Closed-Loop Neck Pillow with Fastening Elements for Chin Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional neck pillows fail to provide adequate support for the chin, leading to uncomfortable sleeping positions during travel, particularly for children whose heads often fall forward in an upright position due to lack of front support.
Innovation Solution
A neck pillow with an elongate cushioned member forming a closed loop around the neck, featuring fastening elements like magnets to maintain position and stiffening members for flat abutment surfaces, ensuring continuous chin support and comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional open pillows are used, then side and back support is provided, but chin support is lacking causing heads to fall forward
Solution Approach 1:
The pillow is divided into distinct functional regions: a closed loop portion that surrounds the neck and provides chin support, and an open portion that allows the head to rest comfortably. This segmentation enables the pillow to provide both chin support and head support simultaneously without requiring a completely enclosed structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The open portion is nested within or integrated with the closed loop structure, creating a hierarchical arrangement where the open portion sits within the confines of the closed loop. This nesting allows the pillow to maintain its supporting function while providing an open space for head comfort.
2Ease of operation
If the pillow is made as a closed loop to provide chin support, then chin support is improved, but the pillow may move or rotate during use
Solution Approach 1:
The closed loop portion is designed with a substantially annular or circular shape that conforms to the natural curvature of the neck. This curved geometry allows the pillow to rotate smoothly around the neck while maintaining continuous contact and support, preventing the head from falling forward even as the pillow shifts position.
Solution Approach 2:
The pillow utilizes the change in positional parameters of the closed loop around the neck, allowing it to rotate to different angular positions while maintaining its supporting function. The annular shape ensures that regardless of the rotation angle, the pillow remains in contact with the chin and neck areas.
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 neck pillow effectively keeps the head upright by providing consistent support around the neck, minimizing gaps for increased comfort and allowing rotation while maintaining support, even when moving, thus addressing the issue of chin support during travel.
Implementation Method 1
The fastening element(s) comprise magnets. The fastening element(s) are provided adjacent the end(s) of the pillow.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 2~4B
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The present invention provides a neck pillow (1) comprising an elongate cushioned member (2) extending from a first end (4) to a second end (6) of the pillow. Each end comprises at least one fastening element for mutual engagement such that the pillow (1) may be arranged in a closed configuration in which the pillow (1) defines a closed loop and an open configuration in which the ends (4,6) are spaced apart from each other.