Headrest for a vehicle seat with a headrest guidance arrangement and headrest guidance arrangement for a headrest

Abstract

The invention relates to a headrest (1) for a vehicle seat, wherein the headrest (1) has two headrest poles (2.1, 2.2) that extend at least substantially parallel, on which a head cushion of the headrest (1) is arranged or can be arranged. The headrest (1) further has a locking mechanism (3), which is particularly manually operable and which, in its locked state, acts exclusively on only one of the two headrest poles (2.1, 2.2) or headrest pole sections, wherein the locking mechanism (3) has a rotary knob (7) which is designed such that, when the rotary knob (7) is actuated, the engagement between an engagement element (4) and one of the headrest poles (2.1, 2.2) or one of the headrest pole sections is released.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to generally adjustable headrest arrangements for a vehicle seat, in particular a motor vehicle seat. In particular, the invention relates to headrests for a vehicle seat with a special headrest guide arrangement, as well as a headrest guide arrangement for such headrests.

[0002] Headrests are an essential component of a vehicle's passive safety system, reducing the impact of forces on the cervical spine during sudden changes in vehicle motion, particularly in a traffic accident. In addition to improving the safety of vehicle occupants, headrests also enhance comfort.

[0003] To enable headrests to perform these functions and be individually adjusted to different vehicle occupants, they are generally adjustable. Various designs and variations exist regarding these adjustment options.

[0004] Headrests are typically at least height-adjustable and mechanically lockable in different positions. For this purpose, the headrests have headrest posts with locking points and a padded support structure (head cushion) that are held in corresponding recesses in the vehicle seat.

[0005] For mechanically adjustable headrests, it is particularly important that operation and adjustment are quick, easy, and require minimal effort for a vehicle occupant, and that optimal, individual adaptation to different occupants can be achieved. Furthermore, the manufacturing and installation of the headrests should be simple and cost-effective.

[0006] Common headrest designs, particularly those featuring height adjustment and ease of use, typically employ an adjustment mechanism with numerous components, such as gears. This results in significant assembly and cost.

[0007] One object of the present invention is to provide a headrest arrangement for a vehicle, wherein the headrest can be adjusted safely, easily and quickly into an optimal position for the vehicle occupant and is simple in design and cost-effective in terms of manufacture and assembly.

[0008] This problem is solved in particular by the subject matter of independent claim 1, wherein advantageous further developments of the headrest according to the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

[0009] Accordingly, the invention relates in particular to a headrest for a vehicle seat, wherein the headrest has two headrest rods or headrest rod sections that are at least substantially parallel, on which a head cushion of the headrest is arranged or can be arranged.

[0010] The headrest according to the invention further comprises a headrest guide arrangement by which the headrest rods or headrest rod sections are received or accommodated on and, in particular, in a seat back of the vehicle seat in such a way that the headrest rods or headrest rod sections, together with the head cushion of the headrest optionally arranged on the headrest rods or headrest rod sections, are adjustable and, in particular, displaceable in a longitudinal direction of the headrest rods or headrest rod sections relative to the headrest guide arrangement between a first position and at least a second position.

[0011] A locking mechanism, primarily manually operated, is used to determine the adjustable position of the headrest. This mechanism can be switched between two states. The first state of the locking mechanism is locked, preventing any adjustment of the headrest posts or sections relative to the headrest guide assembly. The second state of the locking mechanism is unlocked, allowing adjustment of the headrest posts or sections relative to the headrest guide assembly.

[0012] The invention is characterized in particular by the fact that the locking mechanism, which is particularly manually operable, acts exclusively on one of the two headrest poles or headrest pole sections, especially in its first state.

[0013] Because the locking mechanism is assigned to only one of the two headrest posts or headrest post sections, the overall headrest assembly is simplified. In particular, the headrest assembly can be implemented with a very small number of components.

[0014] According to embodiments of the present invention, the locking mechanism, which is particularly manually actuated, comprises an engagement element which, in the first state of the locking mechanism, engages with one of the two headrest rods or with one of the two headrest rod sections. Furthermore, it is advantageous for the locking mechanism to have a pre-tensioning element which pre-tensions the locking mechanism into its first state.

[0015] According to further developments of the latter design variant, it is provided that the locking mechanism, which is particularly manually operable, has a rotary knob which is designed in such a way that when the rotary knob is actuated or rotated, the locking mechanism is moved into its second state and an engagement between the engagement element and one headrest rod or one headrest rod section is released.

[0016] The preloading element preferably has a dual function: firstly, it serves to preload the locking mechanism into its first state. Secondly, the preloading element is preferably designed to preload the rotary knob into its unactuated position.

[0017] In preferred embodiments of the headrest according to the invention, the preload element is designed as a torsion or swivel spring. Of course, other embodiments are also possible.

[0018] According to preferred embodiments of the headrest according to the invention, the engagement element is designed as a lever element rotatable about an axis of rotation. The axis of rotation preferably runs perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the headrest poles or headrest pole sections.

[0019] In particular, the engagement element is designed as a rotatable lever element such that, in the first locking state, the lever element engages with the headrest rod or headrest rod section in an adjustment notch of one headrest rod or headrest section.

[0020] In one embodiment of the headrest according to the invention, it is provided that the locking knob is rotatably mounted at least partially or in sections in a housing of the locking mechanism about the axis of rotation of the lever element, wherein a torsion spring, preferably made of plastic, is arranged between the housing of the locking mechanism and the locking knob.

[0021] With regard to the engagement element of the headrest according to the invention, it is particularly preferred that this element has a through-opening through which one headrest rod or one headrest rod section is guided.

[0022] According to embodiments of the headrest according to the invention, it is provided in this context that a wall area of ​​the passage opening facing the rotary knob has a complementary contour adapted at least partially or in part to the shape, in particular the cross-sectional shape, of a headrest pole or of a headrest pole section.

[0023] The headrest guide arrangement preferably has a first guide sleeve body which is associated with a first headrest rod or a first headrest rod section of the two headrest rods or the two headrest rod sections, and in which the first headrest rod or the first headrest rod section is at least partially or partially received or can be received.

[0024] Similarly, it is advantageous for the headrest guide arrangement to further comprise a second guide sleeve body, which is assigned to a second headrest rod or a second headrest rod section of the two headrest rods or the two headrest rod sections, and in which the second headrest rod or the second headrest rod section is at least partially or partially received or can be received.

[0025] Preferably, the headrest guide arrangement has a tolerance compensation to compensate for any tolerance variations that may exist between the distances of the two headrest rods or headrest rod sections that run at least substantially parallel.

[0026] According to embodiments of the headrest according to the invention, the first guide sleeve body is provided that it is received or can be received at least partially or partially in a first receptacle provided in or on the seat back of the vehicle seat. Similarly, the second guide sleeve body can be received or received at least partially or partially in a second receptacle provided in or on the seat back of the vehicle seat.

[0027] To compensate for any tolerance variations that may exist between the distances of the two headrest rods or headrest rod sections which are at least substantially parallel, the first receptacle has a cross-sectional geometry and size that corresponds to the cross-sectional geometry and size of the first guide sleeve, while the second receptacle has an elongated cross-sectional geometry, with the longitudinal sides of the elongated hole extending in the direction of the first receptacle and the narrow sides of the elongated hole being closed off by semicircles whose diameters correspond to the width of the elongated hole and are adapted to the size and cross-sectional geometry of the second guide sleeve.

[0028] Alternatively or additionally, it is conceivable that the first guide sleeve body has an inner axial passage designed to accommodate at least partially or partially the first headrest rod or the first headrest rod section, wherein the second guide sleeve body also has an inner axial passage designed to accommodate at least partially or partially the second headrest rod or the second headrest rod section.

[0029] To compensate for any existing diameter tolerances, the axial passage of the first guide sleeve body should have a cross-sectional geometry and size that corresponds to the cross-sectional geometry and size of the first headrest rod or the first headrest rod section, while the axial passage of the second guide sleeve body should have at least a partially elongated cross-sectional geometry, with the longitudinal sides of the elongated hole extending towards the first guide sleeve body and the narrow sides of the elongated hole being closed off by semicircles whose diameters correspond to the width of the elongated hole and are adapted to the size and cross-sectional geometry of the second headrest rod or the second headrest rod section.

[0030] As an alternative to an oblong cross-sectional geometry, an egg-shaped or oval cross-sectional geometry or the like is also conceivable.

[0031] Preferably, the two guide sleeve bodies are assigned a diameter tolerance compensation for the corresponding headrest pole or headrest pole section. It is advantageous for the diameter tolerance compensation to have at least one resilient element arranged on the outer or inner surface of the first or second guide sleeve body. This resilient element can be designed as an elastomer element.

