Vehicle Seat Lumbar Support Segmented Airbag Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lumbar support systems in vehicles, which rely on airbag expansion and contraction for adjustment, face limitations in operation speed due to the size constraints of the air pump, requiring a significant air amount for rapid operation.
Innovation Solution
A support device with a bag body assembly comprising a first and second bag body unit, where the second unit contacts the first unit to press the support surface, reducing the air amount needed for expansion and increasing operation speed without enlarging the air pump, by integrating the units with a communication passage for simplified air supply and discharge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the size of the air pump is increased to quickly operate the lumbar support, then the operation speed is improved, but the installation space becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The bag body is divided into a first bag body unit and a second bag body unit that operate independently but cooperatively. The first unit provides the main support surface while the second unit enhances the pressing effect, allowing the system to achieve rapid response with a smaller air pump by not requiring the entire bag to expand simultaneously
2Area of stationary object
If a single bag body unit is used to provide sufficient support surface area, then the support area is improved, but the air amount required for expansion increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bag body is segmented into two functional units: the first bag body unit that expands to provide the main support surface area, and the second bag body unit that expands to press the support surface toward the occupant. This segmentation allows the system to achieve both sufficient support area and effective pressing force while using less total air volume, because the second unit has smaller surface area and requires less air to achieve its pressing function
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the lumbar support have different functional requirements. The first bag body unit provides the extensive support surface area needed for comfortable contact, while the second bag body unit provides concentrated pressing force in specific areas. This local differentiation of function allows each unit to be optimized for its specific purpose, with the second unit having smaller area designed specifically for pressing rather than support
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 allows for efficient expansion and contraction of the lumbar support with a reduced air amount, enhancing operation speed without increasing the air pump size, while maintaining a sufficient support surface for the occupant.
Implementation Method 1
The first and second bag body units are simultaneously supplied with air and expanded
Data Source
AI summary
A support device for a vehicle seat includes a bag body. The bag body includes a bag body assembly including at least a first bag body unit and a second bag body unit that are combined with each other. The first bag body unit is disposed to form at least a support surface facing the seated occupant when the first bag body unit is expanded, and the second bag body unit is disposed to press the support surface toward the seated occupant when the second bag body unit is expanded. The first and second bag body units are simultaneously supplied with air and expanded, and a surface of the second bag body unit that faces the seated occupant in an expanded state is smaller than the support surface of the first bag body unit that faces the seated occupant in an expanded state.