Abstract: A circuit arrangement to control at least one valve includes at least one actuator with at least one positioning element adjustable between at least one first position and a second position. At least one driver unit activates the actuator and a control unit operates the driver unit. At least one air mass measuring device measures an air mass flowing through the valve. The control unit processes an output signal of the air mass measuring device. Valves, valve arrangements, seat comfort systems, and methods all use such circuit arrangements.

Abstract: A compressor includes a housing with a first and second area; a motor incorporated into the first area and a diaphragm pump unit incorporated into the second area; the diaphragm pump unit including at least one diaphragm body and a drive unit; an armature of the motor being operatively connected to the drive unit through a drive axle; and the diaphragm pump unit having a first imbalance U1 and the motor having a second imbalance U2, wherein the size of the second imbalance U2 is designed in such a way that the sum of the first imbalance U1 and the second imbalance U2 in the system consisting of the motor and the drive unit coupled with the drive axle statically and dynamically results in zero. A related method for manufacturing the compressor is also disclosed.

Abstract: A valve includes a valve housing having first and second regions, at least one valve chamber configured to be pressurized with air and including an actuating element for opening and closing a valve opening and an actuator for actuating the actuating element, both arranged in the first region. A printed circuit board extends into each valve chamber and to electrically operate the actuator, the printed circuit board(s) being connected to a common main printed circuit board arranged in the second region. Each valve chamber is surrounded by boundary surfaces closing the valve chamber in a substantially gas-tight manner. An open space open to at least two oppositely disposed sides of the valve housing extends between at least two of the valve chambers, and a connecting member of the printed circuit boards extends through connecting openings of the boundary surfaces of adjacent valve chambers and the open space.

Abstract: A pump housing may accommodate a pump unit and a pump motor, especially for a lumbar support function or massage function for mounting in a vehicle seat, wherein the pump motor and the pump unit are attached to one another along a longitudinal axis, and furthermore may support the pump motor with at least two flexible support elements in a radial direction and a second coil spring in an axial direction. Related pump and seat concepts are also disclosed.

Abstract: A valve includes a valve housing defining at least one first opening and at least one second opening, the valve housing enclosing a valve chamber. An actuator with a positioning element is configured for opening or closing the valve. Also provided are at least one air mass measuring device for measuring an air mass flowing through the valve or at least one measuring wire of an air mass measuring device for measuring an air mass flowing through the valve. A valve arrangement and a seat comfort system are also disclosed.

Abstract: A connecting element for connecting ports of a valve array's valve attachment block to a supply block may include first engagement elements on one side for establishing a connection to the ports, and second engagement elements on another side for establishing a connection to the supply block. The first and second engagement elements may be configured to establish gas-tight connections, wherein the connecting element includes a flexible material. In a further combination, the supply block has an attachment side for attaching tubes to the supply block and a connection side for connecting the supply block to the connecting element, the connection side having engagement elements which are engageable with the second engagement elements of the connecting element for establishing a gas-tight connection. The supply block may be less flexible than the connecting element. A further combination may include the valve array.

Abstract: A valve suitable for a fuel tank may include a valve housing having a housing part, and a float configured for closing a vent opening, the float being movably arranged inside the valve housing along a middle longitudinal axis running in an axial direction upward or downward. A lower section of the float faces away from the vent opening and faces toward the housing part of the valve housing. At least one spring element is at least partially arranged in or on the housing part and/or is at least partially formed by the housing part. The spring element contacts the float at least when the float moves downward in the valve housing.

Abstract: Air cushion assembly for a seat, such as a vehicle seat, comprising at least an air cushion and an air supply system for variably pressurizing the air cushions of the air cushion assembly with air. A respective supply line comprising a shut-off valve leads from the air supply system to each air cushion, where a pulsation module is provided and configured to act upon each air cushion with a pulsation. The pulsation module comprises a pneumatic element which is connected in a pressure-equalized manner to at least one supply line, and an actuating element for transmitting a mechanical motion to the pneumatic element for changing the volume of the pneumatic element in order to generate a pulsation.

Abstract: A massage device for a seat, in particular for a vehicle seat, is provided. The massage device includes at least one air cushion. The at least one air cushion has an air inlet so as to allow individual filling thereof with air via an air supply system. A vibration generating device is arranged between the air supply system and the air cushion and is in fluid communication with the air cushion so as to apply pressure vibrations to the air cushion. In addition, a seat including the massage device is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention is inherent to an actuator subassembly comprising at least one bendable slender structure (12) mounted on a stationary body base (11) and carrying on a first surface an installation feature (17) and a plug (16) in its distal portion, the bending of the slender structure (12) being controlled by a shape memory alloy wire (13) through coupling means (15) located in its distal portion on a second surface opposite to the first surface. The invention also concerns a fluidic valve incorporating such an actuator subassembly.

