Headrests, and vehicle seats equipped with headrests

Abstract

To provide a headrest for a vehicle seat, the pad of which can be foam-molded without interfering with a harness extending inside a headrest pillar. [Solution] In a headrest (1) including left and right headrest pillars (10) having a cylindrical shape that defines pillar holes (16) inside, a plate (12) connected to the left and right headrest pillars, and a temperature adjustment unit (14) located below the plate, a protective cover (71) is located behind the plate that cooperates with the plate and temperature adjustment unit to define a hollow space. This provides a headrest in which the tip of the headrest pillar is located within the hollow space, and a harness (32) that supplies power to the temperature adjustment part and blower of the temperature adjustment unit passes through the harness hole, hollow space, and pillar hole to protrude from the lower end of the headrest pillar.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a headrest for a vehicle seat and a method for manufacturing the same. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a headrest for a vehicle seat includes a cylindrical headrest pillar and a A headrest including a harness extending inside a headrest pillar is known (for example, see Patent Document 1). A communication hole is formed in the headrest pillar, connecting the inside and outside of the headrest pillar. The harness is connected to electrical equipment arranged inside the headrest via the communication hole. A closing member is provided in the communication hole for closing the communication hole. A pad is integrated with the headrest pillar, the harness, and the electrical equipment, and a cover is placed over the pad.

[0003] The headrest described in Patent Document 1 is manufactured by placing the skin, the upper part of the headrest pillar including the communication hole, and the harness connected to the electrical equipment via the communication hole in a mold for forming the pad, and foaming the foaming agent. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-131786 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the headrest described in Patent Document 1, the foaming agent interferes with the harness when the pad is formed, which causes the harness to deform integrally with the pad when a load is applied to the pad by an occupant or the like, resulting in a problem in that the harness is prone to deterioration.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above background, the present invention provides a headrest for a vehicle seat in which the pad can be foam-molded without interfering with the harness extending inside the headrest pillar. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, one aspect of the present invention is a headrest (1) for a vehicle seat (2), comprising: left and right headrest pillars (10) extending upward from an upper portion of a seat back (4) and having a cylindrical shape defining pillar holes (16) therein; plates (12) connected to the left and right headrest pillars and facing forward and backward; a temperature adjustment unit (14) disposed below the plates; a protective cover (71) disposed behind the plates and defining a hollow space (70) in cooperation with the plates and the temperature adjustment unit; a pad (80) supported by the headrest pillars, the plates, and the temperature adjustment unit; and a skin (81) covering the pad. The temperature adjustment unit has an air intake (64) extending from an air outlet (65) and a harness hole (47) that connects the hollow portion with the air passage; a temperature adjustment unit (29) that is fixed within the casing and adjusts the temperature of air introduced into the casing from the air intake port; a blower (30) that is fixed within the casing and blows the temperature-adjusted air to the outside of the casing through the air outlet; and a harness (32) that supplies power to the temperature adjustment unit and the blower, wherein a tip of the headrest pillar is disposed within the hollow portion, and the harness passes from the temperature adjustment unit and the blower through the harness hole, the hollow portion, and the pillar hole to protrude from the lower end of the headrest pillar.

[0008] According to this aspect, since the tip of the headrest pillar is disposed within the hollow portion, the harness connected to the temperature adjusting unit and the blower can extend through the harness hole, the hollow portion, and the pillar hole, and protrude from the lower end of the headrest pillar. These spaces are separated from the pad by the plate, the protective cover, and the casing, so that the pad can be foam-molded in the headrest of a vehicle seat without interfering with the harness extending within the headrest pillar.

[0009] In the above aspect, the protective cover has a plate-shaped cover central portion (72) that slopes downward toward the rear, and left and right cover side portions (73) that extend forward and downward from the left and right side edges of the cover central portion, and the front edges of the cover central portion and the left and right side portions abut against the plate.

[0010] According to this aspect, the plate and the protective cover can be tightly connected.

[0011] In the above embodiment, a connecting piece (24) extending rearward may be provided on the lower part of the plate, and the casing may be connected to the connecting piece.

[0012] According to this aspect, it becomes easier to join the casing to the plate.

[0013] In the above aspect, it is preferable that left and right inclined pieces (23) inclined downward outwardly are provided on the side edges of the connecting piece, and the left and right headrest pillars are connected to the corresponding inclined pieces.

