Air pressure and vibration providing device for vehicle seat

Abstract

The invention relates to an air pressure and vibration providing device for a vehicle seat. The purpose of the present invention is to provide an air pressure and vibration providing device for a vehicle seat, comprising: a first airbag installed inside a seat back and capable of being expanded and recovered; and a vibration motor provided on a front surface portion of the first airbag and selectively generating vibration, an edge portion of a welding piece provided on one surface of the vibration motor being integrally fixed to the first airbag by thermal welding, the device being capable of stably operating the vibration motor and reducing noise regardless of expansion and contraction of the airbag.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an air pressure and vibration providing device for a vehicle seat, and more particularly, to an air pressure and vibration providing device for a vehicle seat for reducing motor noise and increasing vibration transmission force. Background Art

[0002] In recent years, vehicle seats have been equipped with air pressure systems inside the seat backs, side cushions, seat cushions, etc. to improve the comfort of passengers of different body shapes and provide a massage effect for passengers.

[0003] The air pressure system generally includes an air bladder, a pump connected to the air bladder to perform air intake and exhaust, and a valve for regulating air flow. The air pressure system repeatedly expands and contracts the air bladder through the drive of the pump, which can provide a massage effect for the passengers, thereby relieving the back pain, cervical pain, shoulder pain, etc. caused by the weight on the waist and pelvis of the passengers during long-term driving.

[0004] In addition, in recent years, a vibration system is included inside a vehicle seat, which is installed at a different position from the air pressure system. The vibration system includes a vibration motor, a connector and wiring connected to the vibration motor, and is driven in conjunction with vehicle information.

[0005] The vibration system drives a vibration motor based on vehicle information, thereby providing a driver with vibrations such as a lane departure warning or a driver inattention warning, and the driver can recognize the vibration warning to drive safely.

[0006] In addition, the vibration system can provide a massage effect by providing vibrations of different intensities to passengers sitting on the seats to relieve fatigue caused by long-term driving.

[0007] However, the air pressure system and the vibration system are respectively installed at different positions inside the vehicle seat through different assembly processes, so it is difficult to properly arrange and install them in the limited internal space of the seat, ultimately resulting in reduced packaging of the seat.

[0008] Therefore, in recent years, studies have been conducted to improve the packaging properties of the seat by integrally mounting the air pressure system and the vibration system inside the seat. Summary of the invention

[0009] 1. Technical issues to be resolved

[0010] Attached Figure 8 It is a partial view showing a conventional air pressure and vibration providing device for a vehicle seat.

[0011] like Figure 8As shown, in the conventional air pressure and vibration providing device for a vehicle seat, the vibration motor 20 for the vibration system is directly attached to the outer surface of the air bag 10 for the air pressure system to improve the sealing property of the seat.

[0012] However, since the vibration motor 20 is attached to the surface of the airbag 10, it moves with the airbag 10 when the airbag 10 is inflated and deflated, resulting in unstable movement and operation of the vibration motor 20, causing the problem of increased noise.

[0013] Therefore, it is necessary to separately install a damper for reducing the noise of the vibration motor or to apply a separate control logic for reducing the noise, resulting in an increase in cost.

[0014] The present invention has been proposed in view of the above problems, and its object is to provide an air pressure and vibration providing device for a vehicle seat, which can make the vibration motor operate stably and reduce noise regardless of the expansion and contraction of the airbag.

[0015] The objects of the present invention are not limited to the above objects, and those skilled in the art to which the present invention belongs can clearly understand other objects of the present invention not mentioned above through the following description.

[0016] (II) Technical solution

[0017] In order to achieve the above-mentioned objectives, the present invention provides an air pressure and vibration providing device for a vehicle seat, comprising: a first airbag, installed inside a seat back and capable of expanding and restoring; and a vibration motor, arranged on the front surface of the first airbag and selectively generating vibrations, the edge of a welding sheet arranged on one side of the vibration motor being fixed as a whole to the first airbag by heat welding.

[0018] According to an embodiment of the present invention, it is characterized in that the welding sheet is formed to extend from one side of the vibration motor in all directions, and the edge of the welding sheet is bonded by heat welding from the front surface to the rear surface of the first airbag.

[0019] In addition, according to an embodiment of the present invention, it is characterized in that the welding sheet is formed of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) material.

[0020] In addition, the invention is characterized in that a second airbag capable of expansion and recovery is provided on the rear end surface of the first airbag, and the second airbag is connected to the first airbag and can allow air to flow.

[0021] Specifically, it is characterized in that the rear surface portion of the first airbag and the front surface portion of the second airbag have an airbag connecting portion joined by heat welding at the outer position of the vibration motor, and the central through hole of the airbag connecting portion is provided with an air connecting port for air flow between the first airbag and the second airbag.

[0022] (III) Beneficial effects

[0023] According to the above technical solution, the present invention has the following effects.

[0024] First, the vibration motor is bonded to the first airbag by thermal fusion, so that the vibration motor is not affected by the operation of the first airbag, thereby preventing unstable driving and increased noise of the vibration motor caused by expansion and contraction of the first airbag.

[0025] Second, a separate damper or separate control logic for reducing the noise of the vibration motor is not required, and thus the cost can be reduced accordingly.

[0026] Third, by arranging a second airbag behind the first airbag, the expansion amount of the first airbag can be compensated, and the front-to-rear position of the vibration motor can be adjusted and changed according to the expansion amount of the second airbag, so that the vibration feeling transmitted to the passenger can be adjusted.

[0027] Fourth, the massage effects of both the air pressure of the airbag and the vibration of the vibration motor can be provided to the passengers, thereby maximizing the comfort of the passengers.

[0028] Fifth, by integrating the airbag of the pneumatic system and the vibration motor of the vibration system, the packaging size inside the seat is reduced, thereby improving the commercial quality of the seat.

[0029] The effects of the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned effects, and those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains can clearly understand other effects of the present invention that are not mentioned through the following description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] Figure 1 and Figure 2 : is a diagram showing a state in which the air pressure and vibration providing device according to the embodiment of the present invention is mounted on a vehicle seat frame.

[0031] Figure 3 is a plan view showing an air pressure and vibration providing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 4 is from Figure 3 Figure 1. AA observations of the AA.

[0033] Figure 5 It is enlarged to show Figure 4 Part of the diagram.

[0034] Figure 6 It is shown from Figure 3 Figure 2 shows the state before and after the airbag was expanded as observed by BB.

[0035] Figure 7 is from Figure 3Figure 2. CC observations of the .

[0036] Figure 8 It is a partial view showing a conventional air pressure and vibration providing device for a vehicle seat.

[0037] Description of reference numerals:

[0038] 100: Air pressure and vibration providing device

[0039] 110: First Airbag

[0040] 111: Front surface portion of the first airbag

[0041] 112: Rear surface of the first airbag

[0042] 114: Airbag connection

[0043] 115: Air connection port

[0044] 118: Felt welding part

[0045] 120: Second airbag

[0046] 121: Front surface of the second airbag

[0047] 122: Rear surface of the second airbag

[0048] 130: Vibration motor

[0049] 131: Motor housing

[0050] 132: Extension plate

[0051] 133: Welding hole

[0052] 140: Welding sheet

[0053] 200: Seat back frame

[0054] 210: Felt DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0055] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Matters included in the accompanying drawings are shown for the purpose of explaining the embodiments of the present invention and may differ from actual embodiments.

[0056] In addition, although the terms such as "first" and "second" may be used in this specification to describe various components, the components are not limited by the terms. The terms are used to distinguish one component from another component. For example, without departing from the scope of rights of the concept according to the present invention, the first component may be named as the second component, and the second component may be named as the first component.

[0057] In addition, in this specification, unless otherwise specified, the directions such as front and rear, left and right, and up and down are based on the vehicle and the seats provided in the vehicle.

[0058] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the air pressure and vibration providing device 100 for a vehicle seat according to an embodiment of the present invention is mounted and supported on a seat back frame 200 of a vehicle seat and can be driven. A plurality of air pressure and vibration providing devices 100 may be installed in the seat back frame 200.

[0059] Reference Figure 3 and Figure 4 , the air pressure and vibration providing device 100 for a vehicle seat according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a first airbag 110 , a second airbag 120 , and a vibration motor 130 .

[0060] The first airbag 110 is a configuration of an air pressure system, which is used to provide massage and support effects to the passenger's waist through air pressure. More than two airbags 110 may be provided inside the seat back and spaced apart in an upper and lower arrangement.

