Bladder Support Valve System for Vehicle Seat Air Cell Inflation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle seat bladder support systems face challenges in providing efficient and cost-effective inflation and deflation of air cells, often requiring complex and costly electronic control systems that occupy significant space and weight.
Innovation Solution
A compact, low-cost valve system utilizing a combination of electrically controlled control valves and pneumatically activated passive valves to manage airflow between a pump and air cells, allowing for selective inflation and deflation of air cells with reduced complexity and weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a complex electronic control system is used to inflate and deflate air cells, then reliable control is achieved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into two distinct valve types: active electronically-controlled valves for initiation and passive pneumatically-operated valves for execution. This segmentation allows the electronic system to send simple signals while the passive valves handle the complex airflow distribution, reducing overall electronic complexity while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The passive valves act as intermediaries between the electronic control system and the air cells. They receive pneumatic signals from active valves and automatically control airflow based on pressure differentials, eliminating the need for complex electronic control circuits in each air cell while ensuring reliable operation
2Ease of operation
If more electronic control components are added to manage multiple air cells, then precise control is achieved, but weight and occupied space increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces heavy electronic control components with lightweight pneumatic mechanisms. Passive valves use air pressure differentials created by the pump and active valves to automatically control airflow to multiple air cells, significantly reducing system weight while maintaining precise control capability
Solution Approach 2:
Passive valves are designed to automatically control airflow based on pneumatic signals without requiring additional electronic components or power sources. The valves self-regulate air distribution through pressure-driven mechanisms, eliminating the need for heavy electronic controllers and reducing overall system weight
3Adaptability or versatility
If electronically controlled valves are used for each air cell, then selective inflation is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve system is segmented into active electronically-controlled valves that remain stationary and passive pneumatically-operated valves that can be distributed to individual air cells. This segmentation allows selective inflation capability while reducing manufacturing costs by minimizing the number of expensive electronic components
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of placing expensive electronic valves in each air cell, the system uses a single electronic control valve that sends pneumatic signals to multiple passive valve locations. The control logic is copied through pneumatic signal distribution rather than repeating expensive electronic valve assemblies, significantly reducing manufacturing costs
4Device complexity
If a simplified valve system is used, then cost and complexity are reduced, but airflow control efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The passive valves are designed to maintain continuous airflow control once activated. The pneumatic signals from active valves create sustained pressure differentials that keep passive valves open or closed as needed, ensuring continuous and efficient airflow control without requiring repeated electronic signaling, thus maintaining high productivity with reduced complexity
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 enables efficient, cost-effective, and space-efficient inflation and deflation of multiple air cells, providing dynamic support and adjustable comfort to vehicle seat occupants while minimizing electronic components and maximizing airflow distribution.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of passive valves movable to an open position to open the corresponding flow path to inflate the corresponding air cell when the passive valves receive at least three control valve outputs from the control valves
Data Source
AI summary
One example of a vehicle seat assembly includes a seat back, a seat bottom coupled to the seat back, and a bladder support system coupled to at least one of the seat back and the seat bottom. The bladder support system includes air cells and a pump fluidly connected to the air cells to selectively inflate the air cells when the pump receives an activation signal. A valve system defining flow paths fluidly connected between the pump and the air cells. The valve system includes at least three control valves, with each control valve generating a control valve output when receiving the activation signal. The valve system also includes passive valves movable to an open position to inflate the corresponding air cell when receiving at least three control valve outputs. A controller is configured to send the activation signal to the control valves and the pump.