Motor vehicle headrest

Abstract

The invention relates to a headrest for a motor vehicle seat, the headrest (2) comprising: - a shell having a front face (24) intended to be directed towards the seat base side, - a foam block (36) fixed in front of the front face of the shell, - a layer of wadding fabric (38) covering the foam block, - a first covering (40) arranged in front of the layer of wadding fabric, the first covering (40) being fixed to the shell, the layer of wadding fabric (38) and the first covering (40) being intended to receive the head of an occupant of the seat. Figure to be published with the abstract: Figure 3

Description

Title of the invention: Motor vehicle headrest Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to a motor vehicle headrest equipped with loudspeakers. State of the prior art

[0002] Motor vehicle headrests must comply with standards established to ensure passenger safety. Thus, the headrest must contain foam with a high density to absorb shocks and protect the passenger seated on the seat, in the event of an impact, particularly a frontal impact. However, the contact of these headrests is often hard and can cause pain. It would be desirable to provide a headrest that offers both high resistance in the event of an impact, and a softer welcome and greater comfort for the head of the seat occupant. Furthermore, it would be desirable to provide comfort to the seat occupant when the seat is positioned in a so-called "relaxation" position. In this position, the backrest is pivoted backward. Such a position can be used when the vehicle is parked and the seat occupant is waiting in the vehicle, for example when recharging the electric batteries of an electric vehicle.

[0003] Some headrests contain speakers. The speakers are often arranged on the front face of the headrest or on the sides of the headrest. Presentation of the invention

[0004] A first aim of the present invention is to improve the comfort of the headrest.

[0005] A second aim of the present invention is to allow good diffusion of the sounds generated by speakers housed in a headrest.

[0006] A third object of the present invention is to provide great comfort to the occupant of the seat, when the seat is arranged in a relaxation position.

[0007] A fourth object of the present invention is to provide great comfort to the occupants of the seat of small size, when the seat is arranged in a relaxation position. Summary of the invention

[0008] The present invention relates to a headrest for a motor vehicle seat, the headrest being intended to be fixed to a seat back, the seat comprising a seat extending in a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction and a backrest extending in a transverse direction and a vertical direction; the headrest comprising: - a shell having a front face intended to be directed towards the seat base, - a foam block fixed in front of the front face of the shell, - a layer of wadding fabric covering the foam block, - a first covering arranged in front of the layer of wadding fabric, the first covering being fixed to the shell, the layer of wadding fabric and the first covering being intended to receive the head of an occupant of the seat.

[0009] Advantageously, the foam block ensures the safety of the passenger by providing resistance to shocks in the event of possible accidents, and the layer of wadding fabric provides a soft, fluffy, more flexible welcome ensuring comfort and well-being for the occupant of the seat. The layer of wadding fabric supports the head.

[0010] The features set out in the following paragraphs may optionally be implemented. They may be implemented independently of one another or in combination with one another: - The headrest comprises at least one first loudspeaker housed in a lower lateral portion of the shell and at least one second loudspeaker arranged in an opposite lower lateral portion of the shell; and wherein the wadding fabric layer has a “T” shape, the wadding fabric layer comprising a lower branch arranged between the first loudspeaker and the second loudspeaker, a first upper lateral branch arranged above the first loudspeaker and a second upper lateral branch arranged above the second loudspeaker. Advantageously, the spaces in front of the speakers are not covered by the layer of wadding fabric. This "T" shape allows direct diffusion of sounds to the ears without obstruction while ensuring a soft and comfortable reception of the head. - the shell comprises an extension extending in the extension of a central lower part of the shell; a part of the layer of wadding fabric covering said extension.

