HEADREST FOR A VEHICLE SEAT

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a headrest. Such a headrest comprises a headbox that can be mounted on the backrest of a vehicle seat by means of at least one support rod. A headrest part is movable relative to the headbox between a rear position, 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 headrest is guided by two gears that rotate about vertical axes and one gear that rotates about a horizontal axis.

[0003] EP 1 134 114 A2 relates to a headrest with a head support part, which in the embodiment shown in the Fig. 7 and 8shown and described in paragraph 17, is pivoted and moved horizontally and vertically. The headrest part is mounted on a holding element 16.

[0004] The pivoting device 20 has two pairs of radially spaced toothed segments 37, 38 arranged concentrically to the rotation axis 21, the rows of which face 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 fastened to the head support 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 and 42, respectively. A drive gear 43 and a handwheel 44 are also mounted on the gear shaft 43. The drive gear 43 meshes with the gear 43.

[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. These gears 22 mesh with each other, and the upper gear 22 is rotationally fixedly connected to a shaft on which gears are also rotationally fixedly arranged, which mesh with racks provided on the guide elements 5.

[0006] The object of the invention was to create another advantageous headrest with a simple structure and a solid guide.

[0007] The problem was solved by a headrest having the features of claim 1.

[0008] The headrest according to the invention comprises a head box which is held on at least one support rod, in particular on two support rods. The head box can be mounted immovably or movably relative to the support rod. In the case of movable mounting, the head box is mounted on the support rod, for example, in a height-adjustable manner. 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 supporting and fastening the support rods. The support rod can, for example, be height-adjustable in various positions relative to the guides and can be locked in these positions.

[0009] A headrest part is adjustable horizontally relative to the head box by means of a primary guide device between a rear position away from the head of a seat occupant and a forward position closer to the head. For this purpose, first guide means are formed on the head box, which interact with second guide means of the headrest part and enable adjustment between the rear and forward positions.

[0010] One guide means comprises two horizontally spaced-apart toothed rails extending in the direction of movement of the head support part, which form a first pair of toothed rails. The other guide means comprises two horizontally spaced-apart gears which form a first pair of gears, wherein each gear engages with a toothed rail and rolls on the toothed rail as the head support part moves between the rear position and the front position. The gears are fixedly connected to a shaft, for example, and are thus rotationally connected to one another, or in other words, coupled. According to an alternative, the gears of the first pair of gears are not coupled by means of a shaft, but are individually rotatably mounted on the head box.

[0011] Furthermore, one guide means comprises two horizontally spaced-apart toothed rails extending in the direction of movement of the head support part, forming a second pair of toothed rails that extends parallel to and faces the first pair of toothed rails. Each toothed rail of the second pair of toothed rails engages a gear of a second pair of gears, which comprises two horizontally spaced-apart gears. The gears of the second pair of gears are, for example, fixedly connected to a shaft and thus rotationally connected to one another. According to an alternative, the gears of the second pair of gears are not coupled by means of a shaft, but are individually rotatably mounted on the head box.

[0012] One gear of the first gear pair continues to mesh with a gear of the second gear pair. It is possible for only one of the gear pairs to be coupled to a shaft, and each gear of this coupled gear pair drives a gear of the other gear pair. This ensures guidance of the head support part in two spatial directions and prevents unintentional pivoting of the head support part around any of the three spatial axes.

[0013] The headrest is provided, for example, with a locking device which comprises first locking means assigned to the head box and second locking means assigned to the headrest part. The locking device 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. In the locking position, movement of the headrest part in at least one direction is not possible. This means that the headrest part can be movable in one direction and not movable in another direction, or alternatively not movable in either direction. In the release position, movement of the headrest part in both directions is possible.

[0014] The head box 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 head box can, for example, have sliding bearings by means of which it is mounted on the support rods. In this way, the head box is adjustable, for example, in the vertical direction.