[0032] The following describes embodiments of the headrest or headrest guide arrangement according to the invention in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0033] They show: Fig. 1 schematically and in an isometric view a first exemplary embodiment of a headrest guide arrangement of the headrest according to the invention; Fig. 2 schematically and in an isometric view an exemplary embodiment of the headrest according to the invention with a second exemplary embodiment of a corresponding headrest guide arrangement; Fig. 3 schematically and in an isometric exploded view the embodiment of the headrest according to the invention. Fig. 2; Fig. 4A schematically and in a partially cutaway view the headrest arrangement according to Fig. 3. The locking mechanism used in its first state (locked state); and Fig. 4B the locking mechanism according to Fig. 4A in its second state (unlocked state).

[0034] The exemplary embodiments of the headrest 1 and the headrest guide assembly according to the invention, as shown in the accompanying drawings, are characterized by the use of a manually actuated locking mechanism 3, which can be switched between a first state and a second state. The first state of the locking mechanism 3 corresponds to a locked state in which the adjustability of the headrest rods 2.1, 2.2 relative to the headrest guide assembly is blocked, and the second state of the locking mechanism 3 corresponds to an unlocked state in which the adjustability of the headrest rods 2.1, 2.2 relative to the headrest guide assembly is possible. In its first state, the manually actuated locking mechanism 3 acts exclusively on only one of the two headrest rods 2.1, 2.2 of the headrest 1.

[0035] The locking mechanism 3 has an engagement element 4 which, in the first state of the locking mechanism 3, engages with one of the two headrest rods 2.1, 2.2. Furthermore, the locking mechanism 3 includes a preloading element 6 (spring) which preloads the locking mechanism 3 into its first state.

[0036] The embodiments of the headrest arrangement according to the invention shown in the drawings are further characterized in that the locking mechanism 3 has a rotary knob 7, which is designed such that when the rotary knob 7 is actuated, i.e., rotated, the locking mechanism 3 is moved into its second state and the engagement between the engagement element 4 and one of the headrest rods 2.1 is released. The aforementioned preloading element 6 also serves to preload the rotary knob 7 into its unactuated position.

[0037] As the depiction in Fig. As can be seen from 1, the preload element is preferably designed as a torsion or rotation spring.

[0038] Also, in the Fig. In the first embodiment shown schematically, the engagement element 4 is designed as a lever element rotatable about an axis of rotation, which preferably runs perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the headrest rods 2.1, 2.2, which in the first state of locking 3 engages in an adjustment notch 8 of one headrest rod 2.1 with the headrest rod 2.1.

[0039] In Fig. 2 to Fig. 4B shows a further (second) embodiment of the invention.

[0040] As in the first embodiment according to Fig. In the further embodiment, a locking mechanism 3 is provided which, in its first state (locked state), acts exclusively on only one of the two headrest posts (here, on headrest post 2.1). The locking mechanism 3 has an engagement element 4 which, in the first state of the locking mechanism 3, engages with the headrest post 2.1. Furthermore, a preloading element 6 in the form of a spring plate made of plastic is used, which preloads the locking mechanism 3 into its first state.

[0041] The locking mechanism 3 has a rotary knob 7, which is designed such that when the rotary knob 7 is actuated, i.e., rotated, the locking mechanism 3 is moved into its second state and the engagement between the engagement element 4 and the headrest rod 2.1 is released. The preloading element 6 is designed to preload the rotary knob 7 into its unactuated position.

[0042] According to the exploded view Fig. 3 can be seen in particular that the engagement element 4 is designed as a lever element rotatable about an axis of rotation which runs perpendicular to the longitudinal extension direction of the headrest rod 2.1, which in the first state of the locking 3 engages in an adjustment notch 8 of the headrest rod 2.1 with the headrest rod 2.1.

[0043] Of course, it is also conceivable that the headrest post is designed without a corresponding adjustment notch 8.

[0044] The exploded view also shows Fig. It can be seen from Figure 3 that the rotary knob 7 of the locking device 3 is at least partially or partially rotatably mounted in a housing 11 of the locking device 3 about the axis of rotation of the lever element, wherein the torsion spring is arranged between the housing 11 of the locking device 3 and the rotary knob 7.

[0045] The headrest guide arrangements of the embodiments shown in the drawings each have a first guide sleeve body 9.1 and a second guide sleeve body 9.2. The first guide sleeve body 9.1 is associated with a first headrest rod 2.1 of the two headrest rods 2.1, 2.2, wherein the first headrest rod 2.1 is at least partially or partially received or can be received in the first guide sleeve body 9.1.

