A pneumatic control valve device, a pneumatic control valve group, and a pneumatic control assembly

Abstract

A pneumatic control valve device, comprising: a valve body with a hollow interior, an elastic component, and an electric control module; the valve body is provided with an air inlet passage, an inflation passage, and a deflation passage that communicate with the outside, and a check valve is arranged in the air inlet passage; the air inlet passage is used for introducing gas, and the inflation passage is used for supplying gas to a pneumatic cavity; the elastic component is arranged at one end of the deflation passage that communicates with the outside; the electric control module includes: a circuit board, a first elastic electrode, and a shape memory alloy wire connected to the first electrode; one end of the first electrode is connected to the elastic component, and the other end of the first electrode is electrically connected to the circuit board; the end of the shape memory alloy wire away from the first electrode is electrically connected to the circuit board; the electric control module is used to control the elastic component to close or open the deflation passage.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to the technical field of vehicle seats, and particularly relates to a pneumatic control valve device, a pneumatic control valve group, and a pneumatic control assembly. Background Art

[0002] With the development of technology, people's requirements for the comfort of vehicle seats are getting higher and higher. Vehicle seats usually have functions such as adjusting posture and shape, seat surface support, and seat surface massage, and require combined pneumatic control of multiple pneumatic cavities (pneumatic adjustment control devices for vehicle seats); however, in the prior art, a complex gas circuit control mechanism of a solenoid valve coil is usually used, which has defects such as low service life, inconvenient use, and inconvenient maintenance. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In view of the above defects or deficiencies in the prior art, it is desirable to provide a pneumatic control valve device, a pneumatic control valve group, and a pneumatic control assembly.

[0004] A pneumatic control valve device includes: a valve body with a hollow interior, an elastic component, and an electric control module;

[0005] An air inlet passage, an inflation passage, and a deflation passage that communicate with the outside are provided on the valve body, and a one-way valve is provided in the air inlet passage; the air inlet passage is used to introduce gas, and the inflation passage is used to supply gas to a pneumatic cavity; the elastic component is arranged at one end of the deflation passage that communicates with the outside;

[0006] The electric control module includes: a circuit board, a first elastic electrode, and a shape memory alloy wire connected to the first electrode; one end of the first electrode is connected to the elastic component, and the other end of the first electrode is electrically connected to the circuit board; the end of the shape memory alloy wire away from the first electrode is electrically connected to the circuit board; the electric control module is used to control the elastic component to close or open the deflation passage.

[0007] According to the technical solution provided by the embodiment of the present application, the elastic component includes a plastic structure body made of a plastic material.

[0008] According to the technical solution provided by the embodiment of the present application, the elastic component includes an integrally arranged plastic structure body and an elastic body; the elastic body includes a metal elastic body and / or a non-metal elastic body.

[0009] According to the technical solution provided by the embodiment of the present application, the electric control module further includes: a second electrode arranged on the circuit board; the second electrode is electrically connected to the shape memory alloy wire.

[0010] According to the technical solution provided by the embodiment of the present application, a spring body is further provided on the one-way valve and is used in cooperation with the one-way valve.

[0011] According to the technical solution provided by the embodiment of the present application, it further includes an outer housing, the valve body and the elastic component are arranged in the outer housing, and through holes communicating with the air inlet passage, the air release passage and the air inflation passage are provided on the outer housing.

[0012] According to the technical solution provided by the embodiment of the present application, an inflation nozzle is provided on the air inflation passage, and the number of inflation nozzles is one or more; a nozzle structure is provided on the air inlet passage, and the nozzle structure is used to connect an air pump or an air pipe.

[0013] According to the technical solution provided by the embodiment of the present application, the first electrode and the second electrode are conductive metal bodies welded or riveted to the circuit board.

[0014] A pneumatic control valve group includes the pneumatic control valve device described above; the pneumatic control valve group includes: at least two of the pneumatic control valve devices; the circuit board is electrically connected to at least two of the pneumatic control valve devices respectively.

[0015] A pneumatic control assembly includes the pneumatic control valve group described above; it further includes: an air pump connected to the air inlet passage and a pneumatic cavity connected to the air inflation passage.

