Compact Sleeping Unit With Second Floor For Space Efficiency

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Solution Overview

Problem

Compact sleeping units in accommodation facilities, such as hotels and hostels, are often perceived as cramped and oppressive due to their minimal volume design, leading to discomfort and reduced attractiveness, especially for older users, and shared washing and shower facilities can be inconvenient and lack privacy.

Innovation Solution

The design of compact sleeping units is enhanced by incorporating a second floor with a standing area on the lower floor and a sleeping area on the upper floor, allowing for more usable space with a minimal footprint, including separate washing and shower facilities on the upper floor to improve comfort and privacy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If compact sleeping units are designed with minimal volume, then space efficiency is improved, but user comfort deteriorates due to cramped and oppressive feeling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevolume of sleeping unitVSAvoiduser comfort
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a vertical dimension by incorporating a second floor within the compact sleeping unit. This allows the unit to provide separate standing area (lower floor) and sleeping area (upper floor), effectively increasing functional volume without expanding the horizontal footprint, thereby resolving the contradiction between compact volume and user comfort

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Volume of moving object

If compact sleeping units are designed with minimal volume, then space efficiency is improved, but accessibility deteriorates for older users due to climbing requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevolume of sleeping unitVSAvoidaccessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

By utilizing vertical space through a second floor design, the patent provides ground-level access to the sleeping area without requiring users to climb into elevated positions. The lower floor serves as a standing and access area, making the unit accessible to older users while maintaining compact horizontal dimensions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Volume of moving object

If shared washing and shower facilities are provided separately, then space efficiency is improved, but privacy and convenience deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace efficiencyVSAvoidprivacy and convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the washing and shower facilities directly into the compact sleeping unit on the upper floor, combining functions that were previously separated into communal areas. This integration provides private, convenient access to washing facilities while the compact design maintains overall space efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Ease of operation

If washing and shower facilities are integrated into compact sleeping units, then privacy and convenience are improved, but volume increases contradicting the compact design concept

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprivacy and convenienceVSAvoidvolume of sleeping unit
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves this contradiction by placing washing and shower facilities on the upper floor within the vertical envelope of the compact unit. This vertical integration provides private facilities without significantly increasing the horizontal footprint, maintaining the compact design concept while improving privacy and convenience

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP3362617B1Accommodation facility with a plurality of compact sleeping units
Publication Date: 2023.12.06 BOXHOTEL VERMOGENSVERW GMBH
  • EP3362617B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3362617B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3362617B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed is a compact sleeping unit (1) for an accommodation facility (4), comprising at least one standing area (20), at least some sections of which have headroom, and at least one sleeping area (30). The compact sleeping unit (1) is characterized in that the standing area (20) is arranged on a lower storey (2) and the sleeping area (30) is arranged on an upper storey (3).