Foldable Sofa Mattress Structure for Low-Profile Furniture Storage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Foldable mattresses struggle to balance comfort and compactness, often being too bulky for 'low profile' furniture designs, and existing solutions compromise on flexibility and stability for storage purposes.

Innovation Solution

A foldable mattress design featuring pivotably joined spring sections with a transition section and biasing straps to maintain upright posture, allowing for efficient storage while providing a stable and comfortable sleeping surface.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a thick, firm mattress is used to provide optimal sleeping comfort, then sleeping comfort is improved, but the mattress becomes too bulky to be folded into the space available in low profile furniture

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesleeping comfortVSAvoidmattress thickness
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The mattress is divided into multiple independent spring sections (first section with coil springs, second section with collapsible sinuous springs, third section with coil springs) that can be pivotally folded relative to each other. This segmentation allows the mattress to be folded into a compact thickness suitable for low profile furniture while maintaining the overall mattress thickness for comfort when in use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The mattress employs collapsible sinuous springs in the second section that can dynamically change their configuration between an extended position (providing thickness for comfort) and a collapsed position (reducing thickness for storage). The pivotal connections between sections allow the mattress to dynamically transition between folded and unfolded states.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Volume of moving object

If collapsible sinuous springs are used to reduce mattress thickness for storage, then mattress compactness is improved, but the mattress does not collapse to a sufficient degree to allow storage in contemporary low profile furniture designs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemattress thicknessVSAvoidstorage feasibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The mattress is divided into multiple independent spring sections (first section with coil springs, second section with collapsible sinuous springs, third section with coil springs) that can be pivotally folded relative to each other. This segmentation allows the mattress to be folded into a compact thickness suitable for low profile furniture while maintaining the overall mattