Abstract:
In a height-adjustable arrangement of a head restraint on a vehicle seat, the head restraint or at least one cushion of the head restraint is fastened by a receiving plate fixed on a framework to a receiving slide of a height-adjustment mechanism. The receiving slide is arranged in a height-displaceable manner on at least one guide element of the height-adjustment mechanism by at least two actuating pulls acting in an opposed manner on the receiving slide, the guide element being arranged in or on a holding element of the head restraint. A vehicle seat can include a height-adjustable head restraint.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
     The present application is a U.S. National Phase of International Patent Application No. PCT/EP2012/062992, filed Jul. 4, 2012, which claims priority from German Patent Application No. 10 2011 112 503.9, filed Sep. 7, 2011. The contents of these applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
     DESCRIPTION 
     The invention relates to a height-adjustable head restraint for a vehicle seat. The invention further relates to a vehicle seat with a height-adjustable head restraint. 
     In the prior art, head restraints are arranged on two rod-shaped holding elements at an upper end of a backrest of a vehicle seat, wherein the holding elements are able to be inserted at least partially in correspondingly shaped receiving means in the backrest of the vehicle seat. The height of the head restraint is adjustable depending on the depth of penetration of the holding elements in the backrest. 
     It is the object of the present invention to specify a height-adjustable head restraint for a vehicle seat which is improved relative to the prior art and an improved vehicle seat. 
     With regard to the height-adjustable head restraint for a vehicle seat, the object is achieved by the features specified in claim  1 . 
     With regard to the vehicle seat with a height-adjustable head restraint, the object is achieved by the features specified in claim  9 . 
     Advantageous developments of the invention form the subject matter of the sub claims. 
     In the height-adjustable head restraint for a vehicle seat, at least one head restraint cushion of the head restraint according to the invention is fastened by means of a receiving plate fixedly to the frame of a receiving slide of a height-adjustment mechanism, wherein the receiving slide is arranged in a height-adjustable manner on at least one guide element of the height adjustment mechanism, by means of at least two actuating cables acting in opposing directions on the receiving slide, said height adjustment mechanism being arranged in or on a holding element of the head restraint. 
     As a result, a more comfortable height adjustment mechanism for a head restraint on a vehicle seat, which is able to be operated more easily relative to the prior art, is possible. 
     Expediently, a height adjustment mechanism for a head restraint of a vehicle seat which is of particularly flat construction is possible, wherein in particular no metal rod-shaped holding elements are visible between a backrest of the vehicle seat and the head restraint. 
     In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the height adjustment mechanism of the head restraint is able to be driven by means of an electric motor. 
     In a further advantageous embodiment, an inclination of the head restraint is able to be adjusted relative to a backrest of the vehicle seat. 
     Preferably, the holding element is arranged fixedly on a backrest of the vehicle seat, wherein the head restraint or at least the head restraint cushion is arranged on the holding element so as to be able to be altered in height and/or inclination relative to the vehicle seat and the holding element. 
     Expediently, a front face of the receiving plate is configured so as to correspond to a rear face of the head restraint cushion, which is arranged by means of a positive, material and/or non-positive connection on the front face of the receiving plate, wherein at least one fastening means is arranged on a rear face of the receiving plate. In a simple manner, the head restraint is preferably arranged reversibly on at least one component of the height adjustment mechanism by means of the fastening means. 
     Advantageously, a portion of the holding element protruding over the backrest of the vehicle seat is enclosed entirely or virtually entirely by covering elements, wherein the covering elements, which are respectively configured in the shape of a half shell, are shaped on the peripheral edge so as to correspond to one another, such that the covering elements when arranged on one another form a hollow space in which the holding element is arranged. As a result, a visible portion of the preferably metal holding element is enclosed on all sides by the covering elements and the risk of injury to the seat occupant is reduced. 
     The height adjustment mechanism preferably comprises a carrier element which is arranged fixedly on the frame of the holding element and comprises receiving means for receiving the guide element by a positive, non-positive and/or material connection, further receiving means for positively and/or non-positively receiving the actuating cables, a holding portion and a centrally arranged recess. In this manner, all components of the height adjustment mechanism are arranged on the carrier element, forming a sub-assembly. Such a sub-assembly is able to be mounted on the holding element in a simple time-saving manner. 
