Headrest with noise reduction device and vehicle seat

Abstract

headrest (10) designed to at least partially surround a head, with a noise suppression device (12) arranged on a side of the headrest (10) facing a head position, furthermore with a display device (14) on one side of the headrest (10) facing away from the head position, wherein the indicator device (14) is configured to be activated simultaneously with the activation of the noise suppression device (12) and to visually signal to a passenger that an occupant assigned to the headrest does not wish to be disturbed.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a headrest with a noise suppression device. Furthermore, the invention relates to a vehicle seat.

[0002] With the development of autonomous vehicles, innovative vehicle usage concepts are increasingly becoming the focus of further developments. For example, concepts are being discussed that will allow vehicle occupants to relax or work while driving.

[0003] US 2021 / 0 166 675 A1 discloses a headrest with noise suppression for a vehicle seat. WO 2008 / 035 924 A1 discloses attaching an advertising display to a vehicle seat.

[0004] The object underlying the invention is to provide an improved headrest and an improved vehicle seat. This object is achieved by a headrest and a vehicle seat having the features of the respective independent patent claims. Advantageous embodiments with expedient further developments are specified in the dependent patent claims.

[0005] According to embodiments, a headrest designed to at least partially surround a head has a noise suppression device arranged on a side of the headrest facing a head position. Further embodiments relate to a vehicle seat with such a headrest. This provides a simple way to relax or even work.

[0006] The headrest or vehicle seat can further include an indicator on a side of the headrest facing away from the head position. When the user is in "privacy mode," listening to music or relaxing, the indicator can be activated simultaneously. Accordingly, the light on the side facing away from the head, for example, the back of the headrest or vehicle seat, illuminates. This light indicates that the user does not wish to be disturbed or that they may have difficulty hearing a passenger. This makes it possible to signal to a passenger that the corresponding occupant does not wish to be disturbed.

[0007] Because the headrest incorporates a noise-cancelling device, the headrest user may not be aware of a passenger speaking to them. By incorporating an indicator device on the headrest or vehicle seat, this can be visually signaled to the passenger in a simple and intuitive way.

[0008] For example, the display device may include a light source. The display device may be configured such that the light source is visible from the outside. Accordingly, the display device may be configured as a marker light.

[0009] According to further embodiments, the display device can also comprise a light source and a diffuser. Thus, it can be configured as ambient light. For example, changing the light color can indicate that a specific listening mode is selected.

[0010] According to further embodiments, the display device can also comprise a light block. This can be positioned, for example, under the headrest or in a recess in the vehicle seat. The light block can be made of a transparent plastic into which, for example, a personalized inscription can be engraved or lasered. This inscription is illuminated by the light source, thus highlighting the message in an enhanced manner.

[0011] The noise cancellation device can achieve noise suppression through active or passive measures. For example, with passive noise cancellation, a surface of the headrest facing the head can be structured or covered with a suitable material so that certain noises are suppressed. With an active noise cancellation device, the noise cancellation device has additional loudspeakers that generate what is known as anti- or counter-sound. This is artificially generated by the additional loudspeakers in order to cancel out or attenuate the noises to be suppressed using destructive interference. For this purpose, a counter-signal can be generated, for example, that corresponds to that of the disturbing sound but has the opposite polarity.

[0012] For example, the noise suppression device can be configured to suppress specific frequencies. Accordingly, anti-noise signals with corresponding frequencies are generated, which cancel out these specific frequencies through destructive interference. This makes it possible to mask out specific vehicle noises. Furthermore, ambient noise and the voices of passengers can be selectively eliminated. According to further embodiments, it is possible to mask out the voices of other vehicle occupants or ambient noise, but not suppress, for example, signal noises from other cars or the siren. With the device capable of suppressing specific frequencies, driving safety can thus be increased.

[0013] The noise-cancelling device may also include speakers for emitting desired signals. For example, the user can listen to certain music or radio programs, or even make phone calls, while ambient noise is blocked out.

[0014] Further advantages and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments with reference to the figures. Fig. 1 an example of a vehicle seat with a headrest according to embodiments. Fig. 2A a rear view of a vehicle seat according to the embodiment. Fig. 2B is a front view of a vehicle seat according to embodiments. Fig. 2C is a partial cross-sectional view of a vehicle seat according to embodiments. Fig. 3 an example of a display device according to embodiments.

[0015] In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the disclosure, and in which specific embodiments are shown for purposes of illustration. In this context, directional terminology such as "top," "bottom," "front," "back," "over," "on," "in front of," "behind," "fore," "rear," etc., refers to the orientation of the figures just described. Since the components of the embodiments can be positioned in different orientations, the directional terminology is for the purpose of explanation only and is not limiting in any way.

[0016] The description of the embodiments is not limiting, as other embodiments exist and structural or logical changes may be made without departing from the scope defined by the claims. In particular, elements of the embodiments described below may be combined with elements of other described embodiments, unless the context indicates otherwise.

