Lumbar support assembly

Abstract

This invention discloses a lumbar support assembly having lumbar support and massage functions. Furthermore, it discloses a compact lumbar support assembly that can reduce manufacturing costs by reducing the number of parts. [Solution] The lumbar support assembly according to the embodiment comprises a suspension provided inside the vehicle seat, a bladder module provided in front of the suspension and including an upper bladder portion and a lower bladder portion, a pump that supplies air to the bladder module, and a controller that controls the bladder module.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a lumbar support assembly, and in particular to a lumbar support assembly having a lumbar support function and a massage function. [Background Art]

[0002] Generally, a lumbar support assembly for supporting a passenger's lumbar spine is provided on a back plate of a seat.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses an air lumbar support assembly.

[0004] The air lumbar support assembly disclosed in Patent Document 1 comprises: a suspension mat attached to a seat back frame, wherein the suspension mat is in the shape of a corrugated plate bent in the width direction, and a portion for supporting the lumbar region is formed flat; a plurality of air bladders stacked and coupled to a flat portion of one side surface of the suspension mat such that portions thereof overlap in a stepped manner; and an air supply means coupled to a flat portion of the other side surface of the suspension mat and supplying air so that at least one of the plurality of air bladders protrudes toward the back region of a passenger.

[0005] The aforementioned air lumbar support assembly does not include a structure having a massage function, so it is necessary to separately attach a massage module to the seat back frame in order to implement a massage function. However, when a massage module is separately provided, the massage module is positioned in front of or behind the air bladder, which causes a problem that the volume of the vehicle seat increases. Furthermore, when the massage module is arranged in front of the air bladder, the lumbar support function is less likely to be immediately transmitted to the passenger; on the other hand, when the massage module is arranged behind the air bladder, there is a problem that the massage function is less likely to be immediately transmitted to the passenger. [Prior Art Documents] [Patent Documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Korean Registered Patent No. 10-1701141 (Registered January 24, 2017) [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0007] The problem that this disclosure aims to solve is to provide a lumbar support assembly having both lumbar support and massage functions. Furthermore, it aims to provide a compact lumbar support assembly that can reduce manufacturing costs by reducing the number of parts. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The lumbar support assembly according to this embodiment includes a suspension provided inside the vehicle seat, a bladder module provided in front of the suspension and including an upper bladder portion and a lower bladder portion, a pump that supplies air to the bladder module, and a controller that controls the bladder module.

[0009] Furthermore, the upper bladder portion of the lumbar support assembly according to this embodiment is composed of multiple back bladders arranged in the height direction of the vehicle seat.

[0010] Furthermore, the lower bladder portion of the lumbar support assembly according to this embodiment is located below the upper bladder portion and consists of multiple lumbar bladders arranged in the height direction of the vehicle seat.

[0011] Furthermore, each of the back bladders of the lumbar support assembly according to the embodiment may consist of a first back bladder located on one side in the width direction of the vehicle seat and a second back bladder provided on the other side in the width direction of the vehicle seat.

[0012] Furthermore, in the lumbar support assembly according to the embodiment, each lumbar bladder may have its torso portion located in the center in the width direction of the vehicle seat, with both ends extending to one side and the other side in the width direction of the vehicle seat, respectively.

[0013] Furthermore, the back bladder and lumbar bladder of the lumbar support assembly according to this embodiment are arranged on the same plane.

[0014] Furthermore, the pump of the lumbar support assembly according to the embodiment may include a first tube that supplies air to each of the back bladders and a second tube that supplies air to each of the lumbar bladders. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] Unlike conventional lumbar support assemblies in which a massage module having a massage function and a lumbar module having a lumbar support function are separately provided and stacked, preventing the lumbar support function or massage function from being immediately transmitted to the occupant, the lumbar support assembly according to this embodiment has the effect of immediately transmitting the lumbar support function or massage function to the occupant because the back bladder having a massage function and the lumbar bladder having both a massage function and a lumbar support function are located on the same plane.

[0016] Furthermore, the lumbar support assembly according to this embodiment has the effect of reducing the number of parts and miniaturizing the overall size of the lumbar support assembly, as the lumbar bladder provides both massage and lumbar support functions, and the lumbar bladder and back bladder are located on the same plane.

