C, and 81D. The rib 85 improves the rigidity of the front cover 8A.
[0078] like Fig. 9 As shown, the rear cover 8B has a box shape with an opening facing forward. The rear cover 8B includes a rear cover rear wall 91 having a surface facing forward and a surface facing backward, a rear cover upper wall 92 extending forward from the upper edge of the rear cover rear wall 91, left and right rear cover side walls 93 extending forward from the left and right side edges of the rear cover rear wall 91, and a rear cover lower wall 94 extending forward from the lower edge of the rear cover rear wall 91.
[0079] The rear wall 91 of the rear cover has a plurality of rear side bosses 101 protruding forward from the rear portion of the rear wall 91 of the rear cover. Each rear side boss 101 may be formed in the shape of a bottomed hollow cylinder or prism that is open to the rear. In the present embodiment, the rear side bosses 101 include a plurality of first rear side bosses 101A facing the left and right first brackets 21, and a second rear side boss 101B facing the second bracket 24. Each first rear side boss 101A faces the corresponding first front side boss 81A of the front cover 8A. The second rear side boss 101B faces the second front boss 81B of the front cover 8A.
[0080] Likewise Figure 6 As shown, the rear cover 8B has a plurality of rear first fastening holes 102 at positions aligned with the inner first through holes 22B of each first bracket 21 and the front first fastening holes 83 of each first front boss 81A. Each rear first fastening hole 102 is threaded to form a female thread. In the present embodiment, each rear first fastening hole 102 is defined by the inner surface of the corresponding first cylindrical portion 103A, and the corresponding first cylindrical portion extends forward from the front bottom of the corresponding first rear boss 101A. The inner surface of each first cylindrical portion 103A is threaded to form a female thread.
[0081] like Figure 7 As shown, the rear cover 8B has a rear second fastening hole 104 at a position aligned with the second through hole 26 of the second bracket 24 and the front second fastening hole 84 of the second front boss 81B. The rear second fastening hole 104 is threaded to form a female thread. In this embodiment, the rear second fastening hole 104 is defined by the inner surface of the second cylindrical portion 103B, and the second cylindrical portion extends forward from the bottom of the second rear boss 101B. The inner surface of the second cylindrical portion 103B is threaded to form a female thread.
[0082] The rear side boss 101 also includes a plurality of third rear side bosses 101C facing the left and right first brackets 21. Specifically, the bottom of each third rear side boss 101C faces the base portion of the corresponding first bracket 21 and the fin 43 on the lower wall 41 of the corresponding housing 36. Each third rear side boss 101C has a third cylindrical portion 103C extending forward from the bottom of the third rear side boss 101C. The center of each third cylindrical portion 103C is aligned with the center of the outer first through hole 22A of the corresponding first bracket 21 and the center of the through hole 44 of the corresponding fin 43. The inner surface of each third cylindrical portion 103C is threaded to form a female thread.
[0083] In addition, the rear side boss 101 further includes a plurality of rear side bosses 101D, which face the fourth front side boss 81D, with the upper portion of the connecting member body 51 of the connecting member 10 being located between them. The bottom of each rear side boss 101D has a fourth cylindrical portion 103D extending forward from the bottom of the rear side boss 101D. The connecting member body 51 of the connecting member 10 has a plurality of through holes 111 ( 111.1 ) extending therethrough in the thickness direction at positions aligned with the respective fourth cylindrical portions 103D. Figure 5 ). The inner surface of each fourth cylindrical portion 103D may be threaded to form a female thread.
[0084] Furthermore, the rear boss 101 further includes a fifth rear boss 101E facing the protruding tab 55 of the connecting member 10. The fifth rear boss 101E has a positioning protrusion 112 which extends forward from the bottom of the fifth rear boss 101E and is engageable with the positioning hole 59.
[0085] The rib 113 is formed on the outer circumference of each of the cylindrical portions 103A, 103B, 103C, 103D of the rear side bosses 101A, 101B, 101C, 101D, and extends to the bottom of the corresponding rear side bosses 101A, 101B, 101C, 101D. The rib 113 extends radially outward along the circumference of each of the cylindrical portions 103A, 103B, 103C, 103D from the left, right, top and bottom points. The rib 113 improves the rigidity of each of the cylindrical portions 103A, 103B, 103C, 103D and the positioning protrusion 112.
