A blast attenuating seat system for protecting a vehicle occupant from impulses generated by blasts from underneath the vehicle, and methods for manufacturing and using same. The blast attenuating seat system includes a post, a mounting body coupled to a portion of the post and a seat assembly movably coupled to the mounting body configured to move relative to the post and mounting body. The seat assembly includes a seat body having a seat support structure configured to support a plurality of seat cushions and a shock assembly coupling the seat body and mounting body and configured to compress and expand such that the seat assembly moves relative to the post and mounting body. The blast attenuating seat system thereby provides/enables improved protection for vehicle occupants that may be exposed to explosive blasts.

A method and an assembly for absorbing energy during an overload event. An energy absorber reduces loads on an object being transported on a loading unit during a single overload event, which introduces such a high degree of energy that there is an overwhelming likelihood the object would be damaged without an energy absorber. Measurement values on the current state of the loading unit are sensed. A control device determines an overload event and a damping of the energy absorber is set to a high value after the detection of the overload event. The damping is maintained for a specified prolonged time period and controlled dependent on the measurement values during the overload event to increase the load for objects during the specified time period initially to a specified threshold load and after the specified time dependent on the measurement values detected during the overload event.

An energy absorber reduces an excessive load between an object and an assembly in an overload event. The energy absorber includes an absorber cylinder and a piston device with an absorber piston and a piston rod. A first chamber of an absorber chamber is filled with a field-sensitive absorber fluid. The piston has an absorber valve with an absorber duct extending in an axial direction and being subject to a selective field of a field generating device. A ratio of the outer diameter of the piston rod to an outer diameter of the absorber piston is greater than 0.6 and the first chamber extends in a space around the piston rod. During the relative motion of the fastener and the holding device the field-sensitive absorber fluid is urged through the damping duct of the absorber piston.

An energy absorber is controlled in an overload event to absorb potentially damaging energy. The energy absorber acts between a receiving unit for receiving objects for transporting and a carrier device that connects to a transporter. An absorber force can be influenced by an electrically controlled magnetic field unit. Measurement values of loads acting on the loading unit are captured sequentially and an overload event is determined if a measure derived from the measurement values exceeds a predetermined threshold value. After the onset of an overload event a prognosticated load curve of the loading unit is assessed from a multitude of measurement values captured from the onset of the overload event. A planned power flow curve for the magnetic field unit is determined and the load curve is damped time-dependent so that a planned load curve ensues which remains beneath a predetermined load limit.

A method and apparatus are disclosed for vehicle occupant protection in unintentional roadway departure by a vehicle having at least one vehicle seat with a seat cushion mounted on a seat frame, the height of which is adjustable through a motor operated height adjustment device. Vehicle travel is monitored using a remote sensor and/or a vehicle dynamics sensor. The remote sensor detects edges of the road. The vehicle dynamics sensor determines vehicle dynamics parameters. Road edge signals and/or vehicle dynamics signals are processed to determine whether the vehicle is about to leave the road. Operation of the height adjustment device to move a seat cushion towards a crash-position is triggered in response to an off-road signal indicating that the vehicle is about to leave the road.

A kinetic seat assembly includes primary seat cushion frame, a secondary seat cushion frame movable relative to the primary seat cushion frame, a primary seat back frame, and a secondary seat back frame movable relative to the primary seat back frame. In embodiments, the secondary seat back frame includes a power lumbar mechanism. In embodiments at least one of the secondary seat cushion frame and the secondary seat back frame includes at least one of a cooling mechanism and a heating mechanism.

A kinetic seat assembly includes primary seat cushion frame, a secondary seat cushion frame movable relative to the primary seat cushion frame, a primary seat back frame, and a secondary seat back frame movable relative to the primary seat back frame. In embodiments, the secondary seat back frame includes a power lumbar mechanism. In embodiments at least one of the secondary seat cushion frame and the secondary seat back frame includes at least one of a cooling mechanism and a heating mechanism.

A kinetic seat assembly including a primary seat cushion frame including a rear rod extending between opposite rails, a secondary seat back frame movable relative to the primary seat cushion frame, a pair of clamps provided on the rear rod of the primary seat cushion frame, and a pair of vertical dampers coupled between the secondary seat back frame and the pair of clamps on the primary seat cushion frame, each clamp receiving an end of a corresponding vertical damper. In embodiments, the vertical dampers are arranged in a V-shape such that the vertical dampers are oriented at an angle relative to one another such that a distance between a first end of each vertical damper is greater than a distance between a second end of each vertical damper.

A kinetic seat assembly including a primary seat cushion frame including a rear rod extending between opposite rails, a secondary seat back frame movable relative to the primary seat cushion frame, a pair of clamps provided on the rear rod of the primary seat cushion frame, and a pair of vertical dampers coupled between the secondary seat back frame and the pair of clamps on the primary seat cushion frame, each clamp receiving an end of a corresponding vertical damper. In embodiments, the vertical dampers are arranged in a V-shape such that the vertical dampers are oriented at an angle relative to one another such that a distance between a first end of each vertical damper is greater than a distance between a second end of each vertical damper.

Systems and methods for a vehicle containing a structural column are disclosed. The vehicle includes: a structural column positioned between a first and second interior surface of the vehicle. The vehicle may further include a seating assembly attached to a first surface of the structural column, wherein the seating assembly comprises a seating surface and a seat back. In addition, the structural column may be configured to redistribute a force load to at least one other structural component in the vehicle. Other aspects are described and claimed.