Patent ID: 6837541
Filing Date: 2005-01-04
Classification: B60N

Abstract:
1. A vehicle seat assembly comprising: a seatback frame and an active head restraint system operatively supported by said seatback frame; said head restraint system including a headrest, an upper armature, a low armature, and a linkage operatively interconnecting said upper and lower armatures; said upper armature pivotally mounted relative to said seatback frame so as to be generally aligned with the thoracic region of the occupant of said seat assembly, said headrest being operatively mounted to said upper armature; said lower armature pivotally mounted to said frame in spaced relationship relative to said upper armature so as to be generally aligned with the pelvic and lumbar regions of the occupant of the seat assembly; said lower armature including a lumbar support system, said lumbar support system including a pair of upstanding support members and a lower suspension mechanism that is generally aligned with the pelvic and lumbar regions of the occupant of said seat assembly; said lower suspension mechanism including at least one band of flexible material disposed about said upstanding support members such that said band of flexible material presents a forward surface disposed between said upstanding support members immediately adjacent the pelvic and lumbar regions of the occupant of said seat assembly and a rearward surface disposed in spaced parallel relationship relative to said forward surface and relatively remote to said pelvic and lumbar regions with respect to said forward surface, said band of flexible material being stretched about said upstanding support members so as to have a predetermined tension for providing support for the occupant of said seat assembly at the pelvic and lumbar regions and, in the event of a rear impact on the vehicle, said forward surface being moveable toward said rearward surface such that said band of flexible material absorbs energy generated by a force exceeding a predetermined level at the pelvic and lumbar regions; said lower armature being further operative to absorb energy generated by force exceeding a predetermined level at the pelvic and lumbar regions such that said lower armature acts on said upper armature through said linkage to cause said upper armature and said headrest to pivot upwardly and forwardly to move said headrest toward the head of the occupant of the seat assembly in an initial response to an impact exceeding a predetermined force; and said upper armature further operative to absorb energy generated by a force exceeding a predetermined level at the thoracic region such that said upper armature and said headrest pivots further upwardly and forwardly following the initial response by said lower armature to an impact that exceeds a predetermined force.