Interchangeable Valve Kit for Pneumatic Seat Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing pneumatic adjustment devices for vehicle seats require time-consuming and costly selection and individual pneumatic connection of valves to achieve specific functions, such as maintaining pressure or massage functions, due to the need for custom valve configurations for each application.
Innovation Solution
A valve configuration parts kit that includes a plate-shaped main body with attached webs and interchangeable main bodies, allowing for the creation of multiple fluid path systems to provide different valve configurations, enabling rapid and cost-effective adaptation to various pneumatic functions by swapping main bodies to contact different sub-quantities of webs in a fluid-tight manner.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If valves are individually selected and pneumatically connected for each specific application, then the pneumatic adjustment device can achieve specific functions (pressure maintenance, massage functions), but the production time increases and production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The valve main body is designed with multiple connection options for the diaphragm chamber, allowing a single valve type to serve multiple pneumatic functions. The valve can be configured with different connection diagrams by selectively connecting different components, enabling one valve to replace multiple specialized valves for different applications such as pressure maintenance and massage functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve is divided into separable components including the valve main body, diaphragm chamber, and connection elements. This segmentation allows flexible assembly and configuration where different components can be combined in various ways to create different valve configurations, reducing the need for completely different valve designs for different functions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If valves are individually selected and pneumatically connected for each specific application, then the pneumatic adjustment device can achieve specific functions, but the production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single valve main body design serves multiple pneumatic functions through different connection configurations. This universal design eliminates the need to manufacture and stock multiple specialized valve types, reducing manufacturing complexity and costs while maintaining the ability to provide different pneumatic functions.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple valve functions and configurations are merged into a single valve assembly that can be adjusted through different connection arrangements. This consolidation reduces the total number of parts needed, simplifies manufacturing processes, and lowers overall production costs compared to using separate specialized valves for each function.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple valve configurations are provided for different pneumatic adjustment devices, then different pneumatic functions can be achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve system is segmented into standardized, interchangeable components that can be assembled in different configurations. This modular approach allows multiple valve configurations to be achieved without increasing overall system complexity, as each component follows standardized design principles and connection interfaces.
Data Source
AI summary
A valve configuration parts kit for providing at least two valve configurations, including: a first plate-shaped main body, a plurality of wall-type webs attached to the plate-shaped main body which, conjointly with the plate-shaped main body, at least in part define fluid paths, and a second main body attached to the first main body, or a third main body attached to the first main body. The second main body contacts a first sub-quantity of the plurality of webs such that the first main body, the second main body, and the first sub-quantity define a first fluid path system for providing a first valve configuration. The third main body contacts a second sub-quantity of the plurality of webs such that the first main body, the third main body, and the second sub-quantity define a second fluid path system for providing a second valve configuration.