喜歡就充值下載吧，，資源目錄下展示的全都有，，下載后全都有，dwg格式的為CAD圖紙，有疑問咨詢QQ：414951605 或1304139763 US009333887B2 (12) United States Patent (10) Patent No.: US 9,333,887 B2 Talamonti et al. (45) Date of Patent: May 10, 2016 (54) POWER ARTICULATING HEADREST 4,576,411 A * 3/1986 Kitamura . B6ON 2A38 ASSEMBLY 16,332 4,576,413 A * 3/1986 Hatta . B6ON 2/487 (71) Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC, 297 391 4,623,166 A * 1 1/1986 Andres . B6ON 2/487 Dearborn, MI (US) 28Of751 (72) Inventors: Joseph S. Talamonti, Canton, MI (US); 4,640,549 A * 2/1987 Yokota . Boys Mandeep Singh Sidhu, Canton, MI psing s s 4,807,934. A * 2/1989 Sakakibara . B6ON 2A4829 (US); Yalie Yan-rush, Plymouth, MI 297/403 (US); Steven Carnago, Macomb, MI 5,222,784. A 6/1993 Hamelin (US); Marcos Silva Kondrad, Macomb, 5,590,933 A * 1/1997 Andersson . B6ON 2/487 MI (US); Johnathan Andrew Line, 297/403 Northville, MI (US) 5,681,079 A 10, 1997 Robinson 5,795,023 A 8/1998 Kayumi (73) Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC, 5,826,942 A 10/1998 Sutton et al. Dearborn, MI (US) 6,000,760 A * 12/1999 Chung . B6ON 2A4805 297/408 (*) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this 6,007,154. A 12/1999 Parker et al. patent is extended or adjusted under 35 6,045,181 A * 4/2000 Ikeda . B6ON 2A4847 U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days. 297,216.12 6,375,264 B1 * 4/2002 Kienzle. B6ON 2A4858 297/403 (21) Appl. No.: 14/315,443 6,511,130 B2 * 1/2003 Dinkel . B6ON 2A4808 (22) Filed: Jun. 26, 2014 297/408 9 6,655,702 B2 * 12/2003 Senger . B6ON 2/O1541 (65) Prior Publication Data 280/30 Continued US 2015/0375650 A1 Dec. 31, 2015 (Continued) (51) Int. Cl. Primary Examiner Joshua J Michener B6ON 2/48 (2006.01) Assistant Examiner Matthew Gitlin B6ON 2/22 (2006.01) (52) U.S. Cl. (74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm Vichit Chea; Price CPC . B60N 24.864 (2013.01); B60N 2/22 Heneveld LLP (2013.01); B60N 2/2222 (2013.01); B60N 2/485 (2013.01); B60N 2/4838 (2013.01); B60N 2/4852 (2013.01) (57) ABSTRACT (58) Field of Classification Search A vehicle headrest assembly includes a headrest member CPC . B60N 2/4852; B60N 2/4838: B60N 2/485; operably coupled to a seatback. The headrest member is B60N 2/4855; B60N 2/4847; B60N 2/2222; moveable between upright and folded positions relative to the B6ON 2A22 seatback. A Support assembly includes first and second link USPC . 297/408,409, 410, 61 hich ivotall led to the headrest b d See application file for complete search history ages which are pivotally couplea to une neaarest member an the seatback at opposite ends thereof. First and second latch (56) References Cited brackets are coupled to the first and second linkages respec U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS 3,885,831 A 5, 1975 Rasmussen 4,511, 180 A * 4, 1985 Klaus . B6ON 2A4885 297 391 4,536,027 A * 8/1985 Brennan . A47C 7/7O 244,122 R tively and operable between latched and unlatched positions for moving the headrest member to the folded position from the upright position when the latch brackets are in the unlatched position. 17 Claims, 12 Drawing Sheets US 9,333,887 B2 Page 2 (56) References Cited 8,226,170 B2 * 7/2012 Lutzka . B6ON 2A3009 297/403 U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS 8,348,338 B2 1/2013 Galecka et al. 8,348,347 B2 1/2013 Willard et al. 6,899,395 B2 5, 2005 Yetukuri et al. 8,382,206 B2 * 2/2013 Grable . B6ON 2A4847 6,962,392 B2 11/2005 OConnor 297/408 7,111.901 B2 9/2006 Schlierfetal. 8.459,731 B2 6/2013 Runde 7,172,254 B2 * 2/2007 Steinle . B6ON 2A4835 8,616,650 B2, 12/2013 Markelet al. 297/409 8,662,591 B2 * 3/2014 Lin . A47C T/38 7,413,253 B2 8/2008 Karlberg 297 391 7,455,363 B2 * 1 1/2008 Chung . B6ON 2A4808 8,801,103 B2 * 8/2014 Bittinger . B6ON 2/487 297 391 297 391 7,543,891 B2 6/2009 Chung 2002/0024247 A1 2/2002 Mori . B6ON 2AO224 7,640,090 B2 12/2009 Uchida et al. 297 391 7,681,955 B2 * 3/2010 Seo . B6ON 2A4844 2004/009005.6 A1* 5/2004 Sung . B6ON 2A4858 297/403 28Of751 7,794,012 B2 9, 2010 Szablewski 2005.0062330 A1* 3, 2005 Eberle . B6ON 2A4228 7,871,129 B2 1/2011 Boes et al. 297/408 7.988,234 B2 8, 2011 Kim et al. 2007/0085401 A1* 4/2007 Hunziker . A61G 5/12 8,075,051 B2* 12/2011 Vitali . B6ON 2A4808 297,410 297.21612 2007.0246989 A1* 10, 2007 Brockman . B6ON 2A4864 8,109,569 B2 2/2012 Mitchell 297 391 8, 157,328 B2 4/2012 Brunner et al. 2010, 0140992 A1 6/2010 Yamaguchi 8,172,329 B2 * 5/2012 Kim . B6ON 2A4829 2012/0041648 A1 2/2012 Yamaguchi et al. 297/408 8,201.883 B2 6, 2012 Wuerstlein et al. * cited by examiner US 9,333,887 B2 Sheet 1 of 12 May 10, 2016 U.S. Patent U.S. Patent May 10, 2016 Sheet 2 of 12 US 9,333,887 B2 U.S. Patent May 10, 2016 Sheet 3 of 12 US 9,333,887 B2 U.S. Patent May 10, 2016 Sheet 4 of 12 US 9,333,887 B2 34a - I / P2, 45 3. 