EP2229292A1 - A seat comprising an anti- whiplash mechanism and a method for fitting such a mechanism to a seat - Google Patents

A seat comprising an anti- whiplash mechanism and a method for fitting such a mechanism to a seat

Info

Publication number
EP2229292A1
EP2229292A1 EP08705314A EP08705314A EP2229292A1 EP 2229292 A1 EP2229292 A1 EP 2229292A1 EP 08705314 A EP08705314 A EP 08705314A EP 08705314 A EP08705314 A EP 08705314A EP 2229292 A1 EP2229292 A1 EP 2229292A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
seat
bracket
seat back
squab
back recliner
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP08705314A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP2229292A4 (en
Inventor
Lennart Haglund
Peter Axelsson
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Autoliv Development AB
Original Assignee
Autoliv Development AB
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Autoliv Development AB filed Critical Autoliv Development AB
Publication of EP2229292A1 publication Critical patent/EP2229292A1/en
Publication of EP2229292A4 publication Critical patent/EP2229292A4/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
    • B60N2/24—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles for particular purposes or particular vehicles
    • B60N2/42—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles for particular purposes or particular vehicles the seat constructed to protect the occupant from the effect of abnormal g-forces, e.g. crash or safety seats
    • B60N2/4207—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles for particular purposes or particular vehicles the seat constructed to protect the occupant from the effect of abnormal g-forces, e.g. crash or safety seats characterised by the direction of the g-forces
    • B60N2/4214—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles for particular purposes or particular vehicles the seat constructed to protect the occupant from the effect of abnormal g-forces, e.g. crash or safety seats characterised by the direction of the g-forces longitudinal
    • B60N2/4228—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles for particular purposes or particular vehicles the seat constructed to protect the occupant from the effect of abnormal g-forces, e.g. crash or safety seats characterised by the direction of the g-forces longitudinal due to impact coming from the rear
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
    • B60N2/02—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles the seat or part thereof being movable, e.g. adjustable
    • B60N2/22—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles the seat or part thereof being movable, e.g. adjustable the back-rest being adjustable
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
    • B60N2/24—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles for particular purposes or particular vehicles
    • B60N2/42—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles for particular purposes or particular vehicles the seat constructed to protect the occupant from the effect of abnormal g-forces, e.g. crash or safety seats
    • B60N2/427—Seats or parts thereof displaced during a crash
    • B60N2/42709—Seats or parts thereof displaced during a crash involving residual deformation or fracture of the structure
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
    • B60N2/24—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles for particular purposes or particular vehicles
    • B60N2/42—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles for particular purposes or particular vehicles the seat constructed to protect the occupant from the effect of abnormal g-forces, e.g. crash or safety seats
    • B60N2/427—Seats or parts thereof displaced during a crash
    • B60N2/42727—Seats or parts thereof displaced during a crash involving substantially rigid displacement
    • B60N2/42745—Seats or parts thereof displaced during a crash involving substantially rigid displacement of the back-rest
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
    • B60N2/24—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles for particular purposes or particular vehicles
    • B60N2/42—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles for particular purposes or particular vehicles the seat constructed to protect the occupant from the effect of abnormal g-forces, e.g. crash or safety seats
    • B60N2/427—Seats or parts thereof displaced during a crash
    • B60N2/42772—Seats or parts thereof displaced during a crash characterised by the triggering system
    • B60N2/42781—Seats or parts thereof displaced during a crash characterised by the triggering system mechanical triggering

