Thigh support that provides additional full-height support for an unoccupied and unfolded air-sprung folding seat

Abstract

Vehicle seat arrangement (10) for a motor vehicle, wherein the vehicle seat arrangement (10) comprises a seat base (12), the seat base (12) comprising a seat base support structure (22), a first elastomeric foam layer (36) and several lower air chambers (42, 46, 50, 62) arranged between the seat base support structure (22) and the first elastomeric foam layer (36), the lower air chambers (42, 46, 50, 62) further comprising a self-draining primary thigh support chamber (42) in a closed fluid connection with a non-self-draining seat base main chamber (46) and a non-self-draining secondary thigh support chamber (62) in a closed fluid connection with a lower auxiliary support chamber (50),wherein air is transferred from the non-self-draining seat base main chamber (46) into the self-draining primary thigh support chamber (42) and air is transferred from the non-self-draining secondary thigh support chamber (62) into the lower auxiliary support chamber (50) when the seat base (12) is in a loaded state, and wherein air is transferred from the self-draining primary thigh support chamber (42) into the non-self-draining seat base main chamber (46) and air is transferred from the lower auxiliary support chamber (50) into the non-self-draining secondary thigh support chamber (62) when the seat is returned to an unloaded state.

Description

AREA OF INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to a vehicle seating arrangement for a vehicle and in particular to a vehicle seating arrangement comprising a thigh support which provides additional full-height support for an unoccupied and unfolded air-sprung folding seat. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Vehicle seating arrangements typically include a horizontal seat support and a generally upright backrest. Certain vehicle seating arrangements utilize an air-sprung folding seat, which incorporates a system of passive air chambers. Some of these chambers are positioned across the front of the seat to support the occupant's thighs when the seat is occupied. When the seat is unoccupied, the thigh support chambers deflate into the seat chambers. However, the front edge of the seat remains unsupported while the thigh support chambers deflate, resulting in a very different feel and appearance compared to a standard foam-supported seat cushion. Thus, a vehicle seating arrangement that overcomes these drawbacks would be advantageous.

[0003] Document DE 519 498 A discloses a pneumatically sprung seat in which the air reservoirs of the seat are divided into several chambers, of which pressure chambers fill the entire height of the seat, while expansion chambers only occupy a part of the height of the seat, and they also participate in bearing a load.

[0004] The publication EP 1 908 627 A1 discloses a seat with a backrest that is movable between an unfolded and a folded position, and which comprises a backrest frame that is pivotably mounted at its base on a support and a back cushion support frame that is pivotably mounted at its upper part on the backrest frame and interacts at its lower part with the backrest by means of a sliding pivot connection. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] One aspect of the present invention includes a vehicle seating arrangement for a vehicle which overcomes this disadvantage with a subsystem of passive air chambers.

[0006] Another aspect of the present invention comprises a vehicle seat arrangement, wherein the vehicle seat arrangement has a seat base comprising a seat base support structure, a first elastomeric foam layer, and several lower air chambers arranged between the seat support frame and the elastomeric foam layer, the lower air chambers further comprising a self-draining primary thigh support chamber in a closed fluid connection with a non-self-draining seat base main chamber and a non-self-draining secondary thigh support chamber in a closed fluid connection with a lower auxiliary support chamber. When the seat base is under load, air is transferred from the non-self-draining seat base main chamber into the self-draining primary thigh support chamber, and air is transferred from the non-self-draining secondary thigh support chamber into the lower auxiliary support chamber.When the seat base is returned to the unloaded state, air is transferred from the self-draining primary thigh support chamber to the non-self-draining main seat base chamber, and air is transferred from the lower auxiliary support chamber to the non-self-draining secondary thigh support chamber.

[0007] Yet another aspect of the present invention comprises a vehicle seat comprising a primary chamber coupled to a main chamber and a secondary chamber coupled to an additional support chamber, wherein air flows from the main chamber into the primary chamber and from the secondary chamber into the additional support chamber when the seat is loaded, and wherein air flows from the primary chamber into the main chamber and from the additional support chamber into the secondary chamber when the seat is unloaded.

[0008] Yet another aspect of the present invention comprises a vehicle seat arrangement having a seat base and a backrest pivotably coupled to the seat base, the backrest being operable between an upright, open position and a folded, stowed position. The seat base comprises a seat base support structure, a first elastomeric foam layer, and several lower air chambers arranged between the seat support frame and the elastomeric foam layer, the lower air chambers further comprising a self-draining primary thigh support chamber in a closed fluid connection with a non-self-draining seat base main chamber and a non-self-draining secondary thigh support chamber in a closed fluid connection with a lower auxiliary support chamber.wherein air is transferred from the seat base main chamber to the self-draining primary thigh support chamber and air is transferred from the non-self-draining secondary thigh support chamber to the lower auxiliary support chamber when the backrest is in the upright, open position and the seat base is in a loaded position, and wherein air is transferred from the self-draining primary thigh support chamber to the seat base main chamber and air is transferred from the lower auxiliary support chamber to the non-self-draining secondary thigh support chamber when the backrest is in the upright, open position and the seat base is in the unloaded position.

[0009] The backrest comprises a backrest support structure, a first elastomeric foam layer, and several backrest air chambers arranged between the backrest support frame and the elastomeric foam layer. The backrest air chambers further comprise a self-draining primary backrest support chamber in a closed fluid connection with a non-self-draining main backrest chamber and a non-self-draining secondary backrest support chamber in a closed fluid connection with a backrest auxiliary support chamber. Air is transferred from the main backrest chamber to the self-draining primary backrest support chamber and air is transferred from the non-self-draining secondary backrest support chamber to the backrest auxiliary support chamber when the backrest is in the upright, open position and the seat is under load.and wherein air is transferred from the self-draining primary backrest support chamber to the main backrest chamber and air is transferred from the secondary backrest support chamber to the non-self-draining secondary backrest support chamber when the backrest is in the upright, open position and the seat is in a relieved state.

[0010] Another aspect of the present disclosure is a vehicle seat arrangement wherein the primary and secondary thigh support chambers are contained within a first inelastic envelope having a first fixed volume, and the primary and secondary backrest support chambers are contained within a second inelastic envelope having a second fixed volume.

[0011] These and other aspects, tasks and features of the present invention will be understood and appreciated by the person skilled in the art upon studying the following description, the claims and the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The drawings contain: Fig. 1 a perspective side view of a rear row of vehicle seating arrangements in accordance with the present disclosure in the upright, open position; Fig. 2 a perspective side view of a rear row of vehicle seating arrangements in accordance with the present disclosure, wherein one of the vehicle seating arrangements is in the upright, open position and another of the vehicle seating arrangements is in the folded, stowed position; Fig. 3 a cross-sectional side view of a vehicle seating arrangement of a previous vehicle seating arrangement, wherein the backrest is in a folded, stowed position; Fig. 4 a lateral cross-sectional plan view of a previous vehicle seating arrangement, wherein the backrest is in an upright, open position and the vehicle seating arrangement is occupied; Fig. 5 a lateral cross-sectional plan view of a previous vehicle seating arrangement, wherein the backrest is in an upright, open position and the vehicle seating arrangement is no longer occupied; Fig. 6 a lateral cross-sectional side view of a vehicle seating arrangement in accordance with the present disclosure, wherein the backrest is in a folded, stowed position; Fig. 6A an enlarged cross-sectional plan view of a section of the vehicle seating arrangement Fig. 6 in accordance with the present revelation; Fig. 7 a lateral cross-sectional plan view of a vehicle seating arrangement in accordance with the present disclosure, wherein the backrest is in an upright, open position and the vehicle seating arrangement is occupied; Fig. 8 a lateral cross-sectional plan view of a vehicle seating arrangement in accordance with the present disclosure, wherein the backrest is in an upright, open position and the vehicle seating arrangement is no longer occupied; Fig. 9 a schematic representation of the relationship between the different chambers of a previous vehicle seating arrangement; and Fig. 10 a schematic representation of the relationship of the different chambers of a vehicle seating arrangement in accordance with the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXECUTION FORMS

[0013] For the purposes of this description, the terms "upper", "lower", "right", "left", "back", "front", "vertical", "horizontal" and derivatives thereof shall refer to the invention as described in Fig. The invention is oriented towards the orientation shown in Figure 1. However, unless expressly stated otherwise, the invention can, of course, assume various alternative orientations. Furthermore, the specific devices and processes illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described in the following description are, of course, simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the accompanying claims. Thus, the specific dimensions and other physical properties relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be understood as limiting unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

[0014] Again based on Fig. 1 and Fig. Figure 2 shows a vehicle seating arrangement 10 within the vehicle interior 8. The vehicle seating arrangement 10 can be a seat for a driver, a seat for a front passenger, a rear sports seat, a rear row of seats as shown, or any other vehicle seat. The vehicle seating arrangement 10 comprises a seat base 12 and a backrest 14, which is pivotably attached to the seat base 12 via a pivot pin 24. The backrest 14 can be adjusted between an upright, open position, as shown in Fig. 1 is shown, and a folded, stowed position, as shown in Fig. The backrest 14 of the vehicle seating arrangement 10, as shown in Figure 2, includes a rear surface 16 which may be covered with a protective and / or decorative material. A textile covering is frequently and preferably used. The vehicle seating arrangement 10 may also include a headrest 18 which is functionally coupled to an upper section 20 of the backrest 14 of the vehicle seating arrangement 10. The vehicle seating arrangement 10 also typically includes a vehicle seat frame 22. Fig. 3-8, which is configured to provide structural support for the vehicle seating arrangement 10. Although the seat frame 22 shown is fixed, the vehicle seating arrangement 10 can optionally be supported on rail arrangements (not shown), as is known in the field, to allow the vehicle seating arrangement 10 to move longitudinally relative to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle.

