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

Abstract

The invention relates to a headrest (1) for a vehicle seat, wherein the headrest (1) has two headrest posts (2.1, 2.2) which run at least substantially parallel and 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 in particular manually actuated, and which in its locked state acts exclusively on only one of the two headrest posts (2.1, 2.2), wherein the locking mechanism (3) has a pivot lever (7) which is designed such that when the pivot lever (7) is actuated, an engagement between an engagement element (4) and one of the headrest posts (2.1, 2.2) 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 and a headrest guide arrangement for such headrests.

[0002] Headrests are an essential component of the passive safety system in vehicles and serve to reduce the force exerted on the cervical spine during a sudden change 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 fulfill these functions and be individually adjusted to different vehicle occupants, they are generally adjustable. Various designs and variations exist with regard to adjustment options.

[0004] Headrests are generally at least height-adjustable and can be mechanically locked in various 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 adjustment can be achieved for different occupants. Furthermore, the headrests should be simple and inexpensive to manufacture and install.

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

[0007] One object of the present invention is to provide a headrest arrangement for a vehicle in which the headrest can be moved safely, easily and quickly into an optimal position for the vehicle occupant, and which is easy to manufacture and assemble and cost-effective to implement.

[0008] This problem is solved in particular by the subject matter of independent claim 1, wherein advantageous embodiments 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 or can be arranged.

[0010] The headrest according to the invention further comprises a headrest guide arrangement by means of which the headrest rods or headrest rod sections are or can be accommodated on and, in particular, in a seat back of the vehicle seat such that the headrest rods or headrest rod sections are aligned in a longitudinal direction of the headrest rods or headrest rod sections with the head cushion of the headrest that can be arranged on the headrest rods or headrest rod sections. Head cushions of the headrest, which can be arranged on the headrest rods or headrest rod sections, are adjustable and, in particular, are 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, in particular a manually operated locking mechanism, is used to determine the headrest's adjustment position. This mechanism can be switched between a first and a second state. The first state of the locking mechanism corresponds to a locked state in which the adjustability of the headrest posts or headrest post sections relative to the headrest guide assembly is blocked. The second locking state, on the other hand, corresponds to an unlocked state in which the headrest posts or headrest post sections can be adjusted 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 only one of the two headrest rods or headrest rod sections, especially in the first state.

[0013] The fact that the locking mechanism is assigned to only one of the two headrest posts or headrest post sections simplifies the design of the entire headrest assembly. In particular, the headrest assembly can be realized with a very small number of components.

[0014] According to embodiments of the present invention, the locking device, which is particularly manually operable, has an engagement element that, in the first state of the locking device, 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 that pre-tensions the locking mechanism into its first state.

[0015] According to further embodiments of the latter variant, it is provided that the locking device, which is particularly manually operable, has a pivot lever mounted pivotably about a pivot axis, which is designed such that when the pivot lever is actuated or rotated, the locking device 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: On the one hand, the preloading element serves to preload the locking mechanism into its first state. On the other hand, the preloading element is preferably designed to preload the pivot lever into its rest position.

[0017] In particular, the preload element is designed as a compression spring, although other design variants are also conceivable.

[0018] In preferred embodiments of the headrest according to the invention, the engagement element is designed as a lever element that is rotatable about an axis of rotation. The axis of rotation about which the engagement element is rotatable runs, in particular, parallel to the longitudinal direction of the headrest posts.

[0019] The rotating lever element is designed so that, in its first locking position, it engages with an adjustment notch on one of the headrest posts. It should be noted that the headrest post does not necessarily have to be equipped with corresponding adjustment notches.

[0020] In particular, the lever element and the pivot lever are designed as an essentially L-shaped, monolithic plastic injection-molded part.

[0021] It is conceivable that the pivot lever can be pivoted around an axis of rotation, preferably parallel to the longitudinal direction of the headrest rods, against the force of the preloading element in order to transfer the locking mechanism into its second state.

[0022] In this context, it is advantageous if the locking mechanism has a housing in which at least one actuation area of ​​the pivot lever is at least partially or partially enclosed, wherein the actuation area of ​​the pivot lever can be pivoted at least partially into the housing in order to move the locking mechanism into its second state by exerting a pressure force on the actuation area of ​​the pivot lever.

[0023] Alternatively, it is also conceivable that the locking mechanism has a housing in which at least one actuation area of ​​the pivot lever is at least partially or partially housed, wherein the actuation area of ​​the pivot lever can be pivoted at least partially out of the housing in order to move the locking mechanism into its second state by exerting a pulling force on the actuation area of ​​the pivot lever.

[0024] With regard to the engagement element of the headrest according to the invention, it is particularly preferred that this has a through-opening through which one headrest rod or one headrest rod section is guided.