[0011] Advantageously, this extension supports the neck and can prevent neck pain in the event of a frontal impact. Advantageously, this central extension supports the head of the seat occupant when the seat is in a relaxed position. In this relaxed position, the backrest is pivoted backwards and the head of the seat occupant often rests on a lower part of the headrest. This extension is particularly advantageous for people of small stature who may have their head positioned between the headrest and the backrest when the seat is in the relaxed position. - the front face of the hull comprises in a central part, a cavity which extends in a vertical direction, the foam block being housed in said cavity. Advantageously, this cavity ensures that the foam block will remain in a fixed position over time. - The front face of the shell has a peripheral rim extending forwardly, the peripheral rim delimiting a space accommodating at least part of the layer of wadding fabric. - The headrest comprises a second covering fixed, for example by gluing, on the peripheral edge of the front face of the shell, and in which the first covering is fixed to the second covering, for example by sewing. - The first loudspeaker and the second loudspeaker have a main diffusion axis; the main diffusion axis of the first loudspeaker and the main axis of the second loudspeaker being separated by a defined distance in the transverse direction; the lower branch of the wadding fabric layer having a width in the transverse direction of between 50% and 70% of said defined distance. - The extension has a height between 18% and 28% of a height of a side part of the hull, the height of the extension and the height of the side part of the hull being measured in the vertical direction. - The lower branch of the wadding fabric layer has a height of between 40 and 60% of a height of a side part of the shell; the height of the lower branch of the wadding fabric layer and the height of a side part of the shell being measured in the vertical direction. - The first covering surrounds the layer of wadding fabric, the layer of wadding fabric and the first covering forming a cushion, and in which the cushion is removably attached relative to the front face of the shell. Advantageously, the padding is removably attached and can be removed for washing or changing. This removable attachment is for example achieved by Velcro (registered trademark). - The headrest comprises sound-permeable mesh support walls arranged in front of the first loudspeaker and the second loudspeaker, and wherein the second covering is fixed, preferably by gluing, to the mesh support wall. Advantageously, the 3D printed support mesh and the glued covering facilitate the diffusion of the sound waves generated by the loudspeaker. Brief description of the figures

[0012] [Fig.l] is a front view of an embodiment of the headrest according to the invention;

[0013] [Fig.2] is a front view of a front half-shell of the headrest illustrated in the [Fig.l];

[0014] [Fig.3] is a sectional perspective view of the headrest illustrated in [Fig.l], the section plane being a first horizontal plane;

[0015] [Fig.4] is a sectional top view of the headrest illustrated in [Fig.l], the plan cutting being a second horizontal plane. Detailed description of the invention

[0016] In the present application, the terms "upper", "lower", "in front", "behind", "front", "rear" are to be interpreted with regard to the usual position of a headrest of a seat of a motor vehicle. The front of a vehicle corresponds to the normal direction of travel of the vehicle. The front of the headrest corresponds to the face directed towards the front windshield of the motor vehicle.

[0017] A motor vehicle seat comprises a seat, a backrest articulated to the seat and a headrest mounted on the backrest and movable in a vertical direction relative to the backrest. In the present application, longitudinal direction X means a horizontal direction extending between the front and the rear of the vehicle seat. Transverse direction Y means a horizontal direction, extending from one side of the seat to the other side of the seat. Vertical direction Z means the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal directions X and transverse directions Y.

[0018] With reference to [Fig.l], the headrest 2 according to the invention comprises a shell 4 having a substantially rectangular general shape.

[0019] Generally, the shell 4 comprises a central part 6, a lower lateral part 8 located on one side and in the lower part of the central part and another lower lateral part 10 located on the other side and in the lower part of the central part.

[0020] The shell comprises an extension 12 extending in the extension of a central lower part 11 of the shell. The extension extends in the extension of the central part of the shell. The extension 12 has, for example, a width Le corresponding to approximately 30% of the width L of the headrest. The width Le of the extension and the width L are measured in a transverse direction Y.

[0021] The extension 12 has a height He of between 18% and 28% of a height Hc of a lateral part of the shell. In the present application, the height He of the extension and the height Hc of the lateral part of the shell are measured in the vertical direction.

[0022] With reference to [Fig. 3], the shell 4 is constituted by a front half-shell 14 and a rear half-shell 16. The rear half-shell 16 is fixed against the rear edge of the front half-shell to constitute a hollow envelope.

[0023] The headrest 2 comprises a first loudspeaker 18 housed in a lower lateral part of the shell and a second loudspeaker 20 housed, on the other side, in the other lower lateral part of the shell. In [Fig.3], the first loudspeaker and the second loudspeaker have been shown schematically.

[0024] The headrest also includes a mechanism 22 for lifting and lowering the the headrest fixed against the rear face of the rear half-shell 16.

