On-vehicle massage system for a passenger vehicle

Abstract

An on-vehicle massage system for a passenger vehicle that utilizes an air compressor on the passenger vehicle as a source of dynamic force and the power supply on the passenger vehicle as an electric power source to inflate and deflate air bags mounted in seats of the passenger vehicle to provide massage action. A pressure detecting circuit detects the air pressure in an air cylinder of the air compressor, so that the on-vehicle massage system is actuated only when a detected pressure value is high enough for normal and safe operation of the passenger vehicle. The on-vehicle massage system is economical and safe for use to relieve passengers' stiff muscles caused by long distance journey on the vehicle.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An on-vehicle massage system for a passenger vehicle, said passenger vehicle being equipped with at least an air compressor and at least an air cylinder communicably connected to said air compressor, said on-vehicle massage system comprising: 
 a plurality of air bags being separately mounted on seats of said passenger vehicle;    first and second pressure regulation valves being communicably connected to said air cylinder via a first pipe, said first pressure regulation valve being adapted for a coarse regulation to largely reduce a pressure of air supplied from said air cylinder, and said second pressure regulation valve being adapted for a fine regulation of a pressure of air passed through said first pressure regulation valve to a predetermined pressure range for massage purpose;    an electromagnetically controlled air valve serially connected to said second pressure regulation valve and including an air outlet and a second pipe;    an air distribution valve being communicably connected to said electromagnetically controlled air valve via said second pipe, and having a plurality of air delivery pipes separately led to said air bags, and said air delivery pipes being controlled through respective electromagnetic valves to open or close;    a power circuit for reducing a voltage of a power supplied by said passenger vehicle to a voltage usable for massaging purpose;    a pressure detecting circuit for detecting a pressure value of air in said air cylinder of said passenger vehicle and outputting a signal of said detected pressure value;    an input circuit via which signals generated by depressing push buttons provided on seats of said passenger vehicle are output;    a central processing unit for receiving and processing signals from said power circuit, said pressure detecting circuit and said input circuit to output a signal; and    an output circuit receiving said signal from said central processing unit to timely actuate said electromagnetically controlled air valve and said electromagnetic valves in said air distribution valve to start or stop inflating and deflating said air bags, and said output circuit also lighting a plurality of LED indicating lamps provided on said seats corresponding to said push buttons on said seats that have been depressed.    
     
     
         2 . The on-vehicle massage system for a passenger vehicle as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said central processing unit instructs said output circuit to close said electromagnetically controlled air valve and disenable said air distribution valve when said pressure detecting valve detects a pressure value that is lower than a preset value representing a low limit of pressure needed by said passenger vehicle to operate normally and safely.