[0014] According to this aspect, the headrest pillar can be easily joined to the plate.

[0015] In the above aspect, the front end of the temperature adjustment unit may be disposed rearward of the front end of the plate.

[0016] According to this aspect, when an impact is applied to the headrest from the front, the impact can be prevented from being applied to the temperature adjustment unit.

[0017] In the above aspect, the intake port may be provided on one of the left and right side portions of the casing.

[0018] According to this aspect, by providing the headrest to an appropriate vehicle seat, it is possible to position the air intake port on the side window side of the vehicle, making it easier for air to be introduced through the air intake port.

[0019] In the above aspect, it is preferable that a plurality of louver plates (111) extending downward outwardly to the left and right are formed within the air intake port.

[0020] According to this aspect, even if rainwater or the like enters the vehicle interior through the side window, the rainwater or the like is less likely to enter the casing through the air intake port.

[0021] In the above aspect, the air outlet may be provided in a front portion of the casing, and the louver board may extend forward outward to the left and right.

[0022] According to this aspect, air whose temperature has been adjusted by the temperature adjustment section can be easily introduced into the casing through the air intake, thereby enabling the temperature adjustment unit to adjust the temperature efficiently.

[0023] In the above aspect, it is preferable that a rear end of the air intake port is disposed forward of the headrest pillar in a side view.

[0024] According to this aspect, the air whose temperature has been adjusted by the temperature adjustment unit is more easily introduced into the casing through the air intake, thereby enabling the temperature adjustment unit to efficiently adjust the temperature of the air around the air intake.

[0025] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, another aspect of the present invention is a method for manufacturing a headrest (1) for a vehicle seat (2), the method comprising: a first step of fixing plates (12) facing forward and backward to left and right headrest pillars (10) having a cylindrical shape extending upward and defining pillar holes (16) therein; a second step of fixing a casing upper part (34) having a harness hole (47) penetrating vertically below the plates; a third step of fixing a protective cover (71) behind the plates, which cooperates with the plates and the casing upper part to define a hollow part (70), thereby locating the tip of the headrest pillar within the hollow part; a fourth step of attaching pads (80) to the headrest pillars, the plates, and the casing upper part; The manufacturing method includes: a fifth step of connecting a harness (32) extending from the lower end of the pillar through the pillar hole, the hollow portion, and the harness hole to a temperature adjustment unit (29) that adjusts the temperature of air introduced from outside the headrest and a blower (30) that blows the temperature-adjusted air to the outside of the headrest; a sixth step of attaching the temperature adjustment unit and the blower to the upper casing; a seventh step of fixing a lower casing (56) below the upper casing so that the upper and lower casings define an air passage (67) extending from an air intake (64) to an air outlet (65) and the temperature adjustment unit and the blower are disposed in the air passage; and an eighth step of covering the structure manufactured in the seventh step with a skin (81).

[0026] According to this aspect, since the tip of the headrest pillar is disposed within the hollow portion, the harness connected to the temperature adjusting unit and the blower can extend through the harness hole, the hollow portion, and the pillar hole, and protrude from the lower end of the headrest pillar. These spaces are separated from the pad by the plate, the protective cover, and the casing, so it is possible to manufacture a headrest in which the pad can be foam-molded without interfering with the harness extending within the headrest pillar.

[0027] In the above aspect, the headrest pillar and the plate may be formed from metal, and the left and right headrest pillars and the plates may be welded together in the first step.

[0028] According to this aspect, the headrest pillar and the plate can be fixed using simple means.

[0029] In the above aspect, the upper part of the casing has an engaging portion (45), the plate has an engaged portion (25) that engages with the engaging portion, and in the second step, the engaging portion and the engaged portion are engaged with each other.

[0030] According to this aspect, the plate and the upper part of the casing can be fixed by simple means.

[0031] In the above aspect, in the fifth step, the headrest pillar, the plate, and the casing upper portion may be placed in a mold, and a molding material may be supplied into the mold to perform foam molding.

[0032] According to this aspect, the pad can be fixed to the headrest pillar, the plate, and the upper part of the casing using simple means.

[0033] In the above aspect, the upper casing portion and the lower casing portion may be fastened together in the seventh step.