[0025] 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 which is 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.

[0026] 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 or can be received at least partially or partially.

[0027] Likewise, it is advantageous for the headrest guide arrangement to further comprise a second guide sleeve body which is associated with 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 or can be received at least partially or partially.

[0028] Preferably, the headrest guide has a tolerance compensation to compensate for existing tolerance variations between the distances of the two headrest rods or headrest rod sections that run at least substantially parallel.

[0029] According to embodiments of the headrest according to the invention, the first guide sleeve body is at least partially or partially received or receptacled in a first receptacle formed in or on the seat back of the vehicle seat. Similarly, the second guide sleeve body is at least partially or partially receptacled in a second receptacle formed in or on the seat back of the vehicle seat.

[0030] To compensate for any tolerance variations between the distances of the two at least substantially parallel headrest rods or headrest rod sections, the first receptacle has a cross-sectional geometry and size corresponding to the cross-sectional geometry and size of the first guide sleeve, while the second receptacle has a slotted geometry to compensate for any tolerance variations between the two at least substantially parallel headrest rods or headrest rod sections. The first receptacle has a cross-sectional geometry and size corresponding 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 slot extending towards the first receptacle and the narrow sides of the elongated slot being closed by semicircles.whose diameter corresponds to the width of the elongated hole and is adapted to the size and cross-sectional geometry of the second guide sleeve.

[0031] Alternatively or additionally, it is conceivable that the first guide sleeve body has an inner axial passage designed for at least partial or partial reception of the first headrest rod or the first headrest rod section, wherein the second guide sleeve body also has an inner axial passage designed for at least partial or partial reception of the second headrest rod or the second headrest rod section.

[0032] To compensate for any diameter tolerances that may exist, 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 in some areas, an elongated cross-sectional geometry, with the longitudinal side of the elongated hole of the first headrest rod or the first headrest rod section, and the axial passage of the second guide sleeve body should have, at least in some areas, an elongated cross-sectional geometry, the longitudinal sides of the elongated hole extending towards the first guide sleeve body and the narrow sides of the elongated hole being closed by semicircles.whose diameter corresponds to the width of the elongated hole and is adapted to the size and cross-sectional geometry of the second headrest pole or the second headrest pole section.

[0033] As an alternative to an elongated, hole-shaped cross-sectional geometry, an egg-shaped cross-sectional geometry or something similar is also conceivable.

[0034] Preferably, the two guide sleeve bodies are assigned a diameter tolerance compensation for the corresponding headrest pole or headrest pole section. In this case, it is advantageous if the diameter tolerance compensation comprises at least one spring element arranged on the outer or inner surface of the first or second guide sleeve body. This at least one elastic element can be designed as an elastomer element.

[0035] The following describes in more detail embodiments of the headrest or headrest guide arrangement according to the invention with reference to the attached drawings.

[0036] It shows: Fig. Figure 1 is a schematic and isometric view of a first exemplary embodiment of a headrest guide arrangement of the headrest according to the invention; Fig. 2 Schematic and isometric view of a second exemplary embodiment of a headrest guide arrangement of the headrest according to the invention; Fig. 3 schematically and in an isometric view an exemplary embodiment of the headrest according to the invention with a third exemplary embodiment of a corresponding headrest guide arrangement; Fig. 4 schematically and in an isometric exploded view of the headrest according to the invention, as shown in Fig. 3 is shown; Fig. 5 schematically and in a partial sectional view of the headrest arrangement according to Fig. 4 used a locking mechanism in its first state (locked state) and in its second state (unlocked state); and Fig. 6 Schematic and partial sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the locking mechanism used in the headrest arrangement according to Fig. 4 is used in its first state (locking state) and in its second state (unlocking state).

[0037] The exemplary embodiments of the headrest 1 or the headrest guide assembly according to the invention, shown in the accompanying drawings, are characterized in that a manually operable locking mechanism 3 is used, 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 the adjustability of the headrest rods 2.1, 2.2 relative to the headrest guide assembly is blocked, and wherein the second state of the locking mechanism 3 corresponds to an unlocking state in which the headrest rods 2.1, 2.2 can be adjusted relative to the headrest guide assembly. In its first state, the manually operable locking mechanism 3 acts exclusively on only one of the two headrest rods 2.1, 2.2 of the headrest 1.

[0038] For this purpose, 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 preload element 6 (spring) which preloads the locking mechanism 3 into its first state.

[0039] The embodiments of the headrest arrangement according to the invention, as shown in the drawings, are further characterized in that the locking mechanism 3 has a pivot lever 7 which is designed such that, when 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 pivot lever 7 into its rest position.

