Comfort system and method of operating a comfort system for a vehicle seat

Abstract

A comfort system and method of operating a comfort system, the method includes inflating first air cells by passing air through a respective first valve before entering the first air cells; inflating second air cells, by passing air through a respective second valve before entering the second air cells; deflating the first air cells by venting the air from the first air cells through a shared vent valve connected to the first air cells; and deflating the second air cells by: i) venting the air from the second air cells through a respective third valve associated with each of the second air cells; and / or ii) if the one or more air sources are not operating, then deflating the second air cells by venting the air from the second air cells through the respective second valve and the shared valve.

Description

COMFORT SYSTEM AND METHOD OF OPERATING A COMFORT SYSTEM FOR AVEHICLE SEATCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to and the benefit of US 63 / 541,340 filed on September 29, 2023, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein for all purposesFIELD

[0002] These teachings relate to a comfort system for a vehicle seat and to a method of operating a comfort system for a vehicle seat.BACKGROUND

[0003] Some vehicle seats include one or more systems for improving occupant comfort. For example, some vehicle seats include one or more pneumatic systems to provide massage and / or lumbar functions to an occupant of the vehicle seat by changing and / or adjusting a contour of the seat. While such pneumatic systems are generally enjoyed by consumers, continued improvement in the art may be desired.

[0004] For example, some comfort systems have two valves or actuators for each of the air cells (e.g., one fill valve and one vent valve), which may undesirably result in a larger, complicated, and more expensive system. Some comfort systems take a prolonged period of time to vent or deflate the one or more air cells, which may be frustrating to the consumer. Accordingly, continued improvement in the art may be desired.

[0005] For example, it may be desirable to reduce the number of valves in a comfort system, without reducing system performance. For example, it may be desirable to reduce the amount of time it takes to vent or deflate one or more air cells without adding additional valves, cost, and / or system complexity.SUMMARY

[0006] These teachings relate to a comfort system for a vehicle seat and to a method of operating a comfort system. The comfort system according to these teachings is configured to operate with less valves than traditional comfort systems, thereby reducing system cost and complexities. The comfort system according to these teachings is configured to vent or deflate the one or more of the air cells more efficiently or faster than other systems.

[0007] In one configuration, the comfort system comprises one or more first air cells configured to be inflated with air from one or more air sources, the comfort system comprises a first valve associated with each of the one or more first air cells through which the air passes before entering the one or more first air cells; one or more second air cells configured to be inflated with air from the one or more air sources, the comfort system comprises a second valve associated with each of the one or more second air cells through which the air passes before entering the one or more second air cells, the comfort system comprises a third valve associated with each of the one or more second air cells; an intake manifold and exhaust manifold, each one of which are fluidly connected to the one or more first air cells and the one or more second air cells; and a shared valve between the intake manifold and the exhaust manifold; the first valve is a dual direction valve that is configured to allow the air to flow into and out of the one or more first air cells; the second valve is a single direction valve that is configured to only allow the air to flow into and the one or more second air cells; the third valve is a single direction valve that is configured to only allow the air to flow out of the one or more second air cells; and the shared valve is a single direction valve that exhausts the air deflated from the one or more first air cells when the one or more air sources are not inflating the one or more first air cells and / or the one or more second air cells.

[0008] In another configuration, the comfort system includes one or more first air cells configured to be inflated with air from the one or more air sources, and a first valve associated with each of the one or more first air cells through which the air passes before entering the one or more first air cells; one or more second air cells configured to be inflated with air from the one or more air sources, and a second valve associated with each of the one or more second air cells through which the air passes before entering the one or more second air cells, the comfort system comprises a third valve associated with each of the one or more second air cells; an intake manifold and exhaust manifold, each one of which are fluidly connected to the one or more firstair cells and the one or more second air cells; and a shared valve operable in deflating the air from the one or more second air cells.

