Expandable, redeployable automotive headrest

An active head restraint system for an automotive vehicle having a seat, the system comprising:

• a collision prediction system;
• a reservoir containing a quantity of pressurized air;
• and
• a headrest comprising:
• a base mountable to the seat and having a perimeter;
• a pad connected to the base for movement along an axis between a rearward position relative to the base and a forward position relative to the base;
• at least one wing mounted to the base for movement between a retracted position wherein it is relatively inboard with respect to a center of the headrest and a deployed condition wherein it is relatively outboard with respect to the center of the headrest;
• and
• at least one inflatable bladder disposed between the base and the pad and connected with the reservoir for inflation thereby upon activation by the collision prediction system, the bladder having a deflated condition wherein the bladder is substantially contained within the base and an inflated condition wherein the bladder expands to urge the pad toward the forward position and urge the at least one wing to the deployed condition, thereby enlarging the headrest in a plane generally normal to the axis.

An active head restraint system for an automotive vehicle having a seat, the system comprising:

• a collision prediction system;
• a reservoir adapted to be mounted in the seat, the reservoir containing a quantity of pressurized air;
• and
• a headrest comprising:
• a base mountable to the seat and having a perimeter;
• a pad connected to the base for movement along an axis between a rearward position relative to the base and a forward position relative to the base;
• at least one inflatable bladder disposed between the base and the pad and connected with the reservoir for inflation thereby upon activation by the collision prediction system, the bladder having a deflated condition wherein the bladder is substantially contained within the base and an inflated condition wherein the bladder expands to urge the pad toward the forward position and the bladder extends laterally outward beyond the perimeter of the base, thereby enlarging the headrest in a plane generally normal to the axis.