Adjustable Bed Cross-Control for Partner Snore Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Snoring can disrupt the sleep of others sharing a bed, and waking the snorer to stop the snoring is often ineffective and disruptive.

Innovation Solution

A sleep system with an adjustable bed that allows one occupant to control the position of the other occupant's side of the bed using a remote control, enabling the snore-reducing position to be activated without waking the snorer, utilizing an articulation system with motors and controllers for independent adjustment of head and leg sections.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If the snorer is woken up to stop snoring, then the snoring is temporarily reduced, but the snorer's sleep is interrupted and they often resume snoring after returning to sleep

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesnoring disturbance to partnerVSAvoidsleep continuity for snorer

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The bed is divided into two independently controllable sections (first sleep area and second sleep area), allowing one partner to adjust the other's sleeping position without physical contact or waking them. This segmentation enables targeted intervention to reduce snoring while preserving the snorer's uninterrupted sleep.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The manual mechanical action of waking and repositioning the snorer is replaced with an automated motorized articulation system. The articulation system with motors automatically adjusts the sleep position based on remote control commands, eliminating the need to physically wake the snorer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the bed position is manually adjusted by waking the snorer, then the position can be changed to reduce snoring, but this requires human intervention and disturbs the snorer

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesnoringVSAvoidautomatic position adjustment

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service operation where the non-snoring partner can independently control the bed position adjustments using a remote control device. The articulation system responds automatically to remote control signals, allowing position changes without manual intervention or waking the snorer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

A remote control device serves as an intermediary between the non-snoring partner and the articulation system. This intermediary allows indirect control of the bed position, enabling the user to adjust the snorer's position without direct physical contact or waking them.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If independent control of each sleep area is provided, then each occupant can adjust their own position, but the ability to control the opposite side for snore reduction requires additional system capability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindependent sleep area controlVSAvoidcross-control capability for snore reduction

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Each remote control device is designed with universal functionality to control both its associated sleep area and the opposite sleep area. The first user controller can control both the first sleep area and the second sleep area, and vice versa, enabling cross-control for snore reduction without requiring separate control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The control functions for both sleep areas are merged into each remote control device. This consolidation allows either partner to control either side of the bed, simplifying the system architecture while enabling the snore reduction feature where one partner can adjust the other's position.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS8984687B2Partner snore feature for adjustable bed foundation

Publication Date: 2015.03.24 SLEEP NUMBER CORP

AI summary

A sleep system comprises at least one mattress including a first sleep area for a first occupant, the first sleep area including a first section for a portion of a body of the first occupant, and a second sleep area adjacent to the first sleep area for a second occupant, the second sleep area including a second section for a portion of a body of the second occupant, an articulation system for articulating the first section and the second section, a first user controller configured to communicate with the articulation system in order to control articulation of the first section, and a second user controller configured to communicate with the articulation system in order to control articulation of the second section, wherein the first user controller is further configured to communicate with the articulation system in order to move the second section into a predetermined position.