DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0022] As is apparent firstly from the graphic depiction in FIG. 1 for the first embodiment but also from FIG. 3 for the second embodiment, a vehicle seat according to the present invention comprises a headrest 1 that is detachably fastenable to a seatback 20 (depicted in FIGS. 3 and 4 ). For that purpose, retaining rods 2 are fastened in known fashion to the underside of headrest 1 .

[0023] Headrest 1 comprises a receiving space 3 for a display screen device 4 integrated into the vehicle seat according to the present invention. Upon assembly, this display screen device 4 can be fastened in clamping fashion (nonpositively) in receiving space 3 between headrest 1 and seatback 20 . Receiving space 3 is advantageously constituted by a recess in headrest 1 that, in the assembled state, positively surrounds display screen device 4 and is open at the front (toward a viewer of display screen 4 ) and at the bottom (toward seatback 20 ).

[0024] In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1 , seatback 20 has associated with it a support part 5 , arranged in an upper part of seatback 20 , for display screen device 4 . Fastening sleeves 6 for joining seatback 20 to headrest 1 , through which retaining rods 2 of headrest 1 pass in the assembled state, are arranged in known fashion in seatback 20 . Fastening sleeves 6 are joined in bridge fashion to one another by way of support part 5 for display screen device 4 , or are configured integrally with support part 5 . Support part 5 with sleeves 6 can advantageously be arranged in a depression of seatback 20 in such a way that it terminates flush with the upper side of seatback 20 , e.g. with an upholstered surface of the back, or projects slightly thereabove.

[0025] Display screen device 4 comprises a flat bottom part 7 on which display screen 8 is arranged projecting vertically upward. The latter can, in known fashion, be surrounded by a housing 9 in which a suitable keypad 10 for operation of display screen device 4 is located. In an advantageous embodiment, display screen 8 can be a flat display screen, in particular an LCD screen.

[0026] For creation of an optimum nonpositive (clamping) connection of display screen device 4 between headrest 1 and seatback 20 of the seat according to the present invention, it is advantageous in this context if the base outline of bottom part 7 is larger than the base outline of display screen 8 (including the base outline of its housing 9 ), and preferably surrounds said base outline. It is additionally advantageous in this context if the base outline of bottom part 7 corresponds approximately to the base outline of support part 5 in the upper part of the seatback, and approximately to the base outline of a bottom surface 11 of headrest 1 . As a result of this base outline configuration, headrest 1 is advantageously supported on bottom part 7 , and bottom part 7 on support part 5 , over a large area, contributing to optimum clamping.

[0027] In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, as already mentioned, passthrough openings 12 for retaining rods 2 of headrest 1 can be arranged in bottom part 7 , so that passage of retaining rods 2 through said openings 12 results in additional positive immobilization of display screen device 4 . As a result, the clamping connection described above is additionally reinforced and reliability is increased, since display screen 4 can no longer be taken out of the vehicle seat without removing headrest 1 .

[0028] With regard to the electrical connection or, for example, also the antenna connection of display screen device 4 , a plug connector part 14 connected to connector lines 13 , for electrical connection to a corresponding plug part (not depicted) of display screen 4 arranged in particular in the base of display screen device 4 , can be integrated into support part 5 for display screen device 4 . Connector lines 13 of plug connector part 14 can preferably be routed inside seatback 20 .

[0029] The second embodiment of a vehicle seat according to the present invention illustrated by FIGS. 2 through 5 differs from the first embodiment especially in that at least display screen 8 of display screen device 4 is pivotable about an axis X-X extending in the transverse direction of the seat in the upper region of seatback 20 .

[0030] Provision can be made in particular for display screen 8 to be pivotable backward, i.e. usually opposite to direction of travel F if the seat is installed correspondingly in the motor vehicle, upon application of a first torque. This is indicated by the arrow labeled M 1 in FIG. 2 . Torque M 1 that is depicted is a resiliently acting return torque which counteracts the pivoting motion and brings the display screen back into its original position. Its magnitude can be small. This kind of pivotability of display screen 8 makes it possible, when headrest 1 has been removed, to bring seatback 20 of the motor vehicle seat according to the present invention into a horizontal position by folding it forward, while preventing display screen 8 from being damaged if it collides in the process with, for example, the dashboard or sun visor.

[0031] Provision can furthermore be made for display screen 8 to be pivotable up to 90 degrees forward, i.e. usually in direction of travel F, upon application of a second torque. This is indicated by the arrow labeled M 2 in FIG. 2 , which symbolizes the resistance to this pivoting motion. When the corresponding torque, which can be eight to ten times the magnitude of the first torque, is exceeded, the display screen folds down into a stable position. This pivotability of display screen 8 represents a misuse prevention feature. The deflecting pivoting of display screen 8 , and optionally of further parts joined to it, in response to a large mechanical load prevents display screen 8 or other parts of display screen device 4 from breaking, for example if a passenger inadvertently leans on display screen 8 while exiting. The pivoted position assumed by display screen 8 with headrest 1 removed, which could also be called the “misuse position,” is depicted in FIG. 4 .

[0032] Lastly, provision can be made for display screen 8 to be slightly pivotable (less than 90 degrees) in direction of travel F, in particular upon application of a third torque in the context of the abrupt action of large acceleration forces, such as those that occur in the context of a rear-end impact on the vehicle. This is indicated by the arrow labeled M 3 in FIG. 2 , which illustrates a damping resistance torque opposite to the pivoting. The corresponding torque can preferably be greater than first torque M 1 (e.g. twice as great), but less than second torque M 2 , as indicated by the differing sizes and thicknesses of the arrows in FIG. 2 . This represents a safety feature in a crash situation.

[0033] In order to determine the motion sequence upon pivoting of display screen 8 , in particular the forces or torques M 1 , M 2 , M 3 that initiate and inhibit the pivoting motion, a device that preferably comprises at least one spring member and one damper member can be integrated into display screen device 4 . In FIG. 5 , for example, a spring 21 is provided as the spring member and a damper 22 as the damper member, located in the assembled state in corresponding associated housing parts, i.e. a spring housing part 23 and damper housing part 24 . Spring 21 applies return torque M 1 , while damper 22 counteracts any pivoting of display screen 8 , for example in the event of a crash, while applying torque M 3 . Spring housing part 23 and damper housing part 24 constitute, together with a further housing part 25 that provides cable guidance, a frame part (not further labeled as a whole) for display screen 8 which is fastened via a base part 26 to an adapter 27 for connection to an upper part of seatback 20 . The adapter could also, like part 5 depicted in FIG. 1 , be referred to as the support part for display screen device 4 .

[0034] Corresponding to the flat bottom part 7 of the first embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 1 , FIG. 5 shown the two bottom segments 7 a, 7 b, of which one ( 7 b ) comprises passthrough openings 12 for retaining rods 2 of headrest 1 . In the assembled state, bottom segments 7 a, 7 b surround base part 26 joined to adapter 27 , and conceal adapter 27 .

[0035] The aforementioned axis X-X extending in the transverse direction of the seat in the upper region of seatback 20 , about which display screen 8 of display screen 4 is pivotable, is depicted in FIG. 5 as being offset because of the exploded depiction. In the installed state it extends in a straight line, beginning at a lower end of housing part 25 for cable guidance, continuing through base part 26 and damper 22 , and ending in damper housing part. 24 .

[0036] In the installed state, spring housing part 23 is arranged parallel to pivot axis X-X; spring 21 arranged therein can preferably be embodied as a leaf spring and can engage into base part 26 .

[0037] FIG. 5 furthermore shows that advantageously, at least one cover part, but preferably (as depicted) a front (in terms of direction of travel F) cover part 28 b and a rear cover part 28 a, can be fastenable to display screen 8 of display screen device 4 . Cover parts 28 a, 28 b are configured in the manner of half shells so they can surround display screen 8 . Rear cover part 28 a comprises a window 29 through which display screen 8 is visible. Front cover part 28 b does not possess a window, but instead protectively covers the back panel of the display screen in the installed state.

[0038] In the installed state, display screen 8 is arranged between the two cover parts 28 a, 28 b and held, together with said parts, in a preferably multi-part frame that corresponds to housing 9 of the first embodiment of the invention depicted in FIG. 1 . This frame (not further labeled as a whole) encompasses a front (in terms of direction of travel F) frame part 30 b and a rear frame part 30 a.

[0039] A further special aspect of the second embodiment of the vehicle seat according to the present invention is the fact that display screen 8 (including its two cover parts 28 a, 28 b ) is mounted rotatably about a further center axis Y-Y that extends in the transverse direction of the seat and, in particular, is contained in the frame. This makes it possible, before display screen 8 is optionally pivoted forward once headrest 1 has been removed, to bring display screen 8 with cover parts 28 a, 28 b into a protected position in which the originally front (windowless) cover part 28 a faces away from direction of travel F and—after display screen 8 (inclusive of frame parts 30 a, 30 b ) has been pivoted approximately 90 degrees—upward. This non-use position of display screen device 4 is depicted in FIG. 4 .

