Axial Air Pump Vibration Isolation for Seat Integration

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing air pump devices for vehicle seat systems face challenges in achieving sufficient space in the trunk for stable operation, lengthening air passages, and complicating tube layout, while also needing to be quiet and compact enough to be integrated with air packs inside the seat.

Innovation Solution

An integrated electric pump unit with a motor and pump mechanism, aligned in an axial direction, is housed in a case with anti-vibration members that absorb vibrations and function as an air filter, allowing for efficient space use and reduced noise, along with an anti-vibration device that stabilizes the air pump device within the seat.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If the air pump device is arranged in the trunk to reduce vibration and noise, then quietness is improved, but the device requires sufficient space in the trunk and lengthens the air passage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevibration and noiseVSAvoidair passage length

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions the air pump device from trunk installation (rear dimension) to seat installation (lateral dimension near passenger compartment). This dimensional change shortens the air passage distance to air packs while maintaining vibration and noise isolation through the anti-vibration member between the pump and seat structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Volume of moving object

If the air pump device is arranged inside the seat with air packs, then space usage is optimized and air passage is shortened, but sufficient space for stable operation and noise reduction becomes difficult to achieve

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespace usage efficiencyVSAvoidvibration and noise

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an anti-vibration member as an intermediary element between the air pump device and the seat structure. This mediator absorbs and isolates vibrations and noise generated by the pump, enabling compact installation inside the seat while maintaining stable operation and reducing harmful factors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If the pump mechanism and motor are integrated, then device complexity is reduced and space is saved, but vibration and noise management becomes more challenging

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructure complexityVSAvoidvibration and noise

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the pump mechanism and motor into an integrated electric pump unit, reducing device complexity and saving space. The anti-vibration member is then applied to this integrated unit to manage the combined vibrations and noise, demonstrating that integration and vibration control can coexist effectively.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Ease of manufacture

If the first axial anti-vibration portion covers the inlet, then an air filter is provided without additional components, but the anti-vibration member structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent integrationVSAvoidanti-vibration member structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs the first axial anti-vibration portion to serve multiple functions: providing vibration isolation and simultaneously covering the inlet to function as an air filter. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate air filter components while integrating filtering capability into the anti-vibration structure, improving ease of manufacture despite increased structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution provides superior quietness and mountability of the air pump device within the seat, reducing vibration and noise, while optimizing space usage and simplifying the structure for improved manufacturing efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

Implementation Method 1

an anti-vibration member, which is arranged between the electric pump unit and the case

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration absorption: Damping

Implementation Method 2

The first axial anti-vibration portion covers the inlet to function as an air filter of the pump mechanism

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS11465541B2Air pump device and seat device

Publication Date: 2022.10.11 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK

AI summary

This air pump device is provided with: an electric pump unit including a pump mechanism and a motor; a case; and a vibration-proof member. The pump mechanism and the motor are arranged side by side in the axial direction of the motor. The pump mechanism has an inlet and an outlet at an end in the axial direction on the opposite side of the motor. The case has a first wall and a second wall which are located on opposite sides in the axial direction of the motor and which face the electric pump unit. The vibration-proof member is provided with: a first axial vibration-proof unit interposed between the electric pump unit and the first wall; and a second axial vibration-proof unit interposed between the electric pump unit and the second wall. The first axial vibration-proof unit covers the inlet.