JPH06237838A - Automatically programmable waist part system with memory - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide a regulating device for providing an air pressure such as a user would feel more comfortable by varying the air pressure of each of an air cell. CONSTITUTION: The regulating device 10 has an air pump 18 for supplying a pressurized air into the air cell, a manually inflatable switch 72 for regulating the air pump, a manual contraction switch 54 for discharging air from the air cell, and a sensor means 22 for sensing a pressure in the cell and generating a detected signal showing the air pressure. The device 10 has a valve means 34 for selecting one of these inflated, close and/or contracted states and switching it, and a restricting valve means 40 for restricting the inflation of the air cell at a predetermined maximum level.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for incorporating manual and automatic pressure regulation to regulate air pressure in an air cell contained in a vehicle seat.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Vehicles are sometimes equipped with adjustable pressure seats (seats) for individual users to use comfortably. Recently, adjustable inflation air cells have been used in vehicle seats. The air cell is equipped with a selective adjuster that allows adjustment and modification of the air pressure within the cell. Air cells or air bags are typically incorporated into the seat cushion and seat back of a vehicle seat for the comfort of the driver and passengers of the passenger seat. Systems are known in the prior art that are capable of automatically adjusting the pressure in an air cell based on stored information.

A typical pneumatic lumbar support device is the Hash
Illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 4,634,179 issued Jan. 6, 1987 under the name imoto et al. This patent relates to a lumbar system having an adjuster with a memory. In this system, the pump is first operated by manually operating the inflation and deflation switches to a desired pressure desired by the user. This selected pressure is then stored in the regulator memory. If the call switch can be operated, and this call switch is operated, the controller
The memory value is recalled to operate the pump and exhaust valve until the pressure in the air bag is equal to the previously stored pressure value in memory.

Another example of adjusting an air bag is kash.
Illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 4,655,505 issued Apr. 7, 1987 under the name iwamura et al. This example discloses an air-conditioned vehicle seat. This patent discloses an air bag operated by an electromagnetic solenoid. This air bag requires first manual adjustment of the pump and electromagnetic solenoid to set the desired pressure value stored in the regulator memory. The call switch operates to recall the stored pressure value and operate the pump to inflate and deflate the air bag until the air pressure in the air bag equals the selected pressure value stored in the regulator memory. it can. This sequence occurs sequentially for each bag.

US Pat. No. 4,833,614, issued May 23, 1989 under the name Saitoh et al., Discloses a pneumatic support adjuster for a vehicle seat. This patent
Timing adjustments are disclosed for inflating and deflating pressure values stored in the regulator memory. The regulator includes a timed sequence of pumps that relies on the feedback of the difference between the detected and stored values when the memory key is pressed.

Although suitable for their intended purpose, the systems described above provide full inflation of all cells and independent deflation of each air cell from maximum pressure levels to provide a cell for a particular seat user. Does not include a three-way valve separately adjusted by the processor to provide a valve closure system that sets the desired pressure profile and corrects the pressure adjustment. This system simplifies the pressure selection process by using a fully pressurized air cell as a reference point to regulate a lower but different pressure for each cell to achieve the desired comfort level. .

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to an apparatus for regulating pressure in a pneumatic support system having a plurality of air cells. The device has an air pump coupled to the air cell for supplying pressurized air to the air cell in response to a power signal. The manual inflation switch is operated manually, and when the switch is operated, a power signal is generated to regulate the air pump. The manual deflation switch is coupled to a particular air cell and manually generates a select signal to expel air from the associated cell. A sensor means is coupled to each of the air cells and senses the air pressure within the air cells and produces a sensing signal representative of the air pressure. The valve means is
Coupled between the air pump and the air cell to selectively switch between an inflated state, a closed state and a deflated state for regulating air into and out of the air cell in response to the regulation signal. The processor means is connected to the air pump, the sensor means, the valve means and the manual inflation and deflation switch to fully inflate the plurality of air cells to a predetermined maximum level and then respond to the select signal to select the selected air cells. Allows independent contraction.

The present invention further includes a method for adjusting the air pressure of an air support system having an air cell. The method comprises pumping air to a predetermined maximum level in the air cell, independently contracting each air cell from the predetermined maximum level to a desired pressure level, and the pressure level in each air cell. The pressure level of each air cell, the step of storing the pressure level of each air cell, the step of recalling the stored pressure level from the memory when the call switch is manually operated, and the pressure stored by automatically expanding the air cell. Contracting to a level.

[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A pneumatically regulated and programmable vehicle seat system is illustrated generally at 10 in FIG. The system 10 includes a plurality of air cells 1 that are coupled within a seat back 12a and a seat cushion 12b.
4 includes a sheet seating assembly 12 having four. The seat back 12a and the seat cushion 12b can be expanded or contracted by adjusting the air pressure in each cell 14. Each cell 14 supports different areas of the sheet. The air cell 14 can be arranged to support the waist, seat back (back), thighs and other supports. It should be appreciated that the device can be used in a variety of applications other than the use of automotive seats.

The system 10 further comprises a regulator 1 for regulating the air pressure of the air cells 14 in the air support system.
Including 6. The device 16 includes a motorized air pump 18 coupled to the air cell 14 for supplying pressurized air to the air cell 14 in response to a power signal. The air pump 18 is coupled to the air cell 14 via an air hose conduit 20. The air hose conduit 20 is the pump 1
It is possible to communicate the air from 8 to the air cell 14. The air pump 18 only inflates the cell 14 in one orientation. Air pump 18 includes power supply leads 28, 30 as is generally known in the art.
May be some form of high pressure pump driven by an electric motor 25 connected to a power source such as a vehicle battery terminal.

The regulating device 16 is connected to each of the air cells 14 and is provided with sensor means 2 for sensing the pressure in the air cells 14 and generating a sensing signal representative of this air pressure.
Including 2. The sensor means 22 may be any type of pneumatic sensor capable of sensing the pressure in the cell 14 or vessel and producing a signal of the sensed pressure, as is generally known in the art.

The device 16 further includes an expanded state connected between the pump 18 and the air cell 14 to regulate the movement of air into and out of the air cell 14 in response to the regulation signal. A switching valve means 34 for selectively switching between a closed state and a contracted state is included. The switching valve means 34 is
Common three-way electromagnetic solenoid switching valves 34A, 34B, 34C, 3 for interconnecting the air hose 20 to each air cell 14.
With 4D. Three-way electromagnetic solenoid switching valve 34A, 34
B, 34C, 34D are associated with each air cell 14 or set of cells 14. Three-way electromagnetic solenoid switching valve 34
Each of A, 34B, 34C, 34D is operated independently. Three-way electromagnetic solenoid switching valve 3 during expansion
4A, 34B, 34C, 34D, the air from the pump 18 is the air hose 20 and the switching valves 34A, 34B, 34C,
34D to the respective air cells 14. During the closed state, the three-way electromagnetic solenoid switching valve 34
A, 34B, 34C, and 34D are set so that there is no exchange of air between the air hose 20, the cell 14, and the outside. During the contracted state, the three-way electromagnetic solenoid switching valve 34
A, 34B, 34C, 34D are set so that the air (pressure) in the air cell 14 flows out or is exhausted to the outside.

As shown in FIG. 2, the system 10 comprises:
One three-way switching valve 34A, B for performing the same pressurization
A plurality of cells 14A, 14B, 14 coupled to C, D
C, 14D may be included. And these cells 14
Each of A, 14B, 14C and 14D includes a signal sensor 22 which sends a sensing signal for each. The switching valve means 34 directs air pressure to each cell 14 of the set A, B, C, D of cells. For example, in the figure, two cells are included in sets A and B, while only one cell is included in sets C and D.

The regulating device 16 comprises limiting means 40 connected between the pump 18 and the switching valve means 34 for limiting the expansion of the air cell 14 to a predetermined maximum level.
The limiting means 40 has two-way electromagnetic solenoid limiting valves 42 and 44 which receive a limiting signal and open and close in response to the signal. When the restriction valves 42, 44 are open, air from the pump 18 is allowed to flow via the conduit 20 to the switching valve means 34. Air from the pump 18 does not flow when the restriction valves 42, 44 are closed. The conduit 20 branches into at least two lines 36, 37. Each of them has a limiting valve 42, 44 connected along the way. The number of lines 36, 37 depends on the number of different maximum levels. One restriction valve 4
2, the predetermined air cells 14 of the first set B, C, D have 3,515.
Designed to close when 35 kg / m ² (5 psi) is reached, the other limiting valve 44 has 9,84 air cells 14 of the second set A.
Designed to close when reaching 2.98kg / m ² (14psi). The position of the restriction valves 42,44 is controlled by the received control signal. For example, the seating assembly 12
In, the first set of cells 14B, C, D are the back 12a.
And can be placed in the waist region. The second set of cells 14A is
It is placed inside the pillow and / or thigh area 12c.

The device 16 is connected to the air pump 18, the sensor means 22, the switching valve 34 and the limiting means 40 to separate the selected air cells 14 after the plurality of air cells 14 have been fully expanded to the maximum pressure level. It includes a processor means 50 for enabling it to contract. The processor means 50 provides a control signal to the switching valve means 34 for adjusting the switching valve means 34 to one of three states, and a limiting signal to the limiting valves 42, 4 as described below.
Supply to 4.

