Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US6863343?dq=oakley+5,387,949&ei=4yI4T8nkLYa80QG0xqnWAg
Timestamp: 2015-01-26 13:38:56
Document Index: 264996687

Matched Legal Cases: ['art. 36', 'arts 11', 'arts 12', 'arts 12', 'arts 12', 'arts 11', 'art 66', 'art 66', 'arts 66', 'art 245', 'art 245', 'art 245', 'art 245']

Patent US6863343 - Vehicle headrest apparatus - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Sign inAdvanced Patent SearchPatentsA vehicle headrest apparatus has a headrest unit that is mounted to an upper end of a seatback. The headrest unit has a head restraining member with a flexible sheet restraining member configured to be tensioned to restrain a passenger's head when a controller detects a rear-end collision. The head restraining...http://www.google.com/patents/US6863343?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US6863343 - Vehicle headrest apparatusAdvanced Patent SearchPublication numberUS6863343 B2Publication typeGrantApplication numberUS 10/446,123Publication dateMar 8, 2005Filing dateMay 28, 2003Priority dateJun 26, 2002Fee statusLapsedAlso published asCN1297421C, CN1468751A, DE60330293D1, EP1375245A2, EP1375245A3, EP1375245B1, US20040000807Publication number10446123, 446123, US 6863343 B2, US 6863343B2, US-B2-6863343, US6863343 B2, US6863343B2InventorsChinmoy Pal, Izumi KobayashiOriginal AssigneeNissan Motor Co., Ltd.Export CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManPatent Citations (10), Referenced by (17), Classifications (7), Legal Events (5) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetVehicle headrest apparatusUS 6863343 B2Abstract A vehicle headrest apparatus has a headrest unit that is mounted to an upper end of a seatback. The headrest unit has a head restraining member with a flexible sheet restraining member configured to be tensioned to restrain a passenger's head when a controller detects a rear-end collision. The head restraining member has a vertical support portion facing the head of the passenger and a horizontal support portion substantially perpendicular to an upper part of the vertical support portion. When a rear-end collision occurs, tension is applied to at least the vertical support portion. In some embodiments, the vertical and horizontal support portions are both formed by the flexible sheet restraining member. In other embodiments, only the vertical support portion is partially formed by the flexible sheet restraining member, and the vertical and horizontal support portions are made of a resilient material having an excellent shape-retaining property.
a headrest portion with a mounting member configured to be mounted to an upper end part of a seatback; a head restraining member including a vertical support portion arranged to face towards a passenger's head and a horizontal support portion arranged substantially perpendicular to the vertical support portion; and a tensioning device operatively coupled to the head restraining member to apply tension to at least part of the vertical support portion when a rear-end collision occurs. 2. The vehicle headrest apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising
a deployment mechanism operatively coupled to the head restraining member to deploy the head restraining member forwardly from a storage position to a deployed position when a rear-end collision occurs. 3. The vehicle headrest apparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein
the deployment mechanism is further configured to deploy the head restraining member upwardly from the storage position to the deployed position when the rear-end collision occurs. 4. The vehicle headrest apparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein
the deployment mechanism is coupled to the tensioning device to apply tension to both the vertical and horizontal support portions during deployment of the head restraining member. 5. The vehicle headrest apparatus as recited in claim 4, wherein
the tensioning device includes a vertically arranged member configured to move upwardly and forward with respect to the mounting member to apply tension to the vertical support portion, and a horizontally arranged member configured to move upwardly and forward with respect to the mounting member to apply tension to the horizontal support portion. 6. The vehicle headrest apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein
the vertical support portion and the horizontal support portion are formed integrally from a flexible sheet material with the horizontal support portion extending directly rearward from an upper edge of the vertical support portion. 7. The vehicle headrest apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein
the tensioning device is configured and arranged to apply tension to the vertical and horizontal support portions. 8. The vehicle headrest apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein
the head restraining member includes left and right headrest members swingably coupled to the mounting member about left and right vertically arranged pivot axes, respectively, and a swing force applying device configured to deploy the left and right headrest members forwardly from a storage position to a deployed position when a rear-end collision occurs, and each of the left and right headrest members includes a vertically arranged member configured to move upwardly and forward with respect to the mounting member to apply tension to the vertical support portion of the head restraining member upon deployment of the swing force applying device, and a horizontally arranged member configured to move upwardly and forward with respect to the mounting member to apply tension to the horizontal support portion of the head restraining member upon deployment of the swing force applying device. 9. The vehicle headrest apparatus as recited in claim 8, wherein
each of the vertical and horizontal support portions of the head restraining member includes a front flexible sheet layer and a rear flexible sheet layer that overlap each other, and the head restraining member is connected to the vertically arranged members and the horizontally arranged members such that the vertically arranged members are located between a pair of lateral end parts of the front and rear flexible sheet layers of the vertical support portion, and such that the horizontally arranged members are located between a pair of lateral end parts of the front and rear sheet layers of the horizontal support portion. 10. The vehicle headrest apparatus as recited in claim 9, wherein