[0009] In yet configuration, a method of operating the comfort system in a vehicle seat is disclosed, the method includes steps of: A) inflating the one or more first air cells of the comfort system with air from the one or more air sources, wherein the comfort system comprises a first valve associated with each of the one or more first air cells through which the air passes before entering the one or more first air cells; B) inflating the one or more second air cells of the comfort system with air from the one or more air sources, wherein the comfort system comprises a second valve associated with each of the one or more second air cells through which the air passes before entering the one or more second air cells, the comfort system comprises a third valve associated with each of the one or more second air cells; C) deflating the one or more first air cells of the comfort system by venting the air from the one or more first air cells through a shared valve; and D) deflating one or more second air cells of the comfort system by: i) venting the air from the one or more second air cells through each of the respective third valve(s); and ii) if the one or more air sources are not operating to inflate the one or more first air cells and / or the one or more second air cells, then also venting the air from the one or more second air cells through the shared valve.

[0010] These teachings also provide a method of making a comfort system for use in a vehicle seat. By arranging the elements of the comfort system in the manner disclosed herein, a comfort system may result that operates with less valves than traditional comfort systems, thereby reducing system cost and complexities and can vent or deflate the one or more of the air cells more efficiently or faster than other systems.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Fig. 1 is a side view of an illustrative example of a vehicle according to these teachings.

[0012] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of an illustrative example of a vehicle seat according to these teachings.

[0013] Fig. 3 is schematic circuit design of an illustrative example of a comfort system according to these teachings.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] Fig. 1 illustrates a vehicle 10. The vehicle 10 comprises one or more vehicle seats 12. The vehicle seat 12 comprises a seating portion 14 and a backrest portion 16. The seating portion 14 and / or the backrest portion 16 may include a cushion 18. The cushion 18 may be a single cushion for both portions 14, 16, or the cushion 18 may be two (or more) separate pieces for one or both portions 14, 16. A cloth, vinyl, or leather trim or cover layer may be disposed over the cushion 18. An occupant of the vehicle seat 12 may sit on the trim or cover layer. A comfort system 100 may be added to the seat 12. The comfort system 100 may be added to the seating portion 14 and / or the backrest portion 16.

[0015] While the illustrated example of the vehicle in Fig. 1 is an automobile, it is contemplated, for the sake of the present invention, that a vehicle may be any device or machine that provides for transporting a person or persons. Additional examples include, but not limited to a truck; a bus; an airplane; a boat; train etc.

[0016] Fig. 2 illustrates the vehicle seat 12. The bottom or seating portion 14 of the vehicle seat 12 has a central seating region 20 and a pair of opposing side bolster regions 22 that are laterally spaced relative to the central seating region 20. The backrest portion 16 of the vehicle seat 12 has a pelvic or lumbar region 24 and a pair of opposing side bolster regions 26 that are laterally spaced relative to the central lumbar region 24.

[0017] It should also be noted that the teachings herein may be applicable to other seats, not just for vehicles. For example, the teachings herein may be applicable to other support devices such as an office chair, bed, medical bed, couch, recliner, and the like.

[0018] The comfort system 100 comprises a plurality of air cells. An air cell may be a balloon, bladder, or cushion device or structure that is configured to expand after being filled or inflated with a gas such as air. An air cell may be configured to contract after the gas is vented or deflated from within the air cell. An air cell may comprise one or more interconnected chambers. An air cell may be constructed of a suitable flexible material such as rubber, polyurethane, fabric, or other air impermeable material. An air cell may be fluidly connected to a respective one of the valves disclosed herein, one or more air sources, one or more manifolds, one or more other air cells, and / or the atmosphere by one or more tubes, conduits, passageways, or channels. The one or more air cells, or the comfort system disclosed herein, may include oneor more features or elements that are disclosed in US2012 / 0313420, US 10,906,442 B2, and / or US2013 / 0127226, all of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein for all purposes.