[0034] According to this aspect, the upper and lower casing parts can be fixed together using simple means. [Effects of the Invention]

[0035] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, one aspect of the present invention is a headrest (1) for a vehicle seat (2), comprising: left and right headrest pillars (10) extending upward from an upper portion of a seat back (4) and having a cylindrical shape defining pillar holes (16) therein; plates (12) connected to the left and right headrest pillars and facing forward and backward; a temperature adjustment unit (14) disposed below the plates; a protective cover (71) disposed behind the plates and defining a hollow space (70) in cooperation with the plates and the temperature adjustment unit; a pad (80) supported by the headrest pillars, the plates, and the temperature adjustment unit; and a skin (81) covering the pad. The temperature adjustment unit has an air intake (64) extending from an air outlet (65) and a harness hole (47) that connects the hollow portion with the air passage; a temperature adjustment unit (29) that is fixed within the casing and adjusts the temperature of air introduced into the casing from the air intake port; a blower (30) that is fixed within the casing and blows the temperature-adjusted air to the outside of the casing through the air outlet; and a harness (32) that supplies power to the temperature adjustment unit and the blower, wherein a tip of the headrest pillar is disposed within the hollow portion, and the harness passes from the temperature adjustment unit and the blower through the harness hole, the hollow portion, and the pillar hole to protrude from the lower end of the headrest pillar.

[0036] According to this aspect, since the tip of the headrest pillar is disposed within the hollow portion, the harness connected to the temperature adjusting unit and the blower can extend through the harness hole, the hollow portion, and the pillar hole, and protrude from the lower end of the headrest pillar. These spaces are separated from the pad by the plate, the protective cover, and the casing, so that the pad can be foam-molded in the headrest of a vehicle seat without interfering with the harness extending within the headrest pillar.

[0037] In the above aspect, the protective cover has a plate-shaped cover central portion (72) that slopes downward toward the rear, and left and right cover side portions (73) that extend forward and downward from the left and right side edges of the cover central portion, and the front edges of the cover central portion and the left and right cover side portions abut against the plate.

[0038] According to this aspect, the plate and the protective cover can be tightly connected.

[0039] In the above embodiment, a connecting piece (24) extending rearward may be provided on the lower part of the plate, and the casing may be connected to the connecting piece.

[0040] According to this aspect, it becomes easier to join the casing to the plate.

[0041] In the above aspect, it is preferable that left and right inclined pieces (23) inclined downward outwardly are provided on the side edges of the connecting piece, and the left and right headrest pillars are connected to the corresponding inclined pieces.

[0042] According to this aspect, the headrest pillar can be easily joined to the plate.

[0043] In the above aspect, the front end of the temperature adjustment unit may be disposed rearward of the front end of the plate.

[0044] According to this aspect, when an impact is applied to the headrest from the front, the impact can be prevented from being applied to the temperature adjustment unit.

[0045] In the above aspect, the intake port may be provided on one of the left and right side portions of the casing.

[0046] According to this aspect, by providing the headrest to an appropriate vehicle seat, it is possible to position the air intake port on the side window side of the vehicle, making it easier for air to be introduced through the air intake port.

[0047] In the above aspect, it is preferable that a plurality of louver plates (111) extending downward outwardly to the left and right are formed within the air intake port.

[0048] According to this aspect, even if rainwater or the like enters the vehicle interior through the side window, the rainwater or the like is less likely to enter the casing through the air intake port.

[0049] In the above aspect, the air outlet may be provided in a front portion of the casing, and the louver board may extend forward outward to the left and right.

[0050] According to this aspect, air whose temperature has been adjusted by the temperature adjustment section can be easily introduced into the casing through the air intake, thereby enabling the temperature adjustment unit to adjust the temperature efficiently.

[0051] In the above aspect, it is preferable that a rear end of the air intake port is disposed forward of the headrest pillar in a side view.

[0052] According to this aspect, the air whose temperature has been adjusted by the temperature adjustment unit is more easily introduced into the casing through the air intake, thereby enabling the temperature adjustment unit to efficiently adjust the temperature of the air around the air intake.