the head restraining member includes at least one restraining member coupled to the front and rear flexible sheet layers to restrain relative displacement between the front and rear flexible sheet layers. 11. The vehicle headrest apparatus as recited in claim 10, wherein
the tensioning device includes a tension increasing mechanism configured to apply an additional tension force to the horizontal support portion in response to rearward movement of the vertical support portion by a pressing force from a passenger's head. 12. The vehicle headrest apparatus as recited in claim 8, wherein
the tensioning device is arranged and configured to apply the tension to the vertical support portion from a forward swing force applied by the swing force applying device. 13. The vehicle headrest apparatus as recited in claim 12, wherein
the tensioning device includes a tension increasing mechanism configured to apply an additional tension force to the vertical support portion in response to rearward movement of the vertical support portion by a pressing force from a passenger's head. 14. The vehicle headrest apparatus as recited in claim 8, wherein
the tensioning device is arranged and configured to apply tension to the horizontal support portion from a forward swing force applied by the swing force applying device. 15. The vehicle headrest apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein
the tensioning device is further arranged and configured to synchronize movement of the vertical support portion and the horizontal support portion of the head restraining member to apply tension to both the vertical and horizontal support portions. 16. The vehicle headrest apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein
the headrest portion includes left and right headrest members swingably coupled to the mounting member about left and right vertically arranged pivot axes, respectively, and a swing force applying device configured to deploy the left and right headrest members forwardly from a storage position to a deployed position when a rear-end collision occurs. 17. The vehicle headrest apparatus as recited in claim 16, wherein
the tensioning device is arranged and configured to apply tension to the vertical support portion from a forward swing force applied by the swing force applying device. 18. The vehicle headrest apparatus as recited in claim 17, wherein
the tensioning device is arranged and configured to apply tension to the horizontal support portion from the forward swing force applied by the swing force applying device. 19. The vehicle headrest apparatus as recited in claim 17, further comprising
a lock device operatively coupled to the left and right headrest members to hold the left and right headrest members in an initial storage position against an urging force applied by the swing force applying device. 20. The vehicle headrest apparatus as recited in claim 19, further comprising
a controller operatively coupled to the lock device to release the lock device upon detecting a rear-end collision. 21. The vehicle headrest apparatus as recited in claim 16, wherein
the vertical support portion includes a flexible sheet member having left and right lateral ends coupled to the left and right headrest members, respectively, with the flexible sheet member being stretched between the left and right headrest members when the left and right headrest members are in the deployed position. 22. The vehicle headrest apparatus as recited in claim 21, wherein
the left and right headrest members are arranged and configured to apply tension to the horizontal support portion from the forward swing force applied by the swing force applying device. 23. The vehicle headrest apparatus as recited in claim 21, wherein
the vertical support portion further includes at least a front layer constructed of a resilient shape-retaining material with the flexible sheet member extending across the front layer to limit rearward movement of the front layer. 24. The vehicle headrest apparatus as recited in claim 23, wherein
the horizontal support portion is formed integrally with the front layer of the vertical support portion. 25. The vehicle headrest apparatus as recited in claim 23, wherein
the front layer of the vertical support portion has an overall shape of a curved three-dimensional surface that includes a center concaved surface facing forwardly to substantially follow a contour of a back of the passenger's head and a peripheral edge surface curving rearwardly relative to the center concaved surface. 26. The vehicle headrest apparatus as recited in claim 23, wherein
the vertical support portion further includes a rear layer located rearward of the front layer, the front layer being constructed of a low-rigidity material possessing a high deflection characteristic relative to the rear layer and the rear layer being constructed of a high-rigidity material possessing an high load transmitting characteristic relative to the front layer. 27. The vehicle headrest apparatus as recited in claim 23, wherein
the vertical support portion further includes at least one retaining element extending along the front layer to limit excessive bending of the front layer. 28. The vehicle headrest apparatus as recited in claim 27, wherein
the retaining element extends horizontally across the front layer. 29. The vehicle headrest apparatus as recited in claim 27, wherein
the retaining element operatively couples the front layer to the tensioning device. 30. A vehicle headrest apparatus comprising:
a headrest portion including left and right headrest members dividing the headrest portion approximately midway in a transverse direction and a mounting member configured to swingably couple the left and right headrest members to an upper end part of a seatback; a head restraining member moveably coupled between the left and right headrest members, the head restraining member including a vertical support portion arranged to face towards a passenger's head and a horizontal support portion arranged substantially perpendicular to an upper edge of the vertical support portion, at least one of the horizontal and vertical support portions being made of a resilient shape-retaining material; a swing force applying device operatively coupled to the left and right headrest members to apply an urging force to the left and right headrest members to swing the left and right headrest members toward a front of a vehicle; a lock device operatively coupled to the left and right headrest members to hold the left and right headrest members in an initial storage position against the urging force applied by the swing force applying device; a controller operatively coupled to the lock device to release the lock device upon detecting a rear-end collision; and a tensioning device operatively coupled to the vertical support portion to apply tension in at least part of the vertical support portion of the head restraining member when the left and right headrest members are in a swung forward state and to reduce deflection of the vertical support portion during elastic deformation of the vertical support portion. 31. The vehicle headrest apparatus as recited in claim 30, wherein
