Vehicle seat

Abstract

Provided is a vehicle seat in which the inclination angle of a portion positioned on the front side of a headrest can be easily changed. The vehicle seat includes: a seat cushion; a seat back (11); and a headrest (12). The headrest includes a headrest body (21) and a pillar (22). The seat back has a holder (18) into which the pillar is to be inserted. The headrest has a first head support part (25) facing a first direction orthogonal to an axis X of the pillar, and a second head support part (27) facing a second direction different from the first direction and orthogonal to the axis of the pillar. The headrest is supported by the seat back so as to be switchable between a first orientation in which the first head support part is positioned on the front side and a second orientation in which the second head support part is positioned on the front side, and has a structure in which the inclination angle θ1 of the first head support part with respect to the axis of the pillar and the inclination angle θ2 of the second head support part with respect to the axis of the pillar are different.

Description

Vehicle seats

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle seat.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a vehicle seat that includes a seat cushion fixed to the floor of the vehicle, a seat back connected to the rear end of the seat cushion so as to be reclined, and a headrest supported on the upper end of the seat back so as to be movable up and down.

[0003] The headrest is composed of a headrest frame, a pad member supported by the headrest frame, and a skin material that covers the pad member.

[0004] The headrest frame is composed of a pair of left and right pillars and a connecting portion that connects the upper ends of the pillars together. The left and right pillars are each supported by a cylindrical holder fixed to the seatback frame. Each left and right pillar is composed of a lower frame portion that extends upward and an upper frame portion that bends forward and extends upward from the upper end of the lower frame portion.

[0005] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2022-010402

[0006] The headrest of Patent Document 1 is configured so that the lower front portion of the headrest tilts forward relative to the upper front portion of the seat cushion when the seat back is raised, in order to protect the head of the seated occupant.

[0007] However, some occupants may find it difficult to relax when the seat back is tilted backward because the front of the headrest tilts forward too much.

[0008] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above background, an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle seat in which the tilt angle of the portion located in front of the headrest can be easily changed.

[0009] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, one aspect of the present invention is a vehicle seat (1), comprising a seat cushion (10), a seat back (11) connected to a rear portion of the seat cushion, and a headrest (12) connected to an upper portion of the seat back, the headrest comprising a headrest body (21) and a pair of pillars (22) extending from the headrest body, the seat back having holders (18) into which the pillars are inserted, and the headrest is aligned with an axis (X, Y) of the pillars. The headrest has a first head support portion (25) facing a first direction that is perpendicular to the axis of the pillar, and a second head support portion (27, 55) facing a second direction that is perpendicular to the axis of the pillar and different from the first direction, and is supported by the seat back so as to be switchable between a first position in which the first head support portion is positioned forward and a second position in which the second head support portion is positioned forward, and an inclination angle (θ1) of the first head support portion relative to the axis of the pillar and an inclination angle (θ2, θ3) of the second head support portion relative to the axis of the pillar are different.

[0010] According to this aspect, the inclination angle of the portion of the headrest located at the front can be easily changed by switching the headrest between a first position in which the first head support portion is positioned at the front and a second position in which the second head support portion is positioned at the front.

[0011] In the above aspect, preferably, the first head support portion and the second head support portion face in directions away from each other on the headrest body.

[0012] According to this aspect, by turning the headrest over, the headrest can be easily switched between the first position and the second position.

[0013] In the above aspect, preferably, the headrest includes a center pillar (51) disposed between the pair of pillars and extending vertically, the seat back has a center holder (50) that supports the center pillar, and the center holder rotatably supports the center pillar in a state in which each of the pillars is separated from each of the holders in the seat back.

[0014] According to this aspect, the headrest can be rotatably connected to the seat back.

[0015] In the above aspect, preferably, the first head support portion and the second head support portion are adjacent to each other.

[0016] According to this aspect, the headrest can be easily switched between the first position and the second position by rotating the headrest in the extending direction of the pillar.

[0017] In the above aspect, preferably, the pillar includes a main pillar (22A) and a secondary pillar (22B) longer than the main pillar, and the holder has a main holder (18D) that receives the main pillar and a secondary holder (18E) that receives the secondary pillar, and when the main pillar is separated from the main holder and the secondary pillar is inserted into the secondary holder, the headrest is rotatably connected to the seat back.

[0018] According to this aspect, the headrest can be rotatably connected to the seat back.

[0019] In the above aspect, preferably, the first head support portion is less likely to deform than the second head support portion.

[0020] According to this aspect, the head can be supported by changing the posture.

[0021] In the above aspect, preferably, the headrest has a headrest frame (31) and a pad member (32) provided on the headrest frame, the pad member being formed of a soft portion (32B) material and a hard portion (32C) harder than the soft portion, and the hard portion is disposed in the first head support portion.

[0022] According to this aspect, the headrest can be provided with a hard portion using a simple configuration.

[0023] In the above aspect, preferably, the headrest has a headrest frame and a pad member provided on the headrest frame, and the distance (D2) between the upper end of the headrest frame and the surface on which the second head support portion is provided in a direction perpendicular to the axis is greater than the distance (D1) between the headrest frame and the surface on which the first head support portion is provided in a direction perpendicular to the axis.

[0024] According to this aspect, with a simple configuration, the first head support portion side of the headrest can be made less susceptible to deformation than the second head support portion side.

[0025] In the above aspect, preferably, a neck pillow (48) capable of supporting the neck of a seated occupant is provided on the side of the second head support portion of the headrest.

[0026] According to this aspect, by placing the headrest in the second position, the neck pillow can be positioned to support the neck of the occupant, thereby improving the comfort of the vehicle seat.

[0027] In the above aspect, preferably, a posture detection device (42) is provided for detecting the posture of the headrest.

[0028] According to this aspect, by detecting the position of the headrest, it is possible to notify the seat occupant of the position of the headrest, for example.

[0029] In the above aspect, preferably, the vehicle seat includes a warning device (43) that issues a warning to a seated occupant, a driving state detection device (41) that detects the driving state of the vehicle in which the vehicle seat is mounted, and a control device (45) that issues a warning from the warning device based on the detection results of the posture detection device and the driving state detection device, wherein the inclination angle between the first head support portion and the axis of the pillar is greater than the inclination angle between the second head support portion and the axis of the pillar, and when the driving state detection device determines that the vehicle is driving and the posture detection device determines that the headrest is not in the first posture, the control device causes the warning device to issue a warning.

[0030] According to this aspect, if the vehicle is traveling with the headrest not in the first position, the warning device issues a warning, which prevents the vehicle from traveling with the headrest not in the first position that makes it easier to support the head, thereby protecting the head of the seated occupant.

