Pillow valve device

Abstract

The invention relates to a bolster valve device. A method and apparatus includes a plurality of fluid bladders including at least a first fluid bladder and a second fluid bladder, and an actuator fluidly connected to the plurality of fluid bladders. An actuator selectively inflates the first fluid bladder and the second fluid bladder. The buffer bladder is fluidly connected to the first and second fluid bladders via a plurality of one-way valves. An exhaust port is fluidly connected to the plurality of fluid bladders, wherein the exhaust port selectively deflates the first and second fluid bladders.

Description

background

[0002] The seat may include lumbar valves / bolster valves and massage valves configured in a valve arrangement. The valves inflate or deflate associated fluid bladders in the seat. If the bolsters share an air line, when one bladder is compressed during a turning maneuver, the support in that bladder is lost because the air will simply move to another bladder. Bolsters with separate air lines can maintain firm support during turns; however, this results in increased cost for the associated pneumatic support system. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0003] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an example seat.

[0004] Figure 2 Some components of a fluid supply system associated with a plurality of fluid bladders are schematically shown.

[0005] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a valve arrangement for multiple bladders.

[0006] Figure 4A is like Figure 3 Schematic diagram of an example of a passive valve used in the device.

[0007] Figure 4B yes Figure 4A Side view of the passive valve.

[0008] Figure 5A is in the initial state Figure 4A Schematic diagram of a passive valve.

[0009] Figure 5B During inflation Figure 5A Schematic diagram of a passive valve.

[0010] Figure 5C Inflated and closed state Figure 5A Schematic diagram of a passive valve.

[0011] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of another valve arrangement for use with multiple bladders. Detailed Description

[0013] Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the detailed description that follows, many specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the various embodiments described. However, it is apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the various embodiments described may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, processes, components, circuits, and networks are not described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring aspects of the embodiments.

[0014] “One or more” includes a function performed by one element, a function performed by more than one element (eg, in a distributed manner), several functions performed by one element, several functions performed by several elements, or any combination of the foregoing.

[0015] It should also be understood that although in some cases, the terms "first", "second", etc. are used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first contact can be called a second contact, and similarly, a second contact can be called a first contact without departing from the scope of the various embodiments described. Both the first contact and the second contact are contacts, but they are not the same contact.

[0016] The terms used in the description of the various embodiments described herein are only used for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to be limiting. As used in the description of the various described embodiments and the appended claims, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to also include plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should also be understood that the term "and / or" used herein refers to and includes any and all possible combinations of one or more of the relevant listed items. It should be further understood that when used in this specification, the terms "includes", "including", "comprises" and / or "comprising" specify the presence of the features, wholes, steps, operations, elements and / or parts, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, wholes, steps, operations, elements, parts and / or their combinations.

[0017] As used herein, the term "if" is optionally interpreted to mean "when..." or "upon..." or "in response to determining..." or "in response to detecting...", as the context requires. Similarly, the phrases "if it is determined" or "if [the condition or event] is detected" are optionally interpreted to mean "upon determining..." or "in response to determining..." or "upon detecting [the condition or event]" or "in response to detecting [the condition or event]", as the context requires.

[0018] It should be understood that terms such as "about," "substantially," and "approximately" are not intended to be open-ended terms, and should be interpreted in the same manner as those skilled in the art interpret these terms.

[0019] The present disclosure relates to a pneumatic support system that uses an active valve to supply fluid to inflate multiple fluid bladders in combination with multiple one-way passive valves, which cooperate with each other to fill / maintain a set inflation pressure in the bladders, and then the multiple fluid bladders are deflated via a common active exhaust valve.

[0020] Figure 1 A seat assembly 10 is shown according to an example embodiment. The seat assembly 10 may be used as a vehicle seat assembly 10 for seating in a vehicle, such as an automobile, an airplane, a boat, or any other seating environment. The seat assembly 10 includes a seat bottom 12 that may be adapted to be mounted for motor-driven adjustable translation in a fore-aft direction and an up-and-down direction of the vehicle. The seat assembly 10 includes a seat back 14 that may be pivotally connected to the seat bottom 12 to extend generally vertically relative to the seat bottom 12 for pivotal adjustment relative to the seat bottom 12. A head restraint 16 may also be mounted to the seat back 14.