[0040] As can be seen from the drawings, the preload element 6 is designed as a compression spring.

[0041] Specifically, the engagement element 4 is designed as a lever element that can rotate about an axis of rotation. The axis of rotation runs parallel to the longitudinal direction of the headrest rods 2.1, 2.2.

[0042] In the first state of the locking mechanism 3, the engagement element 4, designed as a lever element, is engaged with the headrest rod 2.1, preferably in an adjustment notch 8 of the headrest rod 2.1.

[0043] In particular, the exploded view according to Fig. 4. It can be seen that the lever element and the pivot lever 7 are designed in particular as an essentially L-shaped component. This is preferably a monolithic injection-molded plastic part.

[0044] The pivot lever 7 can be pivoted against the force of the preload element 6 about a pivot axis running parallel to the longitudinal direction of the headrest rods 2.1, 2.2 in order to bring the locking mechanism 3 into its second state.

[0045] As can be seen in particular from the presentation in Fig. As can be seen in Figure 5, the locking mechanism 3 can have a housing 11 in which at least one actuation area of ​​the pivot lever 7 is at least partially or partially received, wherein, in order to move the locking mechanism 3 into its second state, the actuation area of ​​the pivot lever 7 (and thus also the pivot lever 7) can be pivoted at least partially into the housing 11, namely by exerting a pressure force on the actuation area of ​​the pivot lever 7.

[0046] Alternatively, the locking mechanism 3 can be used, as shown in Fig. 6 indicated, have a housing 11 in which at least one actuation area of ​​the pivot lever 7 is at least partially or partially housed, wherein the actuation area of ​​the pivot lever 7 (and thus also the pivot lever 7) can be pivoted at least partially out of the housing 11 in order to bring the locking mechanism 3 into its second state by exerting a tensile force on the actuation area of ​​the pivot lever 7.

[0047] 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 or can be received at least partially or in sections in the first guide sleeve body 9.1.

[0048] 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 or can be received at least partially or partially in the second guide sleeve body 9.2.

[0049] At the in Fig. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the headrest guide has a tolerance compensation to compensate for any tolerance variations between the distances of the two headrest rods 2.1, 2.2 which run at least substantially parallel.

[0050] 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 for at least partial or partial reception of the first headrest rod 2.1, wherein the second guide sleeve body 9.2 has an internal axial passage designed for at least partial or partial reception of the second headrest rod 2.2, wherein, to compensate for existing diameter tolerances and / or to compensate for existing tolerance variations between the distances between 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 corresponding to the cross-sectional geometry and size of the first headrest rod 2.1, while the axial passage of the second guide sleeve body 9.2 has a cross-sectional geometry that is at least partially significantly extended, wherein the longitudinal sides of the elongated hole extend in the direction of the first guide sleeve body 9.1 and the narrow sides of the elongated hole are closed by semicircles whose diameter corresponds to the width of the elongated hole and is adapted to the size and cross-sectional geometry of the second headrest rod 2.2.

[0051] In the embodiments shown in the drawings, the guide sleeve bodies 9.1, 9.2 of the headrest guide assemblies are designed with integrated diameter tolerance compensation. Specifically, the diameter tolerance compensation is formed by at least one spring element 10, which is formed on the outer or inner surface of the respective guide sleeve body 9.1, 9.2.

