Abstract: A fluid management system includes a bladder assembly having a first sheet of weldable plastic material and a second sheet of weldable plastic material bonded to the first sheet to form welded areas surrounding and defining a plurality of bladder chambers between the first and second sheets.

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: Systems and methods for automatic seat adjustment, the systems and methods including a seat frame, a plurality of seat cushions coupled to the seat frame, a plurality of adjustable bladders enclosed within the plurality of seat cushions, and a plurality of sensors enclosed within the plurality of seat cushions. The systems and methods also including a memory for storing user data and a plurality of seat adjustment programs for controlling the at least one of the plurality of adjustable bladders. The systems and methods further including at least one controller coupled to the memory, the plurality of adjustable bladders, and the plurality of sensors, the at least one controller configured to modify at least one of the plurality of adjustable bladders based on feedback from at least one of the plurality of sensors, the user data, and the seat adjustable programs.

Abstract: A pump assembly includes a housing with an air inlet and an air outlet, a motor supported by the housing, the motor including a drive shaft rotatable about a drive shaft axis, a first plurality of diaphragms supported by the housing, the first plurality of diaphragms positioned along a first plane, and a second plurality of diaphragms supported by the housing, the second plurality diaphragms positioned along a second plane, the second plane spaced apart from the first plane. Rotation of the drive shaft is operable to move each diaphragm of the first plurality of diaphragms and each diaphragm of the second plurality of diaphragms from an intake position to a compression position to pump a fluid from the air inlet through the air outlet.

Abstract: Clutch-based adjustment mechanism for motorized multi-way seat adjustment An adjustment mechanism comprises multiple screw shafts (111, 112, 113) and a motor (150) for driving the screw shafts. Further, the adjustment mechanism comprises a clutch mechanism (160) for selectively engaging the motor (150) with one or more of the screw shafts (111, 112, 113). A rotation of one or more of the screw shafts (111, 12, 113) caused by the motor (150) translates into adjustment of the seat according to a first degree of freedom. A rotation of one or more others of the screw shafts (111, 12, 113) caused by the motor (150) translates into adjustment of the seat according to a second degree of freedom.

Abstract: A fluid management system includes a housing with a first port, a second port, and a third port, and a valve body moveable within the housing between a first position and a second position. The valve body is configured to seal the third port and permit fluid flow between the first and second ports in the first position, and to seal the first port and permit fluid flow between the second and third ports in the second position. The system further includes an actuator coupled to the valve body. The actuator includes a shape memory alloy material. A biasing element is coupled to the valve body to bias the valve body toward one of the first or second positions. The actuator is configured to move the valve body to one of the first or second positions against a biasing force of the biasing element in response to heating the actuator.

Abstract: An adjustment mechanism for a seat comprises at least one screw shaft (111, 112) and a motor for driving the at least one screw shaft (111, 112). Further, the adjustment mechanism comprises at least one nut element (121, 122) engaged with the at least one screw shaft (121, 122) in such a way that a rotation of the at least one screw shaft (111, 112) caused by the motor translates into a linear motion of the at least one nut element (121, 122). In a first range of the linear motion of the at least one nut element (121, 122) the linear motion translates into adjustment of the seat according to a first degree of freedom, and in a second range of the linear motion of the at least one nut element (121, 122) the linear motion translates into adjustment of the seat according to a second degree of freedom.

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: The present invention relates to a suspension arrangement (20, 120) for a seat comprising a plurality of elongate suspension members (21, 22, 121, 122) of a glass fibre filled plastic. Each elongate suspension member (21, 22, 121, 122) of the plurality of elongate suspension members includes in a longitudinal direction thereof a first end (23, 25, 123, 125) and an opposing second end (24, 26, 124, 126). The elongate suspension member (21, 22, 121, 122) has a meandered shape in the longitudinal direction. The present invention relates furthermore to a method for producing an elongate suspension member (21, 22, 121, 122).

