Pressure Reducer Piston Proportionality for Vehicle Seat Suspension
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pressure reduction systems in vehicle seats cannot automatically adjust air-assisted systems to accommodate different driver weights, maintaining optimal pressure ratios between components, which affects seating comfort and suspension properties.
Innovation Solution
A pressure reducer with a piston movably guided in an outer cylinder, featuring different-sized end faces and spring preload forces, automatically adjusts the ratio of air pressures between chambers to maintain a predetermined proportionality factor, ensuring comfortable suspension regardless of driver weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a throttle valve is used to adjust pressure ratios between air-assisted systems, then a constant pressure can be set, but the pressure cannot be automatically adjusted in proportion to the system pressure changes caused by different driver weights
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure reducer uses a level control valve that continuously monitors system pressure and automatically adjusts the pressure ratio between air-assisted systems. The valve responds to pressure changes caused by different driver weights by modulating air flow to maintain optimal suspension characteristics, creating a closed-loop feedback system that adapts to varying loads without manual intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure reducer transitions from a static throttle valve with fixed pressure settings to a dynamic system where the level control valve continuously adjusts pressure ratios in real-time. The valve's opening degree varies automatically based on system pressure conditions, enabling the air-assisted systems to adapt dynamically to different driver weights and maintain comfortable suspension properties
2Force
If the system pressure is increased to support heavier drivers, then the suspension can handle higher weights, but the pressure ratio between vertical and horizontal suspension systems becomes unbalanced, affecting comfort
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure reducer applies different pressure adjustments to different air-assisted systems (vertical suspension vs. horizontal suspension) based on their specific requirements. The level control valve selectively regulates pressure distribution to each system, maintaining the optimal pressure ratio (e.g., 3:1) even when overall system pressure increases to support heavier drivers, ensuring each system operates at its ideal pressure
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 system dynamically regulates air pressures to maintain the desired proportionality factor, ensuring consistent comfort and suspension properties across varying driver weights without the need for additional air supplies or complex adjustments.
Implementation Method 1
a first air chamber (K1) is arranged between the first air supply connection (A1) of the outer cylinder (2) and the first end face (S1) of the piston (3) and a second air chamber (K2) is arranged between the second air supply connection (A2) of the outer cylinder (2) and the second end face (S2) of the piston (3)
Implementation Method 2
a first compression spring (f1) with a first preload force (F1) is arranged between the first air supply connection (A1) of the outer cylinder (2) and the first end face (S1) of the piston (3), and between the second air supply connection (A2) of the outer cylinder (2) and the second end face (S2) of the piston (3), a second compression spring (f2) with a second preload force (F2) is arranged
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
The invention relates to a pressure reducer (1), comprising an outer cylinder (2) with a first air supply connector (A1) on a first end side (C1) of the outer cylinder (2) and a second air supply connector (A2) on a second end side (C2) of the outer cylinder (2), and a piston (3) which can be guided movably in the outer cylinder (2) with a first end-side front surface (S1) and a second end-side front surface (S2), wherein a first air chamber (K1) is arranged between the first air supply connector (A1) of the outer cylinder (2) and the first front surface (S1) of the piston (3), and a second air chamber (K2) is arranged between the second air supply connector (A2) of the outer cylinder (2) and the second front surface (S2) of the piston (3), wherein the surface areas of the two front surfaces (S1, S2) of the piston (3) are of different size, and wherein the pressure reducer (1) is suitable for reducing a second air pressure (P2) which prevails in the second air chamber (K2) in a pulsed manner proportionally to a first air pressure (P1) which prevails in the first air chamber (K1), by a first air connection (4) which consists of two parts (4a, 4b) being configured between the first air chamber (K1) and the second air chamber (K2) temporarily in a first position (G1) of the piston (3) with respect to the outer cylinder (2).