     In an advantageous embodiment, the guide element is shaped in a substantially U-shaped manner with a round cross section and comprises a base and two arms arranged in parallel or virtually in parallel with one another, the respective ends thereof being bent back and aligned with one another. In this case, the arms advantageously permit a guidance of the receiving slide which is low in friction. 
     Particularly preferably, the receiving slide is displaceably arranged on the two arms of the guide element, for which in each case a guide is shaped or incorporated on or in the receiving slide on both sides, said guide being shaped so as to correspond with the arms of the guide element and sliding thereon. 
     Particularly expediently, an opening is formed on each guide, along the longitudinal extent of the guide, the width thereof being reduced in comparison with a width of the guide such that the arms of the guide element are introduced through the opening into the guide and positively held in the guide. In this manner, the receiving slide may be arranged in a latching manner on the arms of the guide element, in a time-efficient manner and without using tools, wherein advantageously the guide element is able to be already mounted in the carrier element. 
     In an expedient embodiment, the receiving slide on its front face has at least one fastening receiver which is configured so as to correspond with the fastening means on the rear face of the receiving plate. As a result, a reversible mechanical operative connection may be formed between the height adjustment mechanism and the head restraint. 
     In a further expedient embodiment, a first receiver for an upper actuating cable which acts on the upper face of the receiving slide and a second receiver for a lower actuating cable which acts on the lower face of the receiving slide are arranged on a rear face of the receiving slide, wherein the second receiver is formed at least partially in the manner of a guide, so that a spring element is able to be arranged in the second receiver such that a nipple arranged at the end of the actuating cable acts on a first end of the spring element, wherein a second end of the spring element is operatively connected to the receiving slide. As a result, the receiving slide is able to be actuated without clearance by means of the two actuating cables. 
    
    
     
       Exemplary embodiments of the invention are described in more detail hereinafter with reference to the drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  shows schematically a perspective view of a head restraint arranged on a holding element, 
         FIG. 2  shows schematically a front view of a head restraint arranged on a holding element, 
         FIG. 3  shows schematically a side view of a head restraint arranged on a holding element, 
         FIG. 4  shows schematically a front view of a head restraint arranged on a holding element, wherein the head restraint is located in the highest position of adjustment, 
         FIG. 5  shows schematically a side view of a head restraint arranged on a holding element, wherein the head restraint is located in the highest position of adjustment, 
         FIG. 6  shows schematically a front view of a head restraint arranged on a holding element, wherein the head restraint is located in the lowest position of adjustment, 
         FIG. 7  shows schematically a side view of a head restraint arranged on a holding element, wherein the head restraint is located in the lowest position of adjustment, 
         FIG. 8  shows schematically a perspective view of a head restraint cushion, 
         FIG. 9  shows schematically a perspective front view of a receiving plate of a head restraint cushion, 
         FIG. 10  shows schematically a perspective rear view of a receiving plate of a head restraint cushion, 
         FIG. 11  shows schematically a perspective rear view of a front covering element, 
         FIG. 12  shows schematically a perspective view of a rear covering element, 
         FIG. 13  shows schematically a perspective view of a height adjustment mechanism of a head restraint in the central position, 
         FIG. 14  shows schematically a perspective view of a height adjustment mechanism of a head restraint in the highest position, 
         FIG. 15  shows schematically a perspective view of a height adjustment mechanism of a head restraint in the lowest position, 
         FIG. 16  shows schematically a perspective rear view of a height adjustment mechanism of a head restraint, 
         FIG. 17  shows schematically a perspective view of a carrier element, 
         FIG. 18  shows schematically a perspective view of a guide element, 
         FIG. 19  shows schematically a perspective view of a receiving slide, 
         FIG. 20  shows schematically a perspective view of an upper actuating cable, 
         FIG. 21  shows schematically a perspective view of a lower actuating cable, and 
         FIG. 22  shows schematically a perspective view of a spring element, 
     
    
    
     Parts which correspond with one another are provided in all of the drawings with the same reference numerals. 
