Apparatus and method for controlling a headrest

Abstract

A headrest control device and method are disclosed that can prevent head injuries to an occupant by controlling the cushion of a headrest according to the rotational state of a vehicle seat. A headrest control device according to one aspect includes: a headrest comprising a head support that supports the occupant's head and cushion members installed on both sides of the head support; a rotation sensing sensor for detecting the rotational state of a swivel vehicle seat; and a headrest control unit that controls the degree of inflation of the cushion members of the headrest according to the rotational state of the swivel vehicle seat.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a headrest control device and method, and more specifically, to a headrest control device and method for controlling a headrest according to the rotational state of a vehicle seat. Background Technology

[0002] Generally, the top of a vehicle seat is equipped with a headrest to support the occupant's head. Occupants can adjust the position of the headrest as needed. In the past, occupants had to manually adjust the position of the headrest themselves, but recently, the position of the headrest can be easily adjusted electrically.

[0003] Meanwhile, recently, swivel seats that can be rotated to any angle are being provided, allowing passengers to face each other, converse, or view the external scenery. It is expected that such swivel seats will become even more common as autonomous vehicles become more widespread in the future.

[0004] However, such swivel seat environments can cause head injuries to occupants in the event of a vehicle accident. Specifically, the protective function of the headrest cannot be expected while the swivel seat is rotating or when it is facing sideways. Therefore, measures are needed to prevent head injuries to occupants in the event of a vehicle accident involving a swivel seat. The problem to be solved

[0005] The present invention is proposed to solve the aforementioned problems and relates to a headrest control device and method capable of preventing head injuries to an occupant by controlling the cushion of the headrest according to the rotational state of the vehicle seat. means of solving the problem

[0006] A headrest control device according to one aspect comprises: a headrest including a head support that supports the head of an occupant and cushion members installed on both sides of the head support; a rotation sensing sensor for detecting the rotational state of a swivel vehicle seat; and a headrest control unit that controls the degree of inflation of the cushion members of the headrest according to the rotational state of the swivel vehicle seat.

[0007] The headrest control unit may vary the degree of inflation for each of the following states: a first state in which the rotating vehicle seat faces the front or rear of the vehicle, a second state in which the rotating vehicle seat faces a direction other than the front or rear of the vehicle, or a third state in which the rotating vehicle seat is rotating to the left or right.

[0008] The headrest control unit can control the inflation of the cushion member such that the degree of inflation is greatest in the third state.

[0009] The headrest control unit can control the inflation of the cushion member such that the degree of inflation is smallest in the first state.

[0010] The headrest control unit can control the inflation of the cushion member to an inflation level between the inflation levels in the first state and the third state, respectively, in the case of the second state.

[0011] The above cushion member may be an air cushion, or its inflation may be controlled by a piezo actuator.

[0012] According to another aspect, a method for controlling a headrest comprising a head support that supports the head of an occupant and cushion members installed on both sides of the head support, in a headrest control device, comprises the steps of: detecting a rotational state of a swivel vehicle seat; and controlling the degree of inflation of the cushion members of the headrest according to the rotational state of the swivel vehicle seat.

[0013] The above-mentioned controlling step may vary the degree of inflation for each of the following states: a first state in which the rotating vehicle seat faces the front or rear of the vehicle, a second state in which the rotating vehicle seat faces a direction other than the front or rear of the vehicle, or a third state in which the rotating vehicle seat is rotating to the left or right.

[0014] The above-mentioned controlling step can control the swelling of the cushion member such that the degree of swelling is greatest in the case of the third state.

[0015] The above-mentioned controlling step can control the swelling of the cushion member such that the degree of swelling is smallest in the case of the first state.

[0016] The above-mentioned controlling step can control the swelling of the cushion member to a degree of swelling between the degree of swelling in the first state and the third state, respectively, in the case of the second state.

[0017] The above cushion member may be an air cushion, or its inflation may be controlled by a piezo actuator. Effects of the invention

[0018] According to the present invention, by controlling the degree of inflation of cushion members installed on the left and right sides of the headrest during rotation of the swivel seat or when the swivel seat is facing sideways, it is possible to maintain an optimal riding condition while preventing head injury to the occupant in the event of a vehicle accident. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0019] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a headrest control device according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a drawing showing the headrest of Figure 1. FIG. 3 is a drawing showing an example of a rotatable vehicle seat according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a drawing showing the degree of inflation of the cushion member of the headrest according to the rotational state of a swivel vehicle seat according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of a headrest control device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0020] Hereinafter, embodiments disclosed in this specification will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Identical or similar components regardless of drawing symbols will be assigned the same reference number, and redundant descriptions thereof will be omitted. The suffix "bu" used for components in the following description is assigned or used interchangeably solely for the ease of drafting the specification and does not have a distinct meaning or role in itself. Furthermore, in describing the embodiments disclosed in this specification, if it is determined that a detailed description of related prior art could obscure the essence of the embodiments disclosed in this specification, such detailed description will be omitted. Additionally, the attached drawings are intended only to facilitate understanding of the embodiments disclosed in this specification; the technical concept disclosed in this specification is not limited by the attached drawings, and it should be understood that they include all modifications, equivalents, and substitutions that fall within the spirit and technical scope of the present invention.