[0019] The air cells may be located at the seating portion 14, the backrest portion 16, or both. The air cells may be located on top of the cushion 18 (on an a-surface of the cushion 18) and below a trim layer that covers the cushion. The air cells may be located below the cushion 18 (on b-surface of the cushion 18). The air cells may be located within a thickness of the cushion 18. One or more spacer or support layers may be provided below and. / or over the one or more air cells. The one or more spacer or support layers may be a foam that functions to reduce air cell read through at the a-surface of the vheicle seat or through the trim or cover layer.

[0020] In the illustrative example of Fig. 2, the comfort system 100 comprises one or more first air cells 102 located or arranged in the side bolster regions 22, 26, of the vehicle seat 12. Accordingly, the one or more first air cells 102 may also be referred to herein as bolster air cells.

[0021] In the illustrative example of Fig. 2, the comfort system 100 comprises one or more second air cells 104 located or arranged in the lumbar region 24 of the vehicle seat 12. Accordingly, the one or more second air cells 104 may also be referred to herein as lumbar air cells.

[0022] It is understood, however, that the vehicle seat and / or comfort system may comprise any number of air cells (including zero air cells) in the various regions 20, 22, 24, 26, of the seating and backrest portions 14, 16 of the vehicle seat 12. Therefore, the first air cells 102 are not explicitly limited to being located only in the bolster regions of the seat and / or the second air cells 104 are not explicitly limited to being located in only the lumbar region of the vehicle seat.

[0023] The one or more first and / or second air cells 102, 104 may be configured to change, adjust, or otherwise modify the seating regions 20, 22, 24, 26 of the seat portions 14, 16 of the vehicle seat 12, which may be used to improve occupant comfort and / or safety. For example, the one or more first and / or second air cells 102, 104 may be inflated and / or deflated to better support the occupant of the vheicle seat, may provide a massage function, a lumbar support function, a bolster support function, a haptic feedback function, a posture function, a wellness function, or any combination thereof.

[0024] The one or more air cells may have a size, shape, and / or inflate / deflate characteristics based on the specific location of the air cell on the vehicle seat and its intended use (e.g,. massage, lumbar support, comfort, wellness, etc.).

[0025] Fig. 3 is schematic circuit design of the comfort system 100 according to these teachings. Generally, the comfort system 100 comprises a plurality of first air cells 102, a plurality of second air cells 104, and one or more air sources 106 that are operably connected to the one or more air cells 102, 104 via one or more tubes or conduits 108 to inflate / fill and deflate / vent the one or more air cells 102, 104. By inflating and deflating the one or more air cells 102, 104, the comfort system 100 is configured to change the shape, structure, or firmness of the vehicle seat 12 to provide the occupant with the comfort functions disclosed herein.

[0026] The one or more air sources 106 may be one or more pumps, fans, air movers, compressors, solenoids, storage tanks, accumulators, one or more other air cells, or any combination thereof.

[0027] The comfort system 100 may comprise one or more control devices 112. The one or more control devices 112 may be configured to control and / or operate the comfort system 100 and / or one or more elements of the comfort system disclsoed herein such as the one or more valves (first, second, third, shared, etc.), the one or more air sources 106, the one or more intake manifolds, exhaust manifolds, etc. The one or more control devices 112 may include one or more switches or sensors to monitor or control the amount of air supplied into and / or vented from the one or more air cells. The control device 112 may control the one or more valves disclosed herewith by one or more electronic signals. The control device 112 may be the vehicle ECU. The control device may be or may comprise one or more processors, memories, algorithms, lookup tables, switches, or a combination thereof for controlling and / or carrying out one or more instructions for operating the comfort system according to these teachings. The control device may be part of the vheicle, part of the vehicle seat, or both. The control device may be located at the vheicle, in the cloud, or both.

[0028] The one or more valves disclosed herein may function to allow air to enter the one or more air cells to fill or inflate the one or more air cells. The one or more valves may function to retain air inside the one or more air cells to maintain them in an inflated configuration. The one or more valves may function to vent or deflate the one or more air cells. The one or more valves may be one or more piezoelectric valves, shape memory alloy valves, electrically pulsed reed valves, valves having an actuator, etc. The one or more valves may be a solenoid valve which is normally biased to a closed position by a spring or other biasing member. Upon actuation of avalve by a signal received from the control device, the valve may open to allow for air to flow into or out of the one or more error cells depending on the operating configuration.

