Vehicle Seat Cushion Bladder Layout for Firmness and Sag Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle seat pneumatic bladders exert uniform force, leading to variations in seat properties and sagging of seat covers due to deformation, affecting occupant comfort and appearance.
Innovation Solution
A seat cushion with inflatable bladders encapsulated within a compressible member, allowing adjustable firmness and hardness by varying inflation pressure, and a control system to manage bladder inflation and deflation for anti-fatigue functions and sag reduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional pneumatic bladders are used with single chamber uniform inflation, then the seat provides basic support, but the seat properties vary and seat covers sag due to uniform force exertion in all directions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single chamber bladder into multiple chambers (first chamber and second chamber) with different inflation characteristics. The first chamber provides baseline support while the second chamber provides adjustable firmness support, preventing uniform force distribution that causes sagging. This segmentation allows differential pressure application to maintain seat cover tautness while providing support.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic adjustability by allowing independent inflation control of multiple chambers. The firmness of the seat can be adjusted by varying the inflation pressure of the second chamber relative to the first chamber, enabling the seat to adapt to different occupancy conditions and maintain optimal support without excessive uniform pressure that causes sagging.
2Adaptability or versatility
If inflatable bladders are positioned underneath or on top of seat foam, then adjustable support is provided, but firmness control varies and seat properties become inconsistent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by positioning the first chamber underneath the seat foam and the second chamber on top of the seat foam, with each chamber serving a specific functional purpose. This spatial differentiation allows each chamber to contribute differently to overall seat firmness, enabling precise control over seat properties while maintaining consistency through defined functional zones.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses pneumatic pressure control to independently regulate the inflation of multiple chambers. By controlling the pressure in each chamber separately, the system achieves precise firmness adjustment while maintaining consistent seat properties through balanced pressure distribution across different zones.
3Reliability
If seat foam firmness is specified for vehicle ride aspiration and safety homologation, then occupant positioning is controlled, but seat comfort varies and sagging occurs due to prolonged loading
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-inflating the first chamber to provide baseline support that maintains occupant positioning for safety homologation. The second chamber can then be selectively inflated to provide additional firmness adjustment for comfort, allowing the seat to pre-establish proper positioning while offering subsequent comfort optimization without compromising safety positioning.
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 customizable seat firmness and comfort, reduces sagging of seat covers, and enhances occupant experience through adjustable stiffness and anti-fatigue features.
Implementation Method 1
When inflated the one or more inflatable bladders expand and may compress the surrounding region of the compressible member which at least partially encapsulates the inflatable bladder. This compression may reduce compliance of the compressible member and creates a harder (firmer) condition for the seat occupant.
Implementation Method 2
The or each inflatable bladder may be configured to inflate predominantly (or exclusively) in a single axis. The one or more inflatable bladders can be inflated to controllably adjust one or more properties of the seat cushion, for example to adjust a firmness or a hardness of the seat cushion.
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the present invention relate to a seat cushion including a compressible member and at least one insert. The insert has one or more inflatable bladders. The at least one insert is at least partially encapsulated within the compressible member. Further aspects of the present invention relate to a method of forming a seat cushion; a seat assembly and a vehicle.