Headrest frame

Abstract

To provide a headrest frame which enables a body frame to be appropriately provided with a protrusion part protruding outward in a width direction from a pair of leg parts in a width direction.SOLUTION: A headrest frame 2F forming a framework of a headrest 2 has a body frame 10 including a width-directional pair of leg parts 11 supporting a headrest 2, and a panel frame 20 coupled to the body frame 10 to extend between the pair of leg parts 11. The panel frame 20 has a body panel 21 extending between the pair of leg parts 11 in a width direction, and a width directional pair of protrusion panels 22 provided integrally with the body panel 21 and protruding outward in the width direction from the pair of leg parts 11.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a headrest frame, and more particularly to a headrest frame that forms the framework of a headrest. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which a headrest frame includes a main body frame made of a pipe material bent into an inverted U shape when viewed from the front. The main body frame has an inverted U shape when viewed from the front, and includes a pair of legs in the width direction that support the headrest and a connecting part that connects the upper ends of the legs. The headrest frame further includes an extension frame that has a frame shape that is wider than the main body frame.

[0003] The extension frame is fixed to the main frame by welding. The extension frame has protruding portions that protrude outward in the width direction from the main frame. These protruding portions provide the headrest frame with a shoulder support function that can support both shoulders of a seated occupant in addition to the head. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2017-81525 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the configuration described in Patent Document 1, both the main frame and the extension frame are made of pipe material. Therefore, it is difficult to weld them together in a state that ensures appropriate strength. Therefore, the present invention provides a headrest frame that can appropriately provide a protrusion on the main frame. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] To solve the above problems, the headrest frame of the present invention employs the following means.

[0007] That is, the first invention of the present invention is a headrest frame that forms the skeleton of a headrest, and comprises a main body frame having a pair of widthwise legs that support the headrest, and a panel frame that is connected to the main body frame so as to extend between the pair of legs, and the panel frame has a main body panel that extends widthwise between the pair of legs, and a pair of widthwise protruding panels that are formed integrally with the main body panel and protrude outward in the width direction beyond the pair of legs.

[0008] According to the first invention, by joining a panel frame to a main body frame and providing a pair of widthwise protruding panels on this panel frame that protrude widthwise outward beyond a pair of legs, it is possible to appropriately provide a protruding portion on the main body frame.

[0009] A second aspect of the present invention is a headrest frame according to the first aspect, wherein the panel frame is made of a single panel material in which a pair of the protruding panels extend continuously from the main panel.

[0010] According to the second invention, by forming a pair of protruding panels in one piece on a panel frame, which is easier to bend than a pipe material, a protruding portion can be provided on the main frame simply and appropriately using a small number of parts.

[0011] A third aspect of the present invention is a headrest frame according to the first or second aspect, wherein the panel frame serves as a mounting portion for mounting a member of the headrest other than the main body frame.

[0012] According to the third aspect of the present invention, the panel frame having the protruding portion provided on the main body frame can be made to function rationally and appropriately as a mounting portion for a member other than the main body frame.

[0013] A fourth invention of the present invention is a headrest frame according to the first or second invention, wherein the panel frame has a bending portion that bends so as to make the pair of protruding panels protrude forward relative to the main panel.

[0014] According to the fourth invention, by providing a bending portion in the panel frame, which is easier to bend than a pipe material, the protrusion portion can be made to protrude forward from the main panel in a rational and appropriate manner without attaching a separate member to the panel frame. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration of a headrest frame according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of FIG. 3 as seen from the rear side. [Diagram 5] FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration of a headrest frame according to a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0017] First Embodiment (Schematic configuration of headrest frame 2F) First, the configuration of a headrest frame 2F according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 8. In the following description, when directions such as front, back, up, down, left and right are indicated, they refer to the respective directions shown in each drawing. The directions shown in each drawing are the directions seen by a seated occupant leaning against a seat back 1 equipped with the headrest frame 2F.

[0018] The left-right direction shown in each drawing corresponds to the seat width direction of the seat back 1. In the following description, when no specific reference drawing is shown or when no reference drawing has a corresponding reference symbol, any of Figures 1 to 8 will be referred to as appropriate.

