Headrest for a vehicle seat

Abstract

Headrest with a head box (11) which is held on at least one support rod (12a, 12b) and can be mounted on the backrest of a vehicle seat by means of the support rod (12a, 12b), with a head support element (13) which is adjustable relative to the head box (11) in a horizontal direction (x1, x2) between a rear position moving away from the head of a seat occupant and a front position approaching the head by means of a primary guide device, wherein the head box (11) has first guide means which interact with second guide means of the head support element (13), wherein the first guide means comprise two horizontally spaced toothed rails (16a, 16b) extending in the direction of movement of the head support element (13), which form a first toothed rail pair, and the other guide means comprise two horizontally spaced gears (17a, 17b) which form a first gear pair, wherein each gear (17a,17b) engages with a toothed rail (16a, 16b) and rolls on the toothed rail (16a, 16b) during the movement of the head support part (13) between the rear position and the front position, wherein one guide means comprises two horizontally spaced toothed rails (21a, 21b) extending in the direction of movement of the head support part (13), forming a second pair of toothed rails which extends parallel to and faces the first pair of toothed rails, and wherein a gear (18a, 18b) of a second pair of gears engages with each toothed rail (21a, 21b) of the second pair of toothed rails, the second pair of gears comprising two horizontally spaced gears, wherein the gears (17a, 17b) of the first pair of gears and / or the gears (18a, 18b) of the second pair of gears are movably connected to a shaft (19), characterized in that each gear (17a, 17b) of the first gear pair with a gear (18a,18b) of the second gear pair is engaged.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a headrest. Such a headrest has a headbox which can be mounted on the backrest of a vehicle seat by means of at least one support rod. A head support element is movable relative to the headbox between a rear position, moved away from the head of a seat occupant, and a front position, closer to the head.

[0002] Such a headrest is known from DE 10 2009 038 631 A1. In this headrest, the head support part is guided by two gears that are rotatable about vertical axes and one gear that is rotatable about a horizontal axis.

[0003] EP 1 134 114 A2 relates to a headrest with a head support element, which in the embodiment described in the Fig. 7 and Fig. As shown in section 8 of EP 1 134 114 A2 and described in paragraph 17, the head assembly is moved translationally in both the horizontal and vertical directions. The head assembly is mounted on a holding element 16.

[0004] The swivel device 20 has two pairs of radially spaced toothed segments 37, 38 arranged concentrically to the axis of rotation 21, with their rows of teeth facing each other, as well as two pairs of gears 39, 40, each meshing with one of the toothed segments 37, 38. The four toothed segments 37 and 38 are attached to the head mounting part, while the four gears 39 and 40 are rotatably mounted on the holding element. The two gears 39 meshing with the toothed segments 37 and the two gears 40 meshing with the toothed segments 38 are each mounted on a common shaft 41 or 42, respectively. A drive gear 43 and a handwheel 44 are also mounted on the gear shaft 42. The drive gear 43 meshes with one of the gears 39 on the lower gear shaft 41.

[0005] WO 2011 / 032702 A1 describes a headrest comprising three guide elements 5 arranged in a triangular shape and mounted in guide means 18. These three guide elements are synchronized with each other by means of the two gears 18. The gears 22 mesh with each other, and the upper gear 22 is non-rotatably connected to a shaft on which gears are also non-rotatably arranged. These gears engage with racks provided on the guide elements 5.

[0006] From DE 31 09 592 A1, a headrest is known which has a cushion support that is attached to support sleeves in a relatively adjustable manner. Each support sleeve is arranged at the end of a support rod that can be attached to the seat back. In addition to the known adjustment options, the headrest allows the cushion support to be adjusted along the direction of travel. A sliding guide element, extending in a straight line along the direction of travel with its sliding guides, is attached to each support sleeve. A second straight sliding guide element, attached to the cushion support and engaging behind the first sliding guide element transversely to the sliding direction, interacts with the first sliding guide element. The second sliding guide element forms a rack extending in the sliding direction, with which a gear mounted rotatably on the first sliding guide element meshes. The gear is non-rotatably connected to an actuating shaft mounted on a support sleeve.