     In  FIG. 1  a perspective view of a head restraint  2  arranged on a holding element  1  is shown schematically. Particularly preferably, the holding element  1  and the head restraint  2  are configured as a structural unit which is conventionally denoted as the head restraint  2 . 
     In this case, the head restraint  2  comprises at least one head restraint cushion  3  which is arranged on the head restraint  2  facing in the direction of the seat occupant. The holding element  1  is at least partially clad with a front covering element  4  and a rear covering element  5 . Two guide pins  6  are arranged on a lower end of the holding element  1 , said guide pins being able to be arranged in corresponding recesses in a backrest of a vehicle seat, not shown. In this case, the holding element  1  is coupled fixedly to the frame of the backrest of the vehicle seat. 
     A height adjustment of the head restraint  2  relative to the vehicle seat takes place by means of a height adjustment mechanism  7  which is shown in more detail in  FIGS. 13 to 16 . In this case, the holding element  1  is fixedly arranged on and/or partially in the backrest of the vehicle seat, whilst the head restraint  2  is arranged on the holding element  1  so as to be adjustable in height and/or inclination relative to the vehicle seat and holding element  1 . 
     In a first variant, the head restraint  2  may be arranged on the holding element  1  so as to be height-adjustable. 
     In a second variant, not shown, the head restraint  2  may be arranged on the holding element  1  so as to be adjustable in height and/or inclination. 
     In this case, the height adjustment preferably has a displacement path of 60 mm. 
     The inclination adjustment preferably has a pivoting angle, resulting in a displacement path of 40 mm at an upper end of the head restraint  2 . 
     In  FIG. 2  a front view of the head restraint  2  arranged on the holding element  1  is shown schematically. 
     In  FIG. 3  a side view of the head restraint  2  arranged on the holding element  1  is shown schematically. 
     In  FIG. 4  a front view of the head restraint  2  arranged on the holding element  1  is shown schematically, wherein the head restraint  2  is located in the highest position of adjustment of the height adjustment mechanism  7 . 
     In  FIG. 5  a side view of the head restraint  2  arranged on the holding element  1  is shown schematically, wherein the head restraint  2  is located in the highest position of adjustment of the height adjustment mechanism  7 . 
     In  FIG. 6  a front view of the head restraint  2  arranged on the holding element  1  is shown schematically, wherein the head restraint  2  is located in the lowest position of adjustment of the height adjustment mechanism  7 . 
     In  FIG. 7  a side view of the head restraint  2  arranged on the holding element  1  is shown schematically, wherein the head restraint  2  is located in the lowest position of adjustment of the height adjustment mechanism  7 . 
     In  FIG. 8  a perspective view of the head restraint cushion  3  is shown schematically. Said head restraint cushion  3  is preferably a conventional head restraint cushion which is formed from a foamed, dimensionally stable and resilient plastics material. In this case, at least one surface  9  of the head restraint cushion  3  oriented in the direction of a vehicle occupant is covered with a corresponding material, for example leather or fabric. 
     In  FIG. 9  a perspective front view of a receiving plate  8  of the head restraint cushion  3  is shown schematically. 
     In  FIG. 10  a perspective rear view of the receiving plate  8  of the head restraint cushion  3  is shown schematically. 
     A front face  10  of the receiving plate  8  is configured so as to correspond with a rear face of the head restraint cushion  3 , which is able to be arranged by a positive, material and/or non-positive connection on the front face  10  of the receiving plate  8 . 
     A plurality of fastening means  12 , for example conventional latching lugs, are preferably centrally arranged on the rear face  11  of the receiving plate  8 . 
     In  FIG. 11  a perspective view of the front covering element  4  is shown schematically. Said front covering element  4  is preferably configured in the shape of a half shell, for example made of a plastics material or a plastics mixture. A recess  13  is formed in the front covering element  4  such that the fastening means  12  of the receiving plate  8  in the mounted state of the holding element  1  and the head restraint  2  are able to be passed through the recess  13 , wherein the functioning of the height adjustment mechanism  7  is possible to its fullest extent. 
