Dual-Convex Spring Slat Design for Even Mattress Deflection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional mattress bases with spring slats often fail to provide optimal comfort due to uneven deflection, leading to permanent hollows in the mattress, especially for side and back sleepers, as the spring slats do not adequately adapt to different body weights and positions.

Innovation Solution

A spring strip design featuring two individual spring strips with convex curvatures directed away from each other, connected at their ends and supported by a carrier spring strip, which allows for adjustable deflection characteristics and even load distribution, ensuring consistent comfort across the mattress surface.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If conventional spring slats are used in mattress bases, then the structure is simple and cost-effective, but the deflection is uneven causing permanent hollows in the mattress

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidcomfort consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The spring slat is divided into multiple individual spring elements (at least three) that are arranged in parallel and connected at their ends. Each spring element can deflect independently, providing localized support and preventing the formation of permanent hollows while maintaining overall structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The spring elements are arranged in a grid-like pattern across the lying surface, adding a transverse dimension to the deflection capability. This multi-dimensional arrangement allows the mattress base to adapt to various body positions and weights more effectively than conventional single-direction spring slats.

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

2Adaptability or versatility

If numerous individual spring elements are arranged in a grid-like manner, then comfort and adaptability are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebody position adaptationVSAvoidspring element arrangement
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple individual spring elements are connected at their ends to form integrated spring slats that function as a unified support structure. The ends of the spring elements are held together by connecting elements, merging their functions while allowing independent deflection during use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The spring slat design with multiple connected spring elements serves multiple functions: it provides localized support, distributes body weight evenly, adapts to various sleeping positions, and prevents permanent deformation. This multi-functional design replaces the need for separate support mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Area of stationary object

If spring slats extend over the entire extent of the base, then structural coverage is complete, but deflection uniformity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesupport coverageVSAvoiddeflection uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The continuous spring slat is segmented into multiple individual spring elements arranged in parallel. Each segment can deflect independently based on local load conditions, ensuring uniform deflection characteristics across the entire support surface while maintaining complete area coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each spring element within the slat is designed to provide localized support with appropriate deflection characteristics. The individual springs can be positioned and dimensioned to create varying support zones, allowing the same slat structure to accommodate different body weights and positions across different areas of the mattress base.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 design enhances comfort by allowing the spring strip to adapt to different body weights and positions, preventing the formation of hollows and ensuring consistent deflection characteristics from edge to center, thus improving overall sleeping experience.

Implementation Method 1

The spring strip support (6) is flexible when force is applied and is therefore involved in the deflection process with a corresponding force acting on the spring strip (5)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3069634B1Spring contact for seat or bed furniture spring support comprising same
Publication Date: 2017.11.22 RECTICEL SCHLAFKOMFORT
  • EP3069634B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3069634B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3069634B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6

AI summary

A spring slat 5 for a seat or reclining furniture slat base comprises at least two individual spring slats 7, 8 and a spring slat carrier 6, the at least two individual spring slats 7, 8 forming a pair of spring slats 9 comprising an upper and a lower convex-shaped individual spring slat 7, 8 pointing away from each other. which is attached with its lower individual spring slat 7 to the spring slat carrier 6, the ends of the individual spring slats 7, 8 of the pair of spring slats 9 being held together in a strip cap 10 and the individual spring slats 7, 8 being spaced apart from one another at least in a useful part area.