Motor vehicle seat headrest
The headrest design with elastic metal wire pins addresses the issue of unreliable rod fixation by ensuring a robust sliding lock, enhancing safety and durability in motor vehicle seats.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- FR2024003056
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2024-02-08
- Filing Date
- 2024-03-26
- Publication Date
- 2026-02-27
- Estimated Expiration
- 2044-03-26
AI Technical Summary
Existing methods for fixing rods in motor vehicle seat headrests are unreliable, leading to potential slippage and safety hazards due to pins coming out of notches, which can be dangerous during head impacts.
A headrest design featuring elastic metal wire locking pins with a straight central portion and branches connected by a fold, which fit into notches and surround the rods, ensuring a robust sliding lock.
The design provides a secure anchoring mechanism that optimizes occupant safety by preventing slippage and minimizing sound vibrations, while maintaining durability and ease of assembly.
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Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: Motor vehicle seat headrest
[0001] The invention relates to a motor vehicle seat headrest.
[0002] It is known to produce a motor vehicle seat headrest, said headrest comprising: • a molded plastic structure fitted with a headrest cushion, • a mounting frame for said headrest at the top of the seat back, said frame being based on a metal tube bent to present, in longitudinal view, a general inverted U shape, such that said frame has two parallel cylindrical rods connected at their upper ends by a transverse crossbar, said structure being fixed to said frame,
[0003] said structure having two conduits each receiving an upper part of rod, each of the upper parts being provided with a notch flush with the bottom of the corresponding conduit.
[0004] According to a known embodiment, each rod is blocked in sliding on the structure by a respective pin, in the form of a straight rod, said pin being inserted by force on one side into an orifice provided in the structure and on the other side into the notch of the corresponding rod.
[0005] However, such a method of fixing the rods may prove to be undurable, as a pin may come out of the notch, which could lead to the structure sliding relative to the frame, which could prove dangerous for a seat occupant in the event of their head hitting the headrest cushion.
[0006] The invention aims to overcome this drawback.
[0007] To this end, the invention proposes a headrest for a motor vehicle seat, said headrest comprising: • a molded plastic structure fitted with a headrest cushion, • a mounting frame for said headrest at the top of the seat back, said frame being based on a metal tube bent to present, in longitudinal view, a general inverted U shape, such that said frame has two parallel cylindrical rods connected at their upper ends by a transverse crossbar, said structure being fixed to said frame,
[0008] said structure having two conduits, each receiving an upper part of a rod, each of the upper parts being provided with a notch flush with the bottom of the corresponding conduit, said headrest further comprising two elastic metal wire locking pins for said rods in sliding motion, each of said pins: • having a substantially straight central portion and two branches arising from the extremities of said central portion, said branches being connected to said central portion by a fold, • being mounted around one of said stems so that said middle part fits into the notch of said stem and said branches surround said stem and butt against the bottom of the corresponding conduit.
[0009] In this description, the terms of positioning in space (top, bottom, longitudinal, transverse, upper, below, ...) are taken with reference to the vehicle in which the headrest is located in a situation of use, said vehicle extending longitudinally along its length (X axis), transversely along its width (Y axis) and vertically along its height (Z axis).
[0010] With the proposed arrangement, due to the configuration of the pins allowing their insertion into the notches, a very robust sliding lock of the rods on the structure is ensured, which optimizes the safety of a seat occupant.
[0011] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, made with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:
[0012] [Fig-1] is a schematic partial perspective representation of a headrest according to one embodiment,
[0013] [Fig.2] is an exploded view similar to that of [Fig.1], from a different viewing angle,
[0014] [Fig.3] is a partial schematic cross-sectional view of the headrest shown in Figures 1 and 2,
[0015] [Fig.4a]],
[0016] [Fig.4b] and
[0017] [Fig.4c] are views analogous to that of [Fig.3] representing different stages of mounting a pin, namely the placement of said pin opposite a conduit ([Fig.4a]), the driving of said pin to surround the corresponding rod ([Fig.4b]), then the positioning of the free extreme parts of said pin opposite additional inclined surfaces ([Fig.4c]) prior to the final mounting of said pin,
[0018] [Fig.5] is a schematic perspective detail view of the headrest shown in the preceding figures.
[0019] With reference to the figures, a headrest 1 of a motor vehicle seat is described, said headrest comprising: • a structure 2 made of molded plastic material, fitted with a headrest cushion, • a mounting frame 3 for said headrest at the top of the seat back, said frame being based on a metal tube bent to present in longitudinal view a general inverted U shape, such that said frame has two parallel cylindrical rods 4 connected at their upper ends by a transverse crossbar 5, said structure being fixed to said frame,
[0020] said structure having two conduits 6 each receiving an upper part of a rod 4, each of the upper parts being provided with a notch 7 flush with the bottom of the corresponding conduit 6, said headrest further comprising two pins 8 made of elastic metal wire for locking said rods in sliding motion, each of said pins: • having a substantially straight central part 9 and two branches 10 arising from the extremities of said central part, said branches being connected to said central part by a fold 11, • being mounted around one of said rods so that said middle part fits into notch 7 of said rod and said branches surround said rod and butt against the bottom of corresponding conduit 6.
