Headrest module

Abstract

A headrest module is disclosed. The headrest module includes a mounting base, a rack bracket, and a checker. The rack bracket includes a first gear and is mounted on the mounting so as to be movable in position adjustment directions. The checker includes a second gear engaged with the first gear, and is mounted on the mounting base so as to be movable in a checking direction intersecting the position adjustment directions. The first gear and the second gear are formed to allow movement of the rack bracket in one of the position adjustment directions while moving the checker in the checking direction, and to limit the movement of the rack bracket in the other of the position adjustment directions.

Description

Headrest module

[0001] The present invention relates to a headrest module forming part of a seat of an automobile.

[0002]

[0003] Typically, a car headrest is installed at the top of the seat and can be raised and / or swiveled to adjust to the height of the occupant's head, serving as a headrest. Headrests also support the occupant's head in the event of a rear-end collision, preventing neck injuries.

[0004] In recent years, headrests have been used not only to prevent neck injuries or as headrests, but also as attachment points for video monitors. In these cases, the headrests are designed to allow rear passengers to move forward and backward in a straight line to view video content within the vehicle.

[0005] However, the slide module for linear headrest movement has a complex structure due to its numerous components, and its manufacturing process is also complex. Furthermore, the use of the slide module limits the slimming potential of these headrests. This also hinders maximizing interior space in the era of autonomous vehicles.

[0006] The background technology described above is technical information that the inventor possessed for the purpose of deriving embodiments of the present invention or acquired during the derivation process, and cannot necessarily be said to be publicly known technology disclosed to the general public prior to the present application.

[0007]

[0008] One object of the present invention is to provide a headrest module that can reduce the number of required parts and simplify the manufacturing process.

[0009] Another object of the present invention is to provide a headrest module that can be made slimmer than before while providing a headrest position adjustment function.

[0010]

[0011] According to one aspect of the present invention for achieving the above-described object, a headrest module comprises: a mounting base; a rack bracket having a first gear and movably mounted on the mounting base along a position adjustment direction; and a checker having a second gear meshed with the first gear and movably mounted on the mounting base along a checking direction intersecting the position adjustment direction, wherein the first gear and the second gear may be formed to allow the rack bracket to move along one direction of the position adjustment directions while moving the checker along the checking direction, and to restrict movement of the rack bracket along the other direction of the position adjustment directions.

[0012] Here, the first gear includes a 1-1 tooth surface and a 1-2 tooth surface, the second gear includes a 2-1 tooth surface facing the 1-1 tooth surface, and a 2-2 tooth surface facing the 1-2 tooth surface, and the 1-1 tooth surface and the 2-1 tooth surface may be arranged to contact each other when the rack bracket moves along the one direction, and the 1-2 tooth surface and the 2-2 tooth surface may be arranged to contact each other when the rack bracket moves along the other direction.

[0013] Here, the 1-1 tooth surface and the 2-1 tooth surface can be arranged to form an obtuse angle with respect to the position adjustment direction.

[0014] Here, the first-second tooth surface and the second-second tooth surface can be arranged to form a right angle with respect to the position adjustment direction.

[0015] Here, the mounting base may include a base plate having a first guide portion formed to guide the checker along the checking direction.

[0016] Here, the checking direction may be a direction perpendicular to the first-first tooth surface.

[0017] Here, the mounting base may further include a second guide portion formed to correspond to the first guide portion and formed to guide the checker together with the first guide portion, and a cover plate arranged on the opposite side of the base plate with respect to the rack bracket.

[0018] Here, a biasing unit may be further included to bias the checker toward the rack bracket so that the second gear engages with the first gear.

[0019] Here, the biasing unit may include a checking spring that elastically biases the checker toward the rack bracket.

[0020] Here, the rack bracket may further include a first guide member positioned on one end side of the first gear to guide the checker away from the first gear.

[0021] Here, the first guide member may include a guide surface formed to form an obtuse angle with respect to the extension direction of the first gear.

[0022] Here, the rack bracket may further include a second guide member positioned on the other end side of the first gear to guide the checker in a direction toward the first gear.

[0023] Here, the first guide portion may include a forward / reverse guide portion formed to guide the checker along the checking direction; and a separation guide portion connected to the forward / reverse guide portion and formed to guide the checker in a direction different from the checking direction.

[0024] Here, the above-mentioned separation guide portion can be formed to extend parallel to the position adjustment direction.

[0025] Here, a return unit may be further included that is formed to return the rack bracket to its original position while the checker is guided away from the first gear.

