Seats equipped with a headrest retractable device.

Abstract

The present invention relates to a seat. The seat includes a seat surface, a backrest (15), and a headrest (17) movable relative to the backrest (15). The backrest (15) is rotatable relative to the seat (13) and translatable relative to at least one support column (22) of the seat structure when the seat (11) moves between a sitting position and a reclining position. The storage device (30) for the headrest (17) includes a return member (31) disposed between the backrest (15) and the support column (22) and a cable (32) mechanically connected to the headrest (17). The storage device (30) is configured to allow the return member (31) to freely move between the sitting position and a predetermined intermediate position. The return member (31) is configured to move parallel to the support column (22) when the backrest (15) moves parallel to the support column.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a seat provided with a storage device for a headrest. The present invention has found applications that are particularly advantageous, but not limited to, "business class" and "first class" type seat units in aircraft cabins. The present invention can also be implemented in seats installed in other vehicles, particularly automobiles and ships.

Background Art

[0002] As is known, such a seat unit is composed of a seat provided with a privacy shell that is at least partially continuous with the seat so as to surround the passenger's surroundings with a semi-closed space. With such a configuration, the privacy of the passenger can be ensured.

Summary of the Invention

[0003] This seat provides various comfortable positions for the passenger from the "sitting position" to the "lying position". In the lying position, the seat pan and the backrest form a substantially horizontal sleeping surface for the passenger to lie on horizontally. Intermediate comfortable positions such as the "reclining position" where the backrest is greatly inclined backward are also available. Generally, these intermediate positions are realized by tilting the rotary seat back around a horizontal axis perpendicular to the extension axis of the seat.

[0004] The backrest is provided with a headrest that can move parallel to the backrest and is movable between a deployed position and a stored position. Thereby, the occupant can adjust the height of the headrest according to the position of the head on the seat. When the seat moves towards the lying position, the headrest in the deployed position may interfere with the privacy shell. Therefore, especially when the headrest is equipped with speakers and the electronic devices of the speakers must be protected from impacts from around the seat, the headrest may be damaged.

[0005] The objective of the present invention is to provide a sheet that effectively improves upon this drawback. The seat comprises a seat pan, a backrest, and a storage mechanism. The backrest has a headrest that is movable relative to the backrest. The backrest is rotatable with respect to the seat pan and translatable with respect to at least one support column (vertical frame) of the seat structure when the seat moves between the seated position and the reclined position. The storage device includes a return member provided between the backrest and the support column, and a cable mechanically connected to the headrest. The storage device is configured such that the return member allows for dead travel between the seated position and a predetermined intermediate position, thereby generating a tensile force on the cable due to the relative translational motion between the backrest and the support column, and storing the headrest in the storage space of the backrest located between the intermediate position and the reclined position of the seat at the end of the dead travel.

[0006] Therefore, the present invention, through the presence of a headrest retraction device, makes it possible to separate the headrest from the seat's privacy shell when the seat moves from a seated position to a reclined position. Thus, the present invention avoids the risk of interference between the headrest and the privacy shell.

[0007] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the return member comprises a cable guide associated with a cable stopper fixed to a first end of the cable, wherein the cable has overtravel between the cable guide and the cable stopper corresponding to the free travel. This causes the cable stopper to abut against the cable guide at the end of the free travel, generating a tensile force in the cable that causes the headrest to be pulled back.

[0008] In one embodiment of the present invention, the second end of the cable is mechanically connected to a carriage fixed to the headrest, and the carriage is slidable within a groove in the backrest between a high position and a low position corresponding to the retracted position of the headrest.

[0009] According to one embodiment of the present invention, at least one return spring is installed between the carriage and the backrest.

[0010] According to one embodiment of the present invention, two return springs are installed between the carriage and the backrest to avoid the support column.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a movement limit spring is installed between the support column and the cable guide to absorb the limit of movement of the backrest until the backrest reaches a lateral reclining position.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the rigidity of the moving limit spring is greater than the equivalent rigidity of the return spring.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the cable guide is mechanically connected to a slidable piston within a guide support fixed to a vertical column.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a sleeve fixed to a cable guide is provided to cover the overtravel of the cable.