[0025] Preferably, the shell 4 is molded from an insulating plastic material making it possible to isolate the occupant of the seat from surrounding noise.

[0026] The front half-shell 14 comprises a front face 24 intended to be directed towards the seat base side, and a rear face 26 directed towards the inside of the shell. When the seat is mounted in the vehicle, the front face 24 is directed towards the front of the vehicle.

[0027] Mesh support walls 28 are attached to the front face 24 of the shell in front of the first loudspeaker 18 and in front of the second loudspeaker 20. The mesh support walls 28 are permeable to sounds. The mesh support walls 28 are made of plastic, for example PET (polyethylene terephthalate) by 3D printing.

[0028] With reference to [Fig.2], the front face 24 of the front half-shell 14 is provided with a peripheral rim 30.

[0029] A seat covering 31, called the second covering, is fixed to a portion of the front face 24, to the peripheral rim 30 and to the edge of the rear face 26 of the front half-shell 14. In order not to overload [Fig. 2], only a portion of the second covering 31 has been shown. Preferably, the second covering 31 is a fabric composed of interwoven fibers to allow good diffusion of the sounds generated by the loudspeakers.

[0030] The second covering 31 is also fixed against the meshed support walls 28. It extends along the edges of the rear face 26 of the front half-shell 14, as seen in [Fig.3].

[0031] Advantageously, these fixings can be made by gluing.

[0032] Preferably, the front face 24 of the front half-shell 14 also comprises a cavity 32 in its central part. This cavity has a generally rectangular shape which extends in the vertical direction. Preferably, reinforcing ribs 34 are arranged in the bottom of this cavity.

[0033] With reference to [Fig. 3], the headrest 2 comprises a foam block 36. The foam block 36 has the shape of a straight block. Preferably, the foam block 36 is arranged in the cavity 32. Thus, the foam block 36 is arranged between the first loudspeaker and the second loudspeaker.

[0034] In an embodiment not shown, the foam block 36 is also arranged in the extension 12.

[0035] Advantageously, the headrest 2 comprises a layer of wadding fabric 38 covering the foam block and a portion of the front face of the front half-shell.

[0036] The layer of wadding fabric 38 can be made of cotton or polyester.

[0037] Preferably, the peripheral rim 30 projects forward and delimits a space 31 housing at least part of the layer of wadding fabric.

[0038] The headrest 2 comprises a first covering 40 covering the fabric layer of wadding 38. The layer of wadding fabric 38 and the covering 40 form a padding 42 fixed in front of at least a portion of the front face 24 of the front half-shell. In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the padding 42 has a general “T” shape. In particular, in the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the wadding layer 38 has a general “T” shape.

[0039] When the headrest is viewed from the front, the wadding layer 38 comprises a lower branch 44 disposed between the first loudspeaker 18 and the second loudspeaker 20, a first upper lateral branch 46 disposed above the first loudspeaker 18 and a second upper lateral branch 48 disposed above the second loudspeaker 20. With reference to [Fig. 3], the wadding fabric layer is disposed in front of the loudspeakers. The shape of the wadding fabric layer allows the space located in front of the loudspeakers not to be obstructed by the wadding fabric layer.

[0040] The lower branch 44 is suitable for receiving the neck and the lower part of the head of the occupant of the seat and the upper branches 46, 48 are adapted to receive the upper part of the head of the occupant of the seat.

[0041] Advantageously, this “T” shape allows direct diffusion of sounds to the ears without obstruction while ensuring a soft and comfortable reception of the head.

[0042] Preferably, stitches 49 are sewn along the edges of the padding. Advantageously, these stitches improve the aesthetics of the headrest.

[0043] With reference to Figures 1, 2 and 4, the first loudspeaker 18 and the second loudspeaker 20 have a main diffusion axis AA. The main diffusion axis AA of the first loudspeaker 18 and the main axis AA of the second loudspeaker 20 are separated by a defined distance D in the transverse direction Y. The lower branch 44 of the wadding fabric layer 38 has a width Lbi in the transverse direction between 50% and 70% of said defined distance. In the illustrated and in no way limiting embodiment, the width Le of the extension is equal to the width width Lbi of the lower branch. This width advantageously makes it possible to have no obstruction in front of the diffusion cone of the loudspeakers. The lower branch 44 of the wadding fabric layer has a height Hbi of between 40 and 60% of the height Hc of the side part of the shell. Here, the height of the lower branch 44 of the wadding fabric layer and the height of a side part of the shell are measured in the vertical direction.

