DESC:FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates generally to vehicle seat assemblies, and more particularly, the present disclosure relates to a suspension system for a vehicle seat for isolating an operator from vibrations.

BACKGROUND

Different types of vibration dampening systems are available for isolating machines and systems from unwanted vibrations. Such vibration dampening systems are integrated with vehicle seats to isolate the operator from vibrations transferred to the seat from a vehicle cabin and a vehicle floor. Especially in the case of machines that have off-road applications like agricultural tractors, construction equipment, and earthmovers, the operator has to be safeguarded against extreme vibratory signals encountered during operation.

The conventional mechanical rear suspended seats include a pair of coil springs used in the vehicle seats in combination with a hydraulic damper and a separate screw type adjustment mechanism for increasing or reducing the coil spring tension to suit different operator weights. However, the mechanical action of coil springs is limited by their stiffness, and hence their response to absorption of the road vibrations during heavy jerks is poor. The pneumatic suspension systems are preferred by the operators for seating suspensions over cheaper counterparts thereof, and mechanical suspensions with coil springs due to improved comfort and better vibration isolation. Additionally, the operators find vehicle seats without pneumatic suspension systems difficult to operate for long durations due to increased vibrations results in operator’s body fatigue.

Another type of suspension system is a pneumatic suspension system. Conventional pneumatic suspension systems include an in-built vehicle air supply or integrated electric compressor along with the seat suspension. Due to the use of additional electric compressors, the overall cost is increased, and hence such conventional pneumatic suspension systems are currently found only in premium segment vehicles. Further, in premium vehicles, the pneumatic suspension systems are mounted below the seat structure, which unwantedly increases the seat height and cost. Hence the conventional pneumatic suspension systems do not have a similar configuration with respect to the mass market seats which have rear mechanical suspension with lower seat height.

In addition, pneumatic suspensions have a high cost, making the affordability factor a concern for a poor farmer in developing countries, who can’t spend a fortune to get better comfort from using the existing pneumatic suspension systems with electric air compressors. Traditionally even today for developing countries, the mass market tractors use the lower cost rear mechanical suspension seats due to their cost advantage over existing pneumatic suspension seats. Due to the high cost of components used in pneumatic suspensions, domestic tractor manufacturers have been limiting their seat costs using conventional mechanical suspensions instead of expensive pneumatic suspension seats, at the cost of the physical well-being of the operators.

SUMMARY

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts, in a simplified format, that are further described in the detailed description of the invention. This summary is neither intended to identify key or essential inventive concepts of the invention nor is intended for determining the scope of the invention.

The present disclosure relates to a suspension system for a vehicle seat. The suspension system includes a housing adapted to slidably attach to the vehicle seat. A pneumatic suspension unit is disposed in the housing 109 and is coupled to the vehicle seat to provide cushioning thereto in response to receipt of vibrations. The pneumatic suspension unit includes a pneumatic spring and a damper. A pumping unit is disposed in the housing 109 and is coupled to the pneumatic suspension unit. The pumping unit includes an air pump. The air pump is adapted to supply air to the pneumatic spring. A pneumatic valve is adapted to selectively allow the transfer of air between the air pump and the pneumatic spring to vary a spring constant to change a degree of cushioning and a ride height of the seat.

The present disclosure also relates to a vehicle seat assembly. The vehicle seat assembly includes a seat frame, and a suspension system adapted to be attached to a rear side of the seat frame. The suspension system includes a housing 109 adapted to slidably attach to the vehicle seat. A pneumatic suspension unit is disposed in the housing 109 and is coupled to the vehicle seat to provide cushioning thereto in response to receipt of vibrations. The pneumatic suspension unit includes a pneumatic spring and a damper. A pumping unit is disposed in the housing 109 and is coupled to the pneumatic suspension unit. The pumping unit includes an air pump. The air pump is adapted to supply air to the pneumatic spring. A pneumatic valve is adapted to selectively allow the transfer of air between the air pump and the pneumatic spring to vary a spring constant to change a degree of cushioning and a ride height of the seat.