[0053] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, another aspect of the present invention is a method for manufacturing a headrest (1) for a vehicle seat (2), the method comprising: a first step of fixing plates (12) facing forward and backward to left and right headrest pillars (10) having a cylindrical shape extending upward and defining pillar holes (16) therein; a second step of fixing a casing upper part (34) having a harness hole (47) penetrating vertically below the plates; a third step of fixing a protective cover (71) behind the plates, which cooperates with the plates and the casing upper part to define a hollow part (70), thereby locating the tip of the headrest pillar within the hollow part; a fourth step of attaching pads (80) to the headrest pillars, the plates, and the casing upper part; The manufacturing method includes: a fifth step of connecting a harness (32) extending from the lower end of the pillar through the pillar hole, the hollow portion, and the harness hole to a temperature adjustment unit (29) that adjusts the temperature of air introduced from outside the headrest and a blower (30) that blows the temperature-adjusted air to the outside of the headrest; a sixth step of attaching the temperature adjustment unit and the blower to the upper casing; a seventh step of fixing a lower casing (56) below the upper casing so that the upper and lower casings define an air passage (67) extending from an air intake (64) to an air outlet (65) and the temperature adjustment unit and the blower are disposed in the air passage; and an eighth step of covering the structure manufactured in the seventh step with a skin (81).

[0054] According to this aspect, since the tip of the headrest pillar is disposed within the hollow portion, the harness connected to the temperature adjusting unit and the blower can extend through the harness hole, the hollow portion, and the pillar hole, and protrude from the lower end of the headrest pillar. These spaces are separated from the pad by the plate, the protective cover, and the casing, so it is possible to manufacture a headrest in which the pad can be foam-molded without interfering with the harness extending within the headrest pillar.

[0055] In the above aspect, the headrest pillar and the plate may be formed from metal, and the left and right headrest pillars and the plates may be welded together in the first step.

[0056] According to this aspect, the headrest pillar and the plate can be fixed using simple means.

[0057] In the above aspect, the upper part of the casing has an engaging portion (45), the plate has an engaged portion (25) that engages with the engaging portion, and in the second step, the engaging portion and the engaged portion are engaged with each other.

[0058] According to this aspect, the plate and the upper part of the casing can be fixed by simple means.

[0059] In the above aspect, in the fifth step, the headrest pillar, the plate, and the casing upper portion may be placed in a mold, and a molding material may be supplied into the mold to perform foam molding.

[0060] According to this aspect, the pad can be fixed to the headrest pillar, the plate, and the upper part of the casing using simple means.

[0061] In the above aspect, the upper casing portion and the lower casing portion may be fastened together in the seventh step.

[0062] According to this aspect, the upper and lower casing parts can be fixed together using simple means. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0063] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a seat provided with a headrest according to a first embodiment, seen from the front; [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is an enlarged perspective view of a headrest according to a first embodiment, seen from the front; [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a front view of a headrest according to a first embodiment; [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a headrest according to a first embodiment, seen from the rear; [Figure 5] FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the headrest according to the first embodiment taken along line VV in FIG. 3 ; [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is an enlarged perspective view of a headrest according to a second embodiment, seen from the front; [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the headrest according to the second embodiment taken along line VII-VII in FIG. 6 . DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0064] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, an example will be described in which the headrest 1 according to the first embodiment is applied to a vehicle seat 2. In this specification, the front-rear direction, left-right direction, and up-down direction are defined based on the orientation of the automobile.

[0065] The headrest 1 according to the first embodiment constitutes a part of a vehicle seat 2. As shown in FIG.

[0066] The seat cushion 3 has a seating surface facing upward and supports the buttocks of a seated occupant. The seat back 4 extends upward from the rear of the seat cushion 3. The seat back 4 has a support surface facing forward and supports the back of the seated occupant leaning against the support surface.

[0067] The seat cushion 3 and the seat back 4 each include a metal frame 5, a pad member 6 supported by the frame 5, and a cover material 7 that covers the pad member 6.

[0068] The frame 5 of the seat back 4 has left and right side members extending vertically, upper members extending horizontally and joined to the upper ends of the left and right side members, and lower members extending horizontally and joined to the lower ends of the left and right side members.

[0069] Left and right guide stays 8 (Fig. 2) are joined to the left-right center of the upper member. Each guide stay 8 is formed in a square cylindrical shape with both ends open. The guide stays 8 are spaced apart from each other on the left and right. Each guide stay 8 has a circular cross section and is provided with a through-hole that passes through in the vertical direction.

[0070] The headrest 1 according to the first embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to Figures 2 to 5. Note that Figures 2 and 3 show the headrest 1 with the cover material 81 and the pad member 80 removed. The cover material 81 and the pad member 80 will be described in detail later.

