FR3077245A1 - HEADREST SUPPORT ASSEMBLY FOR VEHICLE SEAT, HEADREST APPARATUS AND VEHICLE SEAT COMPRISING SUCH A HEADREST - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a headrest support assembly (40) for a vehicle seat (10), the vehicle seat (10) comprising a backrest (16) with a backrest frame (17), a headrest support assembly (40) comprising a headrest support (64) for receiving a headrest frame (74), the headrest support (64) being adapted to be pivotally mounted about a transverse axis (Y1) relative to the backrest frame (17) of the vehicle seat (10).

Description

HEADSET SUPPORT ASSEMBLY FOR VEHICLE SEAT, HEADSET DEVICE, AND VEHICLE SEAT COMPRISING SUCH HEADSET

Field

The present invention relates to a headrest support assembly for a vehicle seat, to a vehicle seat headrest device comprising such a headrest assembly and to a motor vehicle seat comprising a such appetite device.

Presentation of the prior art

To improve the comfort of the occupant of a car seat, the seat can have several adjustments allowing it to be better adapted to the morphology of the occupant. Thus, the position of the seat can be adjusted relative to the steering wheel, depending on the size of the occupant. The seat back may be more or less reclining relative to the seat. The seat can also be fitted with a headrest, the height position of which, relative to the seat back, can be adjusted by the occupant.

More recently, head restraints have appeared such that the position of the occupant's head support zone on the head restraint can be modified. To do this, the headrest in question comprises a frame and a part that is movable relative to the frame, in a longitudinal direction of the seat. However, to obtain a satisfactory adjustment range, it is then necessary to make the relatively thick headrest (in the longitudinal direction of the seat). This thickness affects the aesthetics of the headrest and seat in general.

Summary of the invention

The object of the present invention is in particular to propose a headrest support assembly for a motor vehicle seat for producing a headrest which does not have the drawbacks of the prior art.

To this end, the invention provides a headrest support assembly for a vehicle seat, the vehicle seat comprising a backrest with a backrest frame, the headrest support assembly comprising a support headrest intended to receive a headrest frame, the headrest support being intended to be pivotally mounted about a transverse axis, relative to the backrest frame of the vehicle seat.

Thus, according to the invention, to adjust the longitudinal position of the headrest, it is pivotally mounted about a transverse axis, relative to the seat back. Rotating the headrest allows you to adjust the position of the occupant's head contact area with the headrest, in the longitudinal direction of the seat. It is thus possible to design a more compact and / or more aesthetic headrest.

In preferred embodiments, the headrest support assembly according to the invention has one or more of the following characteristics, taken alone or in combination:

- The headrest support assembly comprises a frame, intended to be fixed on the backrest frame of the vehicle seat, the headrest support being fixed on the frame so as to be able to pivot around the 'transverse axis, relative to the frame;

- The headrest support assembly further comprises an actuator for adjusting the position of the headrest support, around said transverse axis;

- the actuator comprises a motor, at least one rod oriented parallel to the transverse axis, the rod being driven in translation in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the transverse axis, by the rotation of the motor, the support support -head having at least one path receiving the rod, oriented at an angle with respect to the direction of translation of the rod, so that the translation of the rod in the at least one path causes rotation of the headrest support around the 'transverse axis;

- The headrest support assembly comprises a gear, driven by the motor, and one of a worm and a rack, driven by the gear, the rod being fixed to the worm or the rack, so as to be moved in translation by the rotation of the motor;

- the headrest support assembly comprises on each side of the engine, a gear, driven by the engine, and one of a worm and a rack, driven by the respective gear, the rod connecting together the two worms or the two racks, so as to be moved in translation by the rotation of the motor, the motor being preferably disposed between the two worms or the two racks; and

- The headrest support comprises at least one housing, preferably two housings for receiving a pin of a headrest frame.

According to another aspect, the invention also relates to a headrest device for a vehicle, comprising a headrest support assembly as described above in all of its combinations, and a headrest with a headrest frame, the headrest frame being mounted on the headrest support, the headrest frame preferably being fixed on the headrest support.