[0031] In the above aspect, preferably, the headrest has a headrest frame and a pad member provided on the headrest frame, and the headrest frame has a first vertical portion (35B) connected to the upper end of the pillar and extending at an incline toward the first head support portion with respect to the axis of the pillar, and a second vertical portion (62) connected to the upper end of the pillar and extending at an incline toward the second head support portion with respect to the axis of the pillar.

[0032] According to this aspect, in both the first position and the second position, the headrest frame can effectively absorb the load applied to the head of the occupant toward the headrest side.

[0033] The present invention provides a vehicle seat (1), comprising a seat cushion (10), a seat back (11) connected to a rear portion of the seat cushion, and a headrest (12) connected to an upper portion of the seat back, the headrest comprising a headrest body (21) and a pair of pillars (22) extending from the headrest body, the seat back having holders (18) into which the pillars are inserted, and the headrest is configured to be mounted in a first direction perpendicular to an axis (X, Y) of the pillars. and a second head support portion (27) that is perpendicular to the axis of the pillar and faces a second direction different from the first direction, the headrest is supported by the seat back so as to be switchable between a first position in which the first head support portion is disposed on the front side and a second position in which the second head support portion is disposed on the front side, and an inclination angle (θ1) of the first head support portion relative to the axis of the pillar and an inclination angle (θ2, θ3) of the second head support portion relative to the axis of the pillar are different.

[0034] According to this aspect, the inclination angle of the portion of the headrest located at the front can be easily changed by switching the headrest between a first position in which the first head support portion is positioned at the front and a second position in which the second head support portion is positioned at the front.

[0035] In the above aspect, preferably, the first head support portion and the second head support portion face in directions away from each other on the headrest body.

[0036] According to this aspect, by turning the headrest over, the headrest can be easily switched between the first position and the second position.

[0037] In the above aspect, preferably, the headrest includes a center pillar (51) disposed between the pair of pillars and extending vertically, the seat back has a center holder (50) that supports the center pillar, and the center holder rotatably supports the center pillar in a state in which each of the pillars is separated from each of the holders in the seat back.

[0038] According to this aspect, the headrest can be rotatably connected to the seat back.

[0039] In the above aspect, preferably, the first head support portion and the second head support portion are adjacent to each other.

[0040] According to this aspect, the headrest can be easily switched between the first position and the second position by rotating the headrest in the extending direction of the pillar.

[0041] In the above aspect, preferably, the pillar includes a main pillar (22A) and a secondary pillar (22B) longer than the main pillar, and the holder has a main holder (18D) that receives the main pillar and a secondary holder (18E) that receives the secondary pillar, and when the main pillar is separated from the main holder and the secondary pillar is inserted into the secondary holder, the headrest is rotatably connected to the seat back.

[0042] According to this aspect, the headrest can be rotatably connected to the seat back.

[0043] In the above aspect, preferably, the first head support portion is less likely to deform than the second head support portion.

[0044] According to this aspect, the head can be supported by changing the posture.

[0045] In the above aspect, preferably, the headrest has a headrest frame (31) and a pad member (32) provided on the headrest frame, the pad member being formed of a soft portion (32B) material and a hard portion (32C) harder than the soft portion, and the hard portion is disposed in the first head support portion.

[0046] According to this aspect, the headrest can be provided with a hard portion using a simple configuration.

[0047] In the above aspect, preferably, the headrest has a headrest frame and a pad member provided on the headrest frame, and the distance (D2) between the upper end of the headrest frame and the surface on which the second head support portion is provided in a direction perpendicular to the axis is greater than the distance (D1) between the headrest frame and the surface on which the first head support portion is provided in a direction perpendicular to the axis.

[0048] According to this aspect, with a simple configuration, the first head support portion side of the headrest can be made less susceptible to deformation than the second head support portion side.

[0049] In the above aspect, preferably, a neck pillow (48) capable of supporting the neck of a seated occupant is provided on the side of the second head support portion of the headrest.

[0050] According to this aspect, by placing the headrest in the second position, the neck pillow can be positioned to support the neck of the seated occupant, thereby improving the comfort of the vehicle seat.

[0051] In the above aspect, preferably, a posture detection device (42) is provided for detecting the posture of the headrest.

[0052] According to this aspect, by detecting the position of the headrest, it is possible to notify the seat occupant of the position of the headrest, for example.

[0053] In the above aspect, preferably, the vehicle seat includes a warning device (43) that issues a warning to a seated occupant, a driving state detection device (41) that detects the driving state of the vehicle in which the vehicle seat is mounted, and a control device (45) that issues a warning from the warning device based on the detection results of the posture detection device and the driving state detection device, wherein the inclination angle between the first head support portion and the axis of the pillar is greater than the inclination angle between the second head support portion and the axis of the pillar, and when the driving state detection device determines that the vehicle is driving and the posture detection device determines that the headrest is not in the first posture, the control device causes the warning device to issue a warning.

[0054] According to this aspect, if the vehicle is traveling with the headrest not in the first position, the warning device issues a warning, which prevents the vehicle from traveling with the headrest not in the first position that makes it easier to support the head, thereby protecting the head of the seated occupant.

[0055] In the above aspect, preferably, the headrest has a headrest frame and a pad member provided on the headrest frame, and the headrest frame has a first vertical portion (35B) connected to the upper end of the pillar and extending at an incline toward the first head support portion with respect to the axis of the pillar, and a second vertical portion (62) connected to the upper end of the pillar and extending at an incline toward the second head support portion with respect to the axis of the pillar.

[0056] According to this aspect, in both the first position and the second position, the headrest frame can effectively absorb the load applied to the head of the occupant toward the headrest side.

[0057] 1A and 1B are front and rear views of a headrest frame of a vehicle seat according to a fourth embodiment; 1A is a side view of a vehicle seat with a seat back in an upright position and 1B is a side view of a vehicle seat with a seat back tilted backward; 1B is a front view of an upper part of a seat body; 1B is a side view of an upper part of a seat body according to a modified example; 1B is a block diagram of a warning system; 1B is a flowchart of a warning process; 1B is a front view of an upper part of a seat body of a vehicle seat according to a second embodiment;

[0058] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment in which a vehicle seat according to the present invention is applied to an automobile seat will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0059] (First embodiment) As shown in Fig. 1, a vehicle seat 1 is disposed on a floor 3 (floor surface) of a vehicle interior 2. The vehicle seat 1 includes a seat body 5 and a slide device 6. The slide device 6 connects the seat body 5 to the floor 3 so that the seat body 5 can slide in the front-to-rear direction. In the following description, directions are defined based on the front-to-rear, left-to-right, and up-to-down directions of the vehicle.

[0060] The seat body 5 includes a seat cushion 10, a seat back 11, and a headrest 12. The seat back 11 is provided at the rear end of the seat cushion 10. The seat cushion 10 forms a seating surface, and the seat back 11 functions as a backrest. The headrest 12 is provided at the upper end of the seat back 11.

