WO2023104847A1

WO2023104847A1 - A tiltable head restraint

Info

Publication number: WO2023104847A1
Application number: PCT/EP2022/084708
Authority: WO
Inventors: Smruthi L.; Abhinav Prasad GANAPATHY
Original assignee: Volvo Truck Corporation
Priority date: 2021-12-07
Filing date: 2022-12-07
Publication date: 2023-06-15

Abstract

The invention relates to a head restraint (10) for a motor vehicle seat, comprising: Mounting means (14) configured to mount a head restraint body (1) on the motor vehicle seat; A support (12) for the head restraint body, the support being tiltably supported by the mounting means; and Tilt angle adjustment means (16) of the support, comprising: At least one locking means (160) configured to block the tilting movement of the support; Actuation means (162) configured to release the at least one locking means to allow the tilting movement of the support; characterized in that the at least one locking means comprises: guiding means (164) for guiding the support between at least three predetermined positions, each predetermined position corresponding to a specific tilt angle, and a complementary element (166) cooperating with the guiding means to block the tilting movement of the support.

Description

A TILTABLE HEAD RESTRAINT

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to a head restraint for a motor vehicle, and more particularly to a tiltable head restraint.

The invention can be applied in heavy-duty vehicles, such as trucks, buses and construction equipment. Although the invention will be described with respect to a truck, the invention is not restricted to this particular vehicle, but may also be used in other vehicles such as passenger cars.

BACKGROUND

It is common to provide a head restraint on a seat of a motor vehicle. A principal function of the head restraint is to prevent the head of a user of the motor vehicle moving rearwardly, relative to the torso of the user, in the event that a rear-end impact should arise, and thus prevent whiplash injury. Also, the head restraint prevents the head of a user of the motor vehicle moving in an undesirable way when the user moves back into the seat after being restrained by a seat-belt and/or air-bag, following a frontal impact. Moreover, a head restraint may also provide support for the head of the user, especially if the user is a passenger wishing to rest or sleep.

Whiplash results in soft tissue injury to the cervical spine, caused by a sudden acceleration of the head relative to the torso. Whiplash usually occurs during a rear-end collision, particularly at low impact velocities, typically less than 20 km/h. Injury statistics indicate that almost every fourth injury to motor vehicle occupants is related to rear-end crashes, with three quarters of these injuries being in the neck. Although officially classed as a minor injury, whiplash can lead to long, painful, and debilitating symptoms for many years following a crash. Moreover, whiplash injuries are very costly to insurers.

The primary method of preventing whiplash injuries in motor vehicles is the use of a head restraint. Head restraint geometry, particularly its height and the horizontal distance between the head restraint and the occupant’s head, can have a significant influence on the likelihood and severity of a whiplash injury during rear impact collisions. Therefore, a properly

2 designed and correctly aligned head restraint will significantly reduce the risk of injury to the head, spine and neck during rear-end collisions. To this end, it is known to use a head restraint attached to the seat with a forward tilt. This is optimal for the safety of the user against whiplash injury encountered during rear-end collisions. However, with the head restraint in this position, comfort of the user can be compromised.

In order to improve the comfort of a head restraint, it is known to provide adjustable head restraints in motor vehicle, such as trucks. These head restraints are usually electrically operated, which makes them expensive. Alternatively, they can be manually operated, in which case they are bulky and have limited functionality. For example, manually operated adjustable head restraints can be adjusted between only two positions.

The invention aims to provide a safe and more comfort head restraint for drivers and passengers, which is simple, economic and provide functionalities similar to the electrically operated head restraints, without being bulky.

SUMMARY

An object of the invention is to provide a manually adjustable head restraint for a motor vehicle seat, which head restraint solves at least the previous problem of the prior art.

The object is achieved by a head restraint according to claim 1.

By the provision of a head restraint which comprises guiding means configured to guide the support between at least three predetermined positions, each predetermined position corresponding to a specific tilt angle, the head restraint is easily adjustable and ensures safety and comfort to the user. Indeed, the user is free to tilt the head restraint as per its comfort as there is several options in the tilt angle, in order to minimize both vertical and horizontal gap between the user head and the head restraint.

According to one embodiment, the guiding means are fixedly attached to the support, the complementary element are fixedly attached to the actuation means, and the actuation means are linearly movable with respect to the support to engage or disengage the complementary

3 element 16 with the guiding means. Hereby, the complementary element of the actuation means engage with the guiding means of the support, to start and stop the tilt of the support.

According to one embodiment, the guiding means comprise notches, each notch corresponding to one of the at least three predetermined positions. Hereby, the complementary element of the actuation means engage with the notches of the guiding means, to start and stop the tilt of the support. The user can operate the mechanism very easily to position the head restraint in the most comfortable position.