The suspension system disclosed herein eliminates the need for an additional electric compressor and power supply from the vehicle as an air supply source as observed in existing pneumatic suspension solutions. In addition, the pneumatic switch helps in controlling the amount of air being filled in the pneumatic spring, thereby providing an easy adjustment according to the comfort of the operator. By using air as the medium for vibration absorption, the limitation observed in mechanical coil springs is overcome to some extent.

Further, the vehicle seat assembly with the suspension system disclosed herein overcomes the high-cost factor in the adaptation of pneumatic suspension seats in conventional vehicles. Over existing pneumatic suspension units which use the electric compressor for air supply, the advantage of the present disclosure is that the hand operated air pump is used as the air supply source. The hand operated air pump for air supply to the pneumatic spring is simple to operate, and a cost-effective solution when compared to the electric compressor used in conventional pneumatic suspension systems, which is complex in construction and use, and needs an external power source from the vehicle. The air pump of the present suspension unit, however, may be manually operated, thereby being a cheaper alternative to the electric compressors. The present invention may therefore be implemented in any vehicle, for example, a tractor, which is generally driven by poor farmers who can only afford cheap alternatives for driving comfort.

To further clarify the advantages and features of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which is illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 illustrates a front perspective view of a vehicle seat assembly with a suspension system, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 2 illustrates a rear perspective view of the vehicle seat assembly with the suspension system, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 3A illustrates a detailed view of a pneumatic valve of the suspension system being actuated in a supply position, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 3B illustrates an upward movement of the vehicle seat assembly on the pneumatic valve being actuated in the supply position, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 4A illustrates a detailed view of the pneumatic valve of the suspension system being actuated in a release position, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 4B illustrates a downward movement of the vehicle seat assembly on the pneumatic valve being actuated in the release position, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 5a illustrates the vehicle seat assembly at a topmost position thereof, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 5b illustrates the vehicle seat assembly at a mid-position thereof, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and
Figure 5c illustrates the vehicle seat assembly at a bottommost position thereof, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Further, skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the drawings are illustrated for simplicity and may not have necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, in terms of the construction of the device, one or more components of the device may have been represented in the drawings by conventional symbols, and the drawings may show only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the drawings with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated system, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are explanatory of the invention and are not intended to be restrictive thereof.

Reference throughout this specification to “an aspect”, “another aspect” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrase “in an embodiment”, “in another embodiment” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.

The terms "comprises", "comprising", or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a nonexclusive inclusion, such that a process or method that comprises a list of steps does not include only those steps but may include other steps not expressly listed or inherent to such process or method. Similarly, one or more devices or subsystems or elements or structures or components proceeded by "comprises... a" does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other devices or other sub-systems or other elements or other structures or other components or additional devices or additional sub-systems or additional elements or additional structures or additional components.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. The system, methods, and examples provided herein are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.

It should be understood at the outset that although illustrative implementations of the embodiments of the present disclosure are illustrated below, the present invention may be implemented using any number of techniques, whether currently known or in existence. The present disclosure should in no way be limited to the illustrative implementations, drawings, and techniques illustrated below, including the exemplary design and implementation illustrated and described herein, but may be modified within the scope of the appended claims along with their full scope of equivalents.

The term “some” as used herein is defined as “none, or one, or more than one, or all.” Accordingly, the terms “none,” “one,” “more than one,” “more than one, but not all” or “all” would all fall under the definition of “some.” The term “some embodiments” may refer to no embodiments or to one embodiment or to several embodiments or to all embodiments. Accordingly, the term “some embodiments” is defined as meaning “no embodiment, or one embodiment, or more than one embodiment, or all embodiments.”

The terminology and structure employed herein is for describing, teaching, and illuminating some embodiments and their specific features and elements and do not limit, restrict, or reduce the spirit and scope of the claims or their equivalents.

Reference is made herein to some “embodiments.” It should be understood that an embodiment is an example of a possible implementation of any features and/or elements presented in the attached claims. Some embodiments have been described for the purpose of illuminating one or more of the potential ways in which the specific features and/or elements of the attached claims fulfil the requirements of uniqueness, utility, and non-obviousness.

