ANTI-WHIPLASH VEHICLE SYSTEM WITH ACTIVE HEAD RESTRAINT
First Claim
1. An active head restraint system comprising:
- a fluid driver assembly coupled to a vehicle seat assembly, wherein the fluid driver assembly is actuatable in response to a predetermined movement of the vehicle seat assembly;
a fluid driven assembly in fluid communication with the fluid driver assembly, wherein the fluid driven assembly is actuated in response to actuation of the fluid driver assembly; and
a headrest pivotable about an axis, wherein the headrest is coupled to the fluid driven assembly such that the fluid driven assembly pivots the headrest about the axis during actuation of the fluid driver assembly.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An active head restraint system includes a fluid driver assembly coupled to a vehicle seat assembly. The fluid driver assembly is actuatable in response to a predetermined movement of the vehicle seat assembly. A fluid driven assembly is in fluid communication with the fluid driver assembly. The fluid driven assembly is actuated in response to actuation of the fluid driver assembly. A headrest is pivotable about an axis. The headrest is coupled to the fluid driven assembly such that the fluid driven assembly pivots the headrest about the axis during actuation of the fluid driver assembly. A seat assembly incorporating the active head restraint system is also disclosed.
12 Citations
17 Claims
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1. An active head restraint system comprising:
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a fluid driver assembly coupled to a vehicle seat assembly, wherein the fluid driver assembly is actuatable in response to a predetermined movement of the vehicle seat assembly; a fluid driven assembly in fluid communication with the fluid driver assembly, wherein the fluid driven assembly is actuated in response to actuation of the fluid driver assembly; and a headrest pivotable about an axis, wherein the headrest is coupled to the fluid driven assembly such that the fluid driven assembly pivots the headrest about the axis during actuation of the fluid driver assembly. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A vehicle seat comprising:
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a seat portion coupled to a vehicle frame; a back portion coupled to the seat portion; a headrest pivotally coupled to the back portion; a driver actuator coupled to the seat portion and configured for operation upon movement of the seat portion relative to the vehicle frame; a driven actuator coupled to the back portion and in fluid communication with the driver actuator; and a headrest actuator operatively coupled to the driven actuator and to the headrest to pivot the headrest relative to the back portion upon activation of the driver actuator. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method of actively restraining the head of a vehicle passenger in a rear-end collision comprising the steps of:
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(a) translating a seat assembly relative to a vehicle frame; (b) transmitting a fluid from a fluid driver assembly to a fluid driven assembly as a result of the translation of the seat assembly; (c) pivoting a headrest actuator; and (d) pivoting a headrest coupled to the headrest actuator toward the head of the vehicle passenger. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification