阅读说明：本技术 包括与座椅靠背一起折叠和展开的头枕的车辆座椅组件 (Vehicle seat assembly including a headrest folded and unfolded with a seat back ) 是由 R·V·坎尼 P·洛克汉德 A·V·艾耶 D·内格罗特 于 2021-03-19 设计创作，主要内容包括：座椅组件包括座椅底部、座椅靠背和头枕。座椅靠背连接到座椅底部并且被配置成相对于座椅底部在展开位置和折叠位置之间枢转。头枕连接到座椅靠背并且被配置成相对于座椅靠背在展开位置和折叠位置之间枢转。头枕被配置成当座椅靠背从其折叠位置枢转到其展开位置时从其折叠位置自动枢转到其展开位置。(The seat assembly includes a seat bottom, a seat back, and a head restraint. The seat back is connected to the seat bottom and is configured to pivot relative to the seat bottom between a deployed position and a folded position. The headrest is connected to the seat back and configured to pivot relative to the seat back between an unfolded position and a folded position. The head restraint is configured to automatically pivot from its folded position to its unfolded position when the seat back pivots from its folded position to its unfolded position.)

1. A seat assembly, comprising:

a seat bottom;

a seat back connected to the seat bottom and configured to pivot relative to the seat bottom between a deployed position and a folded position; and

a headrest connected to the seat back and configured to pivot relative to the seat back between an unfolded position and a folded position, wherein the headrest is configured to automatically pivot from its folded position to its unfolded position when the seat back pivots from its folded position to its unfolded position.

2. The seat assembly of claim 1 wherein the headrest is configured to automatically pivot from its deployed position to its folded position when the seat back pivots from its deployed position to its folded position.

3. The seat assembly of claim 2 further comprising a cable having a first end connected to the seat back and a second end connected to the headrest, wherein the cable pivots the headrest from its deployed position to its folded position when the seat back is pivoted from its deployed position to its folded position.

4. The seat assembly of claim 3 further comprising a first spring captured between the headrest and the seat back and configured to bias the headrest toward its deployed position, wherein the cable allows the first spring to pivot the headrest from its folded position to its deployed position when the seat back is pivoted from its folded position to its deployed position, and prevents the first spring from pivoting the headrest from its folded position to its deployed position when the seat back is in its folded position.

5. The seat assembly of claim 4, further comprising:

a pair of headrest rods extending vertically from an upper end of the seat back, each of the headrest rods having a lower end connected to the seat back and an upper end opposite the lower end; and

a pivot rod extending between and secured to the upper ends of the headrest rods, wherein the headrest is pivotally mounted to the pivot rod.

6. The seat assembly of claim 5 wherein the headrest comprises:

a pair of end caps, each of the end caps defining an aperture through which the pivot rod extends; and

a first spacer bar extending between and connecting the end caps to one another.

7. The seat assembly of claim 6, further comprising:

an annular cam mounted on the pivot rod and fixed to the headrest; and

a locking bracket pivotally mounted on the first spacer bar and defining a slot for capturing a second end of the cable, wherein when the cable is tensioned as a result of the seat back being moved from its deployed position to its folded position, the cable rotates the locking bracket into contact with the ring cam, which causes the headrest to rotate about the pivot bar in a first direction from its deployed position to its folded position.

8. The seat assembly of claim 7, further comprising: an annular flange secured to the pivot rod and defining a groove extending into a perimeter of the annular flange, wherein the locking bracket includes a locking pawl configured to engage the groove in the annular flange to lock the headrest in its deployed position.

9. The seat assembly of claim 8 wherein when the cable is tensioned as a result of the seat back being moved from its deployed position to its folded position, the cable rotates the lock bracket and thereby disengages the locking pawl from the groove in the annular flange, which allows the head restraint to rotate about the pivot rod.

10. The seat assembly of claim 9 wherein, when slack is provided in the cable as a result of the seat back being moved from its folded position to its unfolded position, the first spring rotates the head restraint in a second direction opposite the first direction until the locking pawl reengages the groove in the annular flange.

Technical Field

The invention relates to a vehicle seat assembly.

Background

The information provided in this section is for the purpose of generally presenting the disclosure. Work of the presently named inventors, to the extent it is described in this section, as well as aspects of the description that may otherwise not be admitted to be prior art at the time of filing, are not expressly or impliedly admitted as prior art against the present disclosure.

The present disclosure relates to a vehicle seat assembly including a head rest that folds and unfolds with a seat back.

Vehicle seat assemblies typically include a seat bottom, a seat back, and a head restraint. One end of the seat back is connected to the seat bottom and the headrest is connected to the seat back. The seat back is pivotable relative to the seat bottom between a deployed position and a folded (or stowed) position.

In some vehicle seat assemblies, such as rear seat assemblies, the head restraint is pivotable relative to the seat back between an extended position and a folded position. In some of these vehicle seat assemblies, the head rest automatically pivots from its deployed position to its folded position when the seat back pivots from its deployed position to its folded position. However, when the seat back pivots from its folded position to its unfolded position, the head rest remains in its folded position.

Disclosure of Invention

One example of a seat assembly according to the present disclosure includes a seat bottom, a seat back, and a head rest. The seat back is connected to the seat bottom and is configured to pivot relative to the seat bottom between a deployed position and a folded position. The headrest is connected to the seat back and configured to pivot relative to the seat back between an unfolded position and a folded position. The head restraint is configured to automatically pivot from its folded position to its unfolded position when the seat back pivots from its folded position to its unfolded position.

In one example, the head restraint is configured to automatically pivot from its deployed position to its folded position when the seat back pivots from its deployed position to its folded position.

In one example, the seat assembly further includes a cable having a first end connected to the seat back and a second end connected to the headrest. The cable pivots the head restraint from its deployed position to its folded position when the seat back is pivoted from its deployed position to its folded position.

In one example, the seat assembly further includes a seat frame, a mounting bracket, and an outer sheath. The seat frame is configured to be fixed to a floor of a vehicle. The mounting bracket is secured to the seat frame. An outer sheath is disposed about the cable and is mounted to the mounting bracket in a manner that allows the cable to translate within the outer sheath.

In one example, the seat assembly further includes a first spring captured between the head restraint and the seat back and configured to bias the head restraint toward its deployed position. The cable allows the first spring to pivot the head rest from its folded position to its unfolded position when the seat back is pivoted from its folded position to its unfolded position. The cable prevents the first spring from pivoting the headrest from its folded position to its unfolded position when the seat back is in its folded position.

In one example, the seat assembly further includes a pair of headrest rods and a pivot rod. A headrest rod extends vertically from the upper end of the seat back. Each of the headrest rods has a lower end connected to the seat back and an upper end opposite the lower end. A pivot rod extends between and is secured to the upper ends of the headrest rods. The headrest is pivotally mounted to the pivot rod.

In one example, the seat assembly further comprises: a mounting bracket extending radially from the pivot rod; and an outer sheath disposed about the cable and attached to the mounting bracket in a manner that allows the cable to translate within the outer sheath.

In one example, the seat assembly further includes a pair of end caps and a first spacer bar. Each of the end caps defines an aperture through which the pivot rod extends. A first spacer bar extends between and connects the end caps to one another.

In one example, the seat assembly further includes a ring cam and a locking bracket. The ring cam is mounted on the pivot rod and is fixed to the headrest. The locking bracket is pivotally mounted on the first spacer bar and defines a slot for capturing the second end of the cable. When the cable is tensioned as a result of the seat back being moved from its deployed position to its folded position, the cable rotates the lock bracket into contact with the annular cam, which causes the headrest to rotate about the pivot rod in a first direction from its deployed position to its folded position.

In one example, the seat assembly further includes an annular flange secured to the pivot rod and defining a groove extending into a perimeter of the annular flange, and the locking bracket includes a locking pawl configured to engage the groove in the annular flange to lock the headrest in its deployed position.

In one example, the seat assembly further includes a second spring captured between one of the end caps and the locking bracket and biasing the locking pawl of the locking bracket toward a groove in an annular flange fixed to the pivot rod.

In one example, when the cable is tensioned as a result of the seat back being moved from its deployed position to its folded position, the cable rotates the locking bracket and thereby disengages the locking pawl from the groove in the annular flange, which allows the headrest to rotate about the pivot rod.

In one example, when slack is provided in the cable as the seat back is moved from its folded position to its unfolded position, the first spring rotates the head rest in a second direction opposite the first direction until the locking pawl reengages the groove in the annular flange.

In one example, the seat assembly further includes a second spacer bar and a stop. A second spacer bar extends between and connects the end caps to each other. The second spacer bar is located rearward of the pivot bar when the headrest is in its deployed position. A stop is mounted to the second spacer bar and configured to stop rotation of the ring cam in the second direction.

In one example, the seat assembly further includes a third spacer bar extending between and connecting the upper ends of the end caps to one another. The first spacer bar is vertically disposed between the third spacer bar and the pivot bar when the headrest is in its deployed position.

Another example of a seat assembly according to the present disclosure includes a seat bottom, a seat back, a headrest, and a pivot mechanism. The seat back is connected to the seat bottom and is configured to pivot relative to the seat bottom between a deployed position and a folded position. The headrest is connected to the seat back and configured to pivot relative to the seat back between an unfolded position and a folded position. A pivot mechanism is connected to the seat back and the head restraint and is configured to pivot the head restraint from its folded position to its unfolded position when the seat back is pivoted from its folded position to its unfolded position.

In one example, the pivot mechanism includes a cable having a first end connected to the seat back and a second end connected to the headrest. The cable rotates the head rest from its deployed position to its folded position when the seat back is pivoted from its deployed position to its folded position.

In one example, the pivot mechanism further includes a first spring captured between the head restraint and the seat back and configured to bias the head restraint toward its deployed position. The cable allows the first spring to pivot the head rest from its folded position to its unfolded position when the seat back is pivoted from its folded position to its unfolded position. The cable prevents the first spring from pivoting the headrest from its folded position to its unfolded position when the seat back is in its folded position.

In one example, the seat back includes a pair of head restraint rods and a pivot rod, the head restraint includes a pair of end caps and a first spacer rod, and the pivot mechanism includes a ring cam and a locking bracket. A headrest rod extends vertically from the upper end of the seat back. A pivot rod extends between and is fixed to the headrest rods. The headrest is pivotally mounted to the pivot rod. Each of the end caps defines an aperture through which the pivot rod extends. A first spacer bar extends between and connects the end caps to one another. The ring cam is mounted on the pivot rod and is secured to one of the end caps. The locking bracket is pivotally mounted on the first spacer bar and defines a slot that captures the second end of the cable. When the cable is tensioned as a result of the seat back being moved from its deployed position to its folded position, the cable rotates the lock bracket into contact with the annular cam, which causes the headrest to rotate about the pivot rod in a first direction from its deployed position to its folded position.

In one example, the first spring rotates the head rest in the second direction from its folded position to its unfolded position when slack is provided in the cable as the seat back is moved from its folded position to its unfolded position.

The invention provides the following technical scheme:

1. a seat assembly, comprising:

a seat bottom;

a seat back connected to the seat bottom and configured to pivot relative to the seat bottom between a deployed position and a folded position; and

a headrest connected to the seat back and configured to pivot relative to the seat back between an unfolded position and a folded position, wherein the headrest is configured to automatically pivot from its folded position to its unfolded position when the seat back pivots from its folded position to its unfolded position.

2. The seat assembly of claim 1 wherein the head restraint is configured to automatically pivot from its deployed position to its folded position when the seat back pivots from its deployed position to its folded position.

3. The seat assembly of claim 2 further comprising a cable having a first end connected to the seat back and a second end connected to the headrest, wherein the cable pivots the headrest from its deployed position to its folded position when the seat back is pivoted from its deployed position to its folded position.

4. The seat assembly of claim 3, further comprising:

a seat frame configured to be fixed to a floor of a vehicle;

a mounting bracket secured to the seat frame; and

an outer sheath disposed about the cable and mounted to the mounting bracket in a manner that allows the cable to translate within the outer sheath.

5. The seat assembly of claim 3 further comprising a first spring captured between the headrest and the seat back and configured to bias the headrest toward its deployed position, wherein the cable allows the first spring to pivot the headrest from its folded position to its deployed position when the seat back is pivoted from its folded position to its deployed position, and prevents the first spring from pivoting the headrest from its folded position to its deployed position when the seat back is in its folded position.

6. The seat assembly of claim 5, further comprising:

a pair of headrest rods extending vertically from an upper end of the seat back, each of the headrest rods having a lower end connected to the seat back and an upper end opposite the lower end; and

a pivot rod extending between and secured to the upper ends of the headrest rods, wherein the headrest is pivotally mounted to the pivot rod.

7. The seat assembly of claim 6, further comprising:

a mounting bracket extending radially from the pivot rod; and

an outer sheath disposed about the cable and connected to the mounting bracket in a manner that allows the cable to translate within the outer sheath.

8. The seat assembly of claim 6 wherein the headrest comprises:

a pair of end caps, each of the end caps defining an aperture through which the pivot rod extends; and

a first spacer bar extending between and connecting the end caps to one another.

9. The seat assembly of claim 8, further comprising:

an annular cam mounted on the pivot rod and fixed to the headrest; and

a locking bracket pivotally mounted on the first spacer bar and defining a slot for capturing a second end of the cable, wherein when the cable is tensioned as a result of the seat back being moved from its deployed position to its folded position, the cable rotates the locking bracket into contact with the ring cam, which causes the headrest to rotate about the pivot bar in a first direction from its deployed position to its folded position.

10. The seat assembly of claim 9, further comprising: an annular flange secured to the pivot rod and defining a groove extending into a perimeter of the annular flange, wherein the locking bracket includes a locking pawl configured to engage the groove in the annular flange to lock the headrest in its deployed position.

11. The seat assembly of claim 10 further comprising a second spring captured between one of the end caps and the locking bracket and biasing the locking pawl of the locking bracket toward the groove in the annular flange fixed to the pivot rod.

12. The seat assembly of claim 10 wherein when the cable is tensioned as a result of the seat back being moved from its deployed position to its folded position, the cable rotates the lock bracket and thereby disengages the locking pawl from the groove in the annular flange, which allows the head restraint to rotate about the pivot rod.

13. The seat assembly of claim 12 wherein the first spring rotates the headrest in a second direction opposite the first direction until the locking pawl reengages the groove in the annular flange when slack is provided in the cable as a result of the seat back moving from its folded position to its unfolded position.

14. The seat assembly of claim 13, further comprising:

a second spacer bar extending between and connecting the end caps to one another, wherein the second spacer bar is disposed rearward of the pivot bar when the headrest is in its deployed position; and

a stopper mounted to the second spacer bar and configured to stop rotation of the ring cam in the second direction.

15. The seat assembly of claim 14 further comprising a third spacer bar extending between and connecting the upper ends of the end caps to one another, wherein the first spacer bar is disposed vertically between the third spacer bar and the pivot bar when the head restraint is in its deployed position.

16. A seat assembly, comprising:

a seat bottom;

a seat back connected to the seat bottom and configured to pivot relative to the seat bottom between a deployed position and a folded position;

a headrest connected to the seat back and configured to pivot relative to the seat back between a deployed position and a folded position; and

a pivot mechanism connected to the seat back and the headrest and configured to pivot the headrest from its folded position to its unfolded position when the seat back is pivoted from its folded position to its unfolded position.

17. The seat assembly of claim 16 wherein the pivot mechanism includes a cable having a first end connected to the seat back and a second end connected to the headrest, wherein the cable rotates the headrest from its deployed position to its folded position when the seat back is pivoted from its deployed position to its folded position.

18. The seat assembly of claim 17 wherein the pivot mechanism further comprises a first spring captured between the headrest and the seat back and configured to bias the headrest toward its deployed position, wherein the cable allows the first spring to pivot the headrest from its folded position to its deployed position when the seat back is pivoted from its folded position to its deployed position, and prevents the first spring from pivoting the headrest from its folded position to its deployed position when the seat back is in its folded state.

19. The seat assembly of claim 18 wherein:

the seat back including a pair of headrest rods extending vertically from an upper end of the seat back and a pivot rod extending between and secured to the headrest rods, wherein the headrest is pivotally mounted to the pivot rod;

the headrest includes a pair of end caps, each of the end caps defining an aperture through which the pivot rod extends, and a first spacer bar extending between and connecting the end caps to one another; and is

The pivot mechanism includes a ring cam mounted on the pivot rod and secured to one of the end caps, and a locking bracket pivotally mounted on the first spacer bar and defining a slot for capturing the second end of the cable, wherein when the cable is tensioned as a result of the seat back being moved from its deployed position to its folded position, the cable rotates the locking bracket into contact with the ring cam, which causes the headrest to rotate about the pivot rod in a first direction from its deployed position to its folded position.

20. The seat assembly of claim 19 wherein the first spring rotates the head restraint in the second direction from its folded position to its unfolded position when slack is provided in the cable as a result of the seat back moving from its folded position to its unfolded position.

Further areas of applicability of the present disclosure will become apparent from the detailed description, claims, and drawings. The detailed description and specific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

Drawings

The present disclosure will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a rear view of an exemplary seat assembly including a seat frame, a seat bottom, a seat back and a head restraint, with the seat back and head restraint shown in their respective deployed positions, according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the seat assembly of FIG. 1 with the seat backs in the head rests shown in their respective deployed positions;

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the seat assembly of FIG. 1 with the seat back and the head rest shown in their respective deployed positions;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the headrest of FIG. 1 in its deployed position with the outer cushion of the headrest removed to show the interior components of the headrest;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a portion of the seat assembly of FIG. 1 including a cable assembly having an inner cable and an outer sheath, wherein the outer sheath is mounted to the seat frame and one end of the inner cable is attached to the seat back shown in its deployed position;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the seat assembly of FIG. 1 showing the seat back and head rest pivoted from their respective deployed positions to their respective folded positions;

FIG. 7 is a side cross-sectional view of the headrest of FIG. 1, showing the other end of the inner cable attached to and pivoting the headrest from its deployed position to its folded position;

FIG. 8 is a front view of the seat assembly of FIG. 1 with the seat back and headrest shown in their respective folded positions;

FIG. 9 is a side view of the seat assembly of FIG. 1 with the seat back and headrest shown in their respective folded positions;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the headrest of FIG. 1, with the headrest shown in its folded position;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the seat assembly of FIG. 1 with the seat back and head rest shown in their respective folded positions;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a portion of the seat assembly of FIG. 1 showing the outer sheath of the cable assembly attached to the seat frame and one end of the inner cable attached to the seat back shown in its folded position;

FIG. 13 is a side elevational view of the seat assembly of FIG. 1 showing the seat back and head rest pivoted from their respective folded positions to their respective unfolded positions; and

fig. 14 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the headrest of fig. 1, showing the other end of the inner cable, which allows a spring mounted to the seat back to pivot the headrest from its folded position to its unfolded position.

In the drawings, reference numbers may be reused to identify similar and/or identical elements.

Detailed Description

A seat assembly according to the present disclosure includes a seat frame, a seat bottom, a seat back, a head rest, and a pivot mechanism. The seat back is pivotable relative to the seat bottom between a deployed position and a folded position. The head restraint is pivotable relative to the seat back between an unfolded position and a folded position. The pivot mechanism pivots the head rest from its deployed position to its folded position when the seat back is pivoted from its deployed position to its folded position. Further, the pivot mechanism pivots the headrest from its folded position to its unfolded position when the seat back is pivoted from its folded position to its unfolded position.

In one example, the pivot mechanism includes a cable connecting the headrest to the seat back and a spring biasing the headrest toward its deployed position. When the seat back is pivoted from its deployed position to its folded position, tension in the cables causes the head rest to pivot from its deployed position to its folded position. The slack in the cable allows the spring to pivot the head rest from its folded position to its unfolded position as the seat back pivots from its folded position to its unfolded position.

Referring now to fig. 1-3, the seat assembly 10 includes a seat frame 12, a seat bottom 14, a seat back 16, a head rest 18, and a cable assembly 20. The seat frame 12 pivotally connects the seat back 16 to the seat bottom 14. The seat frame 12 is configured to be attached (e.g., fastened) to a vehicle floor. The seat frame 12 includes a pair of front mounting feet 22, a pair of rear mounting feet 24, a pair of horizontal brackets 26 extending between the front and rear mounting feet 22, 24, and a pair of vertical brackets 28 extending upwardly from the rear mounting feet 24. Fig. 1-3 show only one of the front mounting feet 22, one of the horizontal brackets 26, and one of the vertical brackets 28, but the other of the front mounting feet 22, the horizontal brackets 26, and the vertical brackets 28 are identical to those shown and are disposed on the other side of the seat assembly 10.

Each of the front mounting foot 22, the rear mounting foot 24, the horizontal bracket 26, and the vertical bracket 28 define an aperture 30 configured to receive a fastener (not shown). Horizontal brackets 26 connect the front and rear mounting feet 22, 24 to each other on each side of the seat assembly 10. Vertical brackets 28 are attached to opposite sides of the seat back 16. The vertical bracket 28 may be considered part of the seat back 16 rather than part of the seat frame 12.