[0021] According to the embodiment shown: • the middle section 9 extends longitudinally, • the branches 10 have a generally straight section 16 extending transversely, said branches having free extreme sections 13 in the form of folds - here in the form of loops - spreading apart from each other, • said branches bear by said extreme parts against main inclined faces 12 provided on the structure 2, said faces forming cam surfaces shaped so as to force the placement of said middle part in the bottom of the notch 7 by elastic return of said branches apart from each other.
[0022] Such an arrangement makes it possible to secure the anchoring of the pin 8 on the structure 2 and the insertion of the middle part 9 into the bottom of the notch 7, which makes it possible to optimize the safety of a seat occupant.
[0023] According to the embodiment shown, as illustrated in particular in [Fig.4a], a pin 8 has, in the free state before assembly, straight parts 16 that are not parallel and move apart from each other as one approaches the extreme free parts 13.
[0024] Such an arrangement makes it easier to position the branches 10 around the corresponding stem 4 ([Fig.4b]) and also to accentuate the effort communicated for the positioning of the middle part 9 in the bottom of the notch 7 once the pin 8 is mounted ([Fig.3]).
[0025] In addition, such an arrangement makes it possible not to exceed the elastic limit of the pin 8 following the deformations to which it is subjected, in extension or in compression, during its assembly.
[0026] According to the embodiment shown: • the branches 10 are provided, between their generally straight part 16 and their extreme part 13, with a double fold 17a, 17b so as to define a zigzag zone allowing a localized approach of said branches to each other at the level of two facing folds 17b, • the structure 2 is provided with two additional inclined faces 18 forming cam surfaces, said additional faces each opening onto a respective main inclined face 12, said additional faces being intended to receive each one of the extreme parts 13 in support during the mounting of the corresponding pin 8, so as to allow a temporary approach of said extreme parts to each other before their placement against the main inclined faces 12.
[0027] It should be noted here that the loop-shaped conformation of the free extreme parts 13 makes it easier to slide them along the additional sides 18 when mounting a pin 8.
[0028] According to the embodiment shown, the conduits 6 are arranged near additional conduits 21 offset downwards by means of a slot 19 arranged opposite the corresponding notch 7, said slot being intended to allow the passage of the middle part 9 during the mounting of the pin 8.
[0029] The presence of the additional conduits 21 makes it possible to block upward sliding of the structure 2 relative to the frame 3, which minimizes the risk of sound vibrations.
[0030] According to the embodiment shown, the fold 11 is shaped into a loop that fits into the slot 19 (see [Fig.5]), so as to reinforce the upward sliding lock of the structure 2 relative to the frame 3.
[0031] According to the embodiment shown, the cross member 5 is fitted into the structure 2, in particular into a gutter 15 provided on said structure.
[0032] According to an embodiment not shown, at least one of the conduits 6 has an oblong section whose larger dimension extends transversely, the smaller dimension of said section corresponding to the diameter of the corresponding rod 4, such an arrangement allowing to absorb transverse dimensional dispersions while ensuring firm retention of the rods 4 in a longitudinal direction.
Claims
1.
2. Demands Headrest (1) of a motor vehicle seat, said headrest comprising: • a structure (2) made of molded plastic material fitted with a headrest cushion, • a mounting frame (3) for said headrest at the top of the seat back, said frame being based on a metal tube bent to present in longitudinal view a general inverted U shape, such that said frame has two parallel cylindrical rods (4) connected at their upper ends by a transverse crossbar (5), said structure being fixed to said frame, said structure having two conduits (6) each receiving an upper part of a rod (4), each of the upper parts being provided with a notch (7) flush with the bottom of the corresponding conduit (6), said headrest being characterized in that it further comprises two pins (8) made of elastic metal wire for locking said rods in sliding motion, each of said pins: • having a substantially straight central part (9) and two branches (10) arising from the ends of said central part, said branches being connected to said central part by a fold (11), • being mounted around one of said rods so that said middle part fits into the notch (7) of said rod and said branches surround said rod and butt against the bottom of the corresponding conduit (6). Headrest (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that: • the middle part (9) extends longitudinally, • the branches (10) have a generally straight section (16) extending transversely, said branches having free extreme sections (13) in the form of folds spreading apart from each other, • said branches bear by said extreme parts against main inclined faces (12) provided on the structure (2), said faces forming cam surfaces shaped so as to force the setting in place of said middle part at the bottom of notch (7) by elastic return of said branches apart from each other.
3. Headrest (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that: • the arms (10) are provided, between their generally straight part (16) and their end part (13), with a double fold (17a, 17b) so as to define a zigzag zone allowing a localized approach of said arms to each other at the level of two folds (17b) facing each other, • the structure (2) is provided with two additional inclined planes (18) forming cam surfaces, said additional planes each opening onto a respective main inclined plane (12), said additional planes being intended to each receive one of the end parts (13) in support during the mounting of the corresponding pin (8), so as to allow a temporary approach of said end parts to each other before their placement against the main inclined planes (12).
4. Headrest (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the conduits (6) are arranged in proximity to additional conduits (21) offset downwards by means of a slot (19) arranged opposite the corresponding notch (7), said slot being intended to allow passage of the middle part (9) during the mounting of the pin (8).
5. Headrest (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the fold (11) is shaped into a loop (20) fitting into the slot (19), so as to reinforce the upward sliding lock of the structure (2) relative to the frame (3).
6. Headrest (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the crossbar (5) is fitted into the structure (2).
7. Headrest (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the conduits (6) has an oblong section whose larger dimension extends transversely, the smaller dimension of said section corresponding to the diameter of the corresponding rod (4).