Pump and valve combination for bladder adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pump and valve combinations for bladder adjustment in seats and similar applications occupy too much space and have high assembly costs due to separate components, limiting comfort and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A compact pump and valve combination integrating multiple adjustable members into a single unit, featuring a fluid supply member with a motor, diaphragm, and solenoid-operated directional control valves, along with an electronic control part and bypass line, to minimize space and reduce assembly complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate pump and valve components are used for bladder adjustment, then each component can be optimized independently, but the overall space occupied increases and assembly cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the pump and valve into a single integrated assembly where the pump body and valve body form one unified structure. The pump chamber and valve chamber are arranged adjacently within the same housing, sharing common mounting interfaces and fluid passages, thereby reducing the total space required while maintaining independent functionality of both components
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated assembly serves multiple functions simultaneously: the pump portion provides fluid delivery to the bladder while the valve portion controls fluid flow direction and pressure regulation. Both components share common structural elements such as the housing, mounting flanges, and sealing systems, achieving multi-functionality within a compact form factor
2Ease of manufacture
If separate pump and valve components are used for bladder adjustment, then each component can be manufactured independently, but assembly cost increases and complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pump and valve are manufactured as a single integrated unit with unified casting or molding processes. The housing contains both pump and valve chambers with internal passages that connect them, eliminating the need for separate manufacturing and assembly of distinct components while maintaining manufacturing efficiency through standardized production methods
3Area of stationary object
If compact integration is implemented, then space occupied is minimized, but manufacturing complexity may increase
Solution Approach 1:
While integrated into one assembly, the design segments the internal structure into distinct pump and valve zones with separate fluid passages. This segmentation allows for modular tooling and manufacturing processes that can produce the integrated unit without excessive complexity, as each zone can be formed using standard manufacturing techniques
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 integrated design reduces space requirements and assembly costs while enabling easier fluid delivery and pressure adjustment, enhancing comfort and efficiency in bladder adjustment systems.
Implementation Method 1
at least one solenoid operated directional control valve mounted in the valve cap
Implementation Method 2
the transmission part driven by the motor further driving the diaphragm member so that fluid is pumped and delivered into the bottom cover by the diaphragm member
Data Source
AI summary
A pump and valve combination for bladder adjustment is revealed and including a fluid supply member, a valve member and a bypass line. The fluid supply member includes a head end and a tail end. A bottom cover is disposed on the tail end and the fluid supply member provides fluid to the bottom cover through the tail end. The valve member is arranged at the head end and communicating with bladders. The valve member includes a valve cap fixed on the head end, a solenoid operated directional control valve, and an air supply tube. Two ends of the bypass line are connected to the bottom cover and an air input end of the air supply tube, respectively. An input portion and an output portion of the solenoid operated directional control valve are connected to an air output end of the air supply tube and the bladder respectively.