A seatback assembly is provided having a thoracic support structure. The thoracic support structure includes a center portion extending in an upright direction and is adapted to be positioned adjacent the seatback to align adjacent a thoracic region a user's spine. The center portion is formed of a first foam material having a first hardness. A pair of side portions are disposed adjacent to and connected with the center portion. The side portions are formed of a second foam material having a second hardness. The first hardness is greater than the second hardness for providing support to the user's spine. An adjustment mechanism is connected to the thoracic support structure for positioning the support structure along the seatback so that the center portion provides support to at least a portion of the thoracic region of the user's spine.

The present disclosure provides a system for correcting a passenger's posture in an autonomous vehicle, wherein the system includes a camera configured to measure a distance between a headrest and a head of the passenger, a plurality of body pressure sensors configured to be uniformly embedded across an entire area of the seat and sense body pressures of the passenger, a pressurizing device configured to be expandably installed inside a seatback and press between T10 and T12 of a thoracic spine of the passenger, and a controller configured to control an operation of the pressurizing device on the basis of the distance measured by the camera and a scapular pressure of the passenger, which is sensed by the plurality of body pressure sensors.

A linkage extension system and method for holding an extendable portion of a seat in a desired position while the extendable portion translates from a retracted to an extended position and any intermediate position. A coupled damper produces a holding force to counter gravity or other forces which cause the translation of the seat extension away from a desired position. The linkage extension system is self-powered and operates within the enclosed portion of the seat.

A lumbar support (100) for a seat (200) defining a back plane (E) comprises a support device (10) having an upper end (O) including an upper angle of inclination () with the back plane (E) and a lower end (U) including a lower angle of inclination () with the back plane (E) and forming an crown of the curvature (S) located in an adjustable position between the upper end (O) and the lower end (U). The lumbar support (100) further comprises at least one angle adjuster (20, 25) connected to the upper end (O) or the lower end (U) and adapted to vary the upper angle of inclination () or the lower angle of inclination () in order to adjust the position of the crown of the curvature (S), and an actuator (30, 35) for adjusting the angle adjuster (20, 25).

A linkage extension system and method for holding an extendable portion of a seat in a desired position while the extendable portion translates from a retracted to an extended position and any intermediate position. A coupled damper produces a holding force to counter gravity or other forces which cause the translation of the seat extension away from a desired position. The linkage extension system is self-powered and operates within the enclosed portion of the seat.

A vehicle seat includes a seat back frame with an upper subframe pivot. A seat back subframe is pivotably connected to the seat back frame at the upper subframe pivot. An actuation assembly pivotably moves the seat back subframe relative to the seat back frame about the upper subframe pivot, between a seat back subframe design position and a subframe recline position. In the recline position a lower edge of the seat back subframe is positioned outwardly relative to the seat back frame with the seat back subframe pivoted to an angle relative to the seat back frame.

A lordosis support for a seat back rest, includes a support plate, tension members for holding the support plate between two frame legs of the seat back rest, the support plate having on each side at least one point of attack for a respective tension member, and an adjusting device for adjusting a tension force of the tension members by changing the distance between the two points of attack, wherein the distance between the two points of attack is adjustable and the adjusting device is configured to change this distance, wherein the support plate is a one-piece support plate, and the two points of attack are linearly moveably arranged at the one-piece support plate for translational movement.

A lumbar support device for a vehicle seat permits vertical and fore-aft adjustment of the support or forces exerted on the back of an operator seated on the vehicle seat. The lumbar support device includes a lumbar panel resiliently flexibly attached to the seat frame and/or seat shell to permit fore and aft movement of the lumbar panel relative to the seat back, the lumbar panel arranged to bear against the seat back, and a cam element having a cam surface bearing against the lumbar panel to apply force to the lumbar panel toward the seat back, the cam element supported on the seat frame and/or seat shell for movement relative to the lumbar panel and relative to the seat shell and/or seat frame, the cam element configured to vary the force applied to the seat back based on the movement of the cam element.

A vehicle seat provided with a seat cushion and a seat back, wherein the seat back is provided with: a urethane pad in which the surface is covered by a trim cover; and a pressure means in which a laterally extending shaft and a pair of pressing parts in the vertical direction relative to the shaft are formed on the reverse side of the urethane pad toward the side covered by the trim cover, and a configuration is adopted such that the shaft extending in the lateral direction of the pressure means rotates or swings, thereby causing the upper-side pressing part among the upper and lower pair of pressing parts to press the upper side of the urethane pad forward and the lower-side pressing part to press the lower side of the urethane pad forward.

A back support device, comprising: a frame portion provided at a seat on which a seated person is seated, the frame portion including a locked portion at an upper portion of the frame portion; an upper frame portion fixed to the upper portion of the frame portion and extending in a seat width direction below the locked portion; a lumbar support portion engaged with a lower portion of the frame portion and configured to support a waist of the seated person from a seat rear side; and a pressure receiving portion including, at an upper end portion thereof, a locking portion locked to the locked portion, the pressure receiving portion being supported by the upper frame portion and the lumbar support portion from the seat rear side, and being configured to be deformable by receiving a load from a back of the seated person.