Air pressure adjusting device of vehicle seat

Abstract

An air pressure adjusting apparatus of a vehicle seat includes: a housing portion including an air pressure flow path forming a supply path of air supplied from an air pressure supply portion, and including a plurality of nipple pipes for connection with different working units; a flow path control valve part installed inside the housing part and including: a first valve intake port connected to the air pressure flow path; and a pair of first valve discharge ports that are respectively connected to the first valve intake ports in a first direction and a second direction and that can be opened and closed; and an intake / exhaust regulating valve part provided on both sides of the flow path control valve part and including: a second valve intake port connected to the first valve exhaust port; and a second valve discharge port configured to be connected to the second valve intake port and to be openable and closable, through which intake and exhaust of the work unit are performed in the first direction and the second direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a pneumatic pressure regulating device for a vehicle seat, and more particularly, to a pneumatic pressure regulating device for a vehicle seat capable of reducing valve components for intake / exhaust operations and holding operations. Background Art

[0002] Typically, passengers, including the driver, install cushions or other backrests on existing seats according to their preferences.

[0003] However, most of the conventionally used seat cushions have a fixed cushioning level, cannot properly cope with the driver's body shape and preference, and may produce side effects after long-term use.

[0004] For this purpose, an air pressure adjustment device for variably controlling the shape of a seating surface by air pressure may be mounted in a seat cushion portion and a seat back constituting a vehicle seat.

[0005] However, this air pressure regulating device can only be regulated with a single pressure by selectively inletting or exhausting air through the operation of a basic switch, and therefore is not sufficient to reflect various preferences of users.

[0006] In addition, the air pressure regulating device equipped with a pressure sensor regulates the air volume by adjusting the threshold pressure, which requires a control circuit and separate logic for the pressure sensor, and is difficult to perform precise control due to environmental and sensor performance limitations.

[0007] Prior art literature

[0008] [Patent Document]

[0009] Patent Document 1: Korean Patent Gazette No. 10-2093375 Summary of the invention

[0010] 1. Technical issues to be resolved

[0011] An object of the present invention is to provide an air pressure regulating device for a seat, which can selectively perform intake / exhaust operations and holding operations by controlling the opening and closing of a flow channel in a coil connected to each different working unit configured in the seat, thereby reducing the number of valves used to control the intake / exhaust of the working units, and thus the valve components can be reduced.

[0012] (II) Technical solution

[0013] The air pressure adjustment device of a vehicle seat according to the present invention is characterized in that it includes: a shell part, including an air pressure flow channel forming a supply path for air supplied from an air pressure supply part, and including a plurality of short pipes for connecting to different working units; a flow channel control valve part, installed inside the shell part, and including: a first valve air inlet, connected to the air pressure flow channel; and a pair of first valve exhaust ports, which are respectively connected to the first valve air inlet in a first direction and a second direction and can be opened and closed; and an intake / exhaust regulating valve part, which is arranged on both sides of the flow channel control valve part, and includes: a second valve air inlet, connected to the first valve exhaust port; and a second valve exhaust port, which is configured to be connected to the second valve air inlet and can be opened and closed, and the working unit is air-intake and exhausted in the first direction and the second direction through the second valve exhaust port.

[0014] Here, the air pressure flow path is formed at a boundary between the first direction and the second direction, and guides air to fill the interior of the flow path control valve portion through the first valve air inlet.

[0015] On the other hand, the flow channel control valve portion includes: a main body, including a pair of first valve exhaust ports, the pair of first valve exhaust ports being used to be connected to the second valve air inlet in the first direction and the second direction, respectively; an armature, movably mounted inside the main body and configured to shield the first valve exhaust ports; and an elastic member, providing elastic force to the armature so as to move the armature in a direction for shielding the first valve exhaust ports.

[0016] The armature moves when a force relatively stronger than an elastic force of the elastic member is applied to open the first valve discharge port.

[0017] Preferably, the body includes an electric conductor so that an electromagnetic force relatively stronger than an elastic force of the elastic member is selectively applied to the armature.

[0018] In addition, the intake / exhaust regulating valve portion includes: a main body, including a valve exhaust port, and the valve exhaust port is configured to selectively exhaust air from the working unit together with the second valve intake port and the second valve exhaust port; an armature, movably mounted inside the main body and configured to shield the valve exhaust port; and an elastic member, providing elastic force to the armature so that the armature moves in a direction for shielding the valve exhaust port.

[0019] Here, the armature includes: a first shape portion configured to contact a partition member provided inside the body; and a second shape portion connected to the first shape portion and forming a discharge path for air discharged from the second valve discharge port to move to the valve exhaust port.