Definitions

  • a seat comprising an anti-whiplash mechanism and a method for fitting such a mechanism to a seat
  • the present invention relates to an anti-whiplash device and method of fitting such a device to a seat,
  • a seat for use in a vehicle may be provided with a recliner which connects the seat back and the seat squab (or a frame of the seat back and/or seat squab).
  • the recliner allows the seat back to be set at a preferred angle with respect to the seat squab - the angle being selected by the user - usually through the rotation of a control knob at the base of the seat back,
  • Whiplash is a major cause of injury in vehicle accidents; even relatively minor accidents can leave a vehicle occupant with a whiplash injury.
  • Whiplash may be caused, for example, during a rear impact on a stationary car.
  • the posterior and torso of an occupant of the car are supported by the seat of the car and, thus, as the car moves forward - under the force of the rear impact - the occupant's posterior and torso will move forward with the car; however, the occupant's head (which is not supported by the seat) will remain substantially stationary.
  • the occupant's head will move backwards with respect to their posterior and torso.
  • the backwards movement of the occupant's head can cause an injury commonly known as whiplash.
  • Anti-whiplash devices for fitting to a vehicle seat are known. It is believed that supporting the occupant's head during an accident (perhaps by configuring the top of the seat back to move initially towards the occupant's head) and, then allowing the seat back to yield, will reduce the occurrences of whiplash-type injuries during accidents.
  • an anti- whiplash mechanism and seat comprising: a seat squab with an attachment arrangement for connection to a seat back recliner; a seat back recliner with an attachment arrangement configured to cooperate with the seat squab attachment arrangement so as to attach the seat squab to the seat back recliner; and a bracket attached to the seat squab attachment arrangement and to the seat back recliner attachment arrangement, wherein at least one of the attachments of the bracket is releasable, such that a releasable connection is provided between the seat squab and the seat back recliner by the bracket and when a force which is applied to the seat back recliner in a first direction, the bracket will release the connection between the seat squab and the seat back recliner.
  • the mechanism and seat further comprises a biasing member coupled to the seat squab and seat back recliner such that the bracket will release the connection between the seat squab and seat back recliner when a force applied to the seat back recliner exceeds a predetermined threshold.
  • the bracket includes a pivotable coupling between the seat back recliner and the bracket.
  • the pivotable coupling comprises a pivot member.
  • the pivotable coupling comprises a slot in the bracket.
  • the mechanism and seat further comprises a link member coupled to the bracket and the seat back recliner and configured to resist rotational movement of the seat back recliner with respect to the bracket.
  • the bracket further comprises an attachment arrangement attached to the seat squab and a hook portion for releasable attachment to the seat back recliner.
  • the bracket further comprises a stop portion configured to substantially prevent rotational movement of the seat back recliner with respect to the seat squab beyond a predetermined position.
  • the bracket further comprises a projection configured to restrict translational movement of the seat back recliner with respect to the seat squab.
  • the projection is frangible and is adapted to break at least partially when a predetermined force is applied to the projection.
  • the projection is flexible and is adapted to flex when a predetermined force is applied to the projection.
  • Another aspect of the present invention provides an anti-whiplash mechanism kit for fitting to a seat to form an anti-whiplash mechanism and seat.
  • Another aspect of the present invention provides a method of fitting an anti-whiplash mechanism to a seat comprising the steps of: providing a seat squab with an attachment arrangement for connection to a seat back recliner; providing a seat back recliner with an attachment arrangement configured to cooperate with the seat squab attachment arrangement so as to attach the seat squab to the seat back recliner; providing a bracket; and attaching the bracket to the seat squab attachment arrangement and to the seat back recliner attachment arrangement, wherein at least one of the attachments of the bracket is releasable, such that a releasable connection is provided between the seat squab and the seat back recliner by the bracket and when a force which is applied to the seat back recliner in a first direction, the bracket will release the connection between the seat squab and the seat back recliner.
  • the method further comprises the step of providing a biasing member configured to be coupled to the seat squab and seat back recliner such that the bracket will release the connection between the seat squab and seat back recliner when a force applied to the seat back recliner exceeds a predetermined threshold.
  • the step of attaching the bracket includes providing a pivotable coupling between the seat back recliner and the bracket.
  • the step of attaching the bracket further comprises providing a pivot member as the pivotable coupling.
  • the step of attaching the bracket further comprises providing a slot in the bracket as the pivotable coupling.
  • the method further comprises the step of coupling a link member to the bracket and the seat back reciiner , the link member being configured to resist rotational movement of the seat back reciiner with respect to the bracket.
  • the step of providing a bracket further comprises the step of providing a bracket with an attachment arrangement and a hook portion
  • the step of attaching the bracket further comprises the steps of attaching the attachment arrangement of the bracket to the seat squab and releasably attaching the seat back reciiner to the hook portion of the bracket.
  • step of providing a bracket further comprises providing a bracket with a stop portion configured to substantially prevent rotational movement of the seat back reciiner with respect to the seat squab beyond a predetermined position.
  • the step of providing a bracket further comprises providing a bracket with a projection configured to restrict translational movement of the seat back reciiner with respect to the seat squab.
  • the step of providing a bracket with a projection comprises providing a bracket with a frangible projection which is adapted to break at least partially when a predetermined force is applied to the projection.
  • the step of providing a bracket with a projection comprises providing a bracket with a flexible projection which is adapted to flex when a predetermined force is applied to the projection.
  • Figure 1 shows a standard recliner
  • Figure 2 shows a bracket for use in an embodiment of the present
  • Figure 3 shows a deformable link member for use in an embodiment of the present invention
  • FIGS. 4a and 4b show biasing members for use in embodiments
  • Figure 5 shows a pivot member for use in an embodiment of the present invention
  • Figure 6a -6c show the operation of an embodiment of the present Figures 7a and 7b show a combined recliner and anti-whiplash device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention before impact;
  • Figures 8a and 8b show a combined recliner and anti-whiplash device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention after impact;
  • Figures 9a and 9b show a combined recliner and anti-whiplash device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention before impact;
  • Figures 10a and 10b show a combined recliner and anti-whiplash device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention after impact;
  • Figures 11a and l ib show a combined recliner and anti-whiplash device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention before impact
  • Figures 12a and 12b show a combined recliner and anti-whiplash device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention after impact.
  • FIGS 13a and 13b show a exploded view of a combined recliner and anti-whiplash device in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.
  • a Standard seat recliner 1 may be coupled to a seat back 2 (or a frame - not shown - of the seat back).
