Foam Upholstery Core With Interlocking Layers for Suspension Comfort

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing foam inner cores for upholstery in seating and reclining furniture do not adequately enhance suspension comfort beyond current levels of springiness.

Innovation Solution

A foam inner core design featuring two layers of interlocking longitudinal and transverse webs with opposing crests that can be glued together, optionally with an intermediate layer, allowing for varying degrees of hardness and improved adaptation to the body through varying cross-sections of the webs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a single layer of foam with longitudinal and transverse webs is used, then the structure provides basic suspension properties, but the spring comfort and suspension comfort are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesuspension comfortVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The foam inner core is divided into multiple layers (at least two layers) with longitudinal and transverse webs, where each layer contributes to the overall suspension properties. This segmentation allows each layer to be optimized independently while collectively providing enhanced spring comfort and suspension comfort compared to a single-layer structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines multiple foam layers with different web configurations into a composite structure. The longitudinal and transverse webs are integrated in a composite arrangement where they interlock and support each other, creating a multi-functional structure that simultaneously provides structural integrity, suspension, and comfort properties that cannot be achieved with a single material or layer.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Adaptability or versatility

If the cross-sections of longitudinal and transverse webs are made uniform, then manufacturing is simplified, but adaptation to the body shape is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptation to body shapeVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements local quality by varying the cross-sections of longitudinal and transverse webs at different positions within the foam structure. Specifically, the cross-sections are adapted to match the expected pressure distribution and body contours, with different web thicknesses and spacing in different zones. This allows the foam to provide optimized support and comfort for different body regions while maintaining a systematic manufacturing approach.

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 solution significantly improves spring comfort and dimensional stability of the foam padding, enabling the creation of medium-firm to firm mattresses with enhanced suspension properties.

Implementation Method 1

the crests of the corrugations of the layers lying opposite one another to touch one another and be glued to one another

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentEP2915457B1Inner core made of foam of upholstery for seating and/or lying furniture
Publication Date: 2017.07.19 JOKA WERKE JOHANN KAPSAMER GMBH & CO KG
  • EP2915457B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP2915457B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2915457B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

An existing foam inner core of an upholstery for seating and / or reclining furniture consists of wave-shaped longitudinal (31, 32) and transverse webs (41, 42, 51, 52), wherein the waves of the longitudinal (31, 32) and transverse webs (41, 42, 51, 52) are interlinked. There are two layers (1, 2) with each toothed shafts of the longitudinal (31, 32) and transverse webs (41, 42, 51, 52) connected to each other one above the other, wherein the wave crests of the layers (1, 2) lie opposite one another . and Characterized the Federungskarnfort is improved.