Preferably, the headrest frame has at least one pin received in said at least one housing, the headrest frame preferably having two pins, for example monoblocks, each received in a housing for receiving headrest support pin.

Preferably, the headrest frame comprises a first plate and a second plate, the second plate being translatable relative to the first plate, in a direction perpendicular to the transverse axis, the first plate preferably being integral at least one pin, if applicable.

The headrest device may include an actuator for translating the second plate of the headrest frame relative to the first plate of the headrest frame.

The actuator preferably comprises an electric motor driving in rotation a gear cooperating with one of a worm and a rack, the electric motor being fixed to one of the first plate and the second plate, the worm or the rack being integral with the other among the first plate and the second plate.

According to another aspect, the invention relates to a motor vehicle seat comprising a seat with a seat frame, a backrest with a back frame and a headrest device as described above in all of its combinations, the headrest support being mounted on the back frame, via the frame if necessary, so that the headrest support is pivotable about a transverse axis, relative to the file frame.

Brief description of the drawings

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following description of one of its embodiments, given by way of nonlimiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 schematically represents a side view of a vehicle seat provided with an example of a headrest device,

FIG. 2 is a view of detail II of the vehicle seat of FIG. 1,

- Figure 3 shows in perspective a detail of the headrest device of the seat of Figure 1,

FIGS. 4 to 6 are similar perspective views of a detail of the head support device of the seat in FIG. 1, in three different positions of the head support device,

- Figure 7 shows a sectional view in the headrest device of Figure 1, illustrating an example of a mechanism for vertical adjustment of the headrest device of Figure 1.

Detailed description of the invention

In the different figures, the same references designate identical or similar elements. For the sake of brevity, only the elements which are useful for understanding the embodiment described are shown in the figures and are described in detail below.

In the following description, when reference is made to qualifiers of absolute position, such as the terms "front", "rear", "top", "bottom", "left", "right", etc., or relative, such as the terms "above", "below", "upper", "lower", etc., or to qualifiers of orientation, such as "horizontal", "vertical", etc., it is made reference, unless otherwise specified, to the orientation of the figures or of a seat in its normal position of use.

FIG. 1 schematically represents a motor vehicle seat 10 mounted on a slide mechanism 12.

In the following, the longitudinal direction X means the longitudinal direction of the seat. The longitudinal direction of the seat is considered to be the same as the longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle in which the seat is mounted. This longitudinal direction X corresponds to the normal direction of advance of the vehicle. The transverse direction Y is the transverse direction of the seat. The transverse direction of the seat thus corresponds to the transverse or lateral direction of the motor vehicle. This transverse direction corresponds to a direction perpendicular to the normal direction of advance of the vehicle. Finally, the vertical direction Z is a vertical direction of the seat, perpendicular to the longitudinal and transverse directions.

The seat 10 comprises a seat 14, with a seat frame 15, on which a backrest 16, with a backrest frame 17, is mounted, generally pivoting about an axis 18 by an articulation mechanism 20. The seat 14 is mounted on movable profiles 22, also called slides or male profiles, by means of feet or crosspieces 24, 26. Each movable profile 22 is part of a slide 12 and is associated with a fixed profile 30. The profile fixed 30 is also called rail or female profile. The fixed section 30 is fixed to the floor 32 of a motor vehicle. The seat 10 comprises in this example a manual control element 34, called a lifting beam, for sliding control of the slides 12. This manual control element 34 makes it possible in particular to block and unblock systems for stopping the sliding of the movable sections relative to the respective fixed profiles. Once the stop systems have been released, the manual control element 34 can also be used to slide the movable profiles 22 relative to their respective fixed profiles 30 of the slide 12 in the longitudinal direction X of the slides 12. The profiles fixed 30 and mobile 22 of the slides 12 are generally metallic.

The seat 10 also includes a headrest 36. In the following, the mounting of the headrest 36 on the backrest 16 is described in more detail.

As is more particularly visible in FIGS. 2 and 3, the headrest 36 is part of a headrest device 38 comprising a headrest support assembly 40 and the headrest 36.

