Bed with negative space
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional mattress designs fail to provide adequate three-dimensional support for the human body, leading to discomfort and pain, especially for side and stomach sleepers, due to their flat structure which does not conform to the body's shape and lacks space for proper alignment of shoulders, arms, and neck.
Innovation Solution
A bed design with a negative space channel in the upper torso area allowing three-dimensional movement, featuring a foundation with an angled transition region, a cushion layer, and an upper layer with a cutout to accommodate the user's arms and shoulders, along with specially designed channel pillows and support layers for enhanced comfort and support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional flat mattress design is used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but it causes discomfort and pain due to lack of three-dimensional space for body conformation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional flat mattress surface to a three-dimensional structure by forming a negative space channel that extends vertically into the mattress. This channel allows the user's body to sink in and conform to the mattress in three dimensions, providing proper support for shoulders, arms, and neck while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through mold-based construction
2Reliability
If a flat mattress design is used, then the manufacturing process is simple, but it results in poor support for neck, shoulder, and back muscles and joints
Solution Approach 1:
The mattress is segmented into distinct functional regions: a negative space channel for upper body support, a transition region with angled walls, and a flat lower region for lower body support. This segmentation allows each zone to provide specialized support while the entire structure can be manufactured as an integrated unit using molding techniques
3Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional mattress is used, then the design is simple, but it causes overlapping space requirements when sharing a mattress with another sleeper
Solution Approach 1:
The negative space channel is designed to accommodate multiple body parts and potentially multiple users within its three-dimensional volume. The channel's depth and width are configured to allow one user's arms and shoulders, or alternatively, to provide separate zones for two users, effectively nesting multiple functional spaces within a single structural element
Data Source
AI summary
A bed defining a negative space to accommodate side sleepers and stomach sleepers by providing a space into which the user's arms and shoulders can extend. Channel pillows can be placed inside the negative space to provide support for the user's head while allowing the user's hands and shoulders to slide in between the channel pillow and the wall that define the negative space. The negative space is formed into a foundation having an upper torso region, a lower torso region, and a transition region therebetween. The transition region can comprise an angled wall. A cushion layer with a slanted wall is configured to cover the transition region and lower torso region of the foundation. An upper, comfort layer can be provided with a cutout that aligns with the negative space when placed on top of the foundation and cushion layer.