The processor means 50 includes cell selection means 54 which provides a selection signal indicative of one of the plurality of air cells 14 in response to a manual operation. The cell selection means 54 may be a type of push-operation contact switch. The cell selection means 54 includes a plurality of switches 56,
57, 58 and 59 are included. Each one of these
Associated with each of the air cells 14. Switch 5
When each of 6 to 59 is operated independently, the processor means 50 causes the three-way switching valves 34A, 34B, 34C, 34D.
To reduce the pressure of the associated air cell 14 or evacuate it. Related air cell 14 at this time
The internal air is expelled to the outside until the desired pressure level matches the value desired by the particular user.

Processor means 50 further includes storage switch means 60 for generating a storage signal in response to manual operation. The storage switch means 60 may also be a push contact switch 26. The processor means 50 further comprises memory means 62 for storing a predetermined pressure value for each cell or set of cells 14 coupled to each three way switching valve 34 when the storage switch means 60 is operated. . In other words, each air cell or set of cells 1
4 is listed in memory 62 of processor means 50 with associated pressure values representing a predetermined desired pressure for each selected air cell or set of cells 14. When the storage switch means 60 is operated, the processor means 50 reads the sensing signal from each sensor 22 and stores the pressure value in the memory.

The processor means 50 includes call switch means 64 for generating a call signal in response to a manual operation. The call switch means 64 may be a general push contact switch. The processor means 50
Automatic pressurizing means 70 for automatically inflating in response to the ringing signal and for deflating all of the plurality of air cells 14 to a predetermined level based on the value stored in memory 62.
Is included.

The device 16 further includes a manual switch 72 for manually generating a switch signal to regulate the energy to the air pump 18 to expand the air cell 14. The manual switch 72 may be an electric contact switch of a type including a hand push button that is closed by manually pushing an internal contact portion that is normally open. The switch 72 is
When closed, it receives one power supply lead 28 and provides an expansion switch signal. Power switch 7
4 is activated to provide a power signal between power leads 28, 30 to a motor 25 that drives pump 18. The processor means 50 receives the switch signal and adjusts the power switch 74 to provide power to the pump 18.
The processor means 50 includes a pair of power leads 28, 30.
To control the pump 18 and supply power to itself.

Connected between the power line 30 and the pump 18 and regulated by the processor means 50 to regulate the power to the pump 18 when the processor means 50 is powered between the power leads 28,30. , The power switch 74 has its adjusting lead 74a connected to the processor means 50.
It may be a MOS type FET switch connected to.

The operation of the processor means 50 in combination with the rest of the device 16 is illustrated in the flow charts of FIGS.
It is explained below.

When the inflating manual switch 72 is pressed, a switch signal is received by the processor means 50. The processor means 50 sends a power adjustment signal to the MOS type FET switch 74 so that power is supplied to the pump motor 25 that drives the pump 18. All valves 3
4, 40 are opened. Subsequently, the pressurized air is supplied to the cell 14 by the drive pump 18. The pressure in each or a set of cells 14 is sensed therein by a sensor means 50 via a sensor 22. When the first level (ie, 3,515.35 kg / m ² (5 psi)) is sensed, a limiting signal is sent to the first two-way valve 42 to close the valve 42. When a second level (ie, 9842.98 kg / m ² (14 psi)) is sensed, a limiting signal is sent to the second two-way valve 44 to close the valve 44. After that, the processor means 50
Interrupts the power conditioning signal via lead 74a. When the switch 74 is opened and the power supply to the pump motor 25 is interrupted, the pump 18 is turned off. All valves 34A, 34B, 34C, 34D are closed.

Cell selection switches 56, 57, 58, 59
When one of the switches 56 to 59 is pressed, a selection signal for instructing a specific one of the switches 56 to 59 is transmitted to one of the three-way electromagnetic solenoid switching valves 34A, 34B, 34C and 34D coupled thereto, and the selection signal is transmitted. The selected electromagnetic solenoid switching valve is switched to the contracted state, that is, the exhausted state. The selection switch 56, 57, 58, 59 is contracted until the hand is released, that is, the manual operation is stopped, and the selection signal is stopped, so that the selected electromagnetic solenoid switching valve 34A, 34B, 3 is selected.
4C and 34D are positioned in the normal closed position.

When the storage switch 60 is pressed, the pressure is read by the pressure sensor 22 and stored in the memory 62.

When the call switch 64 is pressed, the processor means 50 compares each sensed signal with the stored value.
If the cell or set of cells 14 is at a sensed pressure below the stored pressure, the processor means 50 directs a power regulation signal to the power switch 74 to close it. The pump 18 has leads 28, 30 and the switch 7 closed.
Powered by 4. The sensor 22 is a processor means 50.
Monitored by. The limit valves 42,44 are opened with the three-way electromagnetic solenoid directional control valves 34A, 34B, 34C, 34D coupled to the air cell 14 having a pressure below the stored pressure. The cells 14 in the set are turned off when the sensed pressure equals a predetermined storage level.