The seat bottom 14 has a front end 32 and a rear end 34. The front mounting foot 22 is attached to a front end 32 of the seat bottom 14, for example, using fasteners that extend through holes 30 in the front mounting foot 22 and into the seat bottom 14. The rear mounting feet 24 are attached to the rear end 34 of the seat bottom 14 using, for example, fasteners.

The seat back 16 has a lower end 36 and an upper end 38. The lower end 36 of the seat back 16 is connected to the rear end 34 of the seat bottom 14 via a pivotal connection 40. Referring additionally to fig. 6, 9, 11, and 13, the pivotal connection 40 enables the seat back 16 to pivot relative to the seat bottom 14 between a deployed position, shown in fig. 1-3, and a folded position, shown in fig. 9 and 11. Fig. 6 illustrates the seat back 16 pivoting in a first direction 42 from its deployed position to its folded position. Fig. 13 shows the seat back 16 pivoted in a second direction 44 from its folded position to its unfolded position. The second direction 44 is opposite the first direction 42. When the seat back 16 is pivoted from its deployed position to its folded position, the front mounting feet 22 are pivoted from their upright positions shown in fig. 1-3 to their stowed positions shown in fig. 9 and 11. Conversely, when the seat back 16 is in its folded position, the seat back 16 is flat.

The head restraint 18 is configured to pivot between an unfolded position, shown in fig. 1-3, and a folded position, shown in fig. 9 and 11. Fig. 6 shows the head restraint 18 pivoted in a first direction 42 from its deployed position to its folded position. Fig. 13 shows the head restraint 18 pivoted in a second direction 44 from its folded position to its unfolded position. The head restraint 18 automatically pivots from its deployed position to its folded position as the seat back 16 pivots from its deployed position to its folded position. In other words, when the seat back 16 is pivoted from its deployed position to its folded position, the head restraint 18 is pivoted from its deployed position to its folded position without any manual operation such as a user manually pivoting the head restraint 18. In contrast, the head restraint 18 automatically pivots from its folded position to its unfolded position when the seat back 16 pivots from its folded position to its unfolded position.

The seat back 16 may be manually pivoted between its deployed position and its folded position. For example, a user may manually pivot the seat back 16 between its deployed position and its folded position. Alternatively, the seat back 16 may automatically pivot between its deployed position and its folded position. For example, an electric motor may be connected to the seat back 16 and the electric motor may rotate the seat back 16 between its deployed position and its folded position in response to a user pressing a button or touch screen. Regardless of whether the seat back 16 is pivoted manually or automatically, the head restraint 18 automatically pivots with the seat back 16 between its respective deployed and folded positions. However, the automatic pivoting of the head rest 18 does not involve an actuator such as a motor. Rather, the head restraint 18 is mechanically coupled to the seat back 16 in a manner that pivots the head restraint 18 with the seat back 16 between its respective deployed and folded positions.

Referring now to fig. 1-4, the headrest 18 is mounted to the seat back 16 using a pair of headrest rods 46, a pivot rod 48, a first annular flange 50, and a second annular flange 52. The headrest rod 46, the pivot rod 48, and the first and second annular flanges 50, 52 may be considered part of the seat back 16. A headrest rod 46 extends upwardly from the upper end 38 of the seat back 16.

Each headrest rod 46 has a lower end 54 and an upper end 56. The lower end 54 of the head restraint rod 46 is secured (e.g., welded) to the seat back 16. The head restraint 18 is pivotally mounted to the pivot rod 48, which extends between and is secured (e.g., welded) to the upper ends 56 of the head restraint rods 46.

Each of the first and second annular flanges 50, 52 is fixed (e.g., welded) to and projects radially from the pivot rod 48. The first annular flange 50 has a peripheral surface 58 (fig. 10) defining a groove 60 and a shoulder 61. The second annular flange 52 has a peripheral surface 62 and includes an annular body 64, a first protrusion 66 protruding radially outward from the annular body 64, and a second protrusion 68 protruding radially outward from the annular body 64. The first projection 66 defines a groove 70 extending into the peripheral surface 62. The shape of the groove 70 is similar or identical to the shape of the groove 60.

