Dynamic support apparatus and system

Abstract

A control unit system. The system includes a control unit which includes a control unit charging interface, at least one magnet located proximate to the control unit charging interface, at least one actuator, a detachable manifold including at least one magnet, fluidly coupled to the at least one actuator, a pump connected to the at least one actuator for causing actuation thereof, and a control system for controlling the pump, wherein the control system controls the pump to actuate the at least one actuator at least in response to a signal received by the control system. The system also includes a recharging device configured to receive the control unit, the recharging device including a reed switch, wherein when the magnet in the control unit is located proximate to the reed switch, the switch is activated.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for providing support to a user, the system comprising:
 a first bladder group of at least one bladder;   a second bladder group of at least one bladder;   a control unit comprising:   a valve system;   a manifold fluidly coupling the first bladder group and second bladder group to the valve system;   a pump connected to the valve system for causing inflation of the first bladder group and second bladder group;   a user interface for receiving user inputs; and   a control system for controlling the pump, wherein the control system has a first mode having a predetermined first mode bladder pressure for the first bladder group and first mode bladder pressure for the second bladder group, and a second mode having predetermined second bladder mode pressure for the first bladder group and a second bladder mode pressure for the second bladder group, wherein at least one of the first bladder group and second bladder group has pressures different in the first mode and in the second mode, and the control system controls the pump to actuate the valve system in response to a signal indicating the first mode or the second mode received by the control system from the user interface.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the manifold fluidly couples a the first bladder group and second bladder group to the pump through a plurality of interior channels. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the valve system comprises a valve in fluid communication with each interior channel for controlling flow therethrough. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the control system controls activation of the valves. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the manifold is detachable. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5  wherein the manifold has a magnet and the valve system has a magnet. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the first bladder group and second bladder group each comprise a plurality of bladders. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a sensor to sense the pressure of one bladder of the first bladder group, wherein the control system commands the pump and valve system to increase the pressure of the bladder if the pressure detected by a sensor drops below a current pressure setpoint by more than a prescribed deadband. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the control system commands venting of the one bladder by the valve system if the pressure detected by the sensor exceeds the current pressure setpoint by more than the prescribed deadband. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the control system commands the pump at a fixed time interval. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a switch configured to toggle the pump actuation between the first bladder group and a second bladder group. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a third mode having a predetermined third mode bladder pressure for the first bladder group and third mode bladder pressure for the second bladder group wherein the third mode is a pressure different from the pressures of the first mode or second mode. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the controller further includes a third mode whereby the controller inflates the first bladder group and second bladder group from no pressure to a predetermined initial pressure. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the valve system has a separate valve for each bladder.