If the sensed pressure is greater than the stored pressure, the processor means 50 causes the associated three-way switching valve 34A, 34A.
A signal is generated that causes the B, 34C, 34D electromagnetic solenoids to contract to expel air from the associated air cell 14 or set of cells until the sensed and stored pressure values are equal.

In the automatic mode, the processor 50 can adjust the expansion or contraction of each cell or set of cells 14 simultaneously or sequentially. The processor means 50 may be any commonly available processor or microcomputer having memory functions and I / O control.

It should be understood that multiple memory switches can be used to store the values of various people. Note that the memory here has an external storage device and identifies different users.

The invention has been described in an illustrative manner. It is to be understood that the terminology used is for the purpose of description rather than limitation.

Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. Therefore, it should be understood that the present invention can be carried out in addition to what is specifically described, within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a seat system of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the seat system of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart of the processor means of the seat system of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart following the symbol A shown in FIG.

5 is a flowchart following the symbol B shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 Seat System 12 Seat Seating Assembly 12a Seat Back 12b Seat Cushion 14 Air Cell 16 Regulator 18 Air Pump 20 Air Hose Conduit 25 Electric Motor 28, 30 Power Lead 34 Switching Valve Means 34A, 34B, 34C, 34D Three-way Electromagnetic Solenoid Switching valve 40 Limiting means 42, 44 Two-way electromagnetic solenoid limiting valve 50 Processor means 54 Cell selecting means 60 Storage switch means 62 Memory means 64 Calling switch means 70 Automatic pressurizing means 72 Manual switch 74 Power switch 74a Adjustment lead wire

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. An adjusting device for adjusting air pressure in an air support system having a plurality of air cells, the device being coupled to the air cells and supplying pressurized air to the air cells in response to a power signal. An air pump for operating a manual expansion switch for controlling the air pump by generating the power signal when manually operated; A manual deflation switch for evacuating air from the cells; sensor means coupled to each of the air cells for sensing the pressure inside the cells to generate a sensing signal representative of air pressure; Coupled to the air cell and inflated, closed and deflated to regulate the flow of air into and out of the air cell in response to a regulation signal. A valve means for selecting and switching any one of the following, and is connected to the air pump, the sensor means, the valve means, the manual expansion switch and the manual deflation switch, and responds to a manual operation of the manual switch. To set the state of the valve means to allow the selected air cells to be independently deflated in response to the selection signal after fully expanding the plurality of air cells to a predetermined maximum level. And processor means for operating the pump. 2. The method further comprising limiting means coupled between the pump and the valve and responsive to the processor means for limiting expansion of the air cell to the predetermined maximum level. 1. The device according to 1. 3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said processor means includes memory switch means for generating a store signal in response to manual operation. 4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said processor means includes memory means for storing a predetermined pressure value for each cell when operating said memory switch means. 5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said processor means includes call switch means for generating a call signal in response to a manual operation. 6. The processor means is responsive to the call signal to automatically expand all of the plurality of air cells to the predetermined level to individually contract each of the air cells to the predetermined pressure value. 6. The apparatus of claim 5 including the automatic pressurizing means of. 7. An adjusting device for adjusting the air pressure of a plurality of air cells in an air support system for a vehicle seat, comprising: a first conduit for communicating pressurized air; and a first conduit connected to the first conduit. An air pump for generating pressurized air, a second and a third conduit coupled to the first conduit for branching the pressurized air, and coupled to each of the second and third conduits An independent limiting switch that opens to allow pressurized air to flow and closes to prevent pressurized air from flowing when the maximum pressure limit in the air cell is reached; and the second and third conduits. Coupled to the air cell and independently closing pressurized air so as not to communicate with the selected air cell, or positioning the pressurized air in an expanded position where it flows from the air pump to the air cell, Pressurized air A plurality of three-way valves for positioning in a deflated position releasing from the air cell, coupled to the pump, the limit switch and the three-way valve for adjusting inflation and deflation of the air cell. Processor means, and. 8. A method for adjusting air pressure in an air support system having a plurality of air cells, the method comprising: simultaneously pumping air to the plurality of air cells to a predetermined maximum level; and each air to a desired pressure level. Inflating the cells independently, sensing the pressure level of each air cell, storing the pressure level of each air cell in memory, and reading the pressure level from the memory when the call switch is manually operated. Invoking, automatically and simultaneously pumping air to the plurality of air cells to a predetermined maximum level, and automatically and independently contracting each of the plurality of air cells to a stored pressure level; The method comprising: