Fluid fillable, variable volume chamber

p0001The invention relates to a fluidbefüllbaren, volumsveränderlichen body consisting of two superimposed, to each other along the circumferential edge by welding related films, preferably made of plastic material, moreover, form which slides a hinge region, along which hinge region of two the films to form at least partially overlying portions of the inflatable body are folded, and wherein the foils at least one at most the hinge area crossing through connecting channel between the two partial regions of the inflatable body is formed which is delimited laterally by the weld bead formed in the connection foils.

p0002Such a body is, for example, as a support cushion for an automobile seat in the <patcit id="pcit0001" dnum="DE20307633U1"><text>DE 203 07 633 U1</text></patcit> disclosed. The support cushion described consists of two cushion elements, which are connected via a common hinge edge and come to lie at least partially one above the other in use. Here, the hinge may be formed by the cushion elements forming films, according to a described embodiment, a fluid connection between the two cushion elements by the hinge or through a connecting channel may be provided, which is formed by film portions, which connect the two pad members in addition to the hinge together ,

p0003In the area of ​​the hinge and / or a similarly bent with a small radius separate connection channel formed in the outer film is a tensile stress, while is set up in the internal compressive stress film. This has the consequence that the sheets are pressed with relatively great force against each other. The connecting channel thus following the overflowing of the fluid presents great resistance, which has a very negative effect especially when filling or emptying a single fluid port, but also the balance between the two cushion elements. Only from a certain internal pressure, the contact pressure of the films to be overcome, but then carried out a relatively fast, almost shock-like fluid exchange. A complete emptying of the body, however, is almost impossible, because below a certain residual pressure, the resistance of the connecting channel can no longer be overcome. So Proper operation is not guaranteed in such cases.

p0004It was therefore an object of the present invention to design a body of the type described above such that the spill resistance between the sections of the body as possible is reduced and a simple and soft fluid exchange between these subregions is reliably ensured even at low pressure difference.

p0005the generic fluidbefüllbare body is to achieve this object, as specified in claim 1, further characterized in that at least one element is provided in the course of at least one connecting duct, which at least spaced from the films in deaerated condition of the body over part of the width of the connecting channel holding, by the compound of the films formed during welding beads a distance between the films at least maintained in the immediate vicinity, and further between the connecting channel laterally delimiting weld beads are provided substantially in the longitudinal direction of the connecting channel further weld beads. Thus, fluid communication between the sub-regions of the body is always kept open, even with strong a bent or kinked hinge or separate connecting channel. Such a trained body has a soft pressure equalization and fluid exchange between its sub-areas, and also allows for filling and emptying means alone a fluid connection a soft and uniform filling and complete emptying. By the connecting channel laterally limiting weld beads maintain a distance between the films at least in the immediate vicinity, can already be ensured in a simple manner the soft fluid exchange during the production of the body and its constituent parts at any time. To still keep open larger cross sections in the connecting channel for the fluid exchange between the connecting channel laterally limiting weld beads more weld beads are provided substantially in the longitudinal direction of the connecting passage according to the invention further.

p0006For film materials in which are formed only slightly pronounced weld beads, it can be ensured by special manufacturing steps that the weld beads are formed thicker than the safe connection of the superposed films is necessary.

p0007In a preferred embodiment of the inflatable body according to the invention may be used in the connecting channel at least one spacer element to keep the connecting channel in any state of the body for the fluid exchange between the subregions open.

p0008It can be formed in the longitudinal direction of the connecting channel extending slots or grooves the spacer element by an inserted between the connecting channel forming film sections additional piece of film, along the edges of the films are kept apart from each other and thus the fluid communication is ensured. For the production and stability of the spacer element can be mutually beneficial a compound of the slot or groove-walls.

p0009A similar effect as provided in the longitudinal direction of the connecting channel weld bead is provided on a spacer element which is formed by a projection extending substantially in the longitudinal direction of the connecting channel, narrow body.

p0010Alternatively, may be used in the connecting channel and at least one spacer element of fluid permeable material.

p0011Conceivable examples of elements using foam, elements made of porous materials, preferably plastics, or inserted between the films woven or knitted fabric.

p0012According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention it is provided that one of the body delimiting films, preferably the external when folding the body sheet, at least in the region of the connecting channel has a greater width than the opposing film, and to form each connecting channel forms a plurality of convexes. As an additional element can be viewed here opposite the narrower film excess width of the wider film. This width difference causes the films are not pressed against one another when bending or flexing of the connecting region. By forming of waves in the wider film created several juxtaposed, always open remaining connecting channels. The formation of bulges or waves in the wider film can be promoted by measures in the tool for the production of the body.

