Adjustable pillow and methods of making and using same
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pillows, such as those made of viscoelastic foam, fail to provide adequate neck support for all users due to varying body sizes and sleeping positions, and often lack sufficient firmness in the neck region, leading to discomfort and strain.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable pillow design featuring a cover with multiple fasteners that allow for customizable height adjustment by folding and tucking sections of the cover into a pocket, redistributing filler material to accommodate individual preferences for support and comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a pre-formed viscoelastic pillow is used, then the pillow provides a fixed level of neck support, but it cannot accommodate varying body sizes and sleeping positions
Solution Approach 1:
The pillow is divided into multiple sections with different fasteners (first fastener, second fastener, third fastener) positioned at different locations along the length of the pillow. Each fastener can be independently adjusted to create different pillow heights, allowing the pillow to be segmented into different functional zones that accommodate various body sizes and sleeping positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The pillow incorporates adjustable fasteners that allow the user to dynamically change the pillow's configuration and height. The fasteners can be moved along the length of the pillow and secured at different positions, enabling the pillow to adapt to different sleeping positions and body sizes rather than being fixed in a single configuration.
2Ease of operation
If viscoelastic foam is used, then the pillow molds to the individual, but the support in the neck region becomes too soft
Solution Approach 1:
The pillow design allows for different firmness levels in different regions by adjusting the fasteners at specific locations. The first fastener, second fastener, and third fastener can be positioned at different distances from the head end to create zones of varying support, with the neck region receiving firmer support while other areas remain softer for comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The pillow enables changing the physical parameters of support by adjusting the fastener positions. By moving the fasteners to different locations along the pillow length, the user can change the effective height and firmness of the pillow in the neck region, transitioning from a soft molded feel to a firmer supportive feel as needed.
3Adaptability or versatility
If an adjustable pillow with multiple fasteners is used, then the pillow can be customized for different heights, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment mechanism is segmented into multiple independent fasteners rather than one complex mechanism. Each fastener operates independently and can be adjusted separately, simplifying the overall system while providing multiple height options. The segmented approach allows incremental adjustments rather than requiring a complete reconfiguration.
Solution Approach 2:
The fasteners are positioned nested along the length of the pillow, with each subsequent fastener building upon the configuration of the previous ones. This nested arrangement allows for a range of heights to be achieved by combining different fastener positions, reducing the need for additional complex mechanisms while maintaining versatility.
4Strength
If the pillow length is reduced by adjusting fasteners, then the pillow height increases for better neck support, but the pillow becomes shorter
Solution Approach 1:
The pillow allows dynamic adjustment of length and height through the fastener system. By moving fasteners to different positions, the user can create different effective lengths and heights as needed for the sleeping position. The pillow transitions from a fixed-dimensional object to a dynamically adjustable one that can optimize both length and height for different scenarios.
Data Source
AI summary
A pillow can comprise a cover having a top portion and a bottom portion that cooperate to define a pocket having an interior and an opening opposite a first edge. A first fastener can extend between a front edge and a rear edge of the cover. The first fastener can be configured to close the opening of the pocket so that the pocket has a first length defined as a spacing between the first edge and the first fastener. A second fastener can extend between the front edge and the rear edge of the cover. The second fastener can be configured to close the opening of the pocket so that the pocket has a second length defined as a spacing between the first edge and the second fastener. The second length can be shorter than the first length. When the second fastener is closed, the first fastener can be disposed within the interior of the pocket.