Adjustable Pocket-Spring Furniture Structure for Independent Support
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing furniture devices with adjustable firmness, such as bed mattresses, face limitations including non-independent deformation of elastic members, limited lifting capacity, and instability, especially when loaded unevenly, leading to potential failure and discomfort.
Innovation Solution
A furniture device design featuring parallel elastic members with adjustable lengths, where the plate member can displace relative to the fundament, allowing for independent deformation of each elastic member and maintaining a soft upper part, using connection members and a deformation member to control firmness, and incorporating sensors for adaptive adjustment based on weight distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If elastic members are clamped within envelopes (pocket spring design), then each elastic member deforms independently, but the design cannot be applied to furniture devices with adjustable firmness without losing the advantage
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic member is divided into two functional parts: an upper part enclosed in a flexible envelope for independent deformation, and a lower part exposed for adjustable firmness through plate displacement. This segmentation allows both independent deformation and firmness adjustment to coexist.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the elastic member have different properties: the upper part is enclosed and soft for comfort, while the lower part is exposed and adjustable for firmness control. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between independent deformation and adjustable firmness.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the plate member is displaced to adjust firmness, then continuous firmness adjustment is achieved, but the upper part of elastic members may become too hard
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic member is segmented into upper and lower parts with different functions. The upper part remains enclosed to maintain softness, while the lower part is exposed for firmness adjustment, preventing the entire elastic member from becoming too hard.
Solution Approach 2:
The upper part of the elastic member maintains its enclosed structure for softness, while the lower part is exposed for adjustment. This local quality differentiation ensures the upper layer remains soft even when firmness is adjusted.
3Adaptability or versatility
If elastic members are arranged in sets between surface and bottom plate, then firmness can be adjusted, but deformation of one part affects neighboring parts and failure is likely at spring intersections
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic member is segmented into upper and lower parts with the array of connections positioned between them. This segmentation isolates the upper part for independent deformation, preventing deformation propagation to neighboring members and reducing failure risk at intersections.
4Device complexity
If the lifting device has limited capacity and stroke, then the structure is simpler, but the adjustment range and stability are restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The plate member is made dynamically adjustable through the lifting device, allowing continuous displacement to vary firmness. This dynamic capability provides a wide adjustment range while maintaining relative structural simplicity.
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
This design provides continuous and independent firmness adjustment, maintaining a soft upper layer while allowing for adjustable firmness in the lower layer, enhancing comfort and stability by preventing over-deformation and ensuring ergonomic support.
Implementation Method 1
each elastic member comprising a length defined by an upper end and a lower end, and being adapted to be elastically deformed along said length when loaded with the weight of the being and to act on the being with a force that depends on said elastic deformation
Data Source
AI summary
A furniture device comprising a section, having a fundament, a plate member, a first set of elastic members, an array of connections, a plurality of connection members attached to the first set of elastic members and to the fundament and a deformation member adapted to displace the plate member. Each elastic member comprises an elastic element having a first spring constant and a flexible envelope that encloses the elastic element. The connections located between the upper and lower ends of the elastic members forming an upper part with an upper length extending between the upper ends of the elastic members and the connections, and a lower part extending between the connections and the lower ends of the elastic members. The upper length is mainly unaffected by the displacement of the plate member and the lower length is adjustable by means of the displacement of the plate member.