Bolster valve arrangement

Abstract

To provide a method and apparatus that can maintain a stable and desired comfort level for a seat occupant and can reduce costs.SOLUTION: A method and apparatus include a plurality of fluid bladders comprising at least a first fluid bladder 52 and a second fluid bladder 54, and an actuator 56 fluidly connected to the plurality of fluid bladders. The actuator selectively inflates the first fluid bladder and the second fluid bladder. A buffer bladder 58 is fluidly connected to the first fluid bladder and the second fluid bladder via a plurality of one-way valves 60c, 60d. A vent 62 is fluidly connected to the plurality of fluid bladders, and the vent selectively deflates the first fluid bladder and the second fluid bladder.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The seat may include a lumbar / bolster valve and a massage valve configured in a valve array. The valves inflate or deflate fluid bladders within the seat. If multiple bolsters share an air line, one bladder will lose support when pushed during a cornering maneuver because the air simply moves to the other bladder. Bolsters with separate air lines may maintain firm support during cornering, but this results in increased costs for the associated pneumatic support system. Summary of the Invention

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a pneumatic support system that uses a single active valve to supply fluid to inflate multiple fluid bladders in combination with multiple one-way passive valves that cooperate with each other to fill / maintain a set inflation pressure in the bladders, which are then deflated via a common active vent valve. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0003] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an exemplary seat. [Diagram 2] 1 illustrates a schematic of some components of a fluid supply system in relation to multiple fluid bladders. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a valve arrangement for multiple bladders. [Figure 4A] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of an example of a passive valve that may be used in the array of FIG. 3. [Figure 4B] FIG. 4B is a side view of the passive valve of FIG. 4A. [Figure 5A] FIG. 4B is a schematic diagram of the passive valve of FIG. 4A in an initial state. [Figure 5B] FIG. 5B is a schematic diagram of the passive valve of FIG. 5A during inflation. [Figure 5C] FIG. 5B is a schematic diagram of the passive valve of FIG. 5A in an inflated closed state. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of another valve arrangement for multiple bladders. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0004] Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the various described embodiments. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the various described embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components, circuits, and networks have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the embodiments.

[0005] "One or more" includes functions performed by one element, functions performed by more than one element, e.g., in a distributed manner, several functions performed by one element, several functions performed by several elements, or any combination of the above.

[0006] It is also understood that although terms such as first, second, etc. are used in this specification to describe various elements in some examples, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used only to distinguish one element from another element. For example, a first contact may be referred to as a second contact, and similarly, a second contact may be referred to as a first contact, without departing from the scope of various described embodiments. A first contact and a second contact are both contacts, but are not the same contact.

[0007] The terminology used in the description of the various described embodiments herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. When used in the description of the various described embodiments and the appended claims, the singular forms "a", "an", "the" and "said" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It is also understood that the term "and / or" as used herein refers to and includes any possible combination of one or more of the associated listed items. It is further understood that the terms "including", "comprising" and / or "including" as used herein specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof.

[0008] As used herein, the term "when" is interpreted to mean "when," "when," or "in response to determining" or "in response to detecting," depending on the context. Similarly, the phrase "when determined" or "when [a stated condition or event] is detected" is interpreted to mean "in determining" or "in response to determining" or "in detecting [a stated condition or event]" or "in response to detecting [a stated condition or event]," depending on the context.

[0009] It should be understood that terms such as "about," "substantially," and "generally" are not intended to be open-ended terms, but should be interpreted consistent with the manner in which one of ordinary skill in the art would interpret these terms.

[0010] FIG. 1 illustrates a seat assembly 10 according to one embodiment. The seat assembly 10 may be utilized as a vehicle seat assembly 10 for seating in vehicles such as automobiles, aircraft, personal watercraft, or any other seating environment. The seat assembly 10 includes a seat bottom 12. The seat bottom 12 may be adapted to be mounted for motorized adjustable translational movement in the fore-aft and up-down directions of the vehicle. The seat assembly 10 includes a seat back 14 that may be pivotally connected to the seat bottom 12. The seat back 14 may extend generally upright relative to the seat bottom 12 for pivotal adjustment relative to the seat bottom 12. A head restraint 16 may also be attached to the seat back 14.

[0011] The seat bottom 12 includes a central seating surface 18 and a pair of side bolster areas 20 spaced laterally from the central seating surface 18. The seat back 14 includes a pelvis / lumbar seating surface 22 flanked by a pair of laterally spaced side bolster areas 24. A thorax / shoulder seating surface 26 is provided above the seating surfaces of the pelvis / lumbar seating surface 22 and the seat back side bolster areas 24. It should be understood that this is only one example seat configuration and other configurations may be utilized.

[0012] 2 shows the seat assembly 10 with the covers, trim and foam removed to expose the underlying components. The seat bottom 12 includes one or more fluid bladder assemblies 28 beneath the central seating surface 18 and within the seat back 14. The seat bottom 12 also includes a pair of lower side bolster fluid bladder assemblies 30 each disposed within the seat bottom 12 adjacent a side bolster seating surface 20. Similarly, the seat back 14 includes a pair of upper side bolster fluid bladder assemblies 32 each disposed adjacent one of the seat back side bolster seating surfaces 24. Each of the side bolster fluid bladder assemblies 30, 32 is supported within a corresponding frame 34, 36 of the seat bottom 12 and seat back 14.

[0013] The side bolster fluid bladder assemblies 30, 32 provide lateral support to a seated occupant when the vehicle is turning or cornering. The fluid bladder assemblies 28 in the seat bottom 12 and seat back 14 can be used for lumbar or massage purposes.

[0014] The seat assembly 10 also includes an actuator assembly 44 that controls the inflation of the bladder assemblies 28, 30, 32. The actuator assembly 44 may include a compressor or air pump connected to a valve bank to provide a source of fluid to the fluid bladder assemblies 28, 30, 32. A seat control module is provided in the seat bottom 12 or seat back 14 and is generally identified as a controller 46. In one example, the controller 46 regulates the flow of compressed air to and from the bladder assemblies 28, 30, 32 in the seat assembly 10. The controller 46 and actuator 44 may be located in the seat back 14 as shown, under the seat, or anywhere suitable within the vehicle. Additionally, the controller 46 and actuator 44 may be separate units or combined together into a single unit.

[0015] 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 generally any device for executing software instructions. The memory may include any one or combination of volatile and / or non-volatile memory elements. The processing unit may be programmed to execute one or more programs stored in the memory. The programs may be stored in the memory, for example, as software code. The programs stored in the memory may include one or more additional or separate programs. Each program includes an ordered list of executable instructions for implementing logical functions associated with controlling the valve bank. Although a single controller is shown, the controller 46 may be comprised of one or more controllers. The controller 46 may communicate with and respond to instructions from other controllers.

[0016] FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a pneumatic support system 50 including a plurality of fluid bladders, including at least a first fluid bladder 52 and a second fluid bladder 54. Each of the fluid bladders 52, 54 includes a pneumatic cell or pouch that is expandable to provide increased support in a desired area of ​​the seat 10. In one example, the bladders 52, 54 may be used as the bladders 30, 32, as shown in FIG. 2. An actuator 56 associated with the actuator assembly 44 and the controller 46 is fluidly connected to the first fluid bladder 52 and the second fluid bladder 54. In one example, the actuator 56 includes an active inflation valve that selectively inflates the first fluid bladder 52 and the second fluid bladder 54. The pneumatic support system 50 further includes a buffer bladder 58 that 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 cell or pouch that fluidly connects adjacent pairs of fluid bladders to one another. 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 that is fluidly connected to the plurality of fluid bladders, where 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 and deflation valves are selectively controlled via the controller 46.

[0017] In one example, each pair of fluid bladders 52, 54 is associated with a common buffer bladder 58 to maintain the bladder pressure in each bladder of the pair at a desired pressure. Thus, each pair of fluid bladders 52, 54 in the multiple fluid bladders is associated with only one buffer bladder 58.

