Arm-Conduit Pillow Structure for Stable Sleep Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional pillows often migrate out of position during sleep, causing discomfort, especially when sleeping on one's stomach, and existing solutions either restrict circulation, are prone to movement, or result in uneven wear and difficulty with pillowcases.
Innovation Solution
A pillow with a flexible outer covering and a conduit for the arm, allowing the pillow to be secured in place on both sides and compatible with washable pillowcases, using a pillowcase with a conduit and fastener system to maintain position and balance wear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a traditional pillow is used, then the pillow structure is simple, but the pillow migrates out of position during sleep causing discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The pillow is divided into two distinct sides: a first side with a recessed portion for arm placement and a second side without the recessed portion. This segmentation allows each side to serve different functions while maintaining overall pillow stability and preventing migration during sleep.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a strap is added to hold the pillow in place, then the pillow position stability improves, but the strap cuts off circulation to the arm
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful strap element is completely removed from the design. Instead, a recessed portion is created in the pillow body that passively holds the arm without applying constriction forces, thereby maintaining circulation while achieving position stability.
3Ease of operation
If a pillow with one-sided arm recess is used, then the arm can be positioned comfortably, but the pillow wears unevenly
Solution Approach 1:
The pillow design allows dynamic switching between two functional sides. Users can flip the pillow to use the second side when the first side becomes worn, effectively doubling the pillow's service life while maintaining comfortable arm positioning capabilities.
4Stability of the object's composition
If a fixed arm sleeve is added to the pillow, then the pillow can be kept in place, but the device becomes difficult to use with a pillowcase
Solution Approach 1:
The recessed portion is designed with local quality characteristics that differ from a complete arm sleeve - it provides structural support and positioning stability while maintaining an open, accessible geometry that allows easy insertion and removal of pillowcases without complex fastening mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
A pillow for use by a person comprises a pillow body that has a front side, a rear side, and at least two opposing sides that together define an interior volume therewithin. A conduit traverses the interior volume between the two opposing sides and is adapted for receiving the person's arm therethrough. A cushy filler or foam material is disposed within the pillow body to substantially fill the internal volume thereof. A pillowcase includes a first open side through which the pillow body is inserted into a pillowcase interior space. A side of the pillowcase includes a pillowcase conduit extending away therefrom and that is aligned with the conduit of the pillow body when the pillow body is inserted into the pillowcase. An aperture traverses a side opposite the pillowcase conduit to which an end of the pillowcase conduit is fixed with a zipper or other fastener.