the vertical support portion has an overall shape of a curved three-dimensional surface that includes a center concaved surface facing forwardly to substantially follow a contour of a back of the passenger's head and a peripheral edge surface curving rearwardly relative to the center concaved surface. 32. The vehicle headrest apparatus as recited in claim 30, wherein
the head restraining member has a multi-layered structure at least comprising a front layer being arranged to support the passenger's head and a rear layer located rearward of the front layer, the front layer being constructed of a low-rigidity material possessing a high deflection characteristic relative to the rear layer and the rear layer being constructed of a high-rigidity material possessing a high load transmitting characteristic relative to the front layer. 33. The vehicle headrest apparatus as recited in claim 32, wherein
the multi-layered structure of the head restraining member further comprises a lightweight buffer layer disposed between the front layer and the rear layer. 34. The vehicle headrest apparatus as recited in claim 30, wherein
at least the vertical support portion of the head restraining member includes a horizontally undulated part having horizontally extending undulations. 35. The vehicle headrest apparatus as recited in claim 34, wherein
at least the vertical support portion of the head restraining member includes a vertically undulated part with vertically extending undulations located rearwardly of the horizontally undulated part. 36. The vehicle headrest apparatus as recited in claim 30, wherein
the head restraining member has ribs disposed on a rearwardly facing surface of the head restraining member. 37. The vehicle headrest apparatus as recited in claim 30, wherein
the vertical support portion includes a flexible sheet member having left and right lateral ends coupled to the left and right headrest members, respectively, with the flexible sheet member being stretched between left and right headrest members when the left and right headrest members are in the swung forward state. 38. The vehicle headrest apparatus as recited in claim 37, wherein
the sheet member is configured and arranged relative to the left and right headrest members to convert a pressing force of the passenger's head acting on the head restraining member into a tensile force in the sheet member. 39. The vehicle headrest apparatus as recited in claim 30, wherein
the left and right headrest members include a resistance mechanism that limits relative rearward movement of the left and right headrest members relative to the mounting member in response to a rearward pressing force acting on the head restraining member. 40. The vehicle headrest apparatus as recited in claim 30, further comprising
a swing regulating member arranged between swinging portions of the left and right headrest members to fix maximum swing positions of the left and right headrest members. 41. A vehicle headrest apparatus comprising:
headrest means for mounting to an upper end part of a seatback; vertical head restraining means for supporting a passenger's head when a rear-end collision occurs; horizontal head restraining means for supporting a passenger's head when the rear-end collision occurs, the horizontal head restraining means being arranged substantially perpendicular to the vertical head restraining means; and tensioning device means for applying tension to at least part of the vertical head restraining means when the rear-end collision occurs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It has been discovered that in the above mentioned seatback systems that the headrests are actuated using the inertia force of the seated passenger. Thus, these headrest units do not begin moving forward until the rearward displacement of the passenger is large. Consequently, these head rest units cannot be moved sufficiently forward during the period immediately after the collision when the amount of displacement is still small. In short, the head restraining effect of the headrest is reduced.
FIG. 32 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along the line 32�32 in FIG. 28;
As used herein to describe the various embodiments, the following directional terms �forward�, �rearward�, �above�, �downward�, �vertical�, �horizontal�, �below� and �transverse� as well as any other similar directional terms refer to those directions of a vehicle equipped with the present invention. Accordingly, these terms, as utilized to describe the present invention should be interpreted relative to a vehicle equipped with the present invention.
First Embodiment Referring initially to FIGS. 1 to 18, the vehicle headrest apparatus 10 is illustrated in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the headrest unit in an initial state. FIG. 2 is an overall perspective view of a seat installed with the headrest unit. FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the headrest unit depicting a main component in a cross-sectional manner. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the vehicle headrest apparatus 10 of this embodiment includes a headrest unit 10 a with a mounting member comprising a pair of stays 11. The vehicle headrest apparatus 10 is adjustably coupled to a vehicle seat 100 by the stays 11. More specifically, the vehicle headrest apparatus 10 is attached to the upper end part of a seatback 101 of the vehicle seat 100. Thus, the headrest unit 10 a is arranged to support the head of a seated passenger sitting in the vehicle seat 100. The stays 11 of the headrest unit 10 a are mounted in a pair of mounting holes 101 a that formed in the upper end part of the seatback 101, The headrest unit 10 a is mounted such that its vertical position can be adjusted relative to the upper end part of a seatback 101 of the vehicle seat 100 by the stays 11.