p0013It can advantageously be provided in the case of the waving of the wider film as an additional feature that the inventively provided additional weld beads are arranged between each two of several bulges. These favor the keeping open of the parallel connecting channels by keeping the films in the vicinity of the weld beads spaced.

p0014In the following description the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.

p0015The <figref idrefs="f0001">Fig. 1</figref> shows a support pillow for a vehicle seat, consisting of a folded double-bubble film, as an example of fluidbefüllbaren body, <figref idrefs="f0002">FIG. 2</figref> is an illustration of the bubble of <figref idrefs="f0001">Fig. 1</figref> in aufgefaltetem state <figref idrefs="f0003">Fig. 3</figref> shows a detail of a curved connecting channel between two part areas of a body similar to the <figref idrefs="f0001">Fig. 1</figref> and <figref idrefs="f0002">2</figref>. <figref idrefs="f0003">Fig. 4</figref> illustrates a detail of a connecting channel in aufgefaltetem state, <figref idrefs="f0003">Fig. 5</figref> is a representation of the communication passage of the <figref idrefs="f0003">Fig. 4</figref> the curved state in similar <figref idrefs="f0003">Fig. 3</figref>, and the <figref idrefs="f0004">FIGS. 6a and 6b</figref> show cross-sections in the region of the connecting channel on one hand for a not corresponding to the invention and on the other hand, according to the invention for an embodiment of the body.

p0016The <figref idrefs="f0001">Fig. 1</figref> shows the basic illustration of the subject invention, a fluidbefüllbaren, volumsveränderlichen body K, about a Lordoseblase or similar support cushion for installation in vehicle seats, which the body K of two superposed, interconnected along the circumferential edge, ie welded films, preferably made of plastic material, is , By folding along a hinge region 1, the films form two superposed sections 2, 3 of the inflatable body K, is being formed through the slides at least one possibly the hinge area 1 crossing through connecting channel 4 between the two areas 2, 3 of the inflatable body. In addition to the hinge region 1 can fix the position of the sections 2, 3 against each other tabs. 5 About a fluid supply port 6, preferably compressed air, is the upper portion 2 and further via the connecting channel 4 also supplies the lower portion 3 of the body and also emptied.

p0017The compound of the superposed sheets of the body K is accomplished in the illustrated example by welding to form a circumferential weld bead 7, which also limits the connecting passage 4 side. This weld bead 7 is formed by the displacement of the material of the films.

p0018In that in <figref idrefs="f0001">Fig. 1</figref> illustrated position of the body K is the connecting channel 4 strongly curved, so due to the tension in the outer film and the compressive stress in the inner foil these are pressed with a relatively high force to each other. In the area of ​​the weld beads 7 on the edge of the connecting channel 4 7 increases with the formation of the weld bead, the distance of the foils to each other, and these films are immediately adjacent these weld beads 7 and therefore over at least a part of the width of the connecting channel 4 also kept spaced from each other, whereby the cross-sectional areas of the connecting channel 8 4 are kept open even in kinked or sharply curved state. This means that the fluid communication between the subregions 2, 3 of the body K is always kept open.

p0019In order to improve this effect, may be applied the weld beads 7 may be made thicker than is necessary for the secure connection of the superimposed films. This can be accomplished by suitable mold, by pressure between the two foils to be joined during welding and more pronounced tool contour just before the weld edge, so that the films can form the open cross-sectional area 8 of the connecting channel 4 here.

p0020By extending substantially parallel to the edge-side weld beads 7, substantially in the longitudinal direction of the connecting channel 4 extending more weld beads, the present invention is realized.

p0021In the <figref idrefs="f0003">FIGS. 4 and 5</figref> it is illustrated how in the connecting channel 4, a piece of film 9 may be used as a spacer. This spacer element 9 is inserted between the body K forming films and may be fixed in a conventional manner. The film piece 9 has on in the longitudinal direction of the connecting channel 4 extending slots 10 for improving the flow-through of the connecting channel 4th

p0022In the <figref idrefs="f0004">Fig. 6a</figref> is schematically shown a construction in cross-section, in which the folding in of the body (K) outer foil has a greater width than the lower sheet. This effect can be caused by different material width from the beginning, or by being pushed together during the welding operation. The broader film forms at least one arch 11 and thus forms the held open even when bending of the connecting portion of the sections 2, 3 of the body K connecting channel 4 from.

p0023In the formation of several bulges 11 or wave form, as exemplary of the invention illustrative <figref idrefs="f0004">Fig. 6b</figref> shows between these several bulges 11 along the width of the area bounded by the weld beads 7 connecting region several parallel connecting channels 4a. Here 11 additional weld beads 7a are provided for fixing the bulges 11 and for securely keep the connection open channels 4a between two bulges.