IT202100010697A1 - CAR HEADREST - Google Patents

Description

DESCRIPTION

CAR HEADREST

The present invention relates to a headrest for motor vehicles of the type specified in the preamble to the first claim.

The headrest? a device configured to support and hold up the head of an individual. As you know, it can be incorporated into a backrest or pu? be separate from it. In the latest configuration, the headrest can? be fixed or mobile.

In particular, on cars, the headrest? necessary for the safety of the driver and passengers as it minimizes whiplash in the event of a road collision. In fact, in the absence of the headrest, in the event of a rear-end collision or accident, the head of the driver and passengers would undergo a sudden bending backwards capable of causing injury to the muscles and/or cervical vertebrae. Furthermore, under normal driving conditions, the headrest relaxes the neck muscles, making the journey particularly comfortable.

The headrests for cars can be made of identical or similar material to that of the seat to which they are fastened and, moreover, they comprise padding which is particularly suitable for absorbing shocks.

Generally, the headrest ? consisting of a structural core, able to create the bond between the seat and the headrest, surrounded by padding made at least in part of elastic material.

For example, the PCT patent application WO 2020/201842 A1, in the name teaches how to make a headrest comprising a portion in viscoelastic material, also called memory foam. This material has the characteristic of slowly returning to its original shape after an initial deformation.

Other headrests are described in US patent applications 2009/0315372 A1 , in the name of Lear Corporation.

The main feature that a headrest must satisfy? its reactivity? in the event of sudden shocks.

Furthermore, the headrest must guarantee the user comfortable head support.

The prior art described includes some important drawbacks.

In particular, the headrests of known type, to have the qualities? described, frequently have high thicknesses.

In this situation, the technical task underlying the present invention? devising a headrest for motor vehicles capable of substantially obviating at least part of the aforementioned drawbacks.

In the context of this technical task ? an important object of the invention is to obtain headrests for motor vehicles capable of effectively dissipating shocks.

Another important purpose of the invention ? create a high comfort headrest for cars.

Yet another object of the invention? make a headrest with a reduced thickness.

The specified technical task and aims are achieved by headrests for motor vehicles as claimed in the attached claim 1.

Preferred technical solutions are highlighted in the dependent claims.

The characteristics and advantages of the invention are clarified below by the detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 shows a side view of the headrest according to the invention in use;

Fig. 2a illustrates an enlarged cross section of a portion of the headrest according to the invention in which the cushion body comprises three layers of different materials;

Fig. 2b ? an enlarged cross section of a portion of the headrest according to the invention in which the cushion body comprises the three layers of Fig.2a but in a different sequence; And

Fig. 2c shows an enlarged cross section of a portion of the headrest according to the invention in which the cushion body comprises two layers of different materials.

In this document, measurements, values, shapes and geometric references (such as perpendicularity and parallelism), when associated with words such as "about" or other similar terms such as "almost?" or "substantially", are to be understood as less than measurement errors or inaccuracies due to production and/or manufacturing errors and, above all, less than a slight deviation from the value, measure, shape or geometric reference to which ? associated.

For example, these terms, if associated with a value, preferably indicate a deviation of no more than 10% of the value itself.

Also, when used, terms such as ?first?, ?second?, ?superior?, ?inferior?, ?main? and ?secondary? do not necessarily identify an order, a priority? of relationship or relative position, but can simply be used for pi? clearly distinguish between different components.

Unless otherwise specified, as apparent from the following discussions, terms such as "processing", "computing", "determination", "computing", or the like are understood to refer to the action and/or processes of a computer or similar electronic calculation that manipulates and / or transforms data represented as physical, such as electronic quantities of registers of a computer system and / or memories in other data similarly represented as quantities? in computer systems, logs or other devices for storing, transmitting or displaying information.

The measurements and data reported in this text are to be considered, unless otherwise indicated, as performed in an ICAO International Standard Atmosphere (ISO 2533:1975).

With reference to the Figures, the headrest for motor vehicles according to the invention ? globally indicated with the number 1.

The headrest 1 ? designed to support the head of a user while driving a car and to protect the latter from injury in the event of road collisions.

The headrest 1 ? configured to be preferably attached to the seat of a car. In particular, the headrest 1 can? be incorporated, and therefore jointly bound, in the vicinity? of? end? upper back of the seat, or pu? be bound to it by interlocking. The joint can in turn be extractable or non-extractable. In the case of extractable joint, the headrest 1 preferably comprises translation means configured to allow the vertical translation of this headrest 1 with respect to the backrest of said seat. This vertical translation allows the user to adjust the height of the headrest 1 in such a way that the user's head is optimally supported by the headrest 1.