Use of the phrases and/or terms such as but not limited to “a first embodiment,” “a further embodiment,” “an alternate embodiment,” “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “multiple embodiments,” “some embodiments,” “other embodiments,” “further embodiment”, “furthermore embodiment”, “additional embodiment” or variants thereof do NOT necessarily refer to the same embodiments. Unless otherwise specified, one or more particular features and/or elements described in connection with one or more embodiments may be found in one embodiment, or may be found in more than one embodiment, or may be found in all embodiments, or may be found in no embodiments. Although one or more features and/or elements may be described herein in the context of only a single embodiment, or alternatively in the context of more than one embodiment, or further alternatively in the context of all embodiments, the features and/or elements may instead be provided separately or in any appropriate combination or not at all. Conversely, any features and/or elements described in the context of separate embodiments may alternatively be realized as existing together in the context of a single embodiment.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figures 1 and 2 depict a vehicle seat assembly 200 including a suspension system 100. Specifically, Figure 1 illustrates a front perspective view of the vehicle seat assembly 200 with the suspension system 100, and Figure 2 illustrates a rear perspective view of the vehicle seat assembly 200 with the suspension system 100. The suspension system 100 is adapted to be operated with the help of a pneumatic valve and an air pump to activate a pneumatic suspension unit. The pneumatic suspension unit on being operated provides cushioning to the vehicle seat assembly 200, together with adjusting the height of the vehicle seat assembly 200 based on a load applied thereon. The suspension system 100 thereby helps in offering improved operator comfort and reducing the adverse effects of prolonged exposure to rough terrains.

Constructional details of the vehicle seat assembly 200 including the suspension system 100 will now be explained in detail with reference to Figures 1 and 2. In one embodiment, the vehicle seat assembly 200 may include a seat frame 113 for supporting an operator in a sitting position. The seat frame 113 may further include a back rest 113-1, and a seat base 113-2. The back rest 113-1 may be adapted to support a back portion of the operator, and the seat base 113-2 may be adapted to support a lower body portion of the operator. The vehicle seat assembly 200 may further include a seat platform 112 at a bottom of the vehicle seat assembly 200, and the seat platform 112 may be adapted to fix the seat frame 113 to a floor (not shown) of the vehicle (not shown). An arm 114 may be provided having an end pivotably connected to the seat platform 112, and another end pivotably connected to a bottom side of the seat base 113-2.

In addition, the vehicle seat assembly 200 may further include a suspension system 100 fixed to a rear side of the back rest 113-1 of the seat frame 113 (as shown in Figure 2). The suspension system 100 may include a housing 109, a pneumatic suspension unit, an air supply hose, an air release hose, and a pumping unit.

The housing 109 may be adapted to be slidably attached to the rear side of the back rest 113-2 of the vehicle seat assembly 200. The housing 109 may be adapted to protect the pneumatic suspension unit from the outside environment factors like mud, slurry, and rainwater deposition. A mounting frame 121 may be fixed onto a rear side of the seat frame 113, and the housing 109 may be slidably disposed in the mounting frame 121. The pumping unit may be disposed in the housing 109 and coupled to the pneumatic suspension unit. The pumping unit may further include an air pump 101, and a pneumatic valve 102. The air pump 101 may be adjacently attached to the housing 109 towards an exterior side of the housing 109 with the help of a top holder 107, and a bottom holder 108. The air pump 101 may be adapted to supply air to the pneumatic spring 105. The pneumatic valve 102 may be coupled to the housing 109. The suspension system 100 may further include an air supply hose 111, and an air release hose 115. Both the air supply hose 111 and the air release hose 115 may extend from the pneumatic valve 102 into a volume of the housing 109. The air pump 101 may be fluidically coupled to the pneumatic valve 102 and the pneumatic suspension unit via the air supply hose 111.

