SYSTEM FOR ADJUSTING A HEADREST OF A MOTOR VEHICLE SEAT AND MOTOR VEHICLE COMPRISING SUCH A SYSTEM

Abstract

The invention relates to a system (3) for adjusting a headrest (9) of a seat (1) of a motor vehicle, said system (3) comprising at least: – a seat headrest (9); – an acquisition device (17) configured to determine the morphology of the skull and / or the position of the occupant of the seat (1); – a device for adjusting the shape and / or the position of the headrest (9) as a function of the morphology of the skull and / or the position of the occupant of the seat determined by said acquisition device (17). Abstract figure: [Fig. 3]

Description

Title of the invention: SYSTEM FOR ADJUSTING A HEADREST OF A MOTOR VEHICLE SEAT AND MOTOR VEHICLE COMPRISING SUCH A SYSTEM

[0001] The present invention relates generally to the field of motor vehicles, more particularly to the field of motor vehicle seats, and more particularly still to the headrests of motor vehicle seats and the manner of adjusting their position relative to the occupant of said seat.

[0002] The seats of a motor vehicle generally include a headrest, the purpose of which is not only to improve the comfort of the occupant of the seat, but also to improve their safety. They actually make it possible to avoid "whiplash", caused to an occupant of the vehicle, particularly during an impact at the rear of the vehicle.

[0003] However, to ensure the best possible safety of the occupant, the headrest must be at the same height as his head, and the distance between the headrest and the back of the head must be minimized.

[0004] The position of the occupant is generally modified by the fact that the occupant, for example the driver, slouches during the journey, or that the occupant straightens up, for example due to lower back pain or when approaching a toll booth or a gas station, thus changing the position of the occupant relative to the headrest. Thus, unfortunately, particularly during long journeys, the position of the occupant changes, thus rendering the headrest ineffective in ensuring the safety of the occupant.

[0005] Furthermore, human beings exhibit great variability in their morphologies, particularly in the skull, and more particularly in the shape of the skull. Indeed, there are two extreme morphologies of skull shape: - brachycephaly which corresponds to a skull that is wider than it is deep; - dolichocephaly which corresponds to a very elongated skull; but of course all the intermediate morphologies between these two extremes exist and must be taken into account.

[0006] Thus, the shape of the headrest, that is to say the face intended or configured to come into contact with the occupant's skull, in particular during an impact, does not have a shape suitable for all existing morphologies (or shapes) of skulls in the population. Headrests are also generally designed for an average morphology, whether for the shape of the skull, its dimensions and / or its positioning in space (and therefore in relation to the position of the occupant of said seat).

[0007] It is therefore necessary to find a solution which provides the best possible protection for the entire population, as well as improving the comfort of headrests for all people who are far from an "average morphology".

[0008] The present invention thus proposes to remedy at least one of the aforementioned drawbacks by proposing a new type of system for adjusting a headrest of a motor vehicle seat, said system comprising at least: - a seat headrest; - an acquisition device configured to determine the morphology of the skull and / or the position of the occupant of the seat; - a device for adjusting the shape and / or position of the headrest according to the morphology of the skull and / or the position of the occupant of the seat determined by said acquisition device.

[0009] The adjustment system according to the invention thus makes it possible to best adapt the shape and / or position of the headrest according to the morphological specificities of the occupant of the seat, and thus optimize the safety and / or comfort of the occupant of said seat. Said adjustment system according to the invention is also compatible with the geometry and architecture of current headrests, and can therefore be easily and quickly implemented in existing motor vehicles.

[0010] According to a possible characteristic, the acquisition device comprises one or more cameras making it possible to determine the morphology of the skull and / or the position of the occupant of the seat. Advantageously, the acquisition device comprises one or more means for optically acquiring data relating to the occupant of the seat, here cameras and / or cameras which make it possible to acquire images in the visible spectrum domain (i.e. in a wavelength domain between 380 and 800 nm).