  • the recliner 1 includes two seat squab connection members 3,4 (although more may be provided); each seat squab connection member 3,4 has a respective aperture 5,6 therethrough.
  • the seat squab connection members 3,4 of the recliner 1 are coupled to a seat squab 30 by passing bolts (not shown) through the apertures 5,6 of the seat squab connection members 3,4 and through corresponding apertures (not shown) in a seat squab 30, a frame of the seat squab (not shown), or a bracket (not shown) coupled to the seat squab 30 or frame of the seat squab.
  • the seat squab connection members 3 ? 4 are configured with respect to a seat back connection portion of the recliner 1 such that they may rotate with respect to the seat back connection portion and, thus, the angle between the seat squab 30 and seat back 2 can be adjusted.
  • An embodiment of the present invention provides a bracket 7 (see figure 2); the bracket 7 comprises a generally elongate body having a first 8 and a second 9 end.
  • the first 8 and second 9 ends of the bracket 7 are provided with respective apertures 10,11 which are adapted so that respective bolts 31 ; 32 may pass through the apertures 10,11 and through corresponding apertures in a seat squab 30, seat squab frame or a bracket connected thereto, such that the bracket 7 can be coupled to the seat squab 30,
  • the first end 8 of the bracket 7 includes a hook portion 12 (the operation of which will be described in more detail below) which is configured to receive a seat back coupling member 33.
  • the second end 9 of the bracket 7 includes a stop member 13 which stands proud of the generally elongate body of the bracket 7.
  • the bracket 7 is preferably a substantially flat member; the presence of the hook portion 12 and the stop member 13 result in a substantially c-shaped bracket 7.
  • the bracket 7 is configured such that when it is coupled to the seat squab 30 (frame or bracket thereof) the hook portion 12 is in an upper position with respect to the stop member 13 which is in a lower position with respect to the hook portion 12.
  • the bracket 7 may include one or move curved or inclined portions.
  • the hook portion 12 of the bracket 7 may be offset from the rest of the bracket but substantially parallel thereto.
  • the hook portion 12 is integrally connected to the rest of the bracket by an portion of the bracket 7 which is inclined with respect to the hook portion 12 and the rest of the bracket 7, This feature may be utilised to ensure the correct positioning of the hook portion 12 with respect to the seat squab 30 and/or other components such as the seat squab connection member 3 (ie.
  • a coupling member 14 is shown in figure 3,
  • the coupling member 14 preferably comprises a deformable body.
  • the coupling member has an elongate c-shaped body with a first 17 and a second 18 end. Respective connection apertures 15,16 are provided through the first 17 and second 18 ends of the coupling member 14.
  • the second end 18 of the coupling member is configured to be coupled to the seat squab 30 (frame or bracket thereof).
  • the aperture 16 in the second end 18 of the coupling member 14 is adapted to receive a bolt 31 therethrough to facilitate said connection to the seat squab 30 (frame or bracket thereof).
  • the bolt 31 is preferably the same bolt 31 that may connect the bracket 7 to the seat squab 30 (frame or bracket thereof) through the aperture 10 in the first end 8 of the bracket 7.
  • the aperture 15 in the first end 17 of the coupling member 14 is configured to be coupled to a recliner 1.
  • the coupling is achieved by passing a bolt 33 through the aperture 15 in the first end 17 of the coupling member 14 and the aperture 5,6 in one of the seat squab connection members 3,4 of the recliner 1.
  • the aperture 15 in the first end 17 of the coupling member 14 is adapted to receive such a bolt 33.
  • the bolt 33 is preferably the seat back coupling member 33.
  • a biasing arrangement comprises a biasing member 19, examples of which are shown in figures 4a and 4b.
  • the biasing member 19 has a first 23 and a second 24 end each with a respective aperture 21,22.
  • the two ends 23,24 of the biasing member are connected by an elongate section 20.
  • the elongate section 20 may be a c- shaped section, as shown in figure 4a, or an s-shaped section, as shown in figure 4b (although, other shapes are envisaged).
  • the biasing member 19 is configured to bias the ends thereof 23,24 into a first relative position.
  • One of the apertures 21,22 of the biasing member is adapted to be coupled to a seat squab 30 (frame or bracket thereof) and the other of the apertures 21,22 is adapted to be coupled to a recliner 1.
  • the apertures 21,22 are configured to receive respective bolts 31,34 to achieve the coupling,
  • an aperture 21 of the biasing member 19 is configured to receive the same bolt 31 which couples the bracket 7 to the seat squab 30 (frame or bracket thereof) through the aperture 10 in the first end 8 of the bracket 7.
  • the other aperture 22 is configured to be coupled to a seat squab connection member 3,4 by a bolt 34 through the aperture therethrough 5,6; the bolt is preferably the seat back coupling member 31 ,
  • a pivot member 25 is shown in figure 5,
  • the pivot member 25 comprises an elongate body with a first 26 and a second 27 end - each with a respective aperture 28,29.
  • the first end 26 of the pivot member 25 is configured to be coupled to a recliner 1 and preferably a seat squab connection member 3,4 thereof
  • the coupling is preferably- such that rotational movement is possible between the pivot member 25 and the recliner 1.
  • the aperture 29 at the second end 17 of the pivot member 25 is configured to be coupled to a seat squab 30 (frame or bracket thereof) - preferably by the use of a bolt 32 through the aperture 29.
  • the coupling is also a pivotable coupling such that the pivot member 25 may rotate with respect to the seat squab 30 (frame or bracket thereof).
  • bolts 32,34 are passed through the apertures 28,29 to achieve the coupling.
  • the bolt 32 which may couple the pivot member 25 to the seat squab 30 is preferably the. same bolt 32 which couples the seat squab 30 (frame or bracket thereof) to the bracket 7 through the aperture 11 in the second end 9 thereof.
  • the above parts may be provided as a kit which allows an anti- whiplash device to be coupled between a seat squab 25 and a recliner 1 which is attached to a seat back 2.
  • bolts 31,32,33,34 comprise one of several different types of coupling element which may be utilised - another such element is a rivet.
  • the coupling element and there respective apertures comprise attachment arrangements which could be substituted for other attachment arrangements.
  • Coupled has been used above (and will be used below) and this term includes connection and/or attachment.
  • the bracket 7 is coupled to a seat squab 30 (frame or bracket thereof) by respective bolts 31,32 through the first 10 and second
  • the bolts 31,32 pass through corresponding apertures in the seat squab 25 (frame or bracket thereof) and the bracket 7 is arranged such that the hook portion
  • the pivot member 25 is coupled to a lower one 4 of the seat squab connection members 3,4 of a recliner 1 by passing a bolt 34 or rivet through the aperture 6 in the seat squab connection member 4 and the aperture 28 in the first
  • the second end 27 of the pivot member 25 is coupled to the aperture 11 in the second end 9 of the bracket 7, As such, the second end 27 of the pivot member is coupled to the seat squab 30 (frame or bracket thereof).
  • the coupling is preferably achieved using the same bolt 32 as the bolt 32 which coupled the bracket 7 to the seat squab 30 (frame or bracket thereof).
  • the coupling is pivotable such that rotational movement between the pivot member 25 (and therefore the recliner 1 ) and the seat squab 30 is possible,
  • a seat back coupling member 33 is secured through the aperture 5 in a squab connection member 3 of the recliner 1.
  • the squab connection member 3, in this instance, is preferably offset from the squab connection member 4 to which the pivot member 25 is coupled by 90 degrees (or approximately 90 degrees).
  • the seat back coupling member 33 may comprise a bolt or elongate element suitable to be received, securely, in the aperture 5.
  • the reciiner 1 may be rotated with respect to the seat squab 30 about the pivot member 25 such that the seat back coupling member 33 is releasably received in the hook portion 12 of the bracket 7.
