Active material actuated headrest assemblies
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A headrest assembly for a seat, comprising:
- at least one support post extending upwardly from the seat;
a headrest body attached to the at least one support post;
a padded portion in pivotal communication with the headrest body and in substantial alignment with a predetermined point, wherein the padded portion comprises a linkage assembly; and
an active material actuator in a cooperative relationship with the padded portion, wherein the active material actuator is adapted to move the padded portion forward and/or upward relative to the headrest body upon receipt of an activation signal; and
wherein the active material based actuator comprises a bracket, an axle for rotatably supporting the bracket at each end, and a first shape memory alloy wire adapted to rotate the bracket upon activation of the first shape memory alloy wire.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A headrest assembly for a seat includes a body portion having at least one padded surface positioned in substantial alignment with a seated occupant'"'"'s head; and an active material in operative communication with the at least one padded surface of the body portion, the active material being operative to change at least one attribute in response to an activation signal, wherein a space between the occupant'"'"'s head and the at least one padded surface decreases with the change in the at least one attribute of the active material.
57 Citations
7 Claims
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1. A headrest assembly for a seat, comprising:
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at least one support post extending upwardly from the seat; a headrest body attached to the at least one support post; a padded portion in pivotal communication with the headrest body and in substantial alignment with a predetermined point, wherein the padded portion comprises a linkage assembly; and an active material actuator in a cooperative relationship with the padded portion, wherein the active material actuator is adapted to move the padded portion forward and/or upward relative to the headrest body upon receipt of an activation signal; and wherein the active material based actuator comprises a bracket, an axle for rotatably supporting the bracket at each end, and a first shape memory alloy wire adapted to rotate the bracket upon activation of the first shape memory alloy wire. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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Specification