The pneumatic suspension unit may be disposed in the housing 109 and coupled to the seat frame 113 of the vehicle seat assembly 200, to provide cushioning thereto in response to receipt of vibrations. The pneumatic suspension unit may be contained within the volume of the housing 109, and fluidically coupled to the pneumatic valve 102 via the air release hose 115. The pneumatic suspension unit may further include a damper 106. In one embodiment, the damper 106 may be a hydraulic damper 106, and may include a plunger 106A and adapted to be slidably disposed in a barrel 106B. The barrel 106B of the damper 106 may be pivotably coupled to the seat platform 112, and the plunger 106A may be pivotably coupled to the seat frame 113.

In one embodiment, a top of the pneumatic spring 105 may be fixed to a first bracket 122 extending orthogonally from the mounting frame 121 fixed to the seat frame 113. A bottom of the pneumatic spring 105 may be fixed to a second bracket 123 extending orthogonally from the seat frame 113. The pneumatic spring 105 may further include an air inlet port (not shown), and an air outlet port (not shown). The air inlet port may be coupled to the air supply hose 111, and the pneumatic spring 105 may be adapted to be inflated upon intake of the air received via the air supply hose 111 during the supply position of the pneumatic valve 102. Further, the air outlet port may be coupled to the air release hose 115.

The functioning of the suspension system 100 in the vehicle seat assembly 200 will now be explained in detail with reference to Figures 3A, 3B, 4A, and 4B in conjunction with Figure 2. Specifically, Figure 3A depicts a detailed view of the pneumatic valve 102 being actuated in the supply position, while Figure 3B depicts an upward movement of the vehicle seat assembly 200 on the pneumatic valve 102 being actuated in the supply position. Specifically, Figure 4A depicts a detailed view of the pneumatic valve 102 being actuated in the release position, while Figure 4B depicts a downward movement of the vehicle seat assembly 200 on the pneumatic valve 102 being actuated in the release position.

Referring now Figures 3A, and 3B in conjunction with Figure 2, the pneumatic valve 102 may be adapted to selectively allow the transfer of air between the air pump 101 and the pneumatic spring 105 to vary a spring constant to change a degree of cushioning and a ride height of the vehicle seat assembly 200. In one embodiment, the pneumatic valve 102 may be adapted to assume a supply position, a neutral position, and a release position.

In one embodiment, the pneumatic valve 102 may be adapted to allow air supply from the air pump 101 to the pneumatic spring 105 in the supply position. Referring now to Figures 3A and 3B, the pneumatic valve 102 on being actuated in the supply position, may be adapted to move the vehicle seat assembly 200 in the upward direction. By default, the pneumatic valve 102 may be adapted to be in the neutral condition.

As can be understood with reference to Figure 3A, to actuate the pneumatic valve 102 in the supply position from the neutral position, the pneumatic valve 102 may be flipped towards the plus (+) sign and held. The air pump 101 may be adapted to be operated manually, while the pneumatic valve sign is held in the supply position. The air pump 101 may be pulled up and pushed down manually to transmit a required amount of air to the pneumatic spring 105 of the pneumatic suspension unit via the air supply hose 111 during the air supply condition of the pneumatic valve 102. The pneumatic spring 105 may be adapted to be inflated upon intake of the air received via the air supply hose 111 during the air supply condition of the pneumatic valve 102. The pneumatic spring 105 may be adapted to provide cushioning to the vehicle seat assembly 200 upon being inflated by entering the air.

The pneumatic spring 105 being coupled to the seat frame 113 raises the ride height of the vehicle seat assembly 200 on being inflated. Once the desired ride height and the desired cushioning are achieved, the air supply to the pneumatic suspension unit may be halted upon actuation of the pneumatic valve 102 to the neutral position. To activate the pneumatic valve 102 to the neutral condition, the pneumatic valve 102 may be released from the supply position, and the pneumatic valve 102 may return to the neutral position thereof. The pneumatic valve 102 acts as a non-return valve when kept in the neutral position, to prevent the loss of the air pressure in the pneumatic spring 105 once the required amount of air is filled into the pneumatic spring 105 using the air pump 101. This way, the pneumatic valve 102 may be adapted to assume the neutral position to cut the air supply to the pneumatic spring 105, thereby being able to control the amount of air being filled into the pneumatic spring 105, and the ride height of the vehicle seat assembly 200 during inflation of the pneumatic spring 105. The aforementioned steps may be repeated to further to move the vehicle seat assembly 200 further in the upward direction.