[0018] In one example, the buffer bladder 58 is smaller in size than each associated pair of fluid bladders. That is, for example, the buffer bladder 58 shown in FIG. 3 is smaller in size than the first fluid bladder 52 and the second fluid bladder 54. In one example, the buffer bladder is significantly reduced in size such that the pouches of the buffer bladder enclose a smaller volumetric space than the pouches of the first fluid bladder 52 and the second fluid bladder 54. In one example, the buffer bladder 58 is less than half the size of the associated pair of fluid bladders.

[0019] The buffer bladder 58 is configured to have multiple inlets and a single outlet to the vent 62, e.g., one inlet for each associated fluid bladder. That is, as shown in FIG. 3, the buffer 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. That is, there is one fluid communication path 68 from the first fluid bladder 52 to the buffer bladder 58, and there is one fluid communication path 70 from the second fluid bladder 54 to the buffer bladder 58. Additionally, because the buffer bladder 58 includes a single outlet 72 to the vent 62, there is one fluid communication path 74 from an interior fluid cavity 76 of the buffer bladder 58 to the fluid communication line associated with the vent 62.

[0020] In one example, each fluid bladder of the pneumatic support system 50 includes a single one-way valve and each buffer bladder includes two one-way valves. Thus, the plurality of one-way valves 60 includes 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 buffer bladder 58, and a fourth one-way valve 60d associated with the buffer bladder 58. Each of these one-way valves 60a-60d includes a TPU valve or other similar passive valve at least partially received within the fluid chamber 78, 80 of the associated bladder 52, 54. Only one-way flow is permitted through these valves 60a-60d.

[0021] 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 buffer bladder. For example, the first fluid bladder 52 has a single inlet 82 through 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 through the second one-way valve 60b for inflation of the second fluid bladder 54. The buffer bladder 58 has a first inlet 64 through the third one-way valve 60c and a second inlet 66 through the fourth one-way valve 60d. That is, there is a single uninterrupted fluid communication path 68 from the interior cavity 78 of the first fluid bladder 52 to the third one-way valve 60c of the buffer bladder, and there is a single uninterrupted fluid communication path 70 from the interior cavity 80 of the second fluid bladder 54 to the fourth one-way valve 60d of the buffer bladder.

[0022] The inflation / deflation operation of the pneumatic support system 50 is accomplished through the use of an active inflation valve 56 per pair of bladders 52, 54, a number of one-way valves 60, a buffer bladder 58, and an active vent valve 62 per pair of bladders 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 that selectively turns the flow on or off for inflation. In one example, the vent 62 includes the active vent valve 62, which is a two-port valve associated with the controller 46 that selectively turns the flow on or off for deflation. The active inflation valves 56 and active vent valves 62 are selectively controlled by the controller 46 to provide the desired bolster pressure to the associated bladder.

[0023] In one example, the inflation states of the pneumatic support system 50 include a state in which the active inflation valve 56 is open (e.g., flow on for inflation) and the active vent valve 62 is closed (e.g., flow off) so that the first and second fluid bladders 52, 54 are filled via the first and second one-way valves 60a, 60b, respectively. Flow from the first fluid bladder 52 enters the third one-way valve 60c of the buffer bladder 58, and flow from the second fluid bladder 54 enters the fourth one-way valve 60d, causing the buffer bladder 58 to fill until the first fluid bladder 52, the second fluid bladder 54, and the buffer bladder 58 all reach a set inflation pressure, e.g., until all bladders 52, 54, 58 reach a common pressure. Following a determination that the set inflation pressure has been reached, the active inflation valve 56 is closed (e.g., flow off).

[0024] In one example, a deflation state of the pneumatic support system 50 includes a state in which the active expansion valve 56 is closed (e.g., a flow off state) and the active vent valve 62 is open (e.g., a flow out state for deflation) so that all fluid flows out of the first fluid bladder 52, the second fluid bladder 54, and the buffer bladder 58 through the active vent valve 62 (e.g., all bladders 52, 54, 58 are vented).