According to one embodiment, the notches are regularly arranged on a curve, and comprise two extreme notches corresponding to extreme predetermined positions among the at least three predetermined positions of the support, with eighty degrees separating the two extreme notches. Hereby comfort of the head restraint is increased.

According to one embodiment, the head restraint comprises two locking means, respectively a first locking means and a second locking means, wherein the first locking means and the second locking means are symmetrical. Hereby, the adjustment of the tilt angle of the head restraint is more secure. The head restraint is more reliable.

According to one embodiment, the actuation means comprises an actuation means biasing member configured to enable the complementary element to cooperate with the guiding means in order to block the tilting movement of the support.

According to one embodiment, the actuation means biasing member is a helical spring.

According to one embodiment, the support comprises a support biasing member configured to enable the tilting movement of the support when the actuation means release the at least one locking means.

According to one embodiment, the support biasing member is a coil spring.

4 According to one embodiment, the head restraint comprises stoppers configured to delimit extreme positions of tilt angle. Hereby, the adjustment of tilt angle of the head restraint is easier to achieve for the user.

According to one embodiment, the head restraint comprises a cylindrical part comprising the guiding means, the cylindrical part comprising a cylindrical longitudinal opening wherein the actuation means are inserted.

According to one embodiment, the support is a U-shaped support comprising two mounting plates rotatably mounted onto the mounting means, and a connecting plate configured to support the head restraint body.

According to one embodiment, the mounting means are U-shaped mounting means, comprising two parallel branches configured to be fastened to the motor vehicle seat, and a third branch perpendicular to the two parallel branches, and the two mounting plates of the support are rotatably mounted on the third branch to adjust tilt angle of the support.

According to one embodiment, the guiding means are fixedly attached to one of the two mounting plates, and the support biasing member are fixedly attached to the other one of the two mounting plates.

According to a second aspect of the invention, the object is achieved by a vehicle according to claim 15.

Further advantages and advantageous features of the invention are disclosed in the following description and in the dependent claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

With reference to the appended drawings, below follows a more detailed description of embodiments of the invention cited as examples.

In the drawings:

5 Fig. l is a schematic view of a head restraint according to an embodiment of the invention, the head restraint being in a first tilt angle position,

Fig. 2 is a schematic view of the head restraint of figure 1, partly represented, the head restraint being in a second tilt angle position

Fig. 3 is a schematic view of tilt angle adjustment means of the head restraint of figure 1,

Fig. 4 is a schematic view of an actuation means of the tilt angle adjustment means of figure 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Figure 1 to 4 illustrate a head restraint 10 according to an embodiment of the invention.

The head restraint 10 comprises a support 12 for a head restraint body 1. The head restraint 10 further comprises mounting means 14 configured to mount the support 12 on a motor vehicle seat (not represented). The mounting means 14 are configured to mount the head restraint body 1 on the motor vehicle seat.

The support 12 is configured to be fixedly attached to the head restraint body 1. The support 12 can be disposed inside the head restraint body 1. The support 12 is tiltably supported by the mounting means 14 and comprises tilt angle adjustment means 16 of the support 12. As illustrated in figures 1 and 2, the support 12 can rotate around a rotational axis A.

The tilt angle adjustment means 16 comprise at least one locking means 160 configured to block the tilting movement of the support 12. The tilt angle adjustment means 16 further comprise actuation means 162. The actuation means 162 are configured to release the at least one locking means 160 to allow the tilting movement of the support 12.

6 As illustrated more particularly in figures 3 and 4, the at least one locking means 160 comprises guiding means 164. The guiding means 164 are configured to guide the support 12 between at least three predetermined positions of the support 12. For example, the guiding means 164 can be configured to guide the support 12 between eight predetermined positions. Each predetermined position corresponds to a specific tilt angle of the support. The at least one locking means 160 comprises a complementary element 166. The complementary element 166 is configured to cooperate with the guiding means 164, in order to block the tilting movement of the support 12.

The guiding means 164 can be fixedly attached to the support 12. As illustrated in figures 1 and 2, the guiding means 164 can rotate with the support 12. The complementary element 166 can be fixedly attached to the actuation means 162, as shown in figure 4.

The actuation means 162 can be linearly movable with respect to the support 12, to engage or disengage the complementary element 166 with the guiding means 164.

The guiding means 164 can comprise notches 18, each notch 18 corresponding to one of the at least three predetermined positions. For example, the guiding means 164 can comprise three notches. For example, the guiding means 164 can comprise eight notches.

The notches 18 can be recesses or holes for example.

The notches 18 can comprise two extreme notches corresponding to extreme predetermined positions among the at least three predetermined positions of the support 12. The notches 18 can be regularly arranged on a curve (figure 3). For example, eighty degrees can separate the extreme notches 18. The extreme predetermined positions correspond to the extreme position of tilt angle.

