Dynamic actuation system for an articulated headrest portion of an automotive seat
AssigneeLear Corporation
InventorAndrew J. Massara
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An automotive seat assembly for use in the passenger compartment of an automotive vehicle comprising a seat portion, a seat back portion, and an adjustable back support system, the back support system controlling movement of the seat back about a relatively fixed seat track whereby backward tilting movement in response to forwardly directed high acceleration forces on the vehicle body will trigger an adjustment mechanism for a headrest carried near the upper margin of the seat back whereby the motion of the headrest relative to the passenger compartment is substantially reduced compared to the angular motion of the seat back when the seat back is moved by the acceleration forces in a rearward direction.
Claims8
A seat assembly for a passenger compartment of an automotive vehicle comprising a seat track, a seat portion supported by said seat track, a seat back pivotally mounted on said seat track, and a head restraint mounted at the uppermost margin of said seat back;
- said seat back comprising a structural shell, a plate secured to said shell in spaced relationship therewith, said head restraint being secured to said plate;
- a ram supported by said shell having an upper portion near a thoracic region of said seat assembly and a lower portion near a lumbar region of said seat assembly;
- a force-transmitting strut connecting said lower ram portion to said seat track;
- and
- linkage means for connecting said upper ram portion to said head restraint;
- said strut, upon pivotal movement of said seat back on said track, transmitting an upward force on said ram whereby said ram is shifted upwardly;
- said linkage means being activated by said ram upon upward movement thereof, thereby moving said head restraint forward relative to said seat back.
A method for controlling movement of a head restraint for an automotive seat assembly having a seat back mounted pivotally on a seat assembly track in a vehicle passenger compartment of a vehicle body comprising;
- means for effecting rearward pivotal movement of said seat back relative to said seat assembly track resulting from a high-energy impact force on said vehicle body;
- and
- means for adjusting said head restraint relative to said seat back during said pivotal movement of said seat back whereby the motion of said head restraint relative to said vehicle body is minimized.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.