Abstract: A seat system includes a bladder assembly that comprises a carrier substrate and inflatable bladders attached with the carrier substrate. Each of the inflatable bladders is fluidly connected with an associated feed channel. The carrier substrate comprises at least one group of configurable bladder locations. At least one of the inflatable bladders is a foldable bladder that is foldable from an unfolded position into a folded position selected from the group of configurable bladder locations and at which the foldable bladder is secured to the carrier substrate.

Abstract: Seat assemblies and subassemblies to attach and retain components is provided. The subassembly may include a trim cover with a cushion layer, and various fasteners or retainers. The fasteners may include a tie down strip. The retainers may include a connector that is translated through the seat cushion layer. The retainers may also include an envelope to encircle the cushion layer.

Abstract: Seat assemblies and subassemblies to fluidly actuate seat actuators, such as massage bladders are disclosed. The subassemblies include various valve assemblies to maximize output function while minimizing component quantity and optimizing valve assembly compactness. The valve assemblies provide dual sided linear valves, gate valve matrices, valve output multiplication by shared actuation, fluid circuit control logic to multiplex valve output, and/or three position valves.

Abstract: A seat cover secured to a seat structure formed of a mesh body of polymer fibers that are welded together, a method of securing the seat cover having a seam to a novel mesh body seat structure, and fixture used in the method. A mesh pad of welded polymer fibers is covered with the cover including tie down strips is selected. The tie down strips are moved into predetermined locations within the mesh pad, and the mesh pad is heated in the predetermined locations to melt a portion of the polymer fibers onto the tie down strips to hold the tie down strips in the predetermined locations.

Abstract: A method includes arranging at least one laser-weldable conduit along a contact interface with a laser-weldable polymer film layer of a seat inflatable bladder carrier, directing a laser beam at the laser-weldable polymer film layer, and moving the laser beam along a welding path that intersects the contact interface. The laser beam penetrates through the laser-weldable polymer film layer and impinges the at least one laser-weldable conduit. The laser beam causes localized heating and welding along the weld path at the contact interface, to fuse the laser-weldable polymer film layer and the conduit together.

Abstract: An airflow control system includes a plurality of airflow passages. Each of the airflow passages splits into at least first and second sub-passages. The first sub-passages provides a first group of sub-passages and the second sub-passages provide a second group of sub-passages. First and second fluidic clamps control airflow through the first and second groups of sub-passages. The first group of sub-passages extends through the first fluidic clamp and the second group of sub-passages extends through the second fluidic clamp. Actuation of the first fluidic clamp prevents airflow through the first group of sub-passages and, independent of the first fluidic clamp, actuation of the second fluidic clamp prevents airflow through the second group of sub-passages.

Abstract: A filament mesh structure, methods of manufacture and forming the filament mesh structure, and seat assembly having the filament mesh structure. The filament mesh structure may be cut by a fluid jet, may be heated with fluid to facilitate reshaping, or both. The filament mesh structure may be provided with a foldable connecting segment that facilitates folding of the filament mesh structure.

Abstract: A method includes stacking laser-weldable polymer film layers that include at least one colored film layer at least first and second uncolored film layers, directing a laser beam of a first wavelength at the stack and moving the laser beam along a first welding path, the laser beam impinges the colored film layer and produces localized heating and welding of the colored film layer and the first uncolored film layer to each other along the first welding path. Next, a laser beam of a second wavelength different than the first wavelength is directed at the stack and moved along a second welding path that is offset from the first welding path. The laser beam impinges the second uncolored layer and produces localized heating and welding of the second uncolored layer and the first uncolored layer to each other along the second welding path.

Abstract: A retainer is described that includes an elongated member attachable to a trim cover, and multiple anchors extending from the elongated member. Each of the anchors has a body with a first end attached to the elongated member and a second end opposite the first end, the second end terminating in a pointed tip. Each of the anchors has multiple barbs, each barb extending from the body in a direction away from the tip. For each of the plurality of anchors, a material of a mesh structure is gripped between the body and each of the barbs when the anchor is inserted into the mesh structure. A method of assembling a seat assembly including providing a retainer is also described.