[0071] As shown in Fig. 2, the headrest 1 includes left and right headrest pillars 10 each having a substantially cylindrical shape, a plate 12 connected to the left and right headrest pillars 10, and a temperature adjustment unit 14 disposed below the plate 12. The headrest 1 is supported at the upper end of the seat back 4 (Fig. 1) by the headrest pillars 10 being inserted into the through holes of the guide stays 8, respectively.

[0072] The headrest pillar 10 is open at both ends, thereby defining a pillar hole 16 that is open at both ends inside the headrest pillar 10. The headrest pillar 10 has an upright portion 17 that extends substantially vertically from the guide stay 8, and a curved portion 18 that curves inwardly to the left and right and forward from the tip of the upright portion 17 upward. The headrest pillar 10 is made of metal.

[0073] The plate 12 faces approximately front to rear and has a main surface portion 20 that supports the rear of the occupant's head, and extension portions 21 that extend rearward from the upper and side edges of the main surface portion 20. The width of the main surface portion 20 in the left-right direction is shorter than the distance between the upright portions 17 in the left-right direction and longer than the distance between the tips of the curved portions 18 in the left-right direction. The plate 12 is made of metal.

[0074] A connecting piece 24 extending rearward is provided at the bottom of the plate 12. The connecting piece 24 has a generally plate shape that is perpendicular to the main surface portion 20. A locking hole 25 that passes through the connecting piece 24 from top to bottom is provided at approximately the center in the left-right direction of the connecting piece 24. Left and right inclined pieces 23 that incline downward outward to the left and right are provided on both side edges of the connecting piece 24. The curved portions 18 of the corresponding headrest pillars 10 are welded to the upper surfaces of the inclined pieces 23.

[0075] As shown in FIG. 5, the temperature adjustment unit 14 includes a casing 28 fixed to the plate 12, a temperature adjustment section 29 and a blower 30 fixed within the casing 28, and a harness 32 that supplies power to the temperature adjustment section 29 and the blower 30.

[0076] The casing 28 also includes an upper casing 34 that is disposed below the plate 12 and fixed to the plate 12, and a lower casing 56 that is disposed below the upper casing 34 and fixed to the upper casing 34. The upper casing 34 and the lower casing 56 are formed from resin.

[0077] As shown in FIG. 4 , the casing upper portion 34 is connected to the connecting piece 24 of the plate 12 and has a top wall 35 that faces generally up and down, side walls 36 that extend downward from the left and right ends of the top wall 35, and a front wall 37 that extends downward from the front end of the top wall 35. Both side walls 36 are provided with fastening holes that penetrate the side walls 36 from left to right. The top wall 35 is formed with protrusions 41 that protrude upward along the connecting piece 24 and the inclined piece 23. The left and right ends of the top wall 35 are located outward from the left and right ends of the plate 12. The front end of the top wall 35 is located forward of the front end of the plate 12.

[0078] 4, a locking claw 45 extending upward is provided on the casing upper portion 34 (protrusion 41) at a position corresponding in the vertical direction to the locking hole 25 of the connecting piece 24. In this embodiment, the plate 12 and the casing upper portion 34 are connected to each other by the locking claw 45 being locked in the locking hole 25. In addition, a harness hole 47 that passes through the protrusion 41 in the vertical direction is formed in the protrusion 41 at a position rearward of the locking claw 45.

[0079] 5, a support plate 50 is disposed below the upper casing portion 34. The support plate 50 has a generally thin plate shape that extends in the front-to-rear and left-to-right directions. The support plate 50 is fixed to the upper casing portion 34 by threading screws into screw holes (not shown).

[0080] A temperature adjustment unit 29 is fixed to the underside of the front side of the support plate 50. Left and right blowers 30 are fixed to the underside of the rear side of the support plate 50. A connector 54 is fixed to the upper surface of the support plate 50 at a position substantially opposite the temperature adjustment unit 29 in the vertical direction, and the connector 54 accommodates the harness 32 and connects the harness 32 to the temperature adjustment unit 29 and the blowers 30.

[0081] A lower casing part 56 is fixed to the upper casing part 34 from below. The lower casing part 56 has left and right side walls 58 with fastening holes formed at positions that generally correspond to the fastening holes in the side walls 36 of the upper casing part 34, a bottom wall 59 extending inwardly to the left and right from the lower ends of the both side walls 58, a front wall 60 extending upward from the front end of the bottom wall 59, and a rear wall 61 extending upward from the rear end of the bottom wall 59. The upper casing part 34 and the lower casing part 56 are fastened to each other by bolts that pass through the fastening holes in the upper casing part 34 and the fastening holes in the lower casing part 56 and thread into nuts. The front end of the front wall 60 is located rearward of the plate 12.

