US 4,792,186 A · Valve for controlling two-way flow

Abstract

A value incorporated into apparatus for controlling rigidity of a vehicle seat includes a housing defining a bore terminating in first and second counterbore ends with a narrowed central portion therebetween. A first port through the housing opens into the central portion, while a second port opens into both counterbore portions at or near the junction with the central portion. A two-piece resilient sealing member is disposed within the bore, and has enlarged first and second ends positioned in sealing contact within the counterbore portions to seal the bore, The sealing member is also normally positioned in sealing contact with the junction areas to seal the central portion from the counterbore portions. The sealing member may be moved longitudinally within the bore to move one of the enlarged portions away from one of the junction areas to open a fluid flow path between the ports. Normally open electrical switches are provided to be actuated upon longitudinal movement of the sealing member.

Drawings

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Drawings

Claims31

Dependent claims

A valve for controlling the flow of fluid, comprising:

a housing defining a bore extending therethrough, said bore terminating in first and second counterbore end portions defining a narrowed central portion therebetween and first and second junction areas connecting said first and second counterbore portions, respectively, with said central portion;
said housing further defining a first port extending through said housing and opening into said central portion of said bore;
a resilient sealing member disposed within said bore, said member having enlarged first and second ends positioned respectively in sealing contact within said first and second counterbore portions to seal said bore, said sealing member further being normally positioned in sealing contact with said junction areas to seal said central portion from said counterbore portions;
means for longitudinally moving said sealing member within said bore to move one of said enlarged portions away from one of said junction areas while deforming an opposite one of said enlarged portions further into sealing contact with a corresponding one of said junction areas;
said housing further defining a second port extending through said housing and opening into both of said first and second counterbore portions at or near said junction areas;
and
actuator means connected to said longitudinal moving means for enabling an operator to cause longitudinal movement of said sealing member, whereby longitudinal movement of said sealing member in either direction opens a fluid flow path from said first to said second port.

4 more elements

A valve for controlling the flow of fluid, comprising:

a housing defining a pair of parallel bores extending therethrough, each of said bores terminating in first and second counterbore end portions defining a narrowed central portion therebetween and first and second junction areas connecting said first and second counterbore portions, respectively, with said central portion;
said housing further defining a pair of first ports, each extending through said housing and opening into said central portion of one of said bores;
a resilient sealing member disposed within each of said bores, said member having enlarged first and second ends positioned respectively in sealing contact within said first and second counterbore portions to seal said bore, said sealing member further being normally positioned in sealing contact with said junction areas to seal said central portion from said counterbore portions;
means for selectively longitudinally moving one of said sealing members within a corresponding one of said bores to move one of said enlarged portions away from one of said junction areas while deforming an opposite one of said enlarged portions further into sealing contact with a corresponding one of said junction areas;
said housing further defining a second port extending through said housing and opening into both of said first and second counterbore portions of both of said bores at or near said junction areas;
and
actuator means connected to said longitudinal moving means for enabling an operator to selectively cause lateral movement of either of said sealing members, whereby longitudinal movement of said sealing member in either direction opens a fluid flow path from a corresponding one of said first ports to said second port.

4 more elements

Apparatus for controlling the rigidity of a seat, comprising an inflatable bladder located in said seat, an electrically-operated reversible air pump, and a valve for controlling the flow of air into and out of said bladder, said valve including:

a housing defining a bore extending therethrough, said bore terminating in first and second counterbore end portions defining a narrowed central portion therebetween and first and second junction areas connecting said first and second counterbore portions, respectively, with said central portion;
said housing further defining a first port extending through said housing and opening into said central portion of said bore;
a resilient sealing member disposed within said bore, said member having enlarged first and second ends positioned respectively in sealing contact within said first and second counterbore portions to seal said bore, said sealing member further being normally positioned in sealing contact with said junction areas to seal said central portion from said counterbore portions;
means for longitudinally moving said sealing member within said bore to move one of said enlarged portions away from one of said junction areas while deforming an opposite one of said enlarged portions further into sealing contact with a corresponding one of said junction areas;
said housing further defining a second port extending through said housing and opening into both of said first and second counterbore portions at or near said junction areas;
and
actuator means connected to said longitudinal moving means for enabling an operator to cause longitudinal movement of said sealing member, whereby longitudinal movement of said sealing member in either direction opens a fluid flow path from said first to said second port;
said apparatus further comprising a first air line connecting said bladder and said first port, and a second air line connecting said air pump and said second port.