[0015] As in Fig. 1 and Fig. As shown in Figure 2, the vehicle seating arrangement 10 is preferably positioned directly in front of a rear loading area 26, such as in the trunk of a sedan or in the cargo area of ​​a hatchback, which forms a horizontal loading surface 28. Such a rear loading area 26 is relatively often covered with a protective and / or decorative material, such as a textile covering. To facilitate use, and especially when moving objects that might be in the rear loading area 26 above the rear surface 16 of the backrest 14 when the backrest 14 is in the folded, stowed position, it is desirable that the rear surface 16 of the backrest 14 be as horizontal as possible, flush with the horizontal loading surface 28 of the rear loading area 26.In particular, it is desirable that a front edge 30 of the rear loading area 26 is close to and substantially in an adjoining relationship with a rear edge 32 of the rear surface 16 of the backrest 14 when the backrest 14 is arranged in the folded, stowed position, as is the case, for example, in . Fig. 3 is shown. Furthermore, a substantially continuous and attractive surface can be obtained if the textile covering or other covering on the rear backrest surface 16 is selected to match the textile covering or other covering over the horizontal loading area 28 of the rear loading area 26.

[0016] Both the seat base 12 and the backrest 14 of the vehicle seating assembly 10 are provided with a rigid frame structure (vehicle seat frame 22 for the seat base 12 and frame 34 for the backrest 14) and with a foam layer 36 covered with a cover material 38 such as leather, vinyl, or fabric. The frames 22 and 34 can be made of a polymer material configured to support the weight of a passenger when the vehicle is occupied. If desired, a more robust material such as steel can be used by the average person in the field to provide additional support. The foam layer 36 is designed to support the cover material 38 and the load of the occupant in the vehicle seating assembly 10 when the vehicle is occupied.

[0017] It has been determined that it is desirable to provide improved thigh support for the front edge 40 of the seat base 12. One technique for this involves the use of an inflatable air chamber located beneath the deck material 38 and the foam layer 36 under the occupant's thigh, with the air chamber pushing the front edge 40 upwards relative to a rear edge 44 of the seat base 12. However, the rear surface 16 may be at a considerable inclination relative to the horizontal loading area 28 of the rear loading area 26 when the backrest 14 is in the folded, stowed position.

[0018] In order to obtain an essentially horizontal rear surface 16 of the backrest 14 when it is arranged in the folded, stowed position, it has been proposed to alternatively provide inflatable and deflated air chambers near the front edge 40 of the seat base 12 and the upper section 20 of the backrest 14, as e.g. in Fig. Figure 3 is shown. The seat base 12 is provided with a self-draining primary thigh support chamber 42, a seat base main chamber 46, and a backrest main chamber 48. The seat base main chamber 46 and the backrest main chamber 48 are not self-draining. The seat base 12 also includes a lower auxiliary support chamber 50. Furthermore, the backrest 14 is provided with a self-draining primary backrest support chamber 52.

[0019] Preferably, the self-draining primary thigh support chamber 42 and the self-draining primary back support chamber 52 are constructed of a thin-walled elastic rubber-like material that has a minimal uninflated volume. Thus, each chamber is preloaded to self-drain as its walls are tensioned by inflation. This preload can be controlled by selecting an elastic rubber-like material with a desired modulus of elasticity and by selecting the wall thickness of the chambers 42 and 52. Preferably, the selected material is neoprene with a preferred wall thickness of 0.5 to 1.0 mm.

[0020] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 3, the backrest 14 is in the folded-flat, stowed position. As explained below, air has been transferred from or discharged from the self-draining primary thigh support chamber 42 into the seat base main chamber 46, and air has been discharged from the self-draining primary backrest support chamber 52 into the backrest main chamber 48, which allows the backrest 14 to be quickly folded into the desired flat or near-flat state in the folded, stowed position.