[0046] Similarly, the second guide sleeve body 9.2 is assigned to a second headrest rod 2.2 of the two headrest rods 2.1, 2.2, wherein the second headrest rod 2.2 is at least partially or partially received or can be received in the second guide sleeve body 9.2.

[0047] At the in Fig. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the headrest guide arrangement has a tolerance compensation to compensate for any tolerance variations that may exist between the distances of the two headrest rods 2.1, 2.2 which run at least substantially parallel.

[0048] Specifically, with regard to tolerance compensation, it is stipulated that – as in Fig.1 indicated - the first guide sleeve body 9.1 has an internal axial passage designed to accommodate at least partially or partially the first headrest rod 2.1, wherein the second guide sleeve body 9.2 has an internal axial passage designed to accommodate at least partially or partially the second headrest rod 2.2, wherein, to compensate for existing diameter tolerances and / or to compensate for any tolerance variations between the distances of the two at least substantially parallel headrest rods 2.1, 2.2, the axial passage of the first guide sleeve body 9.1 has a cross-sectional geometry and size that corresponds to the cross-sectional geometry and size of the first headrest rod 2.1, whereas the axial passage of the second guide sleeve body 9.2 at least partially has a cross-sectional geometry that is at least substantially oblong, wherein the longitudinal sides of the oblong hole extend in the direction of the first guide sleeve body 9.1 and the narrow sides of the oblong hole are closed off by semicircles whose diameters correspond to the width of the oblong hole and are adapted to the size and cross-sectional geometry of the second head support rod 2.2.

[0049] In the embodiments shown in the drawings, the guide sleeve bodies 9.1, 9.2 of the headrest guide assemblies are designed with an integrated diameter tolerance compensation. Specifically, the diameter tolerance compensation is formed by at least one resilient element 10, which is formed on the outer or inner surface of the respective guide sleeve body 9.1, 9.2.

[0050] The invention is not limited to the embodiments shown in the drawings, but results from a combination of all the features disclosed herein. Reference symbol list 1 headrest 2.1 First headrest post 2.2 second headrest bar 3 Locking 4. Intervention element 6 Preload element 7 rotary knob 8 Adjustment notch 9.1 First guide sleeve body 9.2 second guide sleeve body 10 spring element / elastomer element 11 cases

