Removable Support Surface for Adjustable Feeding Pillow Firmness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing nursing and feeding pillows lack versatility in supporting a baby during feeding, as they often do not provide adequate firmness or adjustability to accommodate different user and baby sizes, and do not allow for easy cleaning or customization of the support surface.
Innovation Solution
A feeding pillow with a removable support member that can be attached to the pillow body, offering varying firmness and geometry, allowing users to choose between a firmer or softer surface for supporting the baby, and featuring a design with a pocket for easy removal and washing, along with optional belt attachment for secure positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a firm support surface is used to orient the baby during feeding, then the baby positioning and support is improved, but the pillow becomes harder to clean and less adaptable to different users
Solution Approach 1:
The pillow is divided into two distinct parts: a removable support member with a firm surface for baby positioning, and a pillow body that is softer and easier to clean. The support member can be detached from the pillow body, allowing each component to be optimized for its specific function without compromise.
Solution Approach 2:
The firm support surface is extracted as a separate removable component (support member) from the pillow body. This allows the firm surface to be removed for washing or replaced with different support members having varying firmness levels, while the pillow body remains.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a removable support member is added to provide customization and ease of cleaning, then adaptability and maintainability are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support member is designed to fit within a pocket or cavity in the pillow body, creating a nested structure. The support member can be inserted into or removed from the pillow body's pocket, providing a simple yet effective mechanism for removability without requiring complex fastening systems.
3Reliability
If the support member covers most of the medial region, then baby support and orientation is improved, but the pillow becomes less flexible for different positioning needs
Solution Approach 1:
The support member is made removable rather than fixed, allowing users to adjust its presence and position dynamically. Users can remove the support member when not needed or reposition it to accommodate different feeding positions and baby sizes, making the system adaptable rather than static.
Data Source
AI summary
A feeding pillow is constructed of a pillow body that is generally defined by a medial region and two opposing arms. The medial region is configured to be placed near or adjacent a user's stomach, with the arms generally near or adjacent the user's sides. The pillow body has a top surface that is adapted to hold a baby and a bottom surface that is adapted to be placed on the user's lap. The pillow body further includes a fabric cover and a fill material disposed within the fabric cover. Also, a support member is removably positioned at or above one of surfaces such that one surface is more firm than the other surface.