Collapsible Bed Foundation Using Sliding Panel Assemblies

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional bed and mattress foundations are large and bulky, making them difficult to store and move due to their inability to collapse sufficiently for transportation and storage, and often require excessive effort to assemble and disassemble.

Innovation Solution

A collapsible bed foundation design featuring sliding mechanisms between components, allowing for easy assembly and disassembly without tools, with components such as end panel assemblies, side panels, and crossmember supports that interconnect via mating sliding mechanisms, enabling the foundation to be collapsed into a small size for storage and easily reassembled for use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If conventional foundations are made large and bulky to provide adequate support, then support capability is improved, but storage and transportation difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesupport capabilityVSAvoidstorage and transportation ease
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The foundation is divided into multiple separable components including side rails, end panels, cross members, and support panels that can be detached and stored separately. Each component maintains its structural integrity and support function while enabling compact storage when disassembled, resolving the contradiction between providing adequate support and ease of storage/transportation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The foundation transitions from a static assembled structure to a dynamic system that can be easily assembled and disassembled. The sliding mechanisms and interconnecting features allow the foundation to change its configuration state between full assembly for support and complete disassembly for storage, adapting to different functional requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If conventional foundations are designed for stability, then structural reliability is improved, but assembly and disassembly complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural reliabilityVSAvoidassembly and disassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The foundation structure is segmented into modular components with standardized interconnection interfaces. This segmentation allows complex structural reliability to be achieved through simple, repeatable connection mechanisms rather than complex integrated assemblies, reducing assembly and disassembly complexity while maintaining structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Sliding mechanisms and interconnecting features serve as intermediaries between foundation components. These intermediary elements simplify the connection process between side rails, end panels, and cross members, enabling reliable structural assembly without requiring complex fastening procedures or specialized tools.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Volume of moving object

If conventional foundations are made collapsible, then storage size is reduced, but collapse mechanism complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage sizeVSAvoidcollapse mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Rather than implementing a complex mechanical collapse mechanism for the entire foundation, the structure is segmented into detachable components. This allows the foundation to achieve compact storage volume through simple separation of parts rather than through complex collapsing mechanisms, maintaining structural reliability while minimizing storage requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The foundation employs dynamic interconnection features that allow components to slide and detach easily. This dynamic design enables the transition from assembled to stored state without requiring complex collapse mechanisms, as each component can be independently removed and stored, achieving small storage volume with minimal mechanism complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS10188217B2Collapsible bed foundation
Publication Date: 2019.01.29 HOLLYWOOD BED & SPRING MFG CO INC
  • US10188217B2 patent drawingFigure N/A

AI summary

Provided is a mattress foundation that includes: a headboard end panel assembly, a footboard end panel assembly, a left side panel assembly, and a right side panel assembly, each having a first end and a second end. The first end of the left side panel assembly slidably engages with the first end of the headboard end panel assembly, thereby forming a first corner attachment. The second end of the left side panel assembly slidably engages with the first end of the footboard end panel assembly, thereby forming a second corner attachment. The first end of the right side panel assembly slidably engages with the second end of the headboard end panel assembly, thereby forming a third corner attachment. The second end of the right side panel assembly slidably engages with the second end of the footboard end panel assembly, thereby forming a fourth corner attachment.