A connecting member 11 a is welded to the bottom end parts of the stays 11 such that the connecting member 11 a spans the space therebetween. The connecting member 11 a serves to rigidly couple the stays 11 together. The headrest unit 10 a is mounted to the projecting end parts 11 b of the stays 11, which project upward from the connecting member 11 a. As shown in FIG. 1, the headrest unit 10 a basically comprises a pair of (left and right) headrest members 12 and a thin flexible sheet member 13 that serves as a flexible sheet head restraining member that can restrain a passenger's head H. The left and right headrest members 12 are mirror image of each others, and thus, the same reference numerals and symbols will be used for each of the headrest members 12. The headrest members 12 divide the headrest unit 10 a in half at a point located approximately midway along the transverse dimension of the headrest unit 10 a. The thin flexible sheet member 13 is moved form a retracted position to an extended position in which the flexible sheet member 13 is expanded towards the passenger's head H. In particular, the flexible sheet member 13 is in a folded state when in the retracted storage position, and is in an expanded state when in the extended deployed position where the flexible sheet member 13 is under tension. The headrest members 12 include a tensioning device or mechanism for holding the flexible sheet member 13 in the expanded state such that the flexible sheet member 13 is under tension as discussed below. The sheet member 13 is arranged so as to span between the free end parts 12 a of the left and right headrest members 12. As shown in FIG. 4, the flexible sheet member 13 is provided with two or more leaves, including at least a vertical sheet support portion 13 a that faces the passengers head H (see FIG. 5) and a horizontal sheet support portion 13 b that is substantially perpendicular to the upper part of the vertical sheet support portion 13 a. The end parts 12 b on the opposite sides of the left and right headrest members 12 are each mounted to the stays 11 through a swing force applying device 30 (which serve as a deployment mechanism) in such a manner that they can rise upwardly and swing forward, applying a forward swinging force (toward the front of the vehicle) to the left and right headrest members 12.
Each of the headrest members 12 comprises a pair of horizontal frame members 14 fixedly coupled to a vertical frame member 15 to form a rigid U-shaped tensioning member that is pivotally mounted to an outer cylinder 16. In other words, the left and right headrest members 12 each have a generally rectangular frame portion that comprises the following: the outer cylinder 16 that forms the shell of the swing force applying device 30; the upper and lower horizontal members 14 that extend horizontally from the upper and lower end parts of the outer cylinder 16; and the vertical member 15 that joins the upper and lower horizontal members 14 together at the ends that are closer to the free end parts 12 a. The rigid U-shaped tensioning members hold the flexible sheet member 13 in the folded state when in the retracted storage position, and in the expanded state when in the extended deployed position. The upper horizontal members 14 serve a horizontal tension applying device or member, while the vertical members 15 serve as a vertical tension applying device or member. These frame portions are each covered with a cushion pad 10 b. The sheet member 13 is made of a pliable sheet material having a high tensile strength, such as canvas. As shown in FIG. 4, the horizontal sheet support portion 13 b is formed integrally with the vertical sheet support portion 13 a so as to extend directly rearward from the upper edge of the vertical sheet support portion 13 a. The transversely facing ends of the vertical sheet support portion 13 a and horizontal sheet support portion 13 b of the sheet member 13 are folded back and sewn (seams N1 and N2) along their full lengths so as to form pocket sections 13 c and 13 d, into which the vertical members 15 and the upper horizontal members 14 are inserted as seen in FIG. 4.
A flange-shaped end plate 17 a is fixed to each of the upper ends of the projecting end parts 11 b of the stays 11, as shown in FIG. 3. The upper end parts of the outer cylinders 16 fit around the outer circumferences of the end plates 17 a in such a manner that the outer cylinders 16 can rotate freely as well as slide freely in the axial direction. Thus, the upper end parts of the outer cylinders 16 are supported by the outer circumferences of the end plates 17 a. Each of the swing force applying device 30 is equipped with a lift mechanism 31 that raises the left or right headrest member 12 with respect to the stay 11 and a swing mechanism 32 that swings the left or right headrest member 12 forward in conjunction with the raising action of the lift mechanism 31.
The amounts by which the left and right headrest members 12 swing can be established in advance by adjusting the slant angle of the helical grooves 32 a. Likewise, amount of swing per amount of upward rise of the left and right headrest members 12 can also be adjusted by adjusting the slant angle of the helical grooves 32 a. A lock device 40 is provided on top of a middle section of the connecting member 11 a provided between the pair of stays 11 as shown in FIG. 3. The lock device 40 controls the locked state and the released state of the left and right headrest members 12. More specifically, the lock device 40 serves to control whether the left and right headrest members 12 are held in an initial position (FIG. 1) where they are locked to the stays 11 in resistance to the forces applied by the swing force applying device 30 or released (FIG. 4) such that the swing force applying device 30 can raise them upward and swing them forward.
As shown in FIG. 9, the winding element 44 is generally rectangular in shape and has a center hole 44 a (formed in a center part thereof) through which a support shaft 47 (FIGS. 7 and 8) passes so as to support the winding element 44 on the casing 41 in a rotatable manner. The aforementioned �other� ends of the two wires 42 and 43 are pinched in independent winding grooves 44 b and 44 c, respectively, which are formed in the long oppositely facing wall faces of the winding element 44.
