Vehicle seat head restraint actuation
View Patent ↗A vehicle seat controller is provided and configured to receive an input indicative of a seat back having pivoted forward to a predetermined position. The vehicle seat controller conveys a signal to an actuator to pivot a head restraint in response to the input. Another vehicle seat controller is provided and configured to receive an input indicative of a seat back having pivoted rearward to a predetermined position. The vehicle seat controller conveys a signal to an actuator to pivot a head restraint in response to the input. Another vehicle seat controller is provided and configured to receive an input indicative of a rear seat assembly having adjusted to a slouch position. The vehicle seat controller conveys a signal to an actuator to stow a head restraint of a front seat assembly in response to the input.
1. A vehicle seat assembly comprising:
a seat bottom adapted to be mounted to a vehicle body;
a seat back adapted to be pivotally connected to the vehicle body adjacent to the seat bottom for pivoting to an upright position and a forward position;
an actuator mounted to the seat back;
a head restraint operably connected to the actuator;
a sensor cooperating with the seat back to detect a position of the seat back; and
a vehicle seat controller in communication with the sensor and the actuator, the vehicle seat controller being configured to:
receive a first input indicative of the seat back having pivoted forward to a predetermined position,
convey a first signal to the actuator to pivot the head restraint to a folded position in response to the first input for visual clearance of an occupant seated rear of the seat assembly,
receive a second input indicative of the seat back having pivoted rearward to a second predetermined position, and
convey a second signal to the actuator to pivot the head restraint in response to the second input.
2. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 1 wherein the predetermined position is further defined as a vertical orientation of the seat back.
3. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 1 wherein the predetermined position is further defined as a position beyond a vertical orientation of the seat back.
4. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 1 wherein the predetermined position is further defined as a non-use position.
5. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 1 wherein the predetermined position is further defined as a fully forward position.
6. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 1 wherein the actuator pivots the head restraint forward in response to the first signal.
7. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 1 wherein the second predetermined position is further defined as a vertical orientation of the seat back.
8. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 1 wherein the second predetermined position is further defined as a position beyond a vertical orientation of the seat back.
9. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 1 wherein the second predetermined position is further defined as a use position.
10. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 1 wherein the second predetermined position is further defined as a fully rearward position.
11. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 1 wherein the actuator pivots the head restraint rearward in response to the second signal.