[0086] like Figure 8 As shown, the upper wall 72 and the left and right side walls 73 of the front cover have a plurality of flat plates 114 extending rearward from the entire or partial rear edges of the walls 72, 73. The thickness of each flat plate 114 is less than the thickness of the corresponding wall of the walls 72, 73. Each flat plate 114 has eight latch holes 115 extending therethrough in the thickness direction. Fig. 9As shown, a plurality of latch claws 116 are formed on the respective rear edges of the rear cover upper wall 92 and the left and right rear cover side walls 93, and each latch claw 116 can be latched to a corresponding latch hole 115 formed in the front cover upper wall 72 and the left and right side walls 73 of the front cover. When each latch claw 116 is latched in the corresponding latch hole 115, the front cover 8A and the rear cover 8B are joined together.
[0087] like Figure 2 As shown, the front cover 8A and the rear cover 8B are fastened together by a plurality of first bolts 118A screwed into the rear first fastening holes 102 and second bolts 118B screwed into the rear second fastening holes 104. Specifically, each first bolt 118A passes through the front first fastening hole 83 of the corresponding first front boss 81A and the inner first through hole 22B of the corresponding first bracket 21 from the front, and is screwed into the female thread of the first cylindrical portion 103A of the corresponding first rear boss 101A. As a result, the front cover 8A and the rear cover 8B are fastened to the vertical frame 13A via the first bracket 21, which allows the headrest cover 8 to be stably supported by the headrest frame 5. The second bolt 118B also passes through the second front fastening hole 84 of the second front boss 81B and the second through hole 26 of the second bracket 24, and is screwed into the female thread of the second cylindrical portion 103B of the second rear boss 101B. As a result, the front cover 8A and the rear cover 8B are attached to the horizontal frame 13B via the second bracket 24 , which allows the headrest cover 8 to be more stably supported by the headrest frame 5 .
[0088] like Figure 4 As shown, the left and right electronic components 6 are fixed to the rear cover 8B by means of a plurality of third bolts 118C, which are screwed into the female thread of the third cylindrical portion 103C of the third rear side boss 101C. Specifically, each third bolt 118C passes through the outer first through hole 22A of the corresponding first bracket 21 and the through hole 44 of the wing 43 of the corresponding housing 36 backward, and is screwed into the female thread of the corresponding third cylindrical portion 103C. In addition, the left and right electronic components 6 are fixed to the rear cover 8B by a plurality of fourth bolts 118D, which are screwed into the female thread of the fourth cylindrical portion 103D of the corresponding fourth rear side boss 101D. Specifically, each fourth bolt 118D passes through the corresponding through hole 111 formed in the connecting member body 51 of the connecting member 10 backward, and is screwed into the corresponding fourth cylindrical portion 103D. In this configuration, the left and right electronic components 6 and the rear cover 8B are supported by the left and right vertical frames 13A. In this configuration in which the left and right electronic components 6 are connected by the connecting member 10 and supported by the corresponding vertical frames 13A, the relative positions of the left and right electronic components 6 are determined.
[0089] Each of the plurality of fourth front bosses 81D formed on the front cover 8A is arranged to overlap with the corresponding fourth bolt 118D. When a predetermined load is applied to the front cover 8A from the front, the bottom of each fourth front boss 81D contacts the corresponding fourth bolt 118D. As a result, the load applied to the front cover 8A from the front is transmitted to the rear cover 8B via the fourth bolt 118D.
[0090] The left and right second wire harnesses 66 are fixed to a plurality of wire harness catchers 121 provided on the rear cover 8B. Each wire harness catcher 121 is a plastic clip having a loop through which the corresponding second wire harness 66 passes. Each wire harness catcher 121 is latched to a corresponding latch hole in a plurality of latch holes 123 formed in the rear cover 8B by a latch claw 122. Fig. 9 As shown, each latch hole 123 may be formed at the bottom of a corresponding sixth rear boss among a plurality of sixth rear bosses 101F protruding forward from the rear surface of the rear cover rear wall 91. The latch hole 123 may extend through the bottom of the sixth rear boss 101F in the front-rear direction. The structure in which the second wire harness 66 is fixed to the rear cover 8B by the wire harness catcher 121 prevents the movement of the second wire harness 66.
[0091] like Figure 3 As shown, the headrest 4 also has a plate-shaped headrest pad 131 covered by the headrest cover 8. Specifically, the headrest pad 131 includes a front side pad 131A and a rear side pad 131B respectively provided on the front cover 8A and the rear cover 8B. The front side pad 131A and the rear side pad 131B can be formed as separate components or integrally formed as a one-piece component. The headrest pad 131 can be formed of a foam plastic material such as polyurethane. The front pad 131A is arranged to extend above the front cover front wall 71 and the front cover upper wall 72. More specifically, the front pad 131A is provided on the central portion of the front cover front wall 71 and the front cover upper wall 72 so as not to extend above the left and right second protrusions 75.
[0092] like Fig.10 As shown, the headrest 4 further includes a skin 133 covering the headrest pad 131 and the headrest cover 8. The skin 133 may be formed in a bag-like form with an opening at the bottom. The skin 133 includes at least one rear hook (not shown) provided at its rear edge, and the at least one rear hook is hooked to a corresponding front hook (not shown) provided at its front edge, thereby closing the opening of the skin 133.
[0093] The skin 133 includes a skin body 134 and a plurality of air passage portions 135 that cooperate with each other to form the appearance of the headrest 4, and a sound absorbing layer 136 provided in the inner surface thereof. The skin body 134 may be formed into a sheet-like structure made of a flexible material such as a plastic material, natural leather, or synthetic leather. The skin body 134 has a plurality of openings 137 facing the left and right second ridges 75.
[0094] Each air channel portion 135 is connected to the skin body 134 so as to block each opening 137 in the skin body 134. Each air channel portion 135 may have, for example, a seat layer 138 that cooperates with the skin body 134 to form the appearance of the headrest 4, and a mesh layer 139 provided on the rear surface of the seat layer 138. The mesh layer 139 may be bonded to the inner surface of the seat layer 138 using an adhesive or any other bonding means. The seat layer 138 may be formed of the same material as the skin body 134. The seat layer 138 has a plurality of through holes 141 ( Figure 1 ). Each air channel portion 135 may be bonded to the skin body 134 , for example, by sewing with sewing thread 142 to bond the periphery of each air channel portion 135 to the edge of the corresponding opening 137 in the skin body 134 .
[0095] The sound absorbing layer 136 is provided on the inner surface of the rear cover rear wall 91 of the skin body 134 facing the rear cover 8B. In other words, the sound absorbing layer 136 reduces the sound leakage in the rear direction. The sound absorbing layer 136 may be a vibration-proof material such as a rubber sheet or felt. Alternatively, the sound absorbing layer 136 may be, for example, polyurethane foam. The sound absorbing layer 136 may be bonded to the skin body 134, for example, using an adhesive.
[0096] like Figure 3 As shown, the headrest 4 may further include a plurality of lower covers 143 for covering and hiding the opening of the closed skin 133. The plurality of lower covers 143 may include a front lower cover 143A attached to the front cover 8A and a rear lower cover 143B attached to the rear cover 8B. The front lower cover 143A extends in the left-right direction and has a plate shape with a surface facing upward and a surface facing downward. The front lower cover 143A may be provided with a plurality of engaging protrusions 144A ( Fig.11 ) is inserted into a corresponding latch hole (not shown) provided on the front cover lower wall 74 and attached to the front cover lower wall 74. The rear lower cover 143B extends in the left-right direction along the rear cover lower wall 94 and is formed as a plate having a surface facing the up-down direction. The rear lower cover 143B can be attached to the rear cover lower wall 94 in the same manner as the front lower cover 143A, for example, by inserting a plurality of engaging protrusions (not shown) provided on the rear lower cover 143B into corresponding latch holes (not shown) provided on the rear cover lower wall 94. The lower cover 143 can be formed of, for example, the same material as the headrest cover 8.