[0026]

[0027] According to the headrest module of the present invention configured as described above, the number of parts required for positioning the headrest module can be reduced and the manufacturing process can also be simplified by allowing or restricting the movement of the rack bracket mounted on the mounting base according to the movement direction of the rack bracket. Furthermore, the headrest module can be made slimmer than before.

[0028]

[0029] FIG. 1 is an assembled perspective view of a headrest module according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the mounting base, checker, and deflection unit of Figure 1.

[0031] Figures 3 to 8 are drawings for explaining the operational relationship between the rack bracket and the checker in Figure 1.

[0032] FIG. 9 is a partially exploded perspective view of a headrest module according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0033]

[0034] Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0035] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, but can be implemented in various forms and with various modifications. However, these embodiments are provided to ensure that the disclosure of the present invention is complete and to fully inform those skilled in the art of the scope of the invention. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, but should be understood to include all modifications, equivalents, and substitutes included within the technical spirit and scope of the present invention, as well as substitutions or additions of the components of one embodiment with those of another embodiment.

[0036] The attached drawings are merely intended to facilitate understanding of the embodiments disclosed in this specification, and should not be construed as limiting the technical ideas disclosed in this specification, but should be understood to encompass all modifications, equivalents, and substitutes included within the spirit and technical scope of the present invention. In the drawings, the components may be expressed in exaggerated sizes or thicknesses for ease of understanding, but the scope of protection of the present invention should not be construed as being limited thereby.

[0037] The terminology used in this specification is only used to describe specific implementations or examples and is not intended to limit the present invention. In addition, the singular expression includes the plural expression unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In the specification, terms such as "comprises" and "consists of" are intended to indicate the presence of a feature, number, step, operation, component, part, or combination thereof described in the specification. In other words, it should be understood that terms such as "comprises" and "consists of" do not exclude in advance the possibility of the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0038] Terms that include ordinal numbers, such as first, second, etc., may be used to describe various components, but the components are not limited by these terms. These terms are used solely to distinguish one component from another.

[0039] When a component is referred to as being "connected / connected" or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that it may be directly connected / connected to that other component, or that there may be other components in between. Conversely, when a component is referred to as being "directly connected / connected" or "directly connected" to another component, it should be understood that there are no other components in between.

[0040] When a component is referred to as being "above" or "below" another component, it should be understood that it is not only positioned directly above that other component, but that there may also be other components present in between.

[0041] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. Terms defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant technology, and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless explicitly defined herein.

[0042] FIG. 1 is an assembled perspective view of a headrest module according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] Referring to this drawing, the headrest module (100) constitutes the majority of the mechanical structure of the headrest. After a cushion is added to the headrest module (100) and a covering is finally applied, it becomes a headrest. The headrest is connected to the seat back (not shown) of the vehicle and supports the head of the occupant.

[0044] The headrest module (100) may include a mounting base (110), a rack bracket (120), a checker (130, see FIG. 2), a return unit (150), and a stay (160).

[0045] The mounting base (110) can be mounted on a stay (160) to be described later. Specifically, the mounting base (110) can be placed on the upper surface of the stay (160).

[0046] The rack bracket (120) is movably mounted along the forward and backward directions (F and B) with respect to the mounting base (110). Since the position of the rack bracket (120) is adjusted along the forward and backward directions (F and B), the forward and backward directions (F and B) are also referred to as position adjustment directions. The forward and backward directions (F and B) collectively refer to a forward direction (F) (left direction in the drawing) in which the headrest module (100) moves closer to the head of a person sitting on the seat, and a backward direction (F) (right direction in the drawing) in which the headrest module moves away from the head. The rack bracket (120) has a first gear (121). The first gear (121) may have a plurality of gear teeth arranged along the forward and backward directions (F and B). The above cushion may be coupled to the rack bracket (120).

[0047] The checker (130) is configured to allow movement along one direction (F) of the forward and backward directions (F and B) of the rack bracket (120), but restrict movement along the other direction (B). To this end, the checker (130) interacts with the first gear (121). The checker (130) will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 2.

[0048] Referring back to FIG. 1, the return unit (150) is configured to move the rack bracket (120) in the backward direction (B) and return it to its original position. The return unit (150) operates while the checker (130) allows the rack bracket (120) to move. The return unit (150) may be, for example, a return spring connecting the rack bracket (120) and the mounting base (110). If the return unit (150) is not employed, the user may manually return the rack bracket (120).

