Patent Application
20150351997
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to massage chairs, and massage devices, apparatuses and systems used in providing the massaging effects in massage chairs. More specifically, the present invention is directed to a system and a method for controlling air massage pressure using variable frequency.
2. Description of the Related Art
Massage chairs, and massage devices, apparatuses and systems used in providing the massaging effects in massage chairs are known in the art.
The present invention overcomes one or more of the shortcomings of the prior art. The Applicant is unaware of inventions or patents, taken either singly or in combination, which are seen to describe the present invention as claimed.
The present invention is a system and a method for controlling air massage pressure using variable frequency. The system and method allow a user of a massage chair to adjust the air massage pressure to any desired level electronically. Air compressor power is controlled by varying the frequency of the power supply. The air pressure is monitored by a pressure sensor that forms a closed loop feedback control. This design allows for fast response and smooth pressure control.
In an embodiment of an aspect of the present invention, a system for controlling air massage pressure using variable frequency includes at least one air compressor, a master control board that includes or is equivalent to a variable frequency controller and a controller interface associated with the variable frequency controller, and a pressure sensor. The system may also include a temperature sensor, a current sensor, and/or a power source. The system may further include a remote control.
In another aspect of the present invention, a method for controlling air massage pressure using variable frequency is disclosed in detail in another section of the present application.
It should be understood that the above-attached figures are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention in any way.
Referring to
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In an embodiment, the system 100 includes at least one air compressor 120, a master control board (MCB) 130 that includes or is equivalent to a variable frequency controller 131 and a controller interface 132 associated with the variable frequency controller 131, and a pressure sensor 122. The system 100 may also include a temperature sensor 108, a current sensor 112, and/or a power source 104. The system 100 may further include a remote control 134.
The air compressor 120 is operable to pump air massage pressure to desired locations in a massage chair 10 so as to provide a user of the massage chair 10 with air pressure massage.
The variable frequency controller 131 is adapted for receiving a power supply voltage having a first frequency from a power source 104. The variable frequency controller 131 is associated with the air compressor 120.
The controller interface 132 is associated with the variable frequency controller 131. The controller interface 132 is adapted for receiving a first selection of a first button.
The pressure sensor 122 is operable to sense air pressure associated with the massage chair 10 and the air compressor 120.
After determining that the pressure sensor 122 is present, the variable frequency controller 131 determines whether the air pressure associated with the massage chair 10 and the air compressor 120 is equal to or greater than a predetermined level that is sufficient to operate the air compressor 120.
After determining that the air pressure associated with the massage chair 10 and the air compressor 120 is equal to or greater than the predetermined level, the variable frequency controller 131 starts the air compressor 120 at a first air compressor frequency such that the air compressor 120 outputs air pressure at a first air pressure.
After starting the air compressor 120 at the first air compressor frequency such that the air compressor 120 outputs air pressure at the first air pressure, the controller interface 132 associated with the variable frequency controller 131 receives a selection of a second button that is different than the first button.
After receiving at the controller interface 132 associated with the variable frequency controller 131 the selection of the second button, the variable frequency controller 131 converts the first frequency of the power supply voltage to a second frequency such that the air compressor 120 operates at a second air compressor frequency and the air compressor 120 outputs air pressure at a second air pressure. The second air compressor frequency is different from the first air compressor frequency, and the second air pressure is different from the first air pressure.
After converting by the variable frequency controller 131 the first frequency of the power supply voltage to the second frequency, the controller interface 132 associated with the variable frequency controller 131 receives a selection of a third button that is different than the first and second buttons.
After receiving at the controller interface 132 associated with the variable frequency controller 131 the selection of the third button, the variable frequency controller 131 converts the second frequency of the power supply voltage to a third frequency such that the air compressor 120 operates at a third air compressor frequency and the air compressor 120 outputs air pressure at a third air pressure. The third air compressor frequency is different from the first and second air compressor frequencies, and the third air pressure is different from the first and second air pressures.
After converting by the variable frequency controller 131 the second frequency of the power supply voltage to the third frequency, the controller interface 132 associated with the variable frequency controller 131 receives a second selection of the first button such that the variable frequency controller 131 shuts down operation of the air compressor 120 in response to the second selection of the first button.