  • the coupling member 14 is coupled to the seat squab 30 (frame or bracket thereof), preferably by utilising the same bolt 31 which couples the bracket 7 to the seat squab 30 (frame or bracket thereof) - which passes through the aperture 16 in the second end 18 of the coupling member 14.
  • the first end 17 of the coupling member 14 is coupled to the recliner 1, preferably by passing the seat back coupling member 33 through the aperture 1 5 in the first end 17 of the coupling member 14.
  • the biasing member 19 is coupled to the frame or bracket of the seat squab 30 and the recliner 1, preferably by passing the bolt 31 which couples the bracket 7 to the seat squab 30 (frame or bracket thereof) through the aperture 21 in the first end 23 of the biasing member 19 and by passing the seat back coupling member 33 through the aperture 22 in the second end 24 of the biasing member 19. If other forms of the biasing member 19 are utilised, then the biasing member 19 may be coupled by the second end thereof to a different part of the recliner 1 (for example, the seat squab connection member 4 to which the pivot member 25 is coupled).
  • the biasing member 19 biases the rotational movement of the recliner 1 with respect to the seat squab 30 about the pivot member 25 such that the seat back coupling member 31 is normally held in the hook portion 12 of the bracket 7.
  • an anti-whiplash device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention can advantageously be coupled between a seat squab 30 and recliner 1 without the need to alter the construction of the seat squab 30 or recliner 1.
  • the anti-whiplash device may be configured to utilise generally the same space as the standard configuration.
  • an anti-whiplash device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention can be fitted to existing stocks of recliners 1 and seat squabs 30 without a need to alter the design of the seat significantly.
  • an anti-whiplash device as described above has been fitted to the seat of a car and a car occupant is seated in the seat.
  • This movement of the lower portion of the seat back 2 has the effect of moving an upper portion of the seat back 2 towards the occupant's head.
  • a headrest forms part of the upper portion of the seat back 2 and this movement brings the headrest into contact with the occupant's head.
  • the coupling member 14 is a deformable member and the coupling member 14 does not substantially deform during this movement. In other words, the force (or direction of force) required to deform the coupling member 14 is not sufficient (or in the correct direction) to deform the coupling member 14 substantially.
  • the force on the coupling member 14 increases and/or the force on the coupling member 14 is applied from a different direction such that the coupling member 14 no longer substantially prevents rotational movement of the seat back 2 with respect to the seat squab 30 about the pivot member 25. If the coupling member 14 is a deformable member, then it deforms at this stage. Although the coupling member 14 no longer substantially prevents rotational movement of the seat back 2, the coupling member 14 may limit the speed at which such movement can occur and may provide an ultimate limit for the amount of rotational movement.
  • the occupant's head will initially be brought into contact with and supported by the upper portion of the seat back 2 or a headrest thereof. Subsequently, the seat back 2 is allowed to rotate with respect to the seat squab 30 to lower the occupant's head towards the floor of the car - thus absorbing the forces that would otherwise cause whiplash.
  • the biasing member 19 must have properties such that it will hold the seat back coupling member 33 in the hook portion 12 of the bracket 7 until a sufficiently large force is applied and/or a force in the correct direction is applied.
  • the shape and material selected for constructing the member 19 may be such to achieve the desired properties.
  • the coupling member 14 is preferably a deformable member (as this provides a relatively simple construction) but may be, for example, a resilient biasing member or a device configured to achieve the same result.
  • the bracket 7 has been described as a single item; however, it will be appreciated that the bracket may come in two separate parts: a first part comprising a hook portion 12 and a second part comprising a stop member 13.
  • the hook portion 12 of the bracket 7 is configured such that only a force on the lower portion of the seat back 2 will cause release of the seat back coupling member 33. A force to an upper portion of the seat back 2 will cause the seat back coupling member 31 to be forced into the hook portion 12.
  • FIG. 7a An alternative embodiment of the present invention is depicted in figures 7a, 7b, 8a, and 8b.
  • the pivot member 25 has been omitted.
  • the bracket 7 has been adapted such that the stop 13 at the second end 9 thereof has been replaced by a slot 35.
  • a bolt 37 is provided through the aperture 6 in the seat squab connection member 4. A portion of the bolt is received by the slot 35 and is operable to move along the slot 35.
  • this embodiment of the anti-whiplash device is identical to that of the above described embodiment. The bolt 37 moves along the slot 35 and is prevented from further movement by an end of the slot 35 in the same manner as movement was prevented by the stop 13,
  • Figures 7 a and 7b show this embodiment of the invention before impact in the normal configuration.
  • Figures 8a and 8b show corresponding views of the same embodiment of the invention after impact.
  • the present invention is configured to behave differently during a large impact (or high force impact) when compared to a small impact (or low force impact).
  • a frangible or deformable projection 36 may be provided on the bracket 7.
  • Such embodiments of the present invention are shown in figures 9a, 9b, 10a and 10b,
  • the projection 36 is provided on the bracket 7 between the hook portion 12 and the stop 13 of the bracket 7. During a low force impact the projection 36 acts as a stop in the same manner as the stop 13 in the above described embodiment. During a high force impact the projection 36 bends or breaks. This allows the seat back 2 to continue a non-rotational movement with respect to the seat squab 30 (ie.
  • the projection 36 may be frangible, deformable and/or resiliently deformable. The properties of the projection 36 can be adjusted so as to bend or break at a particular force.
  • the stop 13 may be located further away from the hook portion 12 of the bracket 7.
  • Figures 9a and 9b show this embodiment of the invention before impact.
  • Figures 10a and 10b show this embodiment of the invention after a high force impact.
  • An embodiment of the present invention combines the use of a slot 35 and the use of a projection 36 and is shown in figures 11a, Hb, 12a and 12b.
  • Figures Ha and Hb show this embodiment of the invention before impact.
  • Figures 12a and 12b show this embodiment of the invention after a high force impact.
  • the projection 36 is located within the slot 35.
  • An alternative stop arrangement 13 is also shown in the figures associated with this embodiment but this alternative arrangement may be utilised in any of the above described embodiments.
  • the alternative stop arrangement 13 comprises an arm which is preferably arcuate.
  • the arm extends generally from the region of the second end 9 of the bracket 7 towards the first end 8 thereof.
  • the length of the arm is such that when the seat back 2 has reached the desired post-impact position (as shown in figures 12a and 12b), a portion of the arm (preferably an end surface thereof) abuts a stop surface which forms part of the recliner 1.
  • This stop surface may comprise an element which is attached to the recliner 1 (for example by use of the aperture 5,6 in one of the seat squab connection members 3,4 of the recliner 1).
  • a projection 36 allows the anti-whiplash device to reduce the amount of rotational movement of the seat back 2 during a high force impact, when compared to a low force impact, by allowing an additional translational movement of the seat back 2 with respect to the seat squab 30 through an additional distance; thus, a greater amount of the force applied to the seat back 2 during an incident is translated into linear rather than rotational movement of the seat back 2.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Aviation & Aerospace Engineering (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Seats For Vehicles (AREA)
  • Chairs For Special Purposes, Such As Reclining Chairs (AREA)