5 more elements

Apparatus for controlling the rigidity of a seat having a lumbar support portion and a thigh support portion, comprising a first inflatable bladder located in said lumbar support portion, a second inflatable bladder located in said thigh support portion, an electrically operated reversible air pump, and a valve for controlling the flow of air into and out of said first and second bladders, said valve including:

a housing defining a pair of parallel bores extending therethrough, each of said bores terminating in first and second counterbore end portions defining a narrowed central portion therebetween and first and second junction areas connecting said first and second counterbore portions, respectively, with said central portion;
said housing further defining a pair of first ports, each extending through said housing and opening into said central portion of one of said bores;
a resilient sealing member disposed within each of said bores, said member having enlarged first and second ends positioned respectively in sealing contact within said first and second counterbore portions to seal said bore, said sealing member further being normally positioned in sealing contact with said junction areas to seal said central portion from said counterbore portions;
means for selectively longitudinally moving one of said sealing members within a corresponding one of said bores to move one of said enlarged portions away from one of said junction areas while deforming an opposite one of said enlarged portions further into contact with a corresponding one of said junction areas;
said housing further defining a second port extending through said housing and opening into both of said first and second counterbore portions of both of said bores at or near said junction areas;
and
actuator means connected to said longitudinal moving means for enabling an operator to selectively cause longitudinal movement of either of said sealing members, whereby longitudinal movement of said sealing member in either direction opens a fluid flow path from a corresponding one of said first ports to said second port;
said apparatus further comprising a first air line connecting said first bladder and one of said first ports, a second air line connecting said second bladder and the other of said first ports, and a third air line connecting said air pump and said second port.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Description5,425 words

Summary2,838 words

#The present invention relates generally to valves for controlling the flow of fluid. More particularly, the invention relates to a valve which is capable of directing fluid such as air through a pathway in two alternative directions.

#In valves for controlling the flow of a fluidic medium, deformable resilient plugs have been used to effect closure of the fluid passageway through the valve housing. A sealing surface is defined along the passageway within the housing, and the plug closure member is subjected to pressure causing the plug to be deformed into engagement with the sealing portion. Release of the pressure being applied to th plug will permit fluid to flow through the passageway.

#Certain models of automobiles include a feature wherein the automobile driver can adjust the rigidity, or conversely, the softness of the driver's seat according to personal preference. The mechanism for such a feature typically includes one or more inflatable bladders located in the lumbar or lower back portion of the seat, with one or more bladders also located in the thigh portion of the seat. Air is selectively directed into or exhausted from either of the bladder sets, whereby the rigidity of the corresponding seat portion is controlled. Such a system is shown generally in U.S. Pat. No. 3,326,601 of Vanderbilt et al.

Brief description of the drawings8 figures

#FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an apparatus for controlling rigidity of a vehicle seat in which a valve according the present invention may be used;

#FIG. 2 is an exploded three-quarter view of a valve according to the present invention;

#FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of the valve, taken generally along line 3--3 of FIG. 4;

Detailed description2,446 words

#Referring to FIG. 1, an automobile seat 10 is shown which includes a mechanism for adjusting the rigidity of the seat. An inflatable bladder 12 is located in the lower back or or lumbar portion of the seat, and includes an air inlet line 14 opening into the interior of the bladder 12. A second bladder 16 is positioned within the thigh portion of the seat, and includes a similar inlet 18. Inlets 14 and 18 are connected to a valve 20, which is in accordance with the present invention and will be described in detail below.

#Valve 20 includes operator actuator controls (not shown) which are used to energize a reversible air pump 22 connected through electric and air lines to valve 20. Pump 22 is in turn connected to the automobile battery 24. Upon actuation of the appropriate control within valve 20, pump 22 is energized to provide air under pressure to a selected one of bladders 12 or 16. When the control is released, valve 20 closes the appropriate air line, thereby maintaining the bladder at a desired air press are. The controls may be actuated in an opposite manner, thereby powering pump 22 in a reverse direction and opening the air line connecting the selected bladder 12 or 16. This withdraws air from the bladder, quickly reducing the pressure within the bladder. Upon release of the control, the bladder is maintained at the new air pressure.

#Referring now to FIG. 2, the valve according to the present invention is shown in exploded fashion. A housing 26 is preferably molded from a suitable plastic material. As better seen by reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, housing 26 is provided with a pair of central, cylindrical bores 28, each of which terminates in first and second counterbore end portions 30 and 32, respectively. A partition 34 separates bore 28 from an upper open housing portion 35. Formed into each end of partition 34 is one of a pair of notches 36 and 38, each notch 36 and 38 opening into a respective one of the counterbore portions 30 and 32.

Facts

Application

07/121,829Filed 16 Nov 1987

Granted

20 Dec 1988

Term ended

16 Nov 2007

Estimated · how

Pre-1995 term; greater of 17 years from grant or 20 years from filing when eligible. Maintenance-fee lapses, terminal disclaimers and statutory extensions have not been checked. The continuity chain may be incomplete; this is not an enforceability determination.

Classification8 codes

A47C 7/467
With special, e.g. adjustable , lumbar region support profile; "Ackerblom" profile chairs: adjustable by fluid means
B60N 2/914
Details or parts not otherwise provided for: hydro-pneumatic adjustments of the shape
H01H 3/0206
Operating parts, i.e. for operating driving mechanism by a mechanical force external to the switch: combined operation of electric switch and of…
Y10T 137/87708
With flow control means for branched passages: with common valve operator

Valve for controlling two-way flow

Life of this patent

Valve for controlling two-way flow

Life of this patent

Life of this patent

Abstract

Drawings

Drawings

Claims31

Description5,425 words

Drawings

Classification8 codes

Life of this patent

Description5,425 words