Fluid distribution device and pneumatic comfort system

Abstract

The utility model relates to the technical field of fluid distribution devices, in particular to a fluid distribution device and a pneumatic comfort system. The fluid distribution device comprises a shell, a plurality of gas supply units and a plurality of second valve modules are arranged in the shell, each gas supply unit comprises a main gas channel and a first valve module, and the first valve modules are arranged in the main gas channels to control the main gas channels to communicate with an external gas source or an external environment; the second valve module comprises an actuating assembly, a plurality of second valve cores connected with the actuating assembly and a plurality of mutually independent valve chambers, the valve chambers are in one-to-one correspondence with the main air passages, and the valve chambers are provided with second valve ports communicated with the corresponding main air passages and inflation ports communicated with the air bags; the second valve elements are arranged in the valve chambers in a one-to-one correspondence mode. The actuating assembly is used for actuating the multiple second valve elements so as to control opening and closing of the multiple second valve ports at the same time. By means of the mode, the number of the first valve modules (the fast switching valves) can be reduced, the cost of the fluid distribution device is reduced, the size is reduced, and noise and heat productivity are reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the technical field of fluid distribution devices, and particularly to a fluid distribution device and a pneumatic comfort system. Background Art

[0002] A pneumatic comfort system (such as a pneumatic massage system or a pneumatic support system, etc.) generally includes a gas source device, a fluid distribution device, and air bags connected to the gas source device through the fluid distribution device. During operation, the gas source device supplies gas and the fluid distribution device controls the inflation and deflation of the air bags.

[0003] Currently, in a pneumatic comfort system, the fluid distribution device includes multiple air valves, which are mainly responsible for controlling the flow direction, pressure, and flow rate of compressed air. It is the core component of the entire pneumatic comfort system and has the highest cost proportion. In a pneumatic comfort system, there are usually a large number of air bags, and each air bag requires at least one air valve to control its inflation and deflation, resulting in an excessive number of air valves in the fluid distribution device, thus making the overall volume of the fluid distribution device large and the cost high. Summary of the Utility Model

[0004] The embodiments of this application aim to provide a fluid distribution device and a pneumatic comfort system, which can at least reduce the cost and shrink the volume of the fluid distribution device.

[0005] The embodiments of this application solve the above technical problems by adopting the following technical solutions:

[0006] In a first aspect, the embodiments of this application provide a fluid distribution device. The fluid distribution device includes a housing, and a plurality of air supply units and a plurality of second valve modules are arranged in the housing. The air supply unit includes a main air duct and a first valve module. The first valve module is arranged in the main air duct to control the connection between the main air duct and an external gas source or the external environment. The second valve module includes an actuating component, a plurality of second valve cores connected to the actuating component, and a plurality of independent valve chambers. The valve chambers correspond to the main air ducts one by one. Each valve chamber is provided with a second valve port communicating with the corresponding main air duct and an inflation port for communicating with an air bag. The second valve cores are arranged in the valve chambers one by one. The actuating component is used to actuate the plurality of second valve cores to simultaneously control the opening and closing of the plurality of second valve ports. Wherein, the switching speed of the first valve module is greater than the switching speed of the second valve module.

[0007] In some embodiments, the first valve module includes a first valve core, a first valve port for communicating with an external air source, and a first air leakage port for communicating with an external environment; the first valve core is capable of moving between a first position and a second position in the first valve module; when the first valve core is located at the first position, the first valve port is opened and the first air leakage port is closed; when the first valve core is located at the second position, the first air leakage port is opened and the first valve port is closed.

[0008] In some embodiments, a second air leak is further provided on the side wall of the valve chamber; the actuating assembly is capable of driving the second valve core to move between a third position and a fourth position; when the second valve core is located at the third position, the second valve port is opened and the second air leak is closed; when the second valve core is located at the fourth position, the second air leak is opened and the second valve port is closed.

[0009] In some embodiments, the number of the main airways is three.

[0010] In some embodiments, the first valve module is a solenoid valve, a piezoelectric valve, an electroactive polymer actuated valve, or a pilot-operated proportional pressure control valve.

[0011] In some embodiments, the time taken by the first valve module to control the first valve core to switch from the first position to the second position or to move from the second position to the first position is less than or equal to 10 ms.

[0012] In some embodiments, the time taken by the first valve module to control the first valve core to move from the first position to the second position or from the second position to the first position is less than or equal to 3 ms.

[0013] In some embodiments, the time length for the second valve module to control the second valve core to switch from the fourth position to the third position is greater than 50 ms.

[0014] In some embodiments, the second valve module is an SMA valve, the actuating assembly includes an actuator and a reset member, the actuator includes an SMA wire and a circuit board, each second valve core located in the same second valve module is connected to the middle part of the SMA wire through a valve core connecting rod, both ends of the SMA wire are connected to the circuit board, one end of the reset member abuts against the side of the second valve core away from the second valve port, and the other end abuts against the inner wall of the valve chamber.

[0015] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a pneumatic comfort system, which includes an air bag, an external air source and the fluid distribution device, and the air bag is connected to the external air source through the fluid distribution device.

[0016] The fluid distribution device and the pneumatic comfort system according to the embodiments of the present application realize the inflation and deflation of multiple air bags through multiple first valve modules and multiple second valve modules, thereby reducing the number of first valve modules (quick switching valves). Moreover, in the second valve module, only one actuating component is used to actuate multiple second valve cores simultaneously to control the air path connection of multiple different valve chambers. This significantly reduces the cost of the valve modules in the fluid distribution device, and the volume of the valve modules is also smaller, that is, the volume of the fluid distribution device is reduced.

[0017] In addition, a large amount of heat and greater noise will be generated due to the high-frequency quick switching of the quick switching valve. However, in the embodiments of the present application, the reduction in the number of quick switching valves can also effectively reduce the noise and heat generation of the fluid distribution device.

[0018] In addition, the pneumatic comfort system provided in the embodiments of the present application can provide different massage modes according to the needs of users, making the product more flexible and applicable to a wider range of scenarios.

[0019] The above description is only an overview of the technical solution of the present application. In order to understand the technical means of the present application more clearly, it can be implemented according to the content of the specification. Moreover, in order to make the above and other purposes, features, and advantages of the present application more obvious and understandable, the following specifically describes the specific embodiments of the present application. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0020] One or more embodiments are exemplarily illustrated by corresponding drawings. These exemplary illustrations do not limit the embodiments. Elements with the same reference numerals in the drawings represent similar elements. Unless otherwise stated, the drawings in the figures do not constitute a proportional limitation.

[0021] Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram of the fluid distribution device according to the embodiment of the present application;

[0022] Figure 2 is a schematic air path diagram of the fluid distribution device according to the embodiment of the present application;

[0023] Figure 3 is Figure 1 a partial structural diagram of the fluid distribution device in

[0024] Figure 4 is Figure 1 a partial structural diagram of the fluid distribution device in

[0025] Figure 5 is Figure 3 a partial semi-sectional view of the fluid distribution device in

[0026] Figure 6 is Figure 3 a cross-sectional view of the first valve module in

[0027] Figure 7 is Figure 3 a partial cross-sectional view of the fluid distribution device in

[0028] Figure 8 a flowchart of a massage method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0029] Figure 9 a flowchart of another massage method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0030] Figure 10 a flowchart of yet another massage method provided by an embodiment of the present application.

[0031] The reference numerals in the specific embodiments are as follows:

[0032] 100, fluid distribution device;

[0033] 1, housing; 11, air inlet channel;

[0034] 2, air supply unit; 21, main air channel;

[0035] 22, first valve module; 221, first valve core; 222, first valve port; 223, first air release port; 224, first air inlet port;

[0036] 3, second valve module;

[0037] 31, actuation assembly; 311, actuator; 3111, SMA wire; 3112, circuit board; 3113, valve core connecting rod; 3114, connecting seat; 3115, elastic member; 312, reset member;

[0038] 32, second valve core; 321, extension portion; 33, valve chamber; 331, second valve port; 332, inflation port; 333, second air release port;

[0039] 4, cover plate; 5, airbag. Specific embodiments

[0040] In order to make the objectives, technical solutions and advantages of the present application more clear and understandable, the present application will be further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present application and are not used to limit the present application. It should be noted that when an element is expressed as "fixed to" another element, it can be directly on the other element, or there can be one or more intermediate elements therebetween. When an element is expressed as "connected to" another element, it can be directly connected to the other element, or there can be one or more intermediate elements therebetween. It should be noted that if there is no conflict, the various features in the embodiments of the present application can be combined with each other and are all within the protection scope of the present application. In addition, although the functional modules are divided in the device schematic diagram and the logical order is shown in the flowchart, in some cases, the steps shown or described can be executed in a different module division from that in the device schematic diagram or a different order from that in the flowchart.

[0041] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the technical field to which this application belongs; the terms used herein are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit this application; the terms "including" and "having" and any variations thereof in the description of the specification and claims of this application and the above accompanying drawings are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion.

[0042] In the description of the embodiments of the present application, the orientation or positional relationship indicated by technical terms such as "center", "longitudinal", "transverse", "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", "axial", "radial", "circumferential", etc. is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. It is only for the convenience of describing the embodiments of the present application and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation to the embodiments of the present application.

[0043] In the description of the embodiments of the present application, the use of words such as "first" and "second" to limit components is only for the convenience of distinguishing the corresponding components. Without further statement, the above words have no special meaning, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation to the protection scope of this application. In the description of the embodiments of the present application, the meaning of "a plurality of" is two or more, unless otherwise specifically defined.

[0044] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used in this specification have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the technical field to which this application belongs. The terms used in the specification of this application are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit this application. The term "and / or" used in this specification includes any and all combinations of one or more of the related listed items.

[0045] In addition, the technical features involved in different embodiments of this application described below can be combined with each other as long as they do not conflict with each other.

[0046] Embodiment 1:

[0047] Please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 , an embodiment of this application provides a fluid distribution device 100. The fluid distribution device 100 is used to controllably distribute the gas from an external gas source to a plurality of air bags 5 to independently inflate and deflate the plurality of air bags 5, so as to realize massage.

