WO2019074186A1

WO2019074186A1 - Headrest controlling apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2019074186A1
Application number: PCT/KR2018/006813
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hae Il Jeong
Original assignee: Woobo Tech Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2017-10-11
Filing date: 2018-06-18
Publication date: 2019-04-18
Also published as: KR20190040579A; KR101972509B1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a headrest controlling apparatus which includes a first fixing member installed in the first member, and a second fixing member installed in the second member to slide in a vertical direction, wherein one of the first fixing member and the second fixing member includes a fixing groove formed in a vertical direction, and the other one includes a fixing protrusion inserted into the fixing groove. Thus, the headrest controlling apparatus has a simplified structure, has a less number of components, can be lightweight and compact, and can be applied even to a conventional stay rod.

Description

HEADREST CONTROLLING APPARATUS

The present invention relates to an apparatus for controlling a position or an angle of a headrest.

Generally, a vehicle headrest is installed at an upper end of a backrest of a seat so that the vehicle headrest serves as a cushion that comfortably supports the head of an occupant at ordinary times and supports the head to prevent the head from suddenly falling back so as to prevent a neck injury or the like when an accident occurs, and some of conventional headrests could control its position by rotating or tilting a headrest that supports a head according to convenience of a passenger.

The conventional headrests are disclosed in Korean Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 10-1171234, Korean Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 10-1044067, Korean Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 10-1071615, Korean Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 10-0982796 and the like.

An apparatus for tilting a headrest is disclosed in Korean Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 10-1171234 (hereinafter, referred to as 'Patent Document 1'). The headrest moving apparatus in Patent Document 1 includes a first link installed at a stay rod of a headrest, a second link and a third link rotatably installed at the first link, a fourth link rotatably installed at the second link and the third link, and a control member having one end rotatably connected to the first link or the third link and the other end rotatably connected to the fourth link or the second link, and the control member includes a rod including a notch, a guide having a first through hole through which the rod passes, a pushing part slidably installed in the guide, having a second through hole into which the rod is inserted, and inserted into or separated from the notches to control moving of the rod in the guide, and a spring applying an elastic force to the pushing part. However, the headrest moving apparatus in Patent Document 1 should include first to fourth links because a cover of the headrest is installed at the fourth link. Thus, the number of components remarkably increases, and there are problems of difficult assembling, an increase in weight of the apparatus, and high manufacturing costs.

An apparatus for folding a headrest is disclosed in Korean Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 10-0982796 (hereinafter, referred to as 'Patent Document 2'). The headrest in Patent Document 2 includes a ratchet member axially coupled to a horizontal part of a stay rod, a rotating member having axial holes which are formed in lower portions of both plates thereof and into which the horizontal part is coupled so that an inner surface of one plate thereof is in contact with the ratchet member, a return spring coupled to the horizontal part to be interposed between an inner surface of the ratchet member and an inner surface of the other plate of the rotating member, having an inner end caught on the ratchet member and an outer end caught on the rotating member so that elasticity is applied as a force that lays the rotating member down, a braking member axially coupled to a fixing shaft having both ends fixed to upper portions of the both plates to be positioned directly above the ratchet member, braking the rotating member to be upright when being caught on the ratchet member, and laying the rotating member down by elasticity of the return spring when not being caught on the ratchet member, a braking spring coupled to the fixing shaft, having one end caught on the braking member and the other end caught on the rotating member to maintain a catching state of the ratchet member, and a releasing member releasing the catching state of the braking member. The headrest in Patent Document 2 includes an axial hole formed in the rotating member so that the horizontal part of the stay rod is inserted thereinto, and the headrest rotates about the horizontal part of the stay rod. The headrest separately includes a horizontal part and a vertical part of the stay rod so that the headrest is assembled with the stay rod and should connect the horizontal part with the vertical part after the assembling. Therefore, the headrest in Patent Document 2 has an extremely complicated assembling process, cannot be applied to the conventional stay rod, and should have a thin cushion formed at a front lower edge portion of the headrest due to an increased distance from the stay rod to the front lower edge of the apparatus. Further, since the headrest in Patent Document 2 should separately include a rotating member connected with the cover, the number of components increases.

(Prior-Art Documents)

(Patent Documents)

(Patent Document 1) Korean Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 10-1171234

(Patent Document 2) Korean Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 10-1044067

(Patent Document 3) Korean Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 10-1071615

(Patent Document 4) Korean Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 10-0982796

A technical objective of the present invention is to provide a headrest controlling apparatus which can simplify a structure of an apparatus, reduce the number of components, make the apparatus lightweight and compact, and be applicable to even a conventional stay rod.

A headrest controlling apparatus according to the present invention includes: a first member connected to one of a seat and a headrest; a second member connected to the other one of the seat and the headrest and rotatably installed on the first member; a first fixing member installed in the first member; and a second fixing member installed in the second member to slide in a vertical direction and configured to fix a position of the headrest, wherein one of the first fixing member and the second fixing member includes a fixing groove formed in the vertical direction, and the other one includes a fixing protrusion inserted into the fixing groove.