[0021] In particular, the self-draining primary thigh support chamber 42 and the self-draining primary backrest support chamber 52, which would otherwise prevent the backrest 14 from folding flat when inflated, as shown in Fig. Figure 9 shows the seat base main chamber 46 and the backrest main chamber 48 in a closed fluid connection and are fully compressed by their respective self-draining design to achieve the minimum stacking height and lowest angle for the backrest 14 when the vehicle seat arrangement 10 is unoccupied. That is to say, as shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 9, the self-draining primary thigh support chamber 42 is compressed, and the air contained therein flows via a thigh duct 54 to the seat base main chamber 46. Similarly, the self-draining primary backrest support chamber 52 is located above and near the self-draining primary thigh support chamber 42 and is also compressed when the backrest 14 is in the folded, stowed position. Any air contained therein flows via a backrest duct 56, which is also located in Figure 9. Fig. Figure 9 shows the airflow to the backrest main chamber 48. The conduits 54, 56 can assume many forms. Preferably, the conduits 54, 56 are formed by forming them into the chambers 42, 46, 48, 50 and 52 and into the foam layers 36 by pneumatic forming or welding, and by connecting them to each other with thin-walled elastomer tubes sufficient to provide the necessary air mass flow to enable the present disclosure.

[0022] As in Fig. 3 and Fig. As shown in Figure 4, the seat base main chamber 46 has the largest volume when fully inflated and supports most of the occupant's torso mass. Because of the relatively smaller self-draining primary backrest support chamber 52 compared to the self-draining primary thigh support chamber 42, the backrest main chamber 48 is preferably slightly smaller than the seat base main chamber 46. The lower auxiliary support chamber 50 has a relatively large volume but actually bears relatively little weight, as it is located below the posterior thigh.

[0023] As noted above and in Fig. As shown in Figure 9, the self-draining primary thigh support chamber 42 is in fluid communication with the seat base main chamber 46 via the thigh line 54. Thus, air can flow back and forth between the self-draining primary thigh support chamber 42 and the seat base main chamber 46 when the backrest 14 is in the upright, open position.

[0024] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 4, the backrest 14 is in the upright, open position and an occupant is seated in the seat. As shown, the occupant's weight pressurizes the seat base main chamber 46, forcing air out of the seat base main chamber 46 via the thigh line 54 into the self-draining primary thigh support chamber 42. The effect is that the normally self-draining primary thigh support chamber 42 is repressurized to provide full thigh support for the occupant. Similarly, air has been forced by the occupant's weight out of the backrest main chamber 48 via the backrest line 56 into the self-draining primary backrest support chamber 52 to provide full upper torso support.As shown, the lower additional support chamber 50 serves only to support the seat base surface in conjunction with the foam layer 36.

[0025] Fig. Figure 5 shows the vehicle seat arrangement 10 with the backrest in the upright, open position and in the unoccupied state. As shown, without the weight of the occupant, air flows from the elastomeric and self-draining primary thigh support chamber 42 and from the elastomeric and self-draining primary backrest support chamber 52 into the seat base main chamber 46 and the backrest main chamber 48, respectively, beneath the weight-bearing cushion. The weight-bearing surface of the seat base 12 above the seat base main chamber 46 and the backrest main chamber 48 is now fully inflated to achieve a predetermined and desired seat surface profile.However, the self-draining primary thigh support chamber 42 has now completely deflated back into the seat base main chamber 46, and the self-draining primary backrest support chamber 52 has now completely deflated back into the backrest main chamber 48, so that the cover material 38 and the foam layer 36 above the self-draining primary thigh support chamber 42 and in front of the self-draining primary backrest support chamber 52 are completely and unacceptably supported, or rather, voids 58, 60 are created within them. For example, placing a small, light object such as a book on the seat base 12 above the void 58 at this time would compress the cover material 38 and the foam layer 36 and deform the specified and desired surface profile.

[0026] To avoid the aforementioned problem of voids 58, 60 forming above the self-draining primary thigh support chamber 42 and in front of the self-draining primary backrest support chamber 52, a separate air chamber subsystem is used to provide secondary and additional support for the thigh support section near the front edge 40 of the seat base 12 and the upper section 20 of the backrest 14.

[0027] As in Fig. Figure 6 shows an improved motor vehicle seat 10 with the backrest 14 in its folded, stowed state. Two additional air chambers, the secondary thigh support chamber 62 and the secondary backrest support chamber 64, are arranged near the self-draining primary thigh support chamber 42 and the self-draining primary backrest support chamber 52, respectively. However, the secondary thigh support chamber 62 and the secondary backrest support chamber 64 are not self-draining. Furthermore, each is located directly beneath the cover material 38 of the vehicle seat assembly 10 and the foam layer 36 above the self-draining primary thigh support chamber 42 and in front of the self-draining primary backrest support chamber 52.Preferably, both the secondary thigh support chamber 62 and the secondary backrest support chamber 64 empty via lines 70, 72 into a lower auxiliary support chamber 50 to form a closed fluid subsystem. However, the separate air chamber subsystem operates at a much lower pressure than the self-draining primary thigh support chamber 42, the self-draining primary backrest support chamber 52, the seat base main chamber 46, and the backrest main chamber 48.

