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Headrest with adjustment mechanismHeadrest with adjustment mechanism description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060226689, Headrest with adjustment mechanism. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
[0001] The invention relates in first instance to a headrest with adjustment mechanism, for motor vehicles, for example rear seat headrest, an angular position of the headrest relative to a backrest of a motor vehicle seat, to which the headrest is fitted, being adjustable and in which height adjustability is preferably provided, the headrest having two holding brackets which are plugged over a holding length into holding receptacles, the holding receptacles furthermore being pivotable together about a pivot pin in order to change the angular position. [0002] Headrests for motor vehicles of the type under discussion are known. For example, driver and passenger seats have headrests which, in addition to a height adjustment, have an inclination adjustment, so that the headrest can be matched in terms of height and also in its angular position to the height and the sitting position of the person taking the seat. Furthermore, also known are rear seat headrests which can be adjusted in their angular position in such a manner that, if rear seats are not occupied, the corresponding rear seat headrests can, after being released, be pivoted into a concealed position, after which the driver obtains an improved view to the rear. A rear seat headrest of this type is known, for example, from DE 35 451 42 A1. If the rear seats are occupied, then the turned-down rear seat headrests can be transferred out of the concealed position into the position of use, for which purpose use is made of an electric motor which is associated with the headrest and on the output shaft of which a driving link is fixedly secured. It is furthermore known to plug the holding brackets of the headrest over a holding length into holding receptacles provided in the backrest. [0003] In view of the above-described prior art, a technical problem with which the invention is concerned is to improve a headrest of the type under discussion in particular with regard to the holding of the same in the region of the holding receptacles with a high degree of stability in use. [0004] This problem is solved first and foremost by the subject matter of Claim 1, this being based on the fact that the holding receptacles are connected by a connecting body having a cross-section corresponding at least to twice the diameter of a holding bracket, and that the holding receptacles are formed in the connecting body, the holding length corresponding to no more than three times the diameter of a holding bracket. As a result of a configuration of this nature, a space-saving solution which is stable in use is provided for the pivotable mounting of the headrest. It is therefore preferred for the clamping or holding length of the holding-bracket ends in the connecting body to correspond approximately to one to three times the bar diameter of the holding-bracket. Furthermore, a clamping length or holding length of 10 to 15 mm is provided. The connecting body which has the holding receptacles and is disposed in the backrest of the motor vehicle seat serves, in addition to the formation of the holding means, also as a preferably rigid connecting member between the holding brackets, as a result of which a torsionally rigid clamping of the two holding brackets with respect to each other can be achieved. As a consequence of this, the headrest can have two separate holding brackets in the form of individual bars which do not necessarily have to be connected by a cross-piece or the like in the region of the headrest or the headrest cushion. The solution according to the invention provides a headrest which can be adjusted in angle to match it to the sitting position of the person taking the seat, and/or a rear seat headrest, which is pivotable out of a position of use into a concealed position and vice versa and the clamping or holding region of which is formed in a space-saving manner within the backrest of the motor vehicle seat. As a consequence of this, the solution according to the invention can be used both for the front seats and for the rear seats. [0005] The invention also relates to an item according to the features of the precharacterizing clause of Claim 1, wherein it is proposed, for the advantageous development of a headrest of this type, that the holding receptacles are connected by a connecting body, and that a snap-in recess which interacts with a snap-in body is formed in the connecting body for the snap-in fixing of a pivoting position of the headrest, with, in the equivalent sense, the connecting body forming a rotary latch and the snap-in body forming a locking pawl. This achieves a definitive snap-in position of the headrest, in particular in the position of use. [0006] The invention furthermore relates to a headrest with adjustment mechanism, for motor vehicles, preferably a rear seat headrest, the headrest being pivotable about a pivot pin out of a position of use into a concealed position using a weight force which is active on account of a weight of the headrest and, optionally, is displaceable by motor means out of the concealed position into the position of use. A headrest of this type is also known from DE 35 45 142 A1 mentioned at the beginning. In order to make a headrest of the generic type, preferably a rear seat headrest, more favorable in terms of control technology, and also to achieve a high degree of stability in use, it is proposed that a spindle drive is provided for displacing the headrest and that the weight force of the headrest is opposed by a spring. As a result of a configuration of this nature, the invention provides a headrest, preferably a rear seat headrest, of the generic type which, in addition to control technology advantages, is also distinguished by greater safety in the event of high loads occurring. A spindle drive serves to displace the headrest out of the position of use into the concealed position and vice versa. A particularly sensitive, stepless adjustment can be carried out. In order to actuate the spindle drive, on the one hand the threaded spindle itself may be driven, or, on the other hand, it is also possible for a threaded