Motor vehicle seat headrest

Abstract

The invention relates to a motor vehicle seat headrest (1), comprising two loudspeakers (5), each with a circular diaphragm (6), mounted on a support (7) and housed in two compartments (8). The support comprises two box-shaped parts (9) in which each loudspeaker is mounted. Each loudspeaker is covered by a front panel (19) having a multi-perforated area (10) extending opposite its diaphragm (6). A single cylindrical duct (11) is formed in a housing (3) opposite the multi-perforated area. The duct has a diameter of less than 35 mm and is free of filler material. A cap (4) covers the duct and has, opposite the duct, a circular air-permeable area (12) with a diameter similar to that of the duct. Figure 2

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 metal frame for connecting said headrest to a backrest of said seat, • a headrest cushion for an occupant of said seat, said cushion being attached to said frame, said cushion comprising a padding block and a cover fitted under tension on said block, • a sound transmission device comprising two loudspeakers each equipped with a circular diaphragm, said loudspeakers being mounted on a support attached to said frame and being housed in two housings provided laterally on either side in said block, so as to allow a stereo effect.

[0003] According to a known embodiment, in order to allow transmission to a seat occupant of the sound from the loudspeakers, it is provided to make in the padding block conduits extending from said loudspeakers to the headrest which is provided to be permeable to air opposite said conduits, so as to allow passage of sound through said headrest.

[0004] Such an embodiment requires filling the ducts with an elastically compressible filling material - for example based on soft foam - in order to ensure occupant comfort and a good visual appearance of the cushion in relation to said ducts, said material also having air permeability in order to allow sound transmission.

[0005] Alternatively, it may be provided to make a multi-perforation in the block opposite the loudspeakers to ensure the comfort and sound transmission mentioned above.

[0006] These designs result in a more complex design of the headrest and also a degradation of sound transmission, as the filling material or the multi-perforation made in the block does not allow for maximized sound transmission.

[0007] The invention aims to overcome these drawbacks.

[0008] To this end, the invention proposes a headrest for a motor vehicle seat, said headrest comprising: • a metal frame for connecting said headrest to a backrest of said seat, • a headrest cushion for an occupant of said seat, said cushion being attached to said frame, said cushion comprising a padding block and a cover fitted under tension on said block, • a sound transmission device comprising two loudspeakers, each equipped with a circular diaphragm, said loudspeakers being mounted on a support integral with said frame and housed in two compartments provided laterally on either side of said block,

[0009] said headrest further having the following characteristics: • said support comprises two box-shaped parts in which each of said loudspeakers is mounted, • Each of these loudspeakers is covered by a front panel featuring a multi-perforated area extending opposite their diaphragm, • said block extends in front of said housing, a single cylindrical conduit being provided in said block opposite said multi-perforated area so as to allow the transmission of sound through said block, said conduit having a diameter of less than 35 mm and being free of filler material, • said cap covers said conduit and presents opposite said conduit a circular air-permeable zone of diameter similar to that of said conduit, so as to allow sound to pass through said cap.

[0010] In this description, the terms of positioning in space (front, rear, horizontal, transverse, lateral, ...) are taken with reference to the vehicle in which the headrest is located.

[0011] With such an arrangement, employing conduits with a small diameter, an occupant of the seat resting his head on the cushion opposite said conduits does not perceive their presence by touch, and this is all the more so as the headgear is fitted under tension on the block.

[0012] In addition, the presence of the small diameter conduits is visually imperceptible, which is aesthetically advantageous.

[0013] Finally, the presence of a single conduit without filling material opposite the corresponding loudspeaker allows for maximum sound transmission, unlike what occurs in the presence of filling material or multi-perforations provided in the block opposite said loudspeaker, such arrangements partially obstructing said sound transmission.

[0014] As will be seen later, the arrangement proposed within the framework of the invention is particularly suitable in the case of small loudspeakers - therefore easy to install in the volume of a headrest cushion padding block - having a membrane of small diameter - in particular less than 35 mm.