In the headrest controlling apparatus according to the present invention, it is characterized that the first member may be a stay rod, and the second member may be a headrest cover.

In the headrest controlling apparatus according to the present invention, it is characterized that a stay rod coupling part to which the stay rod is rotatably coupled may be formed in the headrest cover.

In the headrest controlling apparatus according to the present invention, it is characterized that the second fixing member may include a support supported on the first fixing member.

In the headrest controlling apparatus according to the present invention, it is characterized that the support may be disposed forward or backward of a rotation center of the second member.

In the headrest controlling apparatus according to the present invention, it is characterized that the fixing groove may be formed in the first fixing member, and the fixing protrusion may be formed on the second fixing member.

In the headrest controlling apparatus according to the present invention, it is characterized that a portion with which the fixing protrusion comes into contact when the second member rotates with respect to the first member in the first fixing member may have a circular arc shape.

In the headrest controlling apparatus according to the present invention, it is characterized that the first fixing member may include a bottom plate and a side plate, the fixing groove may be formed in the side plate, and the second fixing member may include a support supported on the bottom plate.

In the headrest controlling apparatus according to the present invention, it is characterized that the first member may be a stay rod, the second member is a headrest cover, the first fixing member may include a bottom plate and a side plate, the fixing groove may be formed in the side plate, and the second fixing member may include a support supported on the bottom plate.

The headrest controlling apparatus according to the present invention may further include an operating member configured to slide the second fixing member, and a second fixing member spring configured to return the second fixing member, wherein the operating member may be provided as a wire, the second fixing member may include a wire spring configured to return the wire, and tension of the wire spring may be different from tension of the second fixing member spring.

In the headrest controlling apparatus according to the present invention, it is characterized that the tension of the wire spring may be greater than the tension of the second fixing member spring.

The headrest controlling apparatus according to the present invention may further include an operating member configured to slide the second fixing member, wherein the operation member is provided as a button member including a button installed at the second member to slide in a lateral direction, and one of the button and the second fixing member may include an interworking protrusion formed thereon, and the other one may include an inclined surface with which the interworking protrusion comes into contact.

The headrest controlling apparatus according to the present invention may further include an operation member configured to slide the first fixing member, wherein the operating member may include a first operating member provided as a wire and a second operating member provided as a button member.

The above-described headrest controlling apparatus has the following effects.

The headrest controlling apparatus includes a first fixing member installed at the first member, and a second fixing member installed at the second member to slide in a vertical direction, wherein one of the first fixing member and the second fixing member includes a fixing groove formed in a vertical direction, and the other one includes a fixing protrusion inserted into the fixing groove, and thus, the headrest controlling apparatus has a simplified structure, has a less number of components, can be lightweight and compact, and can be applied even to a conventional stay rod.

The first member is a stay rod, and the second member is a headrest cover, wherein the headrest cover includes a stay rod coupling part to which the stay rod is rotatably coupled, and thus the number of component can be reduced, and the apparatus can be easily applied to even a conventional stay rod.

The second fixing member includes a support supported on the first fixing member, and the support is disposed forward or backward of a rotation center of the second member, and thus the apparatus can stably fix a position of the headrest even though an impact is applied from a front side or a rear side, prevent the number of component from increasing, and has a simplified structure. Further, a load is not concentrated on the fixing protrusion and the fixing groove and is dispersed to the support, and thus the durability of the apparatus can be increased.

The fixing groove is formed in the first fixing member, and the fixing protrusion is formed on the second fixing member, and thus, convenience of use can be increased because the second fixing member is continuously lifted when the headrest is adjusted.

A portion with which the fixing protrusion comes into contact when the second member rotates with respect to the first member in the first fixing member has a circular arc shape, and thus the second member can be easily rotated with respect to the first member.

The first fixing member includes a bottom plate and a side plate, the fixing groove is formed in the side plate, and the second fixing member includes a support supported on the bottom plate, and thus a volume of the apparatus can be reduced, and a structure of the apparatus can be simplified.

The headrest controlling apparatus further includes an operating member configured to slide the second fixing member, and a second fixing member spring configured to return the second fixing member, wherein the operating member is provided as a wire, the second fixing member includes a wire spring configured to return the wire, and tension of the wire spring is different from tension of the second fixing member spring, and thus an operation distance of the second fixing member may be different from an operation distance of the wire.

The tension of the wire spring is greater than the tension of the second fixing member spring, and the second fixing member is moved as soon as the wire is pulled, and thus the apparatus can be quickly operated.

The headrest controlling apparatus further includes an operation member configured to slide the second fixing member, wherein the operation member is provided as a button member including a button installed at the second member to slide in a lateral direction, and one of the button and the second fixing member includes an interworking protrusion formed thereon, and the other one includes an inclined surface with which the interworking protrusion comes into contact, and thus the second fixing member can be easily lifted using the button member.

