Patent ID: 7448677

Claim:
A headrest control apparatus for a vehicle, comprising: a headrest rear portion supported by a seatback; a headrest front portion movable relative to the headrest rear portion between a first position, at which the headrest front portion is in contact with the headrest rear portion, and a second position, at which the headrest front portion is frontward distant from the headrest rear portion; a motor-operated driving device for moving the headrest front portion relative to the headrest rear portion between the first position and the second position; a head detecting sensor provided at the headrest front portion and outputting a predetermined detection signal when a head of an occupant is proximate to the headrest front portion or when the head of the occupant is in contact with the headrest front portion; a head detecting circuit detecting one of a proximity of the head towards, and a contact of the head with, the headrest front portion based upon the detection signal of the head detecting sensor; a controlling device controlling the driving device to move the headrest front portion towards the second position when a proximity of an object from a rear of the vehicle is detected and to stop a movement of the headrest front portion towards the second position when the head detecting circuit detects the one of a proximity of the head towards, and a contact of the head with, the headrest front portion, the controlling device operating the head detecting circuit only when the headrest front portion moves towards the second position.