Headrest safety device held in place by straps.

Abstract

The invention relates to a safety device (1b) for equipping a motor vehicle seat (2), the device (1b) comprising a headrest (3b) designed to be mounted on the backrest (4) of the seat (2) while being movable between at least two positions, at least a first normal use position and a safety position, in which the headrest (3b) is oriented in order to prevent injuries to the neck of a passenger in the event of a rear impact suffered by the vehicle, the device (1b) comprising at least one strap (5) designed to constrain the position of the headrest (3b) relative to the backrest (4), the device (1b) comprising activation means (6) designed to modify the tension in each strap (5) to allow the movement of the headrest (3b) towards the safety position, when the motor vehicle equipped with the motor vehicle seat (2) suffers a rear impact. (Figure 2)

Description

Title of the invention: Safety device with headrest held by straps.

[0001] The technical field concerns safety devices with headrests, seats equipped with such a device and motor vehicles comprising at least one such seat.

[0002] In terms of road safety, automobile manufacturers must take into account multiple concerns and regulations when developing new vehicles. Thus, automobile manufacturers must ensure the safety of passengers and other road users in the event of a collision involving the vehicle. To this end, vehicles are subjected to various standardized procedures for simulating impacts against a rigid obstacle impacting the vehicle. The standardized procedures are, for example, described by the international organization Euro NCAP. Among these standardized procedures, one of them makes it possible to simulate the behavior of a vehicle during a rear-end collision.

[0003] To assist automobile manufacturers, the standards define a certain number of safety elements, often mandatory, which make it possible to guarantee the safety of vehicle passengers when driving but also in the event of an accident. Headrests are part of such safety elements. The headrest is generally located in the extension of the seat back and its surface is substantially parallel to the surface of the back. The headrest is generally fixed at the top of the back. For this purpose, it comprises, for example, two fixing lugs which can fit into two holes provided for this purpose on the upper edge of the seat back. Such a headrest can, in addition, be articulated relative to the back so as to allow it to be slightly inclined, for example from front to back for greater passenger comfort.

[0004] For car manufacturers, the quality of their vehicles' finish, their aesthetic aspects and the features offered are essential to stand out from other brands. However, the development of a new vehicle cabin interior is significantly complicated because it must address safety concerns.

[0005] In this context, the development of new innovative seats, such as that illustrated in [Fig.l], which has a thin backrest structure reminiscent of that of a premium class seat in an airplane, requires the development of new headrests because the usual fixings are unsuitable or incompatible with the desired style.

[0006] Thus, there is a need for a solution allowing the removal of conventional fixing lugs while combining safety and aesthetics, as a replacement for conventional headrests.

[0007] The present invention aims to overcome the problems set out above. In this technical context, one aim of the present invention is to provide a safety device implementing a headrest fixed in part by straps, which complies with safety standards in the event of a rear impact suffered by the vehicle with which it is fitted.

[0008] For this purpose, the present invention relates to a safety device for equipping a motor vehicle seat, the device comprising a headrest designed to be mounted on the back of the motor vehicle seat equipped with the device while being movable between at least two positions, at least a first normal use position and a safety position, in which the headrest is oriented in order to prevent injuries to the neck of a passenger seated on the seat in the event of a rear impact suffered by the vehicle equipped with the seat, the device comprising at least one strap designed to constrain the position of the headrest relative to the back of the seat, the device comprising activation means designed to modify the tension in each strap to allow the movement of the headrest towards the safety position, when the motor vehicle equipped with the motor vehicle seat suffers a rear impact.

[0009] The invention also relates to a car seat comprising a safety device according to the invention, the headrest being fixed to the back of the seat at least in part by each strap.

[0010] The invention finally relates to a motor vehicle having at least one seat according to the invention.

[0011] Thus, the safety device according to the invention makes it possible to offer an innovative aesthetic, implementing straps which fulfill an aesthetic function and a safety function by allowing the movement of the headrest in the event of a rear impact suffered by the vehicle. Thus, in the event of a rear impact, the activation means are actuated, for example using sensors or accelerometers designed to detect a rear impact, in order to modify the tension in each strap to allow the movement of the headrest in order to bring it into a safety position, suitable for protecting the neck of the passenger seated in the seat equipped with the safety device according to the invention. The safety position is, for example, defined as allowing behavior of the seat according to the invention which meets the requirements of the standards in the event of a simulated rear impact.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the invention, the activation means comprise at least one winder, each strap being at least partly wound and tensioned by a winder of the activation means.

[0013] According to one possibility, each reel is designed to wind or unwind a strap to bring the headrest into the safety position.