[0048] Please refer to Figures 3 to 5 , the fluid distribution device 100 includes a housing 1. A plurality of air supply units 2 and a plurality of second valve modules 3 are arranged in the housing 1. The air supply unit 2 includes a main air duct 21 and a first valve module 22. The first valve module 22 is arranged in the main air duct 21 to control the connection between the main air duct 21 and an external gas source or an external environment; the second valve module 3 includes an actuating assembly 31, a plurality of second valve cores 32 connected to the actuating assembly 31, and a plurality of independent valve chambers 33. The valve chambers 33 correspond to the main air ducts 21 one by one. The valve chambers 33 are provided with second valve ports 331 communicating with the corresponding main air ducts 21 and inflation ports 332 for communicating with the air bags 5; the second valve cores 32 are arranged in the valve chambers 33 one by one; the actuating assembly 31 is used to actuate the plurality of second valve cores 32 to simultaneously control the opening and closing of the plurality of second valve ports 331.

[0049] Among them, the number of the main air ducts 21 can be three.

[0050] Among them, the number of the second valve modules 3 can be four.

[0051] Taking the number of the air supply units 2 being three and the number of the second valve modules 3 being four as an example for illustration. As shown in Figures 3 to 5 and can be referred to Figure 2, the number of the air supply units 2 is three, and the three first valve modules 22 respectively control the on-off of the three main air passages 21; the number of the second valve modules 3 is four, and each second valve module 3 includes an actuating assembly 31, three second valve cores 32 and three valve chambers 33. In each second valve module 3, the three valve chambers 33 are respectively in one-to-one communication with the three main air passages 21, and the actuating assembly 31 is simultaneously connected to the three second valve cores 32, so that all the second valve ports 331 in the corresponding second valve module 3 can be controlled to open and close by one actuating assembly 31. For example Figure 3 the leftmost actuating assembly 31 in Figure 3 can control the leftmost three second valve cores 32, that is, control the second valve ports 331 of the leftmost three valve chambers 33, and further can cooperate with the three first valve modules 22 to respectively control the inflation and deflation of the three inflation ports 332 to their respective air bags 5. Similarly, in each second valve module 3, the inflation and deflation of the three inflation ports 332 to their respective air bags 5 can be respectively controlled by the actuating assembly 31 cooperating with the three first valve modules 22, that is, the inflation and deflation of the twelve inflation ports 332 to their respective air bags 5 can be controlled by the four actuating assemblies 31 and the three first valve modules 22. In this way, the number of the first valve modules 22 can be reduced. For example, when the first valve module 22 is a solenoid valve, the number of the solenoid valves can be reduced, thereby reducing the cost and volume of the fluid distribution device 100, and reducing the noise and heat generation of the fluid distribution device 100. And in the second valve module 3, only one actuating assembly 31 simultaneously actuates a plurality of second valve cores 32 to control the air path communication of a plurality of different valve chambers 33, which significantly reduces the cost of the valve module in the fluid distribution device 100, and the volume of the valve module is also smaller.

[0052] Among them, the switching speed of the first valve module 22 is greater than that of the second valve module 3. That is, in the embodiment of the present application, the first valve module 22 is a fast-switching valve, and the second valve module 3 is a slow-switching valve. Then, the fast massage mode and the slow massage mode can be realized by using the switching speed characteristics of the first valve module 22 and the second valve module 3. For example, the second valve module 3 is set to the normally open state, and then the first valve module 22 is quickly switched on and off to realize the fast massage mode; or, the first valve module 22 is set to the normally open state, and then the second valve module 3 is slowly switched on and off to realize the slow massage mode. It should be noted that the fast massage mode and the slow massage mode here are relative. That is, compared with the slow massage mode, in the fast massage mode, the airbag 5 is generally inflated again before it is completely deflated, the pressing frequency of the airbag 5 is faster, and the massage force is comfortable; the fast switching on and off and the slow switching on and off here are also relative, that is, the execution period of the fast switching on and off is less than that of the slow switching on and off. By using the switching speed characteristics of the first valve module 22 and the second valve module 3 to realize the fast massage mode and the slow massage mode, there is no need to set a valve module with adjustable switching speed that is more expensive, which is beneficial to reducing the cost of the fluid distribution device 100. Moreover, since a large amount of heat and greater noise will be generated due to the high-frequency and fast switching of the fast-switching valve, in the embodiment of the present application, the second valve module 3 (slow-switching valve) is used for some valve modules, which can reduce the number of the first valve modules 22 (fast-switching valves), and can further reduce the noise and heat generation of the fluid distribution device 100.

[0053] It can be understood that the airbag 5 needs to be deflated. In the embodiment of the present application, the first valve module 22 and / or the second valve module 3 can be used as an example for deflation. In some other embodiments, deflation can also be performed in other ways, such as additionally setting a deflation valve, etc.

