EP4029409A1

EP4029409A1 - Adjustment device for a headrest

Info

Publication number: EP4029409A1
Application number: EP21206340.8A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Massimo Carrera
Original assignee: CIAR SpA
Current assignee: CIAR SpA
Priority date: 2021-01-18
Filing date: 2021-11-04
Publication date: 2022-07-20
Anticipated expiration: 2041-11-04
Also published as: DE202021100215U1; EP4029409B1; ES2963167T3; PL4029409T3; CN216932458U

Abstract

The adjustment device for a headrest (18) has at least one first headrest holder (1) for holding the headrest (18), at least one stationary first mounting plate (2) on which the first headrest holder (1) is held such that it can pivot about a first axis of rotation (3), a drive unit (4) which has a drive element (5) which is linearly adjustable along a stationary spatial axis (17) between an initial position and an end position, and a coupling element (12) which is articulated at one end to the drive element (5) and at the other end articulated to the first headrest holder (1), wherein a linear movement of the drive element (5) causes a rotation of the first headrest holder (1) about the first axis of rotation (3). In addition, a stop element (19) comes into contact with the coupling element (12) or the first headrest holder (1) in an intermediate position of the drive element (5) and blocks a further rotation of the coupling element (12) relative to the first headrest holder (1) between the intermediate position and the end position.

Description

The invention relates to an adjustment device for a headrest, in particular for the headrest of a piece of seating or reclining furniture.
In the case of seating or reclining furniture, such as armchairs or sofas, the inclination of the headrests can often be motorized. DE 20 2016 102 413 U1 discloses an automatic holding system for a headrest, which system has a first pivoting component that is pivotably held on a fastening plate. The headrest is pushed onto the first pivoting component by means of a plug-on component and can be detached therefrom for cleaning purposes, for example. The pivoting takes place by actuating a linear drive component, the drive rod of which is connected in an articulated manner to the first pivoting component via a connecting portion and a coupling element. At its end remote from the connecting portion, the linear drive component is held pivotably on the fastening plate in order to be able to carry out a compensating movement during the inclination adjustment of the headrest. However, the pivoting movement of the drive component requires additional space. In addition, this solution is relatively complex due to a large number of articulation points and the inclination of the headrest can only be adjusted in a very limited angular range.
DE 29 32 344 A1 relates to a device for the adjustment of a headrest designed for a dental patient chair. In this known device, the linear drive unit has a drive element which is linearly adjustable along a stationary spatial axis and which is connected in an articulated manner to a headrest holder via a coupling element. As a result of the drive unit, which is also stationary during the inclination adjustment, less installation space is required in the region of the drive unit. The significantly reduced number of pivot points also allows more cost-effective production. However, the pivoting range of the headrest is also relatively limited in this solution.
The invention is therefore based on the object of specifying a compact adjustment device for a headrest which has a larger adjustment range for its inclination.
According to the invention, this object is achieved by the features of claim 1.
The adjustment device according to the invention for a headrest has at least one stationary first mounting plate on which a first headrest holder is held so as to be pivotable about a first axis of rotation. Furthermore, a drive unit is provided which has a drive element which is linearly adjustable along a stationary spatial axis between an initial position and an end position, wherein a coupling element is articulated at one end to the drive element and at the other end to the first headrest holder, such that a linear movement of the drive element causes a rotation of the first headrest holder about the first axis of rotation. The adjustment device also has a stop element which comes into contact with the coupling element or the first headrest holder in an intermediate position of the drive element and a further rotation of the coupling element relative to the first headrest holder is blocked between the intermediate position and the end position.