[0029] The comfort system 100 comprises a first valve 110 associated with each of the first air cells 102. The first valve 110 may be configured to be controlled by the control device 112. The one or more first valves 110 can be controlled to open so that air from the one or more air sources 106 can pass through the valve(s) 110 before entering the respective first air cell(s) 102 to inflate or fill the respective first air cell(s) 102. The one or more first valves 110 can be controlled to open so that air from the respective first air cell(s) 102 can pass through the valve(s) 110 deflate or vent the respective first air cell(s) 102. Accordingly, the one or more first valves 110 may be a dual direction valve, a 2-way valve, or a vent / fill valve that allow air to flow into and out of the respective first air cells 102.

[0030] The comfort system 100 comprises a second valve 114 associated with each of the second air cells 104. The second valve 114 may be configured to be controlled by the control device 112. The one or more second valves 114 can be controlled to open so that air from the one or more air sources 106 can pass through the valve(s) 114 before entering the respective second air cell(s) 104 to inflate or fill the respective second air cell(s) 104. The one or more second valves 114 can be controlled to open so that air from the respective second air cell(s) 104 can pass through the valve(s) 114 deflate or vent the respective second air cell(s) 104. Accordingly, the one or more second valves 114 may be a dual direction valve, a 2-way valve, or a vent / fill valve that allow air to flow into and out of the respective second air cells 104.

[0031] The comfort system 100 comprises a third valve 116 associated with each of the second air cells 104. The third valve 116 may be configured to be controlled by the control device 112. The one or more third valve 116 can be controlled to open so that air from the respective second air cell(s) 104 can pass through the valve(s) 116 deflate or vent the respective second air cell(s) 104. The one or more third valves 116 may a one way or single direction valve that allow air to flow out of the respective second air cells 104 to deflate or vent the air cell 104.

[0032] The comfort system 100 comprises an intake manifold 118, an exhaust manifold 120, and a shared valve 122, each one of which are fluidly connected to the one or more air cells via tubes or conduits 108. The shared valve 122 is arranged between the intake manifold 118 and the exhaust manifold 120. By arranging the shared valve 122 between the intake manifold 118 and the exhaust manifold 120, in one operating configuration, the shared valve 122 may beopened so that air may flow from the intake manifold 1 18, through the shared valve 122, to the exhaust manifold 120 before being vented or released to atmosphere 124. This operating condition may occur when the one or more air sources 106 are not operating or inflating the one or more air cells 102, 104. The shared valve 122 may a one way or single direction valve that allows air to flow out of the one or more first air cells. Because each of the first air cells 102 do not have a respective second valve for venting the first air cells 102 (i.e., they do not have a third valve 116 like the second air cells 104 have), the shared valve 122 is shared across a plurality of the first air cells 102 for venting. Accordingly, by having one shared valve 122 vent a plurality of the first air cells 102, the comfort system 100 is less costly and complex than traditional systems that have two valves for each of the first air cells 102.

[0033] A method of operating the comfort system 100 will now be disclosed. It is understood that any of the method steps disclosed herein may be performed in any order. This means that one or more of the steps can be rearranged to occur before or after one or more other method steps. In some configurations, one or more of the method steps may be omitted or skipped. In some configurations one or more of the method steps may be duplicated and performed more than once. In some configurations, two or more of the method steps disclosed herein may be combined into a single method step. In some configurations, a single method step may be split into two or more method steps. In some configurations, a method step may occur at the same time as another method step. In some configurations, a method step may occur or start only if or only after a previous step occurs.