[0054] For the above-mentioned first valve module 22, please refer to Figure 6 , the first valve module 22 includes a first valve core 221, a first valve port 222 for communicating with an external air source, and a first air release port 223 for communicating with the external environment; the first valve core 221 can move between a first position and a second position in the first valve module 22; when the first valve core 221 is in the first position, the first valve port 222 is opened and the first air release port 223 is closed; when the first valve core 221 is in the second position, the first air release port 223 is opened and the first valve port 222 is closed.

[0055] Exemplarily, when the second valve module 3 is in the open state and the first valve core 221 is in the first position, the gas from the external air source enters the corresponding main air duct 21 through the first valve port 222, then enters the corresponding valve chamber 33 from the main air duct 21, and then enters the corresponding inflation port 332 and the airbag 5 from the valve chamber 33 to inflate the airbag 5. At this time, if the first valve core 221 is switched to the second position, the gas in the airbag 5 flows back to the corresponding valve chamber 33, then flows into the corresponding main air duct 21 from the valve chamber 33, and then flows into the corresponding first valve module 22 from the main air duct 21 and is discharged from the first air release port 223 to deflate the airbag 5.

[0056] It can be understood that when the first valve core 221 is between the first position and the second position, both the first valve port 222 and the first air release port 223 are open. At this time, the airbag 5 may be either in the inflation state or in the deflation state. However, the time for the first valve core 221 to switch back and forth between the first position and the second position is relatively short. Therefore, when the first valve core 221 is between the first position and the second position, the airbag 5 can be considered to be in a constant pressure state. For example, in some embodiments, the time for the first valve module 22 to control the first valve core 221 to switch from the first position to the second position or to move from the second position to the first position is less than or equal to 10 ms. Further, in some embodiments, the time for the first valve module 22 to control the first valve core 221 to move from the first position to the second position or to move from the second position to the first position is less than or equal to 3 ms.

[0057] In some embodiments, please refer to Figure 4 and Figure 6 , the first valve module 22 includes a first air inlet 224, and the first air inlet 224 is communicated with the main air duct 21. When the first valve core 221 is in the first position, the first valve port 222 is open and the first air release port 223 is closed, and the gas can enter the first air inlet 224 through the first valve port 222 and then enter the main air duct 21 through the first air inlet 224; when the first valve core 221 is in the second position, the first air release port 223 is open and the first valve port 222 is closed, and the gas cannot enter the first air inlet 224 and the main air duct 21, while the gas in the main air duct 21 can be discharged through the first air release port 223.

[0058] In some embodiments, please refer to Figure 4 and Figure 6 , the housing 1 is provided with an air inlet passage 11, and the air inlet passage 11 is communicated with the first valve ports 222 of a plurality of first valve modules 22, so that a plurality of main air ducts 21 are communicated with the external air source through one air inlet passage 11.

[0059] In some embodiments, the first valve module 22 is a solenoid valve, a piezoelectric valve, an electroactive polymer actuated valve, or a pilot-operated proportional pressure control valve. A solenoid valve is a control valve driven by an electromagnetic coil and a permanent magnet, which is widely used and has high reliability. A piezoelectric valve is a two-position (or proportional) control valve made based on the principle that a functional ceramic sheet generates bending deformation under the action of voltage. To control the piezoelectric valve, only sufficient voltage needs to be provided, and the power consumption is almost zero, which is beneficial to reducing power consumption. An electroactive polymer actuated valve is controlled by the micro-deformation of an electroactive polymer after being electrically stimulated. This polymer has the characteristics of strong strain ability, light weight, high driving efficiency, and good seismic performance. Therefore, the electroactive polymer actuated valve also has corresponding beneficial effects. A pilot-operated proportional pressure control valve controls the opening of the pilot valve through a pressure sensor and an electronic control circuit, has the characteristic of stable output pressure, and is highly sensitive, reliable, and has good performance.

[0060] For the above-mentioned second valve module 3, please refer to Figure 7 , a second air release port 333 is further provided on the side wall of the valve chamber 33; the actuating assembly 31 can drive the second valve core 32 to move between a third position and a fourth position; when the second valve core 32 is in the third position, the second valve port 331 is opened and the second air release port 333 is closed; when the second valve core 32 is in the fourth position, the second air release port 333 is opened and the second valve port 331 is closed.

[0061] Exemplarily, when the first valve module 22 is in the open state and the second valve core 32 is in the third position, the gas in the main air passage 21 enters the corresponding valve chamber 33 through the second valve port 331, and then enters the corresponding inflation port 332 and the airbag 5 from the valve chamber 33 to inflate the airbag 5. At this time, if the second valve core 32 is switched to the fourth position, the gas in the airbag 5 flows back to the corresponding valve chamber 33, and then flows into the corresponding second air release port 333 from the valve chamber 33 to deflate the airbag 5.

[0062] It can be understood that when the second valve core 32 is between the third position and the fourth position, both the second valve port 331 and the second air release port 333 are opened. At this time, the airbag 5 may be in the inflation state or the deflation state. However, the switching speed of the first valve module 22 is greater than that of the second valve module 3. Therefore, when the second valve core 32 is between the third position and the fourth position, the first valve module 22 can also be controlled to be in the closed state to reduce the loss of the external air source.