The headrest 1 comprises, briefly, a structural support 2 and a cushion body 3.

The structural support 2 defines a main surface 2a. The main surface 2a substantially defines the extension of the headrest 1, preferably the whole? of the extension of the headrest 1, or only a portion thereof, preferably intended to allow the head to rest. The structural support 2 and the cushion body 3 are solidly constrained at the main surface 2a. This constraint can be made by gluing, jointing or other.

Furthermore, the structural support 2 ? preferably connected to the seat of the car. This connection can be made from a portion of the structural support 2 itself or from suitably configured connection means.

In particular, the structural support 2 ? preferably made of rigid material. It ? preferably made of plastic. Furthermore, it can advantageously comprise metal parts suitable, for example, for establishing the connection with said seat.

The cushion body 3 defines a contact surface 3a. This surface? opposite the main surface 2a. The contact surface 3a ? configured to support and protect a user's head. It is, therefore, at least in part counter-shaped to the head of a user.

In particular, the pillow body 3 ? made up of a plurality of layers 30. Furthermore, the layers 30 are arranged in succession starting from the main surface 2a. The layers 30 are integrally constrained to each other. This constraint can be achieved, for example, by gluing. In particular, the very formation of materials, for example in a mold, can realize their mutual gluing in a way per s? known to the person skilled in the art.

The plurality? of layers 30 comprises at least a first layer 31 and a second layer. The first layer 31 ? made of polymer foam, preferably polyurethane foam. Pi? preferably, it ? made of viscoelastic polyurethane foam or soft elastic foam. The viscoelastic polyurethane foam can be, for example, memory foam. The particularity? of this material? that of slowly returning to its original shape following compression. In particular, said viscoelastic expanded material has a percentage damping coefficient higher than 50% with compression energy higher than 50 N?mm at a crushing equal to or higher than 80% of the initial thickness. The first layer 31 preferably has a thickness of between 0.5 cm and 5 cm. Furthermore, it preferably has a density between 25 g/l and 150 g/l and a lift between 0.5 kPa and 10 kPa. In detail, lift is defined as the pressure to be applied, by means of an established indenter, to a sample in order to compress its initial thickness by 40%.

The second layer 32 ? preferably made of polyurethane gel.

The polyurethane gel that makes up the second layer? preferably produced by a manufacturing process preferably comprising a formulation step followed by a mixing and polymerization step.

The formulation step comprises the choice and dosage of at least one polyol and isocyanate.

The polyol, preferably has functionality? average less than or equal to three. Preferably, the polyol ? a polypropylene and/or polyethylene glycol and/or a polyether or polyester polyol with functional? greater than two (preferably two or three) and/or a polyether monol or a mixture thereof. A particular realization foresees the combined use of two or more? polyols. Such one or more? Polyols define a polyol blend. The polyol compound? preferably present in a percentage by weight of between 85% and 90% of the total obtained from the formulation step.

The isocyanate can? be aliphatic or aromatic. For example, it can be based on diphenylmethane-4,4?-diisocyanate. The isocyanate 3 ? preferably present in a percentage by weight of between 6% and 10% of the total obtained from the formulation step.

Furthermore, the formulation step involves the choice and dosage of a catalyst. The catalyst? adapted to control the polymerization reaction and therefore allows to obtain a product having the desired physical-mechanical characteristics. This catalyst can be amino or metallic. The catalyst? preferably present in a percentage by weight of between 0% and 0.5% of the total obtained from the formulation step.

In this formulation step, molecular sieves are preferably selected and dosed. They are preferably aluminosilicates, more? preferably zeolites. The molecular sieves preferably have pores with a diameter between 3 ? and 4?. The molecular sieves are preferably present in a percentage by weight of between 1% and 2% of the total obtained from the formulation step. They are able to absorb traces of water present in the reagent mixture. Such absorption? necessary so that? the finished product has optimal characteristics.

The polymerization takes place consequently and substantially simultaneously with the mixing of the polyol blend, to which the catalyst and molecular sieves are preferably previously added, and isocyanate. It preferably takes place at a temperature between 15°C and 80°C.

The polymerization temperature and the quantity? of the catalyst introduced in the first phase determine the speed? of the polymerization reaction.

