Mccord Winn Textron Inc.

Jeffrey I Finkelstein

Carl F Kackenmeister

David A Gattuso

Steven Castrigno

Anthony R Haba, Ii

Bruce T Long

Babak Sardashti

Alfred E Bissell, Iii

Tuan A Dam

Donna L Lizotte

Kurt K Preiss

Mark T Lyons

A system of inflatable air cells is constructed and installed in a seat at locations that are strategic to the comfort of the user. The air cells are connected to a pump through a manifold which sequentially connects each cell independently to the pump. The manifold controls the flow of fluid in the air cell distribution system by means of a system of valves and senses the pressure in each cell by means of a transducer. A microcomputer is programmed with data representing a desired comfort level for each of the air cells. By sequentially activating individual manifold valves, a pressure signal from the transducer can be generated for each cell. The pressure signals are received by the microcomputer and are correlated with the predetermined comfort data to generate a control signal which activates the pump. In this manner each of the cells can be individually inflated or deflated to the desired pressure level. By varying the number and location of the cells the system becomes responsive to the localized pressures exerted on the body for a great variety of users.

Interactive, individually controlled, multiple bladder seating comfort

An occupant sensing system for a vehicle with of inflatable air cells is provided for allowing automatic sensing of the presence or absence of a seat occupant so as to eliminated unnecessary adaptive adjustment of air cell pressures and to allow the adaptive system to function without operator interaction via operating switches.

Growing community of inventors

Shelburne, VT, United States of America

Jeffrey I Finkelstein