Pneumatic bladder arrangement for a seat and method for manufacturing the same

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pneumatic bladder arrangements for seats are expensive and bulky due to the increased number of tubes and connections required for multiple bladders, which complicates routing and assembly, making them costly and complex.

Innovation Solution

A pneumatic bladder arrangement with a plurality of bladders arranged in an array of rows and columns, where the bladders are formed between flexible sheets of material, sharing fluid supply connections and interconnections, allowing for independent control and reduced connection complexity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the number of bladders is increased to provide more configurations and massage patterns, then the adaptability and versatility of the seat is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase due to the increased number of tubes and connections

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability of seat configurationVSAvoidcomplexity of tube routing and assembly

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple fluid supply connections into a single common fluid supply line that distributes fluid to multiple bladders. The flexible sheets are also merged to form multiple bladders simultaneously, reducing the number of separate components and connections needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The common fluid supply connection serves multiple bladders simultaneously, making it a multi-functional component. The flexible sheets serve dual purposes: forming the bladder structures and providing the fluid distribution network, eliminating the need for separate tubing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the number of bladders is increased to provide more configurations and massage patterns, then the adaptability and versatility of the seat is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability of seat configurationVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple fluid supply connections into a single common fluid supply line that distributes fluid to multiple bladders. The flexible sheets are also merged to form multiple bladders simultaneously, reducing the number of separate components and connections needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The common fluid supply connection serves multiple bladders simultaneously, making it a multi-functional component. The flexible sheets serve dual purposes: forming the bladder structures and providing the fluid distribution network, eliminating the need for separate tubing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If flexible tubes are used to connect each bladder to fluid supply, then each bladder can be independently controlled, but the routing and assembly becomes more complex and costly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindependent control of bladdersVSAvoidcomplexity of routing and assembling

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple fluid supply connections into a single common fluid supply line that distributes fluid to multiple bladders. The flexible sheets are also merged to form multiple bladders simultaneously, reducing the number of separate components and connections needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The common fluid supply connection serves multiple bladders simultaneously, making it a multi-functional component. The flexible sheets serve dual purposes: forming the bladder structures and providing the fluid distribution network, eliminating the need for separate tubing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

This configuration reduces manufacturing costs and complexity while enabling a wide range of configurations and massage patterns, providing effective support and massage for various body parts with reduced pressure points and improved ventilation.

Implementation Method 1

the bladders of the first array section and the bladders of the second array section can be formed between the respective two flexible sheets of material by welding the respective two sheets of material to each other

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWelding: Welding

Data Source

PatentUS20250296489A1Pneumatic bladder arrangement for a seat and method for manufacturing the same

Publication Date: 2025.09.25 SCHUKRA BERNDORF GES MBH

AI summary

A pneumatic bladder arrangement includes a plurality of bladders arranged in an array of rows and columns. The array comprises a first array section and a second array section with the first and second array sections each comprising at least one column of bladders. The pneumatic bladder arrangement also includes at least one element for the supply or distribution of fluid to the plurality of bladders provided or formed between two flexible sheets of material by welding the respective two sheets of material to each other.