Diagonal Massage Bladder Arrangement for Muscle Stretch Simulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle seat massage technologies fail to simulate the stretching of muscles by applying moving pressure, lacking the ability to mimic the natural movement of a massage over muscle groups.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle seat with diagonally arranged, independently inflatable massage bladders coupled with a pump and valve module, controlled by a controller to implement a massage sequence that inflates and deflates bladders in a predetermined pattern to simulate translational movement along muscle groups.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If general pressure structures are used for seat position adjustment, then posture changes are induced over time, but the massage does not simulate actual human massage or muscle stretching
Solution Approach 1:
The massage system is divided into multiple independently controllable air bladders arranged in diagonal rows across the seatback. Each bladder can be inflated and deflated separately to create localized pressure zones that simulate the movement of hands over muscle groups, providing realistic massage simulation without requiring an overly complex mechanical structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an air bladder system with a pump and valve module to control inflation and deflation of individual bladders. This pneumatic approach replaces complex mechanical actuators with simpler air pressure control, enabling realistic massage simulation through sequential bladder activation while keeping the overall device complexity manageable.
2Adaptability or versatility
If dedicated massage features are added to provide localized pressure, then localized massage is achieved, but the ability to apply moving pressure that simulates muscle stretching is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The massage system creates dynamic moving pressure by sequentially inflating and deflating air bladders in diagonal rows. This sequential activation pattern simulates the movement of pressure across muscle groups, achieving realistic muscle stretching simulation. The dynamic control is managed through a valve module that coordinates bladder activation without requiring complex mechanical moving parts.
Solution Approach 2:
By segmenting the seatback into multiple diagonal rows of independently controlled bladders, the system can create moving pressure patterns that simulate hand movements. Each segment (bladder) can be activated in sequence to produce the illusion of moving pressure, achieving adaptive massage simulation while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular bladder units.
3Adaptability or versatility
If sequentially controlled bladders are used to simulate movement, then realistic massage experience is achieved, but the system requires independent control of multiple bladders
Solution Approach 1:
The control system uses a centralized pump and valve module to manage multiple bladders through pneumatic pressure control. The valve module selectively directs air pressure to specific bladders in diagonal rows, enabling sequential inflation and deflation patterns that simulate massage movements. This approach provides sophisticated massage sequence control while avoiding the complexity of individual actuators for each bladder.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve module serves multiple functions by controlling the inflation and deflation of numerous bladders through a single control unit. This multi-functional component manages the entire massage sequence by directing air pressure to different bladder groups in predetermined patterns, achieving adaptable massage control without requiring separate control systems for each bladder.
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 effectively simulates muscle stretching by sequentially inflating and deflating bladders along diagonals, providing a more realistic massage experience by replicating the movement of pressure over muscle groups.
Implementation Method 1
a pump respectively coupled with the massage bladders of the first set and in fluidic communication therewith
Implementation Method 2
a valve module coupled between the pump and the massage bladders of the first set. The valve module includes a plurality of valves respectively associated with each of the massage bladders of the first set
Implementation Method 3
The controller is coupled with the pump and the valve module and is programmed to cause individual inflation and deflation of selected ones of the massage bladders of the first set according to a massage sequence
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle seat includes a cushion and a seatback coupled with the cushion. The vehicle seat further includes a first set of independently inflatable massage bladders coupled within the seatback. The massage bladders of the first set are arranged to extend diagonally from adjacent a center line of the seatback at a first vertical location toward a first lateral side of the seatback at a second vertical location above the first location.