[0015] The locking device comprises, for example, at least one bolt which is assigned to the head box, wherein the bolt is movable between a locking position and a release position. In the locking position, the bolt engages with a notch of an arrangement of notches in 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 head box in at least one direction is not possible. This means that movement of the head box is, for example, possible in one direction but not possible in another direction, or, alternatively, not possible in both directions of movement.

[0016] The latch can, for example, be loaded into the locked position by a restoring force. This restoring force can result from the latch being elastically deformable and returning to its original shape. Alternatively, the restoring force can be applied, for example, by a separate spring element.

[0017] The head support part is biased toward the rear position by a spring. The spring can be a coil spring, for example, with one end connected to the shaft of a gear pair and the other end connected to the head housing.

[0018] For example, an adjustment part is movably mounted on the head box. The adjustment part can be part of the locking device and / or the arresting device, for example. The adjustment part is movable between a first position and a second position. It can be movable translationally and / or rotationally. The adjustment part can be formed, for example, by a slide. The slide is designed, for example, as a plate. The plate is movable, for example, parallel to a plane spanned by the ends of the support rods.

[0019] For example, the first locking means are assigned to the adjustment part. The adjustment part has, for example, at least one locking region that can be releasably moved into engagement with the second locking means. The second locking means is, for example, a toothed arrangement.

[0020] The adjustment part is part of the locking device. It includes, for example, actuating means that move the bolt between the locking position and the release position.

[0021] Further advantages of the headrest will become apparent from the description of the exemplary embodiments shown in the figures. They show: Fig. 1 a perspective view of a first embodiment of the headrest according to the invention, wherein the headrest part is only partially shown and is in a rear position, Fig. 2 based on Fig. 1 the headrest, with the headrest part arranged in the front position, Fig. 2a a front view of the headrest with the headrest 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 headrest 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 support part is in the rear position, Fig. 6 based on Fig. 5 the second embodiment, wherein the headrest part is in the front position, Fig. 7 a perspective view of a third embodiment of the headrest, wherein the headrest part is only partially shown and a cushion is not shown and the headrest part is in the rear position, Fig. 8 based on Fig. 7 the headrest, with the headrest part in the front 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 based on Fig. 11 a side view with the headrest in the front position, Fig. 13 a sectional view according to section line XIII - XIII in Fig. 9 , Fig. 14 based on Fig. 13 a sectional view with the headrest in the front position, Fig. 15 a sectional view along section line XV - XV in Fig. 11 , wherein a slider is in a first position, Fig. 16 based on Fig. 15 a sectional view with the slider in a second position, Fig. 17 a sectional 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 headrest part is only partially shown and the head cushion is not shown and wherein the headrest part is arranged in the rear position, Fig. 19 based on Fig. 18 the headrest, with the headrest part in the front position, Fig. 20 a front view of the headrest with the headrest 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 based on Fig. 22 a side view with the headrest in the front position, Fig. 24 a sectional view according to section line XXIV - XXIV in Fig. 20 , Fig. 25 based on Fig. 24 the sectional view, with the headrest part in the front position, Fig. 26 a sectional view according to section line XXVI - XXVI in Fig. 20 , Fig. 27 based on Fig. 26 the sectional view with the headrest in the front position.

[0022] A headrest as a whole is designated by reference numeral 10 in the figures. The same reference numerals in the figures denote corresponding parts.

[0023] 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 headrest part 13 is only partially shown, and a headrest plate is not shown in the figures. The headrest part 13 is arranged between a Fig. 1 and 3 shown rear position and one in Fig. 2 and 4movable to the front position shown.

[0024] According to the first exemplary embodiment, a rear extension 14 of the head support part 13 comprises lower, approximately horizontal plates 15a and 15b, on each of which a toothed rail 16a and 16b is formed. The teeth of the toothed rails 16a and 16b point in the direction z1. The tooth structures of the toothed rails 16a and 16b extend in the direction x1, x2, i.e. in the direction of movement of the head support part. Gears 17a and 17b are mounted on the head box 11 by means of a shaft 19. The gears 17a and 17b are connected for movement 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 the latter as the head support part 13 moves between the rear and front positions.

[0025] In direction z1, a gear 18a is located above gear 17a, and a gear 18b is located above gear 17b. Gears 17a and 18a and gears 17b and 18b mesh with each other. Gears 18a and 18b are mounted on the head box 11 and are not connected to each other in terms of movement. A geometric axis of rotation a of gears 18a and 18b is arranged parallel to the y-axis.

[0026] The extension 14 of the head support 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 extend in the direction x1, x2, i.e., in the direction of movement of the head support part. The gear 18a engages with the toothed rail 21a, and the gear 18b engages with the toothed rail 21b. The gears 18a and 18b roll on the toothed rails 21a and 21b, respectively, as the head support part 13 moves between the rear and front positions.

[0027] In this way, the head support part 13 can move in the directions x1 and x2, but rotation of the head support part about the x, y and z axes is prevented.

[0028] A second embodiment is shown in the Fig. 5 und 6 It differs from the first embodiment only in that the gears 18a and 18b are not present.

[0029] A third embodiment of a headrest 30 is shown in the Fig. 7 bis 18 The headrest 30 comprises a support rod bracket 31, which has two support rod ends 12a and 12b and a cross member 32 connecting the support rod ends 12a and 12b. A head box 11 is guided at the support rod ends 12a and 12b, adjustable in the directions z1 and z2. The free support rod ends 12a and 12b can be mounted in corresponding guides (not shown) of a vehicle seat.

[0030] The head box 11 can be locked at different height positions by means of a locking device 33. The locking device 33 comprises a latch 34a held on the head box 11, which interacts with an arrangement of notches 35a, and a latch 34b held on the head box 11, which interacts with an arrangement of notches 35b.

[0031] In the locked position, the latch 34a engages in one of the notches of the arrangement 35a, and the latch 34b engages in one of the notches of the arrangement 35b. In this way, movement of the head box 11 in the direction z2 is prevented. Due to the shape of the notches of the assemblies 35a and 35b, movement of the head box 11 in the direction z1 is possible. In the release position, the latches 34a and 34b are disengaged from the assemblies 35a and 35b, i.e., the latches 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.

[0032] An actuating device 36 can move the locking device 33 from the locked position to the release position. The locking device 33 is subjected to a restoring force in the locked position. The actuating device 36 comprises a handle 37 that is connected for movement to a slide 38. When the handle 37 is moved in direction y1, it also displaces the slide 38 in direction y1. As it moves in direction y1, the slide 38 pushes the latches 34a and 34b out of engagement with the assemblies 35a and 35b, thereby moving the locking device 33 into the release position.

[0033] The slide 38 is formed by a plate arranged approximately parallel to a plane defined by the support rod ends 12a and 12b and guided displaceably in the directions y1 and y2 by means of a guide 39 on the head box 11. The slide 38 is loaded in the direction y2 by a return element (not shown).

[0034] The head support part 13 is provided with two extensions 14a and 14b, each extending from the head support part 13 in a direction x2. The extensions 14a and 14b provide guide means associated with a bearing device 40 for supporting and guiding the head support part 13 on the head box 11. According to the first embodiment, toothed rails 16a and 21a are formed on the extension 14a, and toothed rails 16b and 21b are formed on the extension 14b.

[0035] The toothed rails 16 and 16b interact in the same way as in the first embodiment with gears 17a and 17b connected by a shaft 19. The toothed rails 21a and 21b also interact in the same way as in the first embodiment with gears 18a and 18b, which are rotatably mounted on the head box 11. Furthermore, the gears 17a and 18a, as well as the gears 17b and 18b, mesh with each other. The longitudinal axis of the shaft 19 and a geometric axis of rotation of the gears 18a and 18b are arranged parallel to the y-axis.

[0036] In this way, the head support part 13 is guided on the head box 11 so as to be movable in the directions 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 directions x1 and x2.