[0011] According to another possible characteristic, the acquisition device comprises at least one movably mounted camera. The acquisition device may advantageously comprise a single camera mounted mobile or rotating, preferably rotating along at least two axes, and for example centered on the occupant of the driver's seat or the occupant of the passenger seat. There is thus one camera per seat (or headrest), for example fixed to the roof of the vehicle, and located substantially above each of the front seats.

[0012] The acquisition device may also advantageously comprise a single camera mounted mobile or rotating, preferably rotating along at least three axes, and for example located between the driver's and passenger's (front) seats. There is thus only one camera, for example fixed to the roof of the vehicle substantially at a distance equal to the front seats, and configured to target each of the front seat occupants in turn.

[0013] According to another possible characteristic, said at least one mobile mounted camera is configured to be fixed to the roof of a motor vehicle. Said at least one mobile camera is for example a miniature camera, therefore having dimensions of a few centimeters, which facilitates its installation in the passenger compartment of the vehicle and limits the inconvenience that the presence of a camera can cause to the occupants of the vehicle (and more particularly to the occupants of the seats). The miniature camera has for example a lens with a diameter of between 10 and 20 mm and a main body, generally cylindrical, between 10 and 15 mm.

[0014] According to another possible characteristic, the acquisition device comprises at least two cameras mounted on either side of the headrest. The acquisition device may advantageously comprise two cameras, for example fixed or rotating single-axis, located at the level of the headrest, advantageously on each side of the headrest, either fixed to the headrest or to the back of the seat.

[0015] According to another possible characteristic, the acquisition device comprises at least one stereoscopic and / or thermal camera. Advantageously, the camera(s) of the acquisition device are advantageously stereoscopic and / or thermal cameras, in order to improve the quality of the determination of the morphology of the skull and / or the position of the occupant of the seat. It will be noted that the thermal camera makes it possible in particular to determine more effectively the morphology of the skull of the occupant of the seat despite the presence of hair.

[0016] According to another possible characteristic, said adjustment device comprises one or more actuators configured to modify the shape and / or the position of the headrest depending on the morphology of the skull and / or the position of the occupant of the seat. Advantageously, the position and / or shape of the headrest are modified by means of actuators, actuators which are inexpensive solutions and easy to integrate into the seat and / or the headrest.

[0017] According to another possible characteristic, the adjustment device comprises a matrix network of actuators arranged in the headrest and configured to modify the shape of the headrest. Said actuators can thus advantageously modify the concavity of the area of the headrest intended to come into contact with the skull of the occupant of said seat.

[0018] According to another possible characteristic, said adjustment device comprises one or more actuators configured to modify the position of the headrest in one or more directions of space. Advantageously, the adjustment device is configured to modify the position of the headrest in several directions in space, for example, in the mounted position, along the vertical axis and / or along the horizontal axes, and preferably along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle.

[0019] According to another possible characteristic, said system is configured to adopt, depending on the morphology of the skull and / or the position of the occupant of the seat, at least two distinct configurations in the shape and / or position of the headrest: - a first configuration, called the comfort configuration, which is a position and / or a shape of the headrest aimed at optimizing the comfort of the seat occupant; - a second configuration, called the safety configuration, which is a position and / or a shape aimed at optimizing the safety of the seat occupant.

[0020] Advantageously, the comfort configuration positions the headrest at a distance from the back of the skull of between 5 and 10 mm, while the safety configuration positions the headrest in contact with the skull of the seat occupant.

[0021] The system is advantageously configured to determine positions and / or shapes for the headrest which promote the safety and / or comfort of the occupant of the seat according to his morphology. However, intermediate configurations are also possible to find a compromise between comfort and safety. Furthermore, the system is for example configured to position the headrest in a comfort configuration until an impact, or a collision, is detected by an appropriate sensor and causes the configuration of the headrest to be changed by said system (therefore switching from a comfort configuration to a safety configuration).

[0022] According to another possible characteristic, said system is configured to reconstruct, via the acquisition device, at least one three-dimensional image of the skull of the occupant of the seat. The acquisition device, by means of one or more cameras, thus makes it possible to reconstruct the topology (or a three-dimensional image) of at least the back of the skull of the occupant of a seat and to store it in order to immediately or subsequently adapt the headrest to the morphology of the skull of said occupant.