[0019] 1 and 2, a headrest frame 2F according to this embodiment is configured as a framework of a headrest 2 of an automobile seat. The headrest 2 is integrated with an upper part of a seat back 1 and configured as a headrest portion of a so-called high back seat.

[0020] The seat back 1 has a metal seat back frame 1F that forms the skeleton of the seat back, a seat back pad 1P made of urethane foam that is placed over the seat back frame 1F from the front, and a seat back cover 1C made of synthetic leather that covers the seat back pad 1P.

[0021] 3 and 4, the seatback frame 1F is configured to be assembled into a frame shape in a front view that forms a skeleton along the periphery of the seatback 1. The seatback frame 1F is configured such that square cylindrical headrest support brackets 1B that serve as support members for the headrest 2 are welded to two positions on the left and right of an upper frame 1Fa that forms the upper part of the frame.

[0022] A headrest support 1S made of a resin rectangular tubular member is integrally attached to each headrest support bracket 1B within the headrest support bracket 1B. A pair of left and right legs 11 of a headrest frame 2F that forms the framework of the headrest 2 are inserted from above in the figure and integrally attached to the headrest supports 1S.

[0023] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the headrest 2 has a metal headrest frame 2F that forms the skeleton of the headrest, a urethane foam headrest pad 2P that covers the headrest frame 2F from the front, and a synthetic leather headrest cover 2C that covers the headrest pad 2P.

[0024] The headrest pad 2P is configured as a pad material that extends continuously from the seat back pad 1P. Specifically, the headrest pad 2P is configured to be seamlessly and integrally connected to the seat back pad 1P over the entire area in the seat width direction.

[0025] The headrest cover 2C is also configured as a covering material that extends continuously from the seat back cover 1C. Specifically, the headrest cover 2C is configured to be seamlessly and integrally connected to the seat back cover 1C over the entire area in the seat width direction.

[0026] With such a configuration, the headrest 2 is adapted to receive the load of the seated occupant's head leaning against it by the headrest frame 2F via the headrest pad 2P. The headrest 2 is also adapted to receive the load of the seated occupant's upper back, such as both shoulders, leaning against the seat back 1 by the headrest frame 2F via the headrest pad 2P that is integrally connected to the seat back pad 1P.

[0027] (Details of headrest frame 2F) 3 and 4, the headrest frame 2F has a main body frame 10 made of a pipe material bent to fit the periphery of the headrest 2, and a planar panel frame 20 joined to cover the front side of the main body frame 10. The main body frame 10 has a pair of widthwise and heightwise extending legs 11, and a pair of widthwise protrusions 12 bent from the upper ends of the legs 11 to protrude outward in the width direction and connected to form a horizontally elongated frame shape.

[0028] The panel frame 20 is made of a single panel material that is bent into a bilaterally symmetrical shape. The panel frame 20 is joined so as to span between the protruding parts 12 of the main frame 10. As a result, the panel frame 20 is provided so as to cover the horizontally long inside of the frame between the protruding parts 12 of the main frame 10 in a planar manner.

[0029] A resin panel 30 having a horizontally long plate shape that conforms to the frame shape of the main body frame 10 is attached to the front of the panel frame 20. The resin panel 30 is set so as to cover the panel frame 20 from the front side, and is fixed integrally thereto by clips (not shown).

[0030] The resin panel 30 functions as a pad receiver that flatly supports the headrest pad 2P (see Figs. 1 and 2) from the rear side. The resin panel 30 also functions as a cover fastening part that fastens a hanging part (not shown) sewn between some of the cover pieces of the headrest cover 2C by hanging it.

[0031] In this way, the panel frame 20 functions as an attachment section to which the resin panel 30, which functions as the pad receiver and cover fastening section described above, can be connected with a clip (not shown). The panel frame 20 has a main panel 21 extending in the width direction between the pair of legs 11, and a pair of widthwise protruding panels 22 extending from the main panel 21 so as to protrude outward on both sides in the width direction.