[0034] The method may include a step of inflating the one or more first air cells 102 of the comfort system 100. The first air cells 102 may be air cells arranged in one or more of the side bolster region of the vehicle seat in the illustrated example of Fig. 2. However, a skilled person understands that the first air cells 102 may be arranged anywhere on the vehicle seat. During the step of inflating the one or more first air cells 102, the control device 112 may open one or more of the first valves 110 so that air from the one or more air sources 106 may flow through one or more of the tubes or conduits 108 extending between the air source 106 and the first valves 110 before entering and filing or inflating the first air cells 102.

[0035] The method may include a step of inflating the one or more second air cells 104 of the comfort system 100. The second air cells 104 may be air cells arranged in lumbar region of the vehicle seat in the illustrated example of Fig. 2. However, a skilled person understands thatthe second air cells 104 may be arranged anywhere on the vehicle seat. During the step of inflating the one or more second air cells 102, the control device 112 may open one or more of the second valves 114 so that air from the one or more air sources 106 may pass through one or more of the tubes or conduits 108 extending between the air source 106 and the second valves 114 before entering and filing or inflating the second air cells 104.

[0036] The method may include a step of deflating the one or more first air cells 102 of the comfort system 100. This step may occur by venting the air from the one or more first air cells 102 to atmosphere 124 through the shared valve 122. The control device 112 may open one or more of the first valves 110 and the shared vent 122 so that air from the respective first air cells 102 is vented or withdrawn from the one or more first air cells 102 and released to atmosphere 124 through the exhaust manifold 120. The air may flow from the one or more first air cells 102, through the intake manifold 118, through the shared valve 122 to the exhaust manifold 120, before being exhausted to atmosphere 124. Accordingly, the one or more first valves 110 may be a dual direction valve, or a 2-way valve, or a vent / fill valve that allows air to flow into and out of the respective first air cells 102. The shared valve 122 on the other hand may be a one way valve, or a vent only valve. This means that the shared valve 122 is used by the system 100 only for deflating or venting air cells and not for any filling or inflating of air cells.

[0037] The method may include a step of deflating the one or more second air cells 104 of the comfort system 100. This step may take place by deflating or venting the air from the one or more second air cells 104 through each of the respective third valve(s) 116. The control device 112 may open one or more of the third valves 116 so that air from the respective second air cells 104 is vented or withdrawn from the one or more second air cells 104 and then vented or released to atmosphere 124 through the exhaust manifold 120. The third valve 116 may be a single direction valve, a one way valve, or a vent only valve. This means that the third valve(2) 116 is used by the system 100 only for deflating or the second air cells 104, and not for any filling or inflating of air cells.

[0038] If the one or more air sources 106 are not operating to inflate or fill the one or more first air cells 102 and / or the one or more second air cells 104, then the step of deflating the one or more second air cells 104 may also take place by, or may instead take place by, venting the air from the one or more second air cells 104 to atmosphere 124 through the shared valve 122. The control device 112 may open one or more of the second valves 114 and the shared valve 122 sothat air from the respective second air cells 104 is vented or withdrawn from the one or more second air cells 104 into the intake manifold 118 and then and then vented or released to atmosphere 124 through the exhaust manifold 120. By venting or deflating the one or more second air cells 104 using the second valves 104 (i.e., via the intake manifold 118, shared valve 122, and the exhaust manifold 118) and also using the third valves 116 directedly to the exhaust manifold 120 and a faster and more efficient deflation of the lumbar air cells 104 may occur.

[0039] In some configurations, the air cells associated with the lumbar region of the seat may be larger or configured to hold a larger capacity of air. It is therefore for at least this reason that it is desirable to evacuate or deflate the air in a faster manner as compared to air cells that are arranged in other regions of the vehicle seat like the bolster regions.

[0040] However, if the one or more air sources 106 are operating (i.e., inflating one or more air cells), then the method comprises deflating or venting the one or more second air cells 104 to atmosphere 124 only through each of the respective third valve(s) 116 and the exhaust manifold 120.

[0041] The explanations and illustrations presented herein are intended to acquaint others skilled in the art with the invention, its principles, and its practical application. The above description is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Those skilled in the art may adapt and apply the invention in its numerous forms, as may be best suited to the requirements of a particular use.

