Leggett & Platt Canada Co.

L&p Property Management Company

Schukra of North America

Schukra of North America Co.

Schukra Geraetebau Gmbh

Johnson Controls Technology Company

Schukra Geratebau Ag

Schukra of Norht America Ltd.

Renato Colja

Robert J McMillen

Horia Blendea

Wade O'Moore

Milosz Niec

Xinde Liang

Jan Petzel

Guilherme Hartenberg Watson

David Anthony Swan

Thomas Preiss

Veit Stoessel

Xiao Ming Zhao

Roland Och

Stephen M Certossi

John Knelsen

Iulian Mitea

Werner Steger

Klaus Wieder

Alan C Prettyman

Jiang Zhao

Niels S Mossbeck

Robert Coon

Brennon L White

Elliott Hsu

Maxime Samain

Danny D Alexander

Larry D Janzen

Vanja Cemalovic

Alan Prettyman

Daniel Schmitz

Stefano Nicola

Alan J King

Jeremie Gobbo

Katherine Arthurs

Hans Kogel

Barry Jones

Asad Sami

Bogdan Rencz

Dannion Smith

George Kukuruzovic

John Koopman

Adrian Natnail

Eric Baetens

George Kukurozovic

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.

Pneumatic massage system

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.

Fluid management system

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.

Pneumatic massage

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.

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.

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.

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.

Pneumatic four way lumbar

A method for configuring a controller to operate a motor to position a seat, in which the controller includes an integrated current sensor and the seat includes a latch operatively coupled to the motor, includes determining an operating profile of the motor under one or more operating conditions, wherein the operating profile represents motor current values during activation of the latch, and wherein the activation of the latch includes at least one latch pulling condition and one latch release condition. The method further includes analyzing the operating profile in order to correlate the profile to the position of the latch. The method also includes loading the controller with instructions to enable comparison of a real-time current measured by the integrated current sensor to the stored operating profile, wherein the analysis enables determination of the latch condition in real-time.

System and method for sensorless remote release actuating system

Maintaining continuous wireless charging of a device includes various elements. Events that may disrupt wireless charging are detected and the disruption circumvented by adjusting functions of an inductive coil. A frequency and power-shifting methodology is employed to achieve the continuous wireless charging. The invention may be implemented into various devices and environments, including vehicle consoles.

Maintaining continuous power charge in an inductive-coupling system

A pneumatically adjustable seat includes a seat frame having a seat back frame portion and a headrest coupled to the seat back frame portion. The headrest includes a resilient cushion. A drive assembly includes a contact member operatively associated with the resilient cushion. A first bladder is operatively coupled to the contact member and in fluid communication with a source of pressurized fluid. Inflation of the first bladder via the source of pressurized fluid extends the contact member from a first position nearer the seat back frame to a second position further from the seat back frame. A second bladder is operatively coupled to the contact member and in fluid communication with the source of pressurized fluid. Inflation of the second bladder via the source of pressurized fluid pivots the contact member away from an occupant of the seat.

Seat with pneumatic headrest and thigh adjustment

A wireless charging system for a vehicle. The wireless charging system includes a wireless power transmitter, a vehicle signal sensor, and a controller. The controller starts a wireless transmission of electromagnetic energy from the wireless power transmitter to a receiving device. The controller measures an electromagnetic signal within the vehicle during the wireless transmission of electromagnetic energy from the wireless power transmitter to the receiving device. The controller detects a vehicle control signal within the electromagnetic signal. The controller stops the wireless transmission of electromagnetic energy from the wireless power transmitter to the receiving device upon detection of the vehicle control signal within the electromagnetic signal.

Signal discrimination for wireless key fobs and interacting systems

A docking station that securely holds a portable electronic device in a desired location with respect to a primary power coil for inductive charging of a battery of the portable electronic device is provided. In one embodiment the docking station includes a pair of opposed end stops spaced apart longitudinally along a base and a primary coil of an inductive charging system positioned below the base. The end stops are longitudinally adjustable to properly align a secondary coil of the portable electronic device with a primary coil. A flexible retention wall may be deflected to provide a biasing force on the portable electronic device. Walls of the end stops are generally curved toward each other and provide downward pressure to prevent vertical and horizontal movement. In another embodiment, a retainer clip is movably coupled with and selectively slides along the base to securely hold the portable electronic device.

Docking station for inductively charged portable electronic device

A wireless charging system for a vehicle. The system includes a wireless power transmitter, a detector device associated with the wireless power transmitter, and a controller operatively associated with the wireless power transmitter. The controller senses whether a vehicle control signal is present using the detector device, stops transmission of electromagnetic energy from the wireless power transmitter to a receiving device if a vehicle control signal is present, and resumes transmission of electromagnetic energy from the wireless power transmitter to the receiving device after a predetermined period of time.

Growing community of inventors

Windsor, CA, United States of America

Renato Colja