Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling smart motors. One smart motor system includes a control bus, an input device, and a smart motor communicatively coupled to the input device via the control bus. The smart motor includes an electronic processor configured to receive, from the input device, a command frame indicating an action, perform the action, receive, from the input device, a data request frame requesting a status of the smart motor, and transmit, to the input device and in response to receiving the data request frame, a data frame indicating the status of the smart motor.

Abstract: A pneumatic massage system includes a source of pressurized air, a fluidic switching module in communication with the source of pressurized air, a first bladder in communication with the fluidic switching module, a second bladder in communication with the fluidic switching module, and a third bladder in communication with the fluidic switching module. The fluidic switching module is configured to direct air from the source of pressurized air to each of the first bladder, the second bladder, and the third bladder in a predefined sequence. The predefined sequence includes inflating the first bladder, inflating the second bladder while deflating the first bladder, and inflating the third bladder while deflating the second bladder.

Abstract: A fluid management system includes a housing having a central manifold in fluid communication with a source of pressurized fluid, a plurality of first ports in communication with the central manifold, a plurality of second ports in communication with the environment surrounding the housing, and a plurality of third ports each configured to be coupled to a vessel for containing the pressurized fluid. The fluid management system also includes a plurality of valves and a plurality of actuators, each actuator including a smart material and associated with one of the plurality of valves. In response to activation by an energy source, each actuator is configured to move the associated valve to one of a first position or a second position.

Abstract: A pneumatic module has an air passage formed therein, including an air inlet to receive a source of pressurized air, a first subsystem with an air splitter in fluid communication with the air inlet, a second subsystem, and a third subsystem. The air splitter is configured to create two unequal air pressure fields to deflect an airflow from the air inlet to the second subsystem. The second subsystem is configured to create two unequal air pressure fields to deflect the airflow toward a first air bladder to inflate the first air bladder, and when the first air bladder reaches a first threshold air pressure, a first backpressure from the first air bladder causes the second subsystem to switch and deflect the air flow to a second air bladder. A second backpressure causes the air splitter to switch and deflect the airflow from the second subsystem to the third subsystem.

Abstract: A pneumatic system includes a passage to discharge compressed air and a sound attenuator including a first chamber in fluid communication with the passage and defined by a first wall through which the passage opens into the first chamber, a first surface of a second wall spaced from and opposite the first wall, and a sidewall extending between the first and second walls. The first chamber has a volume and includes a first opening in the sidewall. A second chamber is in fluid communication with the first opening and partially surrounds the first chamber. The second chamber is partially defined by a second surface of the second wall opposite the first surface and by the sidewall, and the second chamber has a volume and includes a second opening to exhaust air from the second chamber. The volume of the first chamber is less than that of the second chamber.

Abstract: A fluidic switching module body defining an inlet passage, a first nozzle in fluid communication with the inlet passage, an air splitter in fluid communication with the first nozzle, and a first transfer passage in fluid communication with a first side of the air splitter. A second transfer passage is in fluid communication with a second side of the air splitter, a second nozzle is in fluid communication with the first transfer passage, and a second air splitter is in fluid communication with the second nozzle. A first bladder passage is in fluid communication with a first side of the second air splitter, and a second bladder passage is in fluid communication with a second side of the second air splitter. A first vent passage is in fluid communication with the first bladder passage, and a second vent passage is in fluid communication with the second bladder passage.

Abstract: A cable includes a core with a plurality of first wires made of carbon steel and a plurality of strands surrounding the core. Each strand includes a plurality of second wires made of stainless steel. The cable has a maximum cross-sectional dimension less than 2 millimeters.

Abstract: A pneumatic system includes a fluidic switching module having an air passage and a vent in fluid communication with the air passage. The pneumatic system also includes a sound attenuator coupled to the fluidic switching module, the sound attenuator having a first chamber in fluid communication with the vent, a first orifice in fluid communication with the vent via the first chamber, a second chamber in fluid communication with the first chamber via the first orifice, and a second orifice in fluid communication with the first orifice via the second chamber.

Abstract: To secure both flexibility and rigidity of a pressure-receiving member, a pressure-receiving member capable of moving rearward in a state of receiving a load from a back of an occupant is included in a seat back of a conveyance seat for supporting the back of the occupant. The pressure-receiving member has a load-receiving portion which receives the load from the back of the occupant at a front face, and the load-receiving portion includes a load-receiving portion piece formed so that a length in a vertical direction of the seat back is shorter than a length in a seat width direction, and a rear reinforcement rib protruding along a thickness direction of the load-receiving portion from the load-receiving portion piece and extending along the seat width direction.

Abstract: A latching system includes a first lever connected to a first cable having a first cable end, a second lever connected to a second cable having a second cable end, a latch connected to a third cable having a third cable end, and a cable splitter assembly. The cable splitter assembly has a housing with a first end and a second end and a body with an interior surface defining an interior chamber. A carriage is configured to translate within the interior chamber. The carriage includes a carriage body with a plurality of cavities arranged to seat the respective first, second, and third cable ends and a plurality of resilient arms integrally formed as one piece with the carriage body.