[0015] According to embodiments of the present invention, the return member is a pinion mechanically connected to the backrest and provided to cooperate with a rack fixed to a support column, the pinion being connected to a pulley mechanically connected to a cable, and the pinion carrying a slidable stud in a circular slot of the pulley.

[0016] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the spiral spring (or coil spring) has a first end rotatably connected to a pulley and a second end rotatably connected to a platform so as to absorb the limit of the backrest moving to the reclined position.

[0017] In one embodiment of the present invention, the cable has a stopper at an end within a housing formed in the pulley.

[0018] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the seat includes an actuator that automatically moves the seat from the sitting position to the reclined position.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the headrest is provided with a speaker.

[0020] The present invention also relates to a seat unit including the aforementioned seat and a shell surrounding at least a part of the seat.

[0021] The present invention can be better understood by reading the following detailed description, and other features and advantages will become apparent. This detailed description includes embodiments shown by reference to the accompanying drawings as non-limiting examples to supplement the understanding of the present invention and explain its examples.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0022] [Figure 1a] Figure 1a is a side view of a seat unit according to the present invention in the sitting position and the reclined position, respectively. [Figure 1b] Figure 1b is a side view of a seat unit according to the present invention in the sitting position and the reclined position, respectively.

[0023] [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows a schematic view of a headrest that can move translationally with respect to the rear part of the seat according to the present invention.

[0024] [Figure 3]Figure 3 shows a graph of the retraction movement of the headrest with respect to the inclination of the backrest when the seat according to the present invention moves from the sitting position to the reclining position.

[0025] [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the components of the headrest storage device according to the present invention, seen from the rear of the seat backrest.

[0026] [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a front view of the components of the headrest storage device according to the present invention, seen from behind the seat.

[0027] [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a detailed perspective view showing the connection between the movement limit spring and the cable guide of the headrest storage device according to the present invention.

[0028] [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a front view of the carriage of the headrest storage device according to the present invention, and the carriage is slidable within the groove of the backrest.

[0029] [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a perspective view showing the mechanical connection between the carriage of FIG. 7 and the headrest in the seat of the headrest according to the present invention.

[0030] [Figure 9] Figure \alpha is a perspective view of the second embodiment of the headrest storage device according to the present invention.

[0031] [Figure 10] Figure \beta is a cross-sectional view of the headrest storage device of FIG. \alpha. <00Q0127>

[0032] [Figure 11] Figure \gamma is a perspective view of the headrest storage device of FIG. \alpha excluding the drive pinion. <00Q0134> [Figure 12] Figure 12 is a perspective view showing the mechanical connection of the cables and pulleys of the headrest retraction device shown in Figure 9.

[0034] [Figure 13] Figure 13 is a perspective view showing the pulley and the limit spring between the platform and the headrest retractor in Figure 9. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0035] In the drawings, structural and / or functional elements common to different embodiments are indicated by the same reference numerals. Therefore, unless otherwise specified, these elements have identical structural, dimensional, and material properties.

[0036] In the following description, relative terms such as seated position Pas, reclining position Pal, and intermediate position Pint are understood to refer to the general meanings that a person sitting in the seat according to the present invention gives them.

[0037] Figures 1a and 1b show a seat unit 10 that includes a privacy shell 12 extending to surround at least a portion of the seat 11 so as to enclose the passenger in a semi-enclosed space, and a seat 11 associated with this privacy shell 12. This configuration ensures the privacy of the passenger sitting in the seat 11.

[0038] More precisely, the seat 11 consists of a seat pan 13 and a backrest 15 equipped with a headrest 17. A speaker 18 may be provided on the headrest 17. As shown in Figure 2, the headrest 17 is possibly movable along direction D1 between a position in which the headrest 17 protrudes at least partially from the upper end surface of the backrest 15 and a stowed position in which the headrest 17 is retracted from or flush with the upper end surface of the backrest 15. For this purpose, the backrest 15 is provided with a storage space 19 for accommodating the headrest 17 when it is in the stowed position.