[0007] DE 10 2012 025 191 B3 relates to a headrest for a vehicle seat, which has a base element slidably mounted on a mounting bracket. The base element has an electric motor which can rotatably drive a vertical spindle via a drive shaft, wherein a thread of the vertical spindle engages in a thread of a receiving opening of a fastening element attached to the mounting bracket. The headrest further has a sliding element which is guided longitudinally slidably in a sliding opening of the base element, wherein the sliding element comprises another electric motor which rotatably drives a horizontal spindle via another drive shaft, and wherein a thread of the horizontal spindle engages in a thread of another receiving opening of a receiving element attached to the base element.

[0008] The purpose of the invention was to create a different, advantageous headrest with a simple design and solid guidance.

[0009] The problem was solved by a headrest having the features of claim 1.

[0010] The headrest according to the invention comprises a headrest housing which is held on at least one support rod, in particular on two support rods. The headrest housing can be mounted in a fixed or movable manner relative to the support rod. In the case of movable mounting, the headrest housing is, for example, height-adjustable on the support rod. The support rod can be mounted on a vehicle seat, in particular on the backrest of a vehicle seat. For this purpose, the vehicle seat has guides for mounting and securing the support rods. The support rod can, for example, be height-adjustable in various positions relative to the guides and lockable in these positions.

[0011] A headrest component is adjustable in a horizontal direction relative to the headrest housing by means of a primary guide device, between a rear position moving away from the head of a seated occupant and a front position closer to the head. For this purpose, first guide elements are formed on the headrest housing, which interact with second guide elements of the headrest component and enable the adjustment between the rear and front positions.

[0012] One set of guide elements comprises two horizontally spaced toothed rails extending in the direction of movement of the head assembly, forming a first pair of toothed rails. The other set of guide elements comprises two horizontally spaced gears forming a first pair of gears, each gear engaging with a toothed rail and rolling along the toothed rail as the head assembly moves between its rear and front positions. The gears are rigidly connected, for example, by a shaft and thus rotationally coupled to each other. Alternatively, the gears of the first pair of gears are not coupled by a shaft but are individually rotatably mounted on the head assembly.

[0013] One set of guide elements comprises two horizontally spaced toothed rails extending in the direction of movement of the head assembly, forming a second pair of toothed rails that extends parallel to and faces the first pair. Each toothed rail of the second pair engages with a gear of a second gear pair, which comprises two horizontally spaced gears. The gears of the second gear pair are, for example, rigidly connected to a shaft and thus rotationally linked. Alternatively, the gears of the second gear pair are not coupled by a shaft but are individually rotatably mounted on the head assembly.

[0014] Each gear of the first gear pair meshes with a gear of the second gear pair. This allows only one of the gear pairs to be coupled to a shaft, with each gear of that pair driving a gear of the other pair. This ensures guidance of the head assembly in two spatial directions and prevents unwanted pivoting of the head assembly around any of the three spatial axes.

[0015] The headrest is equipped with a locking device comprising a first locking element associated with the headrest housing and a second locking element associated with the head support section. The locking device is movable between a locked position, in which the first and second locking elements are engaged, and a released position, in which the first and second locking elements are disengaged. In the locked position, movement of the head support section in at least one direction is not possible. This means the head support section can be movable in one direction and not in another, or alternatively, not in either direction. In the released position, movement of the head support section in both directions is possible.

[0016] The headbox is movably mounted on the support rod, for example by means of a secondary guide device, and can be locked in at least one position by means of a locking device. The headbox can, for example, have sliding bearings by means of which it is slidably mounted on the support rods. In this way, the headbox is adjustable, for example, in the vertical direction.

[0017] It is also possible that the locking device comprises at least one bolt associated with the headbox, wherein the bolt is movable between a locking position and a release position. In the locking position, the bolt engages a notch in an arrangement of notches on the support rod, wherein the arrangement comprises at least one notch. In the release position, the bolt is disengaged from the arrangement. In the locking position, movement of the headbox in at least one direction is not possible. That is, movement of the headbox is possible, for example, in one direction but not in another, or alternatively, not in either direction.

[0018] The bolt can, for example, be subjected to a restoring force in its locked position. This restoring force can result from the bolt's elastic deformation, allowing it to return to its original shape. Alternatively, the restoring force can be applied, for example, by a separate spring element.