[0061] The rear end of the seat cushion 10 and the lower end of the seat back 11 are connected by a reclining device 13. The reclining device 13 connects the seat back 11 to the seat cushion 10 so that the seat back 11 can rotate freely around a left-right axis R. The reclining device 13 can maintain the rotation angle of the seat back 11 relative to the seat cushion 10 at any angle.

[0062] The provision of the reclining device 13 allows the seat body 5 to be deformed to suit the usage situation. Specifically, the seat body 5 can be deformed between a state in which the seat back 11 stands up relative to the seat cushion 10 (see FIG. 2) and a state in which the seat back 11 is tilted backward relative to the seat cushion 10 (see FIG. 3). For convenience of explanation, the following description will be based on the state in which the seat back 11 is in the upright position.

[0063] As shown in FIG. 4 , the seat back 11 includes a seat back frame 15 , a pad member 16 supported by the seat back frame 15 , and a cover material 17 covering the pad member 16 .

[0064] The seatback frame 15 has left and right side members 15A (see FIG. 1) that extend substantially in the vertical direction, upper members 15B (see FIG. 4) that extend left and right and are joined to the upper ends of the left and right side members 15A, respectively, and lower members (not shown) that extend left and right and are joined to the lower ends of the left and right side members 15A, respectively.

[0065] A pair of holders 18 (also called guide stays, stays, or pillar guides) are connected to the center of the upper member 15B in the left-right direction. Each holder 18 is cylindrical with both ends open. The holders 18 are arranged at a distance from each other on the left and right.

[0066] In this embodiment, the holder 18 is connected to the upper member 15B via a bracket 19. The bracket 19 is plate-shaped with a surface facing substantially forward. The upper edge of the bracket 19 is welded to the substantially central portion of the upper member 15B in the left-right direction.

[0067] In this embodiment, the holder 18 includes a substantially rectangular prism-shaped holder body 18A and a pair of left and right flanges 18B extending outward from the rear edges of the left and right sides of the holder body 18A. The flanges 18B are fixed to brackets 19, respectively, so that the holder 18 is connected to the seatback frame 15.

[0068] Each holder 18 is cylindrical and has a through hole 18C that penetrates substantially in the vertical direction. The holders 18 are arranged so that the axes of the through holes 18C extend along the side member 15A and are parallel to each other, and are fixed to the bracket 19. A resin intervening member (not shown) is provided in the through hole 18C of the holder 18. The intervening member has a through hole that extends in the vertical direction and has a circular cross section. The intervening member is housed coaxially in the through hole 18C of the holder 18. The diameter of the through hole in the intervening member is approximately equal to the diameter of the pillar 22, and the pillar 22 is rotatably coupled to the holder 18 by being inserted into the through hole of the intervening member. The intervening members inserted in the left and right holders 18 have the same shape.

[0069] The headrest 12 includes a headrest main body 21 and a pair of left and right pillars 22 extending downward from the lower surface of the headrest main body 21 in approximately parallel relation to each other.

[0070] The headrest body 21 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape and has four side surfaces facing four different directions, i.e., a first direction, a second direction, a third direction, and a fourth direction, which are perpendicular to the axis X of the pillar 22.

[0071] As shown in Figure 2, when the seat back 11 is upright, one of the four sides of the headrest main body 21 (hereinafter referred to as the front surface 24) is positioned forward, and a first head support portion 25 that supports the head of the seated occupant is provided at the bottom of the front surface 24. The first head support portion 25 is provided at approximately the center in the left-right direction of the bottom of the front surface 24. The first head support portion 25 forms a substantially flat surface. Hereinafter, the position of the headrest 12 when the first head support portion 25 is positioned forward will be referred to as the first position.

[0072] As shown in Figure 3, when the seat back 11 is tilted backward, one of the four sides of the headrest main body 21, which faces a direction different from the front face 24 (hereinafter referred to as the back face 26), is positioned forward. The back face 26 is provided with a second head support portion 27 that supports the head of the seated occupant. The second head support portion 27 is provided at approximately the center in the left-right direction of the lower part of the back face 26. The second head support portion 27 forms an approximately flat surface. Hereinafter, the position of the headrest 12 when the second head support portion 27 is positioned forward will be referred to as the second position.

[0073] The first head support portion 25 and the second head support portion 27 are provided on surfaces of the headrest body 21 that face away from each other. The first head support portion 25 and the second head support portion 27 are preferably provided at heights that match the head position of an occupant with a standard build. The positions of the first head support portion 25 and the second head support portion 27 may be determined based on the head position of a three-dimensional seated dummy (3DM-JM50) for measuring automobile interior dimensions.

[0074] As shown in FIG. 5 , the first head support portion 25 is inclined in a direction away from the axis X of the pillar 22 as it extends upward along the axis X of the pillar 22. The second head support portion 27 is inclined in a direction away from the axis X of the pillar 22 as it extends upward along the axis X of the pillar 22. However, this is not limiting, and the second head support portion 27 may be substantially parallel to the axis X of the pillar 22. When the headrest 12 is in the first position, the first head support portion 25 forms a surface that tilts forward with respect to the axis X of the pillar 22 in a side view. The second head support portion 27 is inclined in a direction away from the rear as it extends upward along the axis X of the pillar 22 in a side view. As a result, the second head support portion 27 forms a surface that tilts rearward with respect to the axis X of the pillar 22.

[0075] As shown in FIG. 5 , the inclination angle θ 1 of the first head support portion 25 with respect to the axis X of the pillar 22 is larger than the inclination angle θ 2 of the second head support portion 27 with respect to the axis X of the pillar 22 .

[0076] The pillars 22 are identically shaped like cylinders. Each pillar 22 is configured to be insertable into and detachable from an intervening member provided in the holder 18. The headrest 12 is connected to the seat back 11 by inserting each pillar 22 into the holder 18 via the intervening member. A locking structure for locking the headrest 12 to the seat back 11 may be provided between the holder 18 and the pillar 22.

[0077] Each pillar 22 is configured to be insertable into and detachable from any of the intervening members provided on any of the holders 18. This allows the seat occupant to switch the position of the headrest 12 between a first position and a second position. In other words, the headrest 12 is connected to the seat back 11 so as to be freely switchable between the first position in which the first head support portion 25 is positioned forward and the second position in which the second head support portion 27 is positioned forward.

[0078] When the headrest 12 is in the first position, the lower front surface of the headrest 12 is tilted further forward relative to the upper front surface of the seat back 11 compared to when the headrest 12 is in the second position. Therefore, by raising the seat back 11 and setting the headrest 12 to the first position while the vehicle is traveling, the head of the seated occupant can be protected better than when the headrest 12 is in the second position.

[0079] When the vehicle is stopped, the seat back 11 is tilted backward and the headrest 12 is in the second position, so that the lower front portion of the headrest 12 is tilted further backward than when it is in the first position, which makes it easier for the seated person to assume a relaxed position.

[0080] Next, a detailed description will be given of an example of the structure of the headrest 12. The following description will be given based on the headrest 12 being in the first position.

[0081] As shown in FIG. 4 , the headrest 12 includes a headrest frame 31 , a pad member 32 , and a cover material 33 .

[0082] The headrest frame 31 has left and right vertical portions 35 that extend in the up-down direction when viewed from the front, and horizontal portions 36 that extend in the left-right direction and are connected to the upper ends of the left and right vertical portions 35. In this embodiment, the headrest frame 31 is made of a bent and deformed round metal pipe.

[0083] Each vertical portion 35 has a lower vertical portion 35A that forms its lower portion, and an upper vertical portion 35B that is connected to the upper end of the lower vertical portion 35A. Each lower vertical portion 35A extends in the up-and-down direction. The lower ends of the lower vertical portions 35A form pillars 22. Each upper vertical portion 35B is connected at its lower end to the upper end of the lower vertical portion 35A. The upper vertical portions 35B extend in a direction that slopes forward toward the upper direction of the lower vertical portion 35A. The upper ends of the upper vertical portions 35B are bent toward each other at their upper ends and are connected to the left and right ends of the horizontal portion 36.

[0084] Because the axis of the upper vertical portion 35B is inclined forward relative to the lower vertical portion 35A, the headrest frame 31 is configured to bend forward at the upper portion, as shown in Fig. 5. In a side view, a distance D2 between the upper end of the headrest frame 31 and the back surface 26 of the headrest 12 (the surface on which the second head support portion 27 is provided) in a direction perpendicular to the axis X of the pillar 22 is greater than a distance D1 between the headrest frame 31 and the front surface 24 (the surface on which the first head support portion 25 is provided) in a direction perpendicular to the axis X of the pillar 22.

[0085] The pad member 32 is made of a material having cushioning properties (cushioning material) such as urethane foam resin. The pad member 32 may be made of a single member, or may be made of a plurality of members (parts).

[0086] 6, the pad member 32 may have a hard portion 32A that is less likely to deform than other portions in a portion located inside (toward the back surface 26) of the first head support portion 25. In this case, the pad member 32 may be composed of a soft member 32B and a hard member 32C made of a material harder than the soft member 32B, and the hard portion 32A may be composed of the hard member 32C. This allows the hard portion 32A to be provided on the back surface 26 side of the first head support portion 25 of the headrest 12 with a simple configuration.

[0087] The pad member 32 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The headrest frame 31 is embedded inside the pad member 32, and the pad member 32 is supported by the headrest frame 31.

[0088] The headrest frame 31 and the pad member 32 may be joined to each other by, for example, insert molding. Alternatively, the pad member 32 may be joined to the headrest frame 31 by inserting the headrest frame 31 into a slit or recess provided in the pad member 32.

[0089] The skin material 33 is made of a sheet-like material such as cloth or leather, and has a bag-like shape. The skin material 33 covers the outer surface of the pad member 32. The skin material 33 covers at least a portion of the outer surface of the pad member 32. After the headrest frame 31 and the pad member 32 are joined together, the headrest 12 is manufactured by covering them with the skin material 33.

[0090] In this embodiment, the vehicle seat 1 is provided with a warning system 40 that warns the seat occupant when the headrest 12 is not in the correct position.

[0091] As shown in FIG. 7, the warning system 40 includes a running state detection device 41 , a posture detection device 42 , a warning device 43 , and a control device 45 .

[0092] The driving condition detection device 41 acquires information related to the driving condition of the vehicle and outputs it to the control device 45. The driving condition detection device 41 may be configured with a vehicle speed sensor 41A that detects the speed of the vehicle, or may be configured with an acceleration sensor 41B that detects the acceleration of the vehicle.

[0093] The posture detection device 42 is provided in the seat body 5 , acquires information relating to the posture of the headrest 12 , and outputs the information to the control device 45 .

[0094] The posture detection device 42 may include a contact switch 42A that is turned on when the posture of the headrest 12 is in the first posture. For example, the posture detection device 42 may be configured by a protrusion (not shown) provided on one of the pillars 22 and the contact switch 42A provided on the holder 18 (or an intervening member provided on the holder 18) into which the pillar 22 having the protrusion should be inserted when the headrest 12 is in the first posture. It is preferable that the posture detection device 42 is configured so that when the pillar 22 having the protrusion is inserted into the holder 18 having the contact switch 42A, the protrusion abuts against the contact switch 42A and the contact switch 42A is turned on.

[0095] The posture detection device 42 may be configured with a magnet (not shown) provided on one of the pillars 22 and a magnetic sensor 42B provided on the holder 18 into which the pillar 22 equipped with the magnet should be inserted when the headrest 12 is in the first posture. When a pillar 22 equipped with a magnet is inserted into the holder 18 equipped with the magnetic sensor 42B, a stronger magnetic field is detected by the magnetic sensor 42B than when a pillar 22 without a magnet is inserted. This makes it possible to detect the posture of the headrest 12. By providing the posture detection device 42 in this manner, it is possible, for example, to issue a warning according to the posture of the headrest 12 or notify the seat occupant of the posture of the headrest 12. Note that the magnetic sensor 42B may be provided on an intervening member inserted into the holder 18 into which the pillar 22 equipped with the magnet should be inserted.

[0096] The attitude detection device 42 may be based on resistance detection or on optical detection including a light emitting element and a light receiving element.

[0097] The warning device 43 issues a warning to an occupant seated in the seat main body 5. The warning device 43 may be configured, for example, with a speaker 43A that emits sound toward the occupant seated in the seat main body 5. The warning device 43 may also include a display 43B that presents various information to the occupant. The warning device 43 may also be any of various light-emitting devices (for example, an LED) that alert the occupant with light.

[0098] The control device 45 includes a processor 45A such as a CPU, a non-volatile memory 45B (ROM), and a volatile memory 45C (RAM). The control device 45 may also include a storage device 45D such as an SSD or HDD. The control device 45 is connected to the running state detection device 41, the attitude detection device 42, and the warning device 43.

[0099] The control device 45 controls the warning device 43 based on the detection results of the running state detection device 41 and the detection results of the posture detection device 42. In detail, the processor 45A executes a program stored in the non-volatile memory 45B or the volatile memory 45C to obtain the detection results of the mode detection device and the running state detection device 41 and executes a warning process that outputs to the warning device 43. When the warning device 43 obtains the output from the control device 45, it controls the warning device 43 based on the obtained output to warn the seat occupant.

[0100] When the vehicle is started, the processor 45A of the control device 45 executes a warning process at a predetermined time (for example, every five minutes). The warning process executed by the processor 45A of the control device 45 will be described in detail below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

[0101] In the first step ST1 of the warning process, the processor 45A acquires the detection result of the vehicle's running state from the running state detection device 41 and determines whether the vehicle is running. When the running state detection device 41 is configured with the vehicle speed sensor 41A, the processor 45A may acquire the vehicle speed in step ST1 and determine that the vehicle is running when the vehicle speed is greater than a predetermined threshold value.

[0102] When the traveling state detection device 41 is configured with an acceleration sensor 41B, the processor 45A may determine that the vehicle is traveling when the acceleration acquired by the acceleration sensor 41B is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. Alternatively, the processor 45A may estimate the vehicle speed based on the history of the acceleration acquired by the acceleration sensor 41B, and determine that the vehicle is traveling when the estimated vehicle speed is greater than the predetermined threshold.

[0103] When the processor 45A determines that the vehicle is moving, it executes step ST2, and when it determines that the vehicle is not moving, it ends the warning process.

[0104] In step ST2, the processor 45A determines whether or not the headrest 12 is in the first position based on the detection result of the position detection device 42. If the processor 45A determines that the headrest 12 is not in the first position, it executes step ST3, and if the processor 45A determines that the headrest 12 is in the first position, it ends the warning process.

[0105] In step ST3, the processor 45A controls the warning device 43 to warn the seat occupant that the headrest 12 is not in the first position. If the warning device 43 is a speaker 43A, it may issue an audio warning to the seat occupant that the headrest 12 is not in the first position, along with a notification urging the seat occupant to move the headrest 12 so that the headrest 12 is in the first position. Alternatively, if the warning device 43 is configured with a display 43B, the control device 45 may cause the warning device 43 to display a warning that the headrest 12 is not in the first position. If the warning device 43 is configured with a light-emitting element, the control device 45 may issue a warning by illuminating the light-emitting element. When the warning by the warning device 43 is completed, the processor 45A ends the warning process.

[0106] Next, the effects of the vehicle seat 1 configured in this manner will be described.

[0107] The position of the headrest 12 can be switched between a first position in which the first head support portion 25 faces forward and a second position in which the second head support portion 27 faces forward.

[0108] When the seat back 11 is in an upright position or the vehicle is running, if the headrest 12 is in the first position, the headrest 12 is in a more forward tilted position than when it is in the second position, so that the headrest 12 can protect the head of the seated person well.

[0109] When the seat back 11 is tilted backward or the vehicle is stopped, if the headrest 12 is in the second position, the lower front portion of the headrest 12 is tilted backward compared to when the headrest 12 is in the first position. This allows, for example, the amount of protrusion of the headrest 12 relative to the upper front portion of the seat back 11 to be reduced, so the headrest 12 can provide an environment in which the seated person can more easily relax.

[0110] In this way, by switching the headrest 12 between the first position in which the first head support portion 25 is positioned forward and the second position in which the second head support portion 27 is positioned forward, it is possible to easily change the tilt angle of the portion located in front of the headrest 12. This makes it possible to provide a vehicle seat 1 that can protect the head of the seated occupant when the seat back 11 is upright, and that makes it easy for the seated occupant to assume a relaxed posture when the seat back 11 is tilted backward.

[0111] The first head support portion 25 and the second head support portion 27 are provided on the side surface of the headrest main body 21 that is perpendicular to the axis X of the pillar 22. Therefore, by rotating the headrest 12 about the axis X of the pillar 22, the surface provided on the front side of the headrest 12 can be switched between the first head support portion 25 and the second head support portion 27. This makes it possible to change the inclination angle of the surface provided on the front side of the headrest 12 with a simple configuration, without deforming the headrest main body 21 with an actuator or the like.

[0112] In this embodiment, the first head support portion 25 and the second head support portion 27 are provided on surfaces of the headrest 12 that face in directions away from each other. Therefore, by turning the headrest 12 180 degrees, the surface provided on the front side of the headrest 12 can be switched between the first head support portion 25 and the second head support portion 27. Furthermore, when the headrest 12 is turned 180 degrees, the pillars 22 can be inserted into the holders 18 via the intervening members, so the headrest 12 and the seat back 11 can be connected via the two pillars 22 whether the headrest 12 is in the first position or the second position.

[0113] In a side view, the distance D2 between the upper end of the headrest frame 31 and the second head support portion 27 is larger than the distance D1 between the headrest frame 31 and the first head support portion 25. Therefore, when the headrest 12 is in the second position, the distance between the surface located on the front side of the headrest 12 and the headrest frame 31 can be increased. This makes it possible to provide a portion on the front side of the headrest 12 that is easily deformed when the headrest 12 is in the second position. Therefore, when the headrest 12 is positioned so that the second head support portion 27 faces forward, it is possible to provide an environment that makes it easier for the seated occupant to relax.

[0114] The pad member 32 may have a hard portion 32A that is less likely to deform than other portions, in a portion adjacent to the first head support portion 25. Even in this case, a portion that is more likely to deform can be provided on the front side of the headrest 12 when the headrest 12 is in the second position. Therefore, when the seat body 5 is in the relaxation mode and the headrest 12 is positioned so that the second head support portion 27 faces forward, an environment that makes it easier for the seated occupant to relax can be provided.

[0115] The control device 45 executes a warning process at predetermined time intervals. In the warning process, when the vehicle is traveling (Yes in ST1) and the headrest 12 is not in the first position (No in ST2), the control device 45 issues a warning to the driver by using the warning device 43 to change the headrest 12 to the first position.

[0116] As a result, if the vehicle travels with the headrest 12 not in the first position, a warning is issued from the warning device 43. This makes it possible to prevent the vehicle from traveling with the headrest 12 not in the first position, thereby more reliably protecting the head of the seated occupant.

[0117] 1, a neck pillow 48 for supporting the neck of the seated occupant may be provided on the surface of the headrest 12 on which the second head support portion 27 is provided. By providing the neck pillow 48 in this manner, the comfort of the vehicle seat 1 can be improved.

[0118] Second Embodiment The vehicle seat 1 according to the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the connection structure between the headrest 12 and the seat back 11, but the other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment. Therefore, the description of the other configurations will be omitted.

[0119] As shown in Fig. 9, a pair of left and right holders 18 are provided on the seat back frame 15, similar to the first embodiment. A center holder 50 extending substantially parallel to the holders 18 is provided at the center in the left-right direction between the left and right holders 18. Similar to the holder 18, a through hole 50A is formed in the center holder 50. The through hole 50A extends substantially parallel to the through hole 18C of the holder 18 and penetrates the center holder 50 from top to bottom. Similar to the holder 18, an interposing member is inserted into the through hole 50A, and the interposing member has a circular through hole.

[0120] In this embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, the holder 18 is fixed to the upper member 15B via the bracket 19. The center holder 50 is also coupled to the bracket 19 and thereby fixed to the upper member 15B.

[0121] The headrest 12 includes a headrest body 21 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and a pair of left and right pillars 22 extending downward from the underside of the headrest body 21, as in the first embodiment.

[0122] The headrest 12 includes a headrest main body 21, a pair of left and right pillars 22, and a center pillar 51 extending downward from the underside of the headrest main body 21 at the center of the left and right pillars 22 in the left-right direction. The center pillar 51 is generally columnar (or cylindrical). The extension amount of the center pillar 51 from the underside of the headrest main body 21 is greater than the extension amounts of the left and right pillars 22. The axis of the center pillar 51 is preferably parallel to the pillars 22. The diameter of the center pillar 51 is approximately equal to the diameter of the intervening member inserted into the center holder 50, and the center pillar 51 is inserted into the center holder 50 so as to be rotatable and slidable up and down.

[0123] As in the first embodiment, the headrest frame 31 includes a pair of left and right vertical portions 35 extending in the up-down direction, and horizontal portions 36 extending left and right and connecting the upper ends of the vertical portions 35. However, in the second embodiment, in addition to the pair of left and right vertical portions 35 and horizontal portions 36, the headrest frame 31 also includes a support frame 52 extending downward from approximately the center of the horizontal portions 36 in the left-right direction and parallel to the vertical portions 35. The support frame 52 extends downward compared to the vertical portions 35. A lower portion of the support frame 52 extends downward below the pad member 32 and constitutes a center pillar 51.

[0124] When the headrest 12 is in the first position, the pillars 22 are inserted into the corresponding holders 18 via the intervening members, and the center pillars 51 are inserted into the center holders 50 via the intervening members. If the seated person lifts the headrest main body 21 without separating the center pillars 51 from the center holders 50 and until the pillars 22 are pulled out of the holders 18, the headrest 12 becomes rotatable about the axis of the center pillars 51, as shown in FIG. 10 . At this time, if the seated person rotates the headrest 12 180 degrees about the axis of the center pillars 51 and lowers the headrest 12, the pillars 22 are inserted into the holders 18 via the intervening members. This switches the position of the headrest 12 from the first position to the second position.

[0125] Similarly, when the headrest 12 is in the second position, if the seated person lifts the headrest 12, rotates the headrest 12 180 degrees around the axis of the center pillar 51, and lowers the headrest 12, the position of the headrest 12 is switched from the second position to the first position.

[0126] Next, the effects of the vehicle seat 1 configured in this manner will be described.

[0127] The position of the headrest 12 can be switched between a first position in which the first head support portion 25 faces forward and a second position in which the second head support portion 27 faces forward. As a result, similar to the first embodiment, by switching the headrest 12 to the first position while the vehicle is moving, the head of the seated occupant can be well protected. Furthermore, by switching the headrest 12 to the second position while the vehicle is stopped, the front lower portion of the headrest 12 can be tilted further backward compared to when it is in the first position. This, for example, can reduce the amount of protrusion of the headrest 12 relative to the front upper portion of the seat back 11, making it easier for the seated occupant to assume a relaxed position.

[0128] When the seat occupant lifts the headrest body 21, the left and right pillars 22 separate from the holders 18, and the center pillar 51 is inserted into the center holder 50 via the intervening member. At this time, as shown in Figure 10, the headrest 12 is connected to the seat back 11 so as to be rotatable around the axis of the center pillar 51. In other words, the seat back 11 is connected by the center holder 50 so as to be rotatable around the axis of the center pillar 51, with the two pillars 22 separated from the holders 18 and separated from the seat back 11.

[0129] In this way, by providing the center pillar 51 and the center holder 50, the seated person can easily rotate the headrest 12 to change the orientation of the headrest 12. Therefore, the headrest 12 can be easily switched between the first position and the second position.

[0130] (Third embodiment) The vehicle seat 1 according to the third embodiment is different from the vehicle seat 1 according to the first embodiment in the shape of the pillar 22 and the shape of the headrest main body 21, but the other configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment. Therefore, a description of the other configuration will be omitted.

[0131] Similar to the first embodiment, the headrest 12 according to the third embodiment includes a headrest main body 21 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape and a pair of left and right pillars 22 extending downward from the underside of the headrest main body 21. Each of the pillars 22 has a substantially cylindrical shape, similar to the first embodiment. However, while the two pillars 22 have the same length in the first embodiment, the lengths of the two pillars 22 are different in the third embodiment.

[0132] Hereinafter, the pillar 22 having a long extension length will be referred to as a main pillar 22A, and the pillar 22 having a short extension length will be referred to as a sub-pillar 22B.

[0133] As in the first embodiment, a first head support portion 25 is provided at the bottom of the front surface 24 of the headrest main body 21, and a second head support portion 27 is provided at the bottom of the back surface 26. In a side view seen from a direction perpendicular to the front surface 24 and the back surface 26, the angle θ1 formed between the first head support portion 25 and the axis X of the pillar 22 and the angle θ2 formed between the second head support portion 27 and the axis X of the pillar 22 are set to the same values ​​as in the first embodiment. That is, in a side view, the angle θ1 formed between the first head support portion 25 and the axis X of the pillar 22 is different from the angle θ2 formed between the second head support portion 27 and the axis X of the pillar 22, and the angle θ1 is set to be larger than the angle θ2.

[0134] As in the first embodiment, a pair of left and right holders 18 are provided on the seat back 11. The headrest 12 is connected to the seat back 11 by inserting pillars 22 into the holders 18 via intervening members.

[0135] 11 , among the side surfaces of the headrest main body 21 that are orthogonal to the axis X of the pillar 22, the surfaces adjacent to the front face 24 (hereinafter referred to as left and right side surfaces 54) also have substantially flat surfaces. Hereinafter, of the left and right side surfaces 54, the substantially flat surfaces provided on the lower parts of the side surfaces adjacent to the front face 24 and located on the main pillar 22A side will be referred to as third head support portions 55. The first head support portion 25 and the third head support portion 55 are adjacent to each other, and the third head support portion 55 and the second head support portion 27 are adjacent to each other.

[0136] The angle θ3 formed between the axis Y of the main pillar 22A and the third head support portion 55 is smaller than the angle θ1 formed between the axis of the main pillar 22A and the first head support portion 25. In addition, the angle θ3 formed between the axis of the main pillar 22A and the third head support portion 55 may be approximately equal to the angle θ2 formed between the axis Y of the main pillar 22A and the second head support portion 27, or may be different from the angle θ2.

[0137] It is preferable that the distance D3 between the upper end of the headrest frame 31 and the left and right side surfaces 54 on which the third head support portion 55 is provided, in a direction perpendicular to the axis X of the pillar 22, is larger than the distance D1 between the headrest frame 31 and the front surface 24 (the surface on which the first head support portion 25 is provided), in a direction perpendicular to the axis X of the pillar 22.

