Bed Base Slat Support Structure With Elastic Self-Balancing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing seating and sleeping devices with transverse body support means, such as slats or crosspieces, fail to optimally conform to user body curves due to rigid end support elements, and complex structures that attempt to self-balance often complicate adaptation to retractable bed bases.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of at least three lateral support means with end support elements secured by elastic members, allowing pivotal movement and distribution of support, which can adapt to varying distances between support beams and provide gentle curvatures on retractable bed bases.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If all transverse bodily support means are fixed to the bed base or seat frame by means of mutually independent end support elements, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the support means cannot conform optimally to the body curves of the user

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidadaptability to body curves
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The support system is segmented into lateral support means (fixed to the frame) and complementary support means (suspended by elastic members). This segmentation allows each segment to perform its specific function: lateral supports provide stable anchoring while complementary supports provide adaptive conforming to body curves, thus resolving the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The complementary support means are made dynamic through the use of elastic members that allow movement and adjustment. These supports can dynamically adapt to the user's body curves while the lateral supports remain fixed, providing optimal conformity without compromising manufacturing simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If slats or crosspieces are mounted dependent relative to each other with self-balancing capability, then the support comfort is improved, but the structure becomes complex and difficult to adapt to retractable bed bases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesupport comfortVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support system is divided into lateral support means that remain relatively fixed and complementary support means that are suspended by elastic members. This segmentation provides self-balancing capability for comfort while keeping the overall structure simpler and more adaptable to retractable bed bases compared to fully dependent mounting systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic members allow the complementary support means to change their position and orientation parameters dynamically, enabling self-balancing for comfort while maintaining a simpler structural configuration that can adapt to retractable bed bases.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If the bed base is made retractable with movable elements, then the adaptability is improved, but the support means cannot maintain stable positioning and gentle curvatures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to retractable configurationVSAvoidpositioning stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The support system is segmented into lateral support means fixed to the frame and complementary support means suspended by elastic members. This segmentation allows the complementary supports to maintain stable positioning through the elastic members while the overall system adapts to the retractable configuration, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Adaptability or versatility

If end support elements are made vertically flexible, then the adaptability to body curves is improved, but the support distribution becomes uneven and lacks self-balancing capability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconformity to body curvesVSAvoidsupport distribution uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The support system is segmented into lateral support means that provide stable anchoring and complementary support means that are suspended by elastic members. This segmentation allows the complementary supports to conform to body curves while the elastic members and pivotal mounting enable self-balancing for uniform support distribution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The complementary support means mounted on elastic members have self-balancing capability that enables them to automatically distribute support evenly across the body curves without external intervention, thus achieving both conformity and uniformity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 solution ensures efficient and comfortable user support by allowing the support elements to self-balance and distribute evenly, adapting to different bed base configurations and providing improved comfort through flexible positioning and curvature adjustment.

Implementation Method 1

secured to the latter by means of an elastic member (8)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2392232B1Seating or bedding device for the frame of a bed base or chair
Publication Date: 2013.08.07 DELAHOUSSE & FILS
  • EP2392232B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2392232B1 patent drawingFigure 3~6
  • EP2392232B1 patent drawingFigure 7~9

AI summary

The device (1) has transversal supporting bodies e.g. ribs (4, 4'), interposed between two rails (6) arranged opposite to a frame (2). The supporting bodies are connected with the rails through ends of support elements (5, 5'). The supporting bodies are equipped with fixing units (7) for fixing the supporting bodies on the rails. The support elements are integrated with each other through an elastic element (8). Arms of the elastic element are connected by a hinge extending perpendicular to a bedding or seating surface (S).