Self-Inflating Bladder Valve Assembly for Cushion Firmness Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cushioning elements lack advanced features for efficient self-inflation and deflation mechanisms, which limits their adaptability and comfort in applications such as seat cushions.
Innovation Solution
A self-inflating bladder assembly with a valve mechanism that includes a housing, plunger, seal, and biasing member, allowing for controlled fluid flow through axial movement, enabling the bladder to inflate and deflate automatically by adjusting the seal's position relative to a sealing surface, and a cushion assembly with a shell and trim bezel for enhanced structural integrity and comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a valve mechanism is added to enable controlled fluid flow, then the adaptability and comfort of the cushioning element are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve mechanism is nested within the bladder assembly structure. The plunger is received within the housing, the seal is received within the housing and biases against the sealing surface, and the biasing member is contained within the housing. This nesting approach integrates multiple functional components into a compact unit that adds adaptability while minimizing overall complexity increase.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve mechanism serves multiple functions: it controls fluid flow into and out of the bladder, enables both inflation and deflation operations, and provides a user-adjustable firmness mechanism. This multi-functionality addresses various cushioning needs through a single integrated system rather than requiring separate mechanisms for each function.
2Ease of operation
If a valve mechanism with multiple components is implemented, then the ease of operation is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The valve mechanism is segmented into distinct functional components: a housing that contains the mechanism, a plunger that moves to control flow, a seal that biases against a sealing surface, and a biasing member that provides restoring force. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured and assembled independently, reducing the overall manufacturing precision requirements compared to a monolithic design.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal acts as an intermediary element between the plunger and the housing. It provides a reliable sealing function through its bias against the sealing surface while accommodating minor variations in manufacturing tolerances. The biasing member serves as an intermediary that ensures consistent seal contact pressure, compensating for dimensional variations in the assembled components.
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 a user-friendly mechanism for adjusting the firmness of the cushioning element, allowing it to self-inflate and deflate, enhancing comfort and usability while maintaining structural integrity.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing member supported by a seat member that axially biases the plunger relative the housing in a first axial direction
Data Source
AI summary
A sub-assembly is disclosed. The sub-assembly is a valve including: a housing, a plunger, a seal, an indexing member, a biasing member, a seat member and a push button actuator. The plunger axially supports the seal and the indexing member within the housing. The biasing member is supported by the seat member and axially biases the plunger relative the housing in a first axial direction in order to axially bias the seal in the first axial direction toward a sealing surface formed by the housing. Arrangement of the seal adjacent the sealing surface formed by the housing prevents fluid flow through the valve. When the seal is arranged adjacent the sealing surface formed by the housing, a distal camming surface of the indexing member is not registered adjacent a corresponding camming surface of the housing. The push button actuator is arranged for movement relative the housing in a second axial direction that is opposite the first axial direction such that movement of the push button actuator relative the housing in the second axial direction results in a corresponding movement imparted to the plunger in the second axial direction. Movement of the plunger in the second axial direction results in corresponding axial movement of the seal in the second axial direction such that the seal is axially moved away from the sealing surface formed by the housing to thereby permit fluid flow through the valve. A self-inflating assembly is also disclosed. A cushion assembly is also disclosed. A method is also disclosed.