[0025] In one example, the actuator 56 includes a single active expansion valve 56 that causes all of the multiple fluid bladders to fill. That is, while the active expansion valve 56 is shown in FIG. 3 as being fluidly coupled to two fluid bladders 52, 54, the active expansion valve 56 may be fluidly coupled to additional fluid bladders for expansion purposes. As discussed above, the active expansion valve 56 includes a two-port valve that is selectively actuated by the controller 46 for a flow-on state (e.g., an open / inflate position) or a flow-off state (e.g., a closed position to hold pressure or a closed position for selective deflation).

[0026] In one example, the vent 62 includes a single vent active deflation valve 62 that deflates all of the bladders of the plurality of bladders. That is, while the active deflation valve 62 is shown in FIG. 3 as being fluidly coupled to two fluid bladders 52, 54, the active deflation valve 62 may be fluidly coupled to additional fluid bladders for deflation purposes. As discussed above, the active deflation valve 62 includes a two-port valve that is selectively actuated by the controller 46 for a flow-on state (e.g., an open / inflated position) or a flow-off state (e.g., a closed position to hold pressure or a closed position for selective deflation).

[0027] In one example, the fluid bladders 52, 54 include lumbar and / or bolster bladders configured to maintain a set pressure within each fluid bladder. The fluid bladders are configured as individual inflatable air cells or pouches capable of holding adjustable internal pressures to provide various support settings. The fluid bladders are actively and selectively filled with a fluid, such as air, until all of the fluid bladders reach a common pressure.

[0028] 4A-4B and 5A-5C show an example of a passive one-way valve 60. In this example, the passive one-way valve 60 includes a TPU valve disposed at least partially within one of the fluid chambers of the first fluid bladder 52, the second fluid bladder 54, and the buffer bladder 58. As shown in FIGS. 5A-5C, the one-way passive valve 60 is positioned within an associated fluid bladder 86 that surrounds a fill chamber 88. As shown in FIGS. 4A-4B, the valve 60 includes two flaps 90 that overlap each other in an initial state shown in FIG. 5A. A filler member 92 is inserted between the flaps 90 at an inlet end 94. In one example, the flaps 90 include separate flat sheets of material that are movable toward and away from each other. The filler member 92 includes a tube or other similar structure that is fluidly connected to a fluid source. During inflation, the flaps 90 separate from one another in the fluid chamber 88, as shown in Figure 5B, allowing fluid to exit the outlet ends 96 of the flaps 90 and fill the chamber 88. Inflation occurs until the pressure in the fluid chamber 88 outside the two flaps 90 reaches a pressure level that forces the two flaps together to prevent backflow, as shown in Figure 5C. Once the set inflation pressure is reached in the fluid bladder 86, that pressure is maintained until the active deflation valve 62 is selectively actuated by the controller 46.

[0029] Another example of a valve arrangement is shown in FIG. 6. In this example, the fill / active expansion valve 56 and the vent / active deflation valve 62 share a common fluid connection line and a common valve chamber that is fluidly connected to the bladders 52, 54. As shown, a single fluid chamber 100 contains both the fill / active expansion valve 56 and the vent / active deflation valve 62. The chamber 100 has a single outlet / inlet 102 that is connected to a first supply line 104 providing fluid to the inlet 82 to the first bladder 52 and to a second supply line 106 providing fluid to the inlet 84 to the second bladder 54. A single outlet 72 from the buffer 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 pump pressure or vent / atmosphere. This results in a compact design with short line lengths. During cornering maneuvers, the pressure in the bladders 52, 54, 58 is maintained without transfer / shift from one bladder to the other. This allows for a consistent and desired comfort level for the seat occupant during all vehicle movements. Additionally, the use of one-way passive valves for multiple bladders in combination with one active inflate valve and one active deflate valve reduces overall costs compared to having an active valve for each bladder.