[0097] like Figures 11 to 13As shown, each second harness 66 is provided with a protection member 146 surrounding the second harness 66. Each protection member 146 extends in the vertical direction and is inserted into the corresponding headrest pillar 12. The protection member 146 may include a pair of protection member bodies 147, and a complete hinge 148 connecting the left or right ends of each protection member body 147, each protection member body having a U-shape in cross section (see Fig.13 (B). The other ends of the respective protection member bodies 147 may be engaged with each other by means of snap fit. In addition, a grommet 149 may be provided at the lower end of each protection member body 147, which is attached to the lower edge ( Fig.13 (A)). The vertical length of each protection member 146 is longer than the vertical length of the headrest pillar 12. The protection member 146 and the grommet 149 may be formed of a plastic material.
[0098] Each grommet 149 prevents contact between the lower edge of the corresponding headrest pillar 12 and the corresponding second wire harness 66. In addition, when each grommet 149 is attached to the lower edge of the corresponding headrest pillar 12, the upper edge of the corresponding protection member body 147 extends upward from the upper end opening of the headrest pillar 12. This feature prevents contact between the upper edge defining the upper end opening of the headrest pillar 12 and the corresponding second wire harness 66.
[0099] Next, a method of manufacturing the headrest 4 of the present embodiment will be described. First, the vertical frames 13A corresponding to the left and right headrest pillars 12 are welded together. Next, each first bracket 21 is welded to the corresponding vertical frame 13A. Next, the second bracket 24 is welded to the horizontal frame 13B.
[0100] Next, each second wiring harness 66 is inserted into the internal space of the corresponding headrest pillar 12. In this step, the upper end of each second wiring harness 66 does not need to be connected to the corresponding male connector 64. Each second wiring harness 66 with the protective member 146 attached is inserted into the internal space of the corresponding headrest pillar 12 from the lower end toward its upper end. As a result, even when each second wiring harness 66 is bifurcated, the protective member 146 allows the individual second wiring harnesses 66 to be bundled together, thereby facilitating the insertion of the second wiring harness 66 into the internal space of the headrest pillar 12. Then, a grommet 149 is attached to the lower edge of each headrest pillar 12. Next, a male connector 64 is connected to the upper end of each second wiring harness 66. After the lower end of each second wiring harness 66 passes through the pillar support 16, a connector (not shown) for connecting to the control device 68 is attached to the lower end of the second wiring harness 66.
[0101] Next, the speaker unit 31 and the microphone unit 32 are housed in the corresponding housing 36. Specifically, first, the left and right housings 36 and the connecting member 10 are prepared. The left and right housings 36 and the connecting member 10 can be components formed, for example, by injection molding. Then, the speaker unit 31 and the microphone unit 32 are placed in the corresponding housing 36. Next, the inner end of each first wiring harness 33 is pulled from the rear to the front through the lug hole 56 of the connecting member 10. Then, the female connector 34 is connected to the inner end of the corresponding first electronic wiring harness 33. Then, the female connector 34 is fixed to the front of the protruding lug 55 of the connecting member 10. Next, the cover 62 is attached to the rear of each of the left and right housings 36 using fasteners such as bolts.
[0102] Next, each electronic component 6 is attached to the rear cover 8B. Specifically, first, the positioning protrusion 112 provided on the rear cover 8B is inserted into the positioning hole 59 on the protruding lug 55 of the connecting member 10. This step determines the position to which each electronic component 6 is attached relative to the rear cover 8B. Then, each fourth bolt 118D is passed from the front through the corresponding through hole 111 formed in the connecting member body 51 of the connecting member 10, and screwed into the fourth cylindrical portion 103D of the fourth rear side boss 101D. This step allows each electronic component 6 to be fastened to the rear cover 8B.
[0103] Next, each electronic component 6 and the rear cover 8B are attached to the headrest frame 5. Specifically, each third bolt 118C is passed from the front through the outer first through hole 22A of the corresponding first bracket 21 and the through hole 44 of the fin 43 of the corresponding housing 36, and then screwed into the third cylindrical portion 103C of the third rear side boss 101C. This step allows the housing 36 to be fastened to the rear cover 8B. The configuration in which the female connector 34 of the first wiring harness 33 is fastened to the protruding tab 55 of the connecting member 10 prevents interference between the female connector 34 and other components when the respective electronic components 6 are attached to the headrest frame 5, thereby facilitating the assembly of the respective electronic components 6 to the headrest frame 5.