Abstract

An anti-whiplash mechanism and seat comprising: a seat squab (30) with an attachment arrangement for connection to a seat back recliner (1); a seat back recliner (1) with an attachment arrangement (3,5) configured to cooperate with the seat squab (30) attachment arrangement so as to attach the seat squab (30) to the seat back recliner (1); and a bracket (7) attached to the seat squab (30) attachment arrangement and to the seat back recliner attachment arrangement (3,5), wherein at least one of the attachments of the bracket (7) is releasable, such that a releasable connection is provided between the seat squab (30) and the seat back recliner (1) by the bracket (7) and when a force which is applied to the seat back rediner in a first direction, the bracket (7) will release the connection between the seat squab (30) and the seat back recliner (1).

Description

A seat comprising an anti-whiplash mechanism and a method for fitting such a mechanism to a seat
Description of Invention
The present invention relates to an anti-whiplash device and method of fitting such a device to a seat,
In order to accommodate users of various different sizes and shapes each with individual comfort preferences, a seat for use in a vehicle (eg. a car, lorry, bus, aircraft, boat or the like) may be provided with a recliner which connects the seat back and the seat squab (or a frame of the seat back and/or seat squab). The recliner allows the seat back to be set at a preferred angle with respect to the seat squab - the angle being selected by the user - usually through the rotation of a control knob at the base of the seat back,
Whiplash is a major cause of injury in vehicle accidents; even relatively minor accidents can leave a vehicle occupant with a whiplash injury. Whiplash may be caused, for example, during a rear impact on a stationary car. The posterior and torso of an occupant of the car are supported by the seat of the car and, thus, as the car moves forward - under the force of the rear impact - the occupant's posterior and torso will move forward with the car; however, the occupant's head (which is not supported by the seat) will remain substantially stationary. Thus, in effect, the occupant's head will move backwards with respect to their posterior and torso. The backwards movement of the occupant's head can cause an injury commonly known as whiplash.
Anti-whiplash devices for fitting to a vehicle seat are known. It is believed that supporting the occupant's head during an accident (perhaps by configuring the top of the seat back to move initially towards the occupant's head) and, then allowing the seat back to yield, will reduce the occurrences of whiplash-type injuries during accidents.
It is known to provide a combined anti-whiplash device and recliner for fitting between a seat squab and a seat back. One such combined device is disclosed in GB2316442,
However, a vehicle manufacturer must alter the configuration of the seat squabs and seat backs that they utilise in order to fit a combined recliner and anti-whiplash device. This can prove expensive and technically difficult where, for example, the rest of the interior of the vehicle is designed to accommodate seat squabs, seat backs, and recliners of a standard configuration. There is, therefore, a prejudice against the fitting of combined recliner and anti-whiplash devices to vehicles that cannot easily accommodate the known types of these combined devices, vehicles whose design has not changed in some time, vehicles for which standard seat squabs and seat backs have been stocked ready for manufacturing, or vehicles where the fitting of such devices would necessarily lead to a significant increase in the cost of the seat fitting. Embodiments of the present invention seek to ameliorate the problems associated with the prior art,
Accordingly, one aspect of the present invention provides an anti- whiplash mechanism and seat comprising: a seat squab with an attachment arrangement for connection to a seat back recliner; a seat back recliner with an attachment arrangement configured to cooperate with the seat squab attachment arrangement so as to attach the seat squab to the seat back recliner; and a bracket attached to the seat squab attachment arrangement and to the seat back recliner attachment arrangement, wherein at least one of the attachments of the bracket is releasable, such that a releasable connection is provided between the seat squab and the seat back recliner by the bracket and when a force which is applied to the seat back recliner in a first direction, the bracket will release the connection between the seat squab and the seat back recliner.
Preferably, the mechanism and seat further comprises a biasing member coupled to the seat squab and seat back recliner such that the bracket will release the connection between the seat squab and seat back recliner when a force applied to the seat back recliner exceeds a predetermined threshold.
Advantageously, the bracket includes a pivotable coupling between the seat back recliner and the bracket.
Preferably, the pivotable coupling comprises a pivot member. Alternatively, the pivotable coupling comprises a slot in the bracket.
Conveniently, the mechanism and seat further comprises a link member coupled to the bracket and the seat back recliner and configured to resist rotational movement of the seat back recliner with respect to the bracket.
Preferably, the bracket further comprises an attachment arrangement attached to the seat squab and a hook portion for releasable attachment to the seat back recliner.
Advantageously, the bracket further comprises a stop portion configured to substantially prevent rotational movement of the seat back recliner with respect to the seat squab beyond a predetermined position.
Preferably, the bracket further comprises a projection configured to restrict translational movement of the seat back recliner with respect to the seat squab.
Advantageously, the projection is frangible and is adapted to break at least partially when a predetermined force is applied to the projection.
Conveniently, the projection is flexible and is adapted to flex when a predetermined force is applied to the projection. Another aspect of the present invention provides an anti-whiplash mechanism kit for fitting to a seat to form an anti-whiplash mechanism and seat.
Another aspect of the present invention provides a method of fitting an anti-whiplash mechanism to a seat comprising the steps of: providing a seat squab with an attachment arrangement for connection to a seat back recliner; providing a seat back recliner with an attachment arrangement configured to cooperate with the seat squab attachment arrangement so as to attach the seat squab to the seat back recliner; providing a bracket; and attaching the bracket to the seat squab attachment arrangement and to the seat back recliner attachment arrangement, wherein at least one of the attachments of the bracket is releasable, such that a releasable connection is provided between the seat squab and the seat back recliner by the bracket and when a force which is applied to the seat back recliner in a first direction, the bracket will release the connection between the seat squab and the seat back recliner.
Preferably, the method further comprises the step of providing a biasing member configured to be coupled to the seat squab and seat back recliner such that the bracket will release the connection between the seat squab and seat back recliner when a force applied to the seat back recliner exceeds a predetermined threshold.
Advantageously, the step of attaching the bracket includes providing a pivotable coupling between the seat back recliner and the bracket. Conveniently, the step of attaching the bracket further comprises providing a pivot member as the pivotable coupling.
Alternatively, the step of attaching the bracket further comprises providing a slot in the bracket as the pivotable coupling.
Preferably, the method further comprises the step of coupling a link member to the bracket and the seat back reciiner , the link member being configured to resist rotational movement of the seat back reciiner with respect to the bracket.
Advantageously, the step of providing a bracket further comprises the step of providing a bracket with an attachment arrangement and a hook portion, and the step of attaching the bracket further comprises the steps of attaching the attachment arrangement of the bracket to the seat squab and releasably attaching the seat back reciiner to the hook portion of the bracket.
Conveniently, wherein the step of providing a bracket further comprises providing a bracket with a stop portion configured to substantially prevent rotational movement of the seat back reciiner with respect to the seat squab beyond a predetermined position.
Preferably, the step of providing a bracket further comprises providing a bracket with a projection configured to restrict translational movement of the seat back reciiner with respect to the seat squab. Preferably, the step of providing a bracket with a projection comprises providing a bracket with a frangible projection which is adapted to break at least partially when a predetermined force is applied to the projection. a
Advantageously, the step of providing a bracket with a projection comprises providing a bracket with a flexible projection which is adapted to flex when a predetermined force is applied to the projection. 10
Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying figures in which:
15 Figure 1 shows a standard recliner;
Figure 2 shows a bracket for use in an embodiment of the present
Figure 3 shows a deformable link member for use in an embodiment of the present invention;
Figures 4a and 4b show biasing members for use in embodiments
>5
Figure 5 shows a pivot member for use in an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 6a -6c show the operation of an embodiment of the present Figures 7a and 7b show a combined recliner and anti-whiplash device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention before impact;
Figures 8a and 8b show a combined recliner and anti-whiplash device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention after impact;
Figures 9a and 9b show a combined recliner and anti-whiplash device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention before impact;
Figures 10a and 10b show a combined recliner and anti-whiplash device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention after impact;