[0019] It is also possible that the head assembly is biased backwards by a spring. The spring could, for example, be a coil spring, with one end connected to the shaft of a gear pair and the other end connected to the head housing.

[0020] An adjusting element is mounted on the headbox. This adjusting element can be part of the locking device and / or the detent. The adjusting element is movable between a first position and a second position. It can be movable translationally and / or rotationally. The adjusting element can be formed by a slide, for example. The slide is designed as a plate, for example. The plate is movable parallel to a plane defined by the ends of the support rods.

[0021] For example, the first locking devices are assigned to the adjusting part. The adjusting part has, for example, at least one locking area that can be released and moved into engagement with the second locking devices. The second locking devices are, for example, a toothed mechanism.

[0022] The adjusting element is, for example, part of the locking device. It includes, for example, actuating means that move the bolt between the locking position and the release position.

[0023] Further advantages of the headrest become apparent from the description of the exemplary embodiments shown in the figures. These show: Fig. 1 a perspective view of a first embodiment of the headrest according to the invention, wherein the head support part is only partially shown and is located in a rear position, Fig. 2 based on Fig. 1 the headrest, wherein the head support part is arranged in the forward position, Fig. 2a a front view of the headrest, with the head support part arranged in the rear position. Fig. 3 a sectional view according to section line III - III in Fig. 2a. Fig. 4 a sectional view based on Fig. 3, with the head mounting part in the front position, Fig. 5 based on the sectional view of the Fig. 3 another embodiment, wherein only a pair of gears connected by a shaft is provided for guidance and wherein the head mounting part is located in the rear position, Fig. 6 based on Fig. 5 the second embodiment, wherein the head mounting part is located in the front position, Fig. 7 a perspective view of a third embodiment of the headrest, wherein the head support part is only partially shown and a cushion is not shown and the head support part is in the rear position, Fig. 8 based on Fig. 7 the headrest, with the head support part in the forward position, Fig. 9 a front view of the headrest according to Fig. 7, Fig. 10 a rear view of the headrest according to Fig. 7, Fig. 11 a side view according to view arrow XI in Fig. 9, Fig. 12 in reference to Fig. 11 a side view, with the head mounting part in the front position, Fig. 13 a section view according to section line XIII - XIII in Fig. 9, Fig. 14 based on Fig. 13 a sectional view, with the head mounting part in the front position, Fig. 15 a section view according to section line XV - XV in Fig. 11, wherein a slider is in a first position, Fig. 16 in reference to Fig. 15 a sectional view, with the slider in a second position, Fig. 17 a section view according to section line XVII - XVII in Fig. 10, Fig. 18 a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the headrest according to the invention, wherein a head support part is only partially shown and the head cushion is not shown, and wherein the head support part is arranged in the rear position, Fig. 19 in reference to Fig. 18 the headrest, with the head support part in the forward position, Fig. 20 a front view of the headrest, with the head support part in the rear position, Fig. 21 a rear view of the headrest according to Fig. 20, Fig. 22 a side view of the headrest according to view arrow XXII in Fig. 20, Fig. 23 in reference to Fig. 22 a side view, with the head mounting part in the front position, Fig. 24 a sectional view according to section line XXIV - XXIV in Fig. 20, Fig. 25 in reference to Fig. 24 the sectional view, with the head mounting part in the front position, Fig. 26 a sectional view according to section line XXVI - XXVI in Fig. 20, Fig. 27 in reference to Fig. 26 the sectional view, with the head mounting part in the front position.

[0024] A headrest as a whole is designated in the figures by reference numbers 10, 30, and 60. The same reference numbers in the figures denote corresponding parts.

[0025] The headrest 10 comprises a head box 11 and support rod ends 12a and 12b, with which the headrest 10 can be attached to the backrest of a vehicle seat (not shown). A head support element 13 is only partially shown, and a head support plate is not shown in the figure. The head support element 13 is located between a Fig. 1 and Fig. 3 rear positions shown and one in Fig. 2 and Fig. 4. Movable in the front position shown.

