U.S. patent application number 11/163443 was filed with the patent office on 2007-04-19 for head restraint movement mechanism.
This patent application is currently assigned to LEAR CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Mladen Humer, Gerald S. Locke, Nagarjun V. Yetukuri.
Application Number | 20070085387 11/163443 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37947497 |
Filed Date | 2007-04-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070085387 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Yetukuri; Nagarjun V. ; et
al. |
April 19, 2007 |
HEAD RESTRAINT MOVEMENT MECHANISM
Abstract
A vehicle seat assembly includes a seat bottom and a seat back
pivotally attached to the seat bottom. The seat bottom includes a
track having a longitudinal track axis. The seat assembly further
includes a head restraint moveably attached to the track such that
the head restraint is moveable longitudinally along the track from
a use position to a stowed position. An actuation device is
associated with the head restraint for moving the head restraint
from the use position toward the stowed position when the seat back
pivots toward the seat bottom.
Inventors: |
Yetukuri; Nagarjun V.;
(Rochester Hills, MI) ; Humer; Mladen; (West
Bloomfield, MI) ; Locke; Gerald S.; (Lake Orion,
MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BROOKS KUSHMAN P.C. / LEAR CORPORATION
1000 TOWN CENTER
TWENTY-SECOND FLOOR
SOUTHFIELD
MI
48075-1238
US
|
Assignee: |
LEAR CORPORATION
21557 Telegraph Road
Southfield
MI
|
Family ID: |
37947497 |
Appl. No.: |
11/163443 |
Filed: |
October 19, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
297/61 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60N 2/06 20130101; B60N
2/891 20180201; B60N 2/832 20180201; B60N 2/206 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
297/061 |
International
Class: |
A47C 1/02 20060101
A47C001/02 |
Claims
1. A vehicle seat assembly comprising: a seat bottom; a seat back
pivotally attached to the seat bottom and including a track having
a longitudinal track axis; a head restraint moveably attached to
the track such that the head restraint is moveable longitudinally
along the track from a use position to a stowed position; and an
actuation device associated with the head restraint for moving the
head restraint from the use position toward the stowed position
when the seat back pivots toward the seat bottom, the actuation
device including a rotatable member and a link member having a
first end coupled to the rotatable member and a second end coupled
to the head restraint, the link member being configured to transfer
rotational motion of the rotatable member into linear motion of the
head restraint, an engagement member connected to the seat bottom,
and a gear connected to the seat back, the gear being configured to
engage the engagement member and rotate as the seat back pivots
with respect to the seat bottom, thereby causing the head restraint
to move from the use position toward the stowed position.
2. The seat assembly of claim 1 wherein the track includes a
longitudinal slot, and the head restraint is moveable along the
slot.
3. The seat of claim 1 wherein the rotatable member is configured
to rotate in a first direction when the seat back pivots toward the
seat bottom to thereby cause the head restraint to move from the
use position to the stowed position.
4. The seat assembly of claim 3 wherein the link member has an axis
that extends at an angle with respect to the track axis when the
head restraint is in the use position and the link member is in a
locked position.
5. The seat assembly of claim 3 wherein the rotatable member
rotates about an axis that is generally aligned with the track axis
and generally perpendicular to the track axis.
6. The seat assembly of claim 3 wherein the link member is
pivotally coupled to the head restraint and pivotally coupled to
the rotatable member.
7. (canceled)
8. The seat assembly of claim 1 wherein the actuation device
further includes a pulley connected to the gear, and a cable
associated with the head restraint and the pulley, and wherein the
cable is configured to wrap at least partially around the pulley
when the seat back pivots with respect to the seat bottom to
thereby cause the head restraint to move from the use position
toward the stowed position.
9. The seat assembly of claim 1 wherein the actuation device
further comprises a shaft disposed between the engagement member
and the head restraint, the shaft including the gear.
10. The seat assembly of claim 9 wherein the rotatable member is
coupled to the shaft and wherein the shaft is configured to rotate
in a first direction when the seat back pivots toward the seat
bottom to thereby cause the rotatable member to rotate in a first
rotatable member direction, which causes the head restraint to move
from the use position toward the stowed position.
11. The seat assembly of claim 1 further comprising a spring member
associated with the head restraint, wherein the spring member is
configured to inhibit movement of the head restraint when the head
restraint is in the use position, and wherein the spring member is
further configured to inhibit movement of the head restraint when
the head restraint is in the stowed position.