[0032] The panel frame 20 is integrally joined to the main body frame 10 by welding various parts of its peripheral portion to each of the overhanging portions 12 of the main body frame 10. The panel frame 20 is also configured to integrally connect a pair of left and right divided frames 10A constituting the main body frame 10 by welding to each of the overhanging portions 12 of the main body frame 10. The detailed configurations of the main body frame 10 and the panel frame 20 will be described below.

[0033] 3 and 4, each overhanging portion 12 of the main body frame 10 has a lower side 12A that overhangs from the upper end of the corresponding leg portion 11 so as to bend at a right angle outward in the width direction, and a side side 12B that extends upward so as to bend at a right angle from the overhanging end of the lower side 12A. In addition, each overhanging portion 12 of the main body frame 10 has an upper side 12C that extends from the upper end of the corresponding side side 12B so as to bend at a right angle inward in the width direction.

[0034] The main body frame 10 has a shape in which the upper sides 12C of the overhanging portions 12 are connected to each other. As shown in Fig. 5, the main body frame 10 is composed of a pair of divided frames 10A that are divided into two in the width direction so as to separate the upper sides 12C of the overhanging portions 12.

[0035] The separate frames 10A are configured to have substantially symmetrical shapes relative to one another. The separate frames 10A are joined together by overlapping and welding the inner ends C1 of the respective upper sides 12C.

[0036] 6 to 8, in detail, the inner ends C1 of the divided frames 10A are not butted against each other in the width direction, but are overlapped front-to-back and welded to provide an overlap in the width direction. The abutment surfaces C2 of the inner ends C1 of these divided frames 10A that are overlapped front-to-back are flatly crushed so that they abut against each other in the front-to-back direction.

[0037] Each split frame 10A is abutted against each other with the abutment surfaces C2 formed on each inner end C1, and the abutting upper edges and lower edges are arc-welded to extend in the width direction along each edge (first welded part W1).

[0038] As shown in Fig. 6, the projection 12 of each divided frame 10A has a bent portion 12D formed at an obtuse angle at each intermediate portion of the upper side 12C and the lower side 12A thereof so that the corresponding side 12B is positioned forward of the leg portion 11. As shown in Fig. 8, due to these bent portions 12D, the projection 12 of each divided frame 10A is formed such that the portion outside the bent portion 12D extends straight diagonally forward from the bent portion 12D. The projections 12 project diagonally forward to provide appropriate support for the shoulders of a seated occupant (shoulder support) and support for the side of the head (side support).

[0039] 6 and 7, the panel frame 20 is made of a single panel material in which the above-mentioned main body panel 21 and a pair of widthwise protruding panels 22 extend continuously. The panel frame 20 is joined so as to bridge between each upper side 12C and each lower side 12A of the main body frame 10. The panel frame 20 is also joined so as to bridge between the right side 12B and the left side 12B of the main body frame 10 in the drawing.

[0040] Specifically, the panel frame 20 has a pair of lower edge abutment portions 22A in the width direction that extend downward from the lower edge of each protruding panel 22 so as to abut against each lower edge 12A of the main frame 10 from the front side. The panel frame 20 also has a pair of upper edge abutment portions 22B in the width direction that extend upward from the upper edge of each protruding panel 22 so as to abut against each upper edge 12C of the main frame 10 from the front side.

[0041] 8, each of the upper-side contact portions 22B has an upper edge that is curved backward so as to face-contact, from the front end to the top end, with the curved outer circumferential surface of each of the upper sides 12C of the main body frame 10. Therefore, by bringing each of the upper-side contact portions 22B into face-contact with each of the upper sides 12C of the main body frame 10, the panel frame 20 can be set in a state in which it is positioned in the height direction relative to the main body frame 10.

[0042] 6 to 7, the panel frame 20 has a pair of widthwise side abutment portions 22C that protrude outward from the outer edges of the respective protruding panels 22 so as to abut against the respective side edges 12B of the main frame 10 from the inside. Each side abutment portion 22C is configured to have a bent portion 23 formed at a midpoint of its outward protrusion so that the protrusion beyond that point faces forward. As a result, each side abutment portion 22C is configured to be set so that the front edge of the end bent forward abuts against the corresponding side edge 12B of the main frame 10 from the inside in the width direction.

