Adjustable Bed with Channel-Forming Postural Support for Sleep Apnea
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pillows and beds lack adjustability and convenience in accommodating changing user preferences and needs, particularly for postural support, which can be inconvenient and inefficient in addressing conditions like sleep apnea and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease.
Innovation Solution
A bed design featuring an adjustable headrest and backrest with a shoulder and arm rest that forms a channel between them, allowing for customizable postural support, with electric motors and actuators enabling continuous adjustment of height and angle, and an insert frame for modular construction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If pillows are made adjustable using inflation or removable inserts, then postural support adaptability is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The bed incorporates motorized actuators that enable dynamic adjustment of the headrest height and backrest angle, transforming a static structure into an adaptable system that can change configuration automatically based on user needs, eliminating manual adjustment mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The bed frame is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both a conventional flat bed and an adjustable inclined bed with postural support, integrating the benefits of both designs into a single universal platform that adapts to different sleeping requirements
2Adaptability or versatility
If pillows are made adjustable using inflation or removable inserts, then postural support adaptability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The motorized actuators enable automatic adjustment of headrest and backrest positions, allowing users to achieve desired postural support configurations through simple control inputs rather than manual manipulation of complex mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The bed system can automatically adjust to predetermined positions for different sleeping conditions, reducing the need for continuous user intervention and making the adaptability features easy to operate through automated routines
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Provides enhanced postural support and comfort by allowing users to adjust the bed to various positions, improving sleep quality and addressing conditions such as sleep apnea and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, while being convenient and space-efficient.
Implementation Method 1
The headrest actuator may comprise a headrest electric motor and a headrest actuator shaft connected to the headrest base from below
Implementation Method 2
The backrest actuator may comprise a backrest electric motor and backrest actuator shaft connected to the backrest base from below
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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Figure 5A~5B
AI summary
The invention provides a bed capable of providing postural support to a user, the bed comprising: a headrest (10) having an adjustable height; a backrest (12) having an adjustable angle (α)of inclination to incline the user's back; and a shoulder and arm rest (11) positioned between the headrest and the backrest; wherein the headrest (10), backrest (12) and the shoulder and arm rest (11) are configurable to form a channel (14) extending between and separating the headrest (10 and the backrest (12) when the headrest (10) and backrest (12) are adjusted in elevated positions, and configurable to form a substantially even sleeping surface of the backrest (12) and shoulder and arm rest (11) without forming the channel (14) when the backrest (12) is adjusted to a flat angle of inclination. The invention also provides an insert capable of being inserted into an outer bed frame in the construction of the bed, and a kit for construction of the bed.