Abstract: A fluid routing device (20) directs the transportation of a fluid. The fluid routing device includes a housing (22) having an opening (40) with a seat (38), and a valve (42) opening and closing the opening. The valve includes a first permanent magnet (56) having a first magnetic coercivity and a first polarity and a second permanent magnet (58) having a second magnetic coercivity lower than the first magnetic coercivity of the first permanent magnet such that the second permanent magnet has a second polarity capable of switching between a complimentary configuration oriented in a common direction as the first polarity, and a reversed configuration oriented in an opposite direction from the first polarity. A coil (59) surrounds at least the second permanent magnet. The coil is configured to orient the second polarity in the complimentary configuration when electric current passes in a first direction and in the reversed configuration when electric current passes in a second direction.

Abstract: One embodiment of a lumbar support system includes one or more air cells adapted to be mounted to a vehicle seat assembly, a pump selectively inflating the air cells, and a valve fluidly connected between the pump and the air cells. The valve includes a body defining a pair of cavities corresponding with each of the air cells. The valve further includes an inflate plunger movable in one of the cavities to selectively open the cavity and a deflate plunger movable in the other cavity to selectively open the other cavity. Furthermore, the valve includes an actuator movably coupled to the body between a first operational position to inflate the air cell, and a second operational position to deflate the air cell. An electrical switch is electrically coupled to an electrical input of the pump and closed when the actuator is moved to the first or second operational positions.

Abstract: A seat, such as a vehicle seat, includes an assembly for use in adjusting a seat support relative to a seat frame to provide a varying level of support to a seat occupant. The assembly includes a chassis mounted on the seat support, a screw drive supported on the chassis, an actuator coupled to the screw drive, a drive block engaging the screw drive, and first and second cables extending from the assembly for adjustable attachment to the seat frame.

Abstract: A vehicle seat comprises a seat bottom having a bottom cushion and a seat back coupled to the seat bottom with the seat back having a back cushion. At least one of the bottom cushion and the back cushion defines a passage. The vehicle seat further comprises a blower assembly coupled to one of the seat bottom and the seat back. The blower assembly comprises a housing and a stator, which is coupled to the housing and comprises a plurality of driving coils. The blower assembly further comprises a rotor rotatably coupled to the housing about a rotational axis, with the rotor comprising a plurality of permanent magnets arranged to generate a flux concentrated on the driving coils. The blower assembly further comprises an impeller coupled to the rotor to rotate about the rotational axis to generate a flow of air through the passage.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly comprises a seat bottom having a bottom cushion, a seat back coupled to the seat bottom with the seat back having a back cushion, and at least one of the bottom cushion and the back cushion having a passage. The assembly further includes a flow control layer coupled to the cushion having the passage with the flow control layer defining a first support area having a first plurality of slits and a second support area, adjacent to the first support area, having a second plurality of slits. Each slit defines a width that is moveable between a restricted position and a free-flowing position. The width of the first slits can move to the free-flowing position while the width of the second slits remains in the restricted position when the first support area receives a first load for flowing air through the first slits and the passage.

Abstract: A control cable positioning, retaining and adjusting system, for mounting a sheathed cable assembly to a frame member, comprises a cable assembly housing having an axially extending, toothed region extending along at least a part of its length, a mounting bracket configured to supportingly receive the cable assembly housing and having an adjustment window to display the toothed region there-through. A cable assembly adjusting lever is mounted to the cable assembly receiver and has a first end comprising an actuator, a second end having a locking tooth extending therefrom and a mid-portion mounted to the cable assembly receiver such that the lever is pivotable thereabout, wherein the cable assembly adjusting lever is positioned such that the locking tooth engages the axially extending, toothed region of the cable assembly housing through the adjustment window or opening.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly in which an impervious insert (41, 141) including a heating element and having a plurality of channels (42, 142) extending from an aperture (44, 144) positioned on a first side of at least one of a seat cushion (22) and a seat back (124) and in which a ventilation system (60) is coupled to a second side of the at least one of the seat cushion and the seat back for drawing air along the plurality of channels through the aperture and through a hole (30, 130) in the seat cushion or seat back for controlling the temperature of the seat assembly.

