Bed frame for supporting a lateral sleeping position

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bed frames fail to effectively maintain a lateral sleeping position, as they lack a mechanism to prevent the user from rolling onto their back, thereby negating the health benefits associated with side sleeping.

Innovation Solution

An asymmetrical bed frame with two adjustable platforms: a smaller first platform for back support, which can tilt from zero to seventy-five degrees, and a larger second platform for body weight support, which can tilt from zero to fifteen degrees, preventing the user from rolling onto their back.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional bed frame is used, then the bed frame is simple in structure and easy to manufacture, but it fails to provide a force against the sleeper's back to prevent rotation onto the back

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to maintain lateral sleeping positionVSAvoidbed frame structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The bed frame is divided into two distinct platforms: a first platform for back support and a second platform for body weight support. This segmentation allows each platform to be optimized for its specific function, with the first platform providing rotational force to maintain lateral position and the second platform supporting body weight, thereby resolving the contradiction between maintaining lateral sleeping position and keeping the structure simple.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The bed frame employs an asymmetrical design where the first platform is positioned to occupy one-third of the bed frame area and the second platform occupies two-thirds. This asymmetrical arrangement ensures that the first platform can effectively provide a near-horizontal force against the back to prevent rolling onto the back, while the larger second platform adequately supports body weight, thus improving reliability without excessive complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

2Reliability

If the first platform is positioned nearly vertical to provide rotational force, then the ability to prevent rolling onto back is improved, but the platform cannot bear much of the user's weight

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to prevent rolling onto backVSAvoidweight bearing capacity of first platform

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each platform is designed with specific local properties: the first platform is positioned to provide a near-horizontal force against the back at a specific location to prevent rolling, while the second platform is designed with larger area and different angle range to bear body weight. This local quality differentiation resolves the contradiction by assigning appropriate functional characteristics to each platform's specific region.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If the second platform is tilted at more than fifteen degrees, then the sleeper is pushed against the first platform, but the sleeper cannot climb out of bed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to maintain sleep positionVSAvoidease of exiting bed

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The second platform is designed with an adjustable angle mechanism that allows it to be tilted within a specific range (zero to fifteen degrees). This dynamic adjustment capability enables the platform to be positioned at optimal angles during sleep to push the sleeper against the first platform for maintaining lateral position, while still allowing easy exit when positioned at lower angles, thus resolving the contradiction between maintaining sleep position and ease of exiting.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The angle of the second platform is controlled within a specific parameter range (zero to fifteen degrees relative to horizontal). By limiting the maximum tilt angle to fifteen degrees, the system ensures that the platform provides enough push against the sleeper to maintain lateral position while preventing excessive tilting that would make exiting difficult, thereby resolving the contradiction through parameter optimization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Reliability

If the first platform occupies one-third of the bed frame area and the second platform occupies two-thirds, then the first platform can effectively provide rotational force, but the overall bed frame area is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to provide rotational force for lateral positionVSAvoidtotal bed frame area

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS12329282B2Bed frame for supporting a lateral sleeping position

Publication Date: 2025.06.17 SCHELL MARY ANN

AI summary

The invention is an asymmetrical bedframe. The bedframe is divided off-center, forming a first platform, or back support section and a second platform, or leg support section. Preferably, the platforms are split to separate the area of the bed frame into a first platform that occupies one-third of the area of the bedframe, and a second platform that occupies two-thirds of the area of the bedframe. The first platform—the smaller area—is intended to support the back of the user or sleeper, specifically by providing a rotational force to keep the user on their side. The second platform—the larger area—is intended to support the body of the user, including head, arms, torso, legs, and feet. The angle of each platform is independently adjustable without causing motion of the bedframe with respect to the floor.