12. The seat assembly of claim 1 wherein the head restraint
includes a head restraint body that is configured to support a head
of seat assembly occupant, and wherein the head restraint body has
a generally L-shaped configuration that nests with the seat back
when the head restraint is in the stowed position.
13. The seat assembly of claim 1 wherein the actuation device is
configured to automatically move the head restraint from the stowed
position toward the use position when the seat back pivots away
from the seat bottom.
14. A vehicle seat assembly comprising: a seat bottom; a seat back
pivotally attached to the seat bottom and including a track having
a longitudinal track axis; a head restraint moveably attached to
the track such that the head restraint is moveable longitudinally
along the track between a use position and a stowed position; and
an actuation device associated with the head restraint for moving
the head restraint from the stowed position toward the use position
when the seat back pivots away from the seat bottom, the actuation
device including a rotatable member and a link member having a
first end coupled to the rotatable member and a second end coupled
to the head restraint, the link member being configured to transfer
rotational motion of the rotatable member into linear motion of the
head restraint, an engagement member connected to the seat bottom,
and a gear connected to the seat back, the gear being configured to
engage the engagement member and rotate as the seat back pivots
with respect to the seat bottom, thereby causing the head restraint
to move from the use position toward the stowed position.
15. The seat assembly of claim 14 wherein the track includes a
longitudinal slot, and the head restraint is moveable along the
slot.
16. A vehicle seat assembly comprising: a seat bottom; a seat back
pivotally attached to the seat bottom and including a track having
a longitudinal track axis; a head restraint having a carrier and a
head restraint body supported by the carrier, wherein the carrier
is moveably attached to the track such that the carrier is moveable
longitudinally along the track to thereby move the head restraint
body between a use position and a stowed position; a drive
mechanism associated with the head restraint for moving the head
restraint body from the use position to the stowed position when
the seat back pivots toward the seat bottom, wherein the drive
mechanism includes a rotatable member associated with the seat
back, and a link member having a first end pivotally coupled to the
rotatable member and a second end pivotally coupled to the carrier,
the link member being configured to transfer rotational motion of
the rotatable member into linear motion of the head restraint body;
and a gear arrangement associated with the drive mechanism for
rotating the rotatable member, the gear arrangement including an
engagement member attached to the seat bottom, and a gear coupled
to the seat back and being engageable with the engagement member,
wherein the gear is configured to rotate in a first gear direction
when the seat back pivots toward the seat bottom, thereby causing
the rotatable member to rotate in a first rotatable member
direction, which causes the head restraint body to move from the
use position toward the stowed position, and wherein the gear is
configured to rotate in a second gear direction when the seat back
pivots away from the seat bottom, thereby causing the rotatable
member to rotate in a second rotatable member direction, which
causes the head restraint body to move from the stowed position
toward the use position.
17. The seat assembly of claim 16 further comprising a spring
member connected to the rotatable member, wherein the spring member
is configured to inhibit movement of the head restraint body when
the head restraint body is in the use position, and wherein the
spring member is further configured to inhibit movement of the head
restraint body when the head restraint body is in the stowed
position.
18. The seat assembly of claim 16 wherein the head restraint body
has a generally L-shaped configuration that nests with the seat
back when the head restraint is in the stowed position.
19. The seat assembly of claim 16 wherein the gear arrangement
includes a pulley connected to the gear, and a cable associated
with the rotatable member and the pulley, and wherein the cable is
configured to wrap at least partially around the pulley when the
seat back pivots with respect to the seat bottom to thereby cause
the head restraint to move with respect to the seat back.
20. The seat assembly of claim 16 wherein the gear arrangement
further comprises a shaft disposed between the engagement member
and the rotatable member, the shaft including the gear.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The invention relates to a seat assembly having a moveable
head restraint.
[0003] 2. Background Art
[0004] Vehicle seat assemblies may be provided with moveable head
restraints. U.S. Pat. No. 6,192,565, for example, discloses a seat
assembly having a retractable head restraint.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] Under the invention, a new seat assembly is provided. In one
embodiment, the seat assembly includes a seat bottom and a seat
back pivotally attached to the seat bottom. The seat back includes
a track having a longitudinal track axis. The seat assembly further
includes a head restraint moveably attached to the track such that
the head restraint is moveable longitudinally along the track from
a use position to a stowed position. An actuation device is
associated with the head restraint for moving the head restraint
from the use position toward the stowed position when the seat back
pivots toward the seat bottom.
