Bedding Detection Device with Pneumatic Conduit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sleep monitoring devices installed under or above mattresses, typically using large inflatable chambers with pressure sensors, face issues of suboptimal precision, sensitivity, and cumbersome size, leading to a need for a more efficient and compact solution.
Innovation Solution
A detection device with a capture portion comprising an inflatable chamber positioned under pressure points, connected via a conduit to an electronic unit with a pressure transducer, allowing for precise measurement of movements, heart, and respiratory rhythms, while minimizing dead volume and device thickness, and featuring a pneumatic pump and relief valve for pressure adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a large inflatable chamber is used to capture movements, then the detection surface is sufficient, but the device becomes cumbersome and the precision deteriorates due to dead volumes
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into two functional parts: a small inflatable capture portion (chamber) that directly contacts the user, and a separate electronic unit containing the pressure sensor. This segmentation allows the chamber to be small and precise while the electronic unit handles the measurement, resolving the contradiction between small size and sufficient detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
A flexible conduit acts as an intermediary, transmitting pressure variations from the small inflatable chamber to the pressure sensor in the electronic unit. This mediator enables the chamber to remain small (reducing dead volume) while still capturing and transmitting movement signals accurately to the sensor.
2Ease of operation
If the electronic unit is positioned close to the capture portion, then the device structure is simple, but the connection requires the chamber to occupy the entire bed width
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible conduit serves as a mediator that transmits pressure signals over a distance from the capture portion to the electronic unit. This allows the electronic unit to be positioned remotely (improving connection accessibility) without requiring the chamber to expand across the entire bed width.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a two-dimensional layout where the chamber must span the bed width to a three-dimensional arrangement where the flexible conduit provides spatial flexibility, allowing the electronic unit to be positioned anywhere within flexible distance of the chamber.
3Measurement precision
If the pipe transverse dimension is large, then the connection is robust, but the dead volume increases and measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible conduit is designed with thin walls and small transverse dimensions to minimize dead volume and maximize pressure variation transmission. The flexibility of the thin-walled conduit compensates for the reduced structural strength, maintaining connection robustness while improving measurement precision.
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
The solution enables accurate detection of small movements and physiological parameters with reduced device thickness and size, improving precision and sensitivity while maintaining reliability and ease of use, and allows for remote data transmission for sleep quality analysis.
Implementation Method 1
the electronic unit receives the pressure changes induced by the movements of the individual
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~6
Figure 7A~7B
AI summary
Detection device (1), intended to be placed under or on a bed mattress (10), configured for movements of an individual resting on the mattress, comprising a sensing portion (3) including an inflatable chamber (8) intended to be positioned under the individual, an electronic unit (2) arranged at a distance from the sensing portion, including a pressure transducer, intended to be positioned outside the bedding, a transmission portion (4), interposed between the sensing portion and the electronic unit, including a conduit (6), connecting fluid the inflatable chamber with the transducer, the conduit having a transverse dimension (T) much smaller than the width (L1) of the chamber.