Inflatable Bladder Pressure Feedback Control for Rapid Firmness Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inflatable device pressure control systems require users to recall preferred pressure settings, which can be arbitrary and lack rapid adjustment, making them impractical for devices with large volumes, such as mattresses, especially for posture control applications.
Innovation Solution
A control device with a plurality of control elements that allows users to adjust pressure based on tactile feedback, using a microcontroller to automatically establish additional pressure settings, enabling rapid and precise control of inflation levels without the need for indicia or quantitative pressure knowledge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional pressure control systems with discrete settings are used, then the device provides structured pressure options, but the user must recall and manually select from arbitrary settings, making rapid adjustment difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of discrete pressure settings with a continuous electronic control system. A pressure sensor continuously monitors the actual pressure, and a microcontroller processes this data to provide continuous pressure adjustment through a pump motor, eliminating the need for users to recall or manually select from predetermined settings.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback loop where a pressure sensor continuously monitors the actual pressure in the inflatable device and sends this information to a microcontroller. The microcontroller compares the actual pressure with the target pressure and automatically adjusts the pump motor operation to maintain the desired pressure level, enabling rapid and precise adjustment without user intervention.
2Measurement precision
If multiple discrete pressure settings are provided, then the system offers various pressure levels, but the association between settings and actual pressure is arbitrary and imprecise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of discrete pressure settings with a continuous electronic control system. A pressure sensor continuously monitors the actual pressure, and a microcontroller processes this data to provide continuous pressure adjustment through a pump motor, eliminating the need for users to recall or manually select from predetermined settings.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-measurement and self-adjustment of pressure. The pressure sensor automatically monitors the internal pressure, and the microcontroller autonomously controls the pump motor to maintain the desired pressure level, eliminating the need for users to manually adjust or know the actual pressure values.
3Speed
If traditional pumps with motors are used, then the device can inflate and deflate, but the adjustment speed is insufficient for rapid posture control in large volume devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic pressure control by continuously monitoring pressure feedback and automatically adjusting the pump motor operation in real-time. The system can rapidly transition between different pressure levels by modulating the pump motor speed and direction based on the feedback from the pressure sensor, enabling fast posture control for large volume devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous pressure adjustment capability through a feedback-controlled pump motor that can operate continuously or intermittently to maintain the desired pressure. The pressure sensor continuously monitors the pressure level, and the microcontroller continuously adjusts the pump operation to ensure rapid response to posture control requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes a fluid controller coupled to an inflatable bladder and configured to add fluid to and remove fluid from the inflatable bladder, a control unit configured to provide information used by the fluid controller to adjust the pressurization of the inflatable bladder, the control unit including a user interface configured to constantly display a plurality of indicia corresponding to a range of pressure levels in which the inflatable bladder is employed by a user, where each of the plurality of indicia is associated with a different level of pressure of the inflatable bladder, respectively. In one embodiment, the fluid controller is configured to adjust the pressurization, in response to a user input at the user interface, to a pressure level selected by the user based on a current pressure level of the inflatable bladder, the pressure level selected by the user and an operating time of the fluid controller. In a further embodiment, a first indicia included in the plurality of indicia is associated with the current pressure level and a second indicia included in the plurality of indicia is associated with the pressure level selected by the user.