[0049] The stay (160) is a configuration that is coupled to the seat back. As described above, a mounting base (110) may be coupled to the upper portion of the stay (160). The mounting base (110) may be specifically welded to the stay (160).

[0050] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the mounting base, checker, and deflection unit of Figure 1.

[0051] Referring to this drawing, the mounting base (110) may have a base plate (111). The base plate (111) may be welded to a stay (160). A first guide portion (113) may be formed on the base plate (111) to guide the movement of the checker (130). The first guide portion (113) may be, for example, a slot. The shaft (135) of the checker (130) is movably inserted into the slot.

[0052] The first guide portion (113) may have an advance / retreat guide portion (114) and a separation guide portion (115). The advance / retreat guide portion (114) extends along a direction (checking direction) in which the checker (130) advances / retreats toward the first gear (121, see FIG. 1). The separation guide portion (115) is connected to the advance / retreat guide portion (114) and may extend in a different direction from the advance / retreat guide portion (114). The separation guide portion (115) may extend, for example, along a direction generally parallel to the forward / backward directions (F and B). If the advance / retreat guide portion (114) guides the checker (130) to a position closer to or further away from the first gear (121), the separation guide portion (115) allows the checker (130) to maintain a position further away from the first gear (121). These (114 and 115) can be arranged to form a generally obtuse angle with respect to each other.

[0053] The mounting base (110) may further include a cover plate (116). The cover plate (116) may define a space in which the rack bracket (120) is inserted together with the base plate (111). To this end, the cover plate (116) is placed on the opposite side of the base plate (111) with respect to the rack bracket (120). The cover plate (116) may be coupled to the base plate (111) or may be coupled to a stay (160). The cover plate (116) may have a second guide portion (118) corresponding to the first guide portion (113). These (113 and 118) guide the checker (130) to move while maintaining a stable posture. The mounting base (110) may also have a rail member (119). The rail member (119) accommodates both edges of the rack bracket (120) and guides movement of the rack bracket (120) along the position adjustment direction. The rail member (119) may be integrated or incorporated into the base plate (111) and / or the cover plate (116).

[0054] A checker (130) has a second gear (131) that meshes with a first gear (121). The second gear (131) may have a plurality of gear teeth arranged along the front-rear direction (F and B). The number of gear teeth may be smaller than that of the first gear (121). The second gear (131) may be formed on a side surface of a body (133). A shaft (135) may be mounted on a main surface of the body (133). Two shafts (135) are provided to maintain a constant posture of the body (133). Thereby, the second gear (131) may face the first gear (121) at the same angle. The number of shafts (135) is not limited to two, and may be provided with only one, if necessary.

[0055] In order to move the checker (130) within the first guide section (113) {and the second guide section (118)}, a deflection unit (170) may be additionally provided. The deflection unit (170) attempts to move the checker (130), specifically the second gear (131), within the advance / retreat guide section (114) toward the first gear (121).

[0056] The deflection unit (170) may be, for example, a checking spring that elastically deflects the body (133) along a set direction. One end (171) of the checking spring may be mounted on the cover plate (116), and the other end (173) may be mounted on the body (133). The intermediate region between the two ends (171 and 173) may be a tension portion (175) that exerts elastic force. The tension portion (175) may have an arc shape.

[0057] Now, referring to FIGS. 3 to 8, a method for adjusting the position of the headrest module (100) along the forward and backward directions (F and B) will be described. FIGS. 3 to 8 are drawings for explaining the operational relationship between the rack bracket and the checker in FIG. 1.

[0058] First, the rack bracket (120) will be further described with reference to FIG. 3. The rack bracket (120) may have a main plate (122) having a first gear (121) formed thereon. The main plate (122) may be arranged generally parallel to the base plate (111). A cutout (123) may be formed in the main plate (122). A first gear (121) is formed on one surface defining the cutout (123).

[0059] A first guide member (125) may be formed on one end side of the first gear (121) to guide the checker (130) away from the first gear (121) in a direction (a separation direction (S)). The first guide member (125) may have a guide surface (126) that forms an obtuse angle with respect to the extension direction of the first gear (121).

[0060] A second guide member (127) may be formed on the other end side of the first gear (121). Specifically, the second guide member (127) may be formed on another surface defining the cutout portion (123). The second guide member (127) is for guiding the checker (130) in a direction (approach direction (A)) toward the first gear (121). The second guide member (127) may also have a guide surface (128) facing the guide surface (126). Here, the approach direction (A) is a direction generally opposite to the separation direction (S), and they (A and S) may be directions generally perpendicular to the forward and backward directions (F and B).