[0104] Next, each male connector 64 connected to the upper end of the second wire harness 66 is fitted into the female connector 34 connected to the inner end of the corresponding first wire harness 33. Then, each second wire harness 66 is fixed to the rear cover 8B through the corresponding wire catcher 121.
[0105] Next, the front cover 8A is attached to the rear cover 8B. Each latch claw 116 provided on the rear edge of the rear cover upper wall 92 and the rear edges of the left and right rear cover side walls 93 is engaged with the corresponding latch hole 115 formed in the front cover upper wall 72 and the left and right front cover side walls 73.
[0106] Next, each first bolt 118A is passed from the front through the first front fastening hole 83 of the corresponding first front boss 81A and the first inner through hole 22B of the corresponding first bracket 21, and screwed into the first cylindrical portion 103A of the first rear boss 101A. Then, the second bolt 118B is passed from the front through the second front fastening hole 84 of the second front boss 81B and the second through hole 26 of the corresponding second bracket 24, and screwed into the second cylindrical portion 103B of the second rear boss 101B.
[0107] Next, the headrest pad 131 is attached to the headrest cover 8. Then, the skin 133 is placed over the headrest pad 131 and the headrest cover 8. Next, the opening of the skin 133 is closed by hooking the rear hooks provided at the rear edge of the skin 133 onto the corresponding front hooks provided at the front edge of the skin 133. Next, the front lower cover 143A is attached to the front cover lower wall 74, and the rear lower cover 143B is attached to the lower wall 41 of the rear cover 8B. In this way, the headrest 4 is assembled.
[0108] In the headrest 4 of the present embodiment, the left and right electronic components 6 are arranged on the left and right sides of the vertical frame 13A, and the connecting member 10 is arranged behind the horizontal frame 13B, so the load from the front is applied to the horizontal frame 13B. This configuration prevents the load from being applied to the electronic components 6 and the connecting member 10 from the front, thereby reducing the deformation of the electronic components 6 and the connecting member 10. In other words, this configuration reduces the change in the relative position of the left and right electronic components 6. The electronic components 6 are covered by the headrest cover 8, and the load applied to the headrest 4 is transmitted to the headrest cover 8, which further reduces the deformation of the electronic components 6 and the deformation of the connecting member 10.
[0109] Specific embodiments of the present invention are described above. However, these embodiments are non-restrictive, and various modifications can be made to the embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, although the electronic component 6 is arranged at a position laterally more outward than the vertical frame 13A, the electronic component 6 can be arranged at a position laterally more inward than the vertical frame 13A. Although in the above-mentioned embodiment, the inner surface of the first cylindrical portion 103A and the second cylindrical portion 103B is formed with a female thread, it can be formed without a female thread in the first cylindrical portion 103A and the second cylindrical portion 103B. In the latter case, the bottom of the first rear side boss 101A and the second rear side boss 101B preferably has a through hole, which extends through the thickness direction and is formed to align with the corresponding first and second cylindrical portions 103A and 103B. Each bolt preferably passes through the through hole of the corresponding rear boss in the rear boss 101A and 101B, and is fastened by a nut. Glossary
[0110] 1 seat (vehicle seat) 3 Seat back 4 Headrests 5Headrest frame 6 Electronic components 8 Headrest Cover 8A front cover 8B rear cover 10Connecting components 12 Headrest Pillars 13A vertical frame 13B horizontal frame 21 First Bracket 22B first through hole (first through hole) 24 Second bracket 26 Second through hole 31 speaker units 33 First Harness 34 female connector 51 Connecting component body 52A Upper first reinforcement (first reinforcement) 53 Second reinforcement 55 protruding tabs 56 tab holes 59 positioning hole 64 male connector 66 Second Harness 81C third front boss (front cover protrusion) 83 front side first fastening hole 84 Second fastening hole on the front side 102 rear first fastening hole 104 rear side second fastening hole 112 positioning protrusion 118A First Bolt 118B Second bolt 121 Wire Harness Catcher
Claims
1. A headrest for a vehicle seat, the headrest comprising: a headrest frame, which is supported by the seat back; a pair of left and right electronic components supported by the headrest frame; as well as a connecting member extending in the left-right direction and configured to connect the left and right electronic components, Wherein, the headrest frame comprises: a pair of left and right headrest pillars, which are supported by the seat back and extend in a vertical direction, a pair of left and right vertical frames extending in the vertical direction and attached to corresponding headrest pillars, and a horizontal frame extending in the left-right direction and connecting the upper ends of the left and right vertical frames, The upper parts of the left and right vertical frames extend upward and obliquely toward the front. wherein the left and right electronic components are arranged on the outer sides of the left and right vertical frames in the left-right direction, wherein the lower portions of the left and right electronic components are supported by the lower portions of the left and right vertical frames, and Wherein, the connecting member is located behind the horizontal frame.