In another embodiment, the pneumatic valve 102 is adapted to assume a release position to allow air release from the pneumatic spring 105 to the surroundings. Referring now to Figures 4A and 4B in conjunction with Figure 2, the pneumatic valve 102 on being actuated in the release position, may be adapted to move the vehicle seat assembly 200 in a downward direction. As can be understood with reference to Figure 4A, to actuate the pneumatic valve 102 in the release position, the pneumatic valve 102 may be flipped towards the minus (-) sign, and held. The air may be continuously removed from the pneumatic spring 105 via the air release hose 115 while the pneumatic valve 102 is held in the release position. The air release hose 115 may be adapted to remove air from the pneumatic spring 105 during the release position of the pneumatic valve 102. An opening (not shown) may be provided in the pneumatic valve 102, which may be adapted to release the air received from the air release hose 115 during the air release position of the pneumatic valve 102.

The pneumatic spring 105 being coupled to the seat frame 113 lowers the ride height of the vehicle seat assembly 200 on being deflated. Once the desired ride height and the desired cushioning are achieved, the air release from the pneumatic suspension unit may be halted upon actuation of the pneumatic valve 102 to the neutral position. To activate the pneumatic valve 102 to the neutral condition, the pneumatic valve 102 may be released from the release position, and the pneumatic valve 102 may return to the neutral position. This way, the pneumatic valve 102 may be adapted to assume the neutral position to prevent air supply from the pneumatic spring 105 the pneumatic valve 102, thereby being able to control the amount of air being removed from the pneumatic spring 105 during the release position. The aforementioned steps may be repeated to further to move the vehicle seat assembly 200 further in the downward direction.

By using the pneumatic valve 102 to assume the supply position and the release position, the operator may, after occupying the vehicle seat assembly 200, be able to set the vehicle seat 200 to comfortable ride height and cushioning according to the operator’s weight and height, and accordingly operate the suspension system 100 to increase/decrease the height and/or cushioning of the vehicle seat assembly 200.

Referring again to Figure 2, the functioning of the damper 106 along with the pneumatic spring 105 will now be explained in detail. When a load is applied onto the vehicle base, say while the operator sits on the vehicle seat assembly 200, the seat frame 113 is pushed downwards. Such a push or a pull may even be experienced by the seat frame 113 during jerks experienced while driving the vehicle on the road. The plunger 106A of the hydraulic damper 106 may be adjacently attached to the pneumatic spring 105. A top end of the hydraulic damper 106 may be pivoted to the seat frame 113. A bottom end of the hydraulic damper 106 may be pivoted to the seat platform 112.

The hydraulic damper 106 may be adapted to dampen vibrations from the vehicle seat assembly 200 upon sliding of the plunger 106A within a barrel 106B of the hydraulic damper 106 due to the inflation and deflation of the pneumatic spring 105 due to the push and pull experienced by the hydraulic damper 106 due to load or during jerks. Further, the hydraulic damper 106 may be adapted to dampen the vibrations by pivoting with the seat frame 113 and the seat platform 112, and even by sliding the plunger 106A within the barrel 106B during the push and pull experienced by the plunger 106A. To facilitate the operator to sit, a seat cushions 103, 104 may be provided, which may be fixed to the seat frame 113 using fasteners. Also, the damper 106 may be attached to the pneumatic spring 105.This way, both the pneumatic spring 105 and the hydraulic damper 106 work in tandem to act as shock or vibration absorbing medium when the operator sits on a seat cushion 104 of the vehicle seat assembly 200, and/or when the operator drives the vehicle.