90a . U.S. Patent May 10, 2016 Sheet 5 of 12 US 9,333,887 B2 U.S. Patent May 10, 2016 Sheet 6 of 12 US 9,333,887 B2 U.S. Patent May 10, 2016 Sheet 7 of 12 US 9,333,887 B2 U.S. Patent May 10, 2016 Sheet 8 of 12 US 9,333,887 B2 s U.S. Patent May 10, 2016 Sheet 9 of 12 US 9,333,887 B2 4. U.S. Patent May 10, 2016 Sheet 10 of 12 US 9,333,887 B2 US 9,333,887 B2 Sheet 11 of 12 May 10, 2016 U.S. Patent U.S. Patent May 10, 2016 Sheet 12 of 12 US 9,333,887 B2 sNit O 1997 US 9,333,887 B2 1. POWER ARTICULATING HEADREST ASSEMBLY FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention generally relates to a vehicle head rest, and more particularly to a vehicle seating assembly having an articulating headrest assembly. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION It is common for front seating assemblies in vehicles to include a headrest assembly for Supporting the head of a seated occupant. Generally, these headrest assemblies are installed separately on a vehicle seat in a vehicle manufactur ing facility after the vehicle seat has been installed in a vehicle interior. This is generally due to the fact that when assembled, the vehicle seat in combination with the headrest assembly is too large to fit through the front drivers side or passengers side doors. Further, an assembled seat with headrest is often too large to ship as a unitary structure on a typical trailer storage shelf. Thus, they are typically installed separately which incurs higher costs and a number of undesired install ment executions. Further, making electrical and structural connections between the vehicle seat and the headrest assem bly is an assembly execution that is better performed when the vehicle seat is not installed in the vehicle. Further still, known headrest assemblies may be limited to vertical adjustment relative to a seatback, such that these headrest assemblies lack adequate adjustment features for different sized occupants and various positions a seated occupant may assume in the vehicle seat. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION One aspect of the present invention includes a vehicle headrest assembly including a headrest member which is operably coupled to a seatback between upright and folded positions. A Support assembly includes first and second link ages which are pivotally coupled to the headrest member and seatback at opposite ends thereof. First and second latch brackets are coupled to the first and second linkages respec tively and are operable between latched and unlatched posi tions. The headrest member is moveable to the folded position from the upright position when the first and second latch brackets are in the unlatched position. Another aspect of the present invention includes a vehicle headrest assembly having a Support assembly defined by first and second linkages which are pivotally coupled to a headrest member between fore and aft positions. The headrest member is vertically adjustable. First and second latch brackets are coupled to the first and second linkages respectively and are operable between latched and unlatched positions. The head rest member is moveable to a folded position when the latch brackets are in the unlatched positions. Yet another aspect of the present invention includes a vehicle headrest assembly having aheadrest member coupled to a headrest bracket. A seatback includes a cross member with a first actuator member disposed thereon. A first linkage is pivotally coupled to the cross member at a first end and pivotally coupled to the headrest bracket at a second end. The first linkage includes a Support arm extending outwardly therefrom. A first latch bracket is coupled to the first actuator at a lower end and further coupled to the Support arm at an upper end. A second linkage is coupled to a second latch bracket at a first end and pivotally coupled to the headrest bracket at a second end. The second latch bracket is disposed 10 15 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 2 on the cross member. The first and second linkages define a support assembly which is moveable between fore and aft positions as powered by the first actuator. The first and second latch brackets are operable between latched and unlatched positions, wherein the headrest member is moveable to a folded position when the first and second latch brackets are in the unlatched position. These and other aspects, objects, and features of the present invention will be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art upon studying the following specification, claims, and appended drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings: FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a vehicle seat having a headrest assembly installed in a vehicle interior according to one embodiment; FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the vehicle seat of FIG. 1 removed from the vehicle interior; FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the headrest assembly and a portion of a seatback of the vehicle seat of FIG. 1; FIG. 4A is an exploded rear perspective view of compo nents of the headrest assembly exploded away from structural elements in the seatback; FIG. 4B is a rear perspective view of a headrest