URETHANES TECHNOLOGY INTERNATIONAL
Posted February 2, 2012 BURSCHEID, GERMANY (Feb. 2, 2:15 p.m. ET) -- Johnson Controls International has joined with luxury mattress manufacturer Harrison Spinks Ltd to integrate pocketed coil spring developed from mattress technology into an automotive seat concept called ComfortThin.
Johnson Controls Automotive Experience, which makes automotive seating, overheads, panels and interior electronics, said in a news release that the resulting thin profile seats replace conventional urethane foam pads with a 100 percent recyclable alternative, and provide a five to 20 percent weight reduction. This technology will be available for 2015 model year vehicles.
“As part of our innovation process, Johnson Controls looks to apply technology from other industries into automotive applications,” said Andreas Eppinger, group vice president, technology management for Johnson Controls Automotive Experience.
He added that using the Harrison Spinks technology allows the company to offer a seating concept with “an unrivalled level of support that contours to the vehicle occupant’s body for short- and long-term comfort.”
JCI claims that the ComfortThin seat, which can be used for first, second and third row seats, provides a “dramatically thinner,” tailored seat back with up to a 20 percent reduction at the centre of the seat and a 35 percent or more reduction in the bolsters.
The active seating surface adapts to passengers occupants of all sizes, according to the company. Each spring unit is able to react independently, further improving seating life while giving occupants the right amount of support when and where it is needed. | 