[0021] The seat bottom 12 includes a central seating surface 18 and a pair of side bolster regions 20 spaced laterally about the central seating surface 18. The seat back 14 includes a pelvic / lumbar seating surface 22 having a pair of laterally spaced side bolster regions 24 on either side. A sternum / shoulder seating surface 26 is disposed above the seating surfaces of the pelvic / lumbar seating surface 22 and the seat back side bolster regions 24. It should be understood that this is only one example of a seating configuration and that other configurations may be utilized.

[0022] Figure 2 The seat assembly 10 is shown with the cover, trim, and foam removed to reveal the components underneath. The seat bottom 12 includes one or more fluid bladder assemblies 28 located below the central seating surface 18 and in the seat back 14. The seat bottom 12 also includes a pair of lower bolster fluid bladder assemblies 30, each of which is located in the seat bottom 12 adjacent to the side bolster seating surface 20. Likewise, the seat back 14 includes a pair of upper bolster fluid bladder assemblies 32, each of which is located adjacent to one of the seat back side bolster seating surfaces 24. Each of the side bolster fluid bladder assemblies 30, 32 is supported on a frame 34, 36 of the corresponding seat bottom 12 and seat back 14.

[0023] The side bolster fluid bladder assemblies 30, 32 provide lateral support to the seated occupants when the vehicle undergoes turns or turns.The fluid bladder assemblies 28 in the seat bottom 12 and seat back 14 may be used for lumbar or massage purposes.

[0024] The seat assembly 10 also includes an actuator assembly 44 for controlling the inflation of the bag assemblies 28, 30, 32. The actuator assembly 44 may include a compressor or a pneumatic pump connected to a valve group to provide a fluid source to the fluid bag assemblies 28, 30, 32. A seat control module is disposed in the seat bottom 12 or the seat back 14 and is generally identified as a controller 46. In one example, the controller 46 regulates the compressed air entering and leaving the bag assemblies 28, 30, 32 in the seat assembly 10. As shown, the controller 46 and the actuator 44 may be mounted in the seat back 14, or under the seat, or in any suitable place in the vehicle. In addition, the controller 46 and the actuator 44 may be separate units, or may be combined together as a single unit.

[0025] The controller 46 may include a processing unit and non-transitory memory for executing various control strategies. The processing unit may be a custom or commercially available processor, a central processing unit (CPU), or any device generally used to execute software instructions. The memory may include any one or combination of volatile memory elements and / or non-volatile memory elements. The processing unit may be programmed to execute one or more programs stored in the memory. For example, the program may be stored in the memory as a software code. The program stored in the memory may include one or more additional or separate programs, each of which includes an ordered list of executable instructions for implementing the logical functions associated with the control valve group. Although shown as a single controller, the controller 46 may include one or more controllers. The controller 46 may also communicate with another controller and respond to instructions from another controller.

[0026] Figure 3 An example of a pneumatic support system 50 is shown that includes a plurality of fluid bladders, including at least a first fluid bladder 52 and a second fluid bladder 54. Each fluid bladder 52, 54 includes a pneumatic cell or pouch that can be expanded to provide enhanced support in a desired area on the seat 10. In one example, these bladders 52, 54 can be used as Figure 2The pneumatic support system 50 also includes a buffer bladder 58, which is fluidly connected to the first fluid bladder 52 and the second fluid bladder 54 via a plurality of one-way passive valves 60. In one example, the buffer bladder 58 includes a pneumatic compartment or bag that fluidly connects adjacent pairs of fluid bladders to each other. In one example, the one-way passive valve 60 includes a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) valve or other type of one-way passive valve. The pneumatic support system 50 also includes a vent 62, which is fluidly connected to a plurality of fluid bladders, wherein the vent 62 selectively deflates the first fluid bladder 52 and the second fluid bladder 54. In one example, the vent 62 includes an active deflation valve. The active inflation valve and the deflation valve are selectively controlled by controller 46 .

[0027] In one example, each pair of fluid bladders 52, 54 is associated with a common cushion bladder 58 to maintain the bladder pressure in each bladder of a pair of bladders at a desired pressure. Thus, each pair of fluid bladders 52, 54 in the plurality of fluid bladders is associated with only one cushion bladder 58.

[0028] In one example, the cushioning bladder 58 is smaller in size than each pair of associated fluid bladders. Thus, for example, Figure 3 The illustrated cushion bladder 58 is smaller in size than the first and second fluid bladders 52, 54. In one example, the cushion bladder is significantly smaller in size such that the volume enclosed by the cushion bladder pocket is smaller than the volume enclosed by the pockets of the first and second fluid bladders 52, 54. In one example, the cushion bladder 58 is less than half the size of the associated pair of fluid bladders.

