Active head restraint system for a vehicle seat
DCFirst Claim
Patent Images
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;
a linkage operably connected to the seatback frame to collectively provide a four-bar mechanism, the linkage being operably connected to 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; and
a biasing member cooperating with the four-bar mechanism for maintaining the head restraint in a design position in absence of an impact condition;
wherein the four-bar mechanism provides a mechanical advantage to overcome the biasing member and maintain the head restraint in the actuated position with an input force less than that provided during the impact condition without an additional locking mechanism.
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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.
57 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A vehicle seat comprising:
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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 linkage operably connected to the seatback frame to collectively provide a four-bar mechanism, the linkage being operably connected to 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; and a biasing member cooperating with the four-bar mechanism for maintaining the head restraint in a design position in absence of an impact condition; wherein the four-bar mechanism provides a mechanical advantage to overcome the biasing member and maintain the head restraint in the actuated position with an input force less than that provided during the impact condition without an additional locking mechanism. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A vehicle seat comprising:
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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; and a biasing member cooperating with one of the first, second and third links for maintaining the head restraint in a design position in absence of an impact condition; 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; and wherein the first and second links approach an inline orientation in the actuated position to distribute a return force from the biasing member to the frame so that the head restraint is maintained in the actuated position with an input force less than that provided during the impact condition. - View Dependent Claims (19)
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20. A vehicle seat comprising:
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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.
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Specification