     In  FIG. 12  a perspective view of the rear covering element  5  is shown schematically. The rear covering element  5  is preferably configured in the shape of a half shell, for example made of a plastics material or a plastics mixture. In this case, the rear covering element  5  is shaped peripherally around the edge so as to correspond with the front covering element  4 , such that the covering elements  4 ,  5 , which are configured in each case in the shape of a half shell, when arranged on one another, form a hollow space in which the holding element  1  is arranged. In this case, the holding element  1  is enclosed entirely or virtually entirely by the covering elements  4 ,  5 . As a result, the preferably metal holding element  1  is enclosed on all sides by the covering elements  4 ,  5  and the risk of injury to the seat occupant is reduced. 
     In  FIG. 13 , a perspective view of the height adjustment mechanism  7  of the head restraint  2  is shown schematically in the central position. 
     In  FIG. 14  a perspective view of the height adjustment mechanism  7  of the head restraint  2  is shown schematically in the highest position. 
     In  FIG. 15  a perspective view of a height adjustment mechanism  7  of the head restraint  2  is shown schematically in the lowest position. 
     In  FIG. 16  a perspective rear view of the height adjustment mechanism  7  of the head restraint  2  is shown schematically. 
     The height adjustment mechanism  7  comprises at least one receiving slide  14 , at least one guide element  15 , a carrier element  16  and two actuating cables  17 . 1  and  17 . 2 . 
     The receiving slide  14  is arranged on the guide element  15  so as to be displaceable in terms of height. To this end, the guide element  15  is of substantially U-shaped configuration and made of a preferably metal material with a round cross section. The receiving slide  14  is positively arranged on the two arms  18  of the guide element  15  arranged parallel or virtually parallel with one another. To this end, in each case a guide  19  is formed or incorporated on or in the receiving slide  14  on both sides, said guide being shaped so as to correspond with the arms  18  of the guide element  15  and sliding thereon. The guide element  15  is arranged in the carrier element  16  by a positive, non-positive and/or material connection. 
     In  FIG. 17  a perspective view of such a carrier element  16  is shown schematically. The carrier element  16  comprises receiving means  20  for receiving the guide element  15  by a non-positive, positive and/or material connection, further receiving means  21  for positively and/or non-positively receiving the actuating cables  17 . 1  and  17 . 2 , a holding portion  23  and a centrally arranged recess  22 . 
     The receiving means  21  are preferably integrally formed or shaped at the side of the carrier element  16  and configured as conventional guides for the actuating cables  17 . 1  and  17 . 2 , which are able to be guided at least partially through the receiving means  21 . The holding portion  23  is integrally formed or shaped on the lower face of the carrier element  16 . 
     In a manner not shown, the carrier element  16  is mechanically coupled to the holding element  1 . 
     In  FIG. 18  a perspective view of the guide element  15  is shown schematically. The guide element  15  is shaped so as to be substantially U-shaped with a round cross section and comprises a base  24 , two arms  18  arranged parallel or almost parallel with one another, the respective ends  25  thereof being bent back and aligned with one another. 
     In  FIG. 19 , a perspective view of the receiving slide is shown schematically. Said receiving slide comprises on its front face  26  fastening receivers  27  which are configured so as to correspond with the fastening means  12  on the rear face  11  of the receiving plate  8 . As a result, a preferably reversible mechanical operative connection, for example a latching connection, is able to be formed between the fastening means  12  of the receiving plate  8  and the fastening receivers  27  of the receiving slide  14 . 
     In each case, a guide  19  is shaped or incorporated on or in the receiving slide  14  on both sides, said guide being shaped so as to correspond with the arms  18  of the guide element  15 . In this case, an opening  28  is formed on each guide  19  along the longitudinal extent of the guide  19 , the width thereof being reduced in comparison with the width of the guide  19  such that the arms  18  of the guide element  15  may be introduced into the guide  19  through the opening  28  by the temporary, in particular resilient, widening thereof and held positively, for example latched, in the guide  19 . 