[0015] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, made with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:

[0016] [Fig. 1] is a schematic exploded perspective view of a headrest according to a first embodiment,

[0017] [Fig.2] is a schematic detail horizontal cross-sectional view of the headrest represented in [Fig.1],

[0018] [Fig.3] is a schematic exploded perspective view of a headrest according to a second achievement,

[0019] [Fig.4] is a schematic horizontal cross-sectional view of the headrest shown in [Fig.3].

[0020] With reference to the figures, a headrest 1 of a motor vehicle seat is described, said headrest comprising: • a metal frame 2 for connecting said headrest to a backrest of said seat, • a headrest cushion for an occupant of said seat, said cushion being fixed to said frame, said cushion comprising a block 3 - in particular made of soft foam - of padding and a cover 4 fitted under tension on said block, • a sound transmission device comprising two loudspeakers 5 each provided with a circular diaphragm 6, said loudspeakers being mounted on a support 7 - in particular made of molded plastic material which may be reinforced with fibers - integral with said frame and being housed in two housings 8 provided laterally on either side of said block,

[0021] said headrest further having the following characteristics: • said support comprises two box-shaped parts 9 in which each of said loudspeakers is mounted, • each of said loudspeakers is covered by a front panel 19 having a multi-perforated area 10 extending opposite their diaphragm 6, • said block extends in front of said housing, a single cylindrical conduit 11 being provided in said block opposite said multi-perforated area so as to allow the transmission of sound through said block, said conduit having a diameter of less than 35 mm and being free of filler material, • said headrest covers said duct and presents, opposite said duct, a circular air-permeable zone 12 of diameter similar to that of said duct, so as to allow sound to pass through said headrest.

[0022] According to the embodiments shown, laterally on either side of said headrest: • the diaphragm 6 of a loudspeaker 5 has a diameter of less than 35 mm, • the multi-perforated area 10 is circular and has a diameter similar to that of said membrane, so that the sound from said loudspeaker 5 can be transmitted in a maximized manner, • the conduit 11 has a diameter similar to that of said membrane.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the membranes 6 have a diameter greater than 15 mm, so as to allow a sound emission of sufficient volume.

[0024] According to one embodiment, a conduit 11 extends over a minimum length 17 of 5 mm, so as to prevent contact between the cover 4 and the multi-perforated area 10 in the event of the head of an occupant of the seat being pressed down.

[0025] According to the embodiments shown, the frame 2 comprises two parallel metal rods 15 extending vertically, the support comprising a transverse spacer 16 fixed to said rods - for example by interlocking and / or by screws according to the embodiments shown -, the housings 9 being arranged on either side of said spacer.

[0026] According to the achievements represented: • the cap 4 is made of air-permeable material - for example, fabric with a flexible foam underlayer bonded by spot bonding or peripheral stitching - so that the permeable zone 12 is of the same nature as the rest of said cap, • or said headgear is made of air-impermeable material - for example leather -, said permeable zone being obtained by multi-perforation of said headgear.

[0027] According to the first embodiment shown in figures 1 and 2, the front walls 19 are integrated into the housings 9.

[0028] In this first embodiment, a loudspeaker 5 is: • either previously mounted in a sealed housing 18, sealed at the front by the membrane 6, said housing itself being mounted in the casing 9, • either mounted directly in the housing 9.

[0029] According to the first embodiment, the housings 9 have a rear opening arranged opposite the multi-perforated area 10, in order to allow the mounting of the loudspeakers 5 inside said housings, said opening being closed by a cover 13 making a tight seal.

[0030] In particular, the support 7 and the cover 13 have radii greater than 5.5 mm, so as not to present any danger to the occupants of the vehicle.

[0031] According to the first embodiment, the cover 13 has a peripheral trench 14 receiving the periphery of the opening, so as to optimize the sealing of the closure.