[0029] The cushioning bladder 58 is configured to have multiple inlets (e.g., one inlet for each associated fluid bladder) and a single outlet leading to the exhaust port 62. Figure 3 As shown, the cushion bladder 58 has a first inlet 64 associated with the first fluid bladder 52 and a second inlet 66 associated with the second fluid bladder 54. Thus, there is a fluid communication path 68 from the first fluid bladder 52 to the cushion bladder 58, and a fluid communication path 70 from the second fluid bladder 54 to the cushion bladder 58. In addition, the cushion bladder 58 includes a single outlet 72 leading to the exhaust port 62, such that there is a fluid communication path 74 from the internal fluid cavity 76 of the cushion bladder 58 to the flow communication line associated with the exhaust port 62.

[0030] In one example, each fluid bladder of the pneumatic support system 50 includes a single one-way valve, and each cushion bladder includes two one-way valves. Thus, the plurality of one-way valves 60 include at least a first one-way valve 60a associated with the first fluid bladder 52, a second one-way valve 60b associated with the second fluid bladder 54, a third one-way valve 60c associated with the cushion bladder 58, and a fourth one-way valve 60d associated with the cushion bladder 58. Each of the one-way valves 60a-60d includes a TPU valve or other similar passive valve that is at least partially received within the fluid chamber 78, 80 of the associated bladder 52, 54 and allows only one-way flow through the valve 60a-60d.

[0031] In the disclosed configuration, each fluid bladder has a single inlet associated with a one-way valve and a single outlet associated with one of the two one-way valves in the cushion bladder. For example, the first fluid bladder 52 has a single inlet 82 via the first one-way valve 60a for inflation of the first fluid bladder 52, and the second fluid bladder 54 has a single inlet 84 via the second one-way valve 60b for inflation of the second fluid bladder 54. The cushion bladder 58 has a first inlet 64 via the third one-way valve 60c and a second inlet 66 via the fourth one-way valve 60d. Thus, there is a single and uninterrupted flow communication path 68 from the inner cavity 78 of the first fluid bladder 52 to the third one-way valve 60c of the cushion bladder, and a single and uninterrupted flow communication path 70 from the inner cavity 80 of the second fluid bladder 54 to the fourth one-way valve 60d of the cushion bladder.

[0032] The inflation / deflation operation of the pneumatic support system 50 is achieved by using one active inflation valve 56 for each pair of bags 52, 54, a plurality of one-way valves 60, cushion bags 58, and one active exhaust valve 62 for each pair of bags 52, 54. In one example, the actuator 56 includes the active inflation valve 56, which is a two-port valve associated with the controller 46, which selectively opens or closes the flow for inflation. In one example, the exhaust port 62 includes the active exhaust valve 62, which is a two-port valve associated with the controller 46, which selectively opens or closes the flow for deflation. The active inflation valve 56 and the active exhaust valve 62 are selectively controlled by the controller 46 to provide the desired bolster pressure in the associated bag.

[0033] In one example, the inflated state of the pneumatic support system 50 includes the active inflation valve 56 being open (e.g., flow open for inflation) and the active exhaust valve 62 being closed (e.g., flow closed), so that the first fluid bladder 52 and the second fluid bladder 54 are filled through the first one-way valve 60a and the second one-way valve 60b, respectively. The flow from the first fluid bladder 52 enters the third one-way valve 60c in the cushion bladder 58, and the flow from the second fluid bladder 54 enters the fourth one-way valve 60d to fill the cushion bladder 58 until the first fluid bladder 52, the second fluid bladder 54, and the cushion bladder 58 all reach the set inflation pressure, for example, all bladders 52, 54, 58 reach a common pressure. Based on determining that the set inflation pressure is reached, the active inflation valve 56 is then closed, for example, the flow closed state.

[0034] In one example, the deflated state of the pneumatic support system 50 includes the active inflation valve 56 being closed (e.g., a flow closed state) and the active exhaust valve 62 being opened (e.g., flowing out for deflation), so that all fluid flows out of the first fluid bladder 52, the second fluid bladder 54, and the cushion bladder 58 via the active exhaust valve 62, e.g., all bladders 52, 54, 58 are emptied.

[0035] In one example, the actuator 56 includes a single active inflation valve 56 that fills all of the multiple fluid bladders. Figure 3 4. The active inflation valve 56 is shown as being fluidly coupled to two fluid bladders 52, 54, but the active inflation valve 56 may be fluidly coupled to an additional fluid bladder for inflation purposes. As described above, the active inflation valve 56 comprises a dual-port valve that is selectively actuated by the controller 46 for a flow-open state (e.g., an open / inflation position) or a flow-closed state (e.g., a closed position for maintaining pressure or closed for selective deflation).

[0036] In one example, the exhaust port 62 includes a single exhaust active deflation valve 62 that deflates all of the multiple bags. Figure 3 4. The active deflation valve 62 is shown as being fluidly coupled to two fluid bladders 52, 54, but the active deflation valve 62 may be fluidly coupled to additional fluid bladders for venting purposes. As described above, the active deflation valve 62 comprises a dual-port valve that is selectively actuated by the controller 46 for a flow-open state (e.g., an open / deflate position) or a flow-closed state (e.g., a closed position for maintaining pressure or closed for selective inflation).

[0037] In one example, the fluid bladders 52, 54 include lumbar bladders and / or bolster bladders configured to maintain a set pressure within each fluid bladder. The fluid bladders are configured as separate inflatable air compartments or bags capable of maintaining an internal pressure that can be adjusted to provide a variety of support settings. The fluid bladders are actively and selectively filled with a fluid (such as, for example, air) until all of the fluid bladders reach a common pressure.

[0038] FIG. 4A to FIG. 4B and FIG. 5A to FIG. 5C An example of a passive one-way valve 60 is shown. In this example, the passive one-way valve 60 includes a TPU valve that is at least partially located in a fluid chamber of one of the first fluid bladder 52, the second fluid bladder 54, and the buffer bladder 58. FIG. 5A to FIG. 5C As shown, the one-way passive valve 60 is positioned within an associated fluid bladder 86 that encloses a fill chamber 88. FIG. 4A to FIG. 4B As shown, valve 60 is included in Figure 5A The two valve flaps 90 are shown overlapping each other in an initial state. A filling member 92 is inserted between the valve flaps 90 at the inlet end 94. In one example, the valve flaps 90 include discrete flat pieces of material that can move toward and away from each other. The filling member 92 includes a tube or other similar structure that is fluidly connected to a fluid supply source. Figure 5B As shown, during inflation, the valve flaps 90 separate from each other within the fluid chamber 88 to allow fluid to exit the outlet ends 96 of the valve flaps 90 to fill the chamber 88. Inflation occurs until the pressure within the fluid chamber 88 outside the two valve flaps 90 reaches a pressure level that forces the two valve flaps together to prevent any backflow, as shown in FIG. Figure 5C Once the set inflation pressure is reached within the fluid bladder 86 , that pressure is maintained until the active deflation valve 62 is selectively actuated by the controller 46 .

[0039] Figure 6Another example of a valve arrangement is shown in FIG. In this example, the filling / active inflation valve 56 and the exhaust / active deflation valve 62 share the same fluid connection line and a common valve chamber that is fluidly connected to the bladders 52, 54. As shown, a single fluid chamber 100 includes both the filling / active inflation valve 56 and the exhaust / active deflation valve 62. The chamber 100 has a single outlet / inlet 102 that is connected to a first supply line 104 to supply fluid to the inlet 82 of the first bladder 52, and to a second supply line 106 to supply fluid to the inlet 84 of the second bladder 54. A single outlet 72 from the cushion bladder 58 is connected to a fluid connection line 108 that feeds into the outlet / inlet 102 associated with the fluid chamber 100. In this configuration, the chamber 100 is always fluidly connected to the line / bladder, and the valves 56, 62 move to open the associated line to the pump pressure or the exhaust port / atmosphere. This provides a more compact design with shorter line length. During turning maneuvers, the pressure within the bladders 52, 54, 58 is maintained without transfer / switching from one bladder to another. This maintains stability and desired comfort for the seated occupants during all movements of the vehicle. In addition, combining a one-way passive valve with one active inflation valve and one active deflation valve for multiple bladders reduces the overall cost compared to having an active valve for each bladder.

[0040] Also disclosed is a method of supplying fluid to inflate multiple fluid bladders via a common actuator, wherein a cushion bladder and a plurality of one-way passive valves cooperate with each other to fill / maintain a set inflation pressure, and then deflate the multiple fluid bladders via a common active exhaust valve. In one example, the method includes: providing a plurality of fluid bladders including at least a first fluid bladder and a second fluid bladder; fluidly connecting the cushion bladder to the first fluid bladder and the second fluid bladder via a plurality of one-way valves; selectively inflating the first fluid bladder and the second fluid bladder using a common actuator; and selectively deflating the first fluid bladder and the second fluid bladder using a common exhaust port.

