Pneumatic Seat Pressure Monitoring Without Non-Return Valve
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pneumatic seat adjustment devices in transportation means suffer from pressure loss and increased filling times due to the use of non-return valves between the compressor and preliminary pressure volume, leading to additional costs and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A method for monitoring air pressure in pneumatic seat adjustment devices that sets a predefined pressure in the preliminary pressure volume, allowing for precise pressure measurement and adjustment without a non-return valve, using a compressor and controlled leaks to minimize pressure loss and optimize filling times.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a non-return valve is used between the compressor and preliminary pressure volume, then pressure measurement reliability is improved, but pressure loss increases and filling time lengthens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-charging the preliminary pressure volume to a predefined pressure (close to target pressure) before connecting to the cushion for measurement. This pre-preparation reduces the pressure differential during measurement, minimizing pressure loss while ensuring reliable measurement without requiring a non-return valve.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the pressure parameter dynamically by first setting a predefined pressure in the preliminary pressure volume that is close to the target pressure, then measuring, and finally adjusting to the exact target pressure if needed. This parameter optimization reduces pressure loss during the measurement process while maintaining measurement reliability.
2Reliability
If a non-return valve is used between the compressor and preliminary pressure volume, then pressure measurement reliability is improved, but filling time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The preliminary charging of the preliminary pressure volume to a predefined pressure close to the target pressure before measurement reduces the time required for pressure equalization and measurement. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for a non-return valve while maintaining measurement reliability and reducing filling time.
Solution Approach 2:
By optimizing the predefined pressure parameter to be close to the target pressure, the patent minimizes the pressure differential during measurement, thereby reducing the time required for pressure equalization and overall filling time while ensuring reliable measurements.
3Reliability
If a non-return valve is used between the compressor and preliminary pressure volume, then pressure measurement reliability is improved, but device cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the non-return valve from the system by implementing an alternative measurement procedure that pre-charges the preliminary pressure volume to a predefined pressure close to the target pressure. This eliminates the need for the non-return valve, reducing device complexity and cost while maintaining measurement reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters by using a predefined pressure close to the target pressure, which allows reliable measurement without requiring additional components like a non-return valve, thereby reducing device complexity and cost.
4Measurement precision
If pressure is set close to target pressure before measurement, then measurement precision and filling efficiency are improved, but additional pressure control steps are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-setting the pressure to a predefined value close to the target pressure before measurement. This preliminary step improves measurement precision by minimizing pressure differential and reduces overall system complexity by eliminating the need for a non-return valve, despite adding one control step.
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
This method enables quick and precise pressure monitoring and adjustment with reduced need for readjustment, eliminating the need for non-return valves, thus reducing pressure loss and filling times while saving costs.
Implementation Method 1
a compressor (6) for supplying compressed air into the preliminary pressure volume (3)
Implementation Method 2
a pressure sensor (4) for measuring the air pressure in the preliminary pressure volume (3)
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for monitoring the pressure in a device for the pneumatic adjustment of a seat in a transportation means, in particular in a motor vehicle. The device comprises a plurality of cushions (101, 102, . . . , 105) which are able to be filled with air and which are connected via respective valves (201, 202, . . . , 205) to a common preliminary pressure volume (3), wherein a pressure sensor (4) is provided for measuring the pressure (p) in the preliminary pressure volume (3) and the preliminary pressure volume (3) is coupled to a compressor (6) for supplying compressed air without a non-return valve being connected therebetween. For the purpose of monitoring the pressure in a respective cushion (101, 102, . . . , 105), a predefined pressure is set in the preliminary pressure volume by way of operation of the compressor (6) and/or by way of air discharge from the preliminary pressure volume (3) via at least one leak, with the valve (201, 202, . . . , 205) between the respective cushion (101, 102, . . . , 105) and the preliminary pressure volume (3) closed, wherein the predefined pressure deviates from a target pressure (p1, p2, . . . , p5) in the respective cushion (101, 102, . . . , 105) by at most 10% of the target pressure and/or at most 50 hPa. After the setting of the predefined pressure, the valve (101, 102, . . . , 105) between the respective cushion (101, 102, . . . , 105) and the preliminary pressure volume (3) is opened and the pressure in the preliminary pressure volume (3) is measured via the pressure sensor (4). If the measured pressure (p) deviates from the target pressure (p1, p2, . . . , p5), the measured pressure (p) is set to the target pressure (p1, p2, . . . , p5) by way of operation of the compressor (6) and/or by way of air discharge from the preliminary pressure volume (3) via the at least one leak.