[0061] In this drawing, the first inductive member (125) and the second inductive member (127) are illustrated as being integrated into the main plate (122), but the present invention is not limited thereto. At least one of them (125 and 127) may be manufactured separately and then assembled into the main plate (122) for convenience of processing, etc.

[0062] The rack bracket (120) can move in the forward direction (F) by interaction with the checker (130), specifically, by interaction between the first gear (121) and the second gear (131), but movement in the backward direction (B) is restricted. To allow movement of the rack bracket (120), the checker (130) can move in the checking direction (C). The checking direction (C) is a direction along the advance / retreat guide (114), and may be a direction forming an acute angle with the forward / reverse directions (F and B).

[0063] The first gear (121), specifically its teeth, may have a first-first tooth surface (121a) and a first-second tooth surface (121b). Similarly, the teeth of the second gear (131) may have a second-first tooth surface (131a) and a second-second tooth surface (131b). The second-first tooth surface (131a) is arranged to face the first-first tooth surface (121a), and the second-second tooth surface (131b) is arranged to face the first-second tooth surface (121b). When the rack bracket (120) moves in the forward direction (F), the first-first tooth surface (121a) comes into contact with the second-first tooth surface (131a). When the rack bracket (120) is to move in the backward direction (B), the 1-2 tooth surface (121b) comes into contact with the 2-2 tooth surface (131b).

[0064] The first-first tooth surface (121a) and the second-first tooth surface (131a) may be arranged to form an obtuse angle with respect to the position adjustment direction. Alternatively, the first-second tooth surface (121b) and the second-second tooth surface (131b) may be arranged to form a generally right angle with respect to the position adjustment direction.

[0065] Referring again to FIG. 3, the headrest module (100) is moved to its maximum in the backward direction (B). The second gear (131) is engaged with the first gear (121) at one end region. The user can move the rack bracket (120) in the forward direction (F) to adjust the position of the headrest module (100).

[0066] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, as the rack bracket (120) is pulled in the forward direction (F), the 1-1 tooth surface (121a) of the first gear (121) passes over the 2-1 tooth surface (131a) of the second gear (131). Accordingly, the first gear (121) of the rack bracket (120) moves in the forward direction (F) relative to the second gear (131) of the checker (130). During the movement of the rack bracket (120), the checker (130) moves away from the first gear (121). As the checker (130) moves, the shaft (135) is located at one end of the advance / retreat guide part (114) (see FIG. 3) and moves to the center (see FIG. 4) or the other end (see FIG. 5) of the advance / retreat guide part (114). The checker (130) must overcome the force of the deflection unit (170) while moving away from the first gear (121).

[0067] Referring to Fig. 6, when the force pulling the rack bracket (120) is removed, the checker (130) is moved toward the first gear (121) by the force of the biasing unit (170) (see Fig. 2). The second gear (131) is engaged with the first gear (121).

[0068] The rack bracket (120) does not move in the backward direction (B). When the rack bracket (120) attempts to move in the backward direction (B), the 1-2 tooth surface (121b) presses the 2-2 tooth surface (131b). Since the 1-2 tooth surface (121b) and the 2-2 tooth surface (131b) are generally perpendicular to the backward direction (B), the 1-2 tooth surface (121b) is blocked by the 2-2 tooth surface (131b) and cannot climb over it. As the rack bracket (120) receives force in the backward direction (B), the shaft (135) of the checker (130) is pressed toward the end of the advance / retreat guide part (114). Since the checking direction (C) is generally perpendicular to the 1-1 tooth surface (121a), this relationship is further strengthened. As a result, the checker (130) is more closely attached to the first gear (121), and the force of the checker (130) to prevent the rack bracket (120) from moving backward becomes stronger. The user can firmly fix the headrest module (100) at a desired position in the backward direction (B).

[0069] Referring to Fig. 7, the user can pull the rack bracket (120) to the maximum along the forward direction (F). After the second gear (131) moves to the end region of the first gear (121), it comes into contact with the first guide member (125). The second gear (131) pulled in the forward direction (F) receives a force in a direction away from the first gear (121) {a separation direction (S)} due to a wedge action with the first guide member (125). The checker (130) becomes separated from the first gear (121), and the shaft (135) moves from the advance / retreat guide member (114) to the separation guide member (115). As a result, despite the action of the deflection unit (170), the shaft (135) remains positioned within the separation guide member (115).