[0043] Therefore, by abutting each side contact portion 22C against each side 12B of the main body frame 10, the panel frame 20 can be set in a state where it is positioned in both width directions relative to the main body frame 10. The bent portion 23 of each side contact portion 22C is located widthwise outside the formation location of the corresponding bent portion 12D of the main body frame 10 and widthwise inside the corresponding side 12B.

[0044] The panel frame 20 is welded to the main body frame 10 at the following locations. That is, by assembling the panel frame 20 to the main body frame 10, the panel frame 20 is set in a state in which a central upper edge portion extending in a recessed shape in the width direction between each of the upper edge abutment portions 22B is abutted from the front along each of the upper edges 12C of the main body frame 10. The panel frame 20 is arc-welded such that the portions of the inner ends C1 of each of the upper edges 12C of the main body frame 10 that abut from the front against the inner end C1 located on the front side extend in the width direction along the edges of the abutting locations (second welded portion W2).

[0045] Furthermore, the panel frame 20 is welded such that the contact points between each bottom-side contact portion 22A and each bottom side 12A of the main body frame 10 extend in the width direction along the edges of these contact points (bottom-side welded portion W3). Specifically, each bottom-side contact portion 22A is arc-welded such that the contact points between the upper edges of elongated holes extending in the width direction and each bottom side 12A of the main body frame 10, which are formed at locations facing the bottom sides 12A of the main body frame 10 from the front, extend in the width direction along these contact points.

[0046] 6 and 8, the panel frame 20 is arc-welded such that the contact points between each top-side contact portion 22B and each top side 12C of the main body frame 10 extend in the width direction along the edges of these contact points (top-side welded portion W4). Also, as shown in Figs. 6 to 7, the panel frame 20 is arc-welded such that the contact points between each side-side contact portion 22C and each side side 12B of the main body frame 10 extend in the height direction along the edges of these contact points (side-side welded portion W5).

[0047] These welds ensure that the panel frame 20 is properly and firmly welded to the main body frame 10, which is made up of a pair of divided frames 10A divided in two in the width direction. Because the main body frame 10 is made up of a pair of divided frames 10A divided in two in the width direction, each can be easily shaped with a small number of bending operations.

[0048] That is, even if the main body frame 10 has a pair of widthwise extensions 12 that extend from a pair of widthwise legs 11 into a horizontally long frame shape, the above-mentioned two-part configuration allows each part to be easily shaped with a small number of bending operations. Therefore, the main body frame 10 having the above shape can be easily and appropriately shaped without enlarging the size of the molding die for bending the main body frame 10.

[0049] As shown in Fig. 7, the main body frame 10 has a non-downward shape in which the lower side 12A and the upper side 12C of each overhanging portion 12 extend in the width direction without inclining downward over the entire width of the main body frame 10. With this configuration, the main body frame 10 is less likely to interfere with the seat back frame 1F (see Figs. 3 and 4) compared to a case in which the lower side 12A of each overhanging portion 12 has a shape with a downward incline. Therefore, the headrest frame 2F can be disposed at an appropriate height position to allow each overhanging portion 12 to function more appropriately as a shoulder support portion or a side support portion for the headrest 2.

[0050] 6 to 7, a pad receiving wire 24 is welded to the lower front surface of the panel frame 20. The pad receiving wire 24 extends obliquely downward and forward from the panel frame 20 so as to project in a U-shape when viewed from the front. The pad receiving wire 24 is formed by bending a single wire material into a U-shape when viewed from the front.

[0051] Both ends of the pad receiving wire 24 are welded to the front surface of the panel frame 20 at positions that are outboard of the legs 11 in the width direction and inboard of the bottom edge welded portions W3 of the panel frame 20. The pad receiving wire 24 is a member that functions as a pad receiving member that supports, from the rear side, the headrest pad 2P and the seat back pad 1P that is continuous with the headrest pad 2P described above in Figs. 1 and 2.