The stop element allows the pivoting of the headrest beyond the dead center, which significantly increases the pivoting angle. In particular, a pivoting angle of the first headrest holder between the initial position and the end position of 140° +/- 20°, preferably 140° +/- 10°, most preferably 140° +/- 5°, can be realized. The first headrest holder can assume a pivoting angle of 90° +/- 20°, preferably 90° +/- 10°, most preferably 90° +/- 5°, between the initial position and the intermediate position. Furthermore, the pivoting angle of the first headrest holder between the intermediate position and the end position can be 50° +/- 20°, preferably 50° +/- 10°, most preferably 50° +/- 5°.
The stationary alignment of the drive unit, even during the pivoting process, and the small number of components and articulation points required for the pivoting movement allow a compact and also inexpensive to manufacture adjustment device. In connection with the invention, the term "stationary" is to be understood as a rigid fastening to a component, in particular to a backrest of a piece of seating or reclining furniture, such as a sofa, an armchair, or a bed on which the headrest is pivotably held.
According to the preferred embodiment of the invention, the stop element is arranged on the first headrest holder and is in contact with the coupling element between the intermediate position and the end position of the drive element. The stationary spatial axis for the drive element can be implemented, for example, in that a guide for the linearly adjustable drive element is arranged on the first mounting plate. However, other configurations are also conceivable in which the drive unit is arranged in a stationary manner relative to the first mounting plate.
In an optional embodiment, a first extension element is articulated at an end of the first headrest holder remote from the first axis of rotation, which extension element can be pivoted between a retracted and an extended position relative to the first headrest holder. The first extension element can be coupled to the first headrest holder via at least one first pivot mechanism, the first pivot mechanism preferably being designed in the manner of a parallelogram guide. According to a further embodiment, a first coupling arm can be provided for the adjustment of the first extension element, one end of which is connected to the first pivot mechanism and the other end of which is directly or indirectly articulated to the first mounting plate. The extension element offers the possibility of extending the headrest further in the position of use, while it can be folded down to save space in the idle position.
The headrest is expediently held on both sides, for which a second headrest holder is provided which is pivotable on a second mounting plate about a second axis of rotation, the first headrest holder and the second headrest holder also being arranged at a distance from one another in such a way that the first and second axes of rotation are aligned. The first headrest holder and the second headrest holder can be connected to one another, in particular via the headrest, in order to ensure synchronous adjustment. In this case, however, it is sufficient if the drive unit is only connected to the first headrest holder via the first coupling element. If the optional first extension element is present, a second extension element will also be articulated on the second headrest holder at an end remote from the second axis of rotation. In this embodiment, the first extension element and the second extension element are connected to one another for synchronous adjustment, in particular via the headrest.
Further configurations of the invention are explained in more detail with reference to the following description.
In the drawings:

