A lumbar support system for an aircraft seat includes a deformable lumbar support basket having a proximate end and a distal end. The system includes a shape memory alloy tension cable in communication with the proximate end of the deformable lumbar support basket, and the distal end of the deformable lumbar support basket. The shape memory alloy tension cable has a changeable tension length with an electric current through the cable. The system also includes a controller operatively connected with the shape memory alloy tension cable. The controller transmits the electric current through the shape memory alloy tension cable based on the user actuation. The electric current causes the shape memory alloy tension cable to deform the lumbar support basket by tension force applied to the proximate end of the deformable lumbar support basket and the distal end of the deformable lumbar support basket.

A seat backrest includes right and left side frame segments, a pressure receiving member disposed between the side frame segments movably in a front-back direction, and a cushion pad covering the front of the side frame segments and pressure receiving member. The pressure receiving member includes a main body part, and extending parts extending laterally from both sides of the main body part. The cushion pad includes a back receiving part covering the front of the main body part, and bank parts disposed on both sides of the back receiving part, protruding forward from both sides, and covering the front of the extending parts and side frame segments. A recess is formed at an area, facing a corresponding extending part of the extending parts, of a rear surface of each bank part.

A back support structure includes a frame, a support, a fulcrum member, and an adjustment mechanism. The support includes an upright member having a lower end and an upper end. The lower end of the upright member is connected to the frame at a first location. A support pad is connected to the upper end of the upright member. The fulcrum member has an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion is connected to the frame at a second location spaced vertically above the first location. The fulcrum member includes a fulcrum engaging the upright member between the upper and lower ends. The fulcrum member is moveable between a plurality of fulcrum positions. The adjustment mechanism includes an adjustment member connected to the frame and the lower portion of the fulcrum member. The adjustment member is adjustable to move the fulcrum member to the plurality of fulcrum positions.

A seat assembly having a seat back and a thoracic support mechanism. The thoracic support mechanism may have a flex plate that may be movably disposed on a support member of the seat back frame. A first actuator may flex the flex plate. A second actuator may actuate the flex plate along the support member.

A radio wave transmitting/receiving device is placed in a vehicle in such a way that the device is near the back of the seated person, and no discomfort is caused to the back of the seated person. The vehicle seat includes a seat cushion and a seatback connected to a rear part of the seat cushion. The seatback comprises a seatback frame including a left and a right side frame portion extending vertically, and an upper frame portion extending laterally between upper ends of the side frame portions, a pressure receiving member consisting of a plate member configured to support a back of a seated person and provided with a radio wave transmissive property, and supported by the seatback frame via an elastic member, and a radio wave transmitting/receiving device supported on a back surface of the pressure receiving member to irradiate radio wave to a seated person and receive radio wave reflected by the seated person.

A seat system for a vehicle including a flexible seatback structure and an adjustment device coupled thereto. The adjustment device is configured to alter a contour of a seating surface of the seatback structure by causing at least a portion of the seatback structure to move toward or away from the occupant of the seat system.

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.

A method of assembling a vehicle seat is provided, comprising: providing a seat back frame; forwardly movably connecting a headrest for supporting a head of a seat occupant to the seat back frame; mounting a rear-end collision detector to the seat back frame at a position behind the seat occupant, operatively connecting the rear-end collision detector to the headrest; disposing a link member at a position lateral to the rear-end collision detector; forming a front extending portion that inwardly extends in a right-to-left direction at a front end of a lateral face of the side frame; and forming a rear extending portion that inwardly extends in the right-to-left direction; wherein a protruding portion is formed from a portion of the lateral face of the side frame that faces at least the part of the bracket, the link support shaft being disposed at a same height as the protruding portion.

A lumbar support device comprises a carrier, a pair of arching elements molded to the carrier, and a support basket supported by the pair of arching elements. To produce the lumbar support device, the pair of arching elements may be molded to the carrier in a molding tool and the support basket may be formed in the same molding tool.

A seatback for a vehicle seat includes a frame and a coverstock defining a seat surface. The seatback also includes a unitary, flexible internal support unit positioned between the frame and the coverstock. The support unit is moveable between an expanded configuration, in which the seating surface is supported over the frame at a first distance, and a collapsed configuration, in which the seating surface is supported over the frame at a second distance that is less than the first distance.