nut located on the threaded spindle to be driven. It is also possible for the driving electric motor to be in a fixed position or to pivot with the headrest. The electric motor which drives the threaded spindle can be of relatively modest dimensions. This leads to a physically compact structure and a weight saving. Moreover, the electric motor drive is oriented in such a manner that it is itself unaffected even by any high loads. In situations of this nature, the self-locking action of the spindle drive is utilized. For example, drive of the spindle can take place by means of a worm drive or a bevel gear drive. If a bevel gear drive is used, the ring gear can be seated on the spindle. This means that high adjustment forces can be applied even with low motor power. To minimize the driving forces required to adjust the headrest, the weight force of the headrest is opposed by a spring. In practice, this is such that, when the headrest is being adjusted out of its position of use into the concealed position, which is accompanied by the headrest pivoting, the weight of the headrest is used to load the spring such that the latter acts in the manner of a force accumulator. In the concealed position of the headrest, therefore, the spring is loaded or stressed to a maximum. In the event of the headrest being displaced out of the concealed position into the position of use, therefore, this movement is boosted by the spring which has previously been loaded. Therefore, the drive substantially only has to overcome the friction in the system or in the spindle drive. This leads to a configuration of the drive with extremely small dimensions, which is eminently suitable for integration in an adjustable headrest. Furthermore, according to the invention it is provided that the spring moment which results from the spring exceeds the moment resulting from the weight force, at least over part of the pivoting travel. Therefore, in the event of the spring action deteriorating, as occurs after prolonged use, equilibrium in the moments is still always ensured. It is also ensured that, in the initial displacement of the headrest out of the concealed position, there is sufficient force to transfer the headrest into the position of use. The measure whereby the spring is a torsion spring has proven structurally advantageous. Such a spring can be produced at low cost and can be accommodated in an advantageous manner in the mechanism. The measure whereby the spring is wound around the pivot pin has proven particularly advantageous. Accordingly, a component which is already present is used to hold the spring. In a development of the subject matter of the invention, wherein the headrest has two holding brackets which are plugged over a holding length in holding receptacles, the holding receptacles furthermore being pivotable together about a pivot pin in order to change the angular position, it is provided that the holding receptacles are connected by a connecting body having a cross-section corresponding at least to twice the diameter of a holding bracket, and that the holding receptacles are formed in the connecting body, the holding length corresponding to no more than three times the diameter of a holding bracket. As a result of a configuration of this nature, the desired space-saving solution is further assisted by this being realized with a high degree of stability in the region of the clamping or holding of the holding brackets. It is therefore preferred, for the clamping or holding length of the holding-bracket ends in the connecting body to correspond approximately to one to three times the bar diameter of the holding-bracket. Furthermore, a clamping length or holding length of 10 to 15 mm is provided. The connecting body which has the holding receptacles and is disposed in the backrest of the motor vehicle seat serves, in addition to the formation of the holding means, also as a preferably rigid connecting member between the holding brackets, as a result of which a torsionally rigid clamping of the two holding brackets with respect to each other can be achieved. As a result, the headrest can have two separate holding brackets in the form of individual bars which do not necessarily have to be connected by a cross-piece or the like in the region of the headrest or of the headrest cushion. [0007] The subjects of the rest of the claims are explained hereinbelow both in relation to the subject matter of Claim 1 and also in relation to the subjects of Claims 2 or 3 and, in addition, also in relation to a combination of one or more of the subjects of Claims 1, 2 and 3, but may also be important in their own right. It is thus further provided that the cross-section or cross-sectional portion of the connecting body that is located within a projection of the holding receptacles of the holding brackets onto one another has at least a dimensional size corresponding to twice the diameter of a holding portion, as a result of which a compact, stable holding configuration is achieved. Thus, in the case of a holding-bracket diameter of, for example, 10 mm, the connecting body has within the projection of the holding receptacles onto one another at least a dimensional size of 20 mm, it being possible for the connecting body also to extend beyond the projection of the holding receptacles onto one another. To fix the holding brackets of the headrest, the holding receptacles, which accommodate the holding-bracket ends in a positive manner, preferably have fixing elements in order to secure the holding brackets from being pulled out of the holding receptacles. In a development of the subject matter of the invention, it is provided that the holding bracket is fixed outside a holding receptacle, for which purpose, by way of example, the holding bracket is fixed by means of a snap-in arm disposed on the connecting body. The said snap-in arm may engage positively, for example, in a notched groove of the holding bracket, in order to secure the latter in the withdrawal direction. A solution is also conceivable in which two snap-in arms acting in opposite directions are provided for fixing a holding bracket, with the opening cross-section which is provided for the passage of the holding bracket being slightly offset between the two snap-in arms in a projection with respect to the opening of the holding receptacle, so that, when the holding