The headrest controlling apparatus further includes an operating member configured to slide the second fixing member, wherein the operating member includes a first operating member provided as a wire and a second operating member provided as a button member, and thus convenience of use can be increased.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a headrest controlling apparatus according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the headrest controlling apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention when viewed from a front side.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the headrest controlling apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention when viewed from a rear side.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the headrest controlling apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention when viewed from the front side (a first headrest cover is omitted).

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the headrest controlling apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention when viewed from a rear side (a second headrest cover is omitted).

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of first and second members of the headrest controlling apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention when viewed from a front side.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the headrest controlling apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention (an upright state).

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a movement process of the second fixing member of the headrest controlling apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the headrest controlling apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention (a folded state).

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a headrest controlling apparatus according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of the headrest controlling apparatus according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention when viewed from a front side.

FIG. 12 is a front view of the headrest controlling apparatus according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention (a first headrest cover is omitted).

FIG. 13 is a front view illustrating a movement process of a second fixing member of the headrest controlling apparatus according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a headrest controlling apparatus according to a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a front view of the headrest controlling apparatus according to the third exemplary embodiment of the present invention. (a first headrest cover is omitted.)

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

For reference, the components of the present invention which are the same as those in the related art will be described below with reference to the above-described related art, and the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

When it is described that any part is positioned "on" another part, it means that the part is directly on another part or above another part with at least one intervening part. In contrast, when any part is described to be positioned "directly on" another part, it means that there is no intervening part between the two parts.

Technical terms used herein are for only describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention. Singular forms used herein include plural forms unless explicitly described to the contrary. A meaning of "comprising" used in the specification embodies specific characteristics, areas, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, and does not exclude the presence or addition of other characteristics, areas, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components.

Terms representing a relative space such as "lower," "upper," and the like may be used for more easily describing a relationship with another part of a part shown in the drawings. Such terms are intended to include other meanings or operations of an apparatus used together with a meaning that is intended in the drawings. For example, when an apparatus is inverted in the drawings, any part described as disposed at a "lower" part of another part is described as being disposed at an "upper" part of another part. Therefore, the illustrative term "lower" includes both upper and lower directions. An apparatus may be rotated by 90° or another angle, and the terms representing the relative space are accordingly analyzed.

When it is described that any element is "connected" to another element, it should be understood that the element is directly connected to another element or still another element may be interposed therebetween.

A headrest controlling apparatus according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention is an apparatus for folding a headrest.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 9, the headrest controlling apparatus of the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a first member connected to one of a seat (not shown) and a headrest (not shown), a second member connected to the other one of the seat and the headrest and rotatably installed on the first member, a first fixing member 300 formed on the first member, and a second fixing member 400 installed in the second member to vertically slide and configured to fix a position of the headrest, and one of the first fixing member 300 and the second fixing member 400 includes a fixing groove 302 formed in a vertical direction, and the other one includes a fixing protrusion 401 which is inserted into the fixing groove 302.

Hereinafter, a width direction of a vehicle is referred to as a lateral direction, a longitudinal direction of the vehicle is referred to as a front-rear direction, and a vertical direction of the vehicle is referred to as a vertical direction. Specifically, a side, which is adjacent to a head of a passenger, is referred to as a front side, and the opposite side is referred as a rear side.

In the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the first member is connected to the seat, and the second member is connected to the headrest. Alternatively, the first member may be connected to the headrest, and the second member may be connected to the seat.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the first member of the exemplary embodiment of the present invention is provided as a stay rod 100, and the second member is provided as a headrest cover 200.

The stay rod 100 includes a vertically disposed first rod 110 and a second rod 120 disposed at an upper portion of the first rod 110 horizontally in a lateral direction. The first rod 110 and the second rod 120 are made of a hollow pipe. The first rod 110 and the second rod 120 may be integrally or separately formed. An inclined part 111 is formed at an upper end of the first rod 110 so that the second rod 120 is disposed forward of the first rod 110. An inlet hole 101 is formed in one side of the inclined part 111 so that an upper portion thereof is open.

The headrest cover 200 is rotatably installed on the stay rod 100.

The headrest cover 200 is formed to correspond to a shape of the headrest. The headrest is formed by the headrest cover 200 surrounded by a cushion (not shown).

The headrest cover 200 is formed of a synthetic resin and is manufactured in an injection-molding manner or the like.

The headrest cover 200 includes a front surface, a rear surface, an upper surface, a lower surface, and both lateral surfaces to cover the second rod 120 of the stay rod 100 and upper and lower portions and front and rear sides of first and second fixing

members

300 and 400 described below. That is, the headrest cover 200 is formed to surround upper and lower portions and front and rear sides of the apparatus.

The headrest cover 200 is divided at least into a first headrest cover 210 and a second headrest cover 220.

The first headrest cover 210 is disposed at a front side of the second headrest cover 220. That is, a front surface of the headrest cover 200 is formed on the first headrest cover 210, and a rear surface of the headrest cover 200 is formed on the second headrest cover 220. Upper and lower surfaces and lateral surfaces of the headrest cover 200 may be formed on one of the first headrest cover 210 and the second headrest cover 220 or may be divided and formed on both the first headrest cover 210 and the second headrest cover 220.