[0044] According to a variant not shown, the layer of wadding fabric 42 has a rectangular shape. It extends only over the central part in a vertical direction. The layer of wadding fabric 42 covers the foam block 36. The layer of wadding fabric 42 can also cover the lower central extension 12. It has a width less than the distance between the two speakers.

[0045] According to another variant not shown, the headrest does not include loudspeakers. In this case the layer of wadding fabric and the covering covers the entire front face of the shell.

[0046] Alternatively, the side parts each comprise two loudspeakers arranged one above the other.

Claims

Claims

1. Headrest for a motor vehicle seat, the headrest (2) being intended to be fixed to a seat back, the seat comprising a seat extending in a longitudinal direction (X) and a transverse direction (Y) and a back extending in a transverse direction (Y) and a vertical direction (Z); the headrest (2) comprising: - a shell (4) having a front face (24) intended to be directed towards the seat side, - a foam block (36) fixed in front of the front face (24) of the shell, - a layer of wadding fabric (38) covering the foam block, - a first covering (40) arranged in front of the layer of wadding fabric, the first covering (40) being fixed to the shell, the layer of wadding fabric (38) and the first covering (40) being intended to receive the head of an occupant of the seat.

2. A headrest (2) according to claim 1, which comprises at least one first loudspeaker (18) housed in a lower lateral portion (8) of the shell and at least one second loudspeaker (20) arranged in an opposite lower lateral portion (10) of the shell; and wherein the wadding fabric layer (38) has a “T” shape, the wadding fabric layer (38) comprising a lower branch (44) disposed between the first loudspeaker (18) and the second loudspeaker (20), a first upper lateral branch (46) disposed above the first loudspeaker (18) and a second upper lateral branch (48) disposed above the second loudspeaker (20).

3. Headrest (2) according to any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein the shell (4) comprises an extension (12) extending in the extension of a central lower part (11) of the shell; a part of the layer of wadding fabric (38) covering said extension.

4. Headrest (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, in which the front face (24) of the shell comprises in a central part (6), a cavity (32) which extends in a vertical direction, the block of foam (36) being housed in said cavity.

5. Headrest (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, in which the front face (24) of the shell comprises a peripheral rim (30) extending forwardly, the peripheral rim (30) delimiting a space housing at least part of the layer of wadding fabric (38).

6. Headrest (2) according to claim 5, which comprises a second covering (31) fixed, for example by gluing, on the peripheral edge (30) of the front face (24) of the shell, and in which the first covering (40) is fixed to the second covering (31), for example by sewing.

7. Headrest (2) according to claim 2, wherein the first loudspeaker (18) and the second loudspeaker (20) have a main diffusion axis (AA); the main diffusion axis (AA) of the first loudspeaker and the main axis (AA) of the second loudspeaker being separated by a defined distance (D) in the transverse direction (Y); the lower branch of the wadding fabric layer (38) having a width in the transverse direction of between 50% and 70% of said defined distance.

8. Headrest (2) according to claim 3, wherein the extension (12) has a height (He) of between 18% and 28% of a height (Hc) of a lateral part of the shell, the height (He) of the extension and the height (Hc) of the lateral part of the shell being measured in the vertical direction.

9. Headrest (2) according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the lower branch (44) of the wadding fabric layer (38) has a height (Hbi) of between 40 and 60% of a height (Hc) of a lateral part of the shell; the height (Hbi) of the lower branch (44) of the wadding fabric layer and the height (Hc) of a lateral part of the shell being measured in the vertical direction.

10. A headrest (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 5 and 7 to 9, wherein the first covering (40) surrounds the layer of wadding fabric, the layer of wadding fabric (38) and the first covering (40) forming a cushion, and wherein the cushion is removably attached relative to the front face (24) of the shell.

11. Headrest (2) according to claim 6, which comprises sound-permeable mesh support walls (28) arranged in front of the first loudspeaker (18) and the second loudspeaker (20), and wherein the second covering (31) is fixed, preferably by gluing, to the mesh support wall (28).

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