Headrest support structure

Abstract

To provide a headrest support structure that prevents the headrest from detaching from the seat when a relatively large load is applied to the headrest. [Solution] The headrest support structure comprises a headrest support bracket 2, a headrest support 3, a headrest stay 4, and a headrest 5. The front part of the headrest support 3, located in front of the vehicle, is provided with a projection 24 that protrudes downward and diagonally downward toward the rear of the vehicle. When the headrest stay 4 is supported by the headrest support bracket 2, the lower part of the headrest stay 4 is provided with a notch 41 that can be locked into the projection 24. When a load is applied to the headrest 5 from the front, the headrest stay 4 is pushed up, and the notch 41 is locked into the projection 24.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a headrest support structure.

Background Art

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 describes that "a locking portion of the headrest prevents the headrest from coming out of a support fixed to the seat due to an impact input from the front."

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the above Patent Document 1, there is a concern that the headrest may come out upward when a relatively large load is input to the headrest from the front.

[0005] In view of such circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a headrest support structure capable of preventing the headrest from detaching from the seat when a relatively large load is input to the headrest.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The present invention relates to a headrest support structure comprising: a headrest support bracket fixed to a seat; a headrest support inserted into the headrest support bracket; a headrest stay inserted into the headrest support bracket via the headrest support so as to be retractable; and a headrest covering the upper part of the headrest stay. The headrest support bracket has a projection that protrudes downward and diagonally downward toward the rear of the vehicle at its front portion, and when the headrest stay is supported by the headrest support bracket, the lower part of the headrest stay has a notch that can lock the projection, and when the headrest stay is pushed up due to a load applied to the headrest from the front, the notch locks into the projection.

[0007] With this configuration, for example, when a relatively large load is applied to the headrest from the front, the headrest stay is pushed up, and the notch in the headrest stay engages with the protruding part of the headrest support bracket.

[0008] This prevents the headrest stay from coming loose upward from the headrest support. As a result, it becomes possible to prevent the headrest from detaching from the seat. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a headrest support structure that can prevent the headrest from detaching from the seat when a relatively large load is applied to the headrest. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of one embodiment of the headrest support structure according to the present invention. [Figure 2]This is a perspective view showing the headrest stay and headrest support bracket. [Figure 3] (a) is a cross-sectional view of the headrest support structure, and (b) is a cross-sectional view illustrating the behavior when a load is applied to the headrest. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] The best embodiment for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0012] Figures 1 to 3 show one embodiment of the present invention. The illustrated headrest support structure includes a headrest support bracket 2, a headrest support 3, a headrest stay 4, and a headrest 5.

[0013] The headrest support bracket 2 is fixed to the seat back frame 1 and has a configuration in which the first and second guides 21 and 22 are engaged with a connecting member 23. The seat back frame 1 is the skeleton of the seat (not shown).

[0014] Specifically, the first and second guides 21 and 22 are arranged to be spaced apart laterally and are fixed to the connecting member 23.

[0015] The first and second guides 21 and 22 are cylindrical with a square cross-section. The connecting member 23 is a horizontally elongated strip.

[0016] The headrest stay 4 is inserted into the headrest support bracket 2 via the headrest support 3 so as to be retractable, and is formed by bending a pipe with a cylindrical cross-section into an inverted U-shape when viewed from the front. The upper part of this headrest stay 4 is bent downwards towards the front so as to be an inverted U-shape when viewed from the side.

[0017] The headrest 5 is attached to the upper part of the headrest stay 4 and is capable of supporting the occupant's head.

[0018] The headrest support 3 is externally fitted onto the headrest support bracket 2 and has a square tubular cross-section.

[0019] The headrest support bracket 2, the headrest support 3, and the headrest stay 4 are formed of, for example, an iron-based metal, an aluminum alloy, or the like.

[0020] The headrest 5 has a structure in which a pad (not shown) formed of a foamed material such as urethane is covered with an outer skin (not shown) such as cloth or leather.

[0021] At the front part of the headrest support 3 located in the vehicle front, a protruding portion 24 that protrudes downward and obliquely downward toward the vehicle rear is provided.

[0022] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the protruding portion 24 is formed in a shape like a rectangular plate.

[0023] When the headrest stay 4 is inserted into the headrest support bracket 2, a notch 41 into which the protruding portion 24 can be locked is provided at the lower part of the headrest stay 4.

[0024] In this embodiment, the notch 41 is inclined obliquely from above to below, and its bottom is formed flat along the radial direction.

[0025] Next, the operation when a load is input to the headrest 5 from the front will be described with reference to FIGS. 3(a) and (b).

[0026] As shown in FIG. 3(a), when the headrest 5 is supported by the headrest support bracket 2 and, for example, a relatively large load (see arrow X) is input to the headrest 5 from the front, the headrest stay 4 will be pushed up (see arrow Y).

[0027] As a result, as shown in Figure 3(b), the notch 41 of the headrest stay 4 engages with the protrusion 24 of the headrest support 3, thereby preventing the headrest stay 4 from coming out upward from the headrest support 3. Consequently, the headrest 5 is prevented from detaching from the seat (not shown).

[0028] As described above, according to embodiments to which the present invention is applied, for example, when a relatively large load (see arrow X) is applied to the headrest 5 from the front, it is possible to prevent the headrest 5 from detaching from the seat (not shown). This contributes to improving the protection performance of the occupant.

[0029] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the claims and equivalents thereof.

[0030] For example, in the above embodiment, the shape of the protruding portion 24 and the shape of the notch 41 can be changed as appropriate. [Industrial applicability]

[0031] The present invention can be suitably used in a headrest support structure. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0032] 1. Vehicle seat back frame 2 Headrest support brackets 21 Guide 1 22 Guide 2 23 Connecting member 24 Protrusion 3 Headrest support 4 Headrest stay 41 Notches 5 Headrests

Claims

[Claim 1] A headrest support structure comprising: a headrest support bracket fixed to a seat; a headrest support inserted into the headrest support bracket; a headrest stay inserted into the headrest support bracket via the headrest support so as to be retractable; and a headrest covering the upper part of the headrest stay, The headrest support bracket has a protruding portion at the front, located at the front of the vehicle, which protrudes downward and diagonally downward towards the rear of the vehicle. When the headrest stay is supported by the headrest support bracket, a notch is provided at the lower part of the headrest stay that allows the protruding portion to be locked in place. A headrest support structure characterized in that when the headrest stay is pushed up due to a load being applied to the headrest from the front, the notch engages with the protruding portion.

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