The controller 54 is constituted such that when it detects a rear-end collision based on the detection signals from the sensors 51, 52 and 53, it applies a current to the solenoid of the drive unit 46 so as to release the locked state of the lock device 40. The controller 54 preferably includes a microcomputer with a control program that controls the drive unit or solenoid 46 as discussed below. The controller 54 can also include other conventional components such as an input interface circuit, an output interface circuit, and storage devices such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) device and a RAM (Random Access Memory) device. The microcomputer of the controller 54 is programmed to control the lock device 40 in response to the detection signals from the sensors 51, 52 and 53. The controller 54 is capable of selectively controlling any of the components of the control system 50 in accordance with the control program. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that the precise structure and algorithms for the controller 54 can be any combination of hardware and software that will carry out the functions of the present invention. In other words, �means plus function� clauses as utilized in the specification and claims should include any structure or hardware and/or algorithm or software that can be utilized to carry out the function of the �means plus function� clause.
The spring 66 is made of spring steel wire-rod stock shaped into a generally rectangular form and bent into an obtuse V-shape along two opposing sides. As shown in FIG. 11, a central bent portion 66 a of the spring 66 is stopped against the front side of the pin 62 so as to act as a fulcrum. A first end part 66 b of the spring 66 is stopped against the rear side of the horizontal member 14, while a second end part 66 c of the spring 66 is stopped against the rear side of the outer cylinder 16. As a result, a forward spring force is generated between the two end parts 66 b and 66 c. Due to the spring force of the spring 66, the fastening mechanism 60 puts the upper and lower horizontal members 14 into a constant state of being swung forward about the pin 62, as indicated by the broken lines in FIG. 13. In this state, the claw 63 a of the engaging member 63 is disengaged from the rack 65 and the outer cylinder 16 can rotate freely with respect to the inner cylinder 17, except to the extent that the locking device 40 holds the outer cylinder 16 from rotating.
Furthermore, the vertical tensioning device in this embodiment is formed by the vertical members 15 that are coupled to the swing force applying device 30 that raises it and swings it forward with respect to the stay 11, when a rear-end collision occurs. The horizontal tensioning device in this embodiment is formed by the upper horizontal members 14 that are coupled to the swing force applying device 30. As a result, the operation of the swing force applying device 30 opens the vertical members 15 and the upper horizontal members 14 in a synchronized manner. Since tension can be applied to the vertical sheet support portion 13 a and the horizontal sheet support portion 13 b simultaneously, tension can be applied efficiently to the sheet member 13 that is comprised by the vertical sheet support portion 13 a and the horizontal sheet support portion 13 b. The vertical members 15 are arranged such that the tension it applies to the sheet member 13 corresponds to the forward swing force of the swing force applying device 30. As a result, the minimum tension necessary can be applied to the deployed vertical sheet support portion 13 a when a rear-end collision occurs by setting the force applied by the swing force applying device 30 in advance such that the required tensile force is generated.
Second Embodiment Referring now to FIGS. 19 to 21, a vehicle headrest apparatus 10′ in accordance with a second embodiment will now be explained. Basically, the headrest apparatus 10′ is identical to the headrest apparatus 10, as discussed above, except that a modified flexible sheet restraining member 13′ is used instead of the sheet member 13 of the first embodiment. In view of the similarity between the first and second embodiments, the parts of the second embodiment that are identical to the parts of the first embodiment will be given the same reference numerals or symbols as the parts of the first embodiment. Moreover, the descriptions of the parts of the second embodiment that are identical to the parts of the first embodiment may be omitted for the sake of brevity.