[0026] According to the first embodiment, a rear extension 14 of the head mounting part 13 comprises lower, approximately horizontal plates 15a and 15b, each with a toothed rail 16a and 16b. The teeth of the toothed rails 16a and 16b point in the z1 direction. The tooth structures of the toothed rails 16a and 16b extend in the x1, x2 direction, i.e., in the direction of movement of the head mounting part. Gears 17a and 17b are mounted on the head housing 11 by means of a shaft 19. The gears 17a and 17b are movably connected by means of the shaft 19. The shaft 19 is arranged approximately parallel to a y-axis. The gear 17a engages with the toothed rail 16a, and the gear 17b engages with the toothed rail 16b, and rolls on it during the movement of the head mounting part 13 between the rear and front positions.

[0027] In the z1 direction, gear 18a is located above gear 17a, and gear 18b is located above gear 17b. Gears 17a and 18a, and gears 17b and 18b, are meshed with each other. Gears 18a and 18b are mounted on the headstock 11 and are not mechanically connected. A geometric axis of rotation a of gears 18a and 18b is arranged parallel to the y-axis.

[0028] The extension 14 of the head mounting part 13 further comprises upper, approximately horizontal plates 20a and 20b on which a toothed rail 21a and 21b is formed. The teeth of the toothed rails 21a and 21b point in the direction z2. The tooth structure of the toothed rails 21a and 21b extends in the direction x1, x2, i.e., in the direction of movement of the head mounting part. The gear 18a engages with the toothed rail 21a, and the gear 18b engages with the toothed rail 21b. During the movement of the head mounting part 13 between the rear and front positions, the gears 18a and 18b roll on the toothed rails 21a and 21b, respectively.

[0029] In this way, the head mounting part 13 can move in the directions x1 and x2, but rotation of the head mounting part around the x, y and z axes is prevented.

[0030] A second embodiment, not according to the invention, is described in the Fig. 5 and Fig. Figure 6 shows that it differs from the first embodiment only in that gears 18a and 18b are not present.

[0031] A third embodiment of a headrest 30 is described in the Fig. Figures 7 to 17 illustrate the headrest 30. It comprises a support rod bracket 31, which has two support rod ends 12a and 12b and a crossbar 32 connecting the support rod ends 12a and 12b. A headrest housing 11 is adjustable in the directions z1 and z2 on the support rod ends 12a and 12b. The free support rod ends 12a and 12b can be mounted in corresponding guides (not shown) of a vehicle seat.

[0032] The headbox 11 can be locked in different height positions by means of a locking device 33. The locking device 33 comprises a bolt 34a held on the headbox 11, which interacts with an arrangement of notches 35a, and a bolt 34b held on the headbox 11, which interacts with an arrangement of notches 35b.

[0033] In the locked position, the bolt 34a engages in one of the notches of the arrangement 35a, and the bolt 34b engages in one of the notches of the arrangement 35b. This prevents movement of the headbox 11 in the direction z2. Due to the shape of the notches of the arrangements 35a and 35b, movement of the headbox 11 in the direction z1 is possible. In the released position, the bolts 34a and 34b are disengaged from the arrangements 35a and 35b; that is, the bolts 34a and 34b do not engage in any of the notches. According to an alternative embodiment, the notches could also be designed such that movement in the directions z1 and z2 is prevented in the locked position.

[0034] An actuating device 36 can move the locking device 33 from the locked position to the unlocked position. The locking device 33 is biased back into the locked position by a restoring force. The actuating device 36 comprises a handle 37 which is movably connected to a slide 38. When the handle 37 is moved in direction y1, it also moves the slide 38 in direction y1. As the slide 38 moves in direction y1, it disengages the bolts 34a and 34b from the arrangements 35a and 35b, thereby moving the locking device 33 into the unlocked position.

[0035] The slide 38 is formed by a plate that is arranged approximately parallel to a plane spanned by the support rod ends 12a and 12b and is guided by a guide 39 on the head box 11 so as to be displaceable in the directions y1 and y2. The slide 38 is biased in the direction y2 by a restoring element (not shown).

[0036] The head assembly 13 is provided with two extensions 14a and 14b, each extending from the head assembly 13 in a direction x2. The extensions 14a and 14b provide guide means that are associated with a bearing device 40 for supporting and guiding the head assembly 13 on the head housing 11. According to the first embodiment, toothed rails 16a and 21a are formed on extension 14a and toothed rails 16b and 21b on extension 14b.

