초록 ▼

A system of inflatable air cells (3,10) is constructed and installed in a seat (2) at locations that are strategic to the comfort of the user. The air cells are selectively pressurized to a desired comfort level and in addition, in response to a vehicle impact, are controlled by valves (62, 80) to h

A system of inflatable air cells (3,10) is constructed and installed in a seat (2) at locations that are strategic to the comfort of the user. The air cells are selectively pressurized to a desired comfort level and in addition, in response to a vehicle impact, are controlled by valves (62, 80) to have a occupant impact protection pressure therein for protecting the occupant against impact with the vehicle seat.

대표청구항 ▼

[What is claimed is:] [1.]a. a plurality of inflatable air cells mounted in operative association with a seat contour;b. a fluid distribution system providing independent passages connected to each of the air cells;c. a manifold connected to each of the passages of the distribution system through an

[What is claimed is:] [1.]a. a plurality of inflatable air cells mounted in operative association with a seat contour;b. a fluid distribution system providing independent passages connected to each of the air cells;c. a manifold connected to each of the passages of the distribution system through an individual output valve actuated by a first electrical signal;d. a source of pressurized fluid activated by a second electrical signal and connected to the fluid distribution system through the manifold;e. one or more pressure transducer(s) for sensing a pressure within said air cells when each of said individual output valves is actuated so as to communicate each of said air cells with said manifold; said one or more pressure transducer(s) generating a pressure signal indicating the pressure within each of the air cells; andf. a microcomputer including an analog to digital converter; said microcomputer connected to transmit an actuation signal to each of the manifold valves; to receive the signal from said one or more pressure transducer(s) via said analog to digital converter and to transmit an activation signal to the source of pressurized fluid in accordance with the signal from said pressure transducer; said microcomputer being programmed to store predetermined comfort data relative to comfort including a desired pressure to be maintained in each of said air cells; to transmit actuation signals to each of the manifold valves; to compare said force signal to the predetermined comfort data; to generate a valve activation signal relative to the comparison between said pressure signal and said comfort data and further programmed to transmit said activation signal to the source of pressurized fluid to adjust the pressure in each of the air cells to a desired pressure in each of said air cells, wherein the improvement comprises:a seat back;a predetermined set of said plurality of inflatable air cells located on said seat back and configured as a pneumatically controlled back seat surface;a vehicle impact sensor operative in response to a vehicle crash; said microcomputer configured to receive the signal from said vehicle impact sensor upon a vehicle crash via said analog to digital converter and to transmit an activation signal to the source of pressurized fluid in accordance with the signal from said impact sensor to produce an impact protection target pressure within said predetermined set of said plurality of inflatable air cells so as to provide a pressurized air cell or air cells on said seat back that will cushion and thereby provide occupant impact protection when a vehicle crashes so as to cause a seat occupant to be moved in a direction to impact against said seat back.