The cable assembly 20 may be routed through the seat back 16 and one of the headrest rods 46, as shown in fig. 1-4. Referring now to fig. 4 and 5, the cable assembly 20 includes an inner cable 72 and an outer jacket 74. The inner cable 72 has a first end 76 and a second end 78 opposite the first end 76. The first end 76 of the inner cable 72 is secured to the seat back 16 using a mounting bracket 79 and the second end 78 of the inner cable 72 is connected to the head restraint 18. Thus, when the seat back 16 is pivoted from its deployed position to its folded position, the inner cable 72 rotates the head restraint 18 from its deployed position to its folded position.

With continued reference to fig. 4 and 5, the outer jacket 74 surrounds the inner cable 72 along a majority of the length of the inner cable 72. Adjacent the second end 78 of the inner cable 72, the outer jacket 74 is mounted to one of the rear mounting feet 24 using a mounting bracket 80. The mounting bracket 80 secures the outer sheath 74 to one of the mounting feet 24 while allowing the inner cable 72 to translate relative to the outer sheath 74. Adjacent the first end 76 of the inner cable 72, the outer sheath 74 is mounted to the pivot rod 48 using a mounting bracket 81 that projects radially from the pivot rod 48. The mounting bracket 81 secures the outer sheath 74 to the pivot rod 48 while allowing the inner cable 72 to translate relative to the outer sheath 74.

The head restraint 18 includes an inner frame 82, an outer cushion 84 (fig. 1-3) surrounding the inner frame 82, and a pivot mechanism 86 that pivots the inner frame 82 and the outer cushion 84 between the deployed and folded positions of the head restraint 18. Although the outer liner 84 is shown in fig. 1-3, the outer liner 84 is omitted from fig. 4 to illustrate components disposed within the outer liner 84, such as the inner frame 82 and the pivot mechanism 86. The outer liner 84 may include an inner liner and an outer liner surrounding the inner liner. The interior liner may be made of a cushioning material such as foam, while the exterior liner may be made of a vehicle interior trim material such as leather or cloth.

The inner frame 82 includes a pair of end caps 88 pivotally mounted on the pivot bar 48, and a plurality of spacer bars 90 extending between the end caps 88 and connecting the end caps 88 to one another. One of the end caps 88 is shown in phantom to illustrate the components disposed between the end caps 88. Each end cap 88 has an upper end 92, a lower end 94, an inner surface 96 and an outer surface 98.

The spacer bar 90 includes a first spacer bar 100, a second spacer bar 102, and a third spacer bar 104. When the head restraint 18 is in its deployed position shown in fig. 4, the first spacer bar 100 is disposed vertically between the third spacer bar 104 and the pivot bar 48. The second spacer bar 102 is disposed rearward of the pivot bar 48 when the head restraint 18 is in its deployed position.

The pivot mechanism 86 pivots the head restraint 18 from its deployed position to its folded position when the seat back 16 is pivoted from its deployed position to its folded position. In turn, the pivot mechanism 86 pivots the head restraint 18 from its folded position to its unfolded position as the seat back 16 pivots from its folded position to its unfolded position. As mentioned above, the pivot mechanism 86 may be considered to be a portion of the head restraint 18, in which case the pivot mechanism 86 pivots the remainder of the head restraint 18 between the deployed and folded positions of the head restraint 18. Alternatively, the pivot mechanism 86 may be considered separate from the head restraint 18, in which case the pivot mechanism 66 pivots the entire head restraint 18 between its deployed and folded positions. Additionally, the cable assembly 20 may be considered part of the pivot mechanism 66.

The pivot mechanism 66 includes a first spring 106, a ring cam 108, a locking bracket 110, a second spring 112, and a stop 113. The first spring 106 is captured between the head restraint 18 and the seat back 16 and biases the head restraint 18 toward its deployed position shown in fig. 4. As shown in fig. 13, the inner cable 72 allows the first spring 106 to pivot the head restraint 18 from its folded position (fig. 10) to its unfolded position (fig. 4) when the seat back 16 is pivoted from its folded position to its unfolded position. When the seat back 16 is in its folded position as shown in fig. 8-12, the inner cable 72 prevents the first spring 106 from pivoting the head restraint 18 from its folded position to its unfolded position.

With continued reference to fig. 4 and 5, the annular cam 108 is mounted on the pivot rod 48 and secured (e.g., welded) to the outer surface 98 of one of the end caps 88. The ring cam 108 has a peripheral surface 114 defining a shoulder 116. The ring cam 108 includes a retaining clip 118 that extends from the peripheral surface 114 and retains the inner cable 72 adjacent the peripheral surface 114.