[0063] In some embodiments, the duration for the second valve module 3 to control the second valve core 32 to switch from the fourth position to the third position is greater than 50 ms. Therefore, the movement speed of the second valve core 32 is much slower than that of the first valve core 221. By replacing part of the first valve module 22 with the second valve module 3, noise can be reduced. Optionally, the duration for the second valve module 3 to control the second valve core 32 to switch from the fourth position to the third position is 100 ms to 500 ms. Optionally, the duration for the second valve module 3 to control the second valve core 32 to switch from the third position to the fourth position is 1000 ms to 3000 ms.

[0064] In some embodiments, referring to Figure 3 , Figure 5 and Figure 7 , the second valve module 3 is an SMA (Shape Memory Alloys) valve. The actuating assembly 31 includes an actuator 311 and a reset member 312. The actuator 311 includes an SMA wire 3111 and a circuit board 3112. Each second valve core 32 in the same second valve module 3 is connected to the middle of the SMA wire 3111 through a provided valve core connecting rod 3113. Both ends of the SMA wire 3111 are connected to the circuit board 3112. One end of the reset member 312 abuts against the side of the second valve core 32 facing away from the second valve port 331, and the other end abuts against the inner wall of the valve chamber 33. Wherein, the circuit board 3112 is used to supply power to the SMA wire 3111 to heat the SMA wire 3111. When the temperature of the SMA wire 3111 rises, it contracts and pulls the valve core connecting rod 3113 and the second valve core 32, causing the second valve core 32 to move to the third position. When the circuit board 3112 stops supplying power to the SMA wire 3111, the SMA wire 3111 naturally cools and gradually expands. Under the action of the reset member 312, the second valve core 32 gradually moves to the fourth position. Optionally, the reset member 312 is a spring.

[0065] In some embodiments, the material of the SMA wire 3111 includes nickel-titanium alloy, copper-zinc alloy,

[0066] In some embodiments, the second valve core 32 includes an extension portion 321. The extension portion 321 extends out from the second air release port 333 and is connected to the valve core connecting rod 3113. The extension portion 321 extending out through the second air release port 333 can reduce the number of openings in the valve chamber 33. Wherein, grooves can be provided on the outer surface of the extension portion 321 to improve the problem of the extension portion 321 blocking the second air release port 333; or the outer diameter of the extension portion 321 is smaller than the inner diameter of the second air release port 333, so that there is a gap between the extension portion 321 and the inner wall of the second air release port 333.

[0067] In some embodiments, referring to Figure 3 and Figure 5, the actuator 311 further includes a connection seat 3114 and an elastic member 3115. The connection seat 3114 is connected to the middle of the SMA wire 3111. One end of the elastic member 3115 is connected to the connection seat 3114, and the other end is connected to the valve core connecting rod 3113. By transmitting the contraction force of the SMA wire 3111 to the valve core connecting rod 3113 through the elastic member 3115, the problems that the SMA wire 3111 breaks due to excessive contraction of the SMA wire 3111 or the second valve core 32 and the valve core connecting rod 3113 are damaged can be improved. Optionally, the elastic member 3115 is a straight spring. One end of the elastic member 3115 adjacent to the second valve core 32 abuts against the connection seat 3114, and the other end of the elastic member 3115 abuts against the valve core connecting rod 3113.

[0068] In some embodiments, please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 3 , the fluid distribution device 100 further includes a cover plate 4. The cover plate 4 is disposed on the housing 1 and covers the first valve module 22 and the second valve module 3 to protect the first valve module 22 and the second valve module 3.

[0069] In the fluid distribution device 100 according to the embodiment of the present application, the inflation and deflation of multiple air bags 5 are respectively realized through multiple first valve modules 22 and multiple actuating components 31, thereby reducing the number of the first valve modules 22 (quick switching valves), reducing the cost and volume of the fluid distribution device 100, and reducing the noise and heat generation of the fluid distribution device 100. By utilizing the switching speed characteristics of the first valve module 22 and the second valve module 3 to realize the fast massage mode and the slow massage mode, there is no need to set a valve module with adjustable switching speed that is more expensive, which is beneficial to reducing the cost of the fluid distribution device 100.

[0070] Embodiment 2:

[0071] The embodiment of the present application provides a pneumatic comfort system (not shown). The pneumatic comfort system includes an air bag 5 (not shown), an external air source (not shown), and a fluid distribution device 100. The air bag 5 is communicated with the external air source through the fluid distribution device 100. The pneumatic comfort system has the structural features and beneficial effects of the fluid distribution device 100, which will not be elaborated here.

[0072] Embodiment 3:

[0073] The embodiment of the present application provides a massage method, which is applied to a pneumatic comfort system.

[0074] The massage method according to the embodiments of the present application can implement multiple massage modes. Taking three massage modes as an example, the first massage mode and the second massage mode achieve rapid inflation and deflation of the airbag 5 through the first valve module 22 to implement the fast massage mode, that is, the first massage mode and the second massage mode are fast massage modes; the third massage mode achieves slow inflation and deflation of the airbag 5 through the second valve module 3 to implement the slow massage mode, that is, the third massage mode is the slow massage mode. The main difference between the first massage mode and the second massage mode lies in the different time control modes for inflating and deflating each airbag 5.

