BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to a pneumatic massage system for commercial and residential use, for example, office and home furniture, and more specifically for use within vehicular seating systems (aircraft, automobiles, etc.).

SUMMARY

In an embodiment of a fluidic switching module, the fluidic switching module includes a module body defining an inlet passage, a first nozzle in fluid communication with the inlet passage, an air splitter in fluid communication with the first nozzle, and a first transfer passage in fluid communication with a first side of the air splitter. The module body further defines a second transfer passage in fluid communication with a second side of the air splitter, a second nozzle in fluid communication with the first transfer passage, and a second air splitter in fluid communication with the second nozzle. A first bladder passage is in fluid communication with a first side of the second air splitter, and a second bladder passage is in fluid communication with a second side of the second air splitter. The module body also defines a first vent passage in fluid communication with the first bladder passage, and a second vent passage in fluid communication with the second bladder passage.

In an embodiment of a pneumatic module forming an air passage, the air passage includes a first inlet zone at a first upstream position, a first splitter zone positioned downstream the inlet zone, and a transfer zone fluidly connected to the first splitter zone. The air passage further includes a second inlet zone fluidly connected to the transfer zone and at a second upstream position, a second splitter zone positioned downstream the second inlet zone, a first bladder zone fluidly connected to the second splitter zone, and a second bladder zone fluidly connected to the second splitter zone. The air passage also includes a first vent zone fluidly connected to the first bladder zone, a second vent zone fluidly connected to the second bladder zone, and a first feedback zone fluidly connected to the second vent zone and the transfer zone.

In an embodiment of a pneumatic system, the pneumatic system includes a source of pressurized air, a fluidic switching module connected to the source of pressurized air, a first bladder connected to the fluidic switching module, a second bladder connected to the fluidic switching module, a third bladder connected to the fluidic switching module, and a fourth bladder connected to the fluidic switching module. The fluidic switching module is configured to inflate and deflate the first bladder, the second bladder, the third bladder, and the fourth bladder in a predefined sequence without moving any portion of the fluidic switching module.

Other aspects of the disclosure will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings.