Figures 11a and l ib show a combined recliner and anti-whiplash device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention before impact; and
Figures 12a and 12b show a combined recliner and anti-whiplash device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention after impact.
Figures 13a and 13b show a exploded view of a combined recliner and anti-whiplash device in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. With reference to figure 1, a Standard seat recliner 1 may be coupled to a seat back 2 (or a frame - not shown - of the seat back). The recliner 1 includes two seat squab connection members 3,4 (although more may be provided); each seat squab connection member 3,4 has a respective aperture 5,6 therethrough. In a standard seat construction, the seat squab connection members 3,4 of the recliner 1 are coupled to a seat squab 30 by passing bolts (not shown) through the apertures 5,6 of the seat squab connection members 3,4 and through corresponding apertures (not shown) in a seat squab 30, a frame of the seat squab (not shown), or a bracket (not shown) coupled to the seat squab 30 or frame of the seat squab.
The seat squab connection members 3?4 are configured with respect to a seat back connection portion of the recliner 1 such that they may rotate with respect to the seat back connection portion and, thus, the angle between the seat squab 30 and seat back 2 can be adjusted.
An embodiment of the present invention provides a bracket 7 (see figure 2); the bracket 7 comprises a generally elongate body having a first 8 and a second 9 end. The first 8 and second 9 ends of the bracket 7 are provided with respective apertures 10,11 which are adapted so that respective bolts 31 ;32 may pass through the apertures 10,11 and through corresponding apertures in a seat squab 30, seat squab frame or a bracket connected thereto, such that the bracket 7 can be coupled to the seat squab 30, The first end 8 of the bracket 7 includes a hook portion 12 (the operation of which will be described in more detail below) which is configured to receive a seat back coupling member 33. The second end 9 of the bracket 7 includes a stop member 13 which stands proud of the generally elongate body of the bracket 7. The bracket 7 is preferably a substantially flat member; the presence of the hook portion 12 and the stop member 13 result in a substantially c-shaped bracket 7.
The bracket 7 is configured such that when it is coupled to the seat squab 30 (frame or bracket thereof) the hook portion 12 is in an upper position with respect to the stop member 13 which is in a lower position with respect to the hook portion 12. The hook portion 12 and the stop member 13, when the bracket 7 is so coupled, extend away from the seat squab 30 (frame or bracket thereof).
The bracket 7 may include one or move curved or inclined portions. For example, the hook portion 12 of the bracket 7 may be offset from the rest of the bracket but substantially parallel thereto. In such an embodiment, the hook portion 12 is integrally connected to the rest of the bracket by an portion of the bracket 7 which is inclined with respect to the hook portion 12 and the rest of the bracket 7, This feature may be utilised to ensure the correct positioning of the hook portion 12 with respect to the seat squab 30 and/or other components such as the seat squab connection member 3 (ie. such that the seat squab connection member 3 may be positioned adjacent to the hook portion 12 as will be described below and as shown in figures 6, 1, 9 and 11 ), A coupling member 14 is shown in figure 3, The coupling member 14 preferably comprises a deformable body. The coupling member has an elongate c-shaped body with a first 17 and a second 18 end. Respective connection apertures 15,16 are provided through the first 17 and second 18 ends of the coupling member 14. The second end 18 of the coupling member is configured to be coupled to the seat squab 30 (frame or bracket thereof). Preferably, the aperture 16 in the second end 18 of the coupling member 14 is adapted to receive a bolt 31 therethrough to facilitate said connection to the seat squab 30 (frame or bracket thereof). The bolt 31 is preferably the same bolt 31 that may connect the bracket 7 to the seat squab 30 (frame or bracket thereof) through the aperture 10 in the first end 8 of the bracket 7.
The aperture 15 in the first end 17 of the coupling member 14 is configured to be coupled to a recliner 1. Preferably, the coupling is achieved by passing a bolt 33 through the aperture 15 in the first end 17 of the coupling member 14 and the aperture 5,6 in one of the seat squab connection members 3,4 of the recliner 1. As such, the aperture 15 in the first end 17 of the coupling member 14 is adapted to receive such a bolt 33. The bolt 33 is preferably the seat back coupling member 33.
A biasing arrangement comprises a biasing member 19, examples of which are shown in figures 4a and 4b. The biasing member 19 has a first 23 and a second 24 end each with a respective aperture 21,22. The two ends 23,24 of the biasing member are connected by an elongate section 20. The elongate section 20 may be a c- shaped section, as shown in figure 4a, or an s-shaped section, as shown in figure 4b (although, other shapes are envisaged). The biasing member 19 is configured to bias the ends thereof 23,24 into a first relative position. One of the apertures 21,22 of the biasing member is adapted to be coupled to a seat squab 30 (frame or bracket thereof) and the other of the apertures 21,22 is adapted to be coupled to a recliner 1. The apertures 21,22 are configured to receive respective bolts 31,34 to achieve the coupling, Preferably, an aperture 21 of the biasing member 19 is configured to receive the same bolt 31 which couples the bracket 7 to the seat squab 30 (frame or bracket thereof) through the aperture 10 in the first end 8 of the bracket 7. The other aperture 22 is configured to be coupled to a seat squab connection member 3,4 by a bolt 34 through the aperture therethrough 5,6; the bolt is preferably the seat back coupling member 31 ,
A pivot member 25 is shown in figure 5, The pivot member 25 comprises an elongate body with a first 26 and a second 27 end - each with a respective aperture 28,29. The first end 26 of the pivot member 25 is configured to be coupled to a recliner 1 and preferably a seat squab connection member 3,4 thereof
(preferably by the use of a bolt 34 through the aperture 28 and through a respective aperture 5,6). The coupling is preferably- such that rotational movement is possible between the pivot member 25 and the recliner 1. The aperture 29 at the second end 17 of the pivot member 25 is configured to be coupled to a seat squab 30 (frame or bracket thereof) - preferably by the use of a bolt 32 through the aperture 29. The coupling is also a pivotable coupling such that the pivot member 25 may rotate with respect to the seat squab 30 (frame or bracket thereof). Preferably, bolts 32,34 are passed through the apertures 28,29 to achieve the coupling. The bolt 32 which may couple the pivot member 25 to the seat squab 30 is preferably the. same bolt 32 which couples the seat squab 30 (frame or bracket thereof) to the bracket 7 through the aperture 11 in the second end 9 thereof.
The above parts may be provided as a kit which allows an anti- whiplash device to be coupled between a seat squab 25 and a recliner 1 which is attached to a seat back 2.
Although the use of bolts 31,32,33,34 has been described above, bolts comprise one of several different types of coupling element which may be utilised - another such element is a rivet. The coupling element and there respective apertures comprise attachment arrangements which could be substituted for other attachment arrangements.
The term "coupling" has been used above (and will be used below) and this term includes connection and/or attachment.
The arrangement of the above parts to form an anti -whiplash device will now be described with reference to figure 6a and figures 13a and 13b.
The bracket 7 is coupled to a seat squab 30 (frame or bracket thereof) by respective bolts 31,32 through the first 10 and second
11 apertures thereof. The bolts 31,32 pass through corresponding apertures in the seat squab 25 (frame or bracket thereof) and the bracket 7 is arranged such that the hook portion
12 is above the stop member 13, and the hook portion 12 and stop member 13 both extend away from the seat squab 25, The pivot member 25 is coupled to a lower one 4 of the seat squab connection members 3,4 of a recliner 1 by passing a bolt 34 or rivet through the aperture 6 in the seat squab connection member 4 and the aperture 28 in the first
The second end 27 of the pivot member 25 is coupled to the aperture 11 in the second end 9 of the bracket 7, As such, the second end 27 of the pivot member is coupled to the seat squab 30 (frame or bracket thereof). The coupling is preferably achieved using the same bolt 32 as the bolt 32 which coupled the bracket 7 to the seat squab 30 (frame or bracket thereof). The coupling is pivotable such that rotational movement between the pivot member 25 (and therefore the recliner 1 ) and the seat squab 30 is possible,
A seat back coupling member 33 is secured through the aperture 5 in a squab connection member 3 of the recliner 1. The squab connection member 3, in this instance, is preferably offset from the squab connection member 4 to which the pivot member 25 is coupled by 90 degrees (or approximately 90 degrees). The seat back coupling member 33 may comprise a bolt or elongate element suitable to be received, securely, in the aperture 5.
The reciiner 1 may be rotated with respect to the seat squab 30 about the pivot member 25 such that the seat back coupling member 33 is releasably received in the hook portion 12 of the bracket 7. The coupling member 14 is coupled to the seat squab 30 (frame or bracket thereof), preferably by utilising the same bolt 31 which couples the bracket 7 to the seat squab 30 (frame or bracket thereof) - which passes through the aperture 16 in the second end 18 of the coupling member 14. The first end 17 of the coupling member 14 is coupled to the recliner 1, preferably by passing the seat back coupling member 33 through the aperture 1 5 in the first end 17 of the coupling member 14.