[0006] In another embodiment, the seat assembly includes a seat
bottom and a seat back pivotally attached to the seat bottom. The
seat back includes a track having a longitudinal track axis. The
seat assembly further includes a head restraint moveably attached
to the track such that the head restraint is moveable
longitudinally along the track between a use position and a stowed
position. An actuation device is associated with the head restraint
for moving the head restraint from the stowed position toward the
use position when the seat back pivots away from the seat
bottom.
[0007] While exemplary embodiments in accordance with the invention
are illustrated and disclosed, such disclosure should not be
construed to limit the claims. It is anticipated that various
modifications and alternative designs may be made without departing
from the scope of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a vehicle seat assembly
according to the invention, wherein the seat assembly includes a
seat bottom, a seat back pivotally attached to the seat bottom, and
a head restraint moveable attached to the seat back, and wherein
the seat back is shown in a raised position and the head restraint
is shown in a use position;
[0009] FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of the seat assembly of
FIG. 1, showing the seat back in a dumped or lowered position and
the head restraint in a stowed position;
[0010] FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the seat assembly showing an
actuation device for moving the head restraint along a track of the
seat back, wherein the head restraint is shown in the use
position;
[0011] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the seat assembly showing the
head restraint in the stowed position;
[0012] FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the
seat assembly showing first and second posts of the head restraint
connected to a carrier having a carrier body and a retainer
member;
[0013] FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view similar to FIG. 5
with the carrier body removed to show the retainer member;
[0014] FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a portion of the seat assembly
showing a gear arrangement of the actuation device, wherein the
seat back is shown in the raised position and a gear of the gear
arrangement is shown in a first position;
[0015] FIG. 8 is a schematic view similar to FIG. 7 and showing the
seat back in the lowered position and the gear in a second
position;
[0016] FIG. 9 is a rear view of the gear arrangement; and
[0017] FIG. 10 is a schematic view of the seat assembly showing a
second embodiment of the actuation device.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] The following description is merely exemplary in nature, and
is in no way intended to limit the invention or its application or
uses.
[0019] FIG. 1 shows a vehicle seat assembly 10 according to the
invention mounted on a floor 12 of a motor vehicle 14. The seat
assembly 10 includes a seat bottom 16 moveably mounted to the floor
12, a seat back 18 pivotally attached to the seat bottom 16, a head
restraint 20 moveably attached to the seat back 18, and a dump
mechanism 22 for allowing the seat back 18 to pivot with respect to
the seat bottom 16.
[0020] The dump mechanism 22 may have any suitable configuration
for allowing pivotal movement of the seat back 18. For example, the
dump mechanism 22 may include a latch (not shown) connected between
the seat bottom 16 and seat back 18, a lever 23 for releasing the
latch, and a spring (not shown) engaged with the seat back 18 for
urging the seat back 18 toward the seat bottom 16 when the latch is
released.
[0021] As explained below in detail, the head restraint 20 may be
automatically moveable from a use position, shown in FIG. 1, to a
stowed position, shown in FIG. 2, when the seat back 18 is pivoted
from a raised position, shown in FIG. 1, to a stowed or lowered
position, shown in FIG. 2. In addition, the head restraint 20 may
be automatically moveable from the stowed position to the use
position when the seat back 18 is pivoted from the lowered position
to the raised position.
[0022] Referring to FIG. 3, the seat back 18 includes a
longitudinal track 24 having a track axis 25 and a slot 26. In one
embodiment, for example, the track 24 may be fixed to a seat back
frame 27 of the seat back 18. In another embodiment, the track 24
may be integrally formed with the seat frame 27.
[0023] The head restraint 20 includes a head restraint body 28,
such as a head restraint cushion, that is configured to support a
head of a seat assembly occupant (not shown), first and second
support posts 29 and 30, respectively, that support the head
restraint body 28, and a post carrier 32 attached to the posts 29
and 30 and moveably attached to the track 24. The carrier 32 may
have any suitable configuration such that the head restraint 20 may
travel longitudinally along the slot 26 between the use position,
shown in FIG. 3, and the stowed position, shown in FIG. 4. For
example, referring to FIG. 5, the carrier 32 may have a projection
33 that extends into the slot 26 such that the projection 33 is
slidable along the slot 26. In addition, the projection 33 may have
a flange portion that slides along a rear portion of the track
24.