[0017] Fig. 1 shows a vehicle seat 20 with a headrest 10. The vehicle seat 20 can, for example, be a vehicle seat for a motor vehicle. According to further embodiments, however, the vehicle seat can also be used in other vehicles, for example buses, airplanes, trains, etc., or in other areas, for example in the home, in waiting areas, and others. The vehicle seat 20 has a headrest 10. The headrest 10 is designed to at least partially surround a user's head. The headrest further has a noise suppression device 12, which is arranged on a side of the headrest 10 facing a head position. More precisely, the noise suppression device 12 is arranged on the inside of the headrest 10. According to embodiments, a display device 14 can be provided on a side of the headrest 10 facing away from the head position.The display device 14 can, as in . Fig. 1, enclose a portion of the outer side of the headrest. This allows even persons not sitting directly behind the user to recognize that the user is currently using the noise suppression function. For example, the indicator device 14 can be activated simultaneously with the activation of the noise suppression.

[0018] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 1, the display device can be strip-shaped. According to further embodiments, however, it can also be designed in any other way that allows visual recognition. According to further embodiments, the display device does not necessarily have to be attached to the headrest itself. According to further embodiments, it can be attached at any location on the vehicle seat 20.

[0019] For example, the noise suppression device 12 may additionally comprise loudspeakers 13 for emitting desired signals, such as music signals. The noise suppression device may be configured to suppress certain frequencies.

[0020] Fig. 2A shows a schematic view of a vehicle seat 20 in which a headrest 10 is integrated. In Fig. 2A shows the side of the vehicle seat 20 facing away from the head position. The display device 14 can, for example, comprise a light source 16, which can be integrated, for example, into the vehicle seat 20 or the headrest 10. The light source can be arranged above a recess 15 within the vehicle seat 20 or the headrest 10 and, for example, illuminate a luminous stone 17. The luminous stone 17 can, for example, comprise a transparent plastic into which a personalized inscription 19 can be engraved or lasered. This allows a message, for example, "rest mode," to be clearly displayed.

[0021] Fig. 2B shows a view of a front side, ie the side of the vehicle seat 20 with integrated headrest 10 facing the user. Here, the devices 12 for noise suppression can again be seen, which are arranged on a side of the headrest 10 facing a head position.

[0022] Fig. 2C shows a partial cross-sectional view of the vehicle seat 20. Here, too, it can be seen that the light source is arranged in a recess within the vehicle seat, while other components of the display device are arranged below the light source 16.

[0023] Fig. Figure 3 shows a schematic view of a display device 14, in which the display device has a light source 16 and a diffuser 18. In this way, ambient light can be realized.

[0024] The described invention relates, on the one hand, to a headrest 10, which comprises the noise suppression device as a separate element, as well as optionally further components. It is understood that the headrest 10 can also be integrated into a vehicle seat 20 or attached thereto. Accordingly, the described elements can also be components of a vehicle seat, as shown, for example, in the Fig. 2A to 2C.

[0025] As described, the described headrest can, on the one hand, put a user into so-called "privacy mode," whereby noises from the front passenger are less noticeable to the user. At the same time, a desired signal, such as a piece of music or a radio program, can be emitted so that the user perceives it more strongly. Because the headrest has a display device according to embodiments, a passenger can be given an indication that the user does not wish to be disturbed. Furthermore, the passenger can be signaled that the user has difficulty hearing the occupants sitting behind them. This implementation can significantly increase the safety of the user and also that of the passengers.

[0026] Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, those skilled in the art will recognize that the specific embodiments shown and described may be replaced with a variety of alternative and / or equivalent designs without departing from the scope of the invention. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the specific embodiments discussed herein. Therefore, the invention is limited only by the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

[1] Headrest (10) designed to at least partially surround a head, with a noise suppression device (12) arranged on a side of the headrest (10) facing a head position, further comprising a display device (14) on a side of the headrest (10) facing away from the head position, wherein the display device (14) is configured to be actuated simultaneously with an activation of the noise suppression device (12) and to visually signal to a passenger that an occupant assigned to the headrest does not wish to be disturbed. [2] Headrest (10) according to claim 1, wherein the display device (14) comprises a light source (16). [3] Headrest (10) according to claim 2, wherein the display device (14) further comprises a diffuser (18). [4] Headrest (10) according to claim 2, wherein the display device (14) further comprises a transparent display element (17) with an inscription (19). [5] Headrest (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the noise suppression device (12) is designed to suppress certain frequencies. [6] Headrest (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the noise suppression device (12) includes loudspeakers (13) for emitting desired signals. [7] Vehicle seat (20) comprising the headrest (10) according to one of claims 1 to 6. [8] Motor vehicle with at least one vehicle seat (20) according to claim 7.

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