Firm support pillow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing support structures for body parts or objects are often uncomfortable, inconvenient, and not easily portable, limiting their use.
Innovation Solution
A support pillow with a specific shape and firmness, featuring a straight medial region and arms with a curved support cavity, enclosed by a fabric shell, providing prescribed firmness and versatility for various uses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If existing support structures are used, then support function is provided, but comfort and convenience deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The pillow is divided into distinct functional zones: a curved support cavity for spinal alignment, a substantially straight medial region for head support, and substantially straight arms for extended support. This segmentation allows each region to provide optimized support for different body parts while maintaining overall structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the pillow have different geometric properties tailored to specific support needs. The curved support cavity provides conformal support for the spine, while the straight medial region and arms provide linear support for the head and extended body parts, respectively. This local differentiation enhances both comfort and support reliability.
2Ease of operation
If existing support structures are used, then support function is provided, but portability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The pillow is enclosed in a fabric shell that can be compressed and folded without compromising the internal support structure. This flexible enclosure allows the pillow to be easily stored and transported while maintaining its ability to provide reliable support when in use.
3Reliability
If firmness is increased, then support reliability is improved, but comfort deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The pillow employs different firmness levels in different regions through its geometric design. The curved support cavity maintains consistent firmness for spinal alignment, while the straight arms and medial region provide appropriate support pressure. This local differentiation ensures both reliability and comfort simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The pillow's firmness characteristics are controlled by adjusting the fill material amount and distribution, as well as the geometric parameters of different regions. This allows optimization of the balance between support reliability and comfort for specific applications.
4Reliability
If pillow shape is customized for specific support, then support reliability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The complex pillow shape is constructed by assembling standard fabric shell components (first piece, second piece, and gusset) that can be manufactured separately using simple patterns and then joined together. This segmentation allows complex geometries to be achieved without requiring complex manufacturing processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The gusset component serves multiple functions: it connects the first and second pieces, creates the curved support cavity, and provides structural reinforcement. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of unique components needed, simplifying manufacturing while achieving the desired customized support shape.
Data Source
AI summary
A support pillow includes a pillow body with a substantially straight medial region, a substantially straight first arm extending from the substantially straight medial region and a first free end. The pillow body further includes a substantially straight second arm extending from the substantially straight medial region and a second free end. A distance between the first free end and the second free end is at least 8 inches. The substantially straight first arm, the substantially straight medial region, and the substantially straight second arm define an outer periphery and an inner periphery. The inner periphery defines a curved support cavity. The support pillow includes a fabric shell enclosing an amount of a fill material and includes a first piece, a second piece, and a gusset connected to the first piece and the second piece that extends around the inner periphery and the outer periphery.