Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a seat structure. A carrier is disposed on the seat structure and includes a matrix of fluid transfer lines. A spacer material is positioned over the carrier. A trim cover is disposed over the spacer material. A desiccant is made from a volcanic ash and is supported by the seat structure. The matrix of fluid transfer lines thermodynamically influences a relative temperature of the trim cover through both the carrier and the desiccant.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling and selecting massage operations of a motor vehicle seat having a plurality of inflatable cushions and a control system controlling inflation of the cushions to perform a massage function. A touch-screen display is used to make inputs to the control system. The display is calibrated as a two-dimensional coordinate system on which are displayed pictograms representing a plurality of massage function blocks. To create or generate a massage program to be performed by the controller/seat, an operator drags-and-drops the pictograms on the display to respective positions in the coordinate system, thereby adjusting respective settings of two parameters of the massage function, the coordinate of the pictograms in each coordinate axis corresponding to one of the respective parameters.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for permitting a performance-enhancing nap in a motor vehicle. When a vehicle occupant requests a nap function, different vehicle parameters are set such that the performance-enhancing nap is promoted and the vehicle occupant enjoying the nap is woken at a specific time. According to the invention, during the nap function at least one physiological parameter of the vehicle occupant is measured, said parameter permitting conclusions to be drawn about the current depth of sleep, irrespective of any macromovements of the vehicle occupant, and the time at which the vehicle occupant is woken is selected by considering the at least one physiological parameter, such that the vehicle occupant is woken as far as possible at a time of light sleep.

Abstract: A motor vehicle seat has a seat inflation system for selectively inflating/deflating a plurality of inflatable cushions in the seat back and/or bottom. A switch for controlling the system includes a display having a first symbol indicating a function of the cushion and a second symbol indicating a parameter of the active function, a plurality of keypads defining a circular perimeter surrounding the display and actuatable to select the active function, and a ring surrounding the perimeter and rotatable to adjust a value of the parameter.

Abstract: A sensor for contactless electrocardiographic measurement of a person has at least one electrically conductive, planar electrode having a measurement surface facing the person and a connection surface facing away from the person. An electrical terminal for connection with a measurement apparatus is spaced from the connection surface such that the connection surface is only placed in electrical connection with the terminal when pressure of a required magnitude is applied to the measurement. The electrical connection may be achieved by a switching contact disposed between the electrode and the terminal which is brought into contact with both the electrode and the terminal when the electrode is deflected toward the terminal by the pressure. A compressible material is disposed between the electrode and the terminal to allow tuning of the pressure required to achieve electrical contact.

Abstract: A sensor for a contactless electrocardiographic measurement of a person includes an electrode formed of a moisture-permeable material and having a measurement surface and an opposite surface. A moisture generator supplies moisture to the opposite surface, and a moisture sensor detects a moisture content of a microclimate at the measurement surface. A controller receives signals from the moisture sensor and activates the moisture generator based upon the signals to control the moisture content. The moisture generator may be a heating element heating a source of moisture; a pump activated pumping liquid from a reservoir to the electrode; an ultrasonic atomizer for atomizing liquid contained in a reservoir; an actuator varying an amount of a liquid-conducting material in contact with liquid contained in a reservoir; or a Peltier element operable to warm and thereby release moisture from a moisture-storing material adjacent to the electrode.

Abstract: A sensor for a contactless electrocardiographic measurement on a person includes a carrier for fastening the sensor on an object, such as a vehicle seat, and at least one electrically flat electrode mounted to the carrier by an elastic element. An inflatable bellows is disposed between the carrier and the electrode, inflation of the bellows deflecting the elastic element and increasing a distance between the electrode and the carrier to thereby urge the electrode toward a person seated on the seat.

