Integrated Seat Lumbar Pump-Valve for Multi-Airbag Pressure Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pneumatic lumbar support systems for automobile seats have separate air pumps and valves, leading to increased costs, complex assembly, and reliability issues, as well as the inability to simultaneously inflate and deflate multiple air bags.
Innovation Solution
A pump-valve integrated machine with a normally open electromagnetic air valve and control circuit board, allowing for multiple air outlet connectors and a pressure sensor for simultaneous inflation and deflation of air bags, while reducing noise and improving ride comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If separate air pump and air valve are used, then the system has basic pump and valve functions, but the structure becomes complex, cost increases, and reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the air pump and air valve into a single integrated unit where the electromagnetic valve is mounted directly on the pump body. The valve core, spring, and electromagnetic coil are assembled within the pump housing, eliminating the need for separate valve components and connecting pipelines. This merging reduces structural complexity while improving reliability by removing potential failure points from separate connections.
2Ease of manufacture
If separate air pump and air valve are used, then individual components can be manufactured independently, but transportation, storage, and management costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The integration reduces the total number of parts from multiple separate components (pump, valve, connecting pipes, seals) to a single unified assembly. The electromagnetic valve is built into the pump housing, and the diaphragm chamber is formed as an integrated component, significantly reducing the quantity of parts that need to be manufactured, stored, and managed.
3Ease of operation
If separate air pump and air valve are connected by gas pipeline, then the system can function, but space occupation increases and assembly cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gas pipeline and connecting structures are eliminated by directly mounting the electromagnetic valve on the pump body. The air passage is formed internally within the integrated housing, reducing the overall volume of the system and simplifying assembly to a single unit installation rather than multiple component assembly.
4Adaptability or versatility
If single air outlet structure is used, then the pump-valve integrated machine has simple structure, but it cannot simultaneously inflate and deflate multiple air bags
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the air outlet structure into multiple independent outlets (first air outlet and second air outlet) that can be independently controlled by separate electromagnetic valve coils. This segmentation allows different air bags to be inflated or deflated simultaneously by activating specific outlets, providing multi-air bag control capability while maintaining a relatively simple integrated structure.
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 integrated machine provides a simple, reliable, and cost-effective solution for controlling air flow to multiple air bags, preventing over-inflation, and enhancing user comfort with noise reduction.
Implementation Method 1
a normally open electromagnetic air valve, and an electromagnetic air valve upper cover... the normally open electromagnetic air valve is open when it is not powered on... and when the normally open electromagnetic air valve is powered on
Data Source
AI summary
A pump-valve integrated machine for a pneumatic lumbar support of an automobile seat includes: an air pump; a pump valve connection base that is provided with a one-way air outlet structure, which is opposite to and in communication with an air outlet hole of the air pump; an electromagnetic air valve lower base that is fixed onto the air pump and is provided with a mounting groove and a ventilation hole are; a normally open electromagnetic air valve that is disposed on the electromagnetic air valve lower base and has an air inlet end corresponds to the ventilation hole; an electromagnetic air valve upper cover that is provided above the normally open electromagnetic air valve and has an air outlet connector corresponds to a valve core of the normally open electromagnetic air valve; and a control circuit board.