Switching means for an adjustable foundation system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air mattress systems with multiple adjustable foundations face challenges in synchronizing the operation of headboard and footboard drive mechanisms across different bed configurations, such as when one side adjusts independently of the other, leading to inconsistent bed positions.
Innovation Solution
A configurable device, like a switch on the central controller, allows users to select between independent and coordinated control of the drive mechanisms based on bed configurations, ensuring that the headboard and footboard mechanisms operate in tandem or independently as needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single pump and valve assembly is used to control multiple air chambers, then the system structure is simplified and cost is reduced, but the ability to independently adjust firmness for each zone is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The pump and valve assembly is segmented into multiple independent valve units, each controlling a specific air chamber. This allows the system to maintain a relatively simple overall structure while enabling independent control of each zone's firmness through individually operated valves.
Solution Approach 2:
The pump and valve assembly is designed as a multi-functional unit that can serve multiple air chambers simultaneously. The assembly can inflate or deflate different zones independently through the valve mechanism, providing universal control capability across multiple chambers from a single control station.
2Ease of operation
If two separate remote controls are used for position and firmness adjustment, then control functions are separated and specialized, but device complexity and user operation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control system merges position adjustment and firmness adjustment functions into a single remote control unit. This consolidation reduces the number of control devices the user must handle while maintaining the specialized functionality of both control modes through software or electronic circuit differentiation within the unified remote.
Solution Approach 2:
The remote control is designed as a multi-functional device capable of performing both position adjustment and firmness adjustment operations. Through mode switching or different button assignments, the single remote provides universal control over all major bed functions, simplifying the user interface while maintaining functional specialization.
3Adaptability or versatility
If drive mechanisms operate independently on each side of the bed, then individual position adjustment flexibility is improved, but synchronization and uniformity between sides deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The control system incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor the position of each side of the bed and automatically adjust the drive mechanisms to maintain synchronization. When one side moves, the system detects this change and coordinates the opposite side's movement accordingly, ensuring uniform bed positioning while preserving individual adjustment capability through coordinated control.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system dynamically switches between independent and coordinated operation modes based on user selection or detected bed configuration. This dynamic adaptability allows the drive mechanisms to operate independently when individual adjustment is desired, while automatically synchronizing when uniform bed positioning is required, providing flexibility without sacrificing stability.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the system supports multiple bed configurations, then adaptability to different user needs is improved, but control synchronization complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system dynamically adapts its synchronization behavior based on the selected bed configuration. When a shared mattress configuration is detected or selected, the system enables coordinated control of drive mechanisms to ensure uniform positioning. When split configuration is selected, the system switches to independent control mode, allowing each side to operate autonomously. This dynamic reconfiguration reduces control complexity by automatically adjusting synchronization requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system introduces a configuration detection and management intermediary that automatically identifies the bed setup type and configures the control algorithms accordingly. This intermediary layer handles the complexity of supporting multiple configurations by translating user needs into appropriate control modes, shielding the user from synchronization complexity while maintaining full adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
In one example, this disclosure describes an adjustable bed system that includes first and second adjustable foundations, at least one first motor to adjust the first adjustable foundation, at least one second motor to adjust the second adjustable foundation, a configurable device having a first state and a second state, and a central controller in communication with the device, the controller configured to receive an input representing one of the first state and the second state, the controller including a processor configured to control the at least one first motor and the at least one second motor based on the received input.