[0040] The non-use position of display screen device 4 can be established even if there is no intention to fold down seatback 20 . For example, starting from the use position depicted in FIG. 3 , firstly headrest 1 can be removed, then display screen 8 with the two cover parts 28 a, 28 b can be rotated 180 degrees about center axis Y-Y extending in the transverse direction of the seat, and then the headrest can be put back in place, thus resulting once again in a position similar to that in FIG. 3 , except that display screen 8 is protected by front cover part 28 b.

[0041] The mounting of display screen 8 in frame parts 30 a, 30 b, which permits a rotation of up to 180 degrees, also advantageously makes it possible, in the use position of display screen device 4 depicted in FIG. 3 , to perform an individual adaptation of display screen 8 to the needs of a viewer in the context of a smaller rotation angle, by the fact that an optimum viewing angle can be steplessly set by way of a corresponding rotation. To ensure that display screen 8 does not independently rotate forward or backward away from that angle during vehicle operation, a brake mechanism 31 can be provided for locking, as shown in FIG. 5 .

[0042] In contrast to display screen 8 and its cover parts 28 a, 28 b, spring housing part 23 , damper housing part 24 , and housing part 25 that serves for cable guidance—which also (as already mentioned) constitute a frame part—are immovably (nonrotatably) joined to, in particular interposed between, front frame part 30 b and rear frame part 30 a. The manner in which assembly, for example fastening with screws 32 , can be accomplished is illustrated in FIG. 5 by the unlabeled dot-dash lines.

[0043] The invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments depicted, but instead also encompasses all embodiments of identical function within the meaning of the invention. In particular, for example, the conformation and dimensioning of the parts described may deviate from the embodiments depicted. Or, for example, the upper and lower sides of bottom part 7 , headrest 1 , and support part 5 , depicted respectively as being flat, can be equipped with contours that correspond positively to one another, thereby preventing any mutual relative motion of said parts.

[0044] One skilled in the art may moreover provide further features for the technical configuration of a vehicle seat according to the present invention without leaving the context of the invention. For example, it is possible for an infrared remote control also to be provided for display screen device 4 , as illustrated by infrared window 33 depicted in FIG. 5 .

[0045] Instead of the bearing point of brake mechanism 31 depicted in FIG. 5 , provision can also be made that display screen 8 could be mounted laterally (to the right and left of braking mechanism 31 that is depicted) in its frame by way of ball joints located in particular in rear cover part 28 , and thus could be adapted to different viewing directions; in the context of a pivoting motion about a vertical axis also made possible thereby, one or the other of the two ball joints would need in each case to be snapped out.

[0046] In addition, the invention is not limited to the combination of features defined in the independent claims, but instead can also be defined by any other combination of specific features of all the globally disclosed individual features. This means that in principle, practically any individual feature of the independent claims can be omitted or replaced by at least one individual feature disclosed elsewhere in the Application. In this respect, claim 1 is to be understood as merely a first attempt to state an invention, and independent inventive significance is also assigned, as stated, to Claims 15 and 24.

[0047] Priority application 201 19 410.4, filed Nov. 28, 2001, including the specification, drawings, claims and abstract, is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0048] Priority application 201 08 701.4, filed May 25, 2001, including the specification, drawings, claims and abstract, is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

LIST OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS

[0049] 1 Headrest

[0050] 2 Retaining rod of 1

[0051] 3 Receiving space of 1 for 4

[0052] 4 Display screen device

[0053] 5 Support part for 4

[0054] 6 Fastening sleeves for 2

[0055] 7 Bottom part of 4

[0056] 7 a, 7 b Bottom segments

[0057] 8 Display screen of 4

[0058] 9 Housing of 4

[0059] 10 Keypad of 4

[0060] 11 Bottom surface of 1

[0061] 12 Passthrough openings for 2 in 7 , 7 b

[0062] 13 Connector line

[0063] 14 Plug connector part in 5

[0064] 20 Seatback

[0065] 21 Spring

[0066] 22 Damper

[0067] 23 Spring housing part

[0068] 24 Damper housing part

[0069] 25 Housing part for cable guidance

[0070] 26 Base part

[0071] 27 Adapter

[0072] 28 a Rear cover part for 8

[0073] 28 b Front cover part for 8

[0074] 29 Window in 28 a

[0075] 30 a Rear frame part

[0076] 30 b Front frame part

[0077] 31 Brake mechanism

[0078] 32 Screws

[0079] F Direction of travel

[0080] M 1 Torque

[0081] M 2 Torque

[0082] M 3 Torque

[0083] X-X Pivot axis for 8

[0084] Y-Y Rotation axis for 8

[0085] While the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the FIGS. and described above are presently preferred, it should be understood that these embodiments are offered by way of example only. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to a particular embodiment, but extends to various modifications that nevertheless fall within the scope of the appended claims.