Data processing: vehicles – navigation – and relative location – Vehicle control – guidance – operation – or indication – Vehicle subsystem or accessory control
Patent
1997-12-17
2000-07-11
Cuchlinski, Jr., William A.
Data processing: vehicles, navigation, and relative location
Vehicle control, guidance, operation, or indication
Vehicle subsystem or accessory control
280735, 280753, 296 6501, 29721612, 297408, 701 49, G06F 1310, B60R 2128
Patent
active
060886404
ABSTRACT:
A headrest and headrest positioning system reduces whiplash injuries from rear impacts by properly positioning the headrest behind the occupant's head either continuously, or just prior to and in anticipation of, the vehicle impact and then properly supports both the head and neck. Sensors determine the location of the occupant's head and motors move the headrest both up and down and forward and back as needed. In one implementation, the headrest is continuously adjusted to maintain a proper orientation of the headrest to the rear of the occupant's head. In another implementation, an anticipatory crash, is used to predict that a rear impact is about to occur, in which event, the headrest is moved proximate to the occupant. A pre-inflated airbag within the headrest automatically distributes the pressure to evenly support both the head and neck.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3275975 (1966-09-01), King
patent: 3838870 (1974-10-01), Hug
patent: 4519652 (1985-05-01), Kamijo
patent: 4645233 (1987-02-01), Bruse et al.
patent: 4797824 (1989-01-01), Sugiyama et al.
patent: 4811226 (1989-03-01), Shinohara
patent: 4853687 (1989-08-01), Isomura et al.
patent: 4935680 (1990-06-01), Sugiyama
patent: 4995639 (1991-02-01), Breed
patent: 5003240 (1991-03-01), Ikeda
patent: 5006771 (1991-04-01), Ogasawara
patent: 5008946 (1991-04-01), Ando
patent: 5071160 (1991-12-01), White et al.
patent: 5074583 (1991-12-01), Fujita et al.
patent: 5095257 (1992-03-01), Ikeda et al.
patent: 5151944 (1992-09-01), Yamamura et al.
patent: 5161820 (1992-11-01), Vollmer
patent: 5181763 (1993-01-01), Dellanno et al.
patent: 5290091 (1994-03-01), Dellanno et al.
patent: 5330226 (1994-07-01), Gentry et al.
patent: 5364164 (1994-11-01), Kuranami
patent: 5378043 (1995-01-01), Viano et al.
patent: 5580124 (1996-12-01), Dellanno
patent: 5694320 (1997-12-01), Breed
patent: 5748473 (1998-05-01), Breed et al.
patent: 5822707 (1998-10-01), Breed et al.
Viano, David C. & Gargan, Martin F., "Headrest Position During Normal Driving, Implication to Neck Injury Risk in Rear Crashes", Acad. Anal. And Prev., vol. 28, No. 6, pp. 665-674 Elsevier Science, Ltd.
Automotive Technologies International Inc.
Cuchlinski Jr. William A.
Roffe Brian
LandOfFree
Apparatus for determining the location of a head of an occupant does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Apparatus for determining the location of a head of an occupant , we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Apparatus for determining the location of a head of an occupant will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-551850