It can also be made of expanded polyurethane gel. This expansion can be, for example, realized during the polymerization reaction. In particular, the expansion pu? be achieved by introduction and saturation of gas in the reagent mixture or by introduction into the mixture of inert expandable microspheres capable of expanding during polymerization.

The second layer 32, in the case in which it is made of non-expanded polyurethane gel, preferably has a thickness of between 1 mm and 15 mm. Furthermore, it preferably has a density between 1000 g/l and 1200 g/l.

The expansion makes it possible to increase the thickness of the second layer 32 by at least 10% with respect to the same second layer made of non-expanded polyurethane gel. Furthermore, it has a density preferably between 250 g/l and 1100 g/l.

The second layer 32 ? interposed between the first layer 31 and the main surface 2a. In particular, the plurality of layers 30 pu? exclusively comprise the first layer 31 and the second layer 32.

Alternatively, the plurality of layers 30 pu? comprise, in addition, a third layer 33. The third layer 33 is preferably made of polymer foam, preferably of polyurethane foam. The material of the third layer 33 ? particularly suitable for absorbing shocks. Specifically, this material has a thickness preferably between 0.5 cm and 5 cm, a density preferably between 25 g/l and 150 g/l and a lift preferably between 2 kPa and 25 kPa.

Furthermore, the third layer 33 can be interposed between the second layer 32 and the structural support 2. An alternative embodiment is to provide the third layer 33 interposed between the first layer 31 and the second layer 32.

The cushion-like body 3, constituted by the union of two or three layers as previously described, has an overall thickness preferably between 1 cm and 15 cm, more than preferably between 2 cm and 7 cm.

Furthermore, the headrest 1 advantageously comprises an external covering 5. The external covering 5 is capable of covering at least the cushion-shaped body 3. Preferably, it can? it covers both the cushion body 3 and the structural support 2. In particular, the portion of the outer coating 5 in contact with the outer surface of the first layer 31 defines the contact surface 3a. The external coating 5 can? preferably be made of leather or fabric.

The operation of the headrest 1 previously described in structural terms? that of supporting the head of a user while driving or traveling in a car. In particular, in the event of a collision on the road due to an accident or rear-end collision, the headrest 1 protects the user?s head by preventing it from suddenly falling backwards and suffering injuries. If headrest 1 is mobile, ? The user should adjust the height of the headrest 1 before travelling.

The headrest 1 according to the invention achieves important advantages.

In fact, the presence of the polyurethane gel layer, in addition to known polymeric materials, ensures high shock absorption.

Furthermore, the plurality of layers of the headrest 1 allows to have a highly comfortable support element.

The headrest 1 ? particularly suitable in situations where you want to obtain high cushioning and reduced thickness at the same time.

The invention? susceptible of variations falling within the scope of the inventive concept defined by the claims. In this context, all the details can be replaced by equivalent elements and the materials, shapes and dimensions can be any.

Claims (12)

1. Headrest (1) for passenger cars including: - a structural support (2) defining a main surface (2a), - a cushion body (3) integrally constrained to said structural support (2) at said main surface (2a) and defining a contact surface (3a) able to support the head of a user, and characterized by the fact that: - said pillow body (3) ? made up of a plurality of layers (30) arranged in succession and solidly linked together, - called plurality? of layers (30) comprises at least: - a first layer (31) made of polymeric foam, - a second layer (32) made of polyurethane gel. The headrest (1) according to claim 1, wherein said second layer (32) is interposed between said first layer (31) and said main surface (2a). 3. Headrest (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said first layer (31) is made of polyurethane foam The headrest (1) according to claim 3, wherein said first layer (31) is made of viscoelastic polyurethane foam. 5. Headrest (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said second layer (32) is made of expanded polyurethane gel. 6. Headrest (1) according to claim 5, wherein said second layer (32) in expanded polyurethane gel has a density? between 250 g/l and 1100 g/l. 7. Headrest (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said plurality? of layers (30) comprises a third layer (33) made of polyurethane foam having a density? between 25 g/l and 150 g/l. 8. Headrest (1) according to claim 7, in said third layer (33)? interposed between said second layer (32) and said main surface (2a). The headrest (1) according to claim 7, wherein said third layer (33) is interposed between said first layer (31) and said second layer (32). 10. Headrest (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said plurality? of layers (30) exclusively comprises said first layer (31) and said second layer (32). 11. Headrest (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said cushion-like body (3) has a thickness of between 1 cm and 15 cm. 12. Headrest (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising an outer covering (5) able to cover at least said cushion-like body (3).