Expandable Vehicle Bed With Uniform Mattress Support

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing variable-size beds for vehicles, such as truck cabs, lack comfort differentiation between seating and sleeping arrangements, with uneven support in the couch position and inadequate comfort adjustment.

Innovation Solution

A variable-size bed with an adjustable mattress core and base, where the mattress core can expand or contract uniformly, and a cover system that automatically adjusts to maintain consistent comfort and support, using a combination of retracting elements and automatic roll-up devices to manage the cover and padding layer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the bed is designed with a single cushion providing uniform support, then the structure is simple, but the comfort is inadequate for both seating and sleeping positions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidcomfort differentiation
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The bed is divided into two distinct cushions: a first cushion for the head region and a second cushion for the body region. This segmentation allows each cushion to be independently optimized for its specific function, enabling comfort differentiation between seating and sleeping positions while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The first and second cushions are designed with different local qualities - the first cushion has different firmness, thickness, or material properties compared to the second cushion. This local differentiation enables the bed to provide appropriate comfort for both seating (body cushion) and sleeping (head cushion) functions within a single unified structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Length of moving object

If the bed uses a tensioned support to bridge the gap in couch position, then the bed can be extended, but the support becomes uneven and uncomfortable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebed extensionVSAvoidsupport uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using a single tensioned support, the bed employs two separate cushions that can be independently positioned and adjusted. This segmentation ensures that support is provided through substantial contact areas rather than thin tensioned elements, maintaining support uniformity while enabling bed extension to couch positions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cushions are designed to automatically provide appropriate support when positioned correctly. The first cushion supports the head and the second cushion supports the body, creating self-adjusting support zones that maintain uniformity without requiring active control mechanisms or tensioned connections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP2203091B1Variable-size bed
Publication Date: 2012.06.06 SCANIA CV AB
  • EP2203091B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~3b
  • EP2203091B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~5
  • EP2203091B1 patent drawingFigure 4a~4b

AI summary

The present invention relates to a variable-size bed (10) comprising a mattress core (16) and a base (14), which base is adapted to support at least a portion of the mattress core, wherein the mattress core and base have adjustable widths or lengths and each of the mattress core and base is changeable between an expanded state and a contracted state corresponding to an expanded state and a contracted state of the bed, respectively, and wherein the bed further comprises a cover means adapted to provide covering over the mattress core in both the expanded state and the contracted state of the bed. The present invention also relates to a vehicle comprising such a variable-size bed.