Abstract: An assembly for adjusting a lumbar region of a seat having a back frame. A seat support adapted for suspension in the frame is movable between first and second lumbar positions. An actuator is operatively attached to and concurrently moves with the support, and has a chassis mount and a drive mount selectively movable therewith between first and second positions. A wire extends between longitudinal ends adapted for attachment to the frame. A first guide slidably supported along the wire is coupled to the support and to the chassis mount. A second guide slidably supported along the wire is coupled to the support and to the drive mount. Movement of the drive mount from the first position urges the guides away from each other towards the ends of the wire such that the actuator and the seat support move toward the second lumbar position as a unit.

Abstract: A vehicle seat that is foldable includes a lockout mechanism to prevent movement of a head rest to a folded position if an occupant is present in the vehicle seat. In response to pivoting of a back rest relative to a bottom seat cushion, the head rest normally moves to the folded position, except if the occupant is present. A sensor determines whether the occupant is present, and if the occupant is present, prevents actuation of the head rest. The lockout mechanism can incorporate a lockout pin that is spring biased to fit within a recess of a plunger, such that when the lockout pin is engaged in the recess of the plunger, the head rest is permitted to move to the folded position.

Abstract: A valve selectively opens and closes a passageway defined by a port. The valve comprises a body defining outer and inner surfaces; the inner surface defining an inner cavity. A sealing arm extends from the body into the inner cavity and is movable between first and second positions for closing and opening the passageway, respectively. A shape memory alloy member is disposed at least partially along the outer surface and alternates between first and second lengths in de-energized and energized states, respectively. The first length is greater than the second length, which constricts about the body. A leg extends from the body into the inner cavity and is moveable between initial and activated positions in the de-energized and energized states, respectively. The leg engages and moves the sealing arm from the first position to the second position when the leg moves from the initial position to the activated position.

Abstract: A valve selectively opens and closes a passageway defined by a port. The valve comprises a body defining outer and inner surfaces; the inner surface defining an inner cavity. A sealing arm extends from the body into the inner cavity and is movable between first and second positions for closing and opening the passageway, respectively. A shape memory alloy member is disposed at least partially along the outer surface and alternates between first and second lengths in de-energized and energized states, respectively. The first length is greater than the second length, which constricts about the body. A leg extends from the body into the inner cavity and is moveable between initial and activated positions in the de-energized and energized states, respectively. The leg engages and moves the sealing arm from the first position to the second position when the leg moves from the initial position to the activated position.

Abstract: A headrest assembly for a vehicle seat. The headrest assembly includes a support bracket having a first engagement section and a moveable bracket movable between first and second positions. The headrest assembly further includes a pawl defining a cam surface. The pawl has a second engagement section and is pivotable between an engaged position, with the second engagement section engaging the first engagement section, and a disengaged position, with the second engagement section spaced from the first engagement section. The headrest assembly further includes a first tab selectively engaging and guiding the pawl into the engaged position, and a second tab selectively engaging and guiding the pawl into the disengaged position as the moveable bracket moves between the first and second positions. The headrest assembly further includes a biasing member engaging the cam surface to continuously bias the pawl into both of the engaged and disengaged positions.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly in which an impervious insert (41, 141) including a heating element and having a plurality of channels (42, 142) extending from an aperture (44, 144) positioned on a first side of at least one of a seat cushion (22) and a seat back (124) and in which a ventilation system (60) is coupled to a second side of the at least one of the seat cushion and the seat back for drawing air along the plurality of channels through said aperture and through a hole (30, 130) in the seat cushion or seat back for controlling the temperature of the seat assembly.

Abstract: A vehicle seat that is foldable includes a lockout mechanism to prevent movement of a head rest to a folded position if an occupant is present in the vehicle seat. In response to pivoting of a back rest relative to a bottom seat cushion, the head rest normally moves to the folded position, except if the occupant is present. A sensor determines whether the occupant is present, and if the occupant is present, prevents actuation of the head rest. The lockout mechanism can incorporate a lockout pin that is spring biased to fit within a recess of a plunger, such that when the lockout pin is engaged in the recess of the plunger, the head rest is permitted to move to the folded position.