Foldable Mattress Pad Assembly With Braced Flat Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing child containment and sleeping devices, such as playpens and portable cribs, face difficulties in portability and disassembly due to the weight and complexity added by accessories and conventional mattress pads that flex and bend, resulting in an irregular non-flat surface.
Innovation Solution
A mattress pad assembly with a plurality of panels connected by flexible seams, featuring a support assembly with connectors and braces that allow the mattress to be reconfigured between non-planar and planar configurations, maintaining a flat surface without increasing weight or complexity, by using a brace to prevent bending along the flexible seams.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional mattress pads with multiple panels and accessories are used, then versatility and customization are improved, but weight and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mattress pad is divided into multiple removable panels that can be independently attached or detached. Each panel can be separately cleaned, replaced, or configured, allowing versatility without requiring a complex integrated structure. The panels are connected through simple attachment mechanisms rather than permanent sewing.
Solution Approach 2:
The mattress pad structure transitions from a static, permanently constructed design to a dynamic, reconfigurable system. Panels can be attached, detached, and repositioned based on usage needs, allowing the mattress to adapt to different configurations while maintaining a relatively simple base structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional mattress pads with multiple panels and accessories are used, then versatility and customization are improved, but portability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The mattress pad is divided into multiple removable panels that can be independently attached or detached. Each panel can be separately cleaned, replaced, or configured, allowing versatility without requiring a complex integrated structure. The panels are connected through simple attachment mechanisms rather than permanent sewing.
Solution Approach 2:
The design allows panels and accessories to be removed when not needed for portability, and reattached when versatility is required. This enables the user to discard components during transport and recover them upon arrival, achieving both portability and versatility at different times.
3Strength
If panels are sewn into the fabric mattress cover, then durability is improved, but ease of manufacture and adaptability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The mattress pad is divided into multiple removable panels that can be independently attached or detached. Each panel can be separately cleaned, replaced, or configured, allowing versatility without requiring a complex integrated structure. The panels are connected through simple attachment mechanisms rather than permanent sewing.
Solution Approach 2:
An intermediary attachment mechanism is introduced between the panels and the mattress cover, replacing direct permanent sewing. This intermediary connection method provides durability comparable to sewing while allowing for easier manufacturing, assembly, and disassembly operations.
4Ease of operation
If the mattress pad is made flexible to allow folding, then portability is improved, but the ability to maintain a planar surface deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The mattress pad structure transitions from a static, permanently constructed design to a dynamic, reconfigurable system. Panels can be attached, detached, and repositioned based on usage needs, allowing the mattress to adapt to different configurations while maintaining a relatively simple base structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The physical state of the mattress pad changes between two distinct configurations: a flexible, folded state for portability and a rigid, planar state for use. The support assembly enables this parameter change by providing structural reinforcement when panels are attached, transforming the mattress from flexible to planar as needed.
5Ease of operation
If the mattress pad folds to surround the collapsed frame, then portability is improved, but the weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The design allows panels and accessories to be removed when not needed for portability, and reattached when versatility is required. This enables the user to discard components during transport and recover them upon arrival, achieving both portability and versatility at different times.
Data Source
AI summary
A mattress pad assembly for use with a child containment area is disclosed. The mattress pad assembly includes a mattress pad having a plurality of panels each of which is coupled to at least one other panel along a flexible seam, wherein the mattress pad is reconfigurable between a non-planar configuration and a planar configuration defined by the cooperation of the plurality of panels to form a flexible top surface and a substantially rigid bottom surface. The mattress pad assembly further includes a support assembly coupled to the bottom surface of the mattress pad when the mattress pad is in the planar configuration, the support assembly having one or more support connectors coupled to at least two of the plurality of panels, and a brace configured to removably cooperate with the one or more support connectors, wherein the brace is configured to engage each of the plurality of panels to prevent bending along the flexible seam.