Device and method to control and/or regulate a pressure level

• US 20050082895A1
• Filed: 09/24/2004
• Published: 04/21/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/25/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Kimmig, Daniel
• Granted Patent: US 7,156,467 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 297/452.410
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 27/082 with non-manual inflation, e.g. with electric pumps
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 27/083 with pressure control, e.g. with pressure sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 27/10 with two or more independently-fillable chambers
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/467 adjustable by fluid means
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/002 Seats provided with an occupancy detection means mounted therein or thereon detection means responsive to presence or absence of children B60N2/266
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0244 with logic circuits
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/501 actively controlled suspension, e.g. electronic control
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/502 attached to the base of the seat B60N2/504 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/505 Adjustable suspension including height adjustment
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/525 using gas
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/914 Hydro-pneumatic adjustments of the shape
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 297/06 Hook and loop type fastener

Abstract

The invention relates to a device to control and/or regulate the pressure level of at least one volume variable recipient (10, 12) of a pneumatic system, in particular a pneumatic system for a motor vehicle seat (14). It is proposed in accordance with the invention that means (24, 26) be provided, which make it possible to increase or reduce the pressure in the recipient (10, 12) in a reversible manner. In addition, the invention relates to a method to control and/or regulate the pressure level of at least one volume variable recipient (10, 12) of a pneumatic system, in particular a pneumatic system for a motor vehicle seat (14). In accordance with the invention, the method varies the pressure level in the recipient (10, 12) by volume changes in a volume-adjusting element (24, 26) allocated to the recipient.

Claims

1. Device to control and/or regulate the pressure level of at least one volume variable recipient (10, 12) of a pneumatic system, in particular a pneumatic system for a motor vehicle seat, characterized in that means (24, 26) are provided, which make it possible to increase or reduce the pressure in the recipient (10, 12) in a reversible manner.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the means (26, 28) feature at least one active volume-adjusting element (24, 26), which makes it possible to vary the volume of the device being acted upon by a working fluid.

3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that at least one volume adjusting element (24, 26) features a motor, in particular an electric motor (40, 41), which drives an adjusting element (42, 43), which sets the volume of the volume (34, 44) adjusting element (24, 26) being acted upon by the working fluid in accordance with presetable signals.

4. Device according to claim 2o, characterized in that the pressure in the recipient (10, 12) is determined from the setting of the adjusting elements (42, 43) of the volume adjusting elements (24, 26).

5. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the motor (40, 41) of the adjusting element (42, 43) is a motor with rotational direction reversal.

6. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that at least one volume-adjusting element (24, 26) is arranged in an allocated vehicle seat (14).

7. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that a pump (46) is provided, which makes it possible to set a static admission pressure in the at least one recipient (10, 12).

8. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that the pump (46) is arranged in a vehicle seat (14).

9. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one sensor element is provided, which obtains information about the occupation of the seat and transmits this information to a control unit for the device.

10. Seat, in particular a seat (14) for a motor vehicle, with at least one device in accordance with claim 1.

14. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the pressure in the recipient (10, 12) is determined from the setting of the adjusting elements (42, 43) of the volume adjusting elements (24, 26).

15. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the motor (40, 41) of the adjusting element (42, 43) is a motor with rotational direction reversal.

16. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that at least one volume-adjusting element (24, 26) is arranged in an allocated vehicle seat (14).

17. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that at least one volume-adjusting element (24, 26) is arranged in an allocated vehicle seat (14).

18. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that at least one volume-adjusting element (24, 26) is arranged in an allocated vehicle seat (14).

11. Method to control and/or regulate the pressure level of at least one volume variable recipient (10, 12) of a pneumatic system, in particular a pneumatic system for a motor vehicle seat, characterized in that the pressure level in the recipient (10, 12) is varied by volume changes in a volume adjusting element (24, 26) allocated to the recipient.

12. Method according to claim 11, characterized in that the pressure level that is present in the recipient (10, 12) is detected via the setting of at least one volume-adjusting element (24, 26) that is allocated to the recipient (10, 12).

13. Method according to claim 11, characterized in that the pressure level that is present in the recipient (10, 12) is detected via the regulating distance of a motor (40, 41) setting an adjusting element (42, 43) of the volume-adjusting element (24, 26).

19. Method according to claim 12, characterized in that the pressure level that is present in the recipient (10, 12) is detected via the regulating distance of a motor (40, 41) setting an adjusting element (42, 43) of the volume-adjusting element (24, 26).