The biasing member 19 is coupled to the frame or bracket of the seat squab 30 and the recliner 1, preferably by passing the bolt 31 which couples the bracket 7 to the seat squab 30 (frame or bracket thereof) through the aperture 21 in the first end 23 of the biasing member 19 and by passing the seat back coupling member 33 through the aperture 22 in the second end 24 of the biasing member 19. If other forms of the biasing member 19 are utilised, then the biasing member 19 may be coupled by the second end thereof to a different part of the recliner 1 (for example, the seat squab connection member 4 to which the pivot member 25 is coupled).
The biasing member 19 biases the rotational movement of the recliner 1 with respect to the seat squab 30 about the pivot member 25 such that the seat back coupling member 31 is normally held in the hook portion 12 of the bracket 7.
Thus, an anti-whiplash device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention can advantageously be coupled between a seat squab 30 and recliner 1 without the need to alter the construction of the seat squab 30 or recliner 1. Moreover, the anti-whiplash device may be configured to utilise generally the same space as the standard configuration. Thus, an anti-whiplash device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention can be fitted to existing stocks of recliners 1 and seat squabs 30 without a need to alter the design of the seat significantly.
The operation of an anti-whiplash device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention will now be described.
It is understood that, for the purposes of this part of the description, an anti-whiplash device as described above has been fitted to the seat of a car and a car occupant is seated in the seat.
Upon impact from the rear, the occupant's posterior and torso press against a lower portion of the seat back 2 as the car is moved forwards (by the impact). This force of the occupant's posterior and torso on the lower portion of the seat back 2 forces the seat back 2 from the normal position (in which the seat back coupling member 33 is retained in the hook portion 12 of the bracket 7), against the biasing force of the biasing member 19, (the force being greater than the biasing force, applied by this member 19 to hold the seat back 2 in the normal position) towards a position in which the pivot member 25, or the bolt which couples the pivot member 25 to the recliner 1 , abuts the stop member 13 of the bracket 7 (see figure 6b). This movement of the lower portion of the seat back 2 has the effect of moving an upper portion of the seat back 2 towards the occupant's head. Preferably, a headrest forms part of the upper portion of the seat back 2 and this movement brings the headrest into contact with the occupant's head.
At this stage, rotation of the seat back 1 with respect to the seat squab 30 is substantially prevented by the coupling member 14. Preferably, the coupling member 14 is a deformable member and the coupling member 14 does not substantially deform during this movement. In other words, the force (or direction of force) required to deform the coupling member 14 is not sufficient (or in the correct direction) to deform the coupling member 14 substantially.
When further movement of the seat back 2 in this manner is substantially prevented by the stop member 13 (see figure 6c), the force on the coupling member 14 increases and/or the force on the coupling member 14 is applied from a different direction such that the coupling member 14 no longer substantially prevents rotational movement of the seat back 2 with respect to the seat squab 30 about the pivot member 25. If the coupling member 14 is a deformable member, then it deforms at this stage. Although the coupling member 14 no longer substantially prevents rotational movement of the seat back 2, the coupling member 14 may limit the speed at which such movement can occur and may provide an ultimate limit for the amount of rotational movement.
Thus, during an accident from the rear, the occupant's head will initially be brought into contact with and supported by the upper portion of the seat back 2 or a headrest thereof. Subsequently, the seat back 2 is allowed to rotate with respect to the seat squab 30 to lower the occupant's head towards the floor of the car - thus absorbing the forces that would otherwise cause whiplash.
It will be understood that the biasing member 19 must have properties such that it will hold the seat back coupling member 33 in the hook portion 12 of the bracket 7 until a sufficiently large force is applied and/or a force in the correct direction is applied. For this purpose, the shape and material selected for constructing the member 19 may be such to achieve the desired properties.
The coupling member 14 is preferably a deformable member (as this provides a relatively simple construction) but may be, for example, a resilient biasing member or a device configured to achieve the same result.
The bracket 7 has been described as a single item; however, it will be appreciated that the bracket may come in two separate parts: a first part comprising a hook portion 12 and a second part comprising a stop member 13.
Use of the same apertures for connecting multiple parts of embodiments of the present invention to the seat squab and/or recliner is for convenience only and it will be understood that other arrangements are possible without deviating from the invention.
The hook portion 12 of the bracket 7 is configured such that only a force on the lower portion of the seat back 2 will cause release of the seat back coupling member 33. A force to an upper portion of the seat back 2 will cause the seat back coupling member 31 to be forced into the hook portion 12.
An alternative embodiment of the present invention is depicted in figures 7a, 7b, 8a, and 8b.
In this embodiment the pivot member 25 has been omitted. However, the bracket 7 has been adapted such that the stop 13 at the second end 9 thereof has been replaced by a slot 35. A bolt 37 is provided through the aperture 6 in the seat squab connection member 4. A portion of the bolt is received by the slot 35 and is operable to move along the slot 35. In operation this embodiment of the anti-whiplash device is identical to that of the above described embodiment. The bolt 37 moves along the slot 35 and is prevented from further movement by an end of the slot 35 in the same manner as movement was prevented by the stop 13,
Figures 7 a and 7b show this embodiment of the invention before impact in the normal configuration. Figures 8a and 8b show corresponding views of the same embodiment of the invention after impact.
Preferably, the present invention is configured to behave differently during a large impact (or high force impact) when compared to a small impact (or low force impact).
To achieve differing modes of operation a frangible or deformable projection 36 may be provided on the bracket 7. Such embodiments of the present invention are shown in figures 9a, 9b, 10a and 10b,
The projection 36 is provided on the bracket 7 between the hook portion 12 and the stop 13 of the bracket 7. During a low force impact the projection 36 acts as a stop in the same manner as the stop 13 in the above described embodiment. During a high force impact the projection 36 bends or breaks. This allows the seat back 2 to continue a non-rotational movement with respect to the seat squab 30 (ie. as the seat back 2 moves away from the seat squab 30 there is generally little or no change in the angle at which the seat back 2 extends away from the seat squab 30); thus, further movement of the seat back 2 is possible during a high force impact incident when compared to a low force impact incident and rotational movement of the seat back 2 with respect to the seat squab 30 is limited during a high force impact incident when compared with a low force impact incident. It is thought that excessive rotational movement of the seat back 2 with respect to the seat squab 30 during a high force impact incident may increase the likelihood of injury to the person occupying the seat. In order to achieve this effect the projection 36 may be frangible, deformable and/or resiliently deformable. The properties of the projection 36 can be adjusted so as to bend or break at a particular force.
In this embodiment, the stop 13 may be located further away from the hook portion 12 of the bracket 7. Figures 9a and 9b show this embodiment of the invention before impact. Figures 10a and 10b show this embodiment of the invention after a high force impact.
An embodiment of the present invention combines the use of a slot 35 and the use of a projection 36 and is shown in figures 11a, Hb, 12a and 12b.
Figures Ha and Hb show this embodiment of the invention before impact. Figures 12a and 12b show this embodiment of the invention after a high force impact.
In this embodiment, the projection 36 is located within the slot 35.
An alternative stop arrangement 13 is also shown in the figures associated with this embodiment but this alternative arrangement may be utilised in any of the above described embodiments.
The alternative stop arrangement 13 comprises an arm which is preferably arcuate. The arm extends generally from the region of the second end 9 of the bracket 7 towards the first end 8 thereof. The length of the arm is such that when the seat back 2 has reached the desired post-impact position (as shown in figures 12a and 12b), a portion of the arm (preferably an end surface thereof) abuts a stop surface which forms part of the recliner 1. This stop surface may comprise an element which is attached to the recliner 1 (for example by use of the aperture 5,6 in one of the seat squab connection members 3,4 of the recliner 1). The use of a projection 36 allows the anti-whiplash device to reduce the amount of rotational movement of the seat back 2 during a high force impact, when compared to a low force impact, by allowing an additional translational movement of the seat back 2 with respect to the seat squab 30 through an additional distance; thus, a greater amount of the force applied to the seat back 2 during an incident is translated into linear rather than rotational movement of the seat back 2.
When used in this specification and claims, the terms "comprises" and "comprising" and variations thereof mean that the specified features, steps or integers are included. The terms are not to be interpreted to exclude the presence of other features, steps or components.
The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof,

