Intelligent seat cushion

Abstract

A seat assembly of a vehicle includes a seat cushion, and a plurality of inflatable tubes located in the seat cushion. An inflation apparatus is operably connected to the plurality of inflatable tubes to selectably inflate the plurality of inflatable tubes upon detection of a crash event. A method of operating a seat assembly of a vehicle includes detecting a crash event, and selectably inflating a plurality of inflatable tubes in a seat cushion of the seat assembly in response to detection of the crash event. One or more inflatable tubes may be provided in a seat back, headrest and/or side bolster of the seat assembly to enhance active and passive safety features and to improve occupant comfort. This feature can be extended to a seat backrest, seat bolster and seat headrest to enhance active and passive safety features.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.