[0041] The method may include any of the following steps in any combination.The method may include associating each pair of fluid bladders in the plurality of fluid bladders with a cushioning bladder.

[0042] The method may include forming the cushioning bladder to have a smaller size than the first fluid bladder and the second fluid bladder.

[0043] The method may include providing the cushion bladder with a first inlet associated with the first fluid bladder and a second inlet associated with the second fluid bladder, and providing the cushion bladder with a single outlet leading to an exhaust port. The method may include associating at least a first one-way valve with the first fluid bladder; associating a second one-way valve with the second fluid bladder; associating a third one-way valve with the cushion bladder; and associating a fourth one-way valve with the cushion bladder.

[0044] The method may include inflating a first fluid bladder through a single inlet using a first one-way valve; inflating a second fluid bladder through a single inlet using a second one-way valve; inflating a cushion bladder through a first inlet using a third one-way valve; and inflating a cushion bladder through a second inlet using a fourth one-way valve.

[0045] The method may include providing an actuator as an active inflation valve and providing an exhaust port as an active exhaust valve, and the method may also include: inflating the first fluid bag and the second fluid bag by opening the active inflation valve and closing the active exhaust valve, so that the first fluid bag and the second fluid bag are filled through the first one-way valve and the second one-way valve, respectively; inflating the buffer bag with a flow from the outlet of the first fluid bag directed to the third one-way valve and a flow from the outlet of the second fluid bag directed to the fourth one-way valve until the first fluid bag, the second fluid bag and the buffer bag all reach a set inflation pressure; closing the active inflation valve based on determining that the set inflation pressure has been reached; and deflating the first fluid bag, the second fluid bag and the buffer bag by closing the active inflation valve and opening the active exhaust valve, so that all fluid flows out of the first fluid bag, the second fluid bag and the buffer bag through the active exhaust valve.

[0046] The method may include providing the actuator as a single active inflation valve that fills all bladders of the plurality of fluid bladders, and providing the vent as a single exhaust valve that deflates all bladders of the plurality of fluid bladders.

[0047] The method may include providing a plurality of fluid bladders as lumbar bladders or bolster bladders, and including actively and selectively filling the plurality of fluid bladders with fluid until all of the fluid bladders reach a set inflation pressure.

[0048] The method may include positioning each of a plurality of one-way valves in one of the first fluid bladder, the second fluid bladder, and the cushion bladder; and providing each one-way valve with two valve flaps that separate from each other in the fluid chamber during inflation until a set inflation pressure is reached.

[0049] Although different examples have specific components shown in the drawings, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to those specific combinations. Some components or features in one example may be used in combination with features or components in another example. In addition, the various drawings accompanying the present disclosure are not necessarily to scale, and some features may be enlarged or minimized to show certain details of a particular component or arrangement.

[0050] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the above embodiments are exemplary and not restrictive. That is, modifications to the present disclosure will fall within the scope of the claims. Therefore, the appended claims should be studied to determine their true scope and content.

Claims

1. A device comprising: a plurality of fluid bladders, the plurality of fluid bladders comprising at least a first fluid bladder and a second fluid bladder; an actuator fluidly connected to the plurality of fluid bladders, wherein the actuator selectively inflates the first and second fluid bladders; a cushion bladder fluidly connected to the first fluid bladder and the second fluid bladder via a plurality of one-way valves; and A vent is fluidly connected to the plurality of fluid bladders, wherein the vent selectively deflates the first and second fluid bladders.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein: Each pair of fluid bladders in the plurality of fluid bladders is associated with a cushioning bladder.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The cushioning bladder is smaller in size than the first and second fluid bladders.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The cushion bladder has a first inlet associated with the first fluid bladder and a second inlet associated with the second fluid bladder, and wherein the cushion bladder includes a single outlet leading to the exhaust port.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The plurality of one-way valves include at least a first one-way valve associated with the first fluid bladder, a second one-way valve associated with the second fluid bladder, a third one-way valve associated with the cushion bladder, and a fourth one-way valve associated with the cushion bladder.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein: the first fluid bladder having a single inlet via the first one-way valve; the second fluid bladder having a single inlet via the second one-way valve; The cushion bladder has a first inlet via the third one-way valve; and The cushion bladder has a second inlet via the fourth one-way valve.