In the vehicle headrest apparatus 10′ of the second embodiment, the sheet member 13′ comprises front and back sheet layers 13 e′ and 13 f′ that overlap each other, as shown in FIGS. 19 and 20. The vertical sheet support portion 13 a′ and the horizontal sheet support portion 13 b′ are formed by the front and back sheet layers 13 e′ and 13 f. The vertical members 15 are inserted into both ends of the portion of the front and back sheet layers 13 e′ and 13 f′ that corresponds to the vertical sheet support portion 13 a′ and the upper horizontal members 14 are inserted into both ends of the portion of the front and back sheet layers 13 e′ and 13 f′ that corresponds to the horizontal sheet support portion 13 b′. The sheet member 13′ is made by sewing a pliable sheet material into an endless form. This endless sheet member 13′ is arranged so as to span between the upper horizontal members 14 and vertical members 15 of the left and right headrest members 12. The portions where the endless sheet 13′ folds around the upper horizontal members 14 and the vertical members 15 correspond to both ends of the horizontal sheet support portion 13 b′ and the vertical sheet support portion 13 a′. Moreover, the front side of the pliable sheet is the front sheet layer 13 e′ and the rear side is the back sheet layer 13 f. The sheet member 13′ is provided with a plurality of pins 70 that act as restricting members to restrict the relative displacement of the front and rear sheet layers 13 e′ and 13 f. These pins 70 are attached in a dispersed manner to appropriate positions of the vertical sheet support portion 13 a′ and the horizontal sheet support portion 13 b′. Thus, with the vehicle headrest apparatus 10′ of the second embodiment, the sheet member 13′ can be constructed in a simple manner due to the pliable sheet being sewn into an endless form. Also, the rigidity of the vertical sheet support portion 13 a″ in the longitudinal direction and of the horizontal sheet support portion 13 b′ in the vertical direction (as indicated by arrows X and Y in FIG. 20) can be increased due to the existence of front and back sheet layers 13 e′ and 13 f′. Since the vertical members 15 and the upper horizontal members 14 are inserted at both ends of the portions of the front and back sheet layers 13 e′ and 13 f′ that correspond to the vertical sheet support portion 13 a′ and horizontal sheet support portion 13 b′, respectively, the tension that develops in the front sheet layer 13 e′ when a rearward load F acts due to the head H of the passenger contacting the front sheet layer 13 e′ portion of the vertical sheet support portion 13 a′ (as shown in FIG. 21) is transmitted to the back sheet layer 13 f′ through the folded-around portion at both ends of the sheet layers 13 e′ and 13 f′. As a result, the tension in the back sheet layer 13 f′ increases and the deflection of the front sheet layer 13 e′ is supported by the increased tension in the back sheet layer 13 f′. Thus, the passenger's head H can be reliably restrained by the vertical sheet support portion 13 a′. Since the pins 70 are attached in a dispersed manner to appropriate positions of the vertical sheet support portion 13 a′ and the horizontal sheet support portion 13 b′, the front and back sheet layers 13 e′ and 13 f′, can be prevented from undergoing large relative displacement and the passenger's head can be restrained reliably by maintaining the integrity of the front and back sheet layers 13 e′ and 13 f′. Third Embodiment Referring now to FIGS. 22 to 24, a vehicle headrest apparatus 10″ in accordance with a third embodiment will now be explained. Basically, the headrest apparatus 10″ is identical to the headrest apparatus 10, as discussed above, except that a modified flexible sheet restraining member 13″ is used instead of the sheet member 13 of the first embodiment. In view of the similarity between the third embodiment and the prior embodiments, the parts of the third embodiment that are identical to the parts of the prior embodiments will be given the same reference numerals or symbols as the parts of the prior embodiments. Moreover, the descriptions of the parts of the third embodiment that are identical to the parts of the prior embodiments have been omitted for the sake of brevity.
Similarly to the previous embodiments, the vertical headrest apparatus 10″ of the third embodiment is also configured such that the vertical members 15 and the upper horizontal members 14 of the left and right headrest members 12 apply tension to the vertical sheet support portion 13 a″ and horizontal sheet support portion 13 b″ of the sheet member 13″. Additionally, as shown in FIGS. 22 and 23, this embodiment is also provided with a tension increasing mechanism or device 80 that converts the pressing force of the passenger's head H into tension in the vertical sheet support portion 13 a″ and horizontal sheet support portion 13 b″ when the vertical members 15 and upper horizontal members 14 apply tension to the vertical sheet support portion 13 a″ and horizontal sheet support portion 13 b″. As shown in FIG. 23, the tension increasing mechanism 80 comprises a plurality of belt-shaped sheets 81 and 82 that are integral with the sheet member 13″. The belt-shaped sheets 81 and 82 extend from the left and right end parts of the sheet member 13″, and are separated by a prescribed spacing in the vertical direction. These belt-shaped sheets 81 and 82 are crisscrossed alternately and the tip end part of each is connected by a fastener 83 to a rear side of the transversely opposite one of the outer cylinders 16.
Fourth Embodiment Referring now to FIG. 25, a vehicle headrest apparatus 10″′ in accordance with a fourth embodiment will now be explained. Basically, the headrest apparatus 10″′ is identical to the headrest apparatus 10″, explained above, except that a two-ply flexible sheet member 13″′ is used instead of the single ply flexible sheet member 13″ of the third embodiment. In view of the similarity between the fourth embodiment and the prior embodiments, the parts of the fourth embodiment that are identical to the parts of the prior embodiments will be given the same reference numerals or symbols as the parts of the first embodiment. Moreover, the descriptions of the parts of the fourth embodiment that are identical to the parts of the prior embodiments have been omitted for the sake of brevity.