[0021] The singular expression includes the plural expression unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this application, terms such as "comprising" or "having" are intended to specify the existence of the features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification, and should be understood as not precluding the existence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0022] For convenience of explanation in implementing the present invention, the components may be described in detail; however, these components may be implemented within a single device or module, or a single component may be divided and implemented across multiple devices or modules.

[0023] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a headrest control device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the headrest of FIG. 1. Referring to FIG. 1, the headrest control device according to the present embodiment includes a headrest (110), a rotation detection sensor (120), and a headrest control unit (130). Here, the headrest control unit (130) may be a processor such as a microprocessor or an Electronic Control Unit (ECU) of a vehicle.

[0024] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the headrest (110) includes a head support (111) that supports the occupant's head and cushion members (112) installed on both sides of the head support (111). The cushion members (112) installed on both sides of the head support (111) are installed in a direction facing both sides of the occupant's head and their inflation is controlled. In one embodiment, the cushion members (112) may be an air cushion and their inflation may be controlled by filling or exhausting air, or their inflation may be controlled mechanically or electronically by a piezo actuator.

[0025] A rotation detection sensor (120) is installed on a rotating vehicle seat to detect the rotation state of the rotating vehicle seat. FIG. 3 is a drawing showing an example of a rotating vehicle seat according to an embodiment of the present invention. The rotating vehicle seat is a seat capable of rotating left and right, and can be rotated by operation of a passenger. Preferably, the rotating vehicle seat may be capable of rotating 360 degrees or rotating 180 degrees to the left and right respectively. The rotation structure of such a rotating vehicle seat may be a known structure or a rotation structure to be developed in the future, and is not particularly limited.

[0026] The headrest control unit (130) controls the degree of inflation of the cushion member (112) of the headrest (110) according to the rotation state of the swivel vehicle seat detected by the rotation detection sensor (120). Here, the rotation state of the swivel vehicle seat may include a first state in which the swivel vehicle seat faces the front or rear of the vehicle, a second state in which the swivel vehicle seat faces a direction other than the front or rear of the vehicle, or a third state in which the swivel vehicle seat is rotating to the left or right.

[0027] The headrest control unit (130) controls the cushion member (112) to a non-inflated state when the rotating vehicle seat is in a first state. For example, if the cushion member (112) is an air cushion, it exhausts the air to return to an initial state. When the rotating vehicle seat is in a second state, the headrest control unit (130) controls the degree of inflation of the cushion member (112) to a medium level, that is, a small amount of inflation. When the rotating vehicle seat is in a third state, the headrest control unit (130) controls the degree of inflation of the cushion member (112) to a large level, that is, a larger amount of inflation than in the second state.

[0028] FIG. 4 is a drawing showing the degree of inflation of the cushion member of the headrest according to the rotational state of a swivel vehicle seat according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] FIG. 4(a) is a first state in which the rotating vehicle seat faces the front of the vehicle, and the cushion member (112) of the headrest (110) is not inflated. Therefore, the distance between the cushion member (112) and the occupant's head maintains a stable distance (d1).

[0030] FIG. 4(b) is a second state in which the rotating vehicle seat faces the left side of the vehicle, and the cushion member (112) of the headrest (110) is controlled to a moderate level, that is, the amount of inflation is small, and the distance (d2) between the cushion member (112) and the occupant's head is reduced compared to the distance (d1) in the first state. Thus, the optimal space for side viewing is maintained while reducing head movement due to front / rear impact of the vehicle.

[0031] Figure 4 (c) is a third state in which the rotating vehicle seat is rotating, and the degree of inflation of the cushion member (112) of the headrest (110) is controlled to be greater, that is, the amount of inflation is greater than in the second state. Accordingly, the distance (d3) between the cushion member (112) and the passenger's head is reduced compared to the distance (d2) in the second state. When the rotating vehicle seat is in a state of rotation, the amount of movement of the head due to the rotational movement of the seat is large, so the inflation of the cushion member (112) is increased to reduce the impact caused by a vehicle accident occurring during the rotation of the seat.

[0032] In one embodiment, the swivel vehicle seat may be equipped with a passenger detection sensor. The passenger detection sensor may be, for example, a weight detection sensor or a proximity sensor, but is not limited thereto. When a passenger is detected by the passenger detection sensor, the headrest control unit (130) begins to control the cushion member (112) of the headrest (110). When a passenger is not detected by the passenger detection sensor, the headrest control unit (130) may reset the degree of inflation of the cushion member (112), i.e., set it to a state without inflation.

[0033] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of a headrest control device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The control method with reference to FIG. 5 can be performed by the headrest control unit (130) of the headrest control device according to a program stored in memory.

[0034] Referring to FIG. 5, in step S501, the headrest control device detects the rotational state of the rotating vehicle seat through a rotation detection sensor (120) installed on the rotating vehicle seat to detect the rotational state of the rotating vehicle seat.

