Neck support module for vehicle seat headrest

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11518285-B2
Application number	US-202016732377-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 2, 2020
Priority date	Jan 3, 2019
Publication date	Dec 6, 2022
Grant date	Dec 6, 2022

Abstract

A neck support module for a headrest device of a vehicle seat comprises a frame and at least one inflatable pouch fixed to the frame.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A headrest device for a vehicle seat comprising a headrest with a headrest frame and headrest upholstery, and a neck support module the neck support module comprising a frame, the frame of the neck support module being fixed to the headrest frame, a flexible support, at least two first inflatable pouches interposed between the frame and the flexible support, and at least four other inflatable pouches opposite to the at least two first inflatable pouches relative to the flexible support, the at least four other inflatable pouches being adapted to be inflated sequentially.

2. The headrest device of claim 1 , wherein the frame of the headrest module is adapted to be moved relative to the headrest frame between a functional position and a non-functional position.

3. The headrest device of claim 2 , wherein the frame of the headrest module is adapted to be moved relative to the headrest frame by rotation, between a functional position and a non-functional position.

4. A vehicle seat comprising a seating portion, a backrest, and the headrest device according to claim 1 , the headrest being fixed to the backrest.

5. A method for making use of the neck support module of the headrest device according to claim 1 , so as to massage the neck of an occupant of the vehicle seat, the method comprising the sequential inflation of the at least four other inflatable pouches.

6. The headrest device of claim 1 , wherein the neck support module has a width that is substantially equal to a width of the headrest device and the neck support module is mounted to the headrest device for pivotable movement about an axis oriented in a substantially transverse direction of the seat between a retracted position, where the neck support module is arranged substantially in line with the headrest, and a functional position, in which the neck support module protrudes in front of the headrest so that an occupant of the seat can rest a neck of the occupant against the neck support module.

7. The headrest device of claim 6 , wherein the entire neck support module is pivotable about the axis and the axis is located vertically between a lower end of the neck support module and an upper end of the headrest device.

8. The headrest device according to claim 1 , further comprising a pump for inflating the at least two first inflatable pouches.

9. The headrest device of claim 8 , wherein the pump is exposed to an exterior of the headrest.

10. The headrest device according to claim 1 , further comprising an electronic control unit for sequentially controlling the inflation of the at least four other inflatable pouches to massage the neck of an occupant of the vehicle seat.

11. The headrest device according to claim 1 , wherein the at least two first inflatable pouches are arranged symmetrically on the frame.

12. The headrest device according to claim 1 , wherein the at least four other inflatable pouches are arranged symmetrically on the flexible support.

13. A vehicle seat comprising
a seating portion,
a backrest mounted on the seating portion, and
a headrest device mounted on the backrest and configured to slide relative to the backrest,
wherein the headrest device includes a headrest portion and a neck support module coupled to the headrest portion for pivotable movement about an axis oriented in a substantially transverse direction to the vehicle seat between a retracted position, in which the neck of an occupant is spaced apart from the neck support module, and a functional position, in which the neck support module protrudes in front of the headrest portion and is configured to engage the neck of the occupant,
wherein the neck support module includes a neck support frame coupled to the headrest portion, a first inflatable pouch coupled to a first lateral side of the neck support frame, and a second inflatable pouch coupled to a second lateral side of the neck support frame,
wherein the first and second inflatable pouches each have an inner end adjacent to a center of the neck support frame and an outer end spaced further from the center, and the first and second inflatable pouches are configured to rise and expand at the outer end of the first and second inflatable pouches such that the first and second inflatable pouches move about a vertical axis located at the inner end of the first inflatable pouch and the second inflatable pouch, and
wherein each vertical axis is fixed in position relative to the axis.

14. The vehicle seat of claim 13 , further comprising at least two inflatable pouches on each lateral side of the neck support frame and means for controlling the selective inflation of the inflatable pouches.

15. The vehicle seat of claim 14 , wherein the means for controlling is an electronic control unit for sequentially controlling the inflation of the inflatable pouches in order to massage the neck of an occupant of the vehicle seat.

16. The vehicle seat of claim 14 , wherein the at least two inflatable pouches are arranged symmetrically on each lateral side of the neck support frame.

17. The vehicle seat of claim 13 , further comprising a manual pump coupled to the headrest device for upward and downward movement with the headrest device relative to the backrest.

18. The vehicle seat of claim 13 , further comprising a flexible support, at least two first inflatable pouches interposed between the neck support frame and the flexible support, and at least four other inflatable pouches, opposite to the at least two first inflatable pouches relative to the flexible support, the other inflatable pouches being adapted to be inflated sequentially.

19. The vehicle seat of claim 18 , further comprising an inflation pump for inflating the at least one inflatable pouch.

Assignees

• Faurecia Sieges Dautomobile

Inventors

• Carles Fabrice
• Stasinski Tomasz
• Grzeslo Robert

Classifications

• B60N2205/30

  Seat or seat parts characterised by comprising plural parts or pieces · CPC title

• B60N2/803

  fixed · CPC title

• B60N2/806

  movable or adjustable · CPC title

• B60N2/58

  Seat coverings · CPC title

• B60N2/879 Primary

  with additional features not related to head-rest positioning, e.g. heating or cooling devices or loudspeakers · CPC title