[0052] To sum up, the headrest frame 2F according to this embodiment is configured as follows: In the following, the reference characters in parentheses correspond to the respective components shown in the above embodiment.

[0053] That is, the headrest frame (2F) forming the framework of the headrest (2) has a main body frame (10) provided with a pair of legs (11) in the width direction that support the headrest (2), and a panel frame (20) that is joined to the main body frame (10) so as to extend between the pair of legs (11). The panel frame (20) has a main body panel (21) that extends in the width direction between the pair of legs (11), and a pair of widthwise protruding panels (22) that are integral with the main body panel (21) and protrude outward in the width direction beyond the pair of legs (11).

[0054] According to the above configuration, by connecting the panel frame (20) to the main body frame (10) and providing this panel frame (20) with a pair of widthwise protruding panels (22) that protrude outward in the width direction beyond the pair of legs (11), it is possible to appropriately provide a protruding portion on the main body frame (10).

[0055] In addition, the panel frame 20 is made of a single panel material with the pair of overhanging panels 22 extending continuously from the main panel 21. According to the above configuration, by forming the pair of overhanging panels 22 continuously on the panel frame 20, which is easier to bend than a pipe material, it is possible to simply and appropriately provide the overhanging portion on the main frame 10 with a small number of parts.

[0056] In addition, the panel frame (20) serves as an attachment portion for attaching a member (30) other than the main body frame (10) of the headrest (2). According to the above-described configuration, the panel frame (20) having a protruding portion on the main body frame (10) can function rationally and appropriately as an attachment portion for a member (30) other than the main body frame (10).

[0057] In addition, the panel frame (20) has bending portions (23) that bend the pair of overhanging panels (22) so as to overhang forward relative to the main panel (21). According to the above configuration, by providing the bending portions (23) in the panel frame (20), which is easier to bend than a pipe material, the overhanging portions can be provided to overhang forward relative to the main panel (21) in a rational and appropriate manner without attaching a separate member to the panel frame (20).

[0058] Second Embodiment Next, the configuration of a headrest frame 2G according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 9. The headrest frame 2G according to this embodiment has a main body frame 40 made of a single pipe material bent into an inverted U-shape when viewed from the front, and a planar panel frame 50 joined to cover the main body frame 40 from the front side.

[0059] The main body frame 40 has a pair of legs 41 extending in the height direction in the width direction, and a connecting portion 42 extending in the width direction so as to connect the upper ends of the legs 41. The panel frame 50 is composed of three panel materials: a main body panel 51 made of a single panel material having a rectangular shape when viewed from the front, and a pair of protruding panels 52 in the width direction connected to the front parts of both the left and right sides of the main body panel 51.

[0060] The center of the height direction of the back of the main body panel 51 is welded to the connecting portion 42 of the main body frame 40 from the front. The main body panel 51 has a width that fits between a pair of legs 41 of the main body frame 40 in the width direction.

[0061] Each protruding panel 52 is formed in a symmetrical L-shaped plate shape having a first surface portion 52A that is brought into face-contact with a corresponding portion of the main panel 51 from the front, and a second surface portion 52B that protrudes forward so as to bend from the outer edge of the first surface portion 52A in the width direction.

[0062] The first surface portions 52A of each of the protruding panels 52 are abutted against the corresponding portions of the main body panel 51 from the front and fastened with bolts such that a part of each outer surface protrudes outward in the width direction from the main body panel 51. As a result, each of the protruding panels 52 is configured such that, at a position protruding outward in the width direction from the main body panel 51, each of the second surface portions 52B protrudes forward in a bent shape.

[0063] More specifically, each of the protruding panels 52 is connected to the main body panel 51 so as to protrude outward in the width direction beyond each of the legs 41 of the main body frame 40. As a result, the second surface portion 52B of each of the protruding panels 52 is provided so as to protrude forward in a bent shape at a position outside each of the legs 41 of the main body frame 40 in the width direction.

[0064] Each protruding panel 52 may be joined to the main body panel 51 by welding. The panel frame 50 may be configured to have the plastic panel 30 (see FIG. 3) shown in the first embodiment attached to its front portion. In that case, the plastic panel 30 corresponds to the "member of the headrest other than the main body frame" of the present invention. The configuration other than the above is the same as the configuration shown in the first embodiment, so detailed description will be omitted.

