Method for moving a headrest in the event of a rear-end collision and arrangement of a headrest on a vehicle seat

• US 20050062330A1
• Filed: 08/08/2002
• Published: 03/24/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/01/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Original Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Inventors: Itinger, Albert, Eberle, Walter
• Application Number:
  US10/488,358
• Publication Number:
  US 20050062330A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 297/408
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/4228 due to impact coming from the rear
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/806 movable or adjustable
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/888 with arrangements for protecting against abnormal g-forces, e.g. by displacement of the head-rest

Abstract

A method for moving a head restraint of a vehicle seat in the event of a rear-end collision and an arrangement of a head restraint on a vehicle seat are provided. In the event of a rear-end collision, the head restraint can be moved in the forward direction of travel by a drive device, and an impact device absorbs a rearward movement of an upper body of an occupant located on the vehicle seat.

Claims

1. A method for moving a head restraint of a vehicle seat in the event of a rear-end collision, the head restraint being moved in the forward direction of travel, characterized in that the movement of the head restraint (3) in the forward direction of travel (Y) takes place, firstly, by means of at least one driving device (4, 4′

) and, secondly, is assisted by a movement of an upper body of an occupant located on the vehicle seat (1).

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the movement of the head restraint (3) in the forward direction of travel by means of the drive device (4, 4′

) takes place in terms of time before the displacement is assisted as a consequence of a rearward movement of the upper body of the vehicle occupant.

3. An arrangement of a head restraint on a vehicle seat of a motor vehicle, in particular for carrying out a method as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, in the event of a rear-end collision, the head restraint (3) can be moved in the forward direction of travel (Y) by means of a drive device (4, 4′

) and an impact device (5) which absorbs a rearward movement of an upper body of an occupant located on the vehicle seat (1).

4. The arrangement of a head restraint on a vehicle seat as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that the drive device (4, 4′

) and the impact device (5) are arranged with respect to each other in such a manner that the impact device (5) assists a preceding movement of the head restraint (3) via the drive device (4) in the forward direction of travel.

5. The arrangement of a head restraint on a vehicle seat as claimed in claim 3 or 4, characterized in that a frame (6) for holding the head restraint (3) can be pivoted by the drive device (4, 4′

) in the forward direction of travel about an axis of rotation (15) fixed on the seat back.

6. The arrangement of a head restraint on a vehicle seat as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that the frame (6) is guided in a guide (24) fixed on the seat back.

7. The arrangement of a head restraint on a vehicle seat as claimed in one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the impact device (5) is connected to the drive device (4, 4′

).

8. The arrangement of a head restraint on a vehicle seat as claimed in one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that an application of force to the impact device (5) causes the frame (6) for holding the head restraint (3) and the drive device (4, 4′

) to additionally be pivoted through a further angle of rotation about the axis of rotation (15) fixed on the seat back.

9. The arrangement of a head restraint on a vehicle seat as claimed in one of claims 3 to 8, characterized in that the impact device (5) has an impact plate (20) or an impact strap provided to absorb a movement of the upper body of an occupant.

10. The arrangement of a head restraint on a vehicle seat as claimed in one of claims 5 to 9, characterized in that the impact device (5) is guided on a guide (24) fixed on the seat back, the frame (6) for holding the head restraint (3) and the impact device (5) preferably being guided on a common guide (24) fixed on the seat back.

11. The arrangement of a head restraint on a vehicle seat as claimed in one of claims 3 to 10, characterized in that the drive device (4) has at least one spindle drive (9).

12. The arrangement of a head restraint on a vehicle seat as claimed in claim 11, characterized in that the spindle drive (9) has a spindle (10) which can be driven by a motor (11) in such a manner that a rotatable holder (12) which is connected to the frame (6) for holding the head restraint (3) and is intended for the spindle (10) is moved axially on the latter.

13. The arrangement of a head restraint on a vehicle seat as claimed in claim 12, characterized in that the spindle (10) has a self-locking device.

14. The arrangement of a head restraint on a vehicle seat as claimed in one of claims 5 to 13, characterized in that the axis of rotation (15) runs through two pivots (16, 17) which are arranged symmetrically to each other, are fixed on the seat back and about which a respective spindle drive (9) can be pivoted.

15. The arrangement of a head restraint on a vehicle seat as claimed in one of claims 3 to 14, characterized in that the drive device (4) has at least one electric motor (11) and/or a pneumatic drive and/or a hydraulic drive.

16. The arrangement as claimed in one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the drive device is designed as a pneumatic drive (4′

).

17. The arrangement as claimed in claim 16, characterized in that the pneumatic drive (4′

) has an airbag (32) which can be deployed and which is connected to the frame (6) for holding the head restraint (3) via a first securing device (29, 30) and to the impact device (5) with a second securing device (31).

18. The arrangement as claimed in claim 16 or 17, characterized in that the pneumatic drive (4′

) is supplied with air via an air supply of the vehicle.

19. The arrangement as claimed in claim 16 or 17, characterized in that the pneumatic drive (4′

) can be driven via a pressure accumulator with an igniter.

20. The arrangement of a head restraint on a vehicle seat as claimed in one of claims 3 to 19, characterized in that the arrangement is of reversible design.