Pneumatic Vehicle Seat Massage Elements for Comfort and Simpler Piping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle seats with massaging mechanisms using vibrating devices made of rigid materials cause discomfort when not in use, and pneumatically movable mechanisms require complex piping, increasing manufacturing costs and labor.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle seat with a massaging unit featuring pneumatically expandable and contractible massaging elements that are elastically deformable, integrated into the cushion pad through bores, and connected via special connector units to minimize discomfort and manufacturing complexity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If rigid elastic materials (hard rubber) are used for vibrating devices, then the massaging function is provided, but the passenger experiences strong discomfort when the vehicle rocks or vibrates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemassaging functionVSAvoiddiscomfort to passenger

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter from rigid elastic material to foam material with specific compressibility characteristics. The foam material's compressibility is designed to match the cushion pad's compressibility, allowing the massaging elements to deform comfortably with the cushion under vehicle motion while maintaining massaging capability when activated.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If pneumatically movable massaging mechanism is used, then the discomfort problem is overcome, but complicated piping and fittings are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvediscomfort to passengerVSAvoidpiping and fittings

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the pneumatic system from the massaging elements themselves and relocates it to a centralized air supply unit. The massaging elements are simplified to contain only the air inlet/outlet openings, while all complex piping, valves, and control mechanisms are consolidated in the separate air supply unit, reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The air supply unit serves multiple functions: it supplies air to all massaging elements, controls the timing and duration of air supply, and manages the deflation process. This centralized control mechanism handles the pneumatic operations for the entire massaging system, reducing the need for individual pneumatic components at each massaging element.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If pneumatically movable massaging mechanism is used, then massaging function is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemassaging functionVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the air supply function for multiple massaging elements into a single air supply unit. Instead of requiring separate pneumatic systems for each massaging element, the centralized unit supplies air to all elements through simplified pathways, reducing the total number of components and assembly steps required for manufacturing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 solution provides a comfortable massaging experience without discomfort when not in use and reduces manufacturing complexity and costs by simplifying the connection of air pipes to the massaging elements.

Implementation Method 1

The massaging elements are constructed so as to be elastically deformed or compressed along the moving axes and also be pneumatically expanded and contracted along the moving axes

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPneumatic expansion and contraction: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 2

The massaging elements are constructed so as to be elastically deformed or compressed along the moving axes

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS7727171B2Vehicle seats with plurality of pneumatic massaging elements

Publication Date: 2010.06.01 TOYOTA BOSHOKU KK

AI summary

A vehicle seat may include a seat back that has a back frame, a cushion pad attached to the back frame, and a massaging unit having a plurality of massaging elements. The cushion pad has a plurality of through bores that pass therethrough in the direction of thickness thereof. The massaging elements are constructed so as to be elastically deformed or compressed along moving axes and to be pneumatically expanded and contracted along the moving axes. The massaging elements are disposed in the through bores in a manner that the moving axes of the massaging elements extend along longitudinal axes of the through bores. The massaging elements have deformability or compressibility identical with or greater than the deformability or compressibility of the cushion pad when the massaging elements are not operated.