Anti-snoring pillow

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing anti-snoring solutions fail to effectively maintain proper cervical alignment and keep the airway open across various sleeping positions, leading to continued snoring issues.

Innovation Solution

A pillow with a central cavity for cradling the head and a flexible foam bridge that holds the jaw in place, ensuring the airway remains open by preventing mouth-breathing, regardless of sleeping position.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a pillow is designed to prevent back-sleeping by shaping it to force side-sleeping, then snoring is reduced, but the pillow cannot accommodate users who need to sleep on their back

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanti-snoring effectivenessVSAvoidsuitability for different sleeping positions

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The pillow is designed with a unique dual-function structure: the contoured body provides side-sleeping support while the bridge component specifically addresses back-sleepers by holding the jaw forward. This allows a single pillow to effectively serve both side-sleepers and back-sleepers, eliminating snoring regardless of sleeping position preference.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If the mouth is kept closed to prevent tongue from blocking airway, then snoring is eliminated, but breathing may be restricted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveairway opennessVSAvoidbreathing restriction

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The bridge acts as an intermediary device that gently holds the jaw and mandible in a forward position rather than forcing the mouth closed. This mediator approach maintains natural breathing mechanics while preventing the tongue from collapsing backward into the airway, eliminating snoring without restricting breathing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If the jaw is held firmly in place to keep mouth closed, then snoring is prevented, but comfort during sleep is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemouth closure effectivenessVSAvoidsleep comfort

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The bridge is constructed from foam material with specific density and flexibility parameters that allow it to apply gentle holding pressure on the jaw. The material properties are optimized to provide sufficient support to keep the mouth closed while remaining soft and comfortable against the skin, ensuring user comfort throughout the night.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS9808370B1Anti-snoring pillow

Publication Date: 2017.11.07 RESER RICHARD E

AI summary

The invention is a pillow that positions the neck enabling the sleeper to keep his airways open and get a good night's rest without snoring. The invention is a rectangular block of foam with a center cavity for an individual's head. The pillow is contoured to allow the lordotic curve of the cervical spine to be maintained and ensures that the upper portion of the thoracic spine is properly supported. Over the neck a foam bridge is formed to hold the jaw firmly in place whether a person lays on his back or sides. The bridge keeps the mandible from opening during sleep prohibiting mouth-breathing and snoring. Both the pillow and the bridge are made of flexible foam that is flexible enough to allow the neck to pass through the opening in the bridge. The bridge is position to keep the mouth closed and the airway open ensuring no snoring.