Abstract: A seat support is provided with a plurality of flat layers to mount to a seat frame and to support an occupant upon the seat frame. The plurality of flat layers is stacked upon one another, and each of the plurality of stacked layers has a varying density. A seat support is provided with one or a plurality of layers of an extruded thermoplastic resin mesh to mount to a seat frame and to support an occupant upon the seat frame. The plurality of layers may be stacked upon each other.

Abstract: A retention clip is described that includes an anchor having a body with a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the second end terminating in a tip, the anchor having multiple barbs, each barb extending from the body in a direction away from the tip. The retention clip also includes a retention feature extending away from the first end of the anchor, wherein a material of a mesh structure is gripped between the body and each of the plurality of barbs when the anchor is inserted into the mesh structure. A method of assembling a seat assembly including providing a retention clip is also described.

Abstract: Seat assemblies and subassemblies thereof. The subassemblies include bladder assemblies, compression-resistant support structures, cushion assemblies, and/or heat transfer systems. The bladder assemblies may include integrated fluid conduits and/or flap valve assemblies disposed therein. The bladder assemblies may be disposed in the cushion assemblies. The cushion assemblies may be foamless such as comprising a polymeric non-woven filament mesh body. The mesh body may define one or more cavities to receive the bladder assembly. The heat transfer systems may cooperate with the bladder and/or cushion systems to heat or cool a trim surface.

Abstract: A method of making a mesh cushion. The method includes extruding a material through a plurality of filament forming openings in at least one die plate to form a plurality of filaments. The filaments may be at least partially submerged into a fluid to cool and harden the filaments into the mesh cushion.

Abstract: A connector includes a connector body and at least one nozzle that projects from the connector body. A clamp comprises opposed nozzle cavities corresponding in shape to the at least one nozzle. The clamp is moveable with respect to the at least one nozzle between an open, unclamped state and a closed, clamped state in which the at least one nozzle is received into the opposed nozzle cavities.

Abstract: A seat system includes a plurality of seat components, a seat cushioning material, and a trim cover. The seat components include at least a fan, inflatable bladders, a heat mat, a foam layer, and an air distribution layer. The trim cover is disposed on the seat cushioning material, the seat components are disposed between the seat cushioning material and the trim cover and are secured together with at least one fastener.

Abstract: A method for producing a vehicle interior component includes placing a polymeric cushion blank in a mold having a plurality of apertures and a mold cavity. The method may include the step of passing a first fluid having a first predetermined temperature through at least some of the apertures and through the cushion blank to heat the cushion blank to a compliant, non-liquid state. The method may also include passing a second fluid having a second predetermined temperature lower than the first predetermined temperature through the mold and through the cushion blank to cool cushion blank to a non-compliant state.

Abstract: Seat assemblies and subassemblies are disclosed. The subassemblies include massage and/or ventilation subassemblies that employ tubeless air distribution by fixing sheets together such as by heat-staking. The subassemblies also include a support structure for preassembling the massage, ventilation, and/or electronic components together prior to suspending them in a seat assembly.

Abstract: A product includes a filament mesh member, a trim cover, and a hook and loop fastening system. The filament mesh member comprises a set of filaments of thermoplastic material, wherein each member of the set of filaments is bonded to at least one other member of the set of filaments. The trim cover is disposed over the filament mesh member. The hook and loop fastening system comprises a loop portion and a hook portion. One of the loop portion and the hook portion is attached to the filament mesh member. The other of the loop portion and the hook portion is attached to the trim cover. The loop portion and the hook portion cooperate to secure the trim cover to the filament mesh member.

Abstract: A seat assembly has a seating cushion defining a first surface to support an occupant and a second surface opposite to the first surface, with the first surface further defining a trench. A fastener has a longitudinal body with a central region positioned between a first end region and a second end region, and a base extending outwardly from the second end region and transversely to the body. The first end region tapers in a direction away from the second end region, and the central region of the body defines a recess intersecting a side wall of the body and angled inwardly and towards the first end region to form a hook. The fastener extends through the seating cushion with the base abutting the second surface, and the first end region of the body extending into the trench.

Abstract: An assembly is provided with a first layer connected to a second layer to form a bladder, with the first layer defining a first aperture therethrough, and one of the first or second layers defining a second aperture therethough. The third layer is connected to the first layer and positioned between the first and second layers within the bladder. The third layer is movable between a first position covering the first aperture, and a second position spaced apart from the first aperture. A seat assembly is also provided.