[0024] While the posts 29 and 30 may be attached to the carrier 32
in any suitable manner, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 and 6,
the carrier 32 includes a carrier body 34 having oversized
cylindrical holes or tapered holes for receiving the posts 29 and
30, and a retainer member 36, such as a wire, for retaining the
posts 29 and 30 in the holes of the carrier body 34. As shown in
FIG. 6, the retainer member 36 may engage a notch 38 in each post
29, 30, and the carrier body 34 may include clips 40, shown in FIG.
5, that engage the retainer member 36 to secure the retainer member
36 to the carrier body 34.
[0025] The carrier 32 may also be configured to accommodate
multiple different head restraint configurations, such as
configurations having posts 29 and 30 that are spaced apart at
different distances. For example, the carrier body 34 may have
multiple holes for accommodating different post spacings. As
another example, the carrier body 34 may include first and second
portions that may be adjustably spaced apart at different
distances.
[0026] Still further, the head restraint 20 may be configured such
that the head restraint body 28 is moveable with respect to the
carrier 32. For example, each post 29 and 30 may include top and
bottom portions, and the top portions may be slidably adjustable
with respect to the bottom portions.
[0027] Returning to FIGS. 3 and 4, the seat assembly 10 further
includes an actuation mechanism or device 42 for moving the head
restraint 20 with respect to the track 24. While the actuation
device 42 may have any suitable configuration, in one embodiment,
the actuation device 42 includes a drive mechanism 43 having a
rotatable member 44, such as a pulley rotatably coupled to the seat
back 18, a crank 46 attached to the rotatable member 44, and a link
member 47, such as a link rod or arm, having a first end connected
to the crank 46 and a second end connected to the carrier 32. In
the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the crank 46 is rotatable
with the rotatable member 44, and may be considered part of the
rotatable member 44. When the rotatable member 44 is rotated in a
first direction 48, such as counter-clockwise, the head restraint
20 may be moved generally linearly from the use position shown in
FIG. 3 to the stowed position shown in FIG. 4. Furthermore, when
the rotatable member 44 is rotated in a second direction 49, such
as clockwise, the head restraint 20 may be moved from the stowed
position shown in FIG. 4 to the use position shown in FIG. 3. Thus,
the link member 47 is configured to transfer rotational motion of
the rotatable member 44 into linear motion of the head restraint
20.
[0028] When the head restraint 20 is in the use position, the crank
46 is rotated past a generally vertical position such that a crank
axis 50 of the crank 46 and a link member axis 52 of the link
member 47 each extend at an angle with respect to the track axis 25
of the track 24, as shown in FIG. 3. With such a configuration, the
crank 46 is moved "over-center" to maintain the head restraint 20
in the use position even with application of a downward force on
the head restraint 20. For example, the crank axis 50 may extend at
an angle greater than 0 degrees, such as an angle of at least 2
degrees, with respect to the track axis 25.
[0029] The seat back 18 may further include first and second stops
54 and 56, respectively, that are engageable with the rotatable
member 44 and/or crank 46 to inhibit movement of the rotatable
member 44 in the second and first directions, respectively. The
stops 54 and 56 may be attached to the seat back frame 27 with a
bracket (not shown), for example.
[0030] In addition, the seat assembly 10 may also include a spring
member 58 for urging the rotatable member 44 and/or crank 46
against either the first stop 54 or the second stop 56, depending
on the location of the head restraint 20. As a result, the spring
member 58 may be configured to inhibit movement of the head
restraint 20 when the head restraint 20 is in either the use
position, shown in FIG. 3, or the stowed position, shown in FIG.
4.
[0031] Referring to FIGS. 3, 4, 7 and 8, the actuation device 42
further includes a gear arrangement 60 coupled to the rotatable
member 44 for rotating the rotatable member 44. The gear
arrangement 60 includes an engagement member 62, such as a sector
gear, attached to the seat bottom 16, and a gear 64 that is
attached to the seat back 18 and engageable with the engagement
member 62. For example, the engagement member 62 may be attached to
seat bottom frame 66, and the gear 64 may be rotatably attached to
the seat back frame 27.
[0032] Referring to FIG. 9, the gear arrangement 60 further
includes a pulley 68 connected to the gear 64, and a connector
arrangement 70 for connecting the pulley 68 to the rotatable member
44. The connector arrangement 70 may have any suitable
configuration that causes the rotatable member 44 to rotate when
the pulley 68 rotates. For example, the connector arrangement 70
may include first and second cables 72 and 74, respectively, that
are each connected to the rotatable member 44 and the pulley 68.
Each cable 72 and 74 may also be provided with a surrounding
conduit or guide 76 that is attached to the seat back frame 27 with
a bracket 78. As another example, the connector arrangement 70 may
include a single cable having first and second portions that each
extend between the rotatable member 44 and the pulley 68.