[0028] As in Fig. 7 and Fig. As shown in Figure 8, the total weight of the combined stack of the self-draining primary thigh support chamber 42 and the secondary thigh support chamber 62 and the total height of the combined stack of the self-draining primary backrest support chamber 52 and the secondary backrest support chamber 64 are preferably limited so that the outer surface of the cover material 38 always fulfills the specified and desired surface profile. This can be achieved by limiting the total dimensions of the self-draining primary thigh support chamber 42 and the secondary thigh support chamber 62 by enclosing them in a first inelastic shell 66 with a first fixed volume containing both.The expansion of the self-draining primary thigh support chamber 42 at high pressure forces the air in the secondary thigh support chamber 62 into the lower auxiliary support chamber 50 at low pressure, while the self-draining primary thigh support chamber 42 occupies the fixed volume within the first inelastic shell 66. This ensures that the anterior thigh support section is securely supported and that the cover material 38 and the foam layer 36 are confined to the required, predetermined, and desired surface profile. A similar second inelastic shell 68 with a second fixed volume (which may or may not be the same as the first fixed volume of the first non-inelastic shell 66) contains the self-draining primary back support chamber 52 and the secondary back support chamber 64.

[0029] In Fig. Figure 7 shows the occupied seat. As shown, the seat base main chamber 46 is compressed by the occupant's weight and in turn pressurizes the self-draining primary thigh support chamber 42, which expands within the first inelastic shell 66 to support the seat base 12 under the occupant's thigh. Simultaneously, the air in the secondary thigh support chamber 62 is forced back into the lower auxiliary support chamber 50, and the secondary thigh support chamber 62 is compressed. Similarly, the air in the secondary backrest support chamber 64 is forced back into the lower auxiliary support chamber 50 within the second inelastic shell 68, and the secondary backrest support chamber 64 is compressed.

[0030] What's next in Fig. As shown in Figure 8, the self-draining primary thigh support chamber 42 and the self-draining primary backrest support chamber 52 deflate completely on their own when the backrest is in the upright, open position and unoccupied. Consequently, the seat base main chamber 46 is pressurized and also expands. The pressure in the lower auxiliary support chamber 50, which adjoins the seat base main chamber 46, is likewise increased. Thus, the secondary thigh support chamber 62 and the secondary backrest support chamber 64 inflate, while their pressure equalizes with the lower auxiliary support chamber 50 to effectively fill the voids 58, 60 and support the cover material 38 and the foam layer 36. Since neither the secondary thigh support chamber 62 nor the secondary backrest support chamber 64 is self-draining, they are both forced to inflate when the seat is in the upright, open position, as shown in Figure 8. Fig. As shown in Figure 8, the seat is left unoccupied to ensure a proper seat shape, a basic level of support for touch, and to maintain the specified and desired surface profile. Thus, the seat is always in its correct shape and never unsupported for touch when unoccupied.

[0031] Preferably, the pressure in the secondary thigh support chamber 62, in the secondary backrest support chamber 64 and in the lower auxiliary support chamber 50 is so low that the air in the secondary thigh support chamber 62 and in the secondary backrest support chamber 64 is emptied into the lower auxiliary support chamber 50 with a minimum of resistance to the folded, stowed backrest 14 when the backrest 14 is arranged in its folded, stowed position.

[0032] As in Fig.As shown in Figure 8, the unoccupied seat cushion thus causes the self-draining primary thigh support chamber 42 and the self-draining primary backrest support chamber 52 to deflate into the seat base main chamber 46. As a result, the secondary thigh support chamber 62 and the secondary backrest support chamber 64 expand due to pressure equalization with the lower auxiliary support chamber 50 to support the cover material 38 and the foam layer 36. That is, when the seat base 12 is unloaded, the deflation of the self-draining primary thigh support chamber 42 displaces the air into the seat base main chamber 46, which in turn displaces the air from the lower auxiliary support chamber 50 into the non-self-draining secondary thigh support chamber 62 to inflate it, substantially filling the volume of the first inelastic shell 66.The draining of the self-draining primary backrest support chamber 52 transfers air into the backrest main chamber 48, furthermore transferring air from the lower auxiliary support chamber 50 into the non-self-draining secondary backrest support chamber 64 to inflate the non-self-draining secondary backrest support chamber 64 so that it substantially occupies the volume of the secondary inelastic shell 68.