Each of the first headrest cover 210 and the second headrest cover 220 is integrally formed.

A stay rod coupling part to which the second rod 120 of the stay rod 100 is rotatably coupled is formed in the headrest cover 200. That is, the headrest cover 200 is directly connected to the stay rod 100 to be rotatable. Thus, the stay rod 100 is directly connected to the headrest cover 200, and a distance from a center of the second rod 120 to a front lower edge of the apparatus is shorter than that of the related art.

The stay rod coupling part includes a through hole formed to pass therethough in a lateral direction so that the second rod 120 is inserted thereinto.

The stay rod coupling part includes at least one separation part, such that the through hole may communicate with the outside. The second rod 120 is inserted into the through hole through the separation part, and the second rod 120 may be coupled to the headrest cover 200 without separation of the first rod 110 and the second rod 120.

The stay rod coupling part is divided and formed on the first headrest cover 210 and the second headrest cover 220. The stay rod coupling part is divided into a first stay rod coupling part 211 and a second stay rod coupling part 221. The first stay rod coupling part 211 is integrally formed with the first headrest cover 210, and the second stay rod coupling part 221 is integrally formed with the second headrest cover 220. The first stay rod coupling part 211 is disposed at a front side of the second rod 120, and the second stay rod coupling part 221 is disposed behind the second rod 120. Therefore, the stay rod coupling part includes two separation parts, and the separation parts are formed as an upper portion and a lower portion of the stay rod coupling part. Therefore, the through hole is divided and formed in the first headrest cover 210 and the second headrest cover 220. A part of the through hole formed in the first stay rod coupling part 211 has an open rear side, and the other part of the through hole formed in the second stay rod coupling part 221 has an open front side.

The first stay rod coupling part 211 and the second stay rod coupling part 221 are coupled to each other when the first headrest cover 210 and the second headrest cover 220 are coupled to each other.

The stay rod coupling parts are formed on both lower portions of the first headrest cover 210 and the second headrest cover 220.

First and

second fastening parts

215 and 225 are formed on the first headrest cover 210 and the second headrest cover 220, and thus the first headrest cover 210 and the second headrest cover 220 are coupled to each other. A bolt is fastened to each of the first and

second fastening parts

215 and 225. Further, a fastening hook 219 is formed on an edge of the first headrest cover 210 to assemble the first headrest cover 210 and the second headrest cover 220, and a fastening hole 229 into which the fastening hook 219 is inserted is formed in an edge of the second headrest cover 220.

The headrest cover 200 includes second fixing

member moving spaces

213 and 223 formed between the stay rod coupling parts at both sides thereof. The second fixing

member moving spaces

213 and 223 are vertically formed and are divided and formed in the first headrest cover 210 and the second headrest cover 220. The second fixing member 400 described below is disposed in the second fixing

member moving spaces

213 and 223, and the second fixing member 400 may be moved in a vertical direction with respect to the headrest cover 200. Further, the second fixing

member moving spaces

213 and 223 are formed so that the second fixing member 400 is not moved or rotated in a forward and rearward direction of the headrest cover 200.

Incised parts into which the first rod 110 is inserted are formed in a lower surface and lower ends of front and rear surfaces of the headrest cover 200. The incised parts are formed in both sides of the headrest cover 200. The incised parts are formed so that the second fixing

member moving spaces

213 and 223 are disposed between the incised parts at both sides of the headrest cover 200. The incised parts allow the headrest cover 200 not to interfere with the first rod 110 when the headrest is folded. The incised parts are divided into a first incised part 216 formed in the first headrest cover 210 and a second incised part 226 formed in the second headrest cover 220.

Further, first fixing member insertion parts into which front and rear sides of the first fixing member 300 described below are inserted are formed in a rear side of the first headrest cover 210 and a front side of the second headrest cover 220. The first fixing member insertion parts are formed by the stay rod coupling parts disposed at both sides of the headrest covers. That is, a rear side and a front side of the first fixing member 300 are inserted between the stay rod coupling parts. The first fixing member insertion part guides the headrest cover 200 so as not to move in a lateral direction when the headrest cover 200 rotates forward or backward about the stay rod 100.

Further, a damper 230 is installed at the second headrest cover 220. The dampers 230 are disposed at both sides of the stay rod coupling parts. The damper 230 are in contact with the inclined part 111 when the headrest is upright. The dampers 230 prevent an impact from being transmitted to the headrest. Further, the dampers 230 may reduce a gap or noise.

The first fixing member 300 is provided separately from the stay rod 100 and is fixed to a center of an upper portion of the second rod 120 of the stay rod 100. The first fixing member 300 is made of a metal material and may be installed on the second rod 120 through welding.

The first fixing member 300 includes a bottom plate 310 fixed to a center of the second rod 120 and side plates 321 perpendicularly formed on both sides of the bottom plate 310.

The first fixing member 300 is installed on an upper portion of the second rod 120 so that the bottom plate 310 is horizontally disposed.

A second rod mounting part 322 on which the second rod 120 is mounted is formed at a lower end of the first fixing member 300. The second rod mounting part 322 is formed to be laterally passed through. The second rod mounting part 322 is formed at lower portions of the bottom plate 310 and the side plates 321. That is, the second rod mounting part 322 is formed so that an upper portion and a lower portion thereof are open. Therefore, a lower end of the first fixing member 300 is disposed lower than an upper end of the second rod 120 and higher than a lower end of the second rod 120. Further, the second rod mounting part 322 may allow a contact area between the first fixing member 300 and the second rod 120 to be maximized.

A main spring 600 is disposed at a right side of the first fixing member 300. The main spring 600 is provided to return the headrest cover 200 to the original position (a folding position). The main spring 600 includes a coil part 603 formed in a coil shape, a first tip end 601 formed at one end of the coil part 603, and a second tip end 602 formed at the other end of the coil part 603. The coil part 603 is fitted onto the second rod 120.

A second main spring locking part 301 is formed at a rear side of the one side plate 321 so as to protrude rearward. The second tip end 602 is locked on the second main spring locking part 301. The first tip end 601 is locked on a first main spring locking part formed at the second headrest cover 220.

Further, a stopper (not shown) may be integrally formed with rear side of a side plate 321 so that the headrest does not rotate when rotating at a folding angle. The stopper is formed to be in contact with an inner wall of the headrest cover 200. Alternatively, the stopper may be formed at the stay rod 100.

The fixing grooves 302 may be vertically formed in one of the first fixing member 300 and the second fixing member 400 described below, and fixing protrusions 401 inserted into the fixing grooves 302 are formed on the other one. In the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the fixing groove 302 is formed in the first fixing member 300, and the fixing protrusion 401 is formed on the second fixing member 400. Unlike the description, the fixing groove may be formed in the second fixing member, and the fixing protrusion may be formed on the first fixing member.

The fixing grooves 302 are formed at upper portions of both side plates 321 of the first fixing member 300. The fixing groove 302 is formed to pass through in a lateral direction and has an open upper portion and closed front and rear sides. A front and rear width of the fixing groove 302 is longer than a vertical length thereof.

The fixing groove 302 is disposed backward of a rotation center of the headrest cover 200. Specifically, the fixing groove 302 is disposed apart from the rotation center of the headrest cover 200 in the vertical direction and the front and rear direction.

When the headrest cover 200 rotates about the stay rod 100 in the first fixing member 300, a contact surface 303, which is a portion with which the fixing protrusion 401 is in contact, is formed in a circular arc shape. The contact surface 303 is formed at upper ends of the both side plates 321. The contact surface 303 is formed convex upward. The contact surface 303 has a rear end which is a highest part and has a height that decreases toward a front side. The height of the rear end of the contact surface 303 is greater than a height of a lower end of the fixing groove 302. Thus, when the fixing protrusion 401 comes into contact with the contact surface 303, the first and

second supports

402 and 403 described below are separated from the bottom plate 310.

The second fixing member 400 is installed in the headrest cover 200 to slide in a vertical direction. The second fixing member 400 is fitted onto the second fixing

member moving spaces

213 and 223. The second fixing member 400 is formed approximately in a rectangular parallelepiped shape.

The fixing protrusions 401 protrude at both lower portions of a rear side of the second fixing member 400. The fixing protrusion 401 is formed long in a vertical direction. A lower end of the fixing protrusion 401 is formed curved to have a semi-circular shape when viewed from a side. The fixing protrusion 401 may be integrally formed with the second fixing member 400, or may be assembled to the second fixing member 400 using a separate pin. Thus, in the case when the fixing protrusion 401 is assembled to the second fixing member 400, the fixing protrusion 401 may be formed of a material different from that of the second fixing member 400. For example, the fixing protrusion 401 is made of a more durable material than that of the second fixing member 400, such that the apparatus can be formed lightweight and more durable.

The lower portion of the second fixing member 400 is inserted between both side plates 321 of the first fixing member 300.

A support supported on the bottom plate 310 of the first fixing member 300 is formed at a lower end of the second fixing member 400.

The support is disposed forward or backward of the rotation center of the headrest cover 200.

The support includes a first support 402 formed at a front lower end of the second fixing member 400 and a second support 403 formed at a rear lower end of the second fixing member 400.

The first support 402 is disposed forward of the rotation center of the headrest cover 200, and the second support 403 is disposed backward of a rotation center of the headrest cover 200.

The first and

second supports

402 and 403 are in close contact with an upper surface of the bottom plate 310 and are formed as a horizontally disposed plane.

The first and

second supports

402 and 403 are disposed lower than an upper end of the second rod 120.

A groove 404 is formed between the first support 402 and the second support 403. The groove 404 is formed to pass through in a lateral direction and has an open lower portion.

A first spring mounting groove 407 and a second spring mounting groove 408 are formed in the second fixing member 400. The first and second

spring mounting grooves

407 and 408 are formed in a vertical direction. The first spring mounting groove 407 has an open lower portion, and the second spring mounting groove 408 has an open upper portion. The first spring mounting groove 407 is formed longer than the second spring mounting groove 408. The first spring mounting groove 407 is disposed forward of the second spring mounting groove 408. A side of an upper portion of the first spring mounting groove 407 is open.