[0030] Also disclosed is a method of providing fluid to inflate multiple fluid bladders via a common actuator, where a buffer bladder and multiple one-way passive valves cooperate with each other to fill / hold a set inflation pressure and then deflate the multiple fluid bladders via a common active vent valve. In one example, the method includes providing multiple fluid bladders including at least a first fluid bladder and a second fluid bladder, fluidly connecting the buffer bladder to the first fluid bladder and the second fluid bladder via the multiple one-way valves, selectively inflating the first fluid bladder and the second fluid bladder via the common actuator, and selectively deflating the first fluid bladder and the second fluid bladder via the common vent.

[0031] The method may include any combination of the following steps: The method may include associating each pair of fluid bladders in the plurality of fluid bladders with one buffer bladder.

[0032] The method can include forming a buffer bladder that is smaller in size than the first fluid bladder and the second fluid bladder.

[0033] The method may include providing the buffer bladder with a first inlet associated with the first fluid bladder and a second inlet associated with the second fluid bladder, and providing the buffer bladder with a single outlet to the vent. The method may include associating at least a first one-way valve with the first fluid bladder, a second one-way valve with the second fluid bladder, a third one-way valve with the buffer bladder, and a fourth one-way valve with the buffer bladder.

[0034] The method may include inflating a first fluid bladder through a single inlet by a first one-way valve, inflating a second fluid bladder through a single inlet by a second one-way valve, inflating a buffer bladder through the first inlet by a third one-way valve, and inflating the buffer bladder through the second inlet by a fourth one-way valve.

[0035] The method may include providing the actuator as an active expansion valve and the vent as an active vent valve. The method may further include inflating the first and second fluid bladders by opening the active expansion valve and closing the active vent valve such that the first and second fluid bladders fill through the first and second one-way valves, respectively; inflating the buffer bladder with flow from an outlet of the first fluid bladder directed to a third one-way valve and flow from an outlet of the second fluid bladder directed to a fourth one-way valve until the first, second, and buffer bladders all reach a set inflation pressure; closing the active expansion valve upon determining that the set inflation pressure has been reached; and deflating the first, second, and buffer bladders by closing the active expansion valve and opening the active vent valve such that all fluid flows out of the first, second, and buffer bladders through the active vent valve.

[0036] The method may include providing the actuator as a single active inflation valve that causes all of the multiple fluid bladders to fill, and providing the vent as a single vent valve that causes all of the multiple fluid bladders to deflate.

[0037] The method may include providing a plurality of fluid bladders as lumbar or bolster bladders and actively and selectively filling the plurality of fluid bladders with fluid until all of the fluid bladders reach a set inflation pressure.

[0038] The method may include disposing a plurality of one-way valves in each of the bladders among the first fluid bladder, the second fluid bladder, and the buffer bladder, and providing each one-way valve with two flaps that are spaced apart from each other within the fluid chamber during inflation to a set inflation pressure.

[0039] Although different examples have particular components shown, embodiments of the disclosure are not limited to these particular combinations. Some of the components or features from one of the examples can also be used in combination with features or components from another of the examples. In addition, the various figures accompanying this disclosure are not necessarily to scale, and some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show certain details of a particular component or arrangement.

[0040] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the above-described embodiments are illustrative and not limiting. That is, modifications of the present disclosure are within the scope of the following claims. Accordingly, the following claims should be studied to determine their true scope and content.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising: a plurality of fluid bladders including at least a first fluid bladder and a second fluid bladder; an actuator fluidly connected to the plurality of fluid bladders, the actuator selectively inflating the first fluid bladder and the second fluid bladder; a buffer bladder fluidly connected to the first fluid bladder and the second fluid bladder via a plurality of one-way valves; a vent fluidly connected to the plurality of fluid bladders, the vent selectively deflating the first fluid bladder and the second fluid bladder; 13. An apparatus comprising:

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein each pair of fluid bladders in the plurality of fluid bladders is associated with one buffer bladder.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the buffer bladder is smaller in size than the first fluid bladder and the second fluid bladder.

4. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the buffer bladder has a first inlet associated with the first fluid bladder and a second inlet associated with the second fluid bladder, the buffer bladder including a single outlet to the vent.

5. 2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of one-way valves includes 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 buffer bladder, and a fourth one-way valve associated with the buffer bladder.

6. the first fluid bladder has a single inlet via the first one-way valve; the second fluid bladder having a single inlet via the second one-way valve; the buffer bladder having a first inlet through the third one-way valve; The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the buffer bladder has a second inlet through the fourth one-way valve.

7. the actuator includes an active expansion valve and the vent includes an active vent valve, the active expansion valve and the active vent valve being selectively controlled by a controller; an inflation state includes the active expansion valve being open and the active vent valve being closed such that the first and second fluid bladders are filled through the first and second one-way valves, respectively, and flow from the first fluid bladder enters the third one-way valve to fill the buffer bladder and flow from the second fluid bladder enters the fourth one-way valve to fill the buffer bladder until the first, second, and buffer bladders all reach a set inflation pressure, and the active expansion valve is closed pursuant to a determination that the set inflation pressure has been reached; 7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein a deflated state includes the active expansion valve being closed and the active vent valve being open such that all fluid flow is out of the first fluid bladder, the second fluid bladder, and the buffer bladder through the active vent valve.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the actuator includes a single active inflation valve that causes all of the plurality of fluid bladders to fill.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the vent comprises a single vent valve that deflates all of the plurality of fluid bladders.

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

11. 2. The device of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of one-way valves is disposed at least partially within a fluid chamber of one of the first fluid bladder, the second fluid bladder, and the buffer bladder, and each one-way valve includes two flaps that move away from each other within the fluid chamber during inflation to a set inflation pressure.

12. 1. A method comprising: providing a plurality of fluid bladders including at least a first fluid bladder and a second fluid bladder; fluidly connecting a buffer 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 with a common actuator; selectively deflating the first fluid bladder and the second fluid bladder through a common vent; A method comprising:

13. The method of claim 12 , further comprising associating each pair of fluid bladders in the plurality of fluid bladders with one buffer bladder.

14. The method of claim 12 including forming the buffer bladder to have a smaller size than the first fluid bladder and the second fluid bladder.

15. the buffer bladder having a first inlet associated with the first fluid bladder and a second inlet associated with the second fluid bladder, the buffer bladder including a single outlet to the common vent; 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 buffer bladder; associating a fourth one-way valve with said buffer bladder; 13. The method of claim 12, comprising:

16. inflating the first fluid bladder through a single inlet via the first one-way valve; inflating a second fluid bladder through a single inlet by a second one-way valve; inflating a buffer bladder through the first inlet by a third one-way valve; inflating the buffer bladder through the second inlet by a fourth one-way valve; 16. The method of claim 15, comprising:

17. the common actuator includes an active expansion valve and the common vent includes an active vent valve; The method comprises: inflating the first and second fluid bladders by opening the active expansion valve and closing the active vent valve such that the first and second fluid bladders fill through the first and second one-way valves, respectively; inflating the buffer bladder with flow from an outlet of the first fluid bladder directed to the third one-way valve and flow from an outlet of the second fluid bladder directed to the fourth one-way valve until the first fluid bladder, the second fluid bladder, and a buffer bladder all reach a set inflation pressure; closing the active expansion valve in response to determining that the set expansion pressure has been reached; deflating the first fluid bladder, the second fluid bladder, and the buffer bladder by closing the active expansion valve and opening the active vent valve so that all fluid flows out of the first fluid bladder, the second fluid bladder, and the buffer bladder through the active vent valve.

20. The method of claim 16, comprising:

18. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the common actuator includes a single active inflation valve that causes all of the plurality of fluid bladders to fill, and the common vent includes a single vent valve that causes all of the plurality of fluid bladders to deflate.

19. the plurality of fluid bladders include lumbar bladders or bolster bladders; The method of claim 12 , wherein 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. disposing 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 a buffer bladder; providing two flaps in each one-way valve that move apart from each other within said fluid chamber during inflation until a set inflation pressure is reached; 13. The method of claim 12, comprising:

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