[0138] Next, the effects of the vehicle seat 1 configured in this manner will be described.

[0139] Since the two pillars 22 are configured to have different lengths, the seat occupant can lift the headrest 12 while the main pillar 22A remains inserted in the corresponding holder 18 (hereinafter referred to as the main holder 18D) until the sub-pillar 22B separates from the holder 18 (hereinafter referred to as the sub-holder 18E) in which it is housed. At this time, the headrest 12 is connected to the seat back 11 so as to be rotatable about the axis Y of the main pillar 22A.

[0140] By rotating the headrest 12 while the main pillar 22A remains inserted into the holder 18 via the intervening member, the occupant can easily change the position of the headrest 12 between a first position (see Figure 11) in which the first head support portion 25 is positioned forward and a third position (see Figure 12) in which the third head support portion 55 is positioned forward.

[0141] The position of the headrest 12 can be switched between a first position in which the first head support portion 25 faces forward and a third position in which the third head support portion 55 faces forward. As a result, similar to the first embodiment, by switching the headrest 12 to the first position while the vehicle is moving, the head of the seated occupant can be well protected. Furthermore, by switching the headrest 12 to the third position while the vehicle is stopped, the front lower portion of the headrest 12 can be tilted further backward compared to when it is in the first position. This, for example, can reduce the amount of protrusion of the headrest 12 relative to the front upper portion of the seat back 11, making it easier for the seated occupant to assume a relaxed position.

[0142] (Fourth embodiment) In the vehicle seat 1 according to the fourth embodiment, the outer shape of the seat body 5 and the structure of the pillars 22 are similar to those of the first embodiment, but the structure of the headrest frame 31 is different, and the other configurations are similar to those of the first embodiment. Therefore, a description of the other configurations will be omitted.

[0143] As in the first embodiment, the headrest 12 has a headrest frame 31 forming a skeleton, a pad member 32 supported by the headrest frame 31, and a skin material 33 covering the pad member 32.

[0144] 14(A) and 14(B), the headrest frame 31 has a main frame 60 having a shape similar to that of the headrest frame 31 of the first embodiment, and a sub-frame 61 connected to the main frame 60. The main frame 60 and the sub-frame 61 are each made of a bent and deformed round metal pipe.

[0145] As shown in Fig. 14(A), the main frame 60, like the headrest frame 31 of the first embodiment, includes a pair of left and right vertical portions 35 extending generally vertically in a front view, and a horizontal portion 36. Each vertical portion 35 extends vertically and includes a lower vertical portion 35A constituting a pillar 22, and an upper vertical portion 35B connected to the upper end of the lower vertical portion 35A. As shown in Fig. 14(B), the upper vertical portion 35B extends from the upper end of the lower vertical portion 35A, inclining obliquely upward and forward with respect to the axis L of the lower vertical portion 35A. As shown in Fig. 14(A), the horizontal portion 36 extends left and right, and both ends are connected to the upper ends of the lower vertical portion 35A.

[0146] 13 , the sub-frame 61 also includes a pair of left and right vertical sub-portions 62 extending generally vertically in a front view, and horizontal sub-portions 63 extending left and right and connected at both ends to the upper ends of the vertical sub-portions 62. The lower ends of the vertical sub-portions 62 of the sub-frame 61 are joined to the upper ends of the lower vertical portion 35A of the main frame 60. The vertical sub-portions 62 of the sub-frame 61 extend from the upper ends of the lower vertical portion 35A at an angle obliquely upward and rearward with respect to the axis L of the lower vertical portion 35A of the main frame 60. In this embodiment, the lower ends of the vertical sub-portions 62 of the sub-frame 61 are welded to the upper ends of the lower vertical portion 35A of the main frame 60.

[0147] When viewed from the side, the angle δ1 between the axis L of the lower vertical section 35A of the main frame 60 and the axis M of the upper vertical section 35B of the main frame 60 is greater than the angle δ2 between the axis L of the lower vertical section 35A of the main frame 60 and the axis N of the vertical sub-section 62 of the sub-frame 61 (δ1 > δ2).

[0148] As in the first embodiment, the headrest main body 21 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape is formed by the upper part of the headrest frame 31, the pad member 32, and the covering material 33. The lower part of the headrest frame 31 protrudes from the headrest main body 21 and forms a pillar 22.

[0149] The headrest main body 21 has a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape similar to that of the first embodiment, and has a front surface 24, a back surface 26, and left and right side surfaces 54 that are perpendicular to the axis X of the pillar 22. As in the first embodiment, a first head support portion 25 is provided in the central left-right portion of the lower part of the front surface 24 of the headrest main body 21. The first head support portion 25 is inclined upward with respect to the axis L of the lower vertical portion 35A (i.e., the axis X of the pillar 22) in a direction away from the axis X.

[0150] As in the first embodiment, when the headrest 12 is arranged with the first head support portion 25 positioned forward (i.e., when the headrest 12 is in the first position), the first head support portion 25 forms a surface that slopes upward and forward. In this embodiment, the angle δ'1 formed between the first head support portion 25 and the axis X of the pillar 22 is equal to the angle δ1 formed between the axis L of the lower vertical portion 35A of the main frame 60 and the axis M of the upper vertical portion 35B of the main frame 60 (δ'1 = δ1).

[0151] Similar to the first embodiment, a second head support portion 27 is provided in the left-right central portion of the lower portion of the back surface 26 of the headrest 12. The second head support portion 27 is inclined upward and away from the axis L of the lower vertical portion 35A (i.e., the axis X of the pillar 22). The angle δ'2 formed between the second head support portion 27 and the axis X of the pillar 22 is smaller than the angle δ'1 formed between the first head support portion 25 and the axis X of the pillar 22 (δ'1 > δ'2). In this embodiment, the angle δ'2 formed between the second head support portion 27 and the axis X of the pillar 22 is equal to the angle δ'2 formed between the axis L of the lower vertical portion 35A of the main frame 60 and the axis N of the vertical sub-portion 62 of the sub-frame 61 (δ'2 = δ2).

[0152] Similar to the first embodiment, the pillars 22 of the headrest 12 in the fourth embodiment are configured to be insertable into either the left or right holder 18 via an intervening member. Therefore, similar to the first embodiment, the headrest 12 is connected to the seat back 11 in a manner switchable between a first position in which the first head support portion 25 is disposed forward and a second position in which the second head support portion 27 is disposed forward.

[0153] Next, the effects of the vehicle seat 1 configured in this manner will be described.

[0154] The headrest 12 is connected to the seat back 11 so as to be switchable between a first position in which a first head support portion 25 is provided at the lower front portion and a second position in which a second head support portion 27 is provided at the lower front portion. Therefore, as in the first embodiment, by placing the headrest 12 in the first position, the head of the seated occupant can be well protected. By placing the headrest 12 in the second position, the lower front portion of the headrest 12 can be tilted backward, making it easier for the seated occupant to assume a relaxed posture.