[0033] The gear 64 is configured to rotate in a first gear
direction 80 when the seat back 18 pivots toward the seat bottom
16, thereby causing the first cable 72 to at least partially wrap
around the pulley 68. As a result, the first cable 72 causes the
rotatable member 44 to rotate in the first direction 48 (shown in
FIG. 3), which causes the head restraint body 28 to move from the
use position shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 to the stowed position shown in
FIGS. 2 and 4.
[0034] Likewise, the gear 64 is configured to rotate in a second
gear direction 82 when the seat back 18 pivots away from the seat
bottom 16, thereby causing the second cable 74 to at least
partially wrap around the pulley 68. As a result, the second cable
74 causes the rotatable member 44 to rotate in the second direction
49 (shown in FIG. 4), which causes the head restraint body 28 to
move from the stowed position shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 to the use
position shown in FIGS. 1 and 3.
[0035] With the above configuration, the head restraint 20 may
automatically move from the use position shown in FIG. 1 to the
stowed position shown in FIG. 2 when the seat back 18 is pivoted
toward the seat bottom 16 using the dump mechanism 22. Furthermore,
the head restraint 20 may automatically move from the stowed
position shown in FIG. 2 to the use position shown in FIG. 1 when
the seat back 18 is manually pivoted away from the seat bottom
16.
[0036] Alternatively, one of the cables 72 and 74 may be
eliminated, and the head restraint 20 may be moved manually from
one position to another. For example, the first cable 72 may be
eliminated, and the head restraint 20 may be moved from the use
position to the stowed position by manually pushing on the head
restraint 20. As another example, the second cable 74 may be
eliminated, and the head restraint 20 may be moved from the stowed
position to the use position by manually pushing or pulling on the
head restraint 20.
[0037] While the head restraint body 28 may have any suitable
configuration, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the head
restraint body 28 has a generally L-shaped configuration. With such
a configuration, the head restraint body 28 may nest with the seat
back 18 when the head restraint 20 is in the stowed position.
[0038] Because the drive mechanism 43 may be configured to maintain
the head restraint 20 in the use position, as described above in
detail, the drive mechanism 43 may act as a locking mechanism for
inhibiting downward movement of the head restraint 20. Furthermore,
the gear arrangement 60 may be considered a release mechanism for
moving the drive mechanism 43 from the locked position.
[0039] Referring to FIG. 10, a second embodiment 84 of the
actuation device is shown for moving the head restraint 20 along
the track 24. The actuation device 84 is similar to the actuation
device 42, and similar components are identified with the same
reference numbers. Actuation device 84, however, includes a gear
arrangement 86 having a shaft 88 for rotating rotatable member 90.
The Shaft 88 includes a first gear, such as a spur gear 92, that is
engageable with engagement member 62, and a second gear, such as a
pinion 94, that engages a gear 96 formed on, or otherwise connected
to, the rotatable member 90.
[0040] Shaft portion 98 of shaft 88 may be supported in any
suitable manner such that the shaft 88 is rotatable with respect to
the seat back 18. For example, shaft portion 98 may be supported by
one or more bearings 100 connected to seat back frame 27.
[0041] When the seat back 18 is pivoted, the spur gear 92 rotates
about the engagement member 62, thereby causing the pinion 94 to
rotate the rotatable member 90, which causes the head restraint 20
to move with respect to the track 24. For example, referring to
FIGS. 2 and 10, when the seat back 18 pivots toward the seat bottom
16, the spur gear 92 may rotate in a first gear direction 102,
which causes the rotatable member 90 to rotate in a first rotatable
member direction 104, thereby moving the head restraint 20 from the
use position shown in FIG. 10 to the stowed position shown in FIG.
2. Likewise, when the seat back 18 is pivoted away from the seat
bottom 16, rotation of the shaft 88 causes the head restraint 20 to
move from the stowed position shown in FIG. 2 to the use position
shown in FIG. 10.
[0042] A spring member, similar to the spring member 58 described
above, may also be provided for urging the rotatable member 90
and/or crank 46 against either first stop 54 or second stop 56,
depending on the location of the head restraint 20. In order to
clearly show details of actuation device 84, however, such a spring
member is not shown in FIG. 10.
[0043] While embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and
described, it is not intended that these embodiments illustrate and
describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words
used in the specification are words of description rather than
limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made
without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
* * * * *