[0082] An air intake port 64 is formed in the rear wall 61 of the casing lower part 56, penetrating the rear wall 61 in the front-to-rear direction. An air outlet port 65 is formed in the front wall 60 of the casing lower part 56, penetrating the front wall 60 in the front-to-rear direction. The casing lower part 56 also has a partition wall 66 formed therein, extending along a line connecting the lower ends of the air intake port 64 and the air outlet port 65. As a result, the support plate 50, the partition wall 66, and the left and right side walls 58 define an air passage 67 extending from the air intake port 64 to the air outlet port 65. The air passage 67 is inclined downward toward the front.

[0083] The blower 39 is a device for sending air into the casing 28 (into the air passage 67). The temperature adjustment unit 29 is a device for generating cool air, hot air, or the like, by adjusting the temperature of the air that has flowed into the casing 28 (into the air passage 67) from the air intake 64. The temperature adjustment unit 29 includes a heat source that generates or absorbs heat, such as a heating wire or a Peltier element. The blower 30 blows the air whose temperature has been adjusted by the temperature adjustment unit 29 out of the casing 28 through the air outlet 65. That is, the air blown forward by the blower 30 is cooled or heated by the temperature adjustment unit 29 and then reaches the head of the seated occupant through the air outlet 65. This adjusts the temperature of the air around the seated occupant's head.

[0084] The headrest 1 further includes a protective cover 71 disposed behind the plate 12 and cooperating with the plate 12 and the temperature adjustment unit 14 to define a hollow portion 70. The protective cover 71 is not shown in Fig. 3. In detail, the protective cover 71 cooperating with the plate 12 and the casing upper part 34 to define the hollow portion 70.

[0085] As shown in Fig. 2, the protective cover 71 has a plate-shaped cover central portion 72 that slopes downward toward the rear, and left and right cover side portions 73 that extend forward and downward from the left and right side edges of the cover central portion 72. The protective cover 71 abuts against the plate 12 at the front edges of the cover central portion 72 and the front edges of the left and right cover side portions 73. As shown in Fig. 5, a wire locking portion 75 that extends left and right and faces the hollow portion 70 is formed in approximately the center of the cover central portion 72 in the front-to-rear direction. In addition, a wire 76 is disposed on the rear surface of the plate 12. The wire 76 is locked to the wire locking portion 75, thereby fixing the protective cover 71 to the plate 12.

[0086] 2, a notch 77 is formed at the lower end of the cover side portion 73, cutting it out upward. The curved portion 18 of the headrest pillar 10 passes through the notch 77 and extends into the hollow portion 70. This allows the tip of the headrest pillar 10 to be disposed within the hollow portion 70. Therefore, the harness 32 connected to the temperature adjustment unit 29 and the blower 30 passes from the temperature adjustment unit 29 and the blower 30 through the harness hole 47, the hollow portion 70, and the pillar hole 16, and protrudes from the lower end of the headrest pillar 10.

[0087] As shown in Fig. 5, the headrest 1 further includes a pad member 80 supported by the headrest pillar 10, the plate 12, and the temperature adjustment unit 14. In detail, the pad member 80 covers the headrest pillar 10, the plate 12, and the casing 28 from the front, and also covers the cover center portion 72 of the protective cover 71 from above. The headrest 1 further includes a cover material 81 that covers the pad member 80. Meshes 82 are formed on the cover material 81 in portions that correspond to the air intake port 64 and the air outlet 65 on the front and rear, respectively. This allows air outside the headrest 1 to be drawn in through the air intake port 64 and to be blown out through the air outlet 65.

[0088] Next, a manufacturing method of the headrest 1 according to the first embodiment will be described. First, an operator fixes the headrest pillars 10 to the plate 12 by welding the lower surfaces of the tips of the left and right headrest pillars 10 to the upper surfaces of the inclined pieces 23 of the plate 12. Next, the locking claws 45 of the casing upper part 34 are engaged with the locking holes 25 of the connecting pieces 24, thereby fixing the casing upper part 34 to the plate 12.