[0061] Although not shown in the drawings, the air pressure system may further include, in addition to the first airbag 110 , a pump for air intake and exhaust of the first airbag 110 , a valve for regulating air flow between the first airbag 110 and the pump, and the like.

[0062] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 The first airbag 110 is installed and supported on the seat back frame 200 inside the seat back and can be driven. That is, the first airbag 110 can be installed inside the seat back and can expand and recover (or shrink). The first airbag 110 can be arranged between the seat back frame 200 and a seat back cushion (not shown) arranged in front of the seat back frame 200.

[0063] The vibration motor 130 is a configuration of a vibration system, which is used to provide a massage effect or provide a predetermined alarm and warning by transmitting vibrations of different intensities to the passenger, and the vibration motor 130 is installed at a predetermined position on the outer surface of the first airbag 110. The vibration motor 130 can compensate for the massage effect of the first airbag 110 by controlling the driving speed.

[0064] Reference Figure 3 and Figure 4 The vibration motor 130 is stacked on the front surface portion 111 of the first airbag 110 and can selectively generate and provide vibration. Although not shown in the figure, the vibration motor 130 can be controlled by a controller for performing overall control of the vibration system.

[0065] One side of the vibration motor 130 (i.e., the surface facing the front surface portion of the first airbag) is provided with a welding sheet 140 for combining with the first airbag 110. The vibration motor 130 may include a motor housing 131 surrounding components for generating and providing vibration, and the welding sheet 140 may be attached and fixed to one side of the motor housing 131.

[0066] The welding sheet 140 is fixed to the front surface portion 111 of the first airbag 110 by heat welding. To this end, the welding sheet 140 may be injection-molded from a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) material.

[0067] The welding sheet 140 may be formed to extend in all directions from one side of the motor housing 131 and may be formed in a sheet shape having a width greater than one side of the motor housing 131 and a predetermined thickness. One side of the motor housing 131 may be bonded and disposed at the center of the welding sheet 140.

[0068] The motor housing 131 is made of a hard material such as plastic or rubber to protect built-in components, and is thermally welded to the front surface portion of the first airbag 110 through a welding sheet 140 .

[0069] At this time, the edge of the welding sheet 140 is fixed to the center of the first airbag 110 by heat welding. Figure 3 , the edge portion of the welding sheet 140 is integrally welded to the first airbag 110. Therefore, the welding sheet 140 is welded to the first airbag 110 through the edge portion of the closed loop shape (for example, a quadrilateral).

[0070] In addition, since the welding sheet 140 is welded to the first airbag 110 in the non-expanded state, Figure 5 As shown, the welding sheet 140 is welded and fixed from the front surface 111 to the rear surface 112 of the first airbag 110. That is, the welding sheet 140 is combined with not only the front surface 111 of the first airbag 110 but also the rear surface 112 of the first airbag 110 by heat welding.

[0071] As described above, the vibration motor 130 is welded to the center of the first airbag 110 in a closed loop structure by heat welding of the welding sheet 140 , so that the central area of ​​the first airbag 110 where the vibration motor 130 is located becomes a closed non-expansion section.

[0072] Therefore, even if Figure 6The first airbag 110 shown in the figure is supplied and exhausted with air, and the central area of ​​the first airbag 110 (i.e., the location where the vibration motors are stacked) does not have air in or out, so it always maintains a flat state, thereby preventing unstable driving and noise increase of the vibration motor 130 caused by the expansion and contraction of the first airbag 110. In addition, there is no need for components such as a damper or a separate control for reducing the noise of the vibration motor 130, so the additional cost can be reduced accordingly.

[0073] In addition, the first airbag 110 is supplied with air in the upper and lower regions based on the vibration motor 130 , but is not greatly expanded as in the left and right regions.

[0074] In addition, for more stable bonding, a portion of the welding sheet 140 overlapping the motor housing 131 may be heat-fused to the first airbag 110 .

[0075] For this reason, Figure 3 and Figure 5 As shown, one side of the motor housing 131 is provided with an extension plate portion 132 extending and protruding in four directions of the motor housing 131 , and the extension plate portion 132 is provided with a welding hole 133 for thermally welding the welding sheet 140 to the first airbag 110 .

[0076] The welding sheet 140 may be directly welded to the first airbag 110 in the region opened by the welding hole 133. A plurality of welding holes 133 may be provided on the extension plate portion 132 and may be spaced apart in the circumferential direction of the vibration motor 130.

[0077] On the other hand, since the central area of ​​the first airbag 110 is closed and does not expand, the expansion amount of the first airbag 110 may be insufficient. Therefore, the second airbag 120 is further provided to compensate for the expansion amount of the first airbag 110.

[0078] The second airbag 120 is provided to compensate for the expansion amount of the first airbag 110 , thereby increasing the vibration transmission force of the vibration motor 130 to the passenger.

[0079] The second airbag 120 may be attached to and disposed on the rear end surface of the first airbag 110 (i.e., the outer surface of the rear surface portion 112). The second airbag 120 is stacked on the rear end surface of the first airbag 110 in the front-to-rear direction, and the second airbag 120 is connected to the first airbag 110 and can flow air so as to share an air flow path.

[0080] The second airbag 120 is located at the rear end surface of the first airbag 110, installed inside the seat back and capable of expansion and recovery, Figure 4 and Figure 7, the second airbag 120 is connected to the first airbag 110 and air can flow through the air communication port 115 .

[0081] The rear surface portion 112 of the first airbag 110 and the front surface portion 121 of the second airbag 120 have an airbag connection portion 114 bonded by heat fusion at an outer position of the vibration motor 130 (ie, a position where the vibration motor is not stacked).

[0082] The airbag connecting portion 114 is disposed on the left and right sides of the airbags 110 and 120 with respect to the vibration motor 130 , and is a portion where the rear surface portion 112 of the first airbag 110 and the front surface portion 121 of the second airbag 120 are directly thermally welded.

[0083] The radial center perforation of the airbag connecting portion 114 is provided with the air communication port 115 for air flow between the first airbag 110 and the second airbag 120. In other words, the airbag connecting portion 114 is a portion of the rear surface portion 112 of the first airbag 110 and the front surface portion 121 of the second airbag 120 that is heat-welded along the periphery of the air communication port 115.

[0084] Since the air communication port 115 is provided, even if only one of the first airbag 110 and the second airbag 120 is connected to an air supply pump (not shown), both of the first airbag 110 and the second airbag 120 can be supplied with air.

[0085] Reference numeral 122 , which is not described above, denotes a rear surface portion 122 of the second airbag 120 , and reference numeral 210 denotes a felt 210 .

[0086] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 , the air pressure and vibration providing device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention may be mounted on the seat back frame 200 through the felt 210. The first airbag 110 may be coupled to the felt 210 through a felt welding portion 118 provided at an upper end thereof.

[0087] In addition, Figure 1 The unexplained reference numeral 150 denotes an airbag 150 which is not provided with the vibration motor 130 .

[0088] The embodiments of the present invention are described in detail above. The terms used in this specification and claims should not be interpreted in a limited manner as having a general meaning or a limited meaning in a dictionary. In addition, the scope of rights of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. Various modifications and improvements made by those skilled in the art using the basic concepts of the present invention defined in the attached claims are also included in the scope of rights of the present invention.

Claims

1. An air pressure and vibration providing device for a vehicle seat, comprising: a first air bag, mounted inside the seat back and capable of inflating and recovering; as well as The vibration motor is arranged on the front surface of the first airbag and selectively generates vibration. The edge of the welding sheet arranged on one side of the vibration motor is fixed to the first airbag as a whole by heat welding.

2. The air pressure and vibration providing device for a vehicle seat according to claim 1, characterized in that: The welding sheet is formed to extend in all directions from one surface of the vibration motor, and the edge of the welding sheet is bonded by heat welding from the front surface to the rear surface of the first airbag.

3. The air pressure and vibration providing device for a vehicle seat according to claim 1, characterized in that: The welding sheet is formed of thermoplastic polyurethane material.

4. The air pressure and vibration providing device for a vehicle seat according to claim 1, characterized in that: A second airbag capable of expansion and recovery is disposed on a rear end surface of the first airbag, wherein the second airbag is connected to the first airbag and allows air to flow.

5. The air pressure and vibration providing device for a vehicle seat according to claim 4, characterized in that: The rear surface portion of the first airbag and the front surface portion of the second airbag have an airbag connecting portion joined by heat welding at an outer position of the vibration motor, and a central through hole of the airbag connecting portion is provided with an air communication port for air flow between the first airbag and the second airbag.

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