Fig. 1: is an exploded view of the device according to the invention according to a first embodiment,
Fig. 2: is a schematic side view of the first embodiment in an initial position of the drive element,
Fig. 3: is a schematic side view of the first embodiment in an intermediate position of the drive element,
Fig. 4: is a schematic side view of the first embodiment in an end position of the drive element,
Fig. 5: is a schematic side view of a second embodiment of the device according to the invention in an initial position of the drive element,
Fig. 6: is a schematic side view of the second embodiment in an intermediate position of the drive element, and
Fig. 7: is a schematic side view of the second embodiment in an end position of the drive element.

The adjustment device for a headrest shown in Fig. 1 has a first headrest holder 1 for holding the headrest and a stationary first mounting plate 2 on which the first headrest holder 1 is held such that it can pivot about a first axis of rotation 3. Furthermore, a drive unit 4 is provided which has a linearly adjustable drive element 5. A guide 6 for the linearly adjustable drive element 5 is fastened to the first mounting plate 2 by means of screws 7. The end 8 of the drive unit 4 which is remote from the linearly adjustable drive element 5 is fixed on a holder 9, in which it is pushed onto a pin 10 and locked with a locking ring 11. The holder 9 is also arranged in a stationary manner and could, for example, also be formed by extending the first mounting plate 2.
The connection between the linearly adjustable drive element 5 and the first headrest holder 1 is formed by a coupling element 12 which has a pin 13 at one end, with which it is articulated to the drive element 5 and fixed by means of a locking ring 14. The other end of the coupling element 12 is articulated to the first headrest holder 1 at an articulation point 15.
In Fig. 2 to 4, the first mounting plate 2 and the holder 9 are fastened to a component 16, which is, for example, the backrest of a piece of seating or reclining furniture. The drive unit 1 held on the holder 9 and on the guide 6 is thus arranged in a stationary manner with respect to the component 16, so that the adjustment of the linearly adjustable drive element 5 of the drive unit 1 takes place along a stationary spatial axis 17 between an initial position (Fig. 2) and an end position (Fig. 4).
A headrest 18 is fastened to the first headrest holder 1 and is adjustable from a rearwardly folded position according to Fig. 2 via an intermediate position (Fig. 3) to a forwardly inclined position according to Fig. 4, whereby of course every other intermediate position can also be assumed. During the linear movement of the drive element 5, the first headrest holder 1 rotates with the headrest 18 around the articulation point 15 and in this way changes the inclination of the headrest 18.
The headrest 18 is folded back in Fig. 2 and aligned approximately horizontally. During the adjustment between the initial position according to Fig. 2 and the intermediate position according to Fig. 3, the coupling element is freely movable in the region of the pin 13 and the articulation point 15. In the intermediate position of Fig. 3, the headrest 18 is pivoted upwards through an angle α of approximately 90° and is thus oriented approximately vertically. The pin 13 and the articulation point 15 lie on the stationary spatial axis 17, in the direction of which the drive element 5 is adjustable. In this position, the coupling element comes into contact with a stop element 19 arranged on the first headrest holder 1, the stop element 19 being arranged in such a way that it blocks a rotation of the coupling element 12 relative to the first headrest holder 1 upon further adjustment of the headrest 18 into the end position shown in Fig. 4. In this way, the headrest 18 or the first headrest holder 1 can be tilted forward by a further angle β of approximately 50°, so that a total pivoting angle (α + β) of approximately 140° results.
In the exploded view of Fig. 1, the adjustment device furthermore has a second headrest holder 20 which is pivotable on a second mounting plate 21 about a second axis of rotation 22, the first headrest holder and the second headrest holder also being arranged at a distance from one another, in particular on the backrest of the seating or reclining furniture, in such a way that the first axis of rotation 3 and the second axis of rotation 22 are aligned. For the synchronous adjustment of the first headrest holder 1 and the second headrest holder 20, these are connected to one another via the headrest 18 (not shown).
Fig. 5 to 7 show a second embodiment of the adjustment device according to the invention for a headrest, which differs from the first embodiment only in that a first extension element 23 is articulated to the first headrest holder 1 at an end remote from the first axis of rotation 3, the first extension element 23 between a retracted position (Fig. 5) and an extended position (Fig. 7) being pivotable relative to the first headrest holder 1. The first extension element 23 is held on the first headrest holder 1 via a first pivot mechanism 24, the first pivot mechanism 24 being designed in the illustrated embodiment with two lever arms 24a, 24b in the manner of a parallelogram guide. The two lever arms 24a, 24b, which are aligned parallel to one another, are articulated at one end to the first headrest holder and articulated to the extension element 23 at the other end.
For the adjustment of the first extension element 23, a first coupling arm 25 is provided, one end of which is articulated to the first pivot mechanism 24, in this case to the lever arm 24b thereof, and the other end to an articulation point 26 provided on the first mounting plate 2. Fig. 5 again shows the position of the headrest 18 folded backwards, while Fig. 6 shows the intermediate position, and Fig. 7 shows the forwardly inclined end position of the headrest 18. The rotational movement of the first headrest holder 1 via the coupling element 12 and the linearly adjustable drive element 5 corresponds to that of the first embodiment. During the rotation, the coupling of the first pivot mechanism 24 to the first coupling arm 25 causes the first extension element 23 to pivot relative to the first headrest holder 1 in the sense of an extension of the first headrest holder 1 by the amount a (Fig. 7). As a result, the headrest 18 reaches a somewhat greater distance from the seat surface in the forwardly inclined position, while it is arranged relatively compactly in the folded-back position and does not protrude excessively backwards beyond the backrest (component 16).
In a corresponding manner, also a second extension element (not shown) is articulated to the second headrest holder 20 (Fig. 1) at an end remote from the second axis of rotation 22, the first extension element 23 and the second extension element being connected to one another, in particular via the headrest 18 for synchronous adjustment.