[0075] Each massage mode can include multiple massage types. Among the massage types of the same massage mode, there are differences in aspects such as massage intensity and massage time.

[0076] When the massage mode is the first massage mode, Please refer to Figure 8 , the method includes:

[0077] S100. Obtain the massage mode.

[0078] The pneumatic comfort system can include buttons or a touch screen, and the user can input the desired massage mode through the buttons or the touch screen.

[0079] It can be understood that the pneumatic comfort system further includes a controller (not shown), and the controller is used to obtain the massage type based on the buttons or the touch screen, and control the first valve module 22 and the second valve module 3. The pneumatic comfort system may further include a communication module, and the communication module is communicatively connected to a network or a nearby intelligent device. The massage type can be input through an intelligent device such as a mobile phone, or can also be input through a wireless controller such as a remote control.

[0080] When the massage mode is the preset first massage mode, step S200 is executed.

[0081] S200. Open all the second valve ports 331 in the corresponding at least one second valve module 3 through the actuating component 31 of at least one second valve module 3.

[0082] When all the second valve ports 331 of a second valve module 3 are opened, all the airbags 5 corresponding to this second valve module 3 are in a standby state. At this time, only by opening or closing the first valve module 22, the airbag 5 corresponding to the first valve module 22 and in a standby state can be inflated and deflated to achieve massage.

[0083] S300. Control the first valve ports 222 of the corresponding first valve modules 22 to alternately open and close in sequence according to a first preset order through multiple first valve modules 22, so that the airbags 5 connected to the inflation ports 332 in at least one second valve module 3 in an open state are alternately inflated and deflated.

[0084] The first preset sequence is the starting time point for each first valve module 22 to start performing the alternating opening and closing action of the first valve port 222. Thus, when controlling the alternating opening and closing of the corresponding first valve ports 222 of each first valve module 22 in sequence according to the first preset sequence, each first valve port 222 opens and closes asynchronously, and then the air bags 5 are inflated and deflated asynchronously, so as to achieve massage.

[0085] The first preset sequence can be formulated according to the actual positions of the air bags 5. For example, when the number of the first valve modules 22 is three and the number of the second valve modules 3 is one, the three air bags 5 corresponding to the three first valve modules 22 are air bags A, B, and C respectively. The first preset sequence can be A - B - C, A - C - B, B - A - C, B - C - A, C - A - B, or C - B - A.

[0086] One cycle is that the first valve port 222 alternates between opening and closing once, and one cycle includes the time when the first valve port 222 is open and the time when the first valve port 222 is closed. By controlling the overlapping situation of the opening time and the closing time of multiple first valve ports 222, different massage effects can be achieved.

[0087] For example, in some embodiments, when the massage mode is a preset first massage mode, step S300 further includes:

[0088] Controlling the first valve modules 22 in each main air passage 21 to sequentially and cyclically execute the following steps according to a preset time sequence: controlling the first valve core 221 to maintain at the first position for a first duration, and then controlling the first valve core 221 to maintain at the second position for a second duration.

[0089] When the first valve core 221 maintains at the first position for the first duration, that is, the opening duration of the first valve port 222 is the first duration, and the inflation duration of the air bag 5 is the first duration; when the first valve core 221 maintains at the second position for the second duration, that is, the closing duration of the first valve port 222 is the second duration, and the deflation duration of the air bag 5 is the second duration.

[0090] Taking two adjacent first valve modules 22 in the first preset sequence as an example for illustration, the air bags 5 corresponding to the two first valve modules 22 are air bags A and B. By controlling the overlapping situation between the first duration and the second duration of the two first valve cores 221 of the two first valve modules 22 respectively, various massage effects can be achieved for the overall air bags A and B.

[0091] Massage effect one: The starting time point of the first duration of the latter first valve core 221 is within the time period of the second duration of the former first valve core 221, that is, when the air bag 5 corresponding to the former first valve module 22 is deflating, the air bag 5 corresponding to the latter first valve module 22 starts to inflate. In this effect, the overall undulation of the air bags A and B is relatively small.

[0092] Massage effect two: The starting time point of the first duration of the latter first valve core 221 is located within the time period of the first duration of the previous first valve core 221, that is, when the airbag 5 corresponding to the previous first valve module 22 is inflated, the airbag 5 corresponding to the latter first valve module 22 starts to inflate. In this effect, the overall undulation of airbags A and B is relatively large.

[0093] Massage effect three: The starting time point of the first duration of the latter first valve core 221 is located at the end time point of the second duration of the previous first valve core 221, that is, when the deflation of the airbag 5 corresponding to the previous first valve module 22 just ends, the airbag 5 corresponding to the latter first valve module 22 starts to inflate. In this effect, the overall undulation of airbags A and B is the largest.

[0094] When the massage mode is the second massage mode, Please refer to Figure 9 , the method includes:

[0095] S100. Obtain a massage mode.

[0096] When the massage mode is a preset second massage mode, step S400 is executed.

[0097] S400. Open all the second valve ports 331 in the corresponding at least one second valve module 3 through the actuating component 31 of the at least one second valve module 3.