[0023] The invention may also relate to a motor vehicle seat, characterized in that said seat comprises a system for adjusting a seat headrest as defined above.

[0024] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle, for example thermal, electric or hybrid, characterized in that said vehicle comprises a system for adjusting a seat headrest as defined above, or even a seat as defined above.

[0025] The invention will be better understood, and other objects, details, characteristics and advantages thereof will appear more clearly during the following description. of a particular embodiment of the invention, given solely for illustrative and non-limiting purposes, with reference to the appended drawings, in which: - [Fig.l] illustrates a very schematic, partial, side view of a motor vehicle seat equipped with a headrest adjustment system according to a first variant embodiment of the invention; - [[Fig.2]] is a schematic, partial, enlarged and three-quarter perspective view of the seat of [Fig.l]; - [[Fig.3]] illustrates a very schematic, partial and perspective view of a vehicle interior in which a seat is equipped with an adjustment system according to the first variant embodiment of the invention; - [[Fig.4]] illustrates a very schematic, partial and perspective view of a vehicle interior in which a seat is equipped with an adjustment system according to a second variant embodiment of the invention; - [[Fig.5]] is a very schematic, partial and top view of the seat equipped with an adjustment system of [Fig.4]; - [[Fig.6]] illustrates a very schematic, partial and perspective view of a seat equipped with an adjustment system according to a third variant embodiment of the invention.

[0026] In the following description, the term "comprise" is synonymous with "include" and is not limiting in that it allows the presence of other elements in the vehicle, or the structure to which it relates. It is understood that the term "comprise" includes the terms "consist of".

[0027] Similarly, the terms "lower", "upper", "front", "rear", "longitudinal" and "transverse" will be understood in relation to the general orientation of the motor vehicle, unless otherwise indicated. The term "lower" will designate a greater proximity to the ground than "upper" along the vertical axis. Furthermore, it will be noted that in the different figures, the same references designate identical or similar elements.

[0028] [Fig.l] illustrates a very schematic, partial, and side view of a motor vehicle seat 1 (partially represented in [Fig.3] to [Fig.5]) equipped with a headrest adjustment system 3 according to a first variant embodiment of the invention.

[0029] The adjustment system 3 is intended to be mounted in a motor vehicle, thermal, electric or hybrid, and more particularly on one or more front seats of the vehicle configured to accommodate an occupant 5 having a skull 5a. It will be noted that the occupant 5 is represented in [Fig.l] and in the following figures by a mannequin.

[0030] In addition, the seat 1 comprises a seat 4 (visible only in [Fig.6]), a backrest 7 mounted in an articulated manner on the seat 4, and a headrest 9, the headrest 9 being mounted on the backrest 7 by means of a frame 11.

[0031] [Fig.2], for its part, illustrates a schematic, enlarged, torn away and partial view of the adjustment system 3 of the seat 1 which comprises at least: - headrest 9 of seat 1; - a device 13 for adjusting the shape and / or position of the headrest 9 according to the morphology of the skull 5a of the occupant 5.

[0032] As is more particularly visible in [Fig.2], said adjustment device 13 comprises several actuators 15 configured to modify the shape of the headrest 15 as a function of the morphology of the skull 5a and / or the position of the occupant 5 of the seat 1.

[0033] The actuators 15 are, on the one hand, arranged in a matrix network in the headrest 9 and, on the other hand, configured to modify the shape or topology of the area of the headrest 9 intended to be in contact with the skull 5a of the occupant 5 of the seat 1, for example by modifying the convexity (or concavity) of said area, and preferably to maximize the contact and / or support area of the headrest 9.

[0034] Furthermore, said adjustment device 13 advantageously comprises one or more actuators (not shown) configured to modify the position of the headrest 9 in one or more directions in space, that is to say that said actuators can, in the mounted position in the vehicle, modify the horizontal and / or vertical position of the headrest 9 as a function of the morphology of the skull 5a and / or the position of the occupant 5 in the seat 1.