A withdrawal hole is formed in a front upper portion of the second fixing member 400 to vertically pass therethrough. The withdrawal hole communicates with the first spring mounting groove 407. The withdrawal hole has an open side portion.

Further, the headrest controlling apparatus may further include an operating member sliding the second fixing member 400.

A second fixing member spring 800 returning the second fixing member 400 when the operating member is not operated is further included. The second fixing member spring 800 is provided of a coil spring and is inserted into the second spring mounting groove 408. A lower end of the second fixing member spring 800 is supported by the second fixing member 400, and an upper end thereof is supported by the second headrest cover 220. The second headrest cover 220 includes a protrusion protruding downward and fitted onto an upper portion of the second fixing member spring 800. The protrusion is disposed in the second fixing member moving space 223.

The operating member is provided as a wire 710. One end of the wire 710 is connected to the second fixing member 400, and the other end thereof is connected to the seat side through the stay rod 100. The second headrest cover 220 includes wire guides 228a and 228b to guide the wire 710. The wire guides 228a and 228b are disposed at an upper portion and a side portion of the second fixing member moving space 223. The wire 710 is drawn out through the withdrawal hole of the second fixing member 400 then is guided by the wire guides 228a and 228b, and is introduced into the inlet hole 101 then is drawn out to a lower end of the first rod 110.

Further, the second fixing member 400 includes the wire spring 720 returning the wire 710. The wire spring 720 is provided of a coil spring and is inserted into the first spring mounting groove 407. An upper end of the wire spring 720 is supported by the second fixing member 400, and a lower end thereof is supported by a locking protrusion formed at one end of the wire 710.

The wire spring 720 is disposed forward of a rotation center of the headrest cover 200, and the second fixing member spring 800 is backward of a rotation center of the headrest cover 200.

Tension of the wire spring 720 is different from tension of the second fixing member spring 800. In the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the tension of the wire spring 720 is greater than tension of the second fixing member spring 800.

Hereinafter, operations of the exemplary embodiment of the present invention including above-described will be described.

When an occupant pulls a wire 710 to fold an upright headrest illustrated in FIG. 7, the second fixing member spring 800 first contacts then the second fixing member 400 moves upward as illustrated in FIG. 8B. When the second fixing member 400 moves a predetermined distance then stops by being locked by the headrest cover 200, the wire spring 720 contracts and only the wire 710 moves as illustrated in FIG. 8C.

Thus, when the second fixing member 400 moves upward, the fixing protrusion 401 escapes from the fixing groove 302, and the first support 402 and the second support 403 are separated from the bottom plate 310 of the first fixing member 300, the headrest cover 200 is rotatable with respect to the second rod 120. In this state, the headrest cover 200 and the second fixing member 400 rotate about the second rod 120 by an elastic force of the main spring 600 in a counterclockwise direction.

Even when a force pulling the wire 710 is removed after the fixing protrusion 401 escapes from the fixing groove 302, the headrest cover 200 is rotated by the elastic force of the main spring 600, and thus the fixing protrusion 401 does not move into the fixing groove 302 again.

Further, when the headrest cover 200 rotates, the fixing protrusion 401 comes into contact with the circular arc-shaped contact surface 303. In this state, the first support 402 and the second support 403 are maintained separated from the bottom plate 310 of the first fixing member 300. Thus, the headrest cover 200 may easily rotate.

Through this process, the headrest is folded forward as illustrated in FIG. 9.

When the headrest pushes backward to rotate in a clockwise direction when the folded headrest is upright, the fixing protrusion 401 comes into contact with the contact surface 303 and moves to be inserted into the fixing groove 302 by an elastic force of the second fixing member spring 800. Thus, when the fixing protrusion 401 is inserted into the fixing groove 302, the headrest is not rotated even though being pushed backward. Further, even though an impact is applied to the headrest from a front or rear side, the first support 402 and the second support 403 are supported by the bottom plate 310 of the first fixing member 300, and thus the headrest is not rotated.

A headrest controlling apparatus according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention is an apparatus for folding a headrest.

As illustrated in FIGS. 10 to 13, the headrest controlling apparatus according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a first member connected to one of a seat not shown) and a headrest (not shown), a second member connected to the other one of the seat and the headrest and rotatably installed at the first member, and a first fixing member formed at the first member, and a second fixing member installed at the second member to slide in a vertical direction and configured to fix a position of the headrest. One of the first fixing member 1300 and the second fixing member 1400 includes a fixing groove vertically formed thereon, and the other one includes a fixing protrusion inserted into the fixing groove. The headrest controlling apparatus further includes an operation member configured to slide the second fixing member 1400, and the operation member is provided as a button member 530 including a button 534 installed at the second member to laterally slide.

Detailed descriptions will be omitted for components which are the same as those in the above-described embodiment.