[0070] Referring to Fig. 8, when the second gear (131) is separated from the first gear (121), the rack bracket (120) moves in the backward direction (B) by the action of the return unit (150). The second gear (131) is engaged with the second guide member (128) and receives a force in the direction (A) approaching the first gear (121). Accordingly, the checker (130) can sequentially move along the separation guide part (115) and the advance / retreat guide part (114) to return to the state of Fig. 3. The checker (130) moves by the elastic force of the checking spring (170).

[0071] Figure 9 is a partially exploded perspective view of a headrest module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0072] Referring to this drawing, the headrest module (200) according to the present embodiment has a configuration generally identical to that of the previous headrest module (100), but differs in its arrangement direction. In addition, the headrest module (200) does not have the deflection unit (170, see FIG. 2) of the previous embodiment.

[0073] Specifically, the main plate (222) of the mounting base (210) and the rack bracket (220) may be arranged in a vertical direction rather than a horizontal direction. Accordingly, the first gear (221) may also be arranged in a vertical direction.

[0074] The second gear (231) of the checker (230) can be placed on the upper side of the first gear (221). The shaft (235) is movably inserted into the first guide portion (213). The checker (230) is biased toward the first gear (221) by the action of gravity, even without the biasing unit (170).

[0075] According to this embodiment, the headrest module (200) operates substantially the same as the previous headrest module (100), but provides the advantage of not requiring a deflection unit (170).

[0076]

[0077] The present invention has industrial applicability in the field of headrest module manufacturing.

Claims

1. Mounting base; A rack bracket having a first gear and being movably mounted on the mounting base along a position adjustment direction; and It includes a checker having a second gear that meshes with the first gear and is movably mounted along a checking direction intersecting the position adjustment direction with respect to the mounting base, The above first gear and the above second gear, A headrest module formed so as to allow the rack bracket to move along one of the position adjustment directions while moving the checker along the checking direction, and to restrict movement of the rack bracket along the other direction of the position adjustment directions.

2. In paragraph 1, The above first gear, Includes the 1-1st tooth surface and the 1-2nd tooth surface, The above second gear, The 2-1 tooth surface facing the 1-1 tooth surface; and Including the 2-2 tooth surface facing the 1-2 tooth surface above, The above 1-1 tooth surface and the above 2-1 tooth surface, The above rack bracket is positioned so as to make contact when moving along the above direction, The above 1-2 tooth surface and the above 2-2 tooth surface, A headrest module arranged so as to contact the rack bracket when the rack bracket is to move along the other direction.

3. In paragraph 2, The above 1-1 tooth surface and the above 2-1 tooth surface, A headrest module arranged to form an obtuse angle with the above position adjustment direction.

4. In paragraph 2, The above 1-2 tooth surface and the above 2-2 tooth surface, A headrest module arranged so as to be perpendicular to the above position adjustment direction.

5. In paragraph 2, The above mounting base, A headrest module comprising a base plate having a first guide portion formed to guide the checker along the checking direction.

6. In paragraph 5, The above checking direction is, A headrest module in a direction perpendicular to the above 1-1 tooth surface.

7. In paragraph 5, The above mounting base, A headrest module comprising a second guide portion formed to correspond to the first guide portion and formed to guide the checker together with the first guide portion, and further comprising a cover plate positioned on the opposite side of the base plate with respect to the rack bracket.

8. In paragraph 1, A headrest module further comprising a biasing unit that biases the checker toward the rack bracket so that the second gear engages the first gear.

9. In paragraph 8, The above deflection unit is, A headrest module comprising a checking spring that elastically biases the checker toward the rack bracket.

10. In paragraph 5, The above rack bracket is, A headrest module further comprising a first guide member positioned on one end side of the first gear and guiding the checker away from the first gear.

11. In paragraph 10, The above first inductive member is, A headrest module including a guide surface formed to form an obtuse angle with respect to the extension direction of the first gear.

12. In paragraph 10, The above rack bracket is, A headrest module further comprising a second guide member positioned on the other end side of the first gear and guiding the checker in a direction toward the first gear.

13. In paragraph 10, The above first guide part, A forward / reverse guide portion formed to guide the checker along the checking direction; and A headrest module comprising a separation guide portion connected to the advance / retreat guide portion and formed to guide the checker in a direction different from the checking direction.

14. In paragraph 13, The above separation guide part, A headrest module formed to extend parallel to the above position adjustment direction.

15. In paragraph 10, A headrest module further comprising a return unit formed to return the rack bracket to its original position when the checker is guided away from the first gear.

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