[0020] When a force relatively stronger than the elastic force of the elastic member is applied to the armature, the first shape portion moves to be spaced apart from the partition member, so that the discharge path is selectively opened.

[0021] In addition, the armature is configured to block a discharge path formed from the second valve inlet to the second valve discharge port when the first shape portion is spaced apart from the diaphragm member.

[0022] Preferably, the body includes an electric conductor so that an electromagnetic force relatively stronger than an elastic force of the elastic member is selectively applied to the armature.

[0023] On the other hand, the air intake / exhaust regulating valve portion performs air intake / exhaust of the working units at different positions of the same seat arrangement in the first direction.

[0024] In addition, the air intake / exhaust regulating valve portion performs air intake / exhaust of the operating units at different positions of the same seat configuration in the second direction independently of the first direction.

[0025] (III) Beneficial effects

[0026] The effect of the present invention is that the intake / exhaust operation and the holding operation can be selectively performed by opening and closing the flow channel in a coil connected to the working units of different seats, thereby reducing the number of valves used to control the intake / exhaust of the working units, and thus the valve components can be reduced.

[0027] Therefore, the present invention can reduce the number of valves used to control the same number of working units, which has the effect of reducing costs. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] Figure 1 : is a diagram showing the configuration of an air pressure adjustment device for a vehicle seat according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 2 1 is a diagram showing a mounted state of a flow passage control valve portion and an intake / exhaust regulating valve portion of an air pressure regulating device for a vehicle seat according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 6 1 is a diagram showing a flow passage control valve portion of an air pressure regulating device for a vehicle seat according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 The AA' cross-sectional view shows a flow passage control valve portion of an air pressure regulating device for a vehicle seat according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 7 yes Figure 6 The BB' cross-sectional view shows the flow channel control valve portion of the air pressure regulating device for the vehicle seat according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] Figure 8 and Fig. 9 1 is a diagram showing an intake / exhaust regulating valve portion of an air pressure regulating device for a vehicle seat according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] Fig.10 yes Fig. 9 The CC' cross-sectional view shows the flow channel control valve portion of the air pressure regulating device for the vehicle seat according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] Fig.11 1 is a diagram showing a housing portion of an air pressure regulating device for a vehicle seat according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] Fig.12 yes Fig.11 The DD' cross-sectional view shows the air intake conditions of the working units at different positions of the air pressure adjustment device for the vehicle seat according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] Description of Reference Numerals

[0038] 100: housing part 102: lower housing

[0039] 104: Upper housing 106: Controller PCB

[0040] 110: Short pipe 200: Flow channel control valve

[0041] 202: First valve air inlet 204: First valve outlet

[0042] 210, 310: Main body 212, 312: Conductor

[0043] 220, 320: Armature 230, 330: Elastic member

[0044] 300: Intake / exhaust regulating valve section 302: Second valve intake port

[0045] 304: Second valve outlet 306: Valve exhaust outlet

[0046] 314: spacer member 322: first shape portion

[0047] 324: Second shape part A, B-1, B-2: Installation area

[0048] P1: Air pressure channel DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0049] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0050] The advantages and features of the present invention and methods for achieving the advantages and features will become clear after referring to the accompanying drawings and detailed description of the embodiments.

[0051] However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, but will be embodied in various forms. These embodiments are provided only to complete the disclosure of the present invention and enable ordinary technicians in the technical field to which the present invention belongs to fully understand the scope of the present invention. The present invention is determined by the scope of the claims.

[0052] Furthermore, when describing the present invention, if it is considered that related known technologies and the like may obscure the gist of the present invention, their detailed description will be omitted.

[0053] Figure 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an air pressure adjustment device for a vehicle seat according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 1 is a diagram showing a mounted state of a flow passage control valve portion and an intake / exhaust regulating valve portion of an air pressure regulating device for a vehicle seat according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0054] Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 6 is a diagram showing a flow passage control valve portion of an air pressure regulating device for a vehicle seat according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 5 yes Figure 4 The AA' cross-sectional view shows a flow passage control valve portion of an air pressure regulating device for a vehicle seat according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0055] in addition, Figure 7 yes Figure 6 The BB' cross-sectional view shows the flow channel control valve portion of the air pressure regulating device of the vehicle seat according to the embodiment of the present invention, Figure 8 and Fig. 9 is a diagram of an intake / exhaust regulating valve portion of an air pressure regulating device for a vehicle seat according to an embodiment of the present invention, Fig.10 yes Fig. 9 The CC' cross-sectional view shows the flow channel control valve portion of the air pressure regulating device for the vehicle seat according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0056] in addition, Fig.11 is a diagram of a housing portion of an air pressure regulating device for a vehicle seat according to an embodiment of the present invention, Fig.12 yes Fig.11 The DD' cross-sectional view shows the air intake conditions of the working units at different positions of the air pressure adjustment device for the vehicle seat according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0057] like Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, the air pressure regulating device for a vehicle seat according to the present embodiment includes a housing portion 100 , a flow passage control valve portion 200 , and an intake / exhaust regulating valve portion 300 .

[0058] The housing portion 100 is configured to be connected to one of a plurality of nipples 110, more specifically, Figure 2 An air pressure supply unit (not shown) connected to the short pipe 110 - 1 located at the inlet side supplies air to the interior of the housing 100 .

[0059] To this end, the housing portion 100 includes an air pressure flow passage P1 forming a predetermined supply path of the air supplied through the short pipe 110 - 1 .

[0060] Preferably, the air pressure flow passage P1 is formed at the boundary of the first direction and the second direction, and guides air to fill the interior of the flow passage control valve part 200 through the first valve air inlet 202 formed in the flow passage control valve part 200 .

[0061] More preferably, the air pressure channel P1 is formed inside the shell part 100, and when air is supplied through an air pressure supply part (not shown) composed of a pump or the like, air flows in through the first valve air inlet 202, thereby keeping the interior of the channel control valve part 200 filled with air.

[0062] In addition, the housing portion 100 is combined by the lower housing 102 and the upper housing 104 to form an inner region having a predetermined size for accommodating the flow passage control valve portion 200 and the intake / exhaust regulating valve portion 300 together.

[0063] In addition, a controller PCB (controller printed circuit board) 106 is installed inside the housing 100 . The controller PCB 106 is used to control the flow passage control valve part 200 and the intake / exhaust regulating valve part 300 .

[0064] The flow passage control valve portion 200 is installed inside the housing portion 100 together with the intake / exhaust regulating valve portion 300 .

[0065] like Figure 3 and Figure 5 As shown, the flow passage control valve portion 200 includes: a first valve air inlet 202; and a pair of first valve outlets 204, which are configured to be connected to the first valve air inlet 202 in a first direction and a second direction respectively and can be opened and closed.

[0066] Here, if Figure 7 As shown, the flow passage control valve portion 200 includes a body 210 , an armature 220 , and an elastic member 230 .

[0067] The interior of the main body 210 is filled with air from the air pressure channel P1 through the first valve air inlet 202 , and includes a pair of first valve outlets 204 , which are used to connect to the second valve air inlet 302 in the first direction and the second direction respectively.

[0068] The body 210 is formed to extend along a first direction and a second direction with the first valve air inlet 202 as a reference, and is installed inside the housing portion 100 .

[0069] The armature 220 is movably installed in the installation region A of the body 210 , and is configured to shield the first valve discharge port 204 .

[0070] In addition, the elastic member 230 provides elastic force to the armature 220 inside the mounting area A. Figure 7 As shown in the second direction, the armature 220 is moved in a direction for shielding the first valve outlet 204 .

[0071] Here, if Figure 7 As shown in the first direction, the armature 220 may move when a force relatively stronger than the elastic force of the elastic member 230 is applied, thereby opening the first valve outlet port 204 .

[0072] More specifically, the main body 210 includes a conductor 212, and when a user operates to supply air to the working unit, an electromagnetic force that is relatively stronger than the elastic force of the elastic member 230 can be selectively applied to the armature 220, causing the armature 220 to move inside the installation area A while compressing the elastic member 230, thereby opening the first valve outlet 204.

[0073] As described above, when the first valve outlet port 204 is opened, air may move to the intake / exhaust regulating valve portion 300 , so that air may be taken in or exhausted from the working unit by controlling the opening and closing of the intake / exhaust regulating valve portion 300 .

[0074] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the intake / exhaust regulating valve portion 300 is arranged side by side on both sides of the flow passage control valve portion 200 .

[0075] like Figure 8 As shown, the intake / exhaust regulating valve portion 300 includes: a second valve intake port 302 connected to the first valve exhaust port 204; and a second valve exhaust port 304 configured to be connected to the second valve intake port 302 and capable of opening and closing.

[0076] Therefore, the intake / exhaust regulating valve portion 300 can take in air to and exhaust air from the working unit in the first direction and the second direction through the second valve outlet port 304 .