[0089] Next, the worker places the protective cover 71 behind the plate 12 and secures the protective cover 71 to the plate 12 by engaging the wire 76 with the wire engaging portion 75. At this time, the tip of the headrest pillar 10 is placed in the hollow portion 70 defined by the plate 12, the casing upper portion 34, and the protective cover 71. Thereafter, the structure assembled by the above steps is placed in a mold for molding the padding member 80, and a molding material is supplied into this mold to perform foam molding. In this way, the padding member 80 is attached to the headrest pillar 10, the plate 12, and the casing upper portion 34.

[0090] Next, the worker connects the harness 32, which extends through the pillar hole 16 of the headrest pillar 10, the hollow portion 70, and the harness hole 47 of the casing upper portion 34, to the temperature adjustment unit 29 and the blower 30 via the connector 54. Thereafter, the temperature adjustment unit 29 and the blower 30 are attached to the support plate 50 from below. Next, the casing lower portion 56 is fixed to the casing upper portion 34 by fastening bolts that pass through the fastening holes of the casing upper portion 34 and the fastening holes of the casing lower portion 56 and threadably engage with nuts. This defines an air passage 67 extending from the air intake port 64 to the air outlet 65, and the blower 30 is positioned in front of the air intake port 64, with the temperature adjustment unit 29, which is positioned in front of the blower 30, being positioned behind the air outlet 65. Finally, the headrest 1 according to the first embodiment is assembled by covering the structure assembled by the above-mentioned steps with a skin material 81.

[0091] According to the headrest 1 of the first embodiment, the tip of the headrest pillar 10 is disposed within the hollow portion 70, so that the harness 32 can extend through the harness hole 47, the hollow portion 70, and the pillar hole 16, and protrude from the lower end of the headrest pillar 10. These spaces are separated from the pad member 80 by the plate 12, the protective cover 71, and the casing 28, so that in the headrest 1 of the vehicle seat 2, the pad member 80 can be foam-molded without interfering with the harness 32 extending within the headrest pillar 10.

[0092] Next, a headrest 100 according to a second embodiment will be described in detail with reference to Figures 6 and 7. The headrest 100 shown in Figure 6 differs from the headrest 1 mainly in the air intake port 64 and the pad member 80. Below, only the parts that differ from the above embodiment will be described, and descriptions of other parts will be omitted.

[0093] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the air intake 101 of the headrest 100 is provided on one of the left and right side portions of the casing 102. More specifically, the air intake 101 is provided on the left side wall 104 of the casing lower portion 103. In the second embodiment, the vehicle seat 2 provided with the headrest 100 is applied to the passenger seat or the seat located at the leftmost position of the rear seats of the vehicle. As a result, the air intake 101 is positioned so as to face the side window corresponding to the vehicle seat 2.

[0094] As shown in FIG. 7 , a left wall 108 extending rearward is provided on the front wall 105 to the left of its center in the left-right direction. A right wall 109 extending rearward is provided on the front wall 105 to the right of its center in the left-right direction. The right wall 109 connects the front wall 105 and the rear wall 106 to each other in the front-rear direction. The left wall 108 and the right wall 109 also vertically connect the partition wall 66 (not shown) of the casing lower part 103 to the support plate 50 (not shown). As a result, the support plate 50, the front wall 105, the rear wall 106, the left wall 108, the right wall 109, and the partition wall 66 define an air passage 113 extending from the intake port 101 to the air outlet 112. The air passage 113 is inclined downward toward the front.

[0095] Left and right blowers 114 and a temperature adjustment unit 115 are arranged in the air passage 113. As a result, air introduced into the air passage 113 via the intake port 101 travels rightward and rearward from the intake port 101, is sent forward by the blower 114, is cooled or heated by the temperature adjustment unit 115, and reaches the head of the seated occupant via the air outlet 112.

[0096] Additionally, a plurality of louver plates 116 extending downward outward to the left and right are formed within air intake port 101. As a result, even if rainwater or the like enters the interior of the vehicle through the side windows of the vehicle, headrest 100 makes it difficult for the rainwater or the like to enter headrest 100 through air intake port 101. Additionally, louver plates 116 extend rearward outward to the left and right. As a result, air whose temperature has been adjusted by temperature adjustment unit 115 can be easily introduced into headrest 100 through air intake port 101, allowing temperature adjustment unit 115 to efficiently adjust the temperature around the head of the seated occupant.