Abstract: A sensor for contactless electrocardiographic measurement on a person includes a carrier for mounting to a seat, an electrode for registering a measurement signal, a pressure sensor supporting the electrode on the carrier, and moisture and temperature sensors mounted to the carrier to detect conditions adjacent to the electrode and the subject person. The moisture sensor and the temperature sensor may be adjacent to at least one opening in the electrode. A processing unit receives information generated by the pressure sensor, the moisture sensor, and the temperature sensor, and filters the measurement signal based on the information. An acceleration sensor may also be mounted to the carrier and/or electrode and send signals to the processor.

Abstract: A seat massage system for a vehicle includes a vehicle seating assembly that has a massaging apparatus. The seat massage system also includes a positioning device for determining a location of the vehicle. A controller controls the massaging apparatus based on the determined location of the vehicle or a location characteristic of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a seat structure. A carrier is disposed on the seat structure and includes a matrix of fluid transfer lines. A spacer material is positioned over the carrier. A trim cover is disposed over the spacer material. A desiccant is made from a volcanic ash and is supported by the seat structure. The matrix of fluid transfer lines thermodynamically influences a relative temperature of the trim cover through both the carrier and the desiccant.

Abstract: A seat according to the invention, in particular a vehicle seat (25), comprises a seat frame (29), a seat surface (31) and at least one deformation element acting between the seat frame (29) and the seat surface (31), at least the one deformation element being capable of automatic activation in order to compensate actively for vibrations transmitted via the seat frame (29) to a person sitting on the seat. The invention also relates to a method for activating a deformation element of a seat, in particular a vehicle seat (25), which acts between a seat frame (29) and a seat surface (31) of the seat.

Abstract: A method for selecting and controlling massage functions of a motor vehicle seat having a control system comprising the steps of: switching the system to a selection mode and starting the selection mode; providing a menu list having options for querying the user's requirements during the massage; selection of an option by the user and providing predefined responses to the respective query and selection of the response by the user and if necessary repeating the steps for further queries; and terminating the selection mode and automatically determining suitable massage settings on the basis of the user's selection and controlling the massage actuators in the motor vehicle seat on the basis of determined massage settings to perform the massage function.

Abstract: A method for controlling and selecting massage functions of a motor vehicle seat and include the steps of: switching the system to a selection mode and starting the selection mode; scrolling through massage functions that are organized in a block-by-block manner, wherein the massage functions that are organized in a block-by-block manner include a specific massage zone per block; confirming a selection of the massage block by way of a user selection; and terminating the selection mode.

Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a seat back and a seat for supporting an occupant. A cushion is coupled to the seat and has at least one inflatable upper bladder for selectively adjusting the firmness of the cushion. The seat further includes an inflatable lower bladder positioned beneath the upper bladder. The seat is configured such that a vehicle seat hip pivot point is maintained when adjusting the firmness of the cushion by increasing the pressure in the lower bladder when the pressure in the upper bladder is selectively decreased, and by decreasing the pressure in the lower bladder when the pressure in the upper bladder is selectively increased.

Abstract: The invention relates to a passively air-conditioned motor vehicle seat comprising a breathable seat cover and comprising a seat body which has ventilation channels extending in the thickness direction, which in each case have at least one element for preventing the return flow of air. For simplifying the production the at least one element for preventing the return flow of air consists of the same material as the seat body.

Abstract: A seat according to the invention, in particular a vehicle seat (25), comprises a seat frame (29), a seat surface (31) and at least one deformation element acting between the seat frame (29) and the seat surface (31), at least the one deformation element being capable of automatic activation in order to compensate actively for vibrations transmitted via the seat frame (29) to a person sitting on the seat. The invention also relates to a method for activating a deformation element of a seat, in particular a vehicle seat (25), which acts between a seat frame (29) and a seat surface (31) of the seat.

Abstract: The invention relates to a passively air-conditioned motor vehicle seat comprising a breathable seat cover and comprising a seat body which has ventilation channels extending in the thickness direction, which in each case have at least one element for preventing the return flow of air. For simplifying the production the at least one element for preventing the return flow of air consists of the same material as the seat body.