Abstract: A circuit arrangement for controlling a system for a seat comfort function includes at least one actuator with at least one adjusting element and at least one SMA element, wherein the adjusting element can be moved from a first position to a second position. At least one resistance measuring device measures a resistance of the at least one SMA element. At least one driver unit activates the actuator with the at least one SMA element. A control unit controls the driver unit, the driver unit being configured for processing an output signal of the resistance measuring device. The circuit arrangement is configured so that the resistance measuring device and the driver unit are alternatingly operationally connected to the SMA element. Related methods of operation and seats are disclosed.

Abstract: A circuit arrangement controls a system for a seat comfort function with at least one air cushion, at least one actuator with at least one adjusting element and at least one SMA element being movable between a first position and a second position. The circuit arrangement includes at least one driver unit with at least one driver to activate the actuator with the at least one SMA element; at least one temperature sensor; and a control unit to control the driver unit, the control unit being configured to generate a control signal to control the driver unit. The control signal is determined from a) at least one actual filling level parameter; b) a temperature signal from the temperature sensor; c) a system parameter; and d) at least one of a target filling level parameter and a target filling level change parameter. A related seat and method of controlling same are also disclosed.

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 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 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 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 circuit arrangement controls a system for a seat comfort function with at least one air cushion, at least one actuator with at least one adjusting element and at least one SMA element being movable between a first position and a second position. The circuit arrangement includes at least one driver unit with at least one driver to activate the actuator with the at least one SMA element; at least one temperature sensor; and a control unit to control the driver unit, the control unit being configured to generate a control signal to control the driver unit. The control signal is determined from a) at least one actual filling level parameter; b) a temperature signal from the temperature sensor; c) a system parameter; and d) at least one of a target filling level parameter and a target filling level change parameter. A related seat and method of controlling same are also disclosed.

Abstract: A circuit arrangement for controlling a system for a seat comfort function includes at least one actuator with at least one adjusting element and at least one SMA element, wherein the adjusting element can be moved from a first position to a second position. At least one resistance measuring device measures a resistance of the at least one SMA element. At least one driver unit activates the actuator with the at least one SMA element. A control unit controls the driver unit, the driver unit being configured for processing an output signal of the resistance measuring device. The circuit arrangement is configured so that the resistance measuring device and the driver unit are alternatingly operationally connected to the SMA element. Related methods of operation and seats are 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: 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 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 arrangement includes a housing with pump and consumer connections, and first and second actuators arranged symmetrically. Each first and second actuator includes one base plate; one actuating element having first and second end sections, and a sealing element in the first end section; one connecting element; and one SMA element having a U-shape with first and second ends, and a middle section between the ends. 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. The middle section is connected to the first end section of the actuating element so that shortening the SMA element causes a stroke of the sealing element. A related pump mechanism is disclosed.

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.

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: 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 arrangement includes a housing with pump and consumer connections, and first and second actuators arranged symmetrically. Each first and second actuator includes one base plate; one actuating element having first and second end sections, and a sealing element in the first end section; one connecting element; and one SMA element having a U-shape with first and second ends, and a middle section between the ends. 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. The middle section is connected to the first end section of the actuating element so that shortening the SMA element causes a stroke of the sealing element. A related pump mechanism is disclosed.

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.