Abstract: A valve system includes a housing with a tank connection for connecting to a fuel tank, a filter connection for connecting to an activated carbon filter, and a filling tube connection for connecting to a filling tube of the fuel tank. Both the tank connection and the filter connection and/or the filling tube connection can be in form of a connecting piece, connected directly or indirectly to the fuel tank through a connecting line leading to the fuel tank, the activated carbon filter or the filling tube. The tank connection/filter connection or the tank connection/filling tube connection can be fluidically connected to one another through a main vent duct. The tank connection or a tank-side main vent duct, and the filter connection or a filter-side main vent duct, can be fluidically connected by means of a secondary vent duct.

Abstract: The present invention is inherent to an actuator subassembly comprising at least one bendable slender structure (12) mounted on a stationary body base (11) and carrying on a first surface an installation feature (17) and a plug (16) in its distal portion, the bending of the slender structure (12) being controlled by a shape memory alloy wire (13) through coupling means (15) located in its distal portion on a second surface opposite to the first surface. The invention also concerns a fluidic valve incorporating such an actuator subassembly.

Abstract: A connection arrangement has a crimp connector and a wire fixed in place in it, the crimp connector having a first and a second clamping plate, both single pieces, which in an assembled state clamp the wire between them and fix the wire in place with a tensile strength force acting in a longitudinally axial direction. Inner surfaces of the first and second clamping plate face one another at least in the assembled state are executed in a first form in the preassembled state. The first and second clamping plate fit tightly with one another and are deformed in the assembled state with a tool into a second form differing from the first that the wire, due to the deformation of the first and second clamping plates, forms at least one wave. A related valve and a related method are also disclosed.

Abstract: An air cushion device for a seat includes at least one first air cushion and a second air cushion, first and second air inlets, first and second air ducts, and a device preventing the second air duct from being pinched off by a fixing wire of a seat cover.

Abstract: An actuator for a valve element includes one base plate; one actuating element having a first end section, a second end section, and a sealing element on the first end section; one connecting element; and one SMA element having a U-shape including two parts substantially parallel to one another, a first end, a second end, and a middle section between the two parts. The actuating element is at least partially arranged on and connected to the base plate via the second end section. The connecting element is conductively connected to two points of the SMA element. A middle section of the SMA element is connected to the first end section of the actuating element so that a shortening of the SMA element causes a stroke of the sealing element.

Abstract: A valve has a valve housing with a lid, bottom, and an intermediate housing portion between the lid bottom. The valve housing encloses a valve chamber, a flow chamber, and an actuation chamber, with at least one valve opening leading from the flow chamber to the actuation chamber. Inside the actuation chamber at least one axially movable actuator movable between a closing position to close the valve opening and an opening position to release the valve opening, one wire- or band-shaped SMA element made of a shape memory alloy to activate the actuator in the opening direction, one return element to move the actuator in closing direction, and one printed circuit board. The SMA element is attached to the actuator at a middle section and is electrically connected at its ends to the printed circuit board to be supplied with an electrical current.

Abstract: A valve has a valve housing with a lid, bottom, and an intermediate housing portion between the lid and bottom. The valve housing encloses a valve chamber with at least one valve opening and at least one axially movable actuator movable between a closing position to close the valve opening and an opening position to release the valve opening, one wire- or band-shaped SMA element made of a shape memory alloy to activate the actuator in the opening direction, one return element to move the actuator in the closing direction, and one printed circuit board. The SMA element is attached to the actuator at a middle section and is electrically connected at its ends to the printed circuit board to be supplied with an electrical current. A valve arrangement includes several of such valves.

Abstract: A circuit arrangement for controlling a system, and a system having a circuit arrangement, both suitable for use with a lumbar support with at least two air cushions, may include actuators, voltage supply paths, and electronic switching elements.

Abstract: A valve includes a flow chamber, an actuating chamber, and an opening. An actuating element can close or open the valve opening. An SMA element can move the actuating element in the opening direction. The flow chamber and the actuating chamber are separated by a separating wall. A first area of the flow chamber is attachable to an air supply unit to supply air to the flow chamber. A second area of the flow chamber is attachable to a media reservoir and is connectable to atmosphere to release air from the flow chamber via an opening. An actuator is pivotable on the valve housing via a second end section, and has a first end section coupled adjacent a first end of the actuating element so that the opening to the atmosphere is either released or closed.

Abstract: A valve includes a flow chamber and an actuating chamber, and a connecting valve opening. An actuating element can close or open the valve opening. An SMA element and a restoring element move the actuating element in opposite directions. A first area of the flow chamber is attachable to an air supply unit, and a second area of the flow chamber is attachable to a media reservoir and to atmosphere to release air from the flow chamber via an opening. An actuator coupled with the actuating element selectively connects the opening to atmosphere or closes the opening. A first check valve prevents fluid from flowing back from the second area of the flow chamber through the valve opening into the first area of the flow chamber when the actuating element is in the opening position.