Now referring to Figures 5a-5c, the arm 114 may be used to connect the seat platform 112 to the seat frame 113. Specifically, Figure 5a illustrates the vehicle seat assembly 200 at a topmost position thereof, Figure 5b illustrates the vehicle seat assembly 200 at a mid-position thereof, and Figure 5c illustrates the vehicle seat assembly 200 at a bottommost position thereof. The arm 114 may include an end pivotably connected to the seat platform 112, and another end pivotably connected to a bottom side of the seat frame 113. Movement of the vehicle seat assembly 200 in the upward direction and the downward direction may be aided by pivoting of the arm 114 with respect to the seat frame 113 and the seat platform 112.

The vehicle seat assembly 200 with the suspension system 100 disclosed herein overcomes the high-cost factor in the adaptation of pneumatic suspension seats in conventional vehicles. Over existing pneumatic suspension units which use electric compressor for air supply, the advantage in the present disclosure is that the hand operated air pump 101 is used as air supply source. The suspension system 100 disclosed herein eliminates the need for an additional electric compressor and power supply from the vehicle as the air supply source as observed in existing pneumatic suspension solutions.

The hand operated air pump 101 for air supply to the pneumatic spring 105 is a simple to operate, and cost-effective solution when compared to the electric compressor used in conventional pneumatic suspension systems, which is complex in construction and use, and needs an external power source from the vehicle. The air pump 101 of the present suspension unit, however, may be manually operated, thereby being a cheaper alternative to the electric compressors. The present invention may therefore be implemented in any vehicle, for example, a tractor, which is generally driven by poor farmers who can only afford cheap alternatives for driving comfort.

In addition, the pneumatic switch helps in controlling the amount of air being filled in the pneumatic spring 105, thereby providing an easy adjustment according to the comfort of the operator. By using air as the medium for vibration absorption, the limitation observed in mechanical coil spring is overcome to some extent.

While specific language has been used to describe the present disclosure, any limitations arising on account thereto, are not intended. As would be apparent to a person in the art, various working modifications may be made to the method to implement the inventive concept as taught herein. The drawings and the foregoing description give examples of embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more of the described elements may well be combined into a single functional element. Alternatively, certain elements may be split into multiple functional elements. Elements from one embodiment may be added to another embodiment. ,CLAIMS:1. A suspension system (100) for a vehicle seat assembly (200), comprising:
a housing (109) adapted to slidably attach to the vehicle seat assembly (200);
a pneumatic suspension unit disposed in the housing (109) and coupled to the vehicle seat assembly (200) to provide cushioning thereto in response to receipt of vibrations, the pneumatic suspension unit comprising a pneumatic spring (105) and a damper (106); and
a pumping unit disposed in the housing (109) and coupled to the pneumatic suspension unit, the pumping unit comprising:
an air pump (101) adapted to supply air to the pneumatic spring (105); and
a pneumatic valve (102) adapted to selectively allow the transfer of air between the air pump (101) and the pneumatic spring (105) to vary a spring constant to change a degree of cushioning and a ride height of the vehicle seat assembly (200).

2. The suspension system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein:
the pneumatic valve (102) is adapted to assume a supply position to allow air supply from the air pump (101) to the pneumatic spring (105),
the pneumatic valve (102) is adapted to assume a neutral position to prevent air release from the pneumatic spring (105), and
the pneumatic valve (102) is adapted to assume a release position to allow air release from the pneumatic spring (105) to the surrounding.

3. The suspension system (100) as claimed in claim 2, comprising:
an air supply hose (111) and an air release hose (115) extending from the pneumatic valve (102) into a volume of the housing (109), and
an opening in the pneumatic valve (102), adapted to release the air received from the air release hose (115) during the release position of the pneumatic valve (102).

4. The suspension system (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the pneumatic spring (105) comprises:
an air inlet port coupled to the air supply hose (111), the pneumatic spring (105) adapted to be inflated upon intake of the air received via the air supply hose (111) during the supply position of the pneumatic valve (102); and
an air outlet port coupled to the air release hose (115), the air release hose (115) adapted to remove air from the pneumatic spring (105) during the release position of the pneumatic valve (102).