Claims

Adjustment device for a headrest (18) having
- at least one first headrest holder (1) for holding the headrest (18),

- at least one stationary first mounting plate (2) on which the first headrest holder (1) is held such that it can pivot about a first axis of rotation (3),

- a drive unit (4) which has a drive element (5) which is linearly adjustable along a stationary spatial axis (17) between an initial position and an end position, and

- a coupling element (12) which is articulated at one end to the drive element (5) and at the other end articulated to the first headrest holder (1), wherein a linear movement of the drive element (5) causes a rotation of the first headrest holder (1) about the first axis of rotation (3),
characterized by a stop element (19) which comes into contact with the coupling element (12) or the first headrest holder (1) in an intermediate position of the drive element (5) and blocks a further rotation of the coupling element (12) relative to the first headrest holder (1) between the intermediate position and the end position.
Adjustment device according to claim 1, characterized in that the stop element (19) is arranged on the first headrest holder (1) and is in contact with the coupling element (12) between the intermediate position and the end position of the drive element (5).
Adjustment device according to claim 1, characterized in that the first headrest holder (1) has a pivoting angle (α) of 90° +/- 20°, preferably 90° +/- 10°, most preferably 90° +/- 5° between the initial position and the intermediate position.
Adjustment device according to claim 1, characterized in that the first headrest holder (1) has a pivoting angle (β) of 50° +/- 20°, preferably 50° +/- 10°, most preferably 50° +/- 5° between the intermediate position and the end position.
Adjustment device according to claim 1, characterized in that the first headrest holder (1) has a pivoting angle of 140° +/- 20°, preferably 140° +/- 10°, most preferably 140° +/- 5° between the initial position and the end position.
Adjustment device according to claim 1, characterized in that a guide (6) for the linearly adjustable drive element (5) is arranged on the first mounting plate (2).
Adjustment device according to claim 1, characterized in that the drive unit (4) is arranged stationary relative to the first mounting plate (2).
Adjustment device according to claim 1, characterized in that a first extension element (23) is articulated to the first headrest holder (1) at an end remote from the first axis of rotation (3), the first extension element (23) between a retracted and an extended position being pivotable relative to the first headrest holder (1).
Adjustment device according to claim 8, characterized in that the first extension element (23) is coupled to the first headrest holder (1) via at least one first pivot mechanism (24).
Adjustment device according to claim 9, characterized in that the first pivot mechanism (24) is designed in the manner of a parallelogram guide.
Adjustment device according to claim 8, characterized in that a first coupling arm (25) is provided for adjusting the first extension element (23), one end of which is connected to the first pivot mechanism (24) and the other end of which is directly or indirectly articulated to the first mounting plate (2).
Adjustment device according to claim 1, characterized in that a second headrest holder (20) is provided which is pivotable on a second mounting plate (21) about a second axis of rotation (22), the first headrest holder (1) and the second headrest holder (20) also being arranged at a distance from one another in such a way that the first and second axes of rotation (3, 22) are aligned.
Adjustment device according to claim 12, characterized in that the first headrest holder (1) and the second headrest holder (20) are connected to one another for synchronous adjustment.
Adjustment device according to claim 12, characterized in that a second extension element is articulated to the second headrest holder (20) at an end remote from the second axis of rotation (22), the first extension element (23) and the second extension element being connected to one another for synchronous adjustment.