[0032] According to the second embodiment shown in figures 3 and 4, the front walls 19 are separated from the housings 9, said walls being attached to the loudspeakers 5.

[0033] According to the second embodiment: • a speaker 5 is mounted from the front - here by screws - in the housing 9 which has a rear opening 21, • a collar 20 is mounted against the periphery of the front wall 19, a washer 23 made of compressible, watertight material being interposed between the two to achieve acoustic sealing, • it further includes a decompression chamber 22 mounted - here by screws - in communication with said housing by said rear opening, said chamber being housed in housing 8.

[0034] According to an embodiment applicable to all embodiments, when the block 3 is made of molded foam, it can be provided that said block overmolds the frame 2 and the support 7 provided with the loudspeakers 5 and the other components associated with said support - for example, depending on the embodiment, the cover 13 or the decompression chamber 22.

Claims

Demands

1. Motor vehicle seat headrest (1), said headrest comprising: • a metal frame (2) for connecting said headrest to a backrest of said seat, • a headrest cushion for an occupant of said seat, said cushion being fixed to said frame, said cushion comprising a block (3) of padding and a cover (4) fitted under tension onto said block, • a sound transmission device comprising two loudspeakers (5), each equipped with a circular diaphragm (6), said loudspeakers being mounted on a support (7) integral with said frame and housed in two compartments (8) provided laterally on either side of said block, said headrest being characterized in that: • said support comprises two box-shaped parts (9) in which each of said loudspeakers is mounted, • each of said loudspeakers is covered by a front panel (19) having a multi-perforated area (10) extending opposite their diaphragm (6), • said block extends in front of said housing, a single cylindrical conduit (11) being provided in said block opposite said multi-perforated area so as to permit the transmission of sound through said block, said conduit having a diameter of less than 35 mm and being free of filler material, • said cap covers said conduit and presents opposite said conduit a circular air-permeable zone (12) of diameter similar to that of said conduit, so as to allow passage of sound through said cap.

2. Headrest (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that laterally on either side of said headrest: • the diaphragm (6) of a loudspeaker (5) has a diameter of less than 35 mm, • the multi-perforated area (10) is circular and has a diameter similar to that of said membrane, so that the sound from said loudspeaker (5) can be transmitted in a maximized manner, • the conduit (11) has a diameter similar to that of said membrane.

3. Headrest (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the membranes (6) have a diameter greater than 15 mm, so as to allow sound emission of sufficient volume.

4. Headrest (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a conduit (11) extends over a minimum length (17) of 5 mm, so as to prevent contact between the cover (4) and the multi-perforated area (10) in the event of the head of a seat occupant resting on it.

5. Headrest (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the frame (2) comprises two parallel metal rods (15) extending vertically, the support comprising a transverse spacer (16) fixed to said rods, the housings (9) being arranged on either side of said spacer.

6. Headrest (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the front walls (19) are integrated into the housings (9).

7. Headrest according to claim 6, characterized in that a loudspeaker (5) is: • either previously mounted in a sealed box (18), closed at the front by the diaphragm (6), said box being itself mounted in the housing (9), • or directly mounted in the housing (9).

8. Headrest (1) according to any one of claims 6 or 7, characterized in that the housings (9) have a rear opening arranged opposite the multi-perforated area (10), in order to allow the mounting of the loudspeakers (5) inside said housings, said opening being closed by a cover (13) providing a watertight seal.

9. Headrest (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the front walls (19) are detached from the housings (9), said walls being integral with the loudspeakers (5).

10. Headrest (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that: • a loudspeaker (5) is mounted from the front in the housing (9) which has a rear opening (21), • a collar (20) is mounted to rest on the periphery of the front wall (19), a washer of compressible sealing material being interposed between the two so as to achieve acoustic sealing, • it further comprises a decompression chamber (22) mounted in communication with said housing by said rear opening said chamber being housed in the housing (8).

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