[0098] S500. Through the first valve module 22, control the first valve ports 222 of the corresponding first valve modules 22 to open and close alternately, so that the airbags 5 connected to the inflation ports 332 in the at least one second valve module 3 in the open state are alternately inflated and deflated.

[0099] By respectively controlling the inflation and deflation of each airbag 5, each airbag 5 can be inflated and deflated synchronously or asynchronously to achieve massage.

[0100] The alternate opening and closing of the first valve port 222 once is a cycle, and a cycle includes the time when the first valve port 222 is open and the time when the first valve port 222 is closed. By controlling the synchronization of the opening time and closing time of multiple first valve ports 222, different massage effects can be achieved.

[0101] For example, in some embodiments, when the massage mode is a preset second massage mode, step S500 further includes:

[0102] Control the first valve module 22 in at least one main air duct 21 to perform the following steps: control the corresponding first valve core 221 to continuously maintain the first position for a third duration, and then control the first valve core 221 to continuously maintain the second position for a fourth duration.

[0103] The first spool 221 is maintained at the first position for a third duration, that is, the opening duration of the first valve port 222 is the third duration, and the inflation duration of the airbag 5 is the third duration; the first spool 221 is maintained at the second position for a fourth duration, that is, the closing duration of the first valve port 222 is the fourth duration, and the deflation duration of the airbag 5 is the fourth duration.

[0104] Taking the number of the plurality of first valve modules 22 as three, and the corresponding three airbags 5 being airbag A, B, and C as an example for illustration, there may be synchronous or asynchronous inflation and deflation situations among airbag A, B, and C. By controlling the opening time and closing synchronization relationship of the plurality of first valve ports 222, various massage effects can be achieved for the overall airbag A, B, and C.

[0105] Massage effect four: The starting time points of the third duration of one or more first spools 221 coincide with each other, that is, one or more airbags 5 are controlled to inflate and deflate synchronously. For example, controlling a single airbag A or controlling airbags A, B, and C to inflate and deflate synchronously. By controlling the inflation and deflation of one airbag 5, percussion massage can be achieved; by controlling multiple airbags 5 to inflate and deflate synchronously, vibration massage can be achieved.

[0106] Massage effect five: The starting time points of the first duration of any two first spools 221 do not coincide with each other, that is, multiple airbags 5 are controlled to inflate and deflate asynchronously. For example, controlling airbags A and B to inflate and deflate asynchronously, or controlling airbags A, B, and C to inflate and deflate asynchronously. Percussion massage is achieved through asynchronous inflation and deflation, and it is a percussion massage with the massage position changing alternately or cyclically.

[0107] In this embodiment, airbags A, B, and C can inflate and deflate alternately in sequence. For example, the starting time point of the third duration of the first spool 221 corresponding to airbag B is located within the time period of the fourth duration of the first spool 221 corresponding to airbag A, and there is a time interval greater than the full deflation time between the starting time point of the third duration of the first spool 221 corresponding to airbag B and the starting time point of the fourth duration of the first spool 221 corresponding to airbag A. Thus, apparently, airbag B starts to inflate when airbag A is in the fully deflated state, that is, airbags A and B inflate and deflate alternately. The full deflation time refers to the time required for the airbag 5 to deflate from the fully inflated state to the fully deflated state.

[0108] Massage effect six: The starting time points of the first duration of at least two first valve cores 221 coincide, and the starting time points of the first duration of at least two first valve cores 221 do not coincide, that is, control at least two air bags 5 to inflate and deflate synchronously, and at least two air bags 5 to inflate and deflate asynchronously. For example, control air bags A and B to inflate and deflate synchronously, and air bag C to inflate and deflate asynchronously with air bags A and B. Through the combination of asynchronous inflation and deflation and synchronous inflation and deflation, a combined massage including percussion massage and vibration massage is realized. Among them, during multiple cycles, the two air bags 5 that inflate and deflate synchronously can change continuously. For example, if air bags A and B inflate and deflate synchronously in the current cycle, then in the next cycle, it can be air bags A and C that inflate and deflate synchronously.

[0109] For easy reading, the content in the second massage mode that is the same as the first massage mode is described briefly, and for the content not described in detail in the second massage mode, please refer to the first massage mode.

[0110] When the massage mode is the third massage mode , please refer to Figure 10 , the method includes:

[0111] S100. Obtain the massage mode.

[0112] When the massage mode is the preset third massage mode, execute step S600.

[0113] S600. Open the first valve port 222 through at least one first valve module 22, so that the corresponding main air duct 21 is in an open state communicating with the external air source.

[0114] When the first valve port 222 of a first valve module 22 is opened, all the air bags 5 corresponding to this first valve module 22 are in a standby state. At this time, only need to open or close the second valve module 3, and the air bags 5 corresponding to the second valve module 3 and in a standby state can be inflated and deflated to realize massage.

[0115] S700. Through at least one second valve module 3, alternately open and close the second valve ports 331 on the corresponding valve chambers 33 in the second preset order, so that a plurality of air bags 5 corresponding to at least one main air duct 21 in an open state are inflated and deflated periodically.