[0035] It will be noted that said actuators are preferably configured to modify, in the mounted position in the vehicle, the position of the headrest 9 substantially along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle (distance between the headrest and the occupant's skull) and substantially along the vertical axis (height position of the headrest).

[0036] [Fig. 3], for its part, illustrates a very schematic, partial and side view of the seat 1, arranged in a passenger compartment H of a vehicle V, on which the occupant 5 is seated. The adjustment system 3 further comprises an acquisition device 17 configured to determine the morphology of the skull 5a and / or the position of the occupant 5 of the seat 1.

[0037] In the first embodiment illustrated in [Fig. 3], the acquisition device comprises a camera 19 configured to determine the morphology of the skull 5a and / or the position of the occupant 5 of the seat 1.

[0038] Said camera 19 is mounted mobile or rotating in the passenger compartment H of the vehicle, advantageously at the level of the roof of the vehicle, above and behind the headrest 9, therefore the skull 5a of the occupant 5 of the seat 1.

[0039] Said camera 19 is preferably rotatable along at least two axes, and for example centered on the occupant 5 of the seat 1. It will be noted that in this mode of rea lization, it is necessary to install a camera per seat if each of the front seats of the vehicle is equipped with an adjustment system 3 according to the invention.

[0040] Advantageously, in the mounted position, said camera 19 has substantially scanning angles of + / -15° in the horizontal plane and +0° / -25° in the vertical plane.

[0041] [Fig.4] and [Fig.5] illustrate very schematic and partial views of a second variant embodiment of the system 3 according to the invention, and more particularly of a passenger compartment H with seats 1 equipped with said adjustment system 3, respectively in side and top perspective.

[0042] The second variant embodiment of the adjustment system 3 differs from the adjustment system of [Fig.l] in that said acquisition device 17 comprises a single camera 21 mounted mobile or rotating, preferably rotating along at least three axes, and for example located between the driver and passenger seats 1 (front).

[0043] Said camera 21 is for example fixed to the roof P of the vehicle substantially at an equal distance from the front seats 1, and is configured to target in turn each of the occupants 5 of the front seats 1.

[0044] Thus, the camera 21 is fixed substantially along the central longitudinal axis of the vehicle. In addition, advantageously, in the mounted position, said camera 21 has substantially scanning angles of + / -50° in the horizontal plane and +0° / -25° in the vertical plane.

[0045] [Fig.6] illustrates, for its part, a very schematic, partial and perspective view of a seat 1 equipped with an adjustment system 3 according to a third variant embodiment of the invention.

[0046] The third variant embodiment of the adjustment system 3 differs from the variants of the systems 3 previously described in that said acquisition device 17 comprises at least two cameras 23 mounted on either side of the headrest 9.

[0047] The two cameras 23, for example fixed or single-axis rotating, are located on the headrest 9, advantageously on each side of the headrest 9. Said cameras 23 are fixed to the back of the seat as illustrated in [Fig. 5], but in another variant not shown, said cameras 23 are fixed directly to the headrest 9.

[0048] Said cameras 23 are for example mounted on poles with orientable arms by means of one or more servomotors to orient them in the direction of the occupant 5, and his skull 5a, in order to acquire images making it possible to determine the morphology of said skull 5a and / or the position of the occupant 5 of the seat 1.

[0049] Whatever the embodiment of the invention, the camera(s) 19, 21, 23 of the acquisition device 17 make it possible to acquire images in the visible spectrum domain, i.e. in a wavelength domain between 380 and 800 nm.

[0050] Said cameras are therefore optical acquisition means making it possible to obtain data, images and / or videos of the skull 5a of the occupant 5 of the seat 1. It will be noted that the term “camera” also includes cameras.

[0051] Furthermore, the camera(s) 19, 21, 23 of the acquisition device 17 are, for example, miniature cameras, therefore cameras having dimensions of a few centimeters. The miniature camera has, for example, a lens with a diameter of between 10 and 20 mm and a main body, generally cylindrical, between 10 and 15 mm.

