Body support system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional spring assemblies in body support systems, such as mattresses, face challenges in air flow due to non-air permeable encasing fabrics, leading to trapped air and heat buildup on the sleep surface.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves a fabric assembly with air-permeable side walls and optionally non-air permeable top and bottom walls, allowing for enhanced lateral air flow through the spring pack, which can include a perforated fabric material to increase air permeability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If non-air permeable fabric is used to encase springs, then structural integrity and support are improved, but air flow is blocked causing heat buildup
Solution Approach 1:
The fabric enclosure is designed with different air permeability properties in different regions: the top and bottom walls use non-air permeable material for structural support, while the side walls use air permeable material to allow lateral air flow. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by providing strength where needed and air flow where required.
Solution Approach 2:
The fabric enclosure combines different material types in a single structure: non-air permeable fabric (e.g., polypropylene) for top and bottom walls, and air permeable fabric with perforations for side walls. This composite approach allows simultaneous achievement of structural integrity and heat dissipation.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If air permeable material is used for side walls, then air flow is improved, but structural support is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The side walls are specifically designed with air permeable properties to facilitate lateral air flow, while the top and bottom walls maintain non-air permeable properties for structural support. This localized functional differentiation allows the structure to provide both air flow and support without compromising either function.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If perforated material is used to increase air permeability, then heat dissipation is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The side walls are constructed from perforated fabric material that inherently provides air permeability for heat dissipation. The perforations are integrated into the fabric structure itself, allowing air flow without requiring additional complex components or assembly steps.
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 promotes better air circulation, reducing heat buildup and enhancing user comfort by allowing ambient air to move through the comfort layer and laterally between and through the spring pack.
Implementation Method 1
the side wall includes a perforated material, the perforated material configured to allow airflow therethrough at a rate of at least about 100 cubic feet per minute
Data Source
AI summary
A body support includes a chassis defining a cavity. A spring pack is positioned in the cavity. The spring pack includes a plurality of strings. The strings each define a plurality of pockets. A spring is positioned in each of the pockets. The strings each have opposite top and bottom walls and a side wall extending from the top wall to the bottom wall. The side walls are air permeable. A comfort layer is positioned on top of the enclosure such that the comfort layer covers the spring pack.