[0039] Preferably, the seat 11 has a motion mechanism that allows the seat 11 to move between a "seat position" where the seat 11 defines a "seat position Pas" for the passenger, and a "reclining position Pal" where the seat pan 13 and backrest 15 define a flat surface, preferably a substantially horizontal surface, for the passenger to sleep on. According to one embodiment, the backrest 15 can form an angle of 10 to 25 degrees with respect to the vertical plane when the seat 11 is in the seat position Pas. The backrest 15 can form an angle of 80 to 90 degrees with respect to the vertical plane when the seat 11 is in the reclining position Pal.

[0040] The seat 11 can also assume at least one intermediate comfort position Pin, called the “recline” position, in which the backrest 15 of the seat 11 is tilted strongly backward. In a given intermediate position Pin, in which the backrest 15 is close to the privacy shell 12, the backrest 15 can form an angle of 35 to 55 degrees with respect to the vertical plane.

[0041] The backrest 15 is mounted rotatably with respect to the seat pan 13 and translatably with respect to the seat structure so that the seat 11 can move from the "seat position Pas" to the "reclining position Pal". More precisely, the backrest 15 is mounted rotatably and movably with respect to the seat pan 13 on at least one support column 22 of the seat structure. For this purpose, a sliding mechanism is located between the backrest 15 and the support column 22. Furthermore, a pivot connection is interposed between the support column 22 and the seat pan 13.

[0042] Preferably, the movement of the seat 11 from one position to another is performed by an actuator 25, particularly an actuator comprising an electric motor, a hydraulic or pneumatic gas cylinder, or a linear motor, which drives a pinion 26 that is attached to the backrest 15 and engages with a rack 27 fixed to the support column 22.

[0043] According to known kinematics, the seat pan 13 is mounted on rails in the seat structure. When the actuator 25 is activated, the seat pan 13 moves forward, the backrest 15 tilts backward, and the seat 11 moves from the seated position Pas to the reclined position Pal in Figure 1b. Alternatively, after unlocking the seat 10, the seat 11 can be manually moved from one position to another by applying a backward force to the backrest 15.

[0044] The headrest 17 storage device 30 consists of a return member 31 provided between the backrest 15 and the support column 22 of the seat structure, and a cable 32 mechanically connected to the headrest 17. This storage device 30 is configured so that the return member 31 can move within a free-travel range between the seat position Pas and a predetermined intermediate position Pint of the seat 11. Within the free-travel range, the headrest 17 remains in its initial position, and the return member 31 does not generate any tensile force on the cable 32.

[0045] Furthermore, the storage device 30 is configured such that, as the backrest 15 moves translationally relative to the support column 22 of the seat structure, the return member 31 generates a tensile force on the cable 32, thereby causing the storage device 30 to house the headrest 17 within the storage space 19 of the backrest 15 between the "intermediate position Pint" and the "lateral reclining position Pal" of the seat 11 at the end of free travel.

[0046] Figure 3 is a graph showing the retraction movement of the headrest 17 relative to the tilt of the backrest 15 when the seat 11 according to the present invention moves from the "seat position Pas" to the "lying down position Pal". Figure 3 shows that when the seat 11 moves from the "seat position Pas" to the "intermediate position Pint", the headrest 17 remains in its position within a first range of the tilt angle P1 of the backrest 15. Within a second range P2 of the tilt angle of the backrest 15, the headrest 17 moves to the stowed position due to the tensile force of the cable 32 generated by the return member 31. Within a third range P3 of the tilt angle of the backrest 15, the headrest 17 is held in the stowed position. As described below, a movement limit spring 51 can be used to absorb the end of the movement range of the backrest 15. The amount of retraction movement of the headrest 17 is, for example, 4 inches (102 mm).

[0047] In the embodiments shown in Figures 4, 5, and 6, the return member 31 includes a cable guide 35 associated with a cable stop 36 fixed to the first end of the cable 32. The sheath 37 of the cable 32 is fixed to the backrest 15 by a connector 40 formed of sheet metal, for example, fixed to the backrest 15. The cable 32 has overtravel between the cable guide 35 and the cable stop 36 to accommodate free travel, and at the end of the overtravel, the cable stop 36 abuts against the cable guide 35, generating a tensile force on the cable 32, thereby retracting the headrest 17. For this purpose, the cable guide 35 is provided with a slot having a width greater than or equal to the diameter of the cable 32 and less than the dimensions of the cable stop 36. In particular, if the cable stop 36 is spherical, the width is equal to the diameter of the cable stop 36. A sleeve 41 fixed to the cable guide 35 is provided to cover the overtravel 32 of the cable.

