Fluidic Bladder Switching for Sequential Pneumatic Massage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional pneumatic massage systems in vehicles rely on complex electro-mechanical valve modules to control the inflation and deflation of multiple bladders, leading to high costs and complexity, making it difficult to outfit lower-cost vehicles with massage systems.

Innovation Solution

A fluidic switching module that uses passive air passage zones and vent zones to control the flow of pressurized air, inflating and deflating multiple bladders in a predefined sequence without mechanical or electrical valves, leveraging the Coanda and Venturi effects to achieve a sequential massage effect.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If electro-mechanical valve modules are used to control bladder inflation and deflation, then precise control of massage sequence is achieved, but system complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol precisionVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces electro-mechanical valve modules with a fluidic switching module that uses passive air passage zones and vent zones to control airflow. The system leverages the Coanda effect and Venturi effect to achieve sequential bladder inflation and deflation without mechanical or electrical valves, eliminating complex electronics while maintaining control precision through fluid dynamic principles

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses a fluidic switching module that directs pressurized air through specific air passage zones to inflate bladders in a predefined sequence. The module uses vent zones and feedback zones to control the timing and sequence of inflation/deflation cycles purely through pneumatic pressure differentials, eliminating the need for electro-mechanical components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Ease of operation

If electro-mechanical valve modules are used to control multiple bladders, then sequential massage control is achieved, but production and development costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesequential controlVSAvoidproduction cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces expensive electro-mechanical valve modules with a fluidic switching module that uses passive air passage zones and vent zones to control airflow. The system leverages the Coanda effect and Venturi effect to achieve sequential bladder inflation and deflation without mechanical or electrical valves, eliminating complex electronics while maintaining control precision through fluid dynamic principles

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The fluidic switching module operates autonomously using the Coanda effect and Venturi effect to automatically direct airflow through different pathways based on pressure differentials. The feedback zones enable self-regulating sequential control where the system automatically progresses through the massage sequence without external electronic control signals

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 reliable, cost-efficient, and simplified pneumatic massage system by eliminating the need for electronic or mechanical controls, enabling a continuous and defined massage sequence through cascading vented fluidic amplifiers and feedback zones, reducing production and development costs.

Implementation Method 1

leveraging the Coanda and Venturi effects to achieve a sequential massage effect

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCoanda effect: Coanda Effect

Implementation Method 2

leveraging the Coanda and Venturi effects to achieve a sequential massage effect

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVenturi effect: Venturi Effect

Data Source

PatentUS11432995B2Pneumatic massage

Publication Date: 2022.09.06 LEGGETT & PLATT CANADA CO

AI summary

A fluidic switching module body defining an inlet passage, a first nozzle in fluid communication with the inlet passage, an air splitter in fluid communication with the first nozzle, and a first transfer passage in fluid communication with a first side of the air splitter. A second transfer passage is in fluid communication with a second side of the air splitter, a second nozzle is in fluid communication with the first transfer passage, and a second air splitter is in fluid communication with the second nozzle. A first bladder passage is in fluid communication with a first side of the second air splitter, and a second bladder passage is in fluid communication with a second side of the second air splitter. A first vent passage is in fluid communication with the first bladder passage, and a second vent passage is in fluid communication with the second bladder passage.