2. The headrest according to claim 1, wherein: The left and right vertical frames are provided with first brackets extending outwardly in the left-right direction, and Wherein, the left and right electronic components are fixed to the corresponding first brackets.
3. The headrest according to claim 2, wherein: The connecting member comprises: a connecting member body having a front-facing surface and a rear-facing surface, a first reinforcing portion extending rearwardly from an upper end of the connecting member body, and A plurality of second reinforcement portions protrude rearwardly from the rearward-facing surface of the connection member body and are connected to the first reinforcement portions.
4. The headrest according to claim 3, wherein: The connecting member further includes a protruding tab protruding downward from the connecting member body and a tab hole formed above the protruding tab, wherein each of the left and right electronic components includes a speaker unit, a first wiring harness having a first end connected to the speaker unit, and a female connector connected to a second end of the first wiring harness, wherein the first end of the first wiring harness is located behind the connecting member body of the connecting member, and Wherein, the female connector is fixed to the front surface of the protruding tab.
5. The headrest according to claim 4, wherein: Each of the left and right electronic components includes a male connector fitted into the female connector, and a second wire harness connected to the male connector, wherein each of the left and right headrest pillars has a tubular shape, wherein a front portion of an upper end of each of the left and right headrest pillars is coupled to a rear portion of a lower end of a corresponding vertical frame, and Each of the respective second wiring harnesses extends through a hole in a corresponding headrest pillar.
6. The headrest according to claim 5, further comprising a headrest cover covering the left and right electronic components, the left and right vertical frames and the horizontal frame, in, The headrest cover includes a front cover that covers the left and right electronic components, the left and right vertical frames, and the horizontal frame from the front, and a rear cover that joins the front cover and covers the left and right electronic components, the left and right vertical frames, and the horizontal frame from the rear, and Wherein, each of the second wire harnesses is fixed to a wire harness catcher provided on the rear cover.
7. The headrest according to claim 6, wherein: The left and right first brackets each have at least one first through hole formed therein, Wherein, the front cover has a plurality of front first fastening holes, which are aligned with the respective first through holes, The rear cover has a plurality of rear first fastening holes, which are aligned with the first through holes and the plurality of front first fastening holes. wherein each of the plurality of rear first fastening holes is threaded to form a female thread, and The front cover and the rear cover are fastened by using a plurality of first bolts, which extend through the respective first through holes and the plurality of front first fastening holes and are screwed into the female threads formed in the plurality of rear first fastening holes.
8. The headrest according to claim 7, wherein: The horizontal frame includes a second bracket disposed at a position aligned with the tab hole, wherein the second bracket has a second through hole formed therein, wherein the front cover has a front second fastening hole aligned with the second through hole, wherein the rear cover has a rear second fastening hole aligned with the second through hole and the front second fastening hole, wherein the rear second fastening hole is threaded to form a female thread, and The front cover and the rear cover are fastened by a second bolt, the second bolt extends through the second through hole and the front second fastening hole, and is screwed into the female thread formed in the rear second fastening hole.
9. The headrest according to claim 8, wherein: The front cover has a front cover protrusion that protrudes rearward from the front cover and overlaps the headrest frame when viewed from the front.
10. The headrest according to claim 9, wherein: The protruding tab of the connecting member body has a positioning hole extending therethrough in the front-rear direction, and Wherein, the rear cover has a positioning protrusion engaging with the positioning hole.
Citation Information
Patent Citations
Method for manufacturing a headrest with a speaker and a headrest cushion member
JP2017525456A