[0048] As shown in Figure 7, the second end of the cable 32 is mechanically connected to a carriage 43 fixed to the headrest 17. The carriage 43 is slidable within a groove 44 in the backrest 15 between a high position corresponding to the position of the headrest 17 and a low position corresponding to the stowed position of the headrest 17. At least one return spring 46 is installed between the carriage 43 and the backrest 15. In this case, two return springs 46 are provided on both sides of the carriage 43. As shown in Figure 8, the carriage 43 includes a pin 47 inserted into a groove 48 of a blade 49 fixed to the headrest 17.

[0049] The movement limit spring 51 is positioned between the upper support column 22 of the seat structure and the cable guide 35 to absorb the end of movement when the backrest 15 moves to the "lying down position Pal". The movement limit spring 51 is a helical tension spring. One end of the movement limit spring 51 is fixed to the support column 22 of the seat structure by an additional spring support 52. Alternatively, the spring support 52 may be integrally formed with the support column 22 of the seat structure.

[0050] The rigidity of the moving limit spring 51 is greater than the equivalent rigidity of the return spring 46. With this configuration, when the backrest 15 undergoes translational motion relative to the support column 22 of the seat structure, the return spring 46 extends before the moving limit spring 51.

[0051] As shown in Figure 5, the cable guide 35 is mechanically connected to a piston 54 that slides inside a guide support 55 fixed to the seat structure when the movement limit spring 51 is extended.

[0052] The operation of the headrest 17 storage device 30 when the seat 11 moves from the "sit position Pas" to the "reclining position Pal" is described below. The backrest 15 tilts backward while translating with respect to the support column 22 of the seat structure, and the cable guide 35 moves relative to the cable stop 36 to the end of the cable's overtravel 32. This operation can be observed within the tilt angle P1 of the backrest 15. When the seat 11 is in the "intermediate position Pint", the cable stop 36 contacts the cable guide 32, as shown in Figure 6. This pulls the cable 32 and the carriage 43. As it moves along the groove 44, the carriage 43 moves the headrest 17 from the position to the storage position by the distance of backward movement observable within the tilt angle range P2 of the backrest 15.

[0053] When the headrest 17 reaches its stowed position, the movement limit spring 51 extends, absorbing the end of the backrest 15's movement to the lateral reclining position Pal. The extension of the movement limit spring 51 is observable within the tilt angle range P3 of the backrest 15. During the extension of the movement limit spring 51, the piston 54 slides within the guide support portion 55.

[0054] According to a particular embodiment, the total parallel movement of the backrest 15 relative to the support column 22 of the seat structure is 226 mm, the free travel is 94 mm, the retraction distance of the headrest 17 is 102 mm, and the end of the movement absorbed by the movement limit spring 51 is 30 mm. Of course, these values ​​are for reference only and may vary depending on the configuration and kinematics of the seat 11.

[0055] In the embodiments shown in Figures 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13, the return member 31 is a pinion 26 mechanically connected to the backrest 15. The pinion 26 cooperates with a rack 27 fixed to the support column 22 of the seat structure. The pinion 26 can be rotated by an actuator 25. The pinion 26 is connected to a pulley 58 which is mechanically connected to a cable 32. For this purpose, the cable 32 is provided with a stopper 59 at one end. In this case, the ball-shaped stopper 59 is located within the housing 60 of the pulley 58. The other end of the cable 32 is mechanically connected to the headrest 17. The cable 32 can be connected to the headrest 17 via the aforementioned cartridge 43.

[0056] The pinion 26 and pulley 58 are configured to be rotatably mounted on a coaxial 63 fixed to a platform 64 which is attached to the backrest 15, as shown in Figure 10.

[0057] The pinion 26 has a stud 65 that slides within a circular slot 67 of the pulley 58. The circular slot 67 is arc-shaped. The circular slot 67 accommodates the free travel of the pinion 26 until the seat 11 reaches the "intermediate position Pint".

