ACTIVE HEAD RESTRAINT SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE SEAT

• US 20080084098A1
• Filed: 10/04/2006
• Published: 04/10/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/04/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Original Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Inventors: Locke, Gerald S., Humer, Mladen, Yetukuri, Arjun V.
• Granted Patent: US 7,455,357 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 297/216.12
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/838 Tiltable
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/888 with arrangements for protecting against abnormal g-forces, e.g. by displacement of the head-rest

Abstract

A vehicle seat is disclosed with a seatback frame for supporting the back of an occupant. A head restraint extends from the seatback frame for supporting the head of the occupant. In one embodiment, a four-bar mechanism is operably connected to the seatback frame and the head restraint for receiving an input force from the occupant in response to an impact condition, and for consequently actuating the head restraint to an actuated position. In another embodiment, the four-bar mechanism locks the head restraint in the actuated position in response to an input force of the occupant resting against the seatback.

Claims

1. A vehicle seat comprising:

a seatback frame for supporting a back of an occupant;

a head restraint extending from the seatback frame for supporting a head of the occupant; and

a four-bar mechanism operably connected to the seatback frame and the head restraint for receiving an input force from the occupant in response to an impact condition, for consequently actuating the head restraint to an actuated position.

2. The vehicle seat of claim 1 wherein the four-bar mechanism locks in the actuated position in response to an input force of the occupant resting against the seatback.

3. The vehicle seat of claim 1 wherein the four-bar mechanism provides a mechanical advantage that maintains the head restraint in the actuated position with an input force less than that provided during the impact condition.

4. The vehicle seat of claim 1 wherein the four-bar mechanism provides a magnification factor of input displacement to an output displacement of the head restraint that is greater than one prior to an impact condition, and less than one after the head restraint is translated to the actuated position.

5. The vehicle seat of claim 1 wherein the four-bar mechanism provides a magnification factor of input displacement to an output displacement of the head restraint that is greater than four prior to an impact condition, and less than one-half after the head restraint is translated to the actuated position.

6. The vehicle seat of claim 1 wherein the four-bar mechanism further comprises a linkage.

7. The vehicle seat of claim 1 further comprising a biasing member cooperating with the four-bar mechanism for maintaining the head restraint in a design position in absence of an impact condition.

8. The vehicle seat of claim 1 further comprising a lumbar mechanism mounted to the four-bar mechanism for receiving the input force from the occupant for actuating the four-bar mechanism.

9. The vehicle seat of claim 1 wherein the head restraint is pivotally and slidably connected to the seatback frame.

10. The vehicle seat of claim 1 wherein the four-bar mechanism further comprises:

a first link pivotally connected to the seatback frame;

a second link pivotally connected to the first link; and

a third link pivotally connected to the second link and the seatback frame, the third link being operably connected to the head restraint.

11. The vehicle seat of claim 10 wherein one of the first link and second link cooperates with the vehicle seat for receiving the input force from the occupant for actuating the first, second and third links, and for consequently actuating the head restraint to the actuated position.

12. The vehicle seat of claim 10 wherein the head restraint is mounted to the third link.

13. The vehicle seat of claim 10 wherein the head restraint is pivotally connected to the third link.

14. The vehicle seat of claim 10 wherein the head restraint is mounted to an armature that is pivotally connected to the third link and cooperates with the seatback frame to pivot relative to the seatback frame and translate relative to the seatback frame.

15. The vehicle seat of claim 10 further comprising an extension spring cooperating with the seatback frame and the third link for maintaining the head restraint in a design position in absence of an impact condition.

16. The vehicle seat of claim 10 wherein the input force is imparted upon the second link.

17. The vehicle seat of claim 10 wherein the input force is imparted upon the second link and the third link.

18. A vehicle seat comprising:

a seatback frame for supporting a back of an occupant;

a head restraint extending from the seatback frame for supporting a head of the occupant;

a first link pivotally connected to the seatback frame;

a second link pivotally connected to the first link; and

a third link pivotally connected to the second link and the seatback frame, the third link being operably connected to the head restraint;

wherein one of the first link and second link cooperates with the vehicle seat for receiving an input force from the occupant in response to an impact condition for actuating the first, second and third links, for consequently actuating the head restraint to an actuated position.

19. The vehicle seat of claim 18 wherein the links cooperate to lock the head restraint in the actuated position in response to an input force of the occupant resting against the seatback.

20. A vehicle seat comprising:

a seatback frame for supporting a back of an occupant;

a head restraint extending from the seatback frame for supporting a head of the occupant;

a first link pivotally connected to the seatback frame;

a second link pivotally connected to the first link;

a third link pivotally connected to the second link and the seatback frame, the third link being operably connected to the head restraint;

an extension spring cooperating with the seatback frame and the third link for maintaining the head restraint in an unloaded position; and

a lumbar mechanism mounted to the second link for receiving an input force from the occupant in response to an impact condition for actuating the first, second and third links, for consequently actuating the head restraint to an actuated position;

wherein the links cooperate to provide a magnification factor of input displacement to an output displacement of the head restraint that is greater than four prior to an impact condition, and less than one-half after the head restraint is translated to the actuated position.