[0042] Accordingly, the specific embodiments of the present invention as set forth are not intended as being exhaustive or limiting of the teachings. The scope of the teachings should, therefore, be determined not with reference to this description, but should instead be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. The omission in the following claims of any aspect of subject matter that is disclosed herein is not a disclaimer of such subject matter, nor should it be regarded that the inventors did not consider such subject matter to be part of the disclosed inventive subject matter.

[0043] Plural elements or steps can be provided by a single integrated element or step. Alternatively, a single element or step might be divided into separate plural elements or steps.

[0044] The disclosure of "a" or "one" to describe an element or step is not intended to foreclose additional elements or steps. For example, disclosure of “a motor” does not limit theteachings to a single motor. Instead, for example, disclosure of “a motor” may include “one or more motors.”

[0045] While the terms first, second, third, etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and / or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and / or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer, or section. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numerical terms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer, or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer, or section without departing from the teachings.

[0046] Spatially relative terms, such as “inner,” “outer,” “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper,” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

[0047] The invention illustratively disclosed herein may suitably be practiced in the absence of any element which is not specifically disclosed herein.

[0048] Any of the elements, components, regions, layers and / or sections disclosed herein are not necessarily limited to a single embodiment. Instead, any of the elements, components, regions, layers and / or sections disclosed herein may be substituted, combined, and / or modified with any of the elements, components, regions, layers and / or sections disclosed herein to form one or more embodiments that may be or may not be specifically illustrated or described herein.

[0049] The disclosures of all articles and references, including patent applications and publications, testing specifications, are incorporated by reference for all purposes. Other combinations are also possible as will be gleaned from the following claims, which are also hereby incorporated by reference into this written description.