     A first receiver  30  for an upper actuating cable  17 . 1  is formed on a rear face  29  of the receiving slide  14 , said actuating cable on the upper face acting on the receiving slide  14 . Said receiver  30  is preferably configured as a conventional receiver of a control cable and formed so as to correspond with a receiving nipple  31  of the actuating cable  17 . 1 . Moreover, a second receiver  32  for a lower actuating cable  17 . 2  is arranged on the rear face  29  of the receiving slide  14 , said actuating cable acting on the lower face of the receiving slide  14 . In this case, the second receiver is shaped at least partially in the manner of a guide, so that a spring element  33 , which is shown in more detail in  FIG. 22 , may be arranged in the second receiver  32  such that a nipple  34  arranged at the end of the actuating cable  17 . 2  acts on a first end of the spring element  33 , wherein a second end of the spring element  33  acts on the receiving slide  14 . As a result, the receiving slide  14  is able to be actuated without play by means of the two actuating cables  17 . 1  and  17 . 2 . 
     In  FIG. 20  a perspective view of the upper actuating cable  17 . 1  is shown schematically. In this case, the actuating cable is a conventional actuating cable or control cable which is a mobile mechanical element for transmitting a mechanical movement and/or tensile force by means of a flexibly arrangeable combination of a wire cable  35  and a sheath  36  which is stable in the direction of displacement and encloses the wire cable in the peripheral direction. The receiving nipple  31  is arranged at the end of the wire cable  35 . 
     In  FIG. 21 , a perspective view of the lower actuating cable  17 . 2  is shown schematically, said actuating cable being formed as a conventional actuating cable or control cable. The nipple  34  is arranged at the end of the wire cable  35  of the lower actuating cable  17 . 2 . 
     In  FIG. 22 , a perspective view of the spring element is shown schematically, said spring element preferably being formed as a conventional spiral compression spring. 
     During operation of the height adjustment mechanism  7 , the guide element  15  is coupled at least partially to the carrier element  16 . The base  24  of the guide element  15  is arranged on the holding element  23  of the carrier element  16  and the ends  25  of the guide element  15  are arranged in the respective receiving means  20  of the carrier element  16 . The receiving slide  14  is arranged by means of its guides  19  on the arms  18  of the guide element  15 , in the already described manner, so that the receiving slide  14  is able to slide up and down on the arms  18 . In this case, the receivers  30  and  32  are arranged on the rear face  29  of the receiving slide  14  in the centrally arranged recess  22  of the carrier element  16  and protrude therefrom to the rear. By means of the actuating cables  17 . 1  and  17 . 2 , in each case a tensile force is able to be applied to the receiving slide  14 , wherein the upper actuating cable  17 . 1  acts on the upper face of the receiving slide and the lower actuating cable  17 . 2  acts on the lower face of the receiving slide  14 . In this case, a tensile force of the upper actuating cable  17 . 1  effects an adjustment of the receiving slide  14  and the head restraint cushion  3  arranged thereon or the head restraint  2  in the direction of an upper position, whilst a tensile force of the lower actuating cable  17 . 2  effects an adjustment of the receiving slide  14  and the head restraint cushion  3  arranged thereon or the head restraint  2  in the direction of a lower position. In the manner described above, the actuating cable  17 . 1  and  17 . 2  is able to be actuated without play by means of the spring element  33 . 
     In an embodiment, not shown, the height adjustment mechanism  7  is able to be actuated by an electric motor in place of the actuating cables  17 . 1  and  17 . 2 . 
     LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS 
     
         
           1  Holding element 
           2  Head restraint 
           3  Head restraint cushion 
           4  Front covering element 
           5  Rear covering element 
           6  Guide pin 
           7  Height adjustment mechanism 
           8  Receiving plate 
           9  Surface 
           10  Front face 
           11  Rear face 
           12  Fastening means 
           13  Recess 
           14  Receiving slide 
           15  Guide element 
           16  Carrier element 
           17  Actuating cable 
           17 . 1  Upper actuating cable 
           17 . 2  Lower actuating cable 
           18  Arm 
           19  Guide 
           20  Receiving means 
           21  Further receiving means 
           22  Recess 
           23  Holding portion 
           24  Base 
           25  End 
           26  Front face 
           27  Fastening receiver 
           28  Opening 
           29  Rear face 
           30  Receiver 
           31  Receiving nipple 
           32  Second receiver 
           33  Spring element 
           34  Nipple 
           35  Wire cable 
           36  Sheath