[0014] According to one embodiment, each strap at least partially surrounds the headrest.

[0015] Advantageously, each strap passes through the headrest.

[0016] In one embodiment of the seat, the activation means are secured to the back of the seat.

[0017] Advantageously, the activation means are designed to be arranged under a rear shelf of the vehicle.

[0018] According to one possibility of the seat, the backrest has at least two edges between which the headrest is held.

[0019] The invention will be better understood on reading the detailed description which follows, given solely by way of non-limiting example and made with reference to the appended drawings in which:

[0020] [Fig-1] [Fig.l] represents a perspective view of an automobile seat presenting a headrest according to a first embodiment of the invention;

[0021] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] represents a detailed view of the headrest shown in a normal use position and in the safety position;

[0022] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] represents a detail view of a second embodiment of the headrest.

[0023] In these figures, the same references are used to designate the same elements.

[0024] A safety device 1a, 1b according to the invention, illustrated in the figures, is designed to equip a car seat 2, according to the invention, illustrated in the figures. The device 1a, 1b makes it possible to make the car seat 2 active in the event of a rear impact suffered by the vehicle equipped with the seat 2, in order to protect its passenger against neck injuries.

[0025] The device 1a, 1b according to the invention comprises a headrest 3a, 3b designed to be mounted on the backrest 4 of the automobile seat 2 equipped with the device 1a, 1b. The headrest 3a, 3b is mounted to move between at least two positions: at least a first normal use position PN, illustrated in [Fig. 2], and a safety position PS, also illustrated in [Fig. 2] in which the headrest 3a, 3b is oriented in order to prevent injuries to the neck of the passenger seated on the seat 2 in the event of a rear impact suffered by the vehicle equipped with the seat 2. In the example illustrated in [Fig. 2], the headrest 3a, 3b in the safety position PS, has a position on the backrest 4 higher than the normal use position PN.

[0026] As illustrated in the figures, the device 1a, 1b comprises at least one strap 5 designed to constrain the position of the headrest 3a, 3b relative to the backrest 4 of the seat 2. In the examples illustrated in the figures, the headrest 3a, 3b is fixed to the backrest 4 of the seat 2 at least in part by each strap 5. In the examples illustrated in the figures, each device 1a, 1b comprises two straps 5. Advantageously, each strap 5 is similar in shape and material to a seat belt usually used to keep a passenger safe in a seated position in the vehicle.

[0027] In addition to at least one strap 5, the device 1a, 1b comprises activation means 6 designed to modify the tension in each strap 5 to allow the headrest 3a, 3b to move towards the safety position PS, when the motor vehicle equipped with the car seat 2 suffers a rear impact.

[0028] Advantageously, the activation means 6 allow the movement, on command from the passenger, of the headrest 3a, 3b between two normal use positions PN by temporarily modifying the tension of each strap 5.

[0029] In a first embodiment of the device 1a, illustrated in [Fig. 2], each strap 5 at least partially surrounds the headrest 3a. In this case, each strap 5 passes over the headrest 3a when the latter is mounted on the backrest 4, each strap 5 being tensioned to force the headrest 3a against the backrest 4.

[0030] In a second embodiment of the device 1b, illustrated in [Fig. 3], each strap 5 passes through the headrest 3b. For this purpose, the headrest 3b has at least one opening 7 passing through the headrest 3b and sized for the passage of a strap 5. As in the first embodiment, each strap 5 is tensioned to keep the headrest 3b resting on the backrest 4.

[0031] In the first embodiment, each strap 5 has one end fixed, for example, to the back of the backrest 4 while in the second embodiment, for example, the end of each strap 5 is fixed to a rear shelf or another structural element of the vehicle. It should be noted that the fixing of the end of each strap 5 is independent of the way in which the strap 5 surrounds or passes through the headrest 3a, 3b.

[0032] In the two embodiments illustrated in the figures, the backrest 4 of the seat 2 comprises at least two edges 8 between which the headrest 3a, 3b is held. Thus, the headrest 3a, 3b is constrained, on the one hand, by each strap 5 and, on the other hand, by the two edges 8. In the embodiments illustrated in the figures, the activation means 6 are secured to the backrest 4 of the seat 2. In an alternative embodiment not illustrated, the activation means 6 are secured to a rear shelf.

[0033] In the examples illustrated in the figures, the activation means 6 comprise at least one winder 9, each strap 5 being at least partly wound and tensioned by a winder 9 of the activation means 6. Thus, each winder 9 is designed to wind or unwind a strap 5 to bring the headrest 3a, 3b into the safety position PS. In the examples illustrated in the figures, each winder 9 is designed to unwind each strap 5 when the motor vehicle according to the invention is equipped of the seat 2 suffered a rear impact. As indicated previously, advantageously each reel 9 makes it possible to unwind or wind each strap 5 in order to adjust the normal use position PN of the headrest 3a, 3b.