The headrest assembly 40 is shown in FIG. 3. In this FIG. 3, the headrest assembly 40 comprises a frame 42 fixed on the back frame 17 of the vehicle seat 10. For example , this frame 42 can be screwed or riveted on the backrest frame 17. Other methods of fixing the frame 42 on the backrest frame 17 are conceivable.

The frame 42 defined first and second housings 44, 46 for receiving a shaft 48 extending along an axis Y1 parallel to the transverse direction Y.

Furthermore, a box 50 is fixed to this frame 42. Alternatively, the box 50 can be fixed directly to the backrest frame 17. The box 50 receives an electric motor 52, fixed in position relative to the frame 42. The motor 52 here rotates two output shafts, oriented substantially parallel to the transverse direction Y. Each output shaft drives in translation in a direction perpendicular to the transverse direction, a respective worm 54, 56 by means of a gear 58, 60. At their upper ends, the endless screws 54, 56 are secured to the same rod 62 oriented along an axis Y2 substantially parallel to the transverse direction Y. Thus, the motor 52 makes it possible to command a translation of the rod 62 up or down, depending on the direction of rotation of the motor 52. It should be noted here that the motor 52 and the gears are shaped so that the two worm screws 54 , 56 are driven simultaneously in the same direction, either up or down.

Furthermore, the headrest assembly 40 comprises a headrest support 64. The headrest support 64 is pivotally mounted about the axis Y1 relative to the frame 42. To do this, here , the headrest support 64 forms a housing for receiving the shaft 48. In this case, the shaft 48 is free to rotate about its axis Y1 relative to the frame 42 and to the headrest support 64. According to a first alternative, the shaft 48 is free to rotate about its axis Y1 relative to the frame 42 and fixed in rotation about its axis Y1 relative to the headrest support 64. According to a second alternative, the shaft 48 is fixed in rotation around its axis Y1 relative to the frame 42 and free in rotation around its axis Y1 relative to the headrest support 64.

The headrest support 64 also forms two projections 66, 68 facing upwards. Each of these projections 66, 68 defines a housing for receiving a pin of the headrest 36, as will be explained below.

Furthermore, two openings 70, 72 are made in the headrest support 64. The two openings 70, 72 are parallel. Here these two openings 70, 72 are substantially rectilinear. The two openings 70, 72 stretch in a direction of extension which is, here, oriented at an angle with respect to the longitudinal direction X and with respect to the vertical direction Z. For example, the direction of extension of these openings 70, 72 forms an angle between 30 ° and 60 °, for example another 45 °, with the axis of the worm screws 54, 56, in particular when the rod 62 is in abutment against the lower end of the openings 70, 72 (as illustrated in Figure 4). The width of these openings 70, 72 is substantially equal to the diameter of the rod 62. Thus, the rod 62 is received in the two openings 70, 72 in such a way that the movement of the rod 62 is guided by the two openings 70, 72. The two openings 70, 72 thus form paths 70, 72 receiving the rod 62. The shape of the paths 70, 72 may vary from the example described above, in particular depending on the configuration of the support support- head 64, protrusions 66, 68 and housings made therein for headrest pins. The paths 70, 72 can thus be formed by grooves, in particular.

Thus, the rotation of the motor 52 causes a displacement of the rod 62 in the paths 70, 72, which pushes the headrest support 64 to pivot about the axis Y1 relative to the backrest frame 17, in one direction or the other, depending on the direction of rotation of the motor 52.

It is understood that thus, when the headrest 36 is secured to the headrest support 64, it can be moved forwards or backwards in the longitudinal direction X. it is thus possible to adjust the position of the headrest 36 for better comfort of the occupant of the seat 10. FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 respectively illustrate:

- the most advanced position towards the front of the headrest 36;

- The reference position of the headrest 36; and

- the rearmost position towards the rear of the headrest 36.

As can be seen, in FIG. 4, the rod 62 is in abutment at the lowest end of the paths 70, 72. On the contrary, in the configuration of FIG. 6, the rod 62 is in abutment at the end the highest of the paths 70, 72. In FIG. 5, the rod is in an intermediate position, substantially one third of the length of the paths 70, 72, starting from the lowest end of these paths 70, 72.