assembly having a trim piece removed, wherein the headrest assembly is in a full upright position; FIG. 4C is a rear perspective view of the headrest assembly of FIG. 4B in a partially folded position; FIG. 4D is a rear perspective view of the headrest assembly of FIG. 4B in a fully folded position: FIG. 5 is an exploded side elevational view of the headrest assembly of FIG. 4B: FIG. 6 is an exploded rear, top perspective view of a motor ized actuation assembly of the headrest assembly: FIG. 7A is a rear perspective view of the headrest assembly of FIG.5 assembled with the headrest member in a fully down position; FIG. 7B is a rear perspective view of the headrest assembly of FIG. 7A with the headrest member in a full up position; FIG. 8A is a rear perspective view of the headrest assembly of FIG. 7A with the cover removed and the headrest member in an aft position; and FIG. 8B is a rear perspective view of the headrest assembly of FIG. 8A with the headrest member in a fore position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper.” “l(fā)ower,” “right,” “l(fā)eft,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizon tal, and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in FIG. 1. However, it is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative orientations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relat ing to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be consid ered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise. Referring now to FIG. 1, the reference numeral 10 gener ally designates a vehicle seat as positioned within a vehicle interior 14 of a vehicle 12 on a drivers side thereof. The vehicle seat 10 includes a seatback 16 pivotally coupled to a US 9,333,887 B2 3 seat member 18. The seat member 18 is slidably coupled to a vehicle floor 20 along a track assembly 22. The track assem bly 22 is configured to allow the vehicle seat 10 to be adjusted in forward and rearward directions along a path indicated by arrow A within the vehicle interior 14. It is understood that the vehicle seat 10 may be positioned in various locations throughout the vehicle interior 14 other than the illustrated position, Such as a passengers side location, a mid-row loca tion, and a rear seat location. It is also conceivable that the seat member 18 may not include a track assembly, like track assembly 22, and alternatively may be fixedly coupled to the vehicle floor 20. Referring now to FIG. 2, the seatback 16 includes a lower portion 16a and an upper portion 16b. The upper portion 16b of the seatback 16 is coupled to a headrest assembly 30 by a support assembly 32. The headrest assembly 30 includes a headrest member 34, shown in FIG. 2 in a fully upright position U above the seatback 16, which is vertically and horizontally adjustable along paths indicated by arrows V and H respectively. The headrest assembly 30 is further config ured to move the headrest member 34 from the upright posi tion U to a folded position Flong a path indicated by arrow B as further described below with reference to FIGS. 4B-4D. Referring now to FIG. 3, the support assembly 32 of the headrest assembly 30 extends upwardly from the upper por tion 16b of the seatback 16 and curves slightly forward to couple with a headrest bracket 100 of the headrest member 34 as further described below. As shown, the support assembly 32 includes the trim piece 38 that substantially encloses com ponents of the support assembly 32 as further described below. The trim piece 38 extends from the headrest member 34 to the upper portion 16b of the seatback 16. It is conceiv able that the trim piece 38 may include flexible components Such as vinyl or leather structures to accommodate for relative movement of the headrest member 34 and support assembly 32. As shown in FIG. 3, the support assembly 32 is pivotally coupled to a cross member 40 disposed in the upper portion 16b of the seatback 16 for structurally support the headrest assembly 30. Referring now to FIG. 4A, the cross member 40 is shown having first and second ends 40a, 40b, with a middle portion 40c disposed therebetween. Support brackets 42, 44 are con figured to couple to the cross member 40 at the first and second ends 40a, 40b, respectively. The support brackets 42, 44 include upright connecting portions 42a, 44a which are configured to receive a pivot bar 43 which pivotally connects a linkage of the support assembly 32 as further described below. An attachment bracket 46 includes fasteners 46a, 46b for coupling to the cross member 40 at the middleportion 40c. The attachment bracket 46 is coupled to a first actuator 50 which includes a drive shaft 52 for driving the fore and aft positioning of the headrest member 34 along a path as indi cated by arrow Hin FIG.3. The first actuator 50 is configured to drive the drive shaft 52 in a vertical direction along a path as indicated by arrow C. A power connector 51 is used to connect the first actuator 50 to a power source for remote adjustment