[0065] To sum up, the headrest frame 2G according to this embodiment is configured as follows: In the following, the reference characters in parentheses correspond to the respective components shown in the above embodiment.

[0066] That is, the headrest frame (2G) forming the framework of the headrest (2) has a main body frame (40) including a pair of legs (41) in the width direction that support the headrest (2), and a panel frame (50) that is joined to the main body frame (40) so as to extend between the pair of legs (41). The panel frame (50) has a main body panel (51) that extends in the width direction between the pair of legs (41), and a pair of widthwise protruding panels (52) that are integral with the main body panel (51) and protrude outward in the width direction beyond the pair of legs (41).

[0067] According to the above configuration, by connecting the panel frame (50) to the main body frame (40) and providing this panel frame (50) with a pair of widthwise protruding panels (52) that protrude outward in the width direction beyond the pair of legs (41), it is possible to appropriately provide a protruding portion on the main body frame (40).

[0068] In addition, the panel frame (50) serves as an attachment portion for attaching a member (30) other than the main body frame (40) of the headrest (2). According to the above-described configuration, the panel frame (50) having the protruding portion on the main body frame (40) can function rationally and appropriately as an attachment portion for the member (30) other than the main body frame (40).

[0069] Other embodiments Although the present invention has been described above using two embodiments, the present invention can be embodied in various forms other than the above-mentioned embodiments.

[0070] 1. The headrest frame of the present invention may be applied to seats installed in vehicles other than automobiles, such as trains, as well as seats installed in vehicles other than vehicles, such as airplanes and ships. The headrest frame may also be applied to seats installed in various facilities, such as sports facilities, theaters, concert halls, and event halls, as well as non-vehicle seats, such as massage seats.

[0071] Further, the headrest frame can be applied not only to so-called high back seats, but also to headrests of a type in which the headrest is detachably attached to the upper part of the seat back.

[0072] 2. The "members of the headrest other than the main frame" attached to the panel frame may be accessories other than the resin panel provided inside the headrest, such as speakers, wire harnesses, etc. Also, it may be screws or clips for fixing such accessories. [Explanation of symbols]

[0073] 1 Seat back 1F Seat back frame 1Fa Upper Frame 1B Headrest support bracket 1S Headrest Support 1P Seat Back Pad 1C Seat back cover 2 Headrest 2F Headrest frame 2G Headrest Frame 2P Headrest Pad 2C Headrest Cover 10 Main frame 10A Split Frame 11 Legs 12 Overhang 12A Bottom 12B Side 12C Top C1 Inner end C2 Contact surface 12D bent part 20 Panel Frame 21 Main Panel 22 Extension Panel 22A Bottom contact part 22B Upper edge contact part 22C Side contact part 23 Bend part 24 Pad support wire 30 Plastic panels (headrest components other than the main frame) 40 Main frame 41 Legs 42 Joint 50 Panel Frame 51 Main Panel 52 Extension Panel 52A First side 52B 2nd side part W1 First weld W2 Second weld W3 Bottom weld W4 Top edge weld W5 Side Weld

Claims

1. A headrest frame that forms a skeleton of a headrest, A main body frame including a pair of legs in a width direction that support the headrest; a panel frame connected to the main body frame so as to extend between the pair of legs, The panel frame is a headrest frame having a main body panel extending widthwise between the pair of leg portions, and a pair of widthwise protruding panels formed integrally with the main body panel and protruding widthwise outward beyond the pair of leg portions.

2. 2. The headrest frame according to claim 1, The panel frame is a headrest frame formed of a single panel material with a pair of the protruding panels extending continuously from the main panel.

3. 3. The headrest frame according to claim 1 or 2, The panel frame serves as a mounting portion for mounting a member of the headrest other than the main body frame.

4. 3. The headrest frame according to claim 1 or 2, The panel frame has a bending portion that bends so as to cause the pair of extension panels to extend forward relative to the main body panel.

Images