[0077] In other words, the intake / exhaust regulating valve unit 300 can intake air into the working unit by opening the second valve outlet 304 , and can selectively exhaust air from the working unit by opening the valve outlet 306 while blocking the intake of the second valve outlet 304 .

[0078] For this reason, Fig.10 As shown, the intake / exhaust regulating valve portion 300 includes a body 310 , an armature 320 , and an elastic member 330 .

[0079] The body 310 includes a valve exhaust port 306 configured to selectively exhaust air from the working unit in conjunction with the second valve air inlet port 302 and the second valve exhaust port 304 .

[0080] The main body 310 is connected to the flow passage control valve part 200 through a pair of first valve outlets 204 at both sides of the flow passage control valve part 200 , and selectively allows air to move inside when the first valve outlets 204 are opened.

[0081] The main body 310 , like the flow passage control valve portion 200 , is formed to extend along the first direction and the second direction and is installed inside the housing portion 100 .

[0082] Additionally, the armature 320 is movably mounted inside the body 310 and is configured to shield the valve exhaust port 306 .

[0083] The armature 320 includes a first shape portion 322 and a second shape portion 324 .

[0084] The first shape portion 322 is installed to contact the partition member 314 provided inside the main body 310, and opens the second valve discharge port 304 and shields the valve exhaust port 306 in the initial position.

[0085] In addition, the second shape portion 324 is connected to the first shape portion 322 , and forms a discharge path for selectively moving the air discharged from the second valve discharge port 304 to the valve exhaust port 306 .

[0086] In other words, the elastic member 330 provides elastic force to the first shape portion 322 inside the mounting area B-1. Fig.10 As shown in the first direction, the armature 320 is moved in a direction for shielding the valve exhaust port 306 , and more specifically, the armature 320 is moved so that the first shape portion 322 contacts the partition member 314 .

[0087] In addition, if Fig.10 As shown in the second direction, the armature 320 may move when a force relatively stronger than the elastic force of the elastic member 230 is applied, thereby opening the valve exhaust port 306.

[0088] More specifically, the main body 310 includes a conductor 312. When a user operates to exhaust air from the working unit, an electromagnetic force that is relatively stronger than the elastic force of the elastic member 230 can be selectively applied to the armature 320, so that the first shape portion 322 compresses the elastic member 230 and moves inside the mounting area B-1, in other words, is spaced from the partition member 314, so that the valve exhaust port 306 is opened, so that the exhaust air is discharged along the Fig.10 The second direction is in the direction of the arrow.

[0089] As described above, when the valve exhaust port 306 is opened, the air can be discharged from the installation area B-2 along the second shape portion 324 while the air intake of the second valve exhaust port 304 is blocked, so that the air can be exhausted from the working unit by opening and closing the intake / exhaust regulating valve portion 300.

[0090] On the other hand, Figure 2 As shown, the intake / exhaust regulating valve portion 300 can, through the above-mentioned opening and closing control, respectively perform the same working unit in the first direction, such as different positions of the working unit of the lumbar support, such as the upper and lower intake / exhaust, and can also be independent of the first direction and respectively perform the same working unit in the second direction, such as different positions of the seat cushion, such as the internal and external intake / exhaust.

[0091] That is, since the first direction and the second direction are formed at positions opposite to each other based on the air pressure flow channel P, the air intake (exhaust) of the working units at different positions of the same seat configuration can be performed in the first direction ( Fig.12 In the second direction, the air intake (exhaust) of the working units at different positions of the same seat configuration can be performed independently of the first direction ( Fig.12 (direction of the solid arrow).

[0092] Therefore, in this embodiment, the air intake / exhaust of four working units connected to the short pipe 110, namely, working units at different positions of one seat configuration and working units at different positions of another seat configuration, can be controlled by three valves, namely, a flow channel control valve unit 200 and a pair of intake / exhaust regulating valve units 300 connected to both sides of the flow channel control valve unit 200.

[0093] Conventionally, the air intake and exhaust of one working unit are controlled by one valve. Therefore, if three valves are used as in the present embodiment, the air intake / exhaust of three working units can be controlled.

[0094] On the other hand, in the present embodiment, as described above, the intake / exhaust of four working units can be controlled by three valves, so the intake / exhaust of a greater number of working units can be controlled by a smaller number of valves than in conventional methods, thereby reducing the number of valves controlling the intake / exhaust of a plurality of working units and reducing manufacturing costs.

[0095] In addition, in this embodiment, since the initial positions of the flow passage control valve portion 200 and the intake / exhaust regulating valve portion 300 are positions where the first valve outlet 204 and the valve outlet 306 are blocked by the elastic forces provided by the elastic members 230 and 330, respectively (refer to Figure 7 and Fig.10 ), therefore, if the user does not perform additional operations, the internal air pressure can be maintained, that is, no air intake and exhaust are performed, so that there is no need to use additional electricity for maintaining the air pressure, thereby saving electricity.