[0052] Furthermore, the camera(s) 19, 21, 23 of the acquisition device 17 advantageously comprise a stereoscopic and / or thermal camera, either because at least one camera is configured to acquire images in the infrared range (in addition to the visible spectrum), or because there is an additional thermal camera to the various embodiments previously described. Preferably, the thermal camera operates in a wavelength range between 850 and 940 nm.

[0053] Furthermore, whatever the embodiment of the invention, said system 3 may comprise an electronic entity, such as an electronic card, a microcontroller, etc., configured to reconstruct, from the data (images and / or videos) obtained by means of the acquisition device 17, at least one three-dimensional image of the skull 5a of the occupant 5 of the seat 1 (for example at least the back of said skull 5a).

[0054] Said adjustment system 3 can also be connected to the on-board computer of the vehicle, the data (images and / or videos) acquired by the acquisition device 17 being sent and processed by the on-board computer to reconstruct at least one three-dimensional image of the skull 5a of the occupant 5 of the seat 1, for example at least the back of said skull 5a.

[0055] Thus, the acquisition device 17, by means of one or more cameras, makes it possible to reconstruct the topology (or a three-dimensional image) of at least the back of the skull 5a of the occupant 5 of a seat 1 and to store it in order to immediately or subsequently adapt the headrest 9 to the morphology of the skull 5a and / or to the position of said occupant 5.

[0056] Furthermore, said system 3, whatever the embodiment variant, is configured to adopt, via the adjustment device 13 and depending on the morphology of the skull 5a and / or the position of the occupant 5 of the seat 1, at least two distinct configurations in the shape and / or position of the headrest 9: - a first configuration, called comfort configuration, which is a position and / or a shape of the headrest 9 aimed at optimizing the comfort of the occupant 5 of the seat 1; - a second configuration, called the safety configuration, which is a position and / or a shape of the headrest 9 aimed at optimizing the safety of the occupant 5 of the seat 1.

[0057] Of course, said system 3 can be configured so that the shape and / or the position of the headrest 9 take an intermediate configuration between comfort configuration and safety configuration.

[0058] Furthermore, the system 3 is for example configured to position the headrest 9 in the comfort configuration until an impact or collision is detected by an appropriate sensor or a signal is sent by the on-board computer of the vehicle to said system 3 and causes the configuration of the headrest 9 to change, thus causing the headrest 9 to switch from a comfort configuration to a safety configuration.

Claims

Claims

1. System (3) for adjusting a headrest (9) of a seat (1) of a motor vehicle, said system (3) comprising at least: - a headrest (9) of a seat (1); - an acquisition device (17) configured to determine the morphology of the skull and / or the position of the occupant of the seat (1); - a device (13) for adjusting the shape and / or the position of the headrest (9) as a function of the morphology of the skull (5a) and / or the position of the occupant (5) of the seat (1) determined by said acquisition device (17).

2. System (3) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the acquisition device (17) comprises one or more cameras (19; 21; 23) making it possible to determine the morphology of the skull (5a) and / or the position of the occupant (5) of the seat (1).

3. System (3) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the acquisition device (17) comprises at least one movably mounted camera (19; 21; 23).

4. System (3) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the acquisition device (17) comprises at least two cameras (23) mounted on either side of the headrest (9).

5. System (3) according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the acquisition device (17) comprises at least one stereoscopic and / or thermal camera.

6. System (3) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said adjustment device (13) comprises one or more actuators (15) configured to modify the shape and / or the position of the headrest (9) as a function of the morphology of the skull (5a) and / or the position of the occupant (5) of the seat (1).

7. System (3) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the adjustment device (13) comprises a matrix network of actuators (15) arranged in the headrest (9) and configured to modify the shape of the headrest (3).

8. System (3) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said adjustment device (13) comprises one or more actuators (15) configured to modify the position of the headrest (9) in one or more spatial directions.

9. System (3) according to any one of the preceding claims, ca- characterized in that said system (3) is configured to reconstruct, via the acquisition device (17), at least one three-dimensional image of the skull (5a) of the occupant (5) of the seat (1).

10. Motor vehicle, characterized in that it comprises an adjustment system (3) for a seat headrest (9) according to any one of the preceding claims.

Images