After receiving at the controller interface 132 associated with the variable frequency controller 131 the first selection of the first button, an auxiliary power port associated with the variable frequency controller 131 is powered on.
After receiving at the controller interface 132 associated with the variable frequency controller 131 the second selection of the first button, the controller interface 132 associated with said variable frequency controller 131 receives a third selection of the first button such that the variable frequency controller 131 powers off the auxiliary power port in response to the third selection of the first button.
As a non-limiting example, the second air compressor frequency is less than the first air compressor frequency, the third air compressor frequency is greater than the second air compressor frequency, and the third air compressor frequency is less than the first air compressor frequency.
As a non-limiting example, the first button is a power button, the second button is a decrease air pressure button, and the third button is an increase air pressure button.
The temperature sensor 108 is operable to sense temperature associated with the air compressor 120. The variable frequency controller 131 determines whether a temperature associated with the air compressor 120 is equal to or greater than a temperature threshold, and the variable frequency controller 131 shuts down operation of the air compressor 120 when the variable frequency controller 131 determines that the temperature associated with the air compressor 120 is equal to or greater than the temperature threshold.
The current sensor 112 is operable to sense current associated with the air compressor 120. The variable frequency controller 131 determines whether a current associated with the air compressor 120 is equal to or greater than a current threshold, and the variable frequency controller 131 shuts down operation of the air compressor 120 when the variable frequency controller 131 determines that the current associated with the air compressor 120 is equal to or greater than the current threshold.
The remote control 134 is operable by the user to communicate with the master control board (MCB) 130 such that the user is able to receive desired air pressure massages directed to the user's head, back, arms, hands, seat, calfs, and/or feet.
Referring to
The system 100 may include AC power 102, a power supply section having a power source 104, a micro processor 106 with embedded software, a temperature sensor 108 and keypad instruction, a wave shaping circuit 110, an inductive loop current sensor 112, a bridge rectifier 114, DC link capacitors 116, a compressor driver circuit 118 with variable frequency output, and at least one air compressor 120.
The AC power 102 may be any AC power known in the art.
The power source 104 may be a plug-in power cord system or a rechargeable battery. The power source 104 may also be any power source known in the art.
The micro processor 106 may be any micro processor known in the art.
The temperature sensor 108 may be any temperature sensor known in the art.
The wave shaping circuit 110 may be any wave shaping circuit known in the art.
The current sensor 112 may be any current sensor known in the art.
The bridge rectifier 114 may be any bridge rectifier known in the art.
The DC link capacitors 116 may be any DC link capacitors known in the art.
The compressor driver circuit 118 with variable frequency output may be any compressor driver circuit with variable frequency output known in the art.
The air compressor 120 may be any air compressor known in the art.
Referring to
If the power key is pressed or selected, the method 200 continues in block 212, where an air massage key may be pressed or selected by the user. When the air massage key is pressed or selected, an air compressor 120 starts or is powered on, as shown in block 216. However, if the air massage key is not pressed nor selected, the air compressor 120 stays off, as shown in block 214.
After the air compressor 120 starts or is powered on, the method 200 continues in block 218, where determination is made as to whether there is detection of over current or over temperature. If over current or over temperature is not detected via the use of a temperature sensor 108 or current sensor 112, respectively, the method 200 continues to block 220, where a pressure adjust key may be pressed or selected by the user. However, if over current or over temperature is detected, the method 200 returns to block 210.
If the pressure adjust key is pressed or selected by the user, the method 200 continues in block 222, where a pressure sensor 122 is read and applicable air massage pressure being pumped or provided to at least one desired massage location, such as the head, back, arm, seat, calf, and/or feet, by the air compressor 120 is controlled by varying the frequency of the power supply or source 104. After block 222, the method returns to block 218. However, if the pressure adjust key is not pressed nor selected by the user, the method 200 continues in block 224, where the power key may be pressed or selected by the user. If the power key is not pressed nor selected by the user, the method returns to block 218. On the other, hand, if the power key is pressed or selected by the user, the method returns to block 210. The pressure sensor 122 may be any pressure sensor known in the art.
It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above or as shown in the attached figures, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the spirit of the invention.