[0097] The headrest 100 also has a pad member 120 that covers the headrest pillar 10, the plate 12, and the casing lower part 103 from the front. The pad member 120 also covers the cover center part 72 of the protective cover 71 from above, and covers the casing lower part 103 from the left and right outside, as shown in Fig. 7. Openings are provided in the pad member 120 at portions corresponding to the front and rear of the air outlet 112. A skin material 121 is placed over the pad member 120.

[0098] Although the description of the specific embodiment has been completed above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment and can be widely modified and implemented. For example, the air intake 64 according to the present invention may be formed integrally with the lower casing part 56, or the air intake 64 and the lower casing part 56 may be separate members. Furthermore, a locking claw 45 extending downward may be provided on the connecting piece 24 of the plate 12, and the locking claw 45 may be locked into a locking hole 25 formed in the protrusion 41 of the upper casing part 34. [Explanation of symbols]

[0099] 1: Headrest 2: Vehicle seats 10: Headrest pillar 12: Plate 14: Temperature control unit 16: Pillar hole 23: Inclined piece 24: Joining piece 25: Locking hole 28: Casing 29: Temperature adjustment section 30: Blower 32: Harness 34: Upper part of casing 39: Blower 45: Locking claw 47: Harness hole 56: Lower part of casing 64: Air intake 65: Ventilation outlet 67: Air passage 70: Hollow part 71: Protective cover 72: Center of cover 73: Side of cover 80: Pad material 81:Skin material 100: Headrest 101: Air intake 102: Casing 112: Ventilation outlet 113: Air passage 114: Blower 115: Temperature adjustment section 116: Louver board

Claims

1. A headrest for a vehicle seat, The left and right headrest pillars have a cylindrical shape that extends upward from the top of the seat back and defines pillar holes inside, Pads covering the left and right headrest pillars, A covering that is placed over the aforementioned pad and accommodates the upper ends of the left and right headrest pillars, A temperature control unit, which is housed in the aforementioned outer layer and includes a casing and harness, Equipped with, The casing is covered by the pad and defines a portion of the hollow part, An opening is provided at the top of each of the left and right headrest pillars. The harness passes through the pillar hole, the opening at the top of the headrest pillar, the hollow portion, and the upper surface of the casing. The openings at the top of each of the left and right headrest pillars are located within the hollow portion and are positioned above the upper end of the casing, respectively, and are headrests.

2. The headrest according to claim 1, wherein the openings at the top of each of the left and right headrest pillars are positioned to the right of the left end of the casing and to the left of the right end of the casing.

3. The headrest according to claim 1, wherein the upper openings of each of the left and right headrest pillars are positioned forward of the rear end of the casing and rearward of the front end of the casing.

4. Each of the left and right headrest pillars has an upright portion extending vertically and a curved portion that curves upward and forward from the upper end of the upright portion, The headrest according to claim 1, wherein the openings at the upper part of each of the left and right headrest pillars are provided at the upper end of the curved portion.

5. The temperature control unit includes a blower fixed inside the casing and a harness that supplies power to the blower, One end of the harness is housed in the casing. The headrest according to claim 1, wherein the upper surface of the casing is provided with a harness hole through which the harness passes.

6. The headrest according to claim 5, wherein the openings at the top of each of the left and right headrest pillars are positioned forward of the harness holes.

7. Each of the left and right headrest pillars has an upright portion extending vertically and a curved portion that curves upward and forward from the upper end of the upright portion, The headrest according to claim 5, wherein the blower has an overlapping portion that overlaps with the upright portion in a side view.

8. The headrest according to claim 7, wherein the overlapping portion of the blower overlaps with the upper end of the upright portion and the lower end of the curved portion in a side view.

9. The casing has a front wall in which an air outlet is formed, The blower blows air out of the casing through the air outlet, The headrest according to claim 5, wherein the air outlet is located on the front side of the lower part of the headrest.

10. A vehicle seat equipped with the headrest described in Claim 9, It comprises a seat cushion and a seat back extending upward from the rear of the seat cushion, The seat cushion and the seat back each have a frame, a pad member supported by the frame, and a surface material covering the pad member. The frame of the seat back comprises left and right side members extending vertically, upper members connected to the upper ends of the left and right side members, and lower members connected to the lower ends of the left and right side members. Each headrest pillar is inserted into the left-right center of the upper member, and left and right guide stays, which are spaced apart from each other, are connected to it. A vehicle seat in which the openings and air vents at the upper part of each of the left and right headrest pillars are positioned between the left and right guide stays.

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