[0037] The rear, maximum retracted position of the headrest part 13 is in the Fig. 7 , 9 , 11 and 13 while the front, maximum advanced position is shown in the Fig. 8 , 12 and 14 In the rear view of the headrest 30 according to Fig. 10 It can be seen that a helical spring 41 is arranged on the shaft 19, with a first spring end 42 being attached to the shaft 19 and a second spring end 43 being attached to the head box 11. The shaft 19 is loaded by the spring 41 in the direction of rotation u1, and thus the head support part 13 is loaded in the direction x2. A movement of the shaft 19 in the direction of rotation u2 tensions the spring 41.

[0038] A locking device 44 comprises first locking means assigned to the head box 11 and second locking means assigned to the head support part 13. The first locking means are formed by locking regions 45a and 45b of the slide 38. The slide comprises two openings 47a and 47b, with the extension 14a passing through the opening 47a and the extension 14b passing through the opening 47b. A locking region 45a is arranged on the reveal of the opening 47a, and a locking region 45b is arranged on the reveal of the opening 47b. A toothing 48a is formed on the extension 14a, and a toothing 48b is formed on the extension 14b.

[0039] When the locking areas 45a and 45b are engaged with the teeth 48a and 48b in the locking position, movement of the headrest part in the directions x1 and x2 (or only in the direction x2?) is not possible. As soon as the handle 37 is actuated in the direction y1, the slide 38 moves in the direction y1. The locking areas 45a and 45b are disengaged from the teeth 48a and 48b. The locking device is then in the release position, and the headrest part can be moved manually in the directions x1 or x2.

[0040] When the handle 37 is no longer actuated, the spring (not shown) displaces the slide 38 in direction y2, whereby the locking regions 45a and 45b are loaded against the extensions 14a and 14b into engagement with the toothings 48a and 48b. The head support part 13 can have a position in which the locking regions 45a and 45b cannot directly engage one of the recesses of the toothings 48a and 48b. Due to the restoring load of the head support part 13 by the spring 41 in direction x2, the head support part 13 moves in direction x2 until the locking regions 45a and 45b engage one of the recesses 46a and 46b of the toothings 48a and 48b.

[0041] A fourth embodiment is shown in the Fig. 18 bis 27A headrest according to the fourth exemplary embodiment is designated in the figures by reference numeral 60. The headrest 60 according to the fourth exemplary embodiment is designed in principle like the headrest 30 according to the third exemplary embodiment.

[0042] The headrest 60 differs from the headrest 30 only in that a first electric drive device 61 is provided for adjusting the head box 11 in the directions z1 and z2, and a second electric drive device 62 is provided for adjusting the headrest part 13 in the directions x1 and x2. Due to the self-locking nature of the drive devices 61 and 62, the headrest 60 does not have a separate locking device 33 or a locking device 44 similar to the headrest 30.

[0043] The drive device 61 comprises a first motor 63, which is an electric motor mounted on the head box 11. The motor 63 can drive a spindle nut (not shown) in the rotational directions m1 and m2, which engages with a first spindle 64. The spindle nut is rotatably mounted on the head box 11. The spindle 64 engages the spindle nut at an end portion 65. At an end portion 66, the spindle 64 is fixedly and immovably connected to the crosshead 32 by a mounting 67.

[0044] When the spindle nut is rotated by the motor 63 in direction m1, it screws on the spindle 64 in direction z1, and the head box 11 moves in z1 along the support rod ends 12a and 12b. However, when the spindle nut is moved by the motor 63 in direction m2, it screws on the spindle 64 in direction z2, and the head box 11 moves in direction z2 relative to the support rod ends 12a and 12b.

[0045] An actuation associated with the drive device 61 can be arranged on the vehicle seat on which the headrest 60 is held or at another location in the vehicle interior, by means of which the motor 63 can be controlled, ie with which the motor is switched on and off and the direction of rotation is determined.