[0037] The toothed rails 16 and 16b interact with gears 17a and 17b, which are connected by a shaft 19, in the same manner as in the first embodiment. Likewise, the toothed rails 21a and 21b interact with gears 18a and 18b, which are rotatably mounted on the headstock 11, in the same manner as in the first embodiment. Furthermore, gears 17a and 18a, as well as gears 17b and 18b, mesh with each other. The longitudinal axis of the shaft 19 and a geometric axis of rotation of gears 18a and 18b are arranged parallel to the y-axis.

[0038] In this way, the head assembly part 13 is guided on the head box 11 in the direction x1 and x2 and cannot be rotated about a z-axis parallel to the directions z1 and z2, nor about a y-axis parallel to the directions y1 and y2, nor about an x-axis parallel to the direction x1 and x2.

[0039] The rear, maximally retracted position of the head mounting part 13 is in the Fig. 7, Fig. 9, Fig. 11 and Fig. 13 shown, while the front, maximally advanced position in the Fig. 8, Fig. 12 and Fig. 14 is shown. In the rear view of the headrest 30 according to Fig. Figure 10 shows that a helical spring 41 is arranged on the shaft 19, with a first spring end 42 attached to the shaft 19 and a second spring end 43 attached to the head housing 11. The shaft 19 is subjected to rotational force u1 by the spring 41, thus loading the head mounting part 13 in the direction x2. Movement of the shaft 19 in the rotational direction u2 tensions the spring 41.

[0040] A locking device 44 comprises first locking means associated with the head housing 11 and second locking means associated with the head mounting part 13. The first locking means are formed by locking sections 45a and 45b of the slide 38. The slide comprises two openings 47a and 47b, with opening 47a being penetrated by extension 14a and opening 47b by extension 14b. A locking section 45a is arranged on the jamb of opening 47a and a locking section 45b on the jamb of opening 47b. A toothing 48a is formed on extension 14a and a toothing 48b is formed on extension 14b.

[0041] When the locking sections 45a and 45b are engaged with the teeth 48a and 48b in the locking position, movement of the head support in directions x1 and x2 (or only in direction x2?) is not possible. As soon as the handle 37 is actuated in direction y1, the slide 38 moves in direction y1. This disengages the locking sections 45a and 45b from the teeth 48a and 48b. The locking device is then in the release position, and the head support can be moved manually in directions x1 or x2.

[0042] When the handle 37 is no longer actuated, the spring (not shown) moves the slide 38 in the direction y2, whereby the locking areas 45a and 45b are biased against the projections 14a and 14b in engagement with the teeth 48a and 48b. The head contact part 13 may be in a position in which the locking areas 45a and 45b cannot directly engage in one of the recesses of the teeth 48a and 48b. Due to the restoring force of the head contact part 13 by the spring 41 in the direction x2, the head contact part 13 moves in the direction x2 until the locking areas 45a and 45b engage in one of the recesses 46a and 46b of the teeth 48a and 48b.

[0043] A fourth embodiment is described in the Fig.Figures 18 to 27 are shown. A headrest according to the fourth embodiment is designated by reference numeral 60 in the figures. The headrest 60 according to the fourth embodiment is essentially designed like the headrest 30 according to the third embodiment.

[0044] The headrest 60 differs from the headrest 30 only in that it provides a first electric drive device 61 for adjusting the headbox 11 in directions z1 and z2, and a second electric drive device 62 for adjusting the head support element 13 in directions x1 and x2. Due to the self-locking nature of the drive devices 61 and 62, the headrest 60 does not require a separate locking device 33 or a locking device 44 as provided for the headrest 30.

[0045] The drive device 61 comprises a first motor 63, which is an electric motor, attached to the head housing 11. The motor 63 can drive a spindle nut (not shown) engaged with a first spindle 64 in the directions of rotation m1 and m2. The spindle nut is rotatably mounted on the head housing 11. The spindle 64 engages with the spindle nut at an end section 65. At an end section 66, the spindle 64 is fixedly and immovably connected to the crossbeam 32 by a fastening 67.

[0046] When the spindle nut is turned by the motor 63 in the direction of m1, it screws onto the spindle 64 in the direction of z1 and the head box 11 moves in z1 along the support rod ends 12a and 12b. Conversely, when the spindle nut is moved by the motor 63 in the direction of m2, it screws onto the spindle 64 in the direction of z2 and the head box 11 moves in the direction of z2 relative to the support rod ends 12a and 12b.

[0047] An actuation device associated with the drive device 61 can be arranged on the vehicle seat to which the headrest 60 is attached or at another location in the vehicle interior, by means of which the motor 63 can be controlled, i.e., by which the motor is switched on and off and the direction of rotation is determined.

[0048] The second drive device 62 for driving the head assembly 13 comprises a second motor 68, which is an electric motor, and which drives a spindle nut (not shown) in the directions of rotation n1 and n2. The spindle nut engages with a second spindle 69. An end section 70 of the second spindle 69 is fixedly and immovably connected to a plate 72 of the head assembly 13 by means of a fastening 71. An end section 73 of the second spindle 69 engages with the second spindle nut.

[0049] When the spindle nut is turned in the direction n1 by the second motor 68, the spindle 69 and the attached head mounting part 13 move in the direction x1. With the reverse direction of rotation n2 of the spindle nut, the spindle 69 and the head mounting part 13 move in the direction x2.

[0050] An actuation device associated with the drive device 62 can be arranged on the vehicle seat to which the headrest 60 is attached or at another location in the vehicle interior, by means of which the motor 68 can be controlled, i.e., by which the motor is switched on and off and the direction of rotation is determined.

Claims

[1] Headrest with a head box (11) which is held on at least one support rod (12a, 12b) and can be mounted on the backrest of a vehicle seat by means of the support rod (12a, 12b), with a head support element (13) which is adjustable in a horizontal direction (x1, x2) relative to the head box (11) by means of a primary guide device between a rear position moving away from the head of a seat occupant and a front position approaching the head, wherein the head box (11) has first guide means which cooperate with second guide means of the head support element (13), wherein the first guide means comprise two horizontally spaced toothed rails (16a, 16b) extending in the direction of movement of the head support element (13), which form a first toothed rail pair, and the other guide means comprise two horizontally spaced gears (17a, 17b) which form a first gear pair, wherein each gear (17a,17b) engages with a toothed rail (16a, 16b) and rolls on the toothed rail (16a, 16b) during the movement of the head mounting part (13) between the rear position and the front position, wherein one guide means comprises two horizontally spaced toothed rails (21a, 21b) extending in the direction of movement of the head mounting part (13), forming a second pair of toothed rails which extends parallel to and faces the first pair of toothed rails and wherein each toothed rail (21a, 21b) of the second pair of toothed rails engages with a gear (18a, 18b) of a second pair of gears which comprises two horizontally spaced gears, wherein the gears (17a, 17b) of the first pair of gears and / or the gears (18a, 18b) of the second pair of gears are movably connected to a shaft (19), , characterized by, that each gear (17a, 17b) of the first gear pair is in mesh with a gear (18a, 18b) of the second gear pair. [2] Headrest according to claim 1, characterized by , that a locking device (44) comprises first locking means associated with the head box (11) and second locking means associated with the head mounting part (13). [3] Headrest according to claim 2, characterized by , that the locking device (44) is movable between a locking position in which the first locking means and the second locking means are engaged and a release position in which the first locking means and the second locking means are disengaged. [4] Headrest according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the head box (11) is movably mounted on the support rod (12a, 12b) by means of a secondary guide device and can be locked in at least one position by means of a locking device (33). [5] Headrest according to claim 4, characterized by , that the locking device (33) comprises a bolt (34a, 34b) which is associated with the head box (11), wherein the bolt (34a, 34b) is movable between a bolt position and a release position. [6] Headrest according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the head mounting part (13) is loaded by a spring (41) in a first direction (x1) or in a second direction (x2). [7] Headrest according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that an adjusting part (38) is movably mounted on the head box (11). [8] Headrest according to claim 7, characterized by , that the first locking means are assigned to the adjusting part (38). [9] Headrest according to claim 7 or 8, characterized by , that the adjusting part (38) moves the latch (34a, 34b) between the latch position and the release position. [10] Headrest according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that at least one electric drive device (63, 64, 68, 69) is provided by means of which the head mounting part (13) is movable relative to the head box (11) and / or the head box (11) is movable relative to the support rod (12a, 12b) and that the drive device (63, 64, 68, 69) holds the head mounting part (13) and / or the head box (11) in the respective relative position.

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