[0052] The invention is not limited to the embodiments shown in the drawings, but results from a summary of all the features disclosed herein. List of reference symbols 1 headrest 2.1 First headrest post 2.2 second headrest bar 3 Locking 4. Intervention element 6 Preload element 7 swivel levers 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, the headrest (1) comprising: - two headrest poles (2.1, 2.2) that run at least substantially parallel, on which a head cushion of the headrest (1) is arranged or can be arranged; - a headrest guide arrangement by means of which the headrest rods (2.1, 2.2) are received or can be received on and, in particular, in a backrest of the vehicle seat in such a way that the headrest rods (2.1, 2.2) are adjustable and, in particular, displaceable relative to the headrest guide arrangement between a first position and at least a second position in a longitudinal direction of the headrest rods (2.1, 2.2) or the headrest rod sections; and - a locking mechanism (3), in particular a manually operable one, which is transferable between a first state and a second state, wherein the first state of the locking mechanism (3) corresponds to a locking state in which the adjustability of the headrest rods (2.1, 2.2) relative to the headrest guide assembly is blocked, and wherein the second state of the locking mechanism (3) corresponds to an unlocking state in which the headrest rods (2.1, 2.2) are adjustable relative to the headrest guide assembly, characterized by , that the locking mechanism (3), which can be operated manually, acts, in particular in its first state, exclusively on only one of the two headrest rods (2.1, 2.2). [2] Headrest (1) according to claim 1, wherein the locking mechanism (3), which is particularly manually operable, has an engagement element (4) which engages with one of the two headrest rods (2.1, 2.2) in the first state of the locking mechanism (3), and a preloading element (6) which preloads the locking mechanism (3) into its first state. [3] Headrest (1) according to claim 2, wherein the locking mechanism (3), which is particularly manually operable, has a pivot lever (7) which is pivotably mounted about an axis of rotation and is designed such that when the pivot lever (7) is pivoted, the locking mechanism is moved into its second state and an engagement between the engagement element (4) and the headrest rod (2.1) is released. [4] Headrest (1) according to claim 3, wherein the preloading element (6) is designed to preload the pivot lever (7) into its rest position. [5] Headrest (1) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the preload element (6) is designed as a compression spring. [6] Headrest (1) according to one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the engagement element (4) is designed as a lever element which is rotatable about a pivot axis which preferably extends parallel to the longitudinal direction of the headrest rods (2.1, 2.2) and in the first state the locking mechanism (3) engages in an adjusting notch (8) of one of the headrest rods (2.1) with the headrest rod (2.1). [7] Headrest (1) according to claim 6, wherein the lever element and the pivot lever (7) are preferably designed as a substantially L-shaped, monolithic injection-molded part made of plastic. [8] Headrest (1) according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the pivot lever (7) is pivotable about an axis of rotation preferably parallel to the longitudinal extension direction of the headrest rods (2.1, 2.2) against the force of the preloading element (6) in order to bring the locking mechanism (3) into its second state. [9] Headrest (1) according to claim 8, wherein the locking mechanism (3) has a housing (11) in which at least one actuation area of ​​the pivot lever (7) is received at least partially or in certain areas, wherein the actuation area of ​​the pivot lever (7) is pivotable at least partially into the housing (11) in order to move the locking mechanism (3) into its second state by exerting a pressure force on the actuation area of ​​the pivot lever (7). [10] Headrest (1) according to claim 8, wherein the locking mechanism (3) has a housing (11) in which at least one actuation area of ​​the pivot lever (7) is received at least partially or in certain areas, wherein the actuation area of ​​the pivot lever (7) is pivotable at least partially out of the housing (11) in order to move the locking mechanism (3) into its second state by exerting a tensile force on the actuation area of ​​the pivot lever (7). [11] Headrest (1) according to one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the headrest guide arrangement has 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 wherein the first headrest rod (2.1) or the first headrest rod section is at least partially or partially received or is receptable; and wherein the headrest guide arrangement has 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 wherein the second headrest rod (2.2) or the second headrest rod section is or can be received at least partially or partially. [12] Headrest (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11 and in particular according to claim 11, wherein the headrest guide arrangement has a tolerance compensation to compensate for tolerance variations between the distances of the two headrest rods (2.1, 2.2) which are at least substantially parallel. [13] Headrest (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 12 and in particular according to claim 11, wherein the first guide sleeve body (9.1) is or can be received at least partially or in certain areas in a first receptacle formed in or on the backrest of the vehicle seat, wherein the second guide sleeve body (9.2) is or can be received at least partially or in certain areas in a second receptacle formed in or on the backrest of the vehicle seat, wherein to compensate for any tolerance variations between the distances of the two headrest rods (2.1, 2.2) 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, hole-shaped cross-sectional geometry, wherein the long sides of the elongated bore extend in the direction of the first receptacle and the narrow sides of the elongated bore are closed by semicircles whose diameter corresponds to the width of the elongated bore and is adapted to the size and cross-sectional geometry of the second guide sleeve. [14] Headrest (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 13 and at least according to claim 11, wherein the first and / or second guide sleeve body (9.1, 9.2) has / have an inner axial passage which is designed to receive 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 associated headrest rod (2.1, 2.2) or for the associated headrest rod section. [15] Headrest (1) according to claim 14, wherein the diameter tolerance compensation has at least one spring element (10) that is arranged on the outer surface or inner surface of the first or second guide sleeve body. [16] Headrest (1) according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the first guide sleeve body (9.1, 9.2) has an inner axial passage designed to receive the first headrest rod (2.1, 2.2) or the first headrest rod section at least partially or partially, wherein the second guide sleeve body (9.1, 9.2) has an inner axial passage designed to receive the second headrest rod (2.1, 2.2) or the second headrest rod section at least partially or partially, 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).2) or of the first headrest rod section, while the axial passage of the second guide sleeve body has, at least in some areas, an elongated, hole-shaped cross-sectional geometry, wherein the longitudinal sides of the elongated bore extend in the direction of the first guide sleeve body and the narrow sides of the elongated bore are closed by semicircles whose diameter corresponds to the width of the elongated bore and is 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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