An extensively reconfigurable seat design can include a vehicle seat system including: a vehicle seat defining a vehicle occupant accommodating space, the vehicle seat including a seat cushion portion including multiple individually adjustable bladders, where each of the multiple individually adjustable bladders has a connected valve that controls fluid communication with an internal space of the individually adjustable bladder to adjust a pressure level within the internal space of the individually adjustable bladder, and an associated sensor configured to detect the pressure level within the internal space of the individually adjustable bladder. A computer can actively sense and control the pressure levels within the bladders, using the sensors and valves, to provide customization, adaptive, ride-active and intelligent control over a reconfigurable cushion for a vehicle.

The invention relates to a pneumatic bladder arrangement (100) for a seat (S) comprising a plurality of inflatable bladders (110), wherein at least one of the plurality of inflatable bladders (110), when inflated, has a first edge (111) with a first thickness (T1) and a second edge (112) with a second thickness (T2), wherein the first thickness (T1) is bigger than the second thickness (T2), the invention also relates to a seat (S) comprising the pneumatic bladder arrangement and to a manufacturing method for an inflatable bladder.

A vehicle seating assembly having a seat including a support frame. A seatback is pivotally coupled with the seat and is adjustable between a passenger support position configured to support the weight of a passenger and a cargo position. The seatback is folded forward to a substantially horizontal position. A seat cushion includes a dynamic forward portion and a generally static rearward portion. An articulation feature is disposed below the forward portion of the seat cushion. The articulation feature is operable between a deployed and a non-deployed position. Movement to the deployed position results in the dynamic forward portion of the seat cushion being adjusted to a raised position. Movement to the non-deployed position results in the dynamic forward portion of the seat cushion being adjusted to a lowered position that allows the seatback to fold forward to the cargo position.

A vehicle seating assembly having a seat including a support frame. A seatback is pivotally coupled with the seat and is adjustable between a passenger support position configured to support the weight of a passenger and a cargo position. The seatback is folded forward to a substantially horizontal position. A seat cushion includes a dynamic forward portion and a generally static rearward portion. An articulation feature is disposed below the forward portion of the seat cushion. The articulation feature is operable between a deployed and a non-deployed position. Movement to the deployed position results in the dynamic forward portion of the seat cushion being adjusted to a raised position. Movement to the non-deployed position results in the dynamic forward portion of the seat cushion being adjusted to a lowered position that allows the seatback to fold forward to the cargo position.

A comfort assembly for a vehicle seat cushion, the comfort system includes a carrier having a thermal device; a spacer layer attached to the B-side of the carrier; and an effector device attached to the spacer layer so that the spacer layer is between the effector device and the B-side of the carrier; the effector device is attached to the carrier before the comfort assembly is installed onto an A-surface of the cushion of the vehicle seat.

A vehicle seating assembly includes a cushion assembly having a plurality of closed base cells disposed on a seat frame. A plurality of trim cells are disposed on the base cells. An adjustable seatback support panel is disposed behind the base cells. A static base is disposed behind the support panel. Side pivot cells are disposed between the seatback support panel and the base cells that allow for lateral flexibility of a seatback surface relative to the support panel.

A vehicle seating assembly is provided that includes a seatback and a support layer coupled to a seat frame. The support layer includes a plurality of sealed support cells and defines a plurality of attachment points. The support cells have a first air pressure and a comfort layer positioned over the support layer. The comfort layer includes a plurality of sealed comfort cells having a second air pressure. The support layer, comfort layer, and cover stock are secured to the seat frame via the attachment points.

A vehicle seating assembly includes a frame. A seat and seatback are disposed on the frame. A seating cushion assembly includes a plurality of closed base cells disposed on the frame. Each base cell includes a fixed volume of fluid disposed therein. A plurality of trim cells are disposed on the base cells and include a variable volume of fluid disposed therein. The trim cells are in communication with a fluid pump. An adjustable seatback support panel is disposed behind the base cells and is pivotally coupled to the frame. A static base is disposed behind the support panel. An adjustable reclination cell is disposed between the support panel and the static base. The reclination cell is adjustable between an inflated condition that pivots the support panel forward and a deflated condition that pivots the support panel rearward, thereby altering the reclination angle of the seatback relative to the seat.

The present invention provides for a solenoid valve assembly including a housing (32) defining a cavity (34). A support (48) is disposed in the cavity and defines a bore (50). A coil (60) is disposed about the support and defines an energized state for generating a magnetic field and a de-energized state. A plunger (74) is movably disposed in the bore of the support between a first position engaging the housing and a second position spaced from the housing. The plunger is radially spaced from the support to define a gap (76) between the plunger and the support. A dampener (86) is coupled to one of the support and the plunger adjacent the gap to prevent direct engagement between the support and the plunger as the plunger moves between the first and second positions during the energized and de-energized states for reducing noise during operation.

A pneumatic element including: a first, a second, and a third air chamber which are coupled to one another, the first air chamber being coupled to the second air chamber by a weld joint and the second air chamber being coupled to the third air chamber by another weld joint; and an overflow area, which is arranged within the weld joints along a longitudinal axis of the pneumatic element, for a pneumatic communication between the air chambers. Each of the air chambers has a first state in which a pressure inside the air chambers corresponds to a pressure outside of the air chambers and a second state in which the pressure inside the air chambers is greater than the pressure outside of the air chambers. Furthermore, a flow opening is provided for a pneumatic communication between the overflow region and the second air chamber in the first state.