[0058] The spiral spring 68, or coil spring, has its first end rotatably connected to the pulley 58 and its second end rotatably connected to the platform 64. The spiral spring 68 allows the backrest 15 to absorb the end of its movement up to the "reclining position Pal".

[0059] The operation of the headrest 17 storage device 30 shown in Figures 9 to 13 when the seat 11 moves from the "seat position Pas" to the "lying down position Pal" will be described below. When the actuator 25 is activated, the pinion 26 that is engaged with the rack 27 rotates around the axis 63 and moves linearly along the rack 27, and at the same time the backrest 15 tilts backward.

[0060] During observable free travel within the range of the inclination angle of the backrest 15, the stud 65 of the pinion 26 moves freely within the slot 67 until it contacts the end face of the slot 67.

[0061] When the stud 65 contacts the end of the slot 67, the pinion 26 rotates the pulley 58, which generates a pulling force on the cable 32 and pulls in the carriage 43. As the carriage 43 moves along the groove 44, it moves the headrest 17 from the position to the stowed position by a visible stowed distance within the tilt angle range P2 of the backrest 15.

[0062] When the headrest 17 is in the retracted position, the spiral spring 68 is wound around the axis 63, absorbing the end of the backrest 15's movement to the "lying down position Pal". The winding of the spiral spring 68 can be observed within the tilt angle range P3 of the backrest 15.

[0063] Naturally, different characteristics, variations, and / or embodiments of the present invention can be used in various combinations with respect to each other, provided they are not contradictory or mutually exclusive.

[0064] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but is provided merely as examples. It includes various modifications, alternative forms, and other variations that those skilled in the art may conceive of in the context of the present invention. In particular, the various combinations of operating modes described above can be employed individually or in combination.

Claims

1. It is a sheet, Sheet pan and, It is a backrest, The backrest has a movable headrest, The seat comprises a backrest that is rotatable relative to the seat pan and possibly movable parallel to at least one support column of the seat structure when the seat moves between a seated position and a reclining position. The aforementioned seat is a headrest storage device, A return member positioned between the backrest and the support column, The storage device includes a cable mechanically connected to the headrest, The storage device is configured such that the return member travels freely between the seating position and a predetermined intermediate position of the seat, and the backrest performs a relative translational motion with respect to the support column, thereby generating a tensile force on the cable, and thereby storing the headrest in a storage space in the backrest located between the intermediate position and the reclining position of the seat at the end of the free travel.

2. The return member includes a cable guide associated with a cable stopper fixed to the first end of the cable, The cable has overtravel corresponding to the free travel between the cable guide and the cable stopper. The seat according to claim 1, characterized in that at the end of the free-running phase, the cable stopper contacts the cable guide, generating a tensile force on the cable, causing the headrest to retract.

3. The second end of the cable is mechanically connected to a carriage fixed to the headrest. The seat according to claim 2, characterized in that the carriage is slidable within the groove of the backrest between a high position and a low position corresponding to the storage position of the headrest.

4. The seat according to claim 3, further comprising at least one return spring mounted between the carriage and the backrest.

5. The seat according to any one of claims 2 to 4, further comprising a movement limit spring installed between the support column and the cable guide to absorb the end of the movement of the backrest to the lateral reclining position.

6. A movement limit spring is installed between the support column and the cable guide to absorb the end of the movement of the backrest to the lateral reclining position, The seat according to claim 4, characterized in that the rigidity of the movement limit spring is greater than the equivalent rigidity of the return spring.

7. The seat according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the cable guide is mechanically connected to a piston that is slidable inside a guide support fixed to the support column.

8. The return member is a pinion that is mechanically connected to the backrest and is provided to cooperate with a rack fixed to the support column. The seat according to claim 1, wherein the pinion is connected to a pulley mechanically connected to the cable, the pinion carries a slidable stud in a circular slot of the pulley, and the circular slot corresponds to the free travel.

9. The seat according to claim 8, characterized in that the spiral spring is configured such that one end is rotatably connected to the pulley and the other end is rotatably connected to the platform, and the end of the movement of the backrest is absorbed up to the reclining position.

10. The sheet according to any one of claims 1 to 4, A seat unit including a shell that encloses at least a portion of the aforementioned seat.

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