Modular Valve Block for Motor Vehicle Seats
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing valve blocks for motor vehicle seats filled with compressed air are inflexible and occupy excessive installation space, as they are designed as one-piece modules suitable for either massage or adjustment functions, requiring separate blocks for multiple functions and inefficient use of space.
Innovation Solution
A modular valve block design where control and drain valves can be combined with or without a pressure measuring device, allowing for variable connectivity and compact assembly, enabling the implementation of both massage and adjustment functions in a single unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If one-piece valve blocks are used for single functions (massage or adjustment), then the valve block structure is simple, but the adaptability is poor and separate blocks are needed for multiple functions
Solution Approach 1:
The valve block is designed with a universal structure that can perform multiple functions (massage and adjustment) through different valve configurations. The housing contains multiple valve seats and connecting passages that can be activated selectively, allowing a single valve block to replace what would traditionally require separate dedicated blocks for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve block internally segments different functions into separate valve assemblies (first valve assembly for adjustment, second valve assembly for massage) that share common components like the housing and compressed air supply. This segmentation allows independent control of each function while maintaining a unified compact structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate valve blocks are used for multiple functions (massage and adjustment), then the functional versatility is improved, but the installation space increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple valve assemblies that would traditionally be separate blocks are merged into a single integrated valve block. The housing combines the adjustment valve assembly and massage valve assembly with shared compressed air supply passages and outlet connections, eliminating the need for separate installations while maintaining full functional capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The unified valve block serves multiple functions simultaneously through its multi-purpose design, where the same housing and compressed air supply serve both adjustment and massage operations, reducing the total space footprint compared to separate dedicated blocks.
3Measurement precision
If pressure measuring devices are integrated into all valve blocks, then the measurement precision is improved, but the device complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
Pressure measurement capability is applied locally and selectively only where needed (in valve blocks equipped for adjustment functions requiring constant pressure maintenance), rather than universally in all valve blocks. The housing includes optional pressure measuring chamber connections that can be incorporated based on specific functional requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve block design allows dynamic configuration where pressure measuring devices can be selectively integrated or omitted based on the specific application requirements. The connecting passages and valve assemblies are designed to accommodate pressure measurement instrumentation when needed, providing flexibility rather than fixed complexity.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
A valve block (1), which is used in particular for controlling compressed air-fillable elements of a motor vehicle seat, has a plurality of outlets (7) for pneumatically connecting the valve block (1) to one or more compressed air-fillable elements; furthermore, a plurality of control valves (2) for selectively supplying compressed air to one outlet (7) at a time, and a plurality of drain valves (3) for connecting one outlet (7) at a time to the ambient air. The control valves (2) are supplied with compressed air via a common compressed air supply line (6). The control valves (2) and the drain valves (3) are designed such that identical valves can be used to form both valve blocks (1) with and valve blocks (1) without pressure measuring device(s) (14) for measuring the pressure in a compressed air-fillable element connected to the valve block (1).