bracket is accommodated in the holding receptacle, it is fixed nonpositively by the snap-in arms acting radially on the outside on the holding bracket. As an alternative to this, it may be provided that the holding bracket is fixed within a holding receptacle, for example by means of a screw, for example a grub screw, acting radially on that end of the holding bracket which is plugged into the holding receptacle, or, for example, by provision of a snap-in ball which interacts with an annular groove of the holding-bracket end and is disposed in the holding receptacle. [0008] The invention also relates to a headrest with adjustment mechanism, for motor vehicles, for example rear seat headrests, an angular position of the headrest relative to a backrest of a vehicle seat, to which the headrest is fitted, being adjustable and in which height adjustability is preferably provided, the headrest having two holding brackets. In order to form a headrest of the type in question in a space-saving manner and with a high degree of stability in use, in particular in the region of the mechanism adjusting the angular position, it is proposed that the holding brackets merge integrally into a holding portion of the pivot pin. The pivot pin may be formed as a solid part in the form of a connecting body between the holding brackets, or, further, for example, in the form of a cast part on which the holding brackets are integrally formed. As a result of a configuration of this nature, a space-saving solution which is stable in use is provided in the region of the adjustment mechanism for the headrest, with an interface which is changed compared with the customary headrest installation known from the prior art, which interface is now formed in the region of the headrest cushion. [0009] The subjects of the rest of the claims are explained hereinbelow in relation to the subject matter of Claim 1 and in relation to the subject matter of Claim 2 and in relation to the subject matter of Claim 12 and, in addition, also in relation to a combination of claims mentioned above, but may also be important in their own right. It is thus further proposed that a geometrical axis of the pivot pin extends within the connecting body, it being possible for the geometrical axis to be disposed in such a manner that the holding brackets intersect the latter, while entirely or partially passing through the connecting body. A crossing of holding bracket and pivot pin in a projection is also conceivable. It is furthermore preferred for a spindle drive to be provided for the angular adjustment of the headrest, which spindle drive, when the headrest is formed as a rear seat headrest, in particular according to the subject matter of Claim 2, can be used both for the displaceability by motor means of the headrest out of a concealed position into the position of use and also for the angular adjustment of the headrest in the position of use. In this connection, a stepless adjustment by electric motor via a spindle drive is particularly suitable, the spindle drive being formed to be self-locking, so that the angular position achieved for the headrest can be automatically retained. It is furthermore preferred that, when the headrest is formed as a rear seat headrest, the adjustment of the same out of the position of use into the concealed position also takes place by electric motor via the spindle drive. Alternatively, it is provided, in particular in the case of a rear seat headrest, that a pivoting position of the headrest can be fixed by snapping in, in particular the position of use after the headrest has been pivoted out of the concealed position. For example, a snap-in recess which interacts with a snap-in body can be formed in the pivot pin for the snap-in fixing, with, in the equivalent sense, the pivot pin or the connecting body forming a rotary latch and the snap-in body which interacts with the latter forming a locking pawl. As a result of a configuration of this nature, a definitive snap-in position of the headrest in the position of use is realized. According to the invention, the pivoting of the headrest into the snap-in position can take place by means of a spindle drive driven by electric motor, this proving advantageous in particular in the case of the rear seat headrest solution discussed, since, for example, by means of a seat occupation sensor, the rear seat headrest which is located in the concealed position may be displaced by electric motor into the position of use, in which it is secured by snapping in. However, a solution in which the headrest can be pivoted into the snap-in position by manual actuation is also conceivable. The snap-in body can also be brought manually into a release position, which snap-in body can be formed, for example, as a snap-in pawl which can be pivoted away, or in the form of a pin which can be displaced away radially from the pivot pin. The displacement of the snap-in body into the release position can take place, for example, manually via a lever in close proximity or Bowden cable. Also conceivable, for example, is an electric or electropneumatic solution, in which one or more of the rear seat headrests are released from the snap-in position from the driver's seat, after which they drop into the concealed position, optionally assisted by the spindle drive or else solely by their own weight. In a development of the subject matter of the invention, it is provided that the connecting body is formed as a flat body, with an extent in width longitudinally corresponding in cross-section to a multiple of the dimension of the narrow end, and with it furthermore being possible for the cross-section of the flat body to also be formed to be irregular. In addition, the connecting body may also be formed as a polygon, preferably a regular polygon, for example a regular hexagon in cross-section. The connecting body may also be formed as a cast part or else as a bent sheet-metal part. So that, in the event of a possible accident, the energy taking effect in the headrest is not passed on without hindrance into the adjustment mechanism, in particular into the angular adjustment mechanism, it is provided that a body with a predetermined deformation portion is provided in the force path of the headrest adjustment or of the headrest support, which body is formed in such a manner that a controlled plastic deformation