Claims

CLAIMS1) A method of operating a comfort system for a vehicle seat, the comfort system comprises one or more first air cells, one or more second air cells, and one or more air sources, wherein the method comprises:A) inflating the one or more first air cells of the comfort system with air from the one or more air sources, wherein the comfort system comprises a first valve associated with each of the one or more first air cells through which the air passes before entering the one or more first air cells;B) inflating the one or more second air cells of the comfort system with air from the one or more air sources, wherein the comfort system comprises a second valve associated with each of the one or more second air cells through which the air passes before entering the one or more second air cells, the comfort system comprises a third valve associated with each of the one or more second air cells;C) deflating the one or more first air cells of the comfort system by venting the air from the one or more first air cells through a shared valve; andD) deflating one or more second air cells of the comfort system by: i) venting the air from the one or more second air cells through each of the respective third valve(s); and ii) if the one or more air sources are not operating to inflate the one or more first air cells and / or the one or more second air cells, then also venting the air from the one or more second air cells through the shared valve.2) The method according to claim 1, wherein the one or more first air cells are bolster air cells associated with a bolster region of the vehicle seat and the one or more second air cells are lumbar air cells associated with a lumbar region of the vehicle seat.3) The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the comfort system comprises an intake manifold and an exhaust manifold and the shared valve is arranged between the intake manifold and the exhaust manifold.4) The method according to claim 1 or any one of the previous claims, wherein the comfort system comprises a plurality of first air cells and during the step of C), the plurality of first air cells are deflated by deflating the air from the plurality of first air cells through the shared valve, wherein the shared vent is a one way valve.5) The method according to claim 3 or any one of the previous claims, wherein during the step of D)ii), if the one or more air sources are not operating to inflate the one or more first air cells and / or the one or more second air cells the air vented from the one or more second air cells is vented to atmosphere by passing the air through the intake manifold.6) The method according to claim 5 or any one of the previous claims, wherein during the step of D)ii), if the one or more air sources are not operating to inflate the one or more first air cells and / or the one or more second air cells, then the method comprises venting the air from the one or more second air cells through the one or more second valves, wherein the one or more second valves are dual direction valves configured for inflating and deflating the one or more second air cells.7) The method according to claim 5 or any one of the previous claims, wherein during the step of D)i), the air vented from the one or more second air cells is vented to atmosphere by passing the air through the exhaust manifold and the shared valve that is arranged between the intake manifold and the exhaust manifold.8) The method according to claim 1 or any one of the previous claims, wherein the first valve is a dual direction valve that is configured for inflating and deflating the one or more first air cells.9) The method according to claim 1 or any one of the previous claims, wherein the second valve is a dual direction valve that is configured to allow the air to flow into and out of the one or more second air cells.10) The method according to claim 1 or any one of the previous claims, wherein the third valve is a single direction valve that is configured to only allow the air to flow out of the one or more second air cells; and / or wherein the shared vent is a single direction valve that exhausts the air deflated from the one or more first air cells.11) A comfort system for a vehicle seat, the comfort system comprising: one or more first air cells configured to be inflated with air from the one or more air sources, and a first valve associated with each of the one or more first air cells through which the air passes before entering the one or more first air cells; one or more second air cells configured to be inflated with air from the one or more air sources, and a second valve associated with each of the one or more second air cells through which the air passes before entering the one or more second air cells, the comfort system comprises a third valve associated with each of the one or more second air cells; an intake manifold and exhaust manifold, each one of which are fluidly connected to the one or more first air cells and the one or more second air cells; and a shared valve operable in deflating the air from the one or more second air cells.12) The comfort system according to claim 11, wherein the shared valve is arranged between the intake manifold and the exhaust manifold and is operable to assist in deflating the one or more second air cells when the one or more air sources are not inflating the one or more first air cells and / or the one or more second air cells.13) The comfort system according to claim 12 or 11, wherein the one or more first air cells are configured to be deflated by venting the air from the one or more first air cells through the shared valve.14) The comfort system according to claim 11 or any one of claims 12-13, wherein the one or more second air cells are configured to be deflated by i) venting the air from the one or more second air cells through each of the respective third valve(s); and / orii) if the one or more sources are not operating to inflate the one or more first air cells and / or the one or more second air cells, then venting the air from the one or more second air cells through the shared valve.15) The comfort system according to claim 14 or any one of claims 12-14, wherein the one or more first air cells are bolster air cells associated with a bolster region of the vehicle seat and the one or more second air cells are lumbar air cells associated with a lumbar region of the vehicle seat.16) The comfort system according to claim 11 or any one of claims 12-15, wherein the first valve is a dual direction valve that is configured to allow the air to flow into and out of the one or more first air cells.17) The comfort system according to claim 11 or any one of claims 12-16, wherein the second valve is a single direction valve that is configured to only allow the air to flow into and the one or more second air cells.18) The comfort system according to claim 11 or any one of claims 12-17, wherein the third valve is a single direction valve that is configured to only allow the air to flow out of the one or more second air cells.19) The comfort system according to claim 11 or any one of claims 12-18, wherein the shared valve is a single direction valve that exhausts the air deflated from the one or more first air cells.20) A comfort system for a vehicle seat, the comfort system comprising: one or more first air cells configured to be inflated with air from one or more air sources, wherein the comfort system comprises a first valve associated with each of the one or more first air cells through which the air passes before entering the one or more first air cells; one or more second air cells configured to be inflated with air from the one or more air sources, wherein the comfort system comprises a second valve associated with each of the one or more second air cells through which the air passes before entering the one or more second aircells, the comfort system comprises a third valve associated with each of the one or more second air cells; an intake manifold and exhaust manifold, each one of which are fluidly connected to the one or more first air cells and the one or more second air cells; and a shared valve between the intake manifold and the exhaust manifold; wherein the first valve is a dual direction valve that is configured to allow the air to flow into and out of the one or more first air cells; wherein the second valve is a single direction valve that is configured to only allow the air to flow into and the one or more second air cells; wherein the third valve is a single direction valve that is configured to only allow the air to flow out of the one or more second air cells; and wherein the shared valve is a single direction valve that exhausts the air deflated from the one or more first air cells when the one or more air sources are not inflating the one or more first air cells and / or the one or more second air cells.

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