[0155] When the headrest 12 is in the first position and a rearward load is applied to the seated occupant, the horizontal portion 36 of the main frame 60 is pushed rearward as shown in Fig. 15(A) , which causes the connecting portion between the upper vertical portion 35B and the lower vertical portion 35A, i.e., the bent portion 65 of the vertical portion 35, to bend and deform, thereby absorbing the load effectively.

[0156] When the headrest 12 is in the second position and a rearward load is applied to the seated occupant, the horizontal portion 36 of the sub-frame 61 is pushed rearward as shown in Fig. 15(B) , causing the connection portion 66 between the sub-frame 61 and the lower vertical portion 35A to bend and deform, thereby absorbing the load effectively.

[0157] The headrest frame 31 according to the fourth embodiment is configured with the pillar 22, an upper vertical portion 35B (first vertical portion) connected to the upper end of the pillar 22 and tilting forward relative to the axis X of the pillar 22 (axis L of the lower vertical portion 35A) while approaching the first head support portion 25, and a sub-vertical portion 62 (second vertical portion) connected to the upper end of the pillar 22 and tilting relative to the pillar 22 toward the second head support portion 27, and is bifurcated in side view. By configuring the headrest frame 31 to be bifurcated in side view and connecting the upper ends of the bifurcated portions with the horizontal portions 36 extending laterally, the headrest frame 31 can absorb loads by deformation regardless of whether the headrest 12 is in the first position or the second position, thereby providing excellent protection for a seated occupant in the event of a vehicle collision.

[0158] Although the specific embodiment and specific modifications have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment and can be modified in a wide range of ways.

[0159] 14A and 14B show the fourth embodiment in which the diameters of the round pipes constituting the main frame 60 and the round pipes constituting the sub-frame 61 are approximately equal to each other, but the present invention is not limited to this. The diameters of the round pipes constituting the main frame 60 and the round pipes constituting the sub-frame 61 may be different from each other.

[0160] For example, as shown in a first modified example in Fig. 16(A), the diameter of the round pipes constituting the sub-frame 61 may be smaller than the diameter of the round pipes constituting the main frame 60. This makes it easier for the front surface of the headrest 12 to deform when the headrest 12 is connected to the seat back 11 so that the second head support portion 27 is located in front.

[0161] Alternatively, a bent portion 67 may be provided in the vertical sub-portion 62 of the sub-frame 61. As shown in a second modified example in Fig. 16(B) , for example, the vertical sub-portion 62 of the sub-frame 61 may be composed of a lower vertical portion 62A extending along the axis L of the lower vertical portion 35A of the main frame 60 in a side view, and an upper vertical portion 62B extending upward from the upper end of the lower vertical portion 62A at an angle with respect to the axis. By providing the bent portion 67 in the sub-frame 61, the bent portion 67 can also absorb loads.

[0162] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1: Vehicle seat 10: Seat cushion 11: Seat back 12: Headrest 16: Pad member 18: Holder 21: Headrest main body 22: Pillar 25: First head support portion 27: Second head support portion 31: Headrest frame 32: Pad member 32A: Hard portion 32B: Soft member 32C: Hard member 41: Traveling condition detection device 42: Posture detection device 43: Warning device 45: Control device 48: Neck pillow 50: Center holder 51: Center pillar D1, D2, D3: Distance X: Axis θ1, θ2, θ3: Angle

Claims

1. A vehicle seat comprising: a seat cushion; a seat back connected to a rear portion of the seat cushion; and a headrest connected to an upper portion of the seat back, wherein the headrest comprises a headrest body and a pair of pillars extending from the headrest body, the seat back has a holder into which the pillar is to be inserted, the headrest has a first head support portion facing a first direction perpendicular to the axis of the pillar, and a second head support portion facing a second direction perpendicular to the axis of the pillar and different from the first direction, the headrest is supported by the seat back in a manner switchable between a first position in which the first head support portion is disposed on the front side and a second position in which the second head support portion is disposed on the front side, and a tilt angle of the first head support portion relative to the axis of the pillar and a tilt angle of the second head support portion relative to the axis of the pillar are different.

2. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein the first head support portion and the second head support portion face in directions away from each other on the headrest body.

3. The vehicle seat according to claim 2, wherein the headrest is disposed between a pair of the pillars and includes a center pillar extending vertically, the seat back has a center holder that supports the center pillar, and the center holder rotatably supports the center pillar in a state in which each of the pillars is separated from each of the holders.

4. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein the first head support portion and the second head support portion are adjacent to each other.

5. The vehicle seat according to claim 4, wherein the pillar includes a main pillar and a sub-pillar longer than the main pillar, the holder has a main holder that receives the main pillar and a sub-holder that receives the sub-pillar, and the headrest is rotatably connected to the seat back when the main pillar is separated from the main holder and the sub-pillar is inserted into the sub-holder.

6. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein said first head support portion is less susceptible to deformation than said second head support portion.

7. A vehicle seat as described in claim 6, wherein the headrest has a headrest frame and a padding member provided on the headrest frame, the padding member is formed of a soft member and a hard member that is harder than the soft member, and the hard member is disposed in the first head support portion.

8. A vehicle seat as described in claim 1, wherein the headrest has a headrest frame and a pad member provided on the headrest frame, and the distance between the upper end of the headrest frame and the surface on which the second head support portion is provided in a direction perpendicular to the axis is greater than the distance between the headrest frame and the surface on which the first head support portion is provided in a direction perpendicular to the axis.

9. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, further comprising a neck pillow capable of supporting the neck of a seated occupant, provided on the side of the second head support portion of the headrest.

10. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, further comprising a position detection device for detecting the position of the headrest.

11. A vehicle seat as described in claim 10, comprising: a warning device for issuing a warning to a seated occupant; a driving condition detection device for detecting the driving condition of a vehicle in which the vehicle seat is mounted; and a control device for issuing a warning from the warning device based on detection results of the posture detection device and the driving condition detection device, wherein the inclination angle between the first head support portion and the axis of the pillar is greater than the inclination angle between the second head support portion and the axis of the pillar, and when the driving condition detection device determines that the vehicle is driving and the posture detection device determines that the headrest is not in the first posture, the control device causes the warning device to issue a warning.

12. A vehicle seat as described in claim 1, wherein the headrest comprises a headrest frame and a pad member provided on the headrest frame, and the headrest frame has a first vertical portion connected to the upper end of the pillar and extending at an incline toward the first head support portion with respect to the axis of the pillar, and a second vertical portion connected to the upper end of the pillar and extending at an incline toward the second head support portion with respect to the axis of the pillar.

Images