Pneumatic Valve Actuator Force Reduction via Segmented Chambers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pneumatic valves for vehicle seat adjustment devices face challenges in balancing actuating force and sealing complexity, with either requiring excessive actuating force for complete fluid separation or increased construction complexity and costs due to fluid-tight sealing requirements.
Innovation Solution
A pneumatic valve design featuring separate valve chambers connected to a fluid source, a fluid bladder, and the environment, with a shape memory alloy actuator element that minimizes actuating force and eliminates the need for complex sealing elements by allowing fluidic connection only when necessary, using a membrane element and actuator unit to control fluid flow between chambers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a complete fluid separation is implemented between the fluid source and valve actuator, then fluid-tight sealing is achieved, but excessive actuating force is required
Solution Approach 1:
The valve is divided into separate valve chambers (first valve chamber connected to fluid source, second valve chamber connected to fluid bladder, third valve chamber connected to environment) that are fluidically separated but structurally integrated. This segmentation allows each chamber to function independently with its own pressure zone, eliminating the need for complex sealing between the actuator and fluid source while reducing actuating force requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
A membrane element acts as an intermediary between the first valve chamber and the fourth valve chamber (which contains the actuator). The membrane allows pressure transmission from the actuator to control valve opening/closing without requiring direct fluid-tight sealing between the actuator and the fluid source, thus reducing actuating force while maintaining sealing reliability.
2Force
If the valve actuator is disposed within the valve space passed through by fluid flow, then no additional actuating force is required, but fluid-tight sealing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve actuator is placed in a separate third valve chamber that is fluidically isolated from the fluid flow path between the fluid source and fluid bladder. The first, second, and third valve chambers are kept separate with defined fluid passages, allowing the actuator to operate without requiring seals against high-pressure fluid flow, thus reducing sealing complexity while maintaining adequate actuating force.
Solution Approach 2:
The membrane element serves as an intermediary that transmits actuator motion and force to control the valve without requiring the actuator to be directly exposed to the fluid flow path. This intermediary arrangement eliminates the need for complex fluid-tight seals around the actuator while preserving its ability to open and close the valve effectively.
3Device complexity
If separate valve chambers are used to reduce sealing requirements, then construction complexity is reduced, but device volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple valve chambers (first, second, third, and fourth chambers) are merged into a single integrated valve body structure with shared walls and common mounting surfaces. The chambers are arranged in a compact configuration where they share structural elements, reducing the overall valve volume compared to completely separate chambers while maintaining fluidic separation and reducing sealing complexity.
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 design results in a cost-effective, simplified pneumatic valve with reduced actuating force requirements and eliminated complex sealing elements, enabling efficient fluid management for vehicle seat contour adjustment while maintaining structural stability and longevity.
Implementation Method 1
an actuator element (E) which is disposed in the third valve chamber (K3) and is coupled to the membrane element (ME) and is configured for moving the membrane element (ME) between a first position and a second position
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid bladder valve for a pneumatic vehicle seat adjustment device is disclosed. The valve comprises a first chamber configured to be connected to a fluid source, a second chamber configured to be connected to the fluid bladder, a third chamber configured to be connected to an environment, a fourth chamber connected to the first chamber via a first fluid passage, connected to the second chamber via a second fluid passage, and connected to the third chamber via a third fluid passage; and an actuator comprising a membrane disposed in the fourth chamber and an actuator element disposed in the third chamber and coupled to the membrane and configured to move the membrane between a first position wherein the first fluid passage is opened and the third fluid passage is closed, and a second position wherein the first fluid passage is closed and the third fluid passage is opened.