Electronically controllable pillow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional memory foam pillows fail to maintain optimal temperature regulation and height adjustment, leading to restless sleep due to heat retention issues and limited height customization options.
Innovation Solution
An electronically controllable pillow system incorporating temperature sensors, presence sensors, thermal elements, and pillow height adjusters, which communicate with processing units and transceivers to dynamically adjust temperature and height based on user feedback for improved comfort and sleep quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If memory foam material is used for pillow support and comfort, then comfort is improved, but heat retention increases causing restless sleep
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses porous memory foam material that allows air circulation through its cellular structure. The pores enable heat dissipation while maintaining the comfort properties of memory foam, resolving the contradiction between comfort and heat retention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates cooling gel layers or phase change materials in specific zones within the pillow structure. These localized thermal management elements address heat retention in critical areas while preserving the overall comfort characteristics of the memory foam.
2Temperature
If cooling mats or microfiber beads are added to dissipate heat, then heat dissipation is improved, but the cooling effect is limited to only 4 hours
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs phase change materials that absorb and release heat during phase transitions (e.g., solid-liquid transitions). These materials provide sustained thermal regulation over extended periods by continuously absorbing body heat during sleep, extending the effective cooling duration beyond 4 hours.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs a thermal management system with multiple cooling layers and heat transfer pathways that operate continuously throughout the night. The system maintains active heat dissipation through coordinated operation of various thermal elements, ensuring continuous cooling action for the full 6-9 hour sleep duration.
3Ease of operation
If fixed height layers or interchangeable cores are used, then height adjustment is provided, but only a small number of fixed heights are available
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the pillow into multiple adjustable height layers or zones that can be independently configured. Users can adjust each segment to achieve different height combinations, providing numerous height options beyond fixed configurations and enhancing adaptability to various user preferences.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates adjustable or adaptable height mechanisms that allow the pillow to dynamically change its height configuration. This may include adjustable inserts, removable layers, or flexible structures that enable continuous or semi-continuous height adjustment, providing versatile height options for different users and positions.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronically controllable pillow is thermally regulated. At least one temperature sensor is configured to communicate temperature measurements. Temperature measurements comprise the internal temperature of a pillow. Temperature measurements are communicated to a processing unit. At least one presence sensor is configured to communicate presence measurements. Presence measurements are configured to indicate the presence of a user employing a pillow. Presence measurements are communicated to a processing unit. At least one transceiver is connected to a processing unit. A transceiver is configured to communicate with at least one remote device. At least one thermal element is activated, based at least in part on, temperature measurements and presence measurements over at least one period of time.