Manual Lumbar Pump Assembly with Segmented Air Bladder Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current lumbar support systems in vehicles lack a manual and efficient mechanism for adjusting the firmness and contour of lumbar support, which can lead to discomfort and back pain during long trips.
Innovation Solution
A manual lumbar pump assembly that includes a plurality of air bladders, a valve body with an inlet and outlets, and a selection device, coupled with a manually compressible air chamber, allowing for inflation and deflation of specific air bladders to adjust lumbar support, using a lever and selection device to control air flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a manual lumbar pump assembly is implemented, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lumbar support system enables the occupant to manually inflate and deflate air bladders through a hand-operated pump mechanism, allowing self-adjustment of lumbar support firmness without requiring external power sources or automated systems. The selection device allows the occupant to choose which air bladder to adjust, providing personalized control over lumbar support characteristics.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple air bladders are used to define lumbar support, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lumbar support system is divided into multiple separate air bladders that can be independently inflated and deflated. Each air bladder corresponds to a specific region of the lumbar support, allowing the occupant to customize support in different areas. The valve body includes multiple outlets that can be selectively connected to different air bladders through the selection device, enabling region-specific adjustment of lumbar support characteristics.
3Ease of operation
If a selection device is added to engage specific air bladders, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The selection device serves multiple functions: it allows the occupant to select which air bladder to inflate or deflate, it controls the connection between the pump mechanism and specific air bladders, and it enables both inflation and deflation operations through the same device interface. This multi-functional design consolidates control operations into a single mechanism, improving ease of operation while managing device complexity.
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
Provides customizable lumbar support, enhancing comfort and reducing back pain by allowing occupants to manually adjust the firmness and contour of the lumbar region, improving ergonomic conditions during vehicle travel.
Implementation Method 1
A manually compressible air chamber is coupled with the inlet for inflating the select one
Implementation Method 2
An air chamber has an exhaust port that is fluidly coupled with the valve body and is configured to manually dispense air therefrom
Data Source
AI summary
A pump assembly for a vehicle seatback includes a plurality of air bladders defining a lumbar support. A valve body has an inlet and a plurality of outlets that are coupled with the associated plurality of air bladders. A selection device is operably coupled with the valve body for engaging a select one of the plurality of air bladders with the inlet. A manually compressible air chamber is coupled with the inlet for inflating the select one.