Piezoelectric Pump Valve Unit for Compact Air Bladder Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current automotive comfort systems with air bladders for seat shaping and massage functions require separate motor-actuated pumps and solenoid valves, leading to increased complexity, weight, and cost, as well as space consumption.
Innovation Solution
An integrated pump valve unit combining a piezoelectrically actuated air pump and valve within a common housing, utilizing piezoelectric elements for actuation, which reduces the need for mechanical components and simplifies control electronics, forming a compact and lightweight structural unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If separate motor-actuated pumps and solenoid valves are used, then the comfort system can provide air bladder control functions, but the system complexity, weight, and space consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the pump unit and valve unit into a single integrated pump valve unit. The pump chamber and valve chamber are housed together in one housing with shared components such as the diaphragm serving dual functions for both pumping and valve operation. This merging eliminates the need for separate motor-actuated pumps and solenoid valves, directly reducing system complexity while maintaining air bladder control functionality through the integrated piezoelectric actuation system.
Solution Approach 2:
The diaphragm in the integrated unit serves multiple functions: it acts as both the pump element for compressing air and the valve element for controlling air flow to and from the air bladder. The piezoelectric element provides universal actuation for both pumping and valve functions. This multi-functionality reduces the number of components needed while maintaining full air bladder control capability.
2Reliability
If separate motor-actuated pumps and solenoid valves are used, then the comfort system can provide air bladder control functions, but the weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pump and valve are merged into a single lightweight unit with shared housing and components. The piezoelectric actuator replaces heavier motor-actuated systems and solenoids, significantly reducing the weight of the moving parts while maintaining the air bladder control function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces motor-actuated mechanical systems and solenoid valves with a piezoelectric actuation system. The piezoelectric element converts electrical signals directly into mechanical motion to drive both the pump diaphragm and valve operation, eliminating the need for heavy motors and electromagnetic solenoids, thus reducing overall system weight.
3Reliability
If separate motor-actuated pumps and solenoid valves are used, then the comfort system can provide air bladder control functions, but the space consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pump chamber and valve chamber are integrated into a single housing, with the diaphragm serving as a shared component between both functions. This merging eliminates the need for separate pump and valve assemblies, significantly reducing the space required for the air bladder control system while maintaining full functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve chamber is positioned within or adjacent to the pump chamber in a nested arrangement. The diaphragm is shared between the pump and valve functions, with the valve seat and opening integrated into the pump housing structure. This nesting approach maximizes space efficiency by allowing components to serve multiple functions within a compact volume.
4Volume of moving object
If integrated pump valve unit is used, then space and weight are reduced, but the manufacturing complexity may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated pump valve unit is designed with modular segments: the housing is divided into a pump chamber portion and a valve chamber portion that can be separately manufactured and then assembled. The diaphragm is a separate component that can be independently fabricated and installed. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured using optimized processes for that specific part, reducing overall manufacturing complexity despite the integrated design.
Solution Approach 2:
The diaphragm is designed as a universal component that performs both pump and valve functions. By creating a single multi-functional component rather than multiple separate parts, the manufacturing process is actually simplified as fewer different types of components need to be produced, assembled, and inventoried, even though the component itself has complex geometry.
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 unit saves space, reduces weight and costs, and enhances the efficiency of air bladder control by integrating all mechanical components, allowing for faster adjustment of the comfort system with reduced mechanical effort and assembly complexity.
Implementation Method 1
an actuator in the form of a piezoelectric element (16, 36) having a first side and a second side
Data Source
Figure 1a~1c
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Integrated pump valve unit 1 comprising a piezoelectrically actuated air pump portion 10, comprising at least one pump air chamber 12, 14 and at least one pump piezoelectric element 16 for actuating the air pump portion 10; a piezoelectrically actuated air valve portion 30, comprising a valve air chamber 32 and at least one valve piezoelectric element 36 for controlling the opening and closing of an air flow through the valve portion 30, wherein the valve portion 30 is in fluid connection with the pump portion 10; and wherein the pump portion 10 and the valve portion 30 forming a structural unit.