[0033] Conversely, when the seat base 12 is loaded, the expansion of the self-draining primary thigh support chamber 42, displaced from the seat base main chamber 46, transfers air from the non-self-draining secondary thigh support chamber 42 into the lower auxiliary support chamber 50, while the self-draining primary thigh support chamber 62 occupies the volume of the first inelastic shell 66. The expansion of the self-draining primary backrest support chamber 52, displaced from the backrest main chamber 48, transfers air from the secondary backrest support chamber 64 into the auxiliary support chamber 50, while the non-self-draining backrest main chamber 48 occupies the volume of the second inelastic shell 68.

[0034] Furthermore, the average person skilled in the art understands that the design of the described invention and other components is not limited to any specific material. Unless otherwise described herein, other exemplary embodiments of the invention disclosed herein may be formed from a wide variety of materials.

[0035] For the purposes of this revelation, the terms “coupled” in all its forms (coupling, coupling, coupled, etc.) and “connected” in all its forms (connecting, connecting, connected, etc.) generally mean the direct or indirect electrical or mechanical joining of two components. This joining may be fixed in essence or movable in essence. This joining may be achieved electrically or mechanically with the two components and with any intermediate elements formed in one piece with each other or with the two components as a single unified body. Unless otherwise stated, such joining may be permanent in essence or may be removable or detachable in essence.

[0036] For this revelation, the term “functionally connected” generally means that one component functions in relation to another component, even if other components are located between the first and second components, with the term “functional” defining a functional relationship between components.

[0037] Furthermore, it is important to note that the design and arrangement of the elements of the invention, as shown in the exemplary embodiments, are only exemplary. Although only a few embodiments of the present innovations have been described in detail in this disclosure, the person skilled in the art will readily appreciate, upon reviewing this disclosure, that many modifications, e.g., changes in the sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and properties of the various elements, values ​​of parameters, assembly arrangements, the use of materials, colors, orientations, etc., are possible without materially departing from the new teachings and advantages of the presented subject matter.For example, elements shown to be formed as a single piece may be constructed from multiple parts, or elements shown to be formed from multiple parts may be constructed as a single piece, with the operation of the interfaces being reversed or otherwise modified, with the length or width of the structures and / or elements, or of the connector or other elements of the system being modified, with the nature or number of adjustment positions provided between the elements being changed. It is noted that the elements and / or arrangements of the system may be constructed in any variety of colors, textures, and combinations from any of the wide variety of materials that provide sufficient strength or durability. Accordingly, all such modifications are to be included within the scope of protection of these inventions.With regard to the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the desired and other exemplary embodiments, other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may be made without deviating from the inventive concept of the present innovations.

[0038] Naturally, any of the described processes or steps within the described processes can be combined with other disclosed processes or steps to form structures within the scope of protection of the present invention. The exemplary structures and processes disclosed here serve only for illustrative purposes and are not intended to be limiting.

[0039] Of course, changes and modifications can be made to the above-mentioned structure and methods without deviating from the concepts of the present invention, such concepts being, unless these claims explicitly state otherwise by their language, furthermore being covered by the following claims. Reference symbol list 8 Vehicle interior 10 Vehicle seating arrangement 12 Seat base 14 Backrest 16 rear surface 18 Headrest 20 upper section 22 Vehicle seat frames, seat base support structure 24 pivot pins 26 rear loading area 28 horizontal loading area 30 Front edge 32 trailing edge 34 frames, backrest support structure 36 Elastomeric foam layer 38 Cover material 40 front edge 42 primary thigh support chamber 44 rear edge 46 Seat base - main chamber 48 Backrest main chamber 50 lower auxiliary support chamber 52 primary backrest support chamber 54 Thigh line 56 Backrest line 58, 60 Empty space 62 secondary thigh support chamber 64 secondary backrest support chambers 66 first inelastic shell 68 second inelastic shell 70, 72 Management