is achieved upon increased energy taking effect in the headrest. The energy is therefore absorbed by work of deformation. For example, the predetermined deformation portion can be formed for this purpose in the snap-in body. As an alternative to this, the predetermined deformation portion may also be formed in a pivoting drive of the headrest, in particular in a pivot lever of the pivoting drive. Furthermore, there is alternatively the possibility of the predetermined deformation portion being formed in an adjustment spindle of the pivoting drive. If the predetermined deformation portion is formed in the snap-in body or in the pivot lever of the pivoting drive or in another, substantially platelike part of the pivoting mechanism that is disposed in the force path, then it is provided that the predetermined deformation portion is formed by cross-sectional weakenings. For example, compression zones in the form of notches with an open edge may be provided. If the predetermined deformation portion is formed in the adjustment spindle, then it is proposed that the predetermined deformation portion is formed by fashioning the adjustment spindle as a yielding spindle, with the diameter and the material of the adjustment spindle being selected in such a manner that a controlled deformation of the adjustment spindle is achieved, but the latter does not tear off. This configuration is suitable in the case of solutions in which the adjustment mechanism is formed in such a manner that, in the event of an accident, the adjustment spindle is subjected to a tensile stress. Furthermore, it is proposed that the mounting of the connecting body and/or of the pivot pin is divided in two, which has proven advantageous in particular in the case of an integral configuration of holding bracket and pivot pin or connecting body. In addition, it is proposed according to the invention that the holding brackets are connected in the region of the headrest by a displacement yoke, to which the headrest is also secured, and that the displacement yoke can be displaced by means of a spindle drive. A combined angle and height adjustment of the headrest by electric motor is therefore achieved, with the mechanism for the angle adjustment being disposed in the region of the rear seat back and the mechanism for the height adjustment being disposed within the headrest. The two mechanisms are in first instance activatable independently of each other, with it furthermore being possible for the spindle-adjustable height setting of the headrest also to be used in conjunction with a--as described--manually actuable adjustment of the headrest, in particular rear seat headrest, out of a concealed position into the position of use. It is furthermore preferred in this regard for an electric motor drive of the spindle drive to be mounted in the displacement yoke. Finally, it is provided that an electric motor drive for the height adjustment and an electric motor drive for the inclination adjustment are coupled electronically for the coordinating movement, the provision of the pivot pin of the headrest for the inclination adjustment within the rear seat back furthermore proving advantageous, since by this, a relatively great lever arm for the angular adjustment of the headrest is achieved, as a result of which there is easier guidance of the headrest impact surface. A pivoting of the headrest is sufficient for guiding purposes, at least over a certain angular region, without having to adjust the headrest in height. [0010] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings which merely illustrate various exemplary embodiments. In the drawings: [0011] FIG. 1 shows, in a diagrammatic, partially cutaway perspective illustration, a motor vehicle backrest with associated headrest according to the invention, which headrest can be adjusted both in angle and height by electric motor, relating to a first embodiment with regard to the angular adjustment, [0012] FIG. 2 shows a detailed perspective illustration of the headrest with integrated electric motor height adjustment, partially cutaway; [0013] FIG. 3 shows a detailed perspective illustration of the headrest mount in the backrest region with associated angle adjustment mechanism, relating to a position of use of the headrest; [0014] FIG. 4 shows the section on line IV-IV in FIG. 3; [0015] FIG. 5 shows a further perspective illustration according to FIG. 3, but with a changed viewing direction; [0016] FIG. 6 shows an illustration corresponding to FIG. 3, relating to the not-in-use position or concealed position of the headrest, for example when disposed in a rear seat back; [0017] FIG. 7 shows a perspective illustration of the angle adjustment mechanism, relating to a second embodiment; [0018] FIG. 8 shows a third embodiment of the angle adjustment mechanism in perspective illustration; [0019] FIG. 9 shows a perspective a detailed illustration of a connecting body for holding the holding brackets of the headrest, in a further embodiment; [0020] FIG. 10 shows a perspective a detailed illustration, corresponding to FIG. 9, of a connecting body which merges integrally into the holding brackets; [0021] FIG. 11 shows a cross-section through a connecting body of the adjustment mechanism, relating to a further embodiment which can be fixed by snapping in; [0022] FIG. 12 shows a further cross-sectional illustration, relating to the snap-in fixing of the connecting body in a further embodiment, [0023] FIG. 13 shows a cross-section through the adjustment mechanism of a rear seat headrest according to a further embodiment, relating to the position of use of the headrest; [0024] FIG. 14 shows an illustration comparable to FIG. 13, but relating to the concealed position; Continue reading about Headrest with adjustment mechanism... Full patent description for Headrest with adjustment mechanism Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Headrest with adjustment mechanism patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Headrest with adjustment mechanism or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Headrest Next Patent Application: Tilting head restraint with a use position and a stowed position Industry Class: Chairs and seats ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Headrest with adjustment mechanism patent info. 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