[0046] The second drive device 62 for driving the head support part 13 comprises a second motor 68, which is an electric motor and drives a spindle nut (not shown) in the rotational directions n1 and n2. The spindle nut engages with a second spindle 69. An end region 70 of the second spindle 69 is fixedly and immovably connected to a plate 72 of the head support part 13 by means of a fastening 71. An end region 73 of the second spindle 69 engages with the second spindle nut.

[0047] If the spindle nut is rotated by the second motor 68 in direction n1, the spindle 69 and the attached head support part 13 move in direction x1. If the spindle nut rotates in the opposite direction n2, the spindle 69 and the head support part 13 move in direction x2.

[0048] An actuation associated with the drive device 62 can be arranged on the vehicle seat on which the headrest 60 is held or at another location in the vehicle interior, by means of which the motor 68 can be controlled, ie with which the motor is switched on and off and the direction of rotation is determined.

Claims

1. Head support having 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), having a head bearing part (13) which can be adjusted, by means of a primary guide device, relative to the head box (11) in a horizontal direction (x1, x2) between a back position, which is moved away from the head of an occupant, and a front position which is close to the head, the head box (11) has a first guiding means which cooperates with second guiding means of the head bearing part (13), wherein the one guiding means comprises two toothed rails (16a, 16b) that are spaced apart from each other horizontally and extend in the movement direction of the head bearing part, said rails forming a first toothed rail pair and comprising two toothed rails (21a, 21b) that are spaced apart from each other horizontally, extending in the movement direction of the head bearing part, which form a second toothed rail pair thatextends parallel to the first toothed rail pair and is facing towards this, wherein the other guiding means comprises two toothed gears (17a, 17b) spaced apart from each other horizontally, which form a first toothed gear pair, wherein each toothed gear (17a, 17b) of the first toothed gear pair is engaged with a toothed rail (16a, 16b) of the first toothed rail pair, and a toothed gear (18a, 18b) of a second toothed gear pair is engaged with each toothed rail (21a, 21b) of the second toothed rail pair, which comprises two toothed gears spaced apart from each other horizontally, wherein the toothed gears (17a, 17b) of the first toothed gear pair and / or the toothed gears (18a, 18b) of the second toothed gear pair are movement connected to a shaft (19) and wherein each toothed gear rolls between the rear position and the front position on the toothed rail (16a, 16b) when the head bearing part (13) is moving, characterised in that in each case a toothed gear (17a, 17b) of the first toothed gear pair is engaged with a toothed gear (18a, 18b) of the second toothed gear pair.

2. Head support according to claim 1, characterised in that a blocking device (44) comprises first blocking means assigned to the head box (11) and second blocking means assigned to the head bearing part (13).

3. Head support according to claim 2, characterised in that the blocking device can be moved between a blocking position, in which the first blocking means and the second blocking means are engaged, and a release position in which the first blocking means and the second blocking means are disengaged.

4. Head support according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the head box (11) is mounted on a support rod (12a, 12b) that can be moved by means of a secondary guide device, and can be locked in at least one position by means of a locking device (33).

5. Head support according to claim 4, characterised in that the locking device (33) comprises a lock (34a, 34b) which is assigned to the headbox (11), wherein the lock can be moved between a locking position and a released position.

6. Head support according to claim 5, characterised in that an adjusting part (38) moves the lock (34a, 34b) between the locking position and the released position.

7. Head support according to claim 6, insofar as when dependent on one of claims 2 or 3, characterised in that the first blocking means are assigned to the adjusting part (38).

8. Head support according to one of claims 6 or 7, characterised in that the adjusting part (38) is moveably mounted on the head box (11).

9. Head support according to one of the preceding clams, characterised in that the head bearing part (13) is loaded by a spring (41) in a first direction (x1) or in a second direction (x2).

10. Head support according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that at least one electric drive device (63, 64, 68, 69) is provided, by means of which the head bearing part (13) can be moved relative to the head box (11) and / or the head box (11) can be moved relative to the support rod (12a, 12b), and the drive device holds the head bearing part and / or the head box in the respective relative position.