In the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the first member is provided as the stay rod 100, and the second member is provided as a headrest cover 1200.

The operating member slides the second fixing member 1400 to make the fixing protrusion inserted into or escape from the fixing groove.

The operating member is provided as the button member 530. The operating member is provided as the button member 530 to allow an occupant to easily fold the headrest.

A button member installation part in which the button member 530 is installed is installed at right surfaces of the first and second headrest covers 1210 and 1220. The button member installation part includes a button member through hole passing therethrough in a lateral direction.

The button member 530 includes a bezel 531 installed at the button member installation part, a button 534 slidably inserted into the bezel 531, and a button spring returning the button 534.

The button 534 is slidably installed at the bezel 531 to slide in a lateral direction of the headrest cover 1200.

The button 534 includes a pushing part 534a having a plate shape and a push rod protruding at a left side of the pushing part 534a.

The push rod may be divided into two. That is, the push rod may include a first push rod 534d and a second push rod 534f. The first push rod 534d is integrally formed with the button 534, and the second push rod 534f is separated from the first push rod 534d.

The second push rod 534f includes a first contact part 537 which comes into contact with the first push rod 534d and a second contact part 536 which comes into contact with the second fixing member 1400. The first contact part 537 and the second contact part 536 are not coaxially disposed and may be disposed alternately in a vertical direction or a front-rear direction. The headrest cover 1200 includes a second push rod mounting part (not shown) so that the second push rod 534f is not moved in the headrest cover 1200 in the vertical direction or the front-rear direction.

The second contact parts 536 are formed at a front side and a rear side of the first contact part 537. The second contact part 536 is formed in a plate-shape. The second contact parts 536 are disposed at a front side and a rear side of the second fixing member 1400.

One of the button 534 and the second fixing member 1400 includes an interworking protrusion 1420 formed thereon, and the other one includes an inclined surface 535a with which the interworking protrusion 1420 comes into contact.

In the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the interworking protrusions 1420 protrude at front and rear surfaces of the second fixing member 1400 forward and backward. The interworking protrusion 1420 is formed in a cylindrical shape.

An interworking hole 535 into which the interworking protrusion 1420 is inserted is formed in the second contact part 536 to pass therethrough in a forward and rearward direction. The interworking hole 535 has an open left side.

The inclined surface 535a forming the interworking hole 535 is disposed below the interworking protrusion 1420 and is inclined to be higher toward a right side. The inclined surface 535a may allow a lateral movement of the button 534 to be changed into a vertical movement of the second fixing member 1400.

When the button 534 of the button member 530 is pushed when the occupant folds the upright headrest, the first push rod 534d of the button 534 pushes the second push rod 534f.

When the second push rod 534f is pushed, the second push rod 534f is moved to the left. The interworking protrusion 1420 is moved upward along the inclined surface 535a. Thus, the second fixing member 1400 is moved upward, and the fixing protrusion escapes from the fixing groove. When unlocked, the headrest is rotated to a folding position by an elastic force of the main spring 600.

When the button 534 is not pushed, the second fixing member 1400 is lowered by an elastic force of the second fixing member spring 800. Thus, the second push rod 534f is also moved to the right. When the first push rod 534d is returned by a button spring due to a connection between the first push rod 534d and the second push rod 534f, the second push rod 534f is also returned.

A headrest controlling apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention is an apparatus for folding a headrest.

As illustrated in FIGS. 14 to 15, the headrest controlling apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention includes a first member connected to one of a seat (not shown) and a headrest (not shown), a second member connected to the other one of the seat or the headrest and rotatably installed at the first member, a first fixing member 2300 formed at the first member, and a second fixing member 2400 formed at the second member to slide in a vertical direction and configured to fix a position of the headrest. One of the first fixing member 2300 and the second fixing member 2400 includes a fixing groove vertically formed thereon, and the other one includes a fixing protrusion inserted into the fixing groove. The headrest controlling apparatus further includes an operation member configured to slide the second fixing member 2400, and the operation member includes a first operating member provided as a wire 710 and a second operating member provided as a button member 530.

Detailed description will be omitted for elements which are the same as those in the above-described embodiments.

In the exemplary embodiment, the first member is provided as the stay rod 100, the second member is provided as a headrest cover 2200.

The headrest cover 2200 includes first and second headrest covers 2210 and 2220.

The operating member includes the wire 710 and the button member 530.

The wire 710 is drawn out to an upper portion of the second fixing member 2400 to be guided by the second headrest cover 2220, is inserted into an upper portion of the stay rod 100 to be drawn out downward, and is connected to the seat. A wire spring is disposed in the second fixing member 2400 to return the wire 710.

The wire 710 is disposed at a left side of the headrest cover 2200, and the button member 530 is disposed at a right side of the headrest cover 2200.

The button member 530 includes a bezel 531, a button fitted onto the bezel 531, and a button spring returning the button.

The button includes a pushing part pushed by an occupant and a push rod protruding from the pushing part toward the left.

The push rod includes a first push rod 534d and a second push rod 534f.