[0017] Furthermore, the lumbar support assembly according to this embodiment has the effect of correcting and supporting the occupant's posture because the first back bladder, the second back bladder, and the lumbar bladder can be controlled independently. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0018] [Figure 1] It is a perspective view of the lumbar support assembly according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] It is an exploded view of the lumbar support assembly according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] It shows an example of use of the lumbar support assembly according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] It shows an example of use of the lumbar support assembly according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] It shows an example of use of the lumbar support assembly according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] It shows an example of use of the lumbar support assembly according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] The advantages, features and methods for achieving them of the present disclosure will be more clearly understood by referring to the embodiments described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, and can be implemented in various different forms. The present embodiments are provided to complete the present disclosure and to allow those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains to fully understand the scope of the invention. The present disclosure is defined only by the claims. Throughout the specification, the same reference numerals indicate the same components.

[0020] Referring to Figure 1, which is a perspective view of the lumbar support assembly 10 (hereinafter referred to as "lumbar support assembly 10") according to the embodiment, and Figure 2, which is an exploded view of the lumbar support assembly 10, the lumbar support assembly 10 is installed inside a vehicle seat, and includes a suspension 100, a bladder module 200, a pump 300, and a controller 400.

[0021] The suspension 100 is provided inside a vehicle seat and functions to support the back of an occupant. The suspension 100 may be formed in a frame shape, and may be made of an elastic metal material and / or synthetic resin.

[0022] The bladder module 200 includes an upper bladder portion 210 and a lower bladder portion 220, is provided on a front surface of the suspension 100, and is supported by the suspension 100.

[0023] The upper bladder portion 210 may be configured by a plurality of back bladders 211 arranged in a height direction of the vehicle seat. The back bladder 211 inflates when air is injected thereinto.

[0024] Each of the back bladders 211 may be configured of a first back bladder 211a positioned on one side in a width direction of the vehicle seat and a second back bladder 211b positioned on the other side in the width direction of the vehicle seat. That is, the back bladders 211 have a shape in which a pair of air bladders are arranged in the height direction of the vehicle seat.

[0025] The lower bladder portion 220 is positioned lower than the upper bladder portion 210, and may be configured by a plurality of lumbar bladders 221 arranged in the height direction of the vehicle seat. The lumbar bladder 221 inflates when air is injected thereinto.

[0026] For each of the lumbar bladders 221, a body portion thereof is positioned at the center in the width direction of the vehicle seat, and both end portions thereof respectively extend to one side and the other side in the width direction of the vehicle seat. That is, each of the lumbar bladders 221 has a bladder shape in which a lateral length is longer than a longitudinal length, and has a shape in which the lumbar bladders are arranged in the height direction of the vehicle seat.

[0027] Further, the lumbar bladder 221 is arranged on the same plane as the back bladder 211.

[0028] Pump 300 supplies air to bladder module 200 and includes a first tube 310 and a second tube 320.

[0029] The first tube 310 supplies air to each of the dorsal bladders 211.

[0030] The second tube 320 supplies air to each of the lumbar bladders 221.

[0031] The controller 400 controls the bladder module 200. Specifically, the controller 400 can independently control the first rear bladder 211a, the second rear bladder 211b, and the lumbar bladder 221.

[0032] The usage examples of the lumbar support assembly 10 will be explained with reference to Figures 3 to 6, which show examples of the use of the lumbar support assembly 10.

[0033] Figure 3 shows the lumbar support function of the lumbar support assembly 10. Specifically, the controller 400 can control the lumbar bladders 221 and 221' respectively to realize various functions.

[0034] Figure 3(a) shows the upper function of the lumbar support by inflating the lumbar bladder 221 and deflating the lumbar bladder 221'.

[0035] Figure 3(b) shows the lower function of the lumbar support by contracting the lumbar bladder 221 and expanding the lumbar bladder 221'.

[0036] Figure 3(c) shows the middle function of the lumbar support by fully inflating the lumbar bladders 221 and 221'.

[0037] Figure 3(d) shows the exhaust function of the lumbar support by fully retracting the lumbar bladders 221 and 221'.

[0038] Therefore, the lumbar support assembly 10 can provide four-way (up, down, front, and back) support by controlling the lumbar bladders 221 and 221' respectively.

[0039] Figure 4 shows the full-body massage function of the lumbar support assembly 10. Specifically, the controller 400 can achieve the full-body massage function by controlling the first back bladder 211a, 211a', the second back bladder 211b, 211b', and the lumbar bladder 221, 221', respectively.

