Electropneumatic Switch Sealing Mechanism for Fluid Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electropneumatic switch arrangements for motor vehicle seats lack clear user feedback and require multiple components to prevent air leakage, with the sealing mechanism often requiring manual release and multiple components for each piston or plunger.
Innovation Solution
A mechanically coupled sealing device that moves with the actuation device to open a flow path, using a one-piece sealing element and preloading mechanism to prevent fluid escape, along with an acoustic signaling device for user feedback, reducing the number of components and enhancing operational safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a piston or plunger is pressed under spring preload against a sealing seat to prevent air escape, then sealing reliability is improved, but device complexity increases due to requiring multiple sealing components for each piston
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sealing functions into a single sealing element that seals against multiple outlets simultaneously. The sealing element is pressed by a single piston under spring preload and maintains sealing contact with several outlets through its geometry, eliminating the need for separate sealing components for each outlet.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing element is designed to perform multiple sealing functions at once. A single sealing element can seal against multiple outlets, and the same piston mechanism serves both actuation and sealing purposes, reducing the overall component count while maintaining reliability.
2Ease of operation
If toggle switches are used for actuation, then ease of operation is improved, but user feedback clarity deteriorates because the user cannot see the switch when actuating it
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates an acoustic signaling device that provides immediate auditory feedback when the actuation device is pressed. This feedback mechanism compensates for the lack of visual feedback, allowing users to confirm actuation without seeing the switch position, thereby maintaining ease of operation while improving information feedback.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple pistons or plungers are used for different outlets, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases due to requiring separate sealing elements for each piston
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple sealing functions into a single sealing element that can seal against multiple outlets simultaneously. This single sealing element works with the piston mechanism to provide adaptive control of different outlets without requiring separate sealing components for each outlet.
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 compact, functionally reliable switch arrangement with reduced components, clear user feedback, and prevention of unintended fluid escape, enabling efficient filling and emptying of fluid-fillable bladders with minimal component count.
Implementation Method 1
a compression spring (4) which preloads the sealing device (50) into a closed position
Implementation Method 2
an acoustic signaling device (75) which is designed to signal the actuation of the actuation device (60) acoustically
Data Source
AI summary
An electropneumatic switch arrangement having an actuation device plurality of pneumatic outlets for connection to fluid-fillable devices, and a pneumatic supply connection for connection to a pressure source, the actuation device being connected to a sealing device, the actuation device being designed in such a way that, when it is actuated, it opens a predefined flow path between the supply connection and at least one of the outlets and, in doing so, closes a current path for actuating the pressure source, characterized in that the sealing device is mechanically coupled to the actuation device in such a way that at least a part of the sealing device is moved, in particular displaced, by the actuation device when this is actuated, thereby opening a flow path between the supply connection and at least one of the outlets.