[0116] The second preset order is the starting time point for each second valve module 3 to start the alternating opening and closing action of the second valve port 331. Thus, when alternately opening and closing the second valve ports 331 of the corresponding second valve modules 3 in the second preset order, the second valve ports 331 of each second valve module 3 open and close asynchronously, and then the air bags 5 corresponding to each second valve module 3 are inflated and deflated asynchronously to realize massage.

[0117] The second preset order can be determined according to the actual position of the airbag 5. For example, when the number of the second valve modules 3 is four and the number of the first valve modules 22 is one, the four first valve modules 22 respectively correspond to three airbags A1, A2, A3, and A4. The first preset order can be A1 - A2 - A3 - A4, A4 - A3 - A2 - A1, A1 - A3 - A2 - A4, A2 - A4 - A1 - A3, etc.

[0118] One cycle is defined as the second valve port 331 opening and closing alternately once, and one cycle includes the time when the second valve port 331 is open and the time when the second valve port 331 is closed. By controlling the opening time and closing time of multiple second valve ports 331, different massage effects can be achieved. The specific implementation method can follow the opening and closing control of the first valve port 222 in step S310 and step S510.

[0119] For ease of reading, the content in the third massage mode that is the same as that in the first massage mode is briefly described, and for the content not described in detail in the third massage mode, please refer to the first massage mode.

[0120] The massage method of the embodiment of the present application realizes massage based on the fluid distribution device 100. By setting one of the first valve module 22 and the second valve module 3 to the open state and controlling the inflation and deflation of the airbag 5 through the other module, a fast massage mode and a slow massage mode can be achieved; by independently controlling each first valve core 221 in the first valve module 22, various massage effects can be achieved, such as kneading, tapping, and vibrating massage.

[0121] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present application, rather than to limit them; under the concept of the present application, the technical features in the above embodiments or different embodiments can also be combined, and the steps can be implemented in any order, and there are many other changes in different aspects of the present application as described above. For the sake of brevity, they are not provided in detail; although the present application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those of ordinary skill in the art should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions recorded in the foregoing embodiments, or perform equivalent replacements on some of the technical features; and these modifications or replacements do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application.

Claims

1. A fluid dispensing device, characterized in that, It comprises a shell, in which a plurality of air supply units and a plurality of second valve modules are arranged, the air supply unit comprises a main air channel and a first valve module, the first valve module is arranged in the main air channel to control the main air channel to communicate with an external air source or an external environment; The second valve module comprises an actuating assembly, a plurality of second valve cores connected to the actuating assembly, and a plurality of mutually independent valve chambers, wherein the valve chambers correspond to the main air channels one by one, and the valve chambers are provided with second valve ports communicating with the corresponding main air channels and inflation ports for communicating with the airbags; the second valve cores are arranged in the valve chambers one by one; The actuating assembly is used to actuate the plurality of the second valve cores to simultaneously control the opening and closing of the plurality of the second valve ports; Wherein, a switching speed of the first valve module is greater than a switching speed of the second valve module.

2. The fluid dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein The first valve module comprises a first valve core, a first valve port for communicating with an external gas source, and a first air release port for communicating with an external environment; the first valve core can move between a first position and a second position in the first valve module; When the first valve core is located at the first position, the first valve port is opened and the first air leakage port is closed; When the first valve core is located at the second position, the first air leakage port is opened and the first valve port is closed.

3. The fluid dispensing device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that A second air release port is also provided on the side wall of the valve chamber; The actuating assembly is capable of driving the second valve core to move between a third position and a fourth position; When the second valve core is located at the third position, the second valve port is opened and the second air leakage port is closed; When the second valve core is located at the fourth position, the second air leakage port is opened and the second valve port is closed.

4. The fluid dispensing device according to claim 3, characterized in that The number of the main airways is three.

5. The fluid dispensing device according to claim 3, wherein, The first valve module is a solenoid valve, a piezoelectric valve, an electroactive polymer actuated valve or a pilot-operated proportional pressure control valve.

6. The fluid dispensing device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The time taken by the first valve module to control the first valve core to switch from the first position to the second position or to move from the second position to the first position is less than or equal to 10 ms.

7. The fluid dispensing device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The time taken by the first valve module to control the first valve core to move from the first position to the second position or from the second position to the first position is less than or equal to 3 ms.

8. The fluid dispensing device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The second valve module controls the second valve core to switch from the fourth position to the third position for a time period greater than 50 ms.

9. The fluid dispensing device according to claim 3, wherein The second valve module is an SMA valve, and the actuating assembly includes an actuator and a reset member. The actuator includes an SMA wire and a circuit board. Each second valve core located in the same second valve module is connected to the middle part of the SMA wire through a valve core connecting rod. Both ends of the SMA wire are connected to the circuit board. One end of the reset member abuts against the side of the second valve core away from the second valve port, and the other end abuts against the inner wall of the valve chamber.

10. A pneumatic comfort system, characterized in that, include: Airbags; External air source; The fluid distribution device according to any one of claims 2 to 9, wherein the air bag is connected to the external air source through the fluid distribution device.

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