Active head restraint with gas bag module

• US 6,575,494 B1
• Filed: 09/14/2000
• Issued: 06/10/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/14/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Original Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Inventors: Loos, Andreas, Scholl, Alfred, Bleau, John, Kretschmer, Juergen, Heilig, Alexander, Zink, Lothar
• Primary Examiner(s): Dickson, Paul N.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Fleming, Faye M.
• Application Number:
  US09/662,526
• Time in Patent Office: 999 Days
• Field of Search: 280/728.1, 280/728.2, 280/730.1, 280/743.1
• US Class Current: 280/728.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/803 fixed
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/809 vertically slidable
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/891 with the head-rest being comma-shaped in side view
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/21525 the lid being fixed on the bag, or forming part of the bag wall, or the bag itself being used as wall liner
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/207 in vehicle seats

Abstract

An active head restraint for an automotive seat which includes a base component, a headrest support, and a gas bag module. The base component is connected to the seat. The headrest support is detachably connected to the base component. The gas module is integrated between the base component and the headrest support in such a manner that in a restraining event detected by sensors, the headrest support component is released from the base component by inflating a gas bag.

Claims

1. An active head restraint for an automotive seat comprising:

a base component;

a headrest support component detachably connected with said base component; and

a gas bag module, integrated between said base component and said headrest support component in such a manner that, in a restraining event detected by sensors, said headrest support component is completely detached from said base component by inflating a gas bag.

2. The head restraint of claim 1 wherein said detachable connection between said base component and said headrest support component is implemented by fasteners configured such that release of said support component from said base component through manual manipulation is largely excluded.

3. The head restraint of claim 1 wherein said base component and said headrest support component are detachably connected by latching means.

4. The head restraint of claim 1 wherein said impact surface enlarges in the vertical and horizontal direction in the restraining event.

5. The head restraint of claim 4 wherein said gas bag completely encloses a headrest frame with a border region which exits outwards to enlarge the impact surface during the restraining event.

6. The head restraint of claim 5 further comprising a fully circular gap formed between said base component and said headrest support component said gap enlarges itself in a restraining event to exit said gas bag border region by means of the movement of said headrest support component.

7. The head restraint of claim 6 wherein said gap is covered by a covering material, wherein said covering material tears open across the extent of said gap.

8. The head restraint of claim 6 wherein said headrest support component and said base component are each covered with a covering material separately, so that said gap is designed open as a visible gap.

9. The head restraint of claim 1 wherein said base component further comprises a recess for exchangeable accommodation of said gas bag module, wherein said headrest support component covers said recess.

10. The head restraint claim 1 wherein said gas bag is detachably connected with said headrest support component by a supporting strap.

11. The head restraint of claim 1 wherein said base component and said headrest support component are each made out of plastic as a single-pieced molded part.

12. The head restraint of claim 1 wherein said base component is connected to a seat back of an automotive seat by means of two stay bars, wherein means are provided for the electrical connection of said gas bag module.