Headrest arrangement for a motor vehicle seat

• US 5,997,091 A
• Filed: 12/04/1998
• Issued: 12/07/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 12/06/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Volkswagen AG
• Original Assignee: Volkswagen AG
• Inventors: Rech, Bernd, Bergholz, Ralf
• Primary Examiner(s): BARFIELD, ANTHONY DERRELL
• Application Number:
  US09/205,493
• Time in Patent Office: 368 Days
• Field of Search: 297/391, 297/398, 297/408, 297/217.3
• US Class Current: 297/391
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/838 Tiltable
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/856 movable to an inoperative or stowed position
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/868 providing a lateral movement parallel to the occupant's shoulder line
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/879 with additional features not related to head-rest positioning, e.g. heating or cooling devices or loudspeakers
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/885 provided with side-rests
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2002/0208 the seat or seat part turning about or moving along an inclined axis
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2002/022 the seat or seat part turning about or moving along a vertical axis
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2205/30 Seat or seat parts characterised by comprising plural parts or pieces

Abstract

A headrest for a motor vehicle seat has pivoted lateral headrest elements which can be turned into a use position from a storage position is a headrest body. In order to comply with safety standards regarding support and freedom of vision and to satisfy multifunctional headrest requirements, the lateral headrest elements are integrated in the headrest body surface contour in the storage position and can be swung or pivoted out of the headrest body contour by a swinging or pivoting movement.

Claims

1. A headrest arrangement for a motor vehicle seat comprising a headrest body and a lateral headrest element mounted on the headrest body by a mounting arrangement having an axis of rotation about which the lateral headrest element can be turned from a storage position into a use position and a microphone integrated in the lateral headrest element, wherein the lateral headrest element is integrated in an outer surface contour of the headrest body in the storage position and, by a turning movement, can be moved out of the lateral outer surface headrest contour.

2. A headrest arrangement according to claim 1 including two lateral headrest elements mounted on the headrest body so that they are integrated in the headrest body outer surface contour in the storage position.

3. A headrest arrangement according to claim 1 wherein the lateral headrest element can be swung out of the headrest body surface contour about a vertical axis in order to reach the use position.

4. A headrest arrangement according to claim 1 wherein the lateral headrest element can be pivoted from the storage position into the use position about a horizontal axis.

5. A headrest arrangement according to claim 1 wherein the lateral headrest element is provided with an integrated loudspeaker.

6. A headrest arrangement according to claim 1 including a device for voice transmission to passengers in the lateral headrest element.

7. A headrest arrangement according to claim 1 including a device for noise compensation integrated in the lateral headrest element.

8. A headrest arrangement according to claim 1 including at least one electronic component selected from the group consisting of communication systems, navigation systems and voice controlled input interfaces, integrated in the lateral headrest element.

9. A headrest arrangement according to claim 1 including an electrical cable extending into the lateral headrest element along its axis of rotation.

10. A headrest arrangement according to claim 1 wherein the axis is located forwardly of and horizontally in line with the center of mass of the lateral headrest element.

11. A headrest arrangement according to claim 1 wherein, in the storage position, the lateral headrest element extends rearwardly along a line corresponding to a side of a trapezoid shape so that, in the event of an acceleration force applied from the front or rear, the lateral headrest element is not flung out of the storage position in an undesired and uncontrolled manner.