[0096] The effect of the present invention is that the intake / exhaust operation and the holding operation can be selectively performed by opening and closing the flow channel in a coil connected to the working unit of different seats, thereby reducing the number of valves used to control the intake / exhaust of the working unit, and thus the valve components can be reduced.

[0097] Therefore, the present invention can reduce the number of valves used to control the same number of working units, which has the effect of reducing costs.

[0098] The present invention has been described above with reference to the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings, but these embodiments are merely exemplary, and those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications may be made to these embodiments, or all or part of the above embodiments may be selectively combined. Therefore, the true technical protection scope of the present invention should be determined by the technical ideas in the appended claims.

Claims

1. An air pressure regulating device for a vehicle seat, characterized in that: include: The housing portion includes an air pressure flow channel forming a supply path of air supplied from the air pressure supply portion, and includes a plurality of short pipes for connecting to different working units; a flow passage control valve portion, mounted inside the housing portion, and comprising: a first valve air inlet connected to the compressed air flow passage; and a pair of first valve outlets, connected to the first valve air inlet in a first direction and a second direction, respectively, and capable of opening and closing; and The intake / exhaust regulating valve portion is arranged on both sides of the flow channel control valve portion, and includes: a second valve intake port connected to the first valve exhaust port; and a second valve exhaust port, which is configured to be connected to the second valve intake port and can be opened and closed, and the working unit is intake and exhausted in the first direction and the second direction through the second valve exhaust port.

2. The air pressure regulating device for a vehicle seat according to claim 1, characterized in that: The air pressure flow channel is formed at a boundary between the first direction and the second direction, and guides air to fill the interior of the flow channel control valve portion through the first valve air inlet.

3. The air pressure regulating device for a vehicle seat according to claim 1, characterized in that: The flow channel control valve portion comprises: A main body, comprising a pair of first valve exhaust ports, the pair of first valve exhaust ports being used to be connected to the second valve air inlet in the first direction and the second direction respectively; an armature movably mounted inside the body and configured to shield the first valve discharge port; and The elastic member provides elastic force to the armature so as to move the armature in a direction for shielding the first valve discharge port.

4. The air pressure regulating device for a vehicle seat according to claim 3, characterized in that: The armature moves when a force relatively stronger than an elastic force of the elastic member is applied to open the first valve discharge port.

5. The air pressure regulating device for a vehicle seat according to claim 4, characterized in that: The body includes an electric conductor so that an electromagnetic force relatively stronger than an elastic force of the elastic member is selectively applied to the armature.

6. The air pressure regulating device for a vehicle seat according to claim 1, characterized in that: The intake / exhaust regulating valve unit comprises: a body including a valve exhaust port configured to selectively exhaust air from the working unit in conjunction with the second valve inlet port and the second valve exhaust port; an armature movably mounted inside the body and configured to shield the valve exhaust port; and The elastic member provides elastic force to the armature so as to move the armature in a direction for shielding the valve exhaust port.

7. The air pressure regulating device for a vehicle seat according to claim 6, characterized in that: The armature comprises: a first shape portion configured to contact a partition member provided inside the main body; and The second shape portion is connected to the first shape portion and forms a discharge path for the air discharged from the second valve discharge port to move to the valve exhaust port.

8. The air pressure regulating device for a vehicle seat according to claim 7, characterized in that: When a force relatively stronger than the elastic force of the elastic member is applied to the armature, the first shape portion moves to be spaced apart from the partition member, so that the discharge path is selectively opened.

9. The air pressure regulating device for a vehicle seat according to claim 8, characterized in that: The armature is configured to block a discharge path formed from the second valve inlet to the second valve discharge port when the first shape portion is spaced apart from the diaphragm member.

10. The air pressure regulating device for a vehicle seat according to claim 8, characterized in that: The body includes an electric conductor so that an electromagnetic force relatively stronger than an elastic force of the elastic member is selectively applied to the armature.

11. The air pressure regulating device for a vehicle seat according to claim 1, characterized in that: The air intake / exhaust regulating valve portion performs air intake / exhaust of working units at different positions in the same seat configuration in the first direction.

12. The air pressure regulating device for a vehicle seat according to claim 11, characterized in that: The air intake / exhaust regulating valve portion performs air intake / exhaust of operating units at different positions of the same seat configuration in the second direction independently of the first direction.

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