of the headrest assembly 30. As shown in FIG. 4A, a first latch bracket 54 is configured to connect to the drive shaft 52 of the first actuator 50, for vertical movement there with, at threaded connector 55. The first latch bracket 54 includes abody portion 56 extending upwardly from threaded connector 55, and also includes a slot 58 disposed through the body portion 56. The slot 58 is a generally curved slot, or “banana slot, that is configured to guide movement of the support assembly 32 (FIG. 3) as the headrest member 34 moves from the upright position U to the folded position F along the path indicated by arrow B in FIG. 3. The first latch 10 15 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 4 bracket 54 further includes a latch member 60 having a body portion 62 with an engagement notch 64 disposed thereon. Extending orthogonally from the body portion 62 of the latch member 60, a handle portion 66 is disposed for engagement by a user to move the latch member 60 between latched and unlatched positions L., UL along a path as indicated by arrow D. The latch member 60 is pivotally coupled to the body portion 56 of the first latch bracket 54 at attachment location 59. The latch member 60 is further coupled to the body portion 56 via a biasing mechanism 68 which biases the latch member 60 towards the latched position L. As further shown in FIG. 4A, a second latch bracket 70 is configured to couple to the second end 40b of the cross member 40. The second latch bracket 70 includes a connect ing portion 72 and an orthogonally upright extending body portion 74. In assembly, the connecting portion 72 is used to couple the second latch bracket 70 to the cross member 40 at second side 40b. The body portion 74 of the second latch bracket 70 includes a slot 76 disposed therethrough, which is a curved slot or “banana slot similar to slot 58 described above in connection with the first latch bracket 54. A latch member 80 is pivotally coupled to the second latch bracket 70 and includes a body portion 82 having an engagement notch 84 and a handle portion 86. Thus, the latch member 80 is a reciprocal latch member to latch member 60 described above in reference to the first latch bracket 54. The latch member 80 is pivotally coupled to the body portion 74 of the second latch bracket 70 at attachment location 79. The latch member 80 is configured to be engaged by a user at the handleportion 86 for rotational movement between the latched position L and the unlatched position UL along the path as indicated by arrow D for moving the headrest member 34 to the folded position Fas shown in FIG. 3. The interaction between the first and second latch brackets 54, 70 for moving the headrest member 34 to the folded position F is further described below with refer ence to FIGS 4B-4D. Referring now to FIGS. 4B-4D, the folding movement of the headrest assembly 30 is shown. Referring specifically to FIG. 4B, the headrest assembly 30 is shown with the headrest member 34 in the upright position U. The headrest member 34 generally includes a front portion 34a and a rear portion 34b having a cushion material disposed therebetween as fur ther described below. The support assembly 32 generally includes first and second linkages 90, 92 which are pivotally coupled to the cross member 40 and headrest member 34 at opposite ends thereof. Specifically, the first linkage 90 includes an upper end 90a and a lower end 90b which are coupled to the headrest member 34 and the cross member 40, respectively. As described in more detail below, the first link age 90 is coupled to the cross member 40 at the lower end 90b via a pivot bar 43, and is further coupled to the headrest member 34 at the upper end 90a via a pivot bar 45 that is coupled to a headrest bracket 100 of the headrest member 34. Pivot bars 43, 45, respectively, define fixed pivot locations P1, P2. The first linkage 90 further includes a body portion 90c from which a support arm 91 outwardly and downwardly extends. The Support arm 91 is latchingly engaged with first latch bracket 54 via first fastener 93 disposed through slot 58 of the first latch bracket 54. The first fastener 93 is retained in place by latch member 60 at engagement notch 64 when the latch member 60 of the first latch bracket 54 is in the latched position L. A trim attachment mount 35 is also disposed on the body portion 90c for coupling trim piece 38 (FIG. 3) to the support assembly 32. With regard to the second linkage 92 shown in FIG. 4B, an upper end 92a of the second linkage 92 is pivotally coupled to the headrest bracket 100 at connector bracket 102, thereby US 9,333,887 B2 5 defining pivot location P3. The second linkage 92 is further coupled to second latch bracket 70 at a lower end 92b. The second linkage 92 is latchingly engaged with second latch bracket 70 via second fastener 94 disposed through slot 76 and retained in engagement notch 84 by latch member 80 while the latch member 80 of the second latch bracket 70 is in the latched