Integrated Vehicle Seat Air Spring With Built-In Height Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air spring systems for vehicle seats require separate control elements and multiple components, leading to complexity and increased costs, as they need to adjust air intake and discharge to manage load and seat height independently.
Innovation Solution
An integrated air spring system with a valve device within the air spring components, such as the piston or cylinder parts, that includes level and height control functions, utilizing a control roller, damping element, and Bowden cable for efficient adjustment and damping, reducing the need for separate control units and connecting lines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate control elements (control unit, connecting lines, supply lines) are used to adjust air intake and discharge, then load management and seat height adjustment functions are achieved, but device complexity and assembly cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the control unit, connecting lines, and supply lines directly into the air spring component itself. The valve device is built into the air spring housing, eliminating the need for separate control units and external connecting lines. This merging of functions reduces the number of parts and simplifies the overall assembly while maintaining load management and height adjustment capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The air spring is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides suspension support, adjusts seat height, and manages load compensation all through a single integrated component. The valve device within the air spring handles both air intake and discharge control, making the air spring a multi-functional element that replaces several separate components.
2Manufacturing precision
If separate control elements are used for air intake and discharge control, then precise height and level control is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control functions for air intake and discharge are merged into a single valve device integrated within the air spring. This eliminates the need for separate control units and reducing the number of precision-matched connections, thereby lowering manufacturing costs while maintaining control precision through the integrated design.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate components are used in the air spring system, then functional versatility is maintained, but assembly time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The air spring is supplied as a pre-assembled unit with the valve device already integrated inside. This eliminates the need for on-site assembly of multiple separate components including control units, connecting lines, and supply lines. The adjustment functions are maintained through the integrated valve device while significantly reducing assembly time and complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An air spring for a vehicle seat. The air spring includes a plurality of air spring components which delimit at least one air spring chamber. The air spring forms an intake air connection and a discharged air connection for controlling the height and/or level of the vehicle seat, wherein the air spring furthermore has, for controlling the height and/or level of the vehicle seat, a valve device which is integrated in the air spring or in at least one air spring component.