[0035] Here, the rotational state of the rotating vehicle seat may include a first state in which the rotating vehicle seat faces the front or rear of the vehicle, a second state in which the rotating vehicle seat faces a direction other than the front or rear of the vehicle, or a third state in which the rotating vehicle seat is rotating to the left or right.

[0036] In the case of the first state, at step S502, the headrest control device controls the cushion member (112) of the headrest (110) to a non-inflated state. If the cushion member (112) is, for example, an air cushion, air is exhausted to return it to an initial state.

[0037] In the case of the second state, at step S503, the headrest control device controls the degree of inflation of the cushion member (112) of the headrest (110) to an intermediate level, that is, a small amount of inflation.

[0038] In the case of the third state, at step S504, the headrest control device controls the degree of swelling of the cushion member (112) of the headrest (110) to be greater, that is, the amount of swelling is greater than in the case of the second state.

[0039] In one embodiment, the headrest control device can initialize the degree of inflation of the cushion member (112), i.e., set it to an uninflated state, when no occupant is detected by the occupant detection sensor installed on the swivel vehicle seat, and when an occupant is detected by the occupant detection sensor, it can start the control operation described with reference to FIG. 4. Here, the occupant detection sensor may be, for example, a weight detection sensor or a proximity sensor, but is not limited thereto.

[0040] While this specification contains many features, such features should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of the invention or the claims. Additionally, features described in individual embodiments herein may be combined and implemented in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features described in a single embodiment herein may be individually implemented in various embodiments or appropriately combined and implemented.

[0041] Although operations are described in a specific order in the drawings, it should not be understood that such operations are performed in the specific order as illustrated, or in a series of consecutive sequences, or that all described operations are performed to obtain a desired result. Multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous in certain environments. Furthermore, it should be understood that the distinction between various system components in the above-described embodiments does not require such distinction in all embodiments. The above-described program components and systems may generally be implemented as a package in a single software product or multiple software products.

[0042] The method of the present invention as described above can be implemented as a program and stored in a computer-readable form on a recording medium (CD-ROM, RAM, ROM, floppy disk, hard disk, magneto-optical disk, etc.). Since this process can be easily carried out by a person skilled in the art to which the present invention belongs, it will not be described in further detail.

[0043] The present invention described above is not limited by the aforementioned embodiments and attached drawings, as various substitutions, modifications, and changes are possible within the scope of the technical concept of the present invention for those skilled in the art to which the present invention belongs. Explanation of the symbols

[0044] 110 : Headrest 111 : Headrest 112 : Cushion absence 130: Headrest control unit

Claims

Claim 1 A headrest comprising a head support that supports the head of a passenger and cushion members installed on both sides of the head support; a rotation sensing sensor for detecting the rotational state of a swivel vehicle seat; and a headrest control unit for controlling the degree of inflation of the cushion members of the headrest according to the rotational state of the swivel vehicle seat. Claim 2 In claim 1, the headrest control unit is a headrest control device that varies the degree of inflation for each of the following states: a first state in which the swivel vehicle seat faces the front or rear of the vehicle, a second state in which the swivel vehicle seat faces a direction other than the front or rear of the vehicle, or a third state in which the swivel vehicle seat is rotated to the left or right. Claim 3 In paragraph 2, the headrest control unit is a headrest control device that controls the inflation of the cushion member such that the degree of inflation is greatest in the case of the third state. Claim 4 In paragraph 2, the headrest control unit is a headrest control device that controls the inflation of the cushion member such that the degree of inflation is smallest in the first state. Claim 5 In paragraph 2, the headrest control unit is a headrest control device that controls the inflation of the cushion member to an inflation degree between the inflation degree in the first state and the third state in the case of the second state. Claim 6 In claim 1, the cushion member is an air cushion headrest control device. Claim 7 In claim 1, the cushion member is a headrest control device in which inflation is controlled by a piezo actuator. Claim 8 A method for controlling a headrest comprising a head support that supports the head of an occupant and cushion members installed on both sides of the head support, wherein the method comprises the steps of: detecting the rotational state of a swivel vehicle seat; and controlling the degree of inflation of the cushion members of the headrest according to the rotational state of the swivel vehicle seat. Claim 9 In claim 8, the controlling step is a method of varying the degree of inflation for each of the first state in which the rotating vehicle seat faces the front or rear of the vehicle, the second state in which the rotating vehicle seat faces a direction other than the front or rear of the vehicle, or the third state in which the rotating vehicle seat is rotated to the left or right. Claim 10 In claim 9, the controlling step is a method of controlling the swelling of the cushion member such that the degree of swelling is greatest in the case of the third state. Claim 11 In claim 9, the controlling step is a method of controlling the swelling of the cushion member such that the degree of swelling is smallest in the case of the first state. Claim 12 In claim 9, the controlling step is a method of controlling the swelling of the cushion member to a degree of swelling between the degree of swelling in the first state and the third state, respectively, in the case of the second state. Claim 13 In paragraph 8, the cushion member is an air cushion. Claim 14 In claim 8, the cushion member is inflated by a method in which the inflation is controlled by a piezo actuator.

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