Claims

[1] Vehicle seat arrangement (10) for a motor vehicle, wherein the vehicle seat arrangement (10) comprises a seat base (12), the seat base (12) comprising a seat base support structure (22), a first elastomeric foam layer (36) and several lower air chambers (42, 46, 50, 62) arranged between the seat base support structure (22) and the first elastomeric foam layer (36), the lower air chambers (42, 46, 50, 62) further comprising a self-draining primary thigh support chamber (42) in a closed fluid connection with a non-self-draining seat base main chamber (46) and a non-self-draining secondary thigh support chamber (62) in a closed fluid connection with a lower auxiliary support chamber (50),wherein air is transferred from the non-self-draining seat base main chamber (46) into the self-draining primary thigh support chamber (42) and air is transferred from the non-self-draining secondary thigh support chamber (62) into the lower auxiliary support chamber (50) when the seat base (12) is in a loaded state, and wherein air is transferred from the self-draining primary thigh support chamber (42) into the non-self-draining seat base main chamber (46) and air is transferred from the lower auxiliary support chamber (50) into the non-self-draining secondary thigh support chamber (62) when the seat is returned to an unloaded state. [2] Vehicle seat arrangement (10) according to claim 1, further comprising a backrest (14) pivotably coupled to the seat base (12), wherein the backrest (14) is operable between an upright, open position and a folded, stowed position, wherein the backrest (14) comprises a backrest support structure (34), a second elastomeric foam layer (36) and several backrest air chambers (52, 64) arranged between the backrest support structure (34) and the second elastomeric foam layer (36), wherein the backrest air chambers (52, 64) further comprise a self-draining primary backrest support chamber (52) in a closed fluid connection with a non-self-draining main backrest chamber (48) and a non-self-draining secondary backrest support chamber (64) in a closed fluid connection with a backrest auxiliary support chamber (50),wherein air is transferred from the backrest main chamber (48) into the self-draining primary backrest support chamber (52) and air is transferred from the non-self-draining secondary backrest support chamber (64) into the backrest auxiliary support chamber (50) when the backrest (14) is in the upright, open position and when the seat base (12) is in a loaded state, and wherein air is transferred from the self-draining primary backrest support chamber (52) into the non-self-draining backrest main chamber (48) and air is transferred from the backrest auxiliary support chamber (50) into the non-self-draining secondary backrest support chamber (64) when the backrest (14) is in the upright, open position and the seat base (12) is returned to an unloaded state. [3] Vehicle seat arrangement (10) according to claim 1, wherein the primary and secondary thigh support chamber (52, 62) are contained within an inelastic shell (66, 68) having a fixed volume. [4] Vehicle seat arrangement (10) according to claim 3, wherein the expansion of the self-draining primary thigh support chamber (42) displaces air from the non-self-draining seat base main chamber (46) into the lower auxiliary support chamber (50), while the self-draining primary thigh support chamber (42) substantially occupies the volume of the inelastic shell (66) when the seat base (12) is loaded. [5] Vehicle seat arrangement (10) according to claim 3, wherein the draining of the self-draining primary thigh support chamber (42) transfers air into the non-self-draining seat base main chamber (46) and air is transferred from the lower auxiliary support chamber (50) into the non-self-draining secondary thigh support chamber (62) in order to inflate the non-self-draining secondary thigh support chamber (62) so that it substantially occupies the fixed volume of the inelastic shell (66) when the seat base (12) is unloaded. [6] Vehicle seat arrangement (10) according to claim 2, wherein the self-draining primary thigh support chamber (42) and the non-self-draining secondary thigh support chamber (62) are contained within a first inelastic shell (66) having a first fixed volume, and the self-draining primary backrest support chamber (52) and the non-self-draining secondary backrest support chamber (64) are contained within a second inelastic shell (68) having a second fixed volume. [7] Vehicle seat arrangement (10) according to claim 6, wherein the expansion of the self-draining primary thigh support chamber (42) displaces air from the seat base main chamber (46) into the lower auxiliary support chamber (50), while the self-draining primary thigh support chamber (42) occupies the first fixed volume of the first inelastic shell (66) when the seat base (12) is loaded, and the expansion of the self-draining primary backrest support chamber (52) displaces air from the backrest main chamber (48) into the backrest auxiliary support chamber (50), while the second non-self-draining backrest main chamber (48) occupies the second fixed volume of the second inelastic shell (68). [8] Vehicle seat arrangement (10) according to claim 7, wherein the draining of the primary self-draining thigh support chamber (42) transfers air into the seat base main chamber (46), further transferring air from the lower auxiliary support chamber (50) into the non-self-draining secondary thigh support chamber (52) to inflate the non-self-draining secondary thigh support chamber (52) while substantially occupying the first fixed volume of the first inelastic shell (66), and the draining of the self-draining primary backrest support chamber (52) transfers air into the backrest main chamber (48) and further transfers air from the backrest auxiliary support chamber (50) into the non-self-draining secondary backrest support chamber (64) to inflate the non-self-draining secondary backrest support chamber (64) while substantially occupying the second fixed volume of the second inelastic shell (68) when the seat base (12) is relieved. [9] Vehicle seat arrangement (10) according to claim 2, wherein the seat base main chamber (46) and the backrest additional