Abstract: A valve (100) includes a housing (111) and the fluid port (121). A plunger (125) is configured to seal the fluid port (121) in a first position (91) and to unseal the fluid port (121) in a second position and to displace along a displacement direction (259) from its first position (91) towards its second position. The valve (100) also includes at least one shape memory alloy, SMA, actuator (151, 152) extending along the displacement direction (259) for at least 50% of its length and configured to exert an actuation force (155) on the plunger (125) to displace the plunger (125) from the first position (91) towards the second position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a suspension arrangement (20, 120) for a seat comprising a plurality of elongate suspension members (21, 22, 121, 122) of a glass fibre filled plastic. Each elongate suspension member (21, 22, 121, 122) of the plurality of elongate suspension members includes in a longitudinal direction thereof a first end (23, 25, 123, 125) and an opposing second end (24, 26, 124, 126). The elongate suspension member (21, 22, 121, 122) has a meandered shape in the longitudinal direction. The present invention relates furthermore to a method for producing an elongate suspension member (21, 22, 121, 122).

Abstract: A latch actuator comprises a motor, a speed reduction gearing coupled to an output shaft of the motor, a spindle, and a motion conversion mechanism. The spindle has a threaded portion in engagement with the speed reduction gearing. The spindle is supported to be rotatable about an axis. The threaded portion is rotationally fixed relative to the spindle. The motion conversion mechanism is configured to cause a displacement of the spindle along the axis when the spindle rotates.

Abstract: An adjustment mechanism for a seat comprises at least one screw shaft (111, 112) and a motor for driving the at least one screw shaft (111, 112). Further, the adjustment mechanism comprises at least one nut element (121, 122) engaged with the at least one screw shaft (121, 122) in such a way that a rotation of the at least one screw shaft (111, 112) caused by the motor translates into a linear motion of the at least one nut element (121, 122). In a first range of the linear motion of the at least one nut element (121, 122) the linear motion translates into adjustment of the seat according to a first degree of freedom, and in a second range of the linear motion of the at least one nut element (121, 122) the linear motion translates into adjustment of the seat according to a second degree of freedom.

Abstract: An actuator comprises a housing, a motor, a drive mechanism and a clutch coupled to the drive mechanism. The motor is mounted displaceably relative to the housing. A displacement of the motor relative to the housing is operative to actuate the clutch.

Abstract: Clutch-based adjustment mechanism for motorized multi-way seat adjustment An adjustment mechanism comprises multiplescrew shafts (111, 112, 113) and a motor (150) for driving the screw shafts. Further, the adjustment mechanism comprises a clutch mechanism (160) for selectively engaging the motor (150) with one or more of the screw shafts (111, 112, 113). A rotation of one or more of the screw shafts (111, 12, 113) caused by the motor (150) translates into adjustment of the seat according to a first degree of freedom. A rotation of one or more others of the screw shafts (111, 12, 113) caused by the motor (150) translates into adjustment of the seat according to a second degree of freedom.

Abstract: A valve (100) includes a housing (111) and the fluid port (121). A plunger (125) is configured to seal the fluid port (121) in a first position (91) and to unseal the fluid port (121) in a second position and to displace along a displacement direction (259) from its first position (91) towards its second position. The valve (100) also includes at least one shape memory alloy, SMA, actuator (151, 152) extending along the displacement direction (259) for at least 50% of its length and configured to exert an actuation force (155) on the plunger (125) to displace the plunger (125) from the first position (91) towards the second position.

Abstract: An actuator assembly for adjusting at least one component of a seat comprises a first traction device, a second traction device, and an actuator which comprises a spindle drive. The spindle drive comprises a first member which is rotatably mounted and a second member which is threadingly engaged with the first member and secured against rotation. Both the first traction device and the second traction device are coupled to the second member of the spindle drive.

Abstract: A lumbar support device comprises a carrier, a pair of arching elements molded to the carrier, and a support basket supported by the pair of arching elements. To produce the lumbar support device, the pair of arching elements may be molded to the carrier in a molding tool and the support basket may be formed in the same molding tool.

Abstract: An actuator comprises a housing, a motor, a drive mechanism and a clutch coupled to the drive mechanism. The motor is mounted displaceably relative to the housing. A displacement of the motor relative to the housing is operative to actuate the clutch.

Abstract: An actuator arrangement for a seat includes a plurality of traction members and an actuator coupled to the plurality of traction members. The actuator has at least one first drive member which is rotatably supported. The actuator may include a second drive member which is supported moveably relative to the at least one first drive member. The traction members are coupled to the at least one first drive member so that rotation of the at least one first drive member gives rise to a cyclical change in the traction applied by the traction members.