Pneumatic Seat Actuator Mechanical Preload for Fast Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pneumatic seat adjustment systems in transportation means require high power and large structural space for fast adjustment, leading to high noise emissions and costs, and alternative solutions either reduce dynamics or require significant storage volume.
Innovation Solution
A mechanically preloaded pneumatic actuating device that transitions from a standby to an activated state using a triggering signal, allowing for fast seat adjustment without the need for high-power pressure generators, utilizing positive or negative pressure and air bladders to effect seat contour changes, with mechanisms like air bladders and valve arrangements for efficient movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a very powerful pneumatic pressure supply is used to achieve fast seat adjustment, then the adjustment speed is improved, but the structural space requirement, noise emissions, and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-pressurizes air bladders during periods when rapid adjustment is not needed, storing pneumatic energy in advance. When a triggering signal is received (e.g., during cornering maneuvers), the pre-pressurized air is rapidly released to achieve fast seat contour adjustment without requiring a high-power pressure generator during the actual adjustment event.
2Power
If a less powerful pressure supply is used, then power consumption is reduced, but a considerable storage volume is required to maintain adjustment capability
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses air bladders as pneumatic actuators that can be pre-charged with compressed air. This pneumatic approach allows energy storage in a compact volume compared to mechanical spring systems, while the low-power compressor only needs to maintain the pre-charge pressure rather than providing continuous high power for adjustment.
3Power
If mechanical preload is built up in advance using low-power pressure generators, then fast adjustment is achieved without high-power components, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the pressure parameter of the air bladders over time - maintaining high pressure during standby (pre-charged state) and rapidly equalizing to ambient pressure during activation. This parameter change enables the use of low-power generators while achieving fast adjustment, as the bulk of the work is done by the pre-stored pneumatic energy rather than continuous power input.
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
Enables fast and flexible seat adjustment with reduced power and structural requirements, providing suitable lateral support during maneuvers while minimizing noise and costs.
Implementation Method 1
In the apparatus there are provided one or more adjustment devices, wherein a respective adjustment device comprises a pneumatic actuating device for the adjustment of the seat and preferably of the contour of the seat by way of pneumatic generation of pressure
Implementation Method 2
The actuating device preferably comprises a positive-pressure or negative-pressure actuator and/or an air bladder
Data Source
AI summary
A device for pneumatically adjusting a seat in a transport vehicle, in particular in a motor vehicle, including one or more adjusting devices, each of which includes a pneumatic actuating device for adjusting the seat by generating pneumatic pressure, and including a trigger device, which the actuating device is switched from a standby state to an active state in response to a trigger signal when the device is being operated. The pneumatic actuating device brings about an adjustment of the seat in the active state. The pneumatic actuating device is designed such that the actuating device is mechanically preloaded in the standby state, and the mechanical preload is released in the active state in order to thus bring about the adjustment of the seat.