[0034] As illustrated in particular in [Fig.3], each strap 5 passes through the backrest 4 of the seat 2 using a slot 10 passing through the backrest 4.

[0035] Thus, in the event of a rear impact suffered by the vehicle according to the invention, the activation means 6 modify the tension in each strap 5 by allowing them to be unwound from each reel 9. The pressure exerted by the head of a passenger seated on the seat then moves the headrest 3a, 3b into the safety position PS. When the headrest 3a, 3b reaches the safety position PS, each strap 5 is then blocked by the activation means 6.

[0036] Advantageously, the movement of the headrest 3a, 3b is caused by return means, not illustrated, tending to cause the movement of the headrest 3a, 3b from a normal use position PN to the safety position PS in the absence or in the event of a reduction in the tension in each strap 5. In this case, the return means are designed to cause an upward movement of the headrest 3a, 3b when the seat 2 is mounted in the vehicle.

[0037] Finally, the modification of the tension in each strap 5 by the activation means 6 is defined by a kinematic law allowing the headrest 3a, 3b to accompany the movement of the passenger's head to the safety position PS, while ensuring the absence of injury to the cervical vertebrae.

[0038] The activation means 6 are, for example, designed to allow the unwinding of the strap 5 wound in a winder 9 when the tension in the strap 5 exceeds a predetermined threshold. Alternatively, the activation means 6 are controlled by sensors and / or accelerometers designed to detect an impact, in particular a rear impact.

[0039] Thus, the safety device 1a, 1b according to the invention makes it possible to offer an innovative aesthetic, implementing the straps 5 which fulfill an aesthetic function and a safety function by allowing the movement of the headrest 3a, 3b in the event of a rear impact suffered by the vehicle. Thus, in the event of a rear impact, the activation means 6 are actuated, for example using sensors or accelerometers designed to detect a rear impact, in order to modify the tension in each strap 5 to allow the movement of the headrest 3a, 3b in order to bring it into a safety position PS, suitable for protecting the neck of the passenger seated in the seat 2 equipped with the safety device 1a, 1b according to the invention.

[0040] The invention is not limited to the embodiment of the headrest described above, only by way of example, but other embodiments can be designed by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and scope of the present invention.

Claims

Claims

1. Safety device (la, 1b) for equipping a car seat (2), the device (la, 1b) comprising a headrest (3a, 3b) designed to be mounted on the backrest (4) of the car seat (2) equipped with the device (la, 1b) while being movable between at least two positions, at least a first normal use position (PN) and a safety position (PS), in which the headrest (3a, 3b) is oriented in order to prevent injuries to the neck of a passenger seated on the seat (2) in the event of a rear impact suffered by the vehicle equipped with the seat (2), the device (la, 1b) comprising at least one strap (5) designed to constrain the position of the headrest (3a, 3b) relative to the backrest (4) of the seat (2), the device (la, 1b) comprising activation means (6) designed to modify the tension in each strap (5) to allow movement from the headrest (3a, 3b) to the safety position (PS),when the motor vehicle equipped with the automobile seat (2) suffers a rear impact.,

2. Safety device (1a, 1b) according to claim 1, characterized in that the activation means (6) comprise at least one winder (9), each strap (5) being at least partly wound and tensioned by a winder (9) of the activation means (6).

3. Safety device (la, 1b) according to claim 2, characterized in that each reel (9) is designed to wind or unwind a strap (5) to bring the headrest (3a, 3b) into the safety position (PS).

4. Safety device (la) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that each strap (5) at least partially surrounds the headrest (3a).

5. Safety device (1b) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that each strap (5) passes through the headrest (3b).

6. Automobile seat (2) comprising a safety device (1a, 1b) according to one of claims 1 to 5, the headrest (3a, 3b) being fixed to the backrest (4) of the seat (2) at least in part by each strap (5).

7. Automobile seat (2) according to claim 6, characterized in that the activation means (6) are secured to the backrest (4) of the seat (2).

8. Automobile seat (2) according to claim 6, characterized in that the activation means (6) are designed to be arranged under a rear shelf of the vehicle.

9. Automobile seat (2) according to one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the backrest (4) comprises at least two edges (8) between which the headrest (3a, 3b) is held.

10. Motor vehicle having at least one seat (2) according to one of claims 6 to 9.

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