Activating headrest

• US 20040245814A1
• Filed: 12/30/2003
• Published: 12/09/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/03/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai Motor Group)
• Original Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai Motor Group)
• Inventors: Lee, Keun-Bae
• Granted Patent: US 7,118,174 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 297/216.12
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/838 Tiltable
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/888 with arrangements for protecting against abnormal g-forces, e.g. by displacement of the head-rest

Abstract

An activating headrest comprises a headrest including a detecting link integrally connected to the headrest. The detecting link is pivotally mounted to a seat frame so as to be shifted when pressed by an occupant'"'"'s back. A return spring is installed between the detecting link and the seat frame. A stopper means installed between the seat frame and the detecting link fixes the state of the headrest tilted in the forward and upward position to prevent the neck from being thrust backward.

Claims

1. An activating headrest comprising:

a headrest;

a detecting link integrally linked to said headrest and pivotally mounted to a seat frame so as to be pivoted when pressed by a back of an occupant;

a return spring installed between said detecting link and said seat frame; and

stopper means installed between said seat frame and said detecting link for fixing the state of said headrest which has been shifted in a forward and upward position.

2. The activating headrest as defined in claim 1, wherein said detecting link comprises:

a headrest supporting pipe into which a headrest rod, protruding out at said headrest, is inserted;

a horizontal rod for being fixed with the lower end of said headrest supporting pipe;

a pivot arm installed at both ends of said horizontal rod;

a detecting rod protruded underneath said horizontal rod; and

a detecting plate installed at said detecting rod.

3. The activating headrest as defined in claim 2, wherein a supporting bracket integrally fixed to said seat frame for supporting said pivot arm via a hinge is further installed between said pivot arm and said seat frame.

4. The activating headrest as defined in claim 2, wherein said detecting rod has a plurality of fixing holes at a constant interval;

said detecting plate is integrally mounted with an insertion pipe for allowing said detecting rod to be inserted therein;

said insertion pipe has a location determining hole and a welding nut; and

said welding nut is fastened with a fixing bolt for fixing the location of said detecting plate in relation to said detecting rod.

5. The activating headrest as defined in claim 1, wherein said stopper means comprises:

a slider of which a sliding surface contacts with said detecting link to one pivoting direction of said detecting link being pivoted by the occupant'"'"'s back, and which prevents said detecting link from pivoting to a direction opposite a pivoting direction;

a linear guide fixed to said seat frame for guiding a linear movement of said slider to a direction vertical to the pivoting range plane of said detecting link; and

a slider spring for resiliently supporting said slider.

6. The activating headrest as defined in claim 5, wherein one end of a releasing cable further couples to said slider for pulling said slider in a direction opposite to where said slider spring is resiliently supported.

7. An activating headrest comprising:

a vehicle seat;

a headrest pivotally coupled to said vehicle seat; and

a detecting link coupled to said headrest and configured and dimensioned to pivot said headrest with respect to said vehicle seat in response to a vehicle accident.

8. The headrest of claim 7, wherein said detecting link is activated by a passenger received by said vehicle seat.

9. The headrest of claim 7, wherein said headrest remains pivoted once activated until said headrest is reset.

10. The headrest of claim 7, further comprising a slider configured and dimensioned to lock said headrest in a pivoted position following said headrest becoming pivoted.

11. The headrest of claim 10, further comprising a release cable coupled with said slider for resetting said headrest following said headrest becoming pivoted.