support chamber (50) are arranged in the seat base (12). [10] Vehicle seat arrangement (10) according to claim 2, wherein the lower additional support chamber (50) and the backrest additional support chamber (50) are the same. [11] Vehicle seat arrangement (10) according to claim 1, further comprising a backrest (14) pivotably coupled to the seat base (2) and operable between an upright, open position and a folded, stowed position, wherein the self-draining primary thigh support chamber (42) and the non-self-draining secondary thigh support chamber (62) are compressed when the backrest (14) is in the folded, stowed position. [12] Vehicle seat arrangement (10) according to claim 2, wherein the self-draining primary thigh support chamber (42), the self-draining primary backrest support chamber (52), the non-self-draining secondary thigh support chamber (62) and the non-self-draining secondary backrest support chamber (64) are compressed when the backrest (14) is in the folded, stowed position. [13] A vehicle seat comprising a primary chamber (42, 52) coupled to a main chamber (46, 48) and a secondary chamber (62, 64) coupled to an additional support chamber (50), wherein air flows from the main chamber (46, 48) into the primary chamber (42, 52) and from the secondary chamber (62, 64) into the additional support chamber (50) when the seat is loaded, and air flows from the primary chamber (42, 52) into the main chamber (46, 48) and from the additional support chamber (50) into the secondary chamber (62, 64) when the seat is unloaded, wherein the vehicle seat has a seat base (12) and a backrest (14) pivotably coupled to the seat base (12), the backrest (14) being adjustable between an upright, open position and can be operated in a folded, stowed position, wherein both the seat base (12) and the backrest (14) form a primary chamber (42, 52) coupled to a main chamber (46, 48),and a secondary chamber (62, 64) coupled to an additional support chamber (50), wherein air flows from the main chamber (46, 48) into the primary chamber (42, 52) and from the secondary chamber (62, 64) into the additional support chamber (50) when the seat is loaded, and air flows from the primary chamber (42, 52) into the main chamber (46, 48) and from the additional support chamber (50) into the secondary chamber (62, 64) when the seat is unloaded. [14] Vehicle seat according to claim 13, wherein the primary chamber (42, 52) is either a primary thigh support chamber (42) or a primary backrest support chamber (52). [15] Vehicle seat (10) according to claim 13, wherein a line (54, 56) provides a fluid connection from the main chambers (46, 48) to the primary chambers (42, 52) and a line (70, 72) provides the fluid connection from each of the auxiliary support chambers (50) to the secondary chamber (62, 64). [16] Vehicle seating arrangement (10) for a motor vehicle, wherein the vehicle seating arrangement (10) comprises a seat base (12) and a backrest (14) pivotably coupled to the seat base (12), wherein the backrest (14) is operable between an upright, open position and a folded, stowed position, wherein: The seat base (2) comprises a seat base support structure (22), a first elastomeric foam layer (36), and several lower air chambers (42, 46, 50, 62) arranged between the seat base support structure (22) and the first elastomeric foam layer (36), wherein the lower air chambers (42, 46, 50, 62) further comprise a self-draining primary thigh support chamber (42) in a closed fluid connection with a non-self-draining seat base main chamber (46) and a non-self-draining secondary thigh support chamber (62) in a closed fluid connection with a lower auxiliary support chamber (50), wherein air is transferred from the seat base main chamber (46) into the self-draining primary thigh support chamber (42) and air is transferred from the non-self-draining secondary thigh support chamber (62) into the lower auxiliary support chamber (50). will be when the backrest (14) is in the upright position,is in the open position and when the seat base (12) is in a loaded state, and wherein air is transferred from the self-draining primary thigh support chamber (42) into the seat base main chamber (46) and air is transferred from the lower auxiliary support chamber (50) into the non-self-draining secondary thigh support chamber (62) when the backrest (14) is in the upright, open position and when the seat base (12) is in an unloaded state; and, The backrest (14) comprises a backrest support structure (34), a second elastomeric foam layer (36), and several backrest air chambers (52, 64) arranged between the backrest support structure (34) and the second elastomeric foam layer (36), wherein the backrest air chambers (52, 64) further comprise a self-draining primary backrest support chamber (52) in a closed fluid connection with a non-self-draining main backrest chamber (48) and a non-self-draining secondary backrest support chamber (64) in a closed fluid connection with a backrest auxiliary support chamber (50), wherein air is transferred from the main backrest chamber (48) into the self-draining primary backrest support chamber (52) and air is transferred from the non-self-draining secondary backrest support chamber (64) into the backrest auxiliary support chamber (50).when the backrest (14) is in the upright position and when the seat base (12) is in a loaded state, and wherein air is transferred from the self-draining primary backrest support chamber (52) into the main backrest chamber (48) and air is transferred from the additional backrest support chamber (50) into the non-self-draining secondary backrest support chamber (64) when the backrest (14) is in the upright, open position and the seat base (12) is in an unloaded state. [17] Vehicle seat arrangement (10) according to claim 16, wherein the secondary thigh support chamber (62), the secondary backrest support chamber (64), the lower auxiliary support chamber (50) and the backrest auxiliary support chamber (50) are in closed fluid communication with each other. [18] Vehicle seat arrangement (10) according to claim 16, wherein the lower auxiliary support chamber (50) and the backrest auxiliary support chamber (50) are the same chamber.

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