Air Bladder Bedding Pressure Sequencing for Sleep Comfort
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional bedding systems fail to provide adequate firmness and temperature control for individual user preferences, leading to discomfort and disrupted sleep due to limited adjustability and poor temperature regulation.
Innovation Solution
An active comfort controlled bedding system featuring a plurality of air bladders with pressure sensors, a manifold, and a control unit that adjusts pressure in a repeating pattern to provide variable firmness and climate control, integrated with a foam structure for enhanced support and comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional air bladders are used with limited numbers spanning the width of the bed, then device complexity is reduced, but firmness adjustability resolution is insufficient to resolve individual user preferences
Solution Approach 1:
The air bladder system is divided into multiple independent air bladders arranged in arrays across the mattress surface. Each air bladder can be independently controlled to provide localized firmness adjustments, enabling high-resolution customization for individual user preferences without requiring a single complex control system
2Ease of manufacture
If a rectangular prism air bladder with comfort foam is used, then manufacturing is simplified, but the sleeper feels like lying on top of the bed rather than in the bed
Solution Approach 1:
The air bladders are constructed with flexible, conformable materials that allow them to adapt to the user's body contours. This flexible construction enables the air bladders to cradle the user within the bed rather than having the user rest on top, improving the immersive sleep experience while maintaining manufacturability
3Duration of action of stationary object
If body temperature is regulated during sleep, then sleep duration is extended, but the bed may become uncomfortable in hot environments
Solution Approach 1:
The air bladder system implements periodic pressure variations that create a massaging action, stimulating blood circulation and helping to regulate body temperature. This periodic mechanical action complements thermal regulation by promoting heat dissipation through improved circulation, addressing comfort in hot environments while maintaining extended sleep duration
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
The system offers customizable firmness and temperature adjustments, improving sleep quality by providing a massaging action and maintaining optimal body temperature, thus enhancing user comfort and sleep duration.
Implementation Method 1
each one of the plurality of air bladders includes a pressure sensor configured to measure pressure within a respective air bladder
Implementation Method 2
a manifold fluidly coupling each one of the plurality of air bladders to a pump; a control unit configured to selectively operate the pump and valves to sequentially adjust a pressure in two or more of the plurality of air bladders
Implementation Method 3
the repeating pattern is defined by a pressure increase and subsequent decrease in a selected one of the plurality of air bladders followed by a pressure increase and subsequent decrease in a selected other one of the plurality of air bladders to provide a massaging action
Data Source
AI summary
Active comfort controlled bedding systems include a variable firmness control and/or variable climate control. The active comfort controlled bedding systems generally include a plurality of air bladders, each one of the plurality of air bladders includes a pressure sensor configured to measure pressure within a respective air bladder. A control unit configured to selectively operate a pump and valves to sequentially adjust a pressure in two or more of the plurality of air bladders having an applied load of an end user thereon to provide a repeating pattern within the two or more plurality of air bladders, wherein the repeating pattern is defined by a pressure increase and subsequent decrease in a selected one of the plurality of air bladders followed a pressure increase and subsequent decrease in a selected other one of the plurality of air bladders to provide a massaging action.