The second push rod 534f includes an interworking hole 535 to pass therethrough in a forward and rearward direction.

The interworking protrusions 2420 inserted into the interworking holes 535 are formed at a front surface and a rear surface of the second fixing member 2400.

When a button is pushed by an inclined surface forming the interworking protrusions 2420 and the interworking holes 535, the second fixing member 2400 is moved upward.

A distance along which the second fixing member 2400 is moved by the button member 530 is the same as or similar to a distance along which the second fixing member 2400 is moved by the wire 710, and thus the second fixing member 2400 is prevented from interfering with other members when being moved by the button member 530 or the wire 710.

The second fixing member spring 800 returning the second fixing member 2400 is disposed between the second fixing member 2400 and the headrest cover 2200.

Although the present invention has been described above with reference to the exemplary embodiments thereof, those of ordinary skill in the art should be able to modify or change the present invention in various ways within the scope not departing from the spirit and the range of the present invention indicated by the appended claims.

(Description of Symbols)

**Description of Symbols for Main Parts in Drawings**

100: STAY ROD, 101: INLET HOLE

110: FIRST ROD, 111: INCLINED PART

120: SECOND ROD, 200: HEADREST COVER

210: FIRST HEADREST COVER, 211: FIRST STAY ROD COUPLING PART

215: FIRST FASTENING PART, 216: FIRST INCISED PART

219: FASTENING HOOK, 220: SECOND HEADREST COVER

221: SECOND STAY ROD COUPLING PART

213, 223: SECOND FIXING MEMBER MOVING SPACES

225: SECOND FASTENING PART, 226: SECOND INCISED PART

229: FASTENING HOLE, 300: FIRST FIXING MEMBER

301: SECOND MAIN SPRING LOCKING PART

302: FIXING GROOVE, 303: CONTACT SURFACE

310: BOTTOM PLATE, 321: SIDE PLATE

322: SECOND ROD MOUNTING PART, 400: SECOND FIXING MEMBER

401: FIXING PROTRUSION, 402: FIRST SUPPORT

403: SECOND SUPPORT, 404: GROOVE

407: FIRST SPRING MOUNTING GROOVE

408: SECOND SPRING MOUNTING GROOVE

530: BUTTON MEMBER

531: BEZEL, 534: BUTTON

534a: PUSHING PART, 534d: FIRST PUSH ROD

534f: SECOND PUSH ROD, 535: INTERWORKING HOLE

535a: INCLINED SURFACE, 536: SECOND CONTACT PART

537: FIRST CONTACT PART, 600: MAIN SPRING

601: FIRST TIP END, 602: SECOND TIP END

603: COIL PART, 710: WIRE

720: WIRE SPRING, 800: SECOND FIXING MEMBER SPRING

Claims

A headrest controlling apparatus comprising:

a first member connected to one of a seat and a headrest;

a second member connected to the other one of the seat and the headrest and rotatably installed on the first member;

a first fixing member installed in the first member; and

a second fixing member installed in the second member to slide in a vertical direction and configured to fix a position of the headrest,

wherein one of the first fixing member and the second fixing member includes a fixing groove formed in the vertical direction, and the other one includes a fixing protrusion inserted into the fixing groove.
The headrest controlling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first member is a stay rod, and the second member is a headrest cover.
The headrest controlling apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a stay rod coupling part to which the stay rod is rotatably coupled is formed in the headrest cover.
The headrest controlling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second fixing member includes a support supported on the first fixing member.
The headrest controlling apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the support is disposed forward or backward of a rotation center of the second member.
The headrest controlling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the fixing groove is formed in the first fixing member, and the fixing protrusion is formed on the second fixing member.
The headrest controlling apparatus according to claim 6, wherein a portion with which the fixing protrusion comes into contact when the second member rotates with respect to the first member in the first fixing member is formed in a circular arc shape.
The headrest controlling apparatus according to claim 6, wherein:

the first fixing member includes a bottom plate and a side plate;

the fixing groove is formed in the side plate; and

the second fixing member includes a support supported on the bottom plate.
The headrest controlling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

the first member is a stay rod;

the second member is a headrest cover;

the first fixing member includes a bottom plate and a side plate;

the fixing groove is formed in the side plate; and

the second fixing member includes a support supported on the bottom plate.
The headrest controlling apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

an operating member configured to slide the second fixing member; and

a second fixing member spring configured to return the second fixing member,

wherein the operating member is provided as a wire, the second fixing member includes a wire spring configured to return the wire, and tension of the wire spring is different from tension of the second fixing member spring.
The headrest controlling apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the tension of the wire spring is greater than the tension of the second fixing member spring.
The headrest controlling apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an operating member configured to slide the second fixing member,

wherein the operation member is provided as a button member including a button installed at the second member to slide in a lateral direction, and

one of the button and the second fixing member includes an interworking protrusion formed thereon, and the other one includes an inclined surface with which the interworking protrusion comes into contact.
The headrest controlling apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an operation member configured to slide the first fixing member,

wherein the operating member includes a first operating member provided as a wire, and a second operating member provided as a button member.