Abstract: A lumbar support system for a seat backrest, the lumbar support system includes a carrier having a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The carrier is movable with respect to the seat backrest in a first direction and in a second direction opposite the first direction. The lumbar support system further includes a first bladder coupled to the first end of the carrier, a second bladder coupled to the second end of the carrier, and a third bladder coupled to the carrier. The third bladder has a contact surface and is configured to move with the carrier. The first bladder is inflatable to move the carrier in the first direction, and the second bladder is inflatable to move the carrier in the second direction. The third bladder is inflatable such that the contact surface is extendable in a third direction.

Abstract: A lumbar support system for a seat backrest includes a fixed frame and a flexmat coupled to the fixed frame. The flexmat includes first and second outer wires and a plurality of transverse wires extending between the outer wires. A support element is coupled to a lower portion of the flexmat below the plurality of transverse wires for concurrent movement with the flexmat from a first position to a second position. The support element is anatomically contoured for lumbar and pelvic support, and the support element is constructed of a more rigid material than the flexmat.

Abstract: An actuator includes a motor, a gear assembly, a pulley selectively rotatable about an axis by the motor via the gear assembly, at least one biasing member, a first cable connected at one end to the pulley, and a second cable connected at one end to the pulley. The pulley is rotatable in a first pulley direction to a first actuation position to increase tension in the first cable and is rotatable in a second pulley direction opposite the first pulley direction to a second actuation position to increase tension in the second cable. The at least one biasing member is operable to bias the pulley in the second pulley direction when the pulley is in the first actuation position and to bias the pulley in the first pulley direction when in the pulley is the second actuation position.

Abstract: A lumbar support system for a seat backrest, the lumbar support system includes a carrier having a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The carrier is movable with respect to the seat backrest in a first direction and in a second direction opposite the first direction. The lumbar support system further includes a first bladder coupled to the first end of the carrier, a second bladder coupled to the second end of the carrier, and a third bladder coupled to the carrier. The third bladder has a contact surface and is configured to move with the carrier. The first bladder is inflatable to move the carrier in the first direction, and the second bladder is inflatable to move the carrier in the second direction. The third bladder is inflatable such that the contact surface is extendable in a third direction.

Abstract: An actuator includes a motor, a gear assembly, a pulley selectively rotatable about an axis by the motor via the gear assembly, at least one biasing member, a first cable connected at one end to the pulley, and a second cable connected at one end to the pulley. The pulley is rotatable in a first pulley direction to a first actuation position to increase tension in the first cable and is rotatable in a second pulley direction opposite the first pulley direction to a second actuation position to increase tension in the second cable. The at least one biasing member is operable to bias the pulley in the second pulley direction when the pulley is in the first actuation position and to bias the pulley in the first pulley direction when in the pulley is the second actuation position.

Abstract: A method for configuring a controller to operate a motor to position a seat, in which the controller includes an integrated current sensor and the seat includes a latch operatively coupled to the motor, includes determining an operating profile of the motor under one or more operating conditions, wherein the operating profile represents motor current values during activation of the latch, and wherein the activation of the latch includes at least one latch pulling condition and one latch release condition. The method further includes analyzing the operating profile in order to correlate the profile to the position of the latch. The method also includes loading the controller with instructions to enable comparison of a real-time current measured by the integrated current sensor to the stored operating profile, wherein the analysis enables determination of the latch condition in real-time.

Abstract: A pneumatically adjustable seat includes a seat frame having a seat back frame portion and a headrest coupled to the seat back frame portion. The headrest includes a resilient cushion. A drive assembly includes a contact member operatively associated with the resilient cushion. A first bladder is operatively coupled to the contact member and in fluid communication with a source of pressurized fluid. Inflation of the first bladder via the source of pressurized fluid extends the contact member from a first position nearer the seat back frame to a second position further from the seat back frame. A second bladder is operatively coupled to the contact member and in fluid communication with the source of pressurized fluid. Inflation of the second bladder via the source of pressurized fluid pivots the contact member away from an occupant of the seat.

Abstract: An adjustable support system for a seat having a fixed frame includes a support movable from a first position to a second position relative to the frame. An actuator is coupled to only the support and is configured to move the support between the first and second positions. A member is operatively associated with and movable by the actuator. A flexible cable has a first end coupled to the member for travel along the length of the member and a second end coupled to the fixed frame such that movement of the member by the actuator causes the flexible cable to move the support between the first position and the second position.

Abstract: A wireless charging system for a vehicle. The wireless charging system includes a wireless power transmitter, a vehicle signal sensor, and a controller. The controller starts a wireless transmission of electromagnetic energy from the wireless power transmitter to a receiving device. The controller measures an electromagnetic signal within the vehicle during the wireless transmission of electromagnetic energy from the wireless power transmitter to the receiving device. The controller detects a vehicle control signal within the electromagnetic signal. The controller stops the wireless transmission of electromagnetic energy from the wireless power transmitter to the receiving device upon detection of the vehicle control signal within the electromagnetic signal.

Abstract: A bolster assembly for a seat includes a fixed frame and a housing coupled to the fixed frame. The housing includes a track and a bracket moveable along at least a portion the track between a first position and a second position. A paddle is moveably coupled to the bracket and a drive shaft is configured for rotation about a drive axis. Rotation of the drive shaft about the drive axis moves the bracket between the first position and the second position.