Cushioning elements with pressurizable cells
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cushioning elements with pressurizable cells lack an efficient design for arranging bladders across their width and length, leading to suboptimal pressure distribution and independent control of pressure sets.
Innovation Solution
A cushioning element design featuring a planar intermediate element with series of first and second bladders on opposite sides, interconnected by apertures and conduits, allowing for the creation of pressurizable cells that can be grouped into independently adjustable sets for enhanced pressure control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If bladders are arranged in series along the length and across the width of the cushioning element, then pressure distribution is improved, but device complexity increases due to the need for multiple bladders, apertures, and conduits
Solution Approach 1:
The cushioning element is divided into multiple discrete cells formed by individual bladders arranged in series along the length and across the width. Each bladder segment can be independently controlled through conduits, allowing localized pressure adjustment. This segmentation enables improved pressure distribution across different body zones while maintaining manageable complexity through modular construction.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple bladders are nested within a single cushioning element structure, with each bladder containing an individual pressurizable cell. The bladders are arranged in a hierarchical pattern where series arrangements along the length combine withè·¨-width arrangements to create a matrix of cells. This nested configuration allows complex pressure distribution patterns while using a unified structural framework.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple pressurizable cells are created with independent conduits, then independent pressure control is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The conduit system is designed as a universal network that can selectively connect to multiple bladder cells. A single conduit infrastructure serves multiple functions by enabling independent pressurization of different cell groups. This multi-functional conduit design allows various pressure control modes (individual cell control, zone control, or unified control) without requiring separate conduit systems for each mode.
Solution Approach 2:
The bladder arrangement extends in two dimensions (along the length and across the width), creating a matrix pattern. This two-dimensional arrangement allows independent pressure control in multiple zones simultaneously, providing adaptability for different body positions and preferences while maintaining a systematic manufacturing approach that follows standardized patterns.
3Area of stationary object
If bladders extend across the width and are arranged in series along the length, then coverage area is improved, but the number of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple bladders are merged into a unified cushioning element structure, sharing common structural support and a integrated conduit network. The bladders extend across the full width and are arranged in series along the length, creating continuous coverage. By merging the bladders into a single coordinated system rather than separate components, the coverage area is maximized while the effective component count is reduced through shared infrastructure.
Data Source
AI summary
A cushioning element includes pressurizable cells. The pressurizable cells of the cushioning elements are grouped into a plurality of sets, with each set of pressurizable cells being independently pressurizable from every other set of pressurizable cells of the cushioning element. The pressurizable cells may extend across a widths of the cushioning element and be arranged in series along the length of the cushioning element. Such a cushioning element may be part of a cushion, such as a mattress, a mattress topper, or the like. Methods for manufacturing the cushioning elements are also disclosed.