FIG. 25 is a rear perspective view of a headrest apparatus 10″′ in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention when in the completely deployed state. While the third embodiment illustrates a case in which the tension increasing mechanism 80 is applied to the one-ply sheet member 13 of the first embodiment, the tension increasing mechanism 80 can also be applied to the two-ply sheet member 13″′ (which is provided with front and back sheet layers 13 e″′ and 13 f″′) of the second embodiment. The fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 25 illustrates such an arrangement. The fourth embodiment features separate belt-shaped sheets 81 and 82 that are joined to the left and right end parts of a two-ply sheet member 13″′ and exhibits the same function as the third embodiment. The two-ply sheet member 13″′ has a vertical sheet support portion 13 a″′ and horizontal sheet support portion 13 b″′. Thus, the tension increasing mechanism or device 80 converts the pressing force of the passenger's head H into tension in the vertical sheet support portion 13 a″′ and the horizontal sheet support portion 13 b″′ when the vertical members 15 and upper horizontal members 14 apply tension to the vertical sheet support portion 13″′ and the horizontal sheet support portion 13 b″′. Fifth Embodiment Referring now to FIGS. 26-39, a vehicle headrest unit 210 in accordance with a fifth embodiment will now be explained. Basically, the headrest unit 210 uses the basic features of the first embodiment, but has a modified head restraining member. In view of the similarity between the fifth embodiment and the prior embodiments, the parts of the fifth embodiment that are identical to the parts of the prior embodiments will be given the same reference numerals or symbols as the parts of the first embodiment. Moreover, the descriptions of the parts of the fifth embodiment that are identical to the parts of the prior embodiments have been omitted for the sake of brevity.
The back cover 222 comprises, as shown in FIG. 29, a thin-walled base section 222′ made of polycarbonate or another synthetic resin and a cloth section 222″ that is bonded to the outside of the base section and whose back side has been provided with a sponge. Several clips 225 are provided so as to project forward from the back support portion 222 a, and a pair of through holes 226 for the stays 11 to pass through are provided in the bottom support portion 222 d. As shown in FIG. 29, the back cover 222 is mounted by first passing the lower ends of the stays 11 through rubber bushings 226 a and through the through holes 226 in the bottom support portion 222 d and then inserting the fasteners 225 of the back support portion 222 a into the mating holes 241 a formed in the mounting bracket 241 of the lock device 240, which is fixed to the connecting member 11 a. As in the first embodiment, the swing force applying devices 30 of this fifth embodiment each comprise, as shown in FIG. 26, the lift mechanism 31 that raises the left or right headrest member 12 with respect to the respective stay 11 and the swing mechanism 32 that swing-guides the left or right headrest member 12 forward in conjunction with the lifting action of the lift mechanism 31. Thus, while the left and right headrest members 12 are pushed upward by the lift mechanism 31, they are swung forward by the swing mechanism 32.
As shown in FIG. 36, the mating claw 245 c of the ratchet mechanism 245 b mates with the winding element 244 in such a manner as to oppose rotation in the direction (counterclockwise direction) that would cause the wires 242 and 243 to unwind from the drum 244 a but allow rotation in the direction (counterclockwise direction) that would cause the wires 242 and 243 to be wound onto the drum 244 a. The solenoid 246 is arranged so as to face the tip end part 245 d of the link 245 and is contrived to extend and retract a mating portion 246 a to and from the tip end part 245 d. In the locked state shown in step (a) of FIG. 36, the current is OFF and the mating portion 246 a is extended so as to mate with the tip end part 245 d of the link 245. In the lock-released state shown in step (b) of FIG. 36, the current is ON and the mating portion 246 a is retracted such that it disengages from the tip end part 245 d of the link 245.
An example of the control operations executed by the controller 54 is presented in the flowchart of FIG. 14. First, in step S1, control of the headrest apparatus 210 commences when the ignition switch is turned ON. At this stage, the current (hereinafter called �solenoid drive current�) to be supplied to the solenoid 46 is OFF.
Sixth Embodiment Referring now to FIG. 40, a portion of a vehicle headrest apparatus in accordance with a sixth embodiment will now be explained. Basically, the headrest apparatus of this embodiment is identical to the headrest apparatus 210, as discussed above, except that a modified front cover core material 313 is used instead of the front cover core material 213″ of the fifth embodiment. Thus, the front cover core material 313 replaces the front cover core material 213″ of the headrest apparatus 210, discussed above. Accordingly, the front cover core material 313 is coupled to the sheet member 221 of the fifth embodiment. In view of the similarity between the fifth and sixth embodiments, the parts of the sixth embodiment that are identical to the parts of the fifth embodiment will be given the same reference numerals or symbols as the parts of the fifth embodiment. Moreover, many of the parts of the fifth embodiment that are used with the front cover core material 313 have been omitted from this sixth embodiment for the sake of brevity.
Seventh Embodiment Referring now to FIG. 41, a portion of modified front cover 313′ for a vehicle headrest apparatus in accordance with a seventh embodiment will now be explained. Basically, the front cover 313′ replaces the front cover core material 213″ of the headrest apparatus 210, discussed above. Thus, the front cover core material 313′ is coupled to the sheet member 221 of the fifth embodiment. In view of the similarity between the fifth and seventh embodiments, the parts of the fifth embodiment that are used with the front cover core material 313′ have been omitted from this seventh embodiment for the sake of brevity.