Claims

[1] Headrest (1) for a vehicle seat, wherein the headrest (1) comprises: - two headrest poles (2.1, 2.2) or headrest pole sections running at least substantially parallel, on which a head cushion of the headrest (1) is arranged or can be arranged; - a headrest guide arrangement by which the headrest rods (2.1, 2.2) or headrest rod sections are received or can be received on and, in particular, in a seat back of the vehicle seat in such a way that the headrest rods (2.1, 2.2) or headrest rod sections, together with the head cushion of the headrest (1) optionally arranged on the headrest rods (2.1, 2.2) or headrest rod sections, are adjustable and, in particular, displaceable in a longitudinal direction of the headrest rods (2.1, 2.2) or the headrest rod sections relative to the headrest guide arrangement between a first position and at least a second position; and - a locking mechanism (3), in particular manually operable, which can be switched between a first state and a second state, wherein the first state of the locking mechanism (3) corresponds to a locking state in which adjustment of the headrest rods (2.1, 2.2) or headrest rod sections relative to the headrest guide arrangement is blocked, and wherein the second state of the locking mechanism (3) corresponds to an unlocking state in which adjustment of the headrest rods (2.1, 2.2) or headrest rod sections relative to the headrest guide arrangement is possible, characterized by , that the locking mechanism (3), which is particularly manually operable, acts in its first state exclusively on one of the two headrest rods (2.1, 2.2) or headrest rod sections. [2] Headrest (1) according to claim 1, wherein the locking mechanism (3), which is particularly manually operable, has an engagement element (4) which in the first state of the locking mechanism (3) engages with one of the two headrest rods (2.1, 2.2) or with one of the two headrest rod sections, and a pretensioning element (6) which pretensions the locking mechanism (3) to its first state. [3] Headrest (1) according to claim 2, wherein the locking mechanism (3) which is particularly manually operable has a rotary knob (7) which is designed such that when the rotary knob (7) is actuated the locking mechanism (3) is moved into its second state and an engagement between the engagement element (4) and one headrest rod (2.1) or one headrest rod section is released. [4] Headrest (1) according to claim 3, wherein the preloading element (6) is designed to preload the rotary knob (7) into its unactuated position. [5] Headrest (1) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the preload element (6) is designed as a torsion spring. [6] Headrest (1) according to one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the engagement element (4) is designed as a lever element rotatable about an axis of rotation which preferably extends perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the headrest rods (2.1, 2.2) or headrest rod sections, which in the first state of locking (3) engages in an adjusting notch (8) of one headrest rod (2.1) or of one headrest section with the headrest rod (2.1) or with the headrest rod section. [7] Headrest (1) according to one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the rotary knob (7) of the locking mechanism (3) is rotatably mounted at least partially or in a housing (11) of the locking mechanism (3) about the axis of rotation of the lever element, wherein a torsion spring, preferably made of plastic, is arranged between the housing (11) of the locking mechanism (3) and the rotary knob (7). [8] Headrest (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the headrest guide assembly comprises a first guide sleeve body (9.1) which is associated with a first headrest rod (2.1) or a first headrest rod section of the two headrest rods (2.1, 2.2) or the two headrest rod sections, and in which the first headrest rod (2.1) or the first headrest rod section is at least partially or partially received or received; and wherein the headrest guide assembly comprises a second guide sleeve body (9.2) which is associated with a second headrest rod (2.2) or a second headrest rod section of the two headrest rods (2.1, 2.2) or the two headrest rod sections, and in which the second headrest rod (2.2) or the second headrest rod section is at least partially or partially received or received. [9] Headrest (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8 and in particular according to claim 8, wherein the headrest guide arrangement has a tolerance compensation to compensate for any tolerance variations that may exist between the distances of the two at least substantially parallel headrest rods (2.1, 2.2) or headrest rod sections. [10] Headrest (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9 and at least according to claim 8, wherein the first guide sleeve body (9.1) is received or received at least partially or partially in a first receptacle provided in or on the seat back of the vehicle seat, wherein the second guide sleeve body (9.2) is received or received at least partially or partially in a second receptacle provided in or on the seat back of the vehicle seat, wherein to compensate for any tolerance variations that may exist between the distances of the two at least substantially parallel headrest rods (2.1, 2.2) orHeadrest rod sections as tolerance compensation, the first receptacle has a cross-sectional geometry and size that corresponds to the cross-sectional geometry and size of the first guide sleeve, while the second receptacle has an elongated cross-sectional geometry, the longitudinal sides of the elongated hole extending in the direction of the first receptacle and the narrow sides of the elongated hole being closed off by semicircles whose diameters correspond to the width of the elongated hole and are adapted to the size and cross-sectional geometry of the second guide sleeve. [11] Headrest (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10 and at least according to claim 8, wherein the first and / or second guide sleeve body (9.1, 9.2) has / has an inner axial passage which is designed to accommodate at least partially or partially the corresponding headrest rod (2.1, 2.2) or the corresponding headrest rod section, wherein the first and / or second guide sleeve body (9.1, 9.2) has a diameter tolerance compensation for the corresponding headrest rod (2.1, 2.2) or for the corresponding headrest rod section. [12] Headrest (1) according to claim 11, wherein the diameter tolerance compensation has at least one resilient element (10) which is arranged on the outer surface or inner surface of the first or second guide sleeve body. [13] Headrest (1) according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the first guide sleeve body (9.1, 9.2) has an inner axial passage configured to receive at least partially or partially the first headrest rod (2.1, 2.2) or the first headrest rod section, wherein the second guide sleeve body (9.1, 9.2) has an inner axial passage configured to receive at least partially or partially the second headrest rod (2.1, 2.2) or the second headrest rod section, wherein, to compensate for any diameter tolerances that may be present, the axial passage of the first guide sleeve body has a cross-sectional geometry and size that corresponds to the cross-sectional geometry and size of the first headrest rod (2.1, 2.2) or the second headrest rod section.of the first headrest rod section, while the axial passage of the second guide sleeve body has at least in some areas an elongated cross-sectional geometry, wherein the longitudinal sides of the elongated hole extend in the direction of the first guide sleeve body and the narrow sides of the elongated hole are closed off by semicircles whose diameters correspond to the width of the elongated hole and are adapted to the size and cross-sectional geometry of the second headrest rod (2.1, 2.2) or the second headrest rod section.

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