[0040] As shown in Figures 4(a) to (f), the lumbar support assembly 10 can achieve a full-body massage function by sequentially inflating and contracting from the lumbar bladder 221' located at the lower end to the first back bladder 211a and second back bladder 211b located at the upper end, and then sequentially inflating and contracting again from the first back bladder 211a and second back bladder 211b to the lumbar bladder 221'. Furthermore, the full-body massage function is repeated as the view progresses from Figure 4(f) to Figure 4(a).

[0041] Furthermore, the lumbar support assembly 10 is further equipped with an air bladder (not shown) in the seat plate area of ​​the vehicle seat, and together with the first back bladders 211a, 211a', the second back bladders 211b, 211b', and the lumbar bladders 221, 221', it can realize a full-body massage function.

[0042] Figure 5 shows the lumbar massage function of the lumbar support assembly 10. Specifically, the controller 400 can control the lumbar bladders 221 and 221' respectively to realize the lumbar massage function.

[0043] As shown in Figures 5(a) and 5(b), the lumbar support assembly 10 can achieve a lumbar massage function by selectively inflating and deflating the lumbar bladders 221 and 221'.

[0044] Furthermore, the lumbar support assembly 10 can provide lumbar and pelvic massage functions in conjunction with the lumbar bladders 221, 221' by further equipping the seat plate area of ​​the vehicle seat with an air bladder.

[0045] Figure 6 shows the upper body massage function of the lumbar support assembly 10. Specifically, the controller 400 controls the first back bladder 211a, 211a' and the second back bladder 211b, 211b' respectively to realize the upper body massage function.

[0046] As shown in Figures 6(a) and 6(b), the lumbar support assembly 10 can provide an upper body massage function by selectively inflating and deflating the first back bladders 211a, 211a' and the second back bladders 211b, 211b'. At this time, the controller 400 can simultaneously control the first back bladder 211a and the second back bladder 211b, or control them independently, thereby allowing for alternating massage of both sides of the passenger's upper body.

[0047] The expressions (terminology, visualized images, etc.) used in describing the embodiments of this disclosure have been selected solely for the instrumental purpose of enhancing the understanding of the technical content.

[0048] Furthermore, for the sake of illustrative purposes, this disclosure is described by a limited number of embodiments, and a person of ordinary skill can conceive of various modifications and new embodiments based on the embodiments described without departing from the technical idea of ​​this disclosure.

[0049] Therefore, the claims of this disclosure should not be limited by any expression shown in the "Description of the Invention" and the "Drawings," but should be interpreted broadly based on the technical idea of ​​the application inherent in the entire specification. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0050] 10 Lumbar support assembly 100 Suspension 200 bladder modules 210 Upper bladder section 211 Back bladder 211a First dorsal bladder 211b Second dorsal bladder 220 Lower bladder section 221 Lumber Bladder 300 pumps 310 First tube 320 Second Tube 400 controllers

Claims

1. The suspension is installed inside the vehicle seat, A bladder module, which includes an upper bladder section and a lower bladder section, is provided on the front surface of the suspension, A pump that supplies air to the bladder module, A controller for controlling the bladder module, A lumbar support assembly comprising:

2. The aforementioned upper bladder portion is, It consists of multiple back bladders arranged in the height direction of the vehicle seat, The aforementioned lower bladder portion is, It is characterized by being located below the upper bladder portion and consisting of a plurality of lumbar bladders arranged in the height direction of the vehicle seat. The lumbar support assembly according to claim 1.

3. Each of the aforementioned dorsal bladders is, It consists of a first back bladder located on one side in the width direction of the vehicle seat, and a second back bladder provided on the other side in the width direction of the vehicle seat. Each of the aforementioned lumbar bladders is The torso portion is located in the center of the vehicle seat in the width direction, and both ends extend to one side and the other side of the vehicle seat in the width direction, respectively. The lumbar support assembly according to claim 2.

4. The back bladder and the lumbar bladder are characterized by being arranged on the same plane. The lumbar support assembly according to claim 2.

5. The aforementioned pump, A first tube that supplies air to each of the aforementioned dorsal bladders, Includes a second tube that supplies air to each of the lumber bladders, The lumbar support assembly according to claim 2.

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