Claims

Claims:
1. An anti-whiplash mechanism and seat comprising: a seat squab (30) with an attachment arrangement for δ connection to a seat back recliner (1); a seat back recliner ( 1 ) with an attachment arrangement (3,5) configured to cooperate with the seat squab (30) attachment arrangement so as to attach the seat squab (30) to the seat back recliner (1); and 0 a bracket (7) attached to the seat squab (30) attachment arrangement and to the seat back recliner attachment arrangement (3,5), wherein at least one of the attachments of the bracket (7) is releasable, such that a releasable connection is provided between the seat squab (30) and the seat back recliner (1) by the bracket (7) and when a force which is applied to the seat back recliner in a first direction, the bracket (7) will release the connection between the seat squab (30) and the seat back recliner (1).
2. A mechanism and seat according to claim 1, further comprising a biasing member (19) coupled to the seat squab (30) and seat back recliner (1) such that the bracket (7) will release the connection between the seat squab (30) and seat back recliner (1) when a force applied to the seat back recliner ( 1) exceeds a predetermined threshold.
3. A mechanism and seat according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the bracket (7) includes a pivotable coupling between the seat back recliner (1) and the bracket (7),
4. A mechanism and seat according to claim 3, wherein the pivotable coupling comprises a pivot member (25).
5. A mechanism and seat according to claim 3, wherein the δ pivotable coupling comprises a slot (35) in the bracket (7),
6. A mechanism and seat according to any one of claims 3 to 5, further comprising a link member (14) coupled to the bracket (7) and the seat back recliner ( 1 ) and configured to resist rotational0 movement of the seat back recliner (1) with respect to the bracket
(7).
7. A mechanism and seat according to any preceding claim, wherein the bracket (7) further comprises an attachment arrangement (10,11) attached to the seat squab (30) and a hook portion (12) for releasable attachment to the seat back recliner (1).
8. A mechanism and seat according to any preceding claim, wherein the bracket (7) further comprises a stop portion (13) configured to substantially prevent rotational movement of the seat back recliner (1) with respect to the seat squab (30) beyond a predetermined position.
9, A mechanism and seat according to any preceding claim, wherein the bracket (7) further comprises a projection (36) configured to restrict translational movement of the seat back recliner (1) with respect to the seat squab (30).
10. A mechanism and seat according to claim 9, wherein the projection (36) is frangible and is adapted to break at least partially when a predetermined force is applied to the projection (36),
11. A mechanism and seat according to claim 9, wherein the projection (36) is flexible and is adapted to flex when a predetermined force is applied to the projection (36).
12, An anti-whiplash mechanism kit for fitting to a seat to form an anti-whiplash mechanism and seat according to any preceding claim.
13, A method of fitting an anti-whiplash mechanism to a seat comprising the steps of: providing a seat squab (30) with an attachment arrangement for connection to a seat back recliner (1); providing a seat back recliner ( 1 ) with an attachment arrangement (3,5) configured to cooperate with the seat squab (30) attachment arrangement so as to attach the seat squab (30) to the seat back recliner (1 ); providing a bracket (7); and attaching the bracket (7) to the seat squab (30) attachment arrangement and to the seat back recliner attachment arrangement (3,5), wherein at least one of the attachments of the bracket (7) is releasable, such that a releasable connection is provided between the seat squab (30) and the seat back recliner (1) by the bracket (7) and when a force which is applied to the seat back recliner in a first direction, the bracket (7) will release the connection between the seat squab (30) and the seat back recliner (1 ).
14. A method according to claim 13, further comprising the step of providing a biasing member (19) configured to be coupled to the seat squab (30) and seat back recliner (1) such that the bracket (7) will release the connection between the seat squab (30) and seat back recliner (1) when a force applied to the seat back recliner (1) exceeds a predetermined threshold.
15. A method according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the step of attaching the bracket (7) includes providing a pivotable coupling between the seat back recliner (1) and the bracket (7).
16. A method according to claim 15, wherein the step of attaching the bracket (7) further comprises providing a pivot member (25) as the pivotable coupling.
17. A method according to claim 15, wherein the step of attaching the bracket (7) further comprises providing a slot (35) in the bracket (7) as the pivotable coupling,
18. A method according to any one of claims 13 to 17, further comprising the step of coupling a link member (14) to the bracket (7) and the seat back recliner (1), the link member (14) being configured to resist rotational movement of the seat back recliner (1 ) with respect to the bracket (7).
19. A method according to any one of claim 13 to 18, wherein the step of providing a bracket (7) further comprises the step of providing a bracket (7) with an attachment arrangement (10,11 ) and a hook portion (1 2), and the step of attaching the bracket (7) further comprises the steps of attaching the attachment arrangement (10,11) of the bracket (7) to the seat squab (30) and S releasably attaching the seat back recliner ( 1 ) to the hook portion (12) of the bracket (7).
20. A method according to any one of claims 13 to 19, wherein the step of providing a bracket (7) further comprises providing a0 bracket (7) with a stop portion (13) configured to substantially prevent rotational movement of the seat back recliner ( 1 ) with respect to the seat squab (30) beyond a predetermined position.
21. A method according to any one of claims 13 to 19, wiierein the step of providing a bracket (7) further comprises providing a bracket (7) with a projection (36) configured to restrict translational movement of the seat back recliner ( 1 ) with respect to the seat squab (30).
22. A method according to claim 21 , wherein the step of providing a bracket with a projection comprises providing a bracket with a frangible projection (36) which is adapted to break at least partially when a predetermined force is applied to the projection (36).
23. A method according to claim 21, wherein the step of providing a bracket with a projection comprises providing a bracket with a flexible projection (36) which is adapted to flex when a predetermined force is applied to the projection (36).
EP08705314A 2008-01-15 2008-01-15 A seat comprising an anti- whiplash mechanism and a method for fitting such a mechanism to a seat Withdrawn EP2229292A4 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/SE2008/050042 WO2009091300A1 (en) 2008-01-15 2008-01-15 A seat comprising an anti- whiplash mechanism and a method for fitting such a mechanism to a seat

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EP2229292A1 true EP2229292A1 (en) 2010-09-22
EP2229292A4 EP2229292A4 (en) 2011-02-02

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EP08705314A Withdrawn EP2229292A4 (en) 2008-01-15 2008-01-15 A seat comprising an anti- whiplash mechanism and a method for fitting such a mechanism to a seat

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CN (1) CN101909934A (en)
WO (1) WO2009091300A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2011112123A1 (en) * 2010-03-08 2011-09-15 Autoliv Development Ab A backrest support mechanism
GB201515703D0 (en) * 2015-09-04 2015-10-21 Jaguar Land Rover Ltd Vehicle seat assembly
WO2017218240A1 (en) 2016-06-14 2017-12-21 Timco Aviation Services, Inc. Seat system
EP3671104B1 (en) * 2018-12-19 2023-02-08 Volvo Car Corporation Inspection tool for a safety device of a whiplash protection system and corresponding inspection and manufacturing methods
CN111976561A (en) * 2020-09-22 2020-11-24 重庆宏立至信科技发展集团股份有限公司 Seat frame side plate with energy absorption structure and seat framework

Family Cites Families (6)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB9421542D0 (en) * 1994-10-26 1994-12-14 Johnson Controls Adwest Vehicle seat
GB2316442B (en) * 1996-08-16 2000-02-23 Autoliv Dev Improvements in or relating to a seat back support mechanism
US6209955B1 (en) * 1998-10-21 2001-04-03 Johnson Controls Technology Company Vehicle seat with a yielding recliner stop
WO2002022399A2 (en) * 2000-09-18 2002-03-21 Dura Global Technologies, Inc. Energy dissipating vehicle seat
GB2418843B (en) 2004-10-11 2008-07-16 Autoliv Dev Improvements in or relating to a recliner mechanism
GB2421277B (en) * 2004-12-20 2009-10-14 Autoliv Dev Improvements in or relating to a seat back support mechanism

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WO2009091300A1 (en) 2009-07-23
CN101909934A (en) 2010-12-08
EP2229292A4 (en) 2011-02-02

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