Active head restraint utilizing solenoid activation and bar linkage transmission
AssigneeGM Global Technology Operations LLC
InventorsPaul W. Alexander, Leigh A. Berger, Michael G. Carpenter, Dale M. Drew, Michael E Kilpinen, Clayton J Hayes, James A Smith
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An active head restraint for supporting the head of an occupant, includes a shell, and an actuator disposed within the shell, wherein the actuator further includes a spring-biased bar linkage system pivotally coupled to the shell, a radial ratcheting sector coupled to the linkage system, a pawl selectively engaging the sector, and a solenoid drivenly coupled to the pawl, and configured, when activated, to cause the pawl to disengage the sector.
Claims17
An active head restraint adapted for use with a seat, and to selectively support the head of an occupant, said head restraint comprising:
- an exterior shell defining an interior space and outer surface configured to engage the head of the occupant;
- an actuator disposed within the space, and configured to adjust the distance or engagement between the surface and head, wherein the actuator includes a spring-biased bar linkage system presenting at least one selectively deployable swing arm pivotally coupled to the seat and shell, and further includes a solenoid communicatively coupled to said at least one arm, and configured to selectively enable the arm to pivot;
- and
- a power source communicatively coupled to the solenoid,
- wherein the shell defines a cutout adjacent the solenoid, so as to provide access to the space and enable the solenoid to be manually reset once deployed.
An active head restraint adapted for use with a seat, and to selectively support the head of an occupant, said head restraint comprising:
- an exterior shell defining an interior space and outer surface configured to engage the head of the occupant;
- an actuator disposed within the space, and configured to adjust the distance or engagement between the surface and head, wherein the actuator includes a spring-biased bar linkage system presenting at least one selectively deployable swing arm pivotally coupled to the seat and shell, and further includes a solenoid communicatively coupled to said at least one arm, and configured to selectively enable the arm to pivot;
- and
- a power source communicatively coupled to the solenoid,
- wherein the actuator further includes a selectively engaged ratchet and pawl cooperatively configured to allow the head restraint to translate in a first direction and prevent translation in the opposite direction when released and engaged, the pawl is drivenly coupled to the solenoid, and the solenoid is configured to cause the pawl to release the ratchet,
- wherein the solenoid includes a telescoping plunger, and plunger engages the pawl at a predetermined angle.
A method of autonomously translating a head restraint between stowed and deployed positions, said method comprising the steps of:
- a. detecting a condition or event;
- b. activating a solenoid;
- c. releasing stored energy as a result of activating the solenoid;
- d. causing a bar-linkage system to swing from a first configuration, as a result of releasing the energy;
- e. causing the head restraint to translate from the stowed and to the deployed position as a result of causing the system to swing;
- and
- f. accessing the solenoid through a cutout defined by the head restraint, and manually causing energy to be re-stored, the bar-linkage system to return to the first configuration, and the head restraint to return to the stowed position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.