The locking bracket 110 is pivotally mounted on the first spacer bar 100. The locking bracket 110 includes an annular body 120, locking pawls 122 that project radially outward from the annular body 120 in one direction, and retaining arms 124 that project radially outward from the annular body 120 in another direction. The retaining arm 124 defines a slot 126 that captures the second end 78 of the inner cable 72.

When the seat back 16 is in its deployed position as shown in fig. 1-3, the locking pawl 122 engages the groove 60 in the annular flange 50 to lock the head restraint 18 in its deployed position. When the inner cable 72 is tensioned as a result of the seat back 16 moving from its deployed position to its folded position, as shown in fig. 6, the inner cable 72 rotates the retaining arm 124 of the locking bracket 110 into contact with the shoulder 116 on the ring cam 108, as shown in fig. 7. This contact rotates the head restraint 18 about the pivot rod 48 in the first direction 42 from its deployed position shown in fig. 4 to its folded position shown in fig. 10. When slack is provided in the inner cable 72 due to movement of the seat back 16 in the second direction 44 from its folded position to its unfolded position as shown in fig. 13, the first spring 106 then rotates the head restraint 18 in the second direction 44 until the locking pawl 122 reengages the groove 60 in the annular flange 50 as shown in fig. 4. Although the inner cable 72 appears slack in fig. 8-12, it should be appreciated that the inner cable 72 may be fully tensioned when the seat back 16 and the head restraint 18 are in their respective folded positions.

Referring again to fig. 4 and 5, a second spring 112 is captured between one of the end caps 88 and the locking bracket 110. The second spring 112 has a first end 128 and a second end 130 opposite the first end 128. The first end 128 of the second spring 112 extends through an aperture 132 in one of the end caps 88 and includes an upwardly bent portion 132 that prevents the first end 128 from being withdrawn from the aperture 132. The second end 130 of the second spring 120 presses against the peripheral surface 134 of the locking pawl 122 and thereby biases the locking pawl 122 toward the groove 60 in the annular flange 50.

The stopper 113 is mounted on the second spacer bar 102. The stopper 113 has an inclined surface 136. The ramped surface 136 of the stop 113 engages the shoulder 61 on the annular flange 50 and thereby stops rotation of the annular cam in the first direction 42 (fig. 6) when the head restraint 18 is in its folded position as shown in fig. 10.

The foregoing description is merely illustrative in nature and is in no way intended to limit the disclosure, its application, or uses. The broad teachings of the disclosure can be implemented in a variety of forms. Therefore, while this disclosure includes particular examples, the true scope of the disclosure should not be so limited since other modifications will become apparent upon a study of the drawings, the specification, and the following claims. It should be understood that one or more steps within a method may be performed in a different order (or simultaneously) without altering the principles of the present disclosure. Furthermore, although each of the embodiments is described above as having certain features, any one or more of those features described with respect to any embodiment of the present disclosure may be implemented in and/or combined with the features of any other embodiment, even if the combination is not explicitly described. In other words, the described embodiments are not mutually exclusive and substitutions of one or more embodiments with one another are still within the scope of the present disclosure.

When an element or layer is referred to as being "on," "engaged to," "connected to" or "coupled to" another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element or layer or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element or layer is referred to as being "directly on," "directly engaged to," "directly connected to" or "directly coupled to" another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements (e.g., "between," directly between, "" adjacent "directly adjacent," etc.) should be interpreted in a similar manner.

As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. As used herein, the phrase "at least one of A, B and C" should be interpreted to mean logic (a or B or C) using non-exclusive logic "or" and should not be interpreted to mean "at least one of a, at least one of B, and at least one of C".

Although the terms "first," "second," "third," etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, the use of terms herein such as "first", "second" and other numerical terms does not imply a sequence or order. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the example embodiments.

For ease of description, spatially relative terms, such as "inner," "outer," "below … …," "below … …," "below," "above … …," "upper," and the like, may be used herein to facilitate describing one element or feature's relationship to another element or feature or features as shown. Spatially relative terms may also be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as "below" or "beneath" other elements or features would then be oriented "above" the other elements or features. Thus, the example term "below … …" can encompass both an orientation above … … and below … …. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.