7. The device according to claim 6, wherein: The actuator includes an active charging valve, and the exhaust port includes an active exhaust valve, the active charging valve and the active exhaust valve are selectively controlled by a controller, wherein: The inflated state includes the active inflation valve being opened and the active exhaust valve being closed, so that the first fluid bladder and the second fluid bladder are filled through the first one-way valve and the second one-way valve, respectively, and wherein the flow from the first fluid bladder enters the third one-way valve to fill the cushion bladder, and the flow from the second fluid bladder enters the fourth one-way valve to fill the cushion bladder, until the first fluid bladder, the second fluid bladder, and the cushion bladder all reach a set inflation pressure, and upon determining that the set inflation pressure is reached, the active inflation valve is closed; and The deflated state includes the active inflation valve being closed and the active exhaust valve being open, so that all fluid flows out of the first fluid bladder, the second fluid bladder, and the cushion bladder via the active exhaust valve.

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The actuator includes a single active inflation valve that fills all of the plurality of fluid bladders.

9. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The vent includes a single vent valve that deflates all of the plurality of fluid bladders.

10. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The plurality of fluid bladders include lumbar bladders or bolster bladders, and wherein the plurality of fluid bladders are actively and selectively filled with fluid until all of the fluid bladders reach a set inflation pressure.

11. The device according to claim 1, wherein: Each of the plurality of one-way valves is at least partially located within a fluid chamber of one of the first fluid bladder, the second fluid bladder, and the cushion bladder, and wherein each one-way valve includes two valve flaps that separate from each other within the fluid chamber during inflation until a set inflation pressure is reached.

12. A method comprising: providing a plurality of fluid bladders, the plurality of fluid bladders comprising at least a first fluid bladder and a second fluid bladder; fluidly connecting the cushion bladder to the first fluid bladder and the second fluid bladder via a plurality of one-way valves; selectively inflating the first fluid bladder and the second fluid bladder using a common actuator; and The first and second fluid bladders are selectively deflated using a common vent.

13. The method of claim 12, comprising associating each pair of fluid bladders in the plurality of fluid bladders with a cushion bladder.

14. The method of claim 12, comprising forming the cushioning bladder to have a smaller size than the first and second fluid bladders.

15. The method according to claim 12, wherein: The cushion bladder has a first inlet and a second inlet, the first inlet being associated with the first fluid bladder and the second inlet being associated with the second fluid bladder, and wherein the cushion bladder includes a single outlet leading to the common exhaust port; and the method comprises: associating at least a first one-way valve with the first fluid bladder; associating a second one-way valve with the second fluid bladder; associating a third one-way valve with the cushion bladder; and A fourth one-way valve is associated with the cushion bladder.

16. The method according to claim 15, comprising: inflating the first fluid bladder through a single inlet using the first one-way valve; inflating the second fluid bladder through a single inlet using the second one-way valve; inflating the cushion bladder through the first inlet using the third one-way valve; and The cushioning bladder is inflated through the second inlet using the fourth one-way valve.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein: The common actuator comprises an active charging valve, and the common exhaust port comprises an active exhaust valve, and the method comprises: Inflating the first fluid bladder and the second fluid bladder by opening the active inflation valve and closing the active exhaust valve, so that the first fluid bladder and the second fluid bladder are filled through the first one-way valve and the second one-way valve, respectively; inflating the cushion bladder with flow from the outlet of the first fluid bladder directed into the third one-way valve and flow from the outlet of the second fluid bladder directed into the fourth one-way valve until the first fluid bladder, the second fluid bladder, and the cushion bladder all reach a set inflation pressure; closing the active inflation valve in response to determining that the set inflation pressure has been reached; and The first fluid bladder, the second fluid bladder, and the cushion bladder are deflated by closing the active inflation valve and opening the active exhaust valve, so that all fluid flows out of the first fluid bladder, the second fluid bladder, and the cushion bladder through the active exhaust valve.

18. The method according to claim 12, wherein: The common actuator comprises a single active inflation valve that fills all bladders of the plurality of fluid bladders, and wherein the common exhaust port comprises a single exhaust valve that deflates all bladders of the plurality of fluid bladders.

19. The method according to claim 12, wherein: The plurality of fluid bladders include lumbar bladders or bolster bladders, and the method includes actively and selectively filling the plurality of fluid bladders with fluid until all of the fluid bladders reach a set inflation pressure.

20. The method according to claim 12, comprising: positioning each of the plurality of one-way valves at least partially within a fluid chamber of one of the first fluid bladder, the second fluid bladder, and the cushion bladder; and Two valve flaps are provided for each non-return valve, which are separated from each other in the fluid chamber during inflation until a set inflation pressure is reached.

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