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 pneumatic system includes a fluidic switching module, an air connection inlet configured for connection to a source of pressurized air, a plurality of air connection outlets each in fluid communication with the air connection inlet, a first cascading subsystem downstream from and in fluid communication with the air connection inlet and configured to receive a pressurized airflow from the air connection inlet, a second cascading subsystem downstream from and in fluid communication with the first cascading subsystem, and a third cascading subsystem downstream from and in fluid communication with the first cascading subsystem. The fluidic switching module is configured to cyclically and sequentially direct the pressurized airflow between the plurality of air connection outlets without any moving parts or external controls.

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 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 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: 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 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 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: 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: 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 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 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: 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: 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 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, 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, 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.