A seating assembly includes a seatback. The seatback includes a frame extending about a periphery of the seatback. The seatback defines a thoracic region and a lumbar region. First and second supports extend from a top portion of the frame to a lower portion of the frame. A first flexible mat and a second flexible mat are operably coupled with the first and second supports. The first flexible mat is disposed proximate the thoracic region. The second flexible mat is disposed proximate the lumbar region.

A vehicle seat can be configured to selectively provide support to a vehicle occupant in conditions when lateral acceleration is experienced. An actuator can be located within the vehicle seat. When activated, the actuator cause a portion of the seat to morph into an activated configuration. The actuator can be activated based on vehicle speed, steering angle, and/or lateral acceleration. The actuator can include a main body member, a first end member pivotably connected to a first end region of the main body member, and a second end member pivotably connected to a second end region of the main body member. The actuator can include shape memory material connecting members. The actuator can be configured such that, in response to an activation input, the shape memory material connecting members contract, causing the first and second end members pivot, which causes the actuator to morph into an activated configuration.

A seating assembly includes a seatback. The seatback includes a frame extending about a periphery of the seatback. The seatback defines a thoracic region and a lumbar region. First and second supports extend from a top portion of the frame to a lower portion of the frame. A first flexible mat and a second flexible mat are operably coupled with the first and second supports. The first flexible mat is disposed proximate the thoracic region. The second flexible mat is disposed proximate the lumbar region.

A lumbar support apparatus for a vehicle seat includes: a seatback frame having an adjustable inclination angle; an operating mechanism disposed at an upper portion of the seatback frame, the operating mechanism including a connector generating an operating force in a vertical direction by being in contact with a fixture fixed to a vehicle body when the inclination angle of the seatback frame is adjusted; and a support mechanism disposed at a lower portion of the seatback frame, connected to the connector, receiving the operating force generated from the connecting mechanism, and configured to slide in a front and rear direction depending on an application direction of the operating force, such that when the inclination angle of the seatback frame is adjusted to be directed rearward, the support mechanism receives the operating force of the operating mechanism and is advanced forward to support a waist of an occupant.

A vehicle seat includes a seat cushion configured to support the buttocks of an occupant, a seat back configured to support the back of the occupant, an elastic force adjustment unit configured to adjust elastic force of a lumbar spine support of the seat back configured to support the lumbar spine of the occupant, in a longitudinal direction, and a controller configured to operate the elastic force adjustment unit. The controller is configured to make the elastic force larger in the case where oscillation of the vehicle is large, than that in the case where oscillation of the vehicle is small.

A support portion for a seat assembly includes, in some configurations, a first main portion and a second main portion disposed such that a gap is provided between the first main portion and the second main portion. In some configurations, the support portion includes a plurality of first extensions projecting from the first main portion away from the gap; the support portion includes a plurality of second extensions projecting from the second main portion away from the gap; the first main portion and the second main portion are configured to extend along opposite sides of a spine of a user such that the gap is aligned with said spine; and/or the plurality of first extensions and the plurality of second extensions are configured for connection with a seatback frame.

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 vehicle seat includes a seat bottom and a seat back. The seat back is coupled to the seat bottom to move relative to the vehicle seat. The vehicle further includes a support mechanism coupled to the vehicle and configured to vary support provided to an occupant sitting on the vehicle seat.

An occupant protection device including: a side support section; a lumbar support section that is provided to the width direction intermediate portion of the seatback, and that has a support face displaceable between an advanced position pressing the lumbar region and a retreated position further to a seatback rear side than the advanced position; a displacement mechanism that displaces the support face of the lumbar support section between the advanced position and the retreated position; a side collision prediction section; an actuation controller that, in a case in which a vehicle side-on collision has been predicted by the side collision prediction section in a state in which the support face of the lumbar support section is not at the retreated position, controls the displacement mechanism so as to displace the support face of the lumbar support section to the retreated position.

Passenger seat assemblies including net backrests are described. An example passenger seat assembly can include a lower frame (14) configured to support a seat bottom (36) of the passenger seat. The passenger seat assembly can also include a backrest frame (18) attached to the lower frame (14) and configured to support a backrest assembly. The backrest assembly can include a backplate (16) disposed adjacent an aft side of the backrest frame (18). The backrest assembly can also include a net material (22) attached to the backplate (16) at a first attachment location (46a) on an aft surface of the backplate (16), extending around a forward side of the backrest frame (18), and attached to the backplate (16) at a second attachment location (46b) on the aft surface.