We also understand that this forward or backward movement is not a translational movement. However, the inventors have found that it is possible, with the headrest assembly 40 described above, to carry out a longitudinal displacement of the headrest 36 of 20 mm towards the front and of 40 mm towards the rear from the reference position described above, with a corresponding vertical displacement of less than 5.2 mm or 6 mm, respectively, relative to this basic position. In practice, these vertical displacements of 5.2 mm or 6 mm are barely perceptible for the occupant of the seat 10, in particular because the headrest 36 has a flexible, compressible lining. Also, the variation in orientation of the headrest is hardly noticeable by a user. Indeed, in the example illustrated for example, the longitudinal displacement between the extreme rear position and the extreme forward position, corresponds to a variation in orientation of the headrest 36 over a range of values about 12 ⁰ amplitude.

Furthermore, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the headrest 36 can be adapted to be adjusted in height. Here, to do this, the headrest 36 includes a headrest frame 74 and a headrest trim (not shown in FIG. 7). The headrest frame 74 here comprises two headrest pins 76, 78 (visible in FIG. 3). The two headrest pins 76, 78 are for example in one piece, formed by the same tubular body 79, preferably cylindrical, forming a "U". Each pin 76, 78 is received in a respective housing of the projections 66, 68 of the headrest support 64. Preferably, each pin 76, 78 is fixed in a respective housing of the projections 66, 68 of the support support- head 64.

The headrest frame 74 also includes a first plate 80 and a second plate 82. The first plate 80 is fixed to the pins 76, 78. Here, this is achieved because the first plate 80 is molded onto the two pins 76, 78. In particular, the first plate 80 is molded onto the body 79 forming the two pins 76, 78, at the elbow of the "U". The second plate 82 is mounted translatable on the first plate 80, in a direction perpendicular to the transverse direction Y, having a component in the vertical direction Z. It should be noted here that this direction of translation of the second plate 82 relative to the first plate 80 is of variable orientation due to the fact that the headrest 36 can be pivoted about the axis Yl.

To translate the second plate 82 relative to the first plate 80, an electric motor 84 is here fixed on the first plate 80, by means of a housing 86. The housing 86 is here fixed on the first plate 80. The motor 84 drives a gear 88 which cooperates with an endless screw 90 fixed to the second plate 82. Thus, the rotation of the motor 84 in one direction or the other results in a translational movement of the second plate 82 relative to the first plate 80, up or down.

Of course, the invention is in no way limited to the embodiments described by way of illustration, without limitation.

In the example described above, the position in front or behind of the head support 36 is adjusted by means of an actuator comprising a motor, fixed to the headrest support, at least one rod oriented parallel to the transverse axis, the rod being driven in translation in a direction perpendicular to the transverse direction, by the rotation of the motor, the headrest support having at least one path receiving the rod, oriented at an angle with respect to the direction of translation of the rod, so that the translation of the rod in the at least one path causes a rotation of the headrest support around the transverse axis. However, other types of actuators can be used. Also, other actuators of the electric motor type can be used. The longitudinal adjustment of the headrest 36 can also be manual, in the absence of an actuator.

Furthermore, in the example described, the motor is mounted between the two gears each driving an endless wheel. Such an assembly has a good balance of the rod 62 which is fixed at each of its ends to an endless screw. Such an assembly, with the engine in the middle, is also compact. However, it is conceivable that the motor drives only an endless screw fixed to the rod.

Also, the worms used in the example described above, can be replaced each independently of the other, by a rack.

The headrest frame 74 may include a single pin. In this case, the headrest support may only include a housing for receiving the spindle. The number of pins of the headrest frame 74 and the receptacle for receiving the pin in the headrest support can also be different from 1 or 2.

The height adjustment of the headrest 36 can be obtained differently from what has been described above. In particular, the pins of the headrest frame 74 can be mounted translatable in the receptacles provided for this purpose in the headrest support.

In all cases, the actuator used to adjust the height of the headrest position may be different from that described above. The adjustment can even be manual, in the absence of an actuator.

Finally, in the example described, the headrest support 64 is fixed to the frame 42 which is itself fixed to the backrest frame 17. Alternatively, however, the headrest support can be fixed directly on the backrest frame 17, so that it can pivot around a transverse axis. In other words, in this case, the frame 42 is formed by the backrest frame 17.

Claims (15)

1. Headrest support assembly (40) for vehicle seat (10), the vehicle seat (10) comprising a backrest (16) with a backrest frame (17), the support assembly for headrest (40) comprising a headrest support (64) intended to receive a headrest frame (74), the headrest support (64) being intended to be pivotally mounted around a transverse axis (Yl), relative to the backrest frame (17) of the vehicle seat (10). 2. headrest support assembly (40) according to claim 1, comprising a frame (42), intended to be fixed on the back frame (17) of the vehicle seat (10), the support headrest (74) being fixed on the frame (42) so as to be able to pivot around the transverse axis (Yl), relative to the frame (42). 3. Headrest support assembly according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising an actuator (52, 54, 56, 62, 70, 72) for adjusting the position of the headrest support (64) around said transverse axis (Yl). 4. headrest support assembly according to claim 3, wherein the actuator comprises a motor (52), at least one rod (62) oriented parallel to the transverse axis (Yl), the rod (62) being driven in translation in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the transverse axis (Yl), by the rotation of the motor (52), the headrest support (64) having at least one path (70; 72) receiving the rod (62), oriented at an angle with respect to the direction of translation of the rod (62), so that the translation of the rod (62) in the at least one path (70; 72) causes the support to rotate headrest (64) around the transverse axis (Yl). 5. Headrest support assembly according to claim 4, comprising a gear, driven by the motor (52), and one of a worm (54; 56) and a rack, driven by the gear , the rod (62) being fixed to the worm (54; 56) or to the rack, so as to be moved in translation by the rotation of the motor (52). 6. Headrest support assembly according to claim 5, comprising on each side of the motor (52), a gear, driven by the motor (52), and one of a worm (54; 56) and a rack, driven by the respective gear, the rod (62) connecting together the two worms (54; 56) or the two racks, so as to be moved in translation by the rotation of the motor (52), the motor (52) being preferably disposed between the two worms (54; 56) or the two racks. 7. Headrest support assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the headrest support (64) comprises at least one housing, preferably two receptacles for receiving a spindle (76; 78) of a headrest frame (74). 8. Headrest device for a vehicle, comprising a headrest support assembly (40) according to any one of the preceding claims, and a headrest (36) with a headrest frame (74). , the headrest frame (74) being mounted on the headrest support (40), the headrest frame (74) being preferably fixed on the headrest support ( 40). 9. headrest device according to claim 8, claim 7 applying, wherein the headrest frame (74) has at least one pin (76; 78) received in said at least one housing , the headrest frame (74) preferably having two pins (76, 78), for example in one piece, each received in a pin receiving housing of the headrest support (64). 10. Headrest device according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the headrest frame (74) comprises a first plate (80) and a second plate (82), the second plate (82) being translatable with respect to the first plate (80), in a direction perpendicular to the transverse axis (Yl), the first plate (80) preferably being secured to the at least one pin (76; 78), where appropriate. 11. Headrest device according to claim 10, comprising an actuator (84, 88, 90) to move in translation the second plate (82) of the headrest frame (74) relative to the first plate (80) of the headrest frame (74). 12. Headrest device according to claim 11, in which the actuator 5 comprises an electric motor (84) driving in rotation a gear (88) cooperating with one of a worm and a rack, the electric motor being fixed to one of the first plate (80) and the second plate (82), the worm or the rack being integral with the other among the first plate (80) and the second plate (82). 13. Motor vehicle seat (10) comprising a seat ( 14) with a seat frame (15), a backrest (16) with a backrest frame (17) and a support device (36) according to one of claims 8 to 12, the support support- head (64) being mounted on the back frame (17), via the frame (12) if necessary, so that the 15 headrest support (64) is pivotable about a transverse axis (Yl), relative to the backrest frame (17).