5. The suspension system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the damper (106) is a hydraulic damper, and comprises a plunger (106A) and adapted to be slidably disposed in a barrel (106B), wherein:
the barrel (106B) is pivotably coupled to the seat platform (112), and
the plunger (106A) is pivotably coupled to the seat frame (113).

6. The suspension system (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the damper (106) is attached to the pneumatic spring (105) and adapted to work in tandem with the pneumatic spring (105) to act as a shock and vibration absorbing medium.

7. A vehicle seat assembly (200) comprising:
a seat frame (113); and
a suspension system (100) fixed to a rear side of the seat frame (113), the suspension system (100) comprising:
a housing (109) adapted to slidably attach to the vehicle seat assembly (200);
a pneumatic suspension unit disposed in the housing (109) and coupled to the vehicle to provide cushioning to the vehicle seat assembly (200) thereto in response to receipt of vibrations, the pneumatic suspension unit comprising a pneumatic spring (105) and a damper (106); and
a pumping unit disposed in the housing (109) and coupled to the pneumatic suspension unit, the pumping unit having:
an air pump (101) adapted to supply air to the pneumatic spring (105); and
a pneumatic valve (102) adapted to selectively allow the transfer of air between the air pump (101) and the pneumatic spring (105) to vary a spring constant to change a degree of cushioning and a ride height of the vehicle seat assembly (200).

8. The vehicle seat assembly (200) as claimed in claim 7, wherein:
the pneumatic valve (102) is adapted to assume a supply position to allow air supply from the air pump (101) to the pneumatic spring (105),
the pneumatic valve (102) is adapted to assume a neutral position to prevent air release from the pneumatic spring (105), and
the pneumatic valve (102) is adapted to assume a release position to allow air release from the pneumatic spring (105) to the surrounding.

9. The vehicle seat assembly (200) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the suspension system (100) comprising:
an air supply hose (111) and an air release hose (115) extending from the pneumatic valve (102) into a volume of the housing (109), and
an opening in the pneumatic valve (102), adapted to release the air received from the air release hose (115) during the release position of the pneumatic valve (102).

10. The vehicle seat assembly (200) as claimed in claim 9, wherein the pneumatic spring (105) comprises:
an air inlet port coupled to the air supply hose (111), the pneumatic spring (105) adapted to be inflated upon intake of the air received via the air supply hose (111) during the supply position of the pneumatic valve (102); and
an air outlet port coupled to the air release hose (115), the air release hose (115) adapted to remove air from the pneumatic spring (105) during the release position of the pneumatic valve (102).

11. The vehicle seat assembly (200) as claimed in claim 7, comprising a seat platform (112) at a bottom of the seat frame (113), the seat platform (112) adapted to fix the seat frame (113) to a floor of the vehicle.

12. The vehicle seat assembly (200) as claimed in claim 7, comprising a mounting frame (121) fixed onto a rear side of the seat frame (113), the housing (109) slidably disposed in the mounting frame (121), wherein:
a top of the pneumatic spring (105) is fixed to a first bracket (122) extending orthogonally from the mounting frame (121), and
a bottom of the pneumatic spring (105) is fixed to a second bracket (123) extending orthogonally from the seat frame (113).

13. The vehicle seat assembly (200) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the damper (106) is a hydraulic damper (106), and comprises a plunger (106A) and adapted to be slidably disposed in a barrel (106B), wherein:
the barrel (106B) is pivotably coupled to the seat platform (112), and
the plunger (106A) is pivotably coupled to the seat frame (113).

14. The vehicle seat assembly (200) as claimed in claim 13, wherein the damper (106) is attached to the pneumatic spring (105) and adapted to work in tandem with the pneumatic spring (105) to act as a shock and vibration absorbing medium.

15. The vehicle seat assembly (200) as claimed in claim 11, comprising an arm (114) having an end pivotably connected to the seat platform (112), and another end pivotably connected to a bottom side of the seat frame (113), wherein movement of the vehicle seat assembly (200) in an upward direction and a downward direction is aided by pivoting of the arm (114) with respect to the seat frame (113) and the seat platform (112).