Bed Frame Air Inlet and Outlet Offset Design to Reduce Noise
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Solution Overview
Problem
Environmentally conditioned furniture, such as beds, often generate undesired noise due to airflow and moving components, which affects the comfort and sleep quality of users.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a bed frame with a shell frame featuring an air inlet and outlet with non-overlapping flow-through areas, a concave perimeter, and sound-absorbing materials to minimize noise generation, including a raised wall and sound-absorbing inserts to direct airflow and absorb sound waves.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If air inlet and outlet are positioned with overlapping flow-through areas, then the furniture structure is simplified, but noise level increases due to direct airflow paths
Solution Approach 1:
The patent offsets the air outlet relative to the air inlet in horizontal and/or vertical directions, changing the spatial arrangement from overlapping to non-overlapping positions. This dimensional displacement prevents direct airflow paths while maintaining structural simplicity, thereby reducing noise without significantly complicating the furniture design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces internal elements such as partitions, baffles, or flow directors as intermediaries between the air inlet and outlet. These elements block direct sound wave transmission paths and disrupt straight airflow, reducing noise generation while allowing the air handling function to continue.
2Productivity
If high velocity airflow is used, then environmental control effectiveness is improved, but noise level increases
Solution Approach 1:
By offsetting the air outlet from the air inlet position, the patent creates a longer, more circuitous airflow path. This allows the use of lower velocity airflow to achieve the same environmental control effect, as the extended path length provides better air distribution without requiring high-speed airflow that generates noise.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs curved or angled flow directors and non-linear path design within the furniture structure. These curved elements guide airflow smoothly through the offset path, maintaining effective air circulation while avoiding sharp edges and abrupt direction changes that would increase turbulence and noise.
3Productivity
If straight airflow path is provided, then air handling efficiency is improved, but sound transmission increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces internal partitions, baffles, and flow directors as intermediary elements that block straight sound wave paths between air inlet and outlet. These intermediaries disrupt acoustic transmission while the overall offset configuration maintains adequate air handling efficiency through the redesigned airflow pattern.
Solution Approach 2:
By positioning the air outlet in offset locations (different horizontal and/or vertical positions) from the air inlet, the patent eliminates straight-line sight paths for sound transmission. The air handling function is maintained through the offset configuration, while sound transmission is blocked by the absence of direct paths.
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 configuration reduces noise levels by preventing direct airflow paths and using sound-absorbing materials to minimize sound transmission, enhancing the comfort and sleep quality of users.
Implementation Method 1
sound-absorbing materials to minimize noise generation
Data Source
AI summary
Environmentally conditioned furniture, such as a bed are disclosed herein. A representative bed includes a bed frame for supporting an air-permeable mattress or cushion, the bed frame comprising a shell frame having at least one air inlet with a total inlet flow-through area, and at least one air outlet, in fluid communication with the air inlet, and having a total outlet flow-through area. The bed frame is arranged for accommodating an air distribution unit in fluid communication with the air outlet, and in a top plan view, at most 30% of the inlet total flow-through area overlaps with the outlet total flow-through area.