Sliding PCB Pneumatic Seat Controller for Full Air Cell Sensing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pneumatic controllers for vehicle seats lack pressure sensors for the third air cells in the seat back, leading to inaccuracies in the expansion and contraction of the lumbar support due to uncontrolled air intake and exhaust, resulting in the lumbar support not returning to its original position after the massage mode.
Innovation Solution
A pneumatic controller with a sub-printed circuit board equipped with pressure sensors that can slide and align with different valve units, allowing pressure detection for all air cells, including those in the seat back, through a solenoid actuator and conductive patterns for signal transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If pressure sensors are fixed on the main printed circuit board, then the structure is simple, but the pressure sensors cannot detect air pressure for all air cells including third air cells in the seat back
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the printed circuit board movable rather than fixed, allowing it to slide between a retracted position (where pressure sensors detect first and second air cells) and an extended position (where pressure sensors detect third air cells in the seat back). This dynamic positioning resolves the contradiction by enabling comprehensive pressure detection while maintaining a compact overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The single printed circuit board serves multiple functions by moving to different positions: it detects pressure for first air cells in the seat cushion, second air cells in the bolsters, and third air cells in the seat back. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate sensor assemblies for each air cell type, resolving the measurement precision issue without proportionally increasing device complexity.
2Measurement precision
If pressure sensors are added for third air cells, then air pressure detection for all air cells is achieved, but the number of pressure sensors and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a single set of pressure sensors on a movable printed circuit board that serves all air cells (first, second, and third air cells) by moving to different detection positions. This eliminates the need to install separate pressure sensors for each air cell type, thereby achieving comprehensive pressure detection coverage without increasing the quantity of pressure sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable printed circuit board acts as an intermediary carrier that brings the pressure sensors to different detection positions. Instead of moving multiple separate sensor assemblies or installing sensors at all locations, the PCB serves as a mobile platform that sequentially positions the sensors where needed, reducing the total number of sensors required.
3Measurement precision
If the printed circuit board is made movable, then pressure sensors can detect air pressure for all air cells, but the control system becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit receives detection signals from the pressure sensors at different positions and uses this feedback to control the intake and exhaust of air for corresponding air cells. The system also receives operation mode signals and coordinates the movable PCB's position with the active mode, creating a feedback loop that manages the added complexity through intelligent control rather than mechanical complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical linkages with an electrical control system. The movable printed circuit board is positioned and controlled through electrical signals from the control unit, which coordinates the board's position with the operational mode. This substitution of mechanical positioning systems with electrical control reduces overall system complexity while enabling precise pressure detection.
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
Ensures accurate detection and control of air pressure for all air cells, ensuring consistent expansion and contraction, and precise return to the original position of the lumbar support during the massage mode.
Implementation Method 1
an actuator mounted on the main printed circuit board to push the sub-printed circuit board in one direction or pull the sub-printed circuit board in an opposite direction
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a pneumatic controller for vehicle seats, in which a main printed circuit board is mounted in a housing, and a plunger of an actuator pulls or pushes a sub-printed circuit board by a switching signal, in a state in which the sub-printed circuit board provided with pressure sensors is fastened to the main printed circuit board so as to be slidably movable and exchange electrical signals with the main printed circuit board, thereby enabling the pressure sensors on the sub-printed circuit board to move to a different position where the pressure sensors are capable of sensing air pressure, and accordingly being capable of easily detecting not only air pressure during air intake and exhaust for first air cells installed in a seat cushion and second air cells installed in bolsters bus also air pressure during air intake and exhaust for third air cells installed in a seat back.