Eighth Embodiment Referring now to FIG. 42, a portion of a vehicle headrest apparatus in accordance with an eighth embodiment will now be explained. Basically, the headrest apparatus of this embodiment is identical to the headrest apparatus 210, as discussed above, except that a modified front cover core material 413 is used instead of the front cover core material 213″ of the fifth embodiment. Thus, the front cover core material 413 replaces the front cover core material 213″ of the headrest apparatus 210, discussed above. Accordingly, the front cover core material 413 is coupled to the sheet member 221 of the fifth embodiment. In view of the similarity between the fifth and eighth embodiments, the parts of the eighth embodiment that are identical to the parts of the fifth embodiment will be given the same reference numerals or symbols as the parts of the fifth embodiment. Moreover, many of the parts of the fifth embodiment that are used with the front cover core material 413 have been omitted from this eighth embodiment for the sake of brevity.
Ninth Embodiment Referring now to FIG. 43, a vehicle headrest apparatus 510 in accordance with a ninth embodiment will now be explained. FIG. 43 is a top cross-sectional view of the headrest unit. Basically, the headrest apparatus 510 of this embodiment is identical to the headrest apparatus 210, as discussed above, except that a tension increasing mechanism 580 has been added that is like the one shown in the third embodiment. In other words, the front cover 513 is identical to cover 213, except that the sheet member 521 includes a tension increasing mechanism 580 that converts a pressing force of a passenger's head H acting on the front cover 513 into a tensile force in the sheet member 521. In view of the similarity between the ninth embodiment and the third and fifth embodiments, the parts of the ninth embodiment that are identical to the parts of the third and fifth embodiments will be given the same reference numerals or symbols as the parts of the third and fifth embodiments. Moreover, many of the parts of the ninth embodiment that are shown in the third and fifth embodiments have been omitted from this ninth embodiment for the sake of brevity.
Tenth Embodiment Referring now to FIG. 44, a vehicle headrest apparatus 610 in accordance with a tenth embodiment will now be explained. Basically, the headrest apparatus 610 of this embodiment is identical to the headrest apparatus 210, as discussed above, except that a slider 680 that serves as a swing regulating member. In view of the similarity between the fifth and tenth embodiments, the parts of the tenth embodiment that are identical to the parts of the fifth embodiment will be given the same reference numerals or symbols as the parts of the fifth embodiment. Moreover, many of the parts of the tenth embodiment that are shown in the fifth embodiment have been omitted from this ninth embodiment for the sake of brevity.
Eleventh Embodiment Referring now to FIGS. 45-49, a vehicle headrest apparatus 710 in accordance with an eleventh embodiment will now be explained. Basically, the headrest apparatus 710 of this embodiment is identical to the headrest apparatus 210, as discussed above, except that a front cover retaining device or member has been added in the headrest apparatus 710. In view of the similarity between the fifth and eleventh embodiments, the parts of the eleventh embodiment that are identical to the parts of the fifth embodiment will be given the same reference numerals or symbols as the parts of the fifth embodiment. Moreover, many of the parts of the eleventh embodiment that are shown in the fifth embodiment have been omitted from this eleventh embodiment for the sake of brevity.
The horizontal retaining elements or wire portions 780 a also extend across the frame members 15 to operatively couple the front cover core material or layer 213″ of the front cover 213 to the tensioning device of the headrest portion or unit 710 a. Similar to the prior embodiments, the head restraining member of headrest portion or unit 710 a is deployed by the swing force applying device 30 when the lock device 240 is released by the controller 54 upon detecting a rear-end collision as previously discussed.
Twelfth Embodiment Referring now to FIGS. 50-53, a headrest portion or unit 810 a in accordance with a twelfth embodiment will now be explained. Basically, the headrest portion or unit 810 a of this embodiment is identical to the headrest portion or unit 710 a, as discussed above, except for modifications to the front cover retaining device. In view of the similarity between the eleventh embodiment, which is a modified version of fifth embodiment, and the twelfth embodiment, the parts of the twelfth embodiment that are identical to the parts of the fifth embodiment will be given the same reference numerals or symbols as the parts of the fifth embodiment. Moreover, many of the parts of the twelfth embodiment that are shown in the fifth embodiment have been omitted from this twelfth embodiment for the sake of brevity.
The outer hollow tubes 883 are preferably made of a material having a low coefficient of friction such as Teflon�. The inner wire 882 is preferably made of a material having a high tensile strength such as a metal stranded wire. Preferably, the upper and lower horizontal retaining elements or wire portions 880 a are stretch in the transverse direction and then wrapped by the outer hollow tubes 883. In this arrangement, the inner wire 882 can freely slide within the outer hollow tubes 883, when the front cover 213 is deformed rearwardly by a passenger's head.
The terms of degree such as �substantially�, �about� and �approximately� as used herein mean a reasonable amount of deviation of the modified term such that the end result is not significantly changed. For example, these terms can be construed as including a deviation of at least �5% to �10% of the modified term if this deviation would not negate the meaning of the word it modifies.
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