The complementary element 166 can be a lateral projection on the actuation means

The head restraint 10 can comprise two locking means as described above, respectively a first locking means 160 and a second locking means 160’. The first 160 and second 160’

7 locking means can be symmetrical. More precisely, the notches 18’ of the guiding means 164’ of the second locking means 160’ can be diametrically opposed to the notches 18 of the guiding means 164 of the first locking means 160. The complementary element 166’ of the second locking means 160’ can be diametrically opposed to the complementary element 166 of the first locking means 160.

The actuation means 162 can comprise an actuation means biasing member 20. The actuation means biasing member 20 can be configured to enable the complementary element 166 to cooperate with the guiding means 164 in order to block the tilting movement of the support 12. For example, the actuation means biasing member 20 can be a helical spring. The actuation means biasing member 20 can comprise a first end attached to the actuation means 162 and a second end attached to the mounting means 14.

The support 12 can comprise a support biasing member 22. The support biasing member 22 can be configured to enable the tilting movement of the support 12 when the actuation means 162 release the at least one locking means 160. For example, the support biasing member 22 can be a coil spring. The support biasing member 22 can comprise a first end attached to the support and a second end attached to the mounting means 14.

The head restraint 10 can comprise stoppers 24 configured to delimit extreme positions of tilt angle. For example, the head restraint 10 can comprise two stoppers 24. The stoppers 24 can be fixedly attached to the support 12. The stoppers 24 can be configured to cooperate with the mounting means 14 to block the rotation of the support to delimit extreme positions of tilt angle.

The support 12 can be a U-shaped support 12. It can comprise two mounting plates 26, and a connecting plate 28 joining the two mounting plates 26. The connecting plate 28 can be configured to support the head restraint body 1. The two mounting plates 26 can be rotatably fixed to the mounting means 14.

The mounting means 14 can be a U-shaped mounting means 14. The mounting means 14 can comprise two parallel branches 14A, 14B configured to be fastened to the motor vehicle

8 seat, and a third branch 14C perpendicular to the two parallel branches 14A, 14B. The stoppers 24 can cooperate with the third branch 14C to block the rotation of the support to delimit extreme positions of tilt angle. The two mounting plates 26 of the support 12 can be rotatably mounted on the third branch 14C to adjust tilt angle of the support (12). The third branch 14C can cross the two mounting plates 26. The two mounting plates 26 can rotate around the third branch 14C in order to adjust tilt angle of the support 12. The third branch 14C can correspond to the rotational axis A of the support 12.

The actuation means 162 can be linearly movable along the rotational axis A. The third branch 14C of the mounting means 14 can be longer than the distance between the two parallel branches 14 A, 14B. The third branch 14C can protrude at least from one side of the U-shaped mounting means 14, to form a protrusion 140. The actuation means 162 can comprise a longitudinal opening 34 cooperating with the protrusion 140. The actuation means 162 can be linearly movable around the protrusion 140.

The actuation means 162 can comprise a button for a user to activate the actuation means 162.

The guiding means 164 can be fixedly attached to one of the two mounting plates 26. The guiding means 164 can be fixedly attached to one of the two mounting plates 26, proximate the protrusion 140.

The support biasing member 22 can be fixedly attached to one of the two mounting plates 26. The support biasing member 22 can be fixedly attached to one of the two mounting plates 26, opposite the guiding means 164.

The head restraint 10 can comprise a cylindrical part 30 comprising the guiding means 164. The cylindrical part 30 can be fixedly attached to the support 12. The cylindrical part 30 can be configured to cooperate with the actuation means 162. The cylindrical part 30 can comprise a cylindrical longitudinal opening 32 wherein the actuation means 162 are inserted. This cylindrical part 30 can act as a constraint to the actuation means 162 by not allowing it to escape from the head restraint 10.

9 The cylindrical part 30 can be fixedly attached to one of the two mounting plates 26. The cylindrical part 30 can be fixedly attached to one of the two mounting plates 26, proximate the protrusion 140. The cylindrical part 30 can be configured to cooperate with the protrusion 140. The cylindrical part 30 can be configured to cooperate with one of the two parallel branches 14B, proximate the protrusion 140.

The guiding means 164 can be located at the cylindrical longitudinal opening 32. The guiding means 164 can be located on a section of the cylindrical longitudinal opening 32. The actuation means 162 can be linearly movable inside the cylindrical longitudinal opening 32, to engage or disengage the complementary element 166 with the guiding means 164.

The cylindrical part 30 can comprise the stoppers 24 configured to delimit extreme positions of tilt angle. The stoppers 24 can be projecting elements forming stops by cooperating with the mounting means 14. The stoppers 24 can be longitudinal projecting elements cooperating with one of the two parallel branches 14B, proximate the protrusion 140, when the at least one locking means are released.

To adjust the tilt angle of the head restraint 10, the user first activates the actuation means 162 to disengage the complementary element 166 from the guiding means 164. The support 12 can then freely rotate to adjust the tilt angle of the head restraint body 1. The user can position the support 12 in one of the at least three predetermined positions, by pressing his/her head against the head restraint body 1. Then the user can block the tilting movement of the support 12 by releasing the actuation means 162. When the actuation means 162 are released, the complementary element 166 engage with the guiding means 164 to block the tilting movement of the support 12.

More precisely, the user can push the actuation means 162 linearly in direction of the head restraint body 1 to disengage the complementary element 166 from the guiding means 164.

10 When the actuation means 162 are released, the complementary element 166 can engage with one of the notches 18 of the guiding means 164 to block the tilting movement of the support 12.

When the actuation means 162 are released, the actuation means biasing member 20 can exert a restoring force configured to enable the complementary element 166 to cooperate with the guiding means 164 in order to block the tilting movement of the support 12.

When the user activates the actuation means 162 to disengage the complementary element 166 from the guiding means 164, the support biasing member 22 can exert a restoring force configured to enable the tilting movement of the support 12 to an extreme position, for example delimited by a stopper 24 as described above.

When the user presses his/her head against the head restraint body 1, the support 12 can pivot at most between two extreme positions of tilt angle, for example delimiter by the stoppers 24 as described above.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and illustrated in the drawings; rather, the skilled person will recognize that many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the appended claims.

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Claims

WE CLAIMS:

1. A head restraint (10) for a motor vehicle seat, the head restraint (10) comprising:

Mounting means (14) configured to mount a head restraint body (1) on the motor vehicle seat;

A support (12) for the head restraint body (1), the support (12) being tiltably supported by the mounting means (14); and

Tilt angle adjustment means (16) of the support (12);

Wherein the tilt angle adjustment means (16) comprise:

At least one locking means (160) configured to block the tilting movement of the support (12);

Actuation means (162) configured to release the at least one locking means (160) to allow the tilting movement of the support (12); characterized in that the at least one locking means (160) comprises: guiding means (164) configured to guide the support (12) between at least three predetermined positions, and preferably eight predetermined positions, each predetermined position corresponding to a specific tilt angle, and a complementary element (166) configured to cooperate with the guiding means (164) in order to block the tilting movement of the support (12).

2. The head restraint according to claim 1, characterized in that the guiding means (164) are fixedly attached to the support (12), the complementary element (166) are fixedly attached to the actuation means (162), and the actuation means (162) are linearly movable with respect to the support (12) to engage or disengage the complementary element (166) with the guiding means (164).

3. The head restraint according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the guiding means (164) comprise notches (18), each notch corresponding to one of the at least three predetermined positions.

4. The head restraint according to claim 3, characterized in that the notches (18) are regularly arranged on a curve, and comprise two extreme notches corresponding to extreme predetermined positions among the at least three predetermined positions of the support (12), with eighty degrees separating the two extreme notches.

5. The head restraint according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the head restraint (10) comprises two locking means, respectively a first locking means (160) and a second locking means (160’), wherein the first locking means (160) and the second locking means (160’) are symmetrical.

6. The head restraint according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuation means (162) comprises an actuation means biasing member (20) configured to enable the complementary element (166) to cooperate with the guiding means (166) in order to block the tilting movement of the support (12).

7. The head restraint according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the actuation means biasing member (20) is a helical spring.

8. The head restraint according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support (12) comprises a support biasing member (22) configured to enable the tilting movement of the support (12) when the actuation means (162) release the at least one locking means (160).

9. The head restraint according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the support biasing member (22) is a coil spring.

10. The head restraint according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the head restraint (10) comprises stoppers (24) configured to delimit extreme positions of tilt angle.

11. The head restraint according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the head restraint (10) comprises a cylindrical part (30) comprising the guiding means (164), the cylindrical part (30) comprising a cylindrical longitudinal opening (32) wherein the actuation means (162) are inserted.

12. The head restraint according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support (12) is a U-shaped support comprising two mounting plates (26) rotatably mounted onto the mounting means (14), and a connecting plate (28) configured to support the head restraint body (1).

13. The head restraint according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the mounting means (14) are U-shaped mounting means, comprising two parallel branches (14A, 14B) configured to be fastened to the motor vehicle seat, and a third branch (1 C) perpendicular to the two parallel branches (14A, 14B), and the two mounting plates (26) of the support (12) are rotatably mounted on the third branch (14C) to adjust tilt angle of the support (12).

14. The head restraint according to any of claims 12 to 13, in combination with claim 8 to 9, characterized in the guiding means (164) are fixedly attached to one of the two mounting plates (26), and the support biasing member (22) are fixedly attached to the other one of the two mounting plates (26).

15. A vehicle comprising a head restraint according to any of the preceding claims.

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