Method for moving a headrest in the event of a rear-end collision and arrangement of a headrest on a vehicle seat

Abstract

A method for moving a head restraint of a vehicle seat in the event of a rear-end collision and an arrangement of a head restraint on a vehicle seat are provided. In the event of a rear-end collision, the head restraint can be moved in the forward direction of travel by a drive device, and an impact device absorbs a rearward movement of an upper body of an occupant located on the vehicle seat.

1 . A method for moving a head restraint of a vehicle seat in the event of a rear-end collision, the head restraint being moved in the forward direction of travel, characterized in that the movement of the head restraint ( 3 ) in the forward direction of travel (Y) takes place, firstly, by means of at least one driving device ( 4 ,  4 ′) and, secondly, is assisted by a movement of an upper body of an occupant located on the vehicle seat ( 1 ).  
   
   
       2 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that the movement of the head restraint ( 3 ) in the forward direction of travel by means of the drive device ( 4 ,  4 ′) takes place in terms of time before the displacement is assisted as a consequence of a rearward movement of the upper body of the vehicle occupant.  
   
   
       3 . An arrangement of a head restraint on a vehicle seat of a motor vehicle, in particular for carrying out a method as claimed in  claim 1  or  2 , characterized in that, in the event of a rear-end collision, the head restraint ( 3 ) can be moved in the forward direction of travel (Y) by means of a drive device ( 4 ,  4 ′) and an impact device ( 5 ) which absorbs a rearward movement of an upper body of an occupant located on the vehicle seat ( 1 ).  
   
   
       4 . The arrangement of a head restraint on a vehicle seat as claimed in  claim 3 , characterized in that the drive device ( 4 ,  4 ′) and the impact device ( 5 ) are arranged with respect to each other in such a manner that the impact device ( 5 ) assists a preceding movement of the head restraint ( 3 ) via the drive device ( 4 ) in the forward direction of travel.  
   
   
       5 . The arrangement of a head restraint on a vehicle seat as claimed in  claim 3  or  4 , characterized in that a frame ( 6 ) for holding the head restraint ( 3 ) can be pivoted by the drive device ( 4 ,  4 ′) in the forward direction of travel about an axis of rotation ( 15 ) fixed on the seat back.  
   
   
       6 . The arrangement of a head restraint on a vehicle seat as claimed in  claim 5 , characterized in that the frame ( 6 ) is guided in a guide ( 24 ) fixed on the seat back.  
   
   
       7 . The arrangement of a head restraint on a vehicle seat as claimed in one of  claims 3  to  6 , characterized in that the impact device ( 5 ) is connected to the drive device ( 4 ,  4 ′).  
   
   
       8 . The arrangement of a head restraint on a vehicle seat as claimed in one of  claims 5  to  7 , characterized in that an application of force to the impact device ( 5 ) causes the frame ( 6 ) for holding the head restraint ( 3 ) and the drive device ( 4 ,  4 ′) to additionally be pivoted through a further angle of rotation about the axis of rotation ( 15 ) fixed on the seat back.  
   
   
       9 . The arrangement of a head restraint on a vehicle seat as claimed in one of  claims 3  to  8 , characterized in that the impact device ( 5 ) has an impact plate ( 20 ) or an impact strap provided to absorb a movement of the upper body of an occupant.  
   
   
       10 . The arrangement of a head restraint on a vehicle seat as claimed in one of  claims 5  to  9 , characterized in that the impact device ( 5 ) is guided on a guide ( 24 ) fixed on the seat back, the frame ( 6 ) for holding the head restraint ( 3 ) and the impact device ( 5 ) preferably being guided on a common guide ( 24 ) fixed on the seat back.  
   
   
       11 . The arrangement of a head restraint on a vehicle seat as claimed in one of  claims 3  to  10 , characterized in that the drive device ( 4 ) has at least one spindle drive ( 9 ).  
   
   
       12 . The arrangement of a head restraint on a vehicle seat as claimed in  claim 11 , characterized in that the spindle drive ( 9 ) has a spindle ( 10 ) which can be driven by a motor ( 11 ) in such a manner that a rotatable holder ( 12 ) which is connected to the frame ( 6 ) for holding the head restraint ( 3 ) and is intended for the spindle ( 10 ) is moved axially on the latter.  
   
   
       13 . The arrangement of a head restraint on a vehicle seat as claimed in  claim 12 , characterized in that the spindle ( 10 ) has a self-locking device.  
   
   
       14 . The arrangement of a head restraint on a vehicle seat as claimed in one of  claims 5  to  13 , characterized in that the axis of rotation ( 15 ) runs through two pivots ( 16 ,  17 ) which are arranged symmetrically to each other, are fixed on the seat back and about which a respective spindle drive ( 9 ) can be pivoted.  
   
   
       15 . The arrangement of a head restraint on a vehicle seat as claimed in one of  claims 3  to  14 , characterized in that the drive device ( 4 ) has at least one electric motor ( 11 ) and/or a pneumatic drive and/or a hydraulic drive.  
   
   
       16 . The arrangement as claimed in one of  claims 1  to  10 , characterized in that the drive device is designed as a pneumatic drive ( 4 ′).  
   
   
       17 . The arrangement as claimed in  claim 16 , characterized in that the pneumatic drive ( 4 ′) has an airbag ( 32 ) which can be deployed and which is connected to the frame ( 6 ) for holding the head restraint ( 3 ) via a first securing device ( 29 ,  30 ) and to the impact device ( 5 ) with a second securing device ( 31 ).  
   
   
       18 . The arrangement as claimed in  claim 16  or  17 , characterized in that the pneumatic drive ( 4 ′) is supplied with air via an air supply of the vehicle.  
   
   
       19 . The arrangement as claimed in  claim 16  or  17 , characterized in that the pneumatic drive ( 4 ′) can be driven via a pressure accumulator with an igniter.  
   
   
       20 . The arrangement of a head restraint on a vehicle seat as claimed in one of  claims 3  to  19 , characterized in that the arrangement is of reversible design.