[0016] In summary, the above technical solution of the present application can conveniently change the state of the pneumatic cavity by setting an elastic component and an electric control module; among them, when the shape memory alloy wire is not energized, the shape memory alloy wire is in a long and relaxed state, and when the circuit board controls the shape memory alloy wire to be powered on, the shape memory alloy wire will heat up due to impedance to the shape memory deformation temperature, resulting in a contraction of its length, and then drag the elastic component to move to open the air release passage. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Other features, purposes and advantages of the present application will become more obvious by reading the detailed description of the non-restrictive embodiments with reference to the following drawings:

[0018] Figures 1 - 5 It is a schematic structural diagram of the present application.

[0019] Reference numerals in the figure: 1, valve body; 2, air inlet passage; 3, air inflation passage; 4, air release passage; 5, check valve; 6, elastic component; 7, circuit board; 8, first electrode; 9, second electrode; 10, shape memory alloy wire; 11, spring body; 12, outer housing; 13, air pump; 14, pneumatic cavity; 15, structural guide post. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0020] The present application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It can be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the related invention and are not intended to limit the invention. Additionally, it should be noted that for the convenience of description, only the parts related to the invention are shown in the drawings.

[0021] It should be noted that, without conflict, the embodiments in the present application and the features in the embodiments can be combined with each other. The present application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0022] Embodiment 1

[0023] A pneumatic control valve device includes: a valve body 1 with a hollow interior, an elastic component 6, and an electric control module;

[0024] An air inlet passage 2, an inflation passage 3, and a deflation passage 4 that communicate with the outside are provided on the valve body 1. A check valve 5 is provided in the air inlet passage 2; the air inlet passage 2 is used to introduce gas, and the inflation passage 3 is used to supply air to a pneumatic cavity 14; the elastic component 6 is arranged at one end of the deflation passage 4 that communicates with the outside;

[0025] The electric control module includes: a circuit board 7, a first elastic electrode 8, and a shape memory alloy wire 10 connected to the first electrode 8; one end of the first electrode 8 is connected to the elastic component 6, and the other end of the first electrode 8 is electrically connected to the circuit board 7; the end of the shape memory alloy wire 10 away from the first electrode 8 is electrically connected to the circuit board 7; the electric control module is used to control the elastic component 6 to close or open the deflation passage 4.

[0026] When using this device, as Figure 1 shown, the electric control module is usually connected to the circuit in the vehicle. The air inlet passage 2 is connected to an external air source, the inflation passage 3 is connected to a pneumatic cavity 14 in the vehicle seat, such as an airbag or a cylinder, and the check valve 5 can ensure that gas can only flow into the valve body 1 and will not flow back; when the shape memory alloy wire 10 is not powered on, the shape memory alloy wire 10 is in a relatively long and relaxed state, and the elastic component 6 on the deflation passage 4 can block it. Inflation can be carried out through the air inlet passage 2 or the air pressure can be maintained. When the circuit board 7 controls the shape memory alloy wire 10 to be powered on, the shape memory alloy wire 10 will heat up due to impedance to the memory deformation temperature, resulting in a contraction of its length. The shape memory alloy wire 10 drags the elastic component 6 to move and open the deflation passage 4.

[0027] Among them, the three states of this device are as follows:

[0028] 1. Inflation state: The air source is inflating the pneumatic cavity 14.

[0029] The air intake passage 2 with unidirectional air intake allows the air flow from the air source to pass through the one-way valve 5 and enter the inside of the valve body 1. At this time, the air release passage 4 is blocked by the elastic component 6, and the shape memory alloy wire 10 of the electric control module is in a relaxed state. The air flow inflates the pneumatic cavity 14 through the inflation passage 3, and the pneumatic cavity 14 undergoes corresponding deformation and actuation.

[0030] 2. Air pressure holding state: After the air source inflates the pneumatic cavity 14, the air supply from the air source stops, and the pneumatic cavity 14 is in the air pressure holding state.

[0031] The one-way valve 5 on the air intake passage 2 prevents the reverse flow of the air flow towards the air source. The air pressure value inside the valve body 1 is the same as that of the pneumatic cavity 14. At this time, the air release passage 4 is still blocked by the elastic component 6, and the shape memory alloy wire 10 of the electric control module is in a relaxed state. The air inside the pneumatic cavity 14 stops flowing, being in the state of maintaining the shape.

[0032] 3. Air release state: Under the control of the electric control module, the pneumatic cavity 14 discharges / ventilates the air.

[0033] When the shape memory alloy is electrified, it shortens, pulling the feature 8 to bend and deform. The elastic component 6 fixed thereon moves away from the air release passage, and the air release port opens. And the first electrode is elastic, and when the shape memory alloy wire extends, it can self-reset without external force driving.

[0034] At this time, the shape memory alloy wire 10 of the electric control module is powered on and enters the impedance heating state. When the shape memory alloy wire 10 reaches the memory deformation temperature point, it generates length contraction and enters the tensioned state. The shape memory alloy wire 10 pulls the first electrode 8, driving the elastic component 6 to move away from the blocked air release passage 4. The air release passage 4 is connected to the outside to export the gas, while the one-way valve 5 at the air intake passage 2 prevents the reverse flow of the air flow towards the air source. The air in the pneumatic cavity 14 flows into the inside of the valve body 1 through the inflation passage 3 and then enters the air release passage 4 and flows to the external space. At this time, the air in the pneumatic cavity 14 is discharged, and the pneumatic cavity 14 undergoes corresponding deformation and actuation. At the same time, when the shape memory alloy wire 10 returns to its original length, due to the elasticity of the first electrode 8, it can drive the elastic component 6 to automatically reset without external driving force.

[0035] To further optimize the above technical solution, the present technical solution preferably further provides the following improvements: The elastic component 6 includes a plastic structure body made of plastic material.

[0036] To further optimize the above technical solution, the present technical solution preferably further provides the following improvements: The elastic component 6 includes an integrally provided plastic structure body and an elastic body; the elastic body includes a metal elastic body and / or a non-metal elastic body.

[0037] Among them, the elastic component 6 can be set as an elastic structure such as a spring or a spring sheet, or can be set as an elastic material such as elastic rubber, elastic sponge, or elastic felt pad; at the same time, the conductive metal of the elastic component 6 forms a positioning welding or riveting electrical connection with the circuit board. The elastic component 6 with elasticity can set the normally closed extrusion force on the air release passage 4 within a certain range value. When the pneumatic cavity 14 is inflated by the gas source body, when the air pressure or pressure in the air path reaches or exceeds the normally closed extrusion force range value of the elastic component 6 on the air release passage 4, the elastic component 6 can be pushed open by the high air pressure to achieve overflow air release, so as to ensure that the air pressure value inside the pneumatic cavity 14 does not exceed a certain threshold; therefore, it can ensure that the pneumatic cavity 14 is prevented from being damaged due to overpressure or the power exceeding the limit. Or as Figure 4 shown, the elastic component 6 is set as a structure with elastic characteristics, and the shape memory alloy wire 10 and the first electrode 8 are fixed together through a connecting body, and the movable part of the elastic component 6 is installed with an interference fit, so that it replaces the spring and spring sheet structures to provide an extrusion force on the air release passage 4 and improve the sealing performance.

[0038] To further optimize the above technical solution, the present technical solution preferably further provides the following improvements: The electric control module further includes: a second electrode 9 disposed on the circuit board 7; the second electrode 9 is electrically connected to the shape memory alloy wire 10.

[0039] To further optimize the above technical solution, the present technical solution preferably further provides the following improvements: A spring body 11 is further provided on the one-way valve 5 and is used in cooperation with it. The spring body 11 can be set as the spring body 11.

[0040] To further optimize the above technical solution, the present technical solution preferably further provides the following improvements: It further includes a housing 12, the valve body 1 and the elastic component 6 are disposed inside the housing 12, and through holes communicating with the air inlet passage 2, the air release passage 4, and the inflation passage 3 are provided on the housing 12.

[0041] As Figures 1 - 3 shown, the elastic component 6 is disposed outside the valve body 1, and the valve body 1 can be directly used or can be wrapped by the housing 12.

[0042] To further optimize the above technical solution, the present technical solution preferably further provides the following improvements: An inflation nozzle is provided on the inflation passage 3, and the inflation nozzle is set to be one or more; a nozzle structure is provided on the air inlet passage 2, and the nozzle structure is used to connect an air pump or an air pipe.

[0043] To further optimize the above technical solution, the present technical solution preferably further provides the following improvements: The first electrode 8 and the second electrode 9 are conductive metal bodies welded or riveted to the circuit board 7.

[0044] Embodiment 2

[0045] A pneumatic control valve group includes a pneumatic control valve device; the pneumatic control valve group includes: at least two of the pneumatic control valve devices; the circuit board 7 is electrically connected to at least two of the pneumatic control valve devices respectively.

[0046] As Figure 5 shown, two or more pneumatic control valve groups can be provided to form a linkage cooperation mechanism for multiple air path controls; wherein, the shape memory alloy wire can be bent and the direction can be adjusted via the structural guide post 15 (one or more), and thus the length of the alloy wire can be adjusted.

[0047] A pneumatic control assembly includes the pneumatic control valve group described above; it further includes: an air pump 13 connected to the intake passage 2 and a pneumatic cavity 14 connected to the inflation passage 3. In this embodiment, a pneumatic control assembly may further include auxiliary structures such as air pipes connected to the pneumatic control valve group or the pneumatic control valve device.

[0048] The above description is only the preferred embodiments of the present application and the description of the applied technical principles. Those skilled in the art should understand that the scope of the invention involved in the present application is not limited to the technical solutions formed by the specific combination of the above technical features, but should also cover other technical solutions formed by any combination of the above technical features or their equivalent features without departing from the inventive concept. For example, the technical solutions formed by mutually replacing the above features with the (but not limited to) technical features having similar functions disclosed in the present application.

Claims

1. A pneumatic control valve device, characterized in that: Comprising: A valve body (1) with a hollow interior, an elastic component (6), and an electric control module; An air inlet passage (2), an inflation passage (3), and a deflation passage (4) communicating with the outside are provided on the valve body (1). A one-way valve (5) is provided in the air inlet passage (2); the air inlet passage (2) is used for introducing gas, and the inflation passage (3) is used for supplying gas to the pneumatic cavity (14); the elastic component (6) is arranged at one end of the deflation passage (4) communicating with the outside; The electric control module includes: a circuit board (7), an elastic first electrode (8), and a shape memory alloy wire (10) connected to the first electrode (8); one end of the first electrode (8) is connected to the elastic component (6), and the other end of the first electrode (8) is electrically connected to the circuit board (7); the end of the shape memory alloy wire (10) far from the first electrode (8) is electrically connected to the circuit board (7); the electric control module is used to control the elastic component (6) to close or open the deflation passage (4); the first electrode (8) is elastic, and when the shape memory alloy wire (10) extends, it drives the elastic component (6) to automatically reset without external force drive; a second electrode (9) is also provided on the circuit board (7), and the second electrode (9) and the first electrode (8) are conductive metal bodies welded or riveted to the circuit board (7).

2. The pneumatic control valve device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The elastic component (6) includes a plastic structure body made of plastic material.

3. The pneumatic control valve device according to claim 2, wherein: The elastic component (6) includes an integrally arranged plastic structure body and an elastic body; the elastic body includes a metal elastic body and / or a non-metal elastic body.

4. The pneumatic control valve device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The second electrode (9) is electrically connected to the shape memory alloy wire (10).

5. The pneumatic control valve device according to claim 1, characterized in that: A spring body (11) used in cooperation with the one-way valve (5) is further provided on the one-way valve (5).

6. The pneumatic control valve device according to claim 1, characterized in that: It further includes an outer housing (12). The valve body (1) and the elastic component (6) are arranged inside the outer housing (12). Through holes communicating with the air inlet passage (2), the deflation passage (4), and the inflation passage (3) are provided on the outer housing (12).

7. The pneumatic control valve device according to claim 1, characterized in that: An inflation nozzle is provided on the inflation passage (3), and the number of inflation nozzles is one or more; a nozzle structure is provided on the air inlet passage (2), and the nozzle structure is used to connect an air pump or an air pipe.

8. A pneumatic control valve group, characterized in that: It includes a pneumatic control valve device according to any one of claims 1-7; the pneumatic control valve group includes: at least two of the pneumatic control valve devices; the circuit board (7) is electrically connected to at least two of the pneumatic control valve devices respectively.

9. A pneumatic control assembly, characterized in that: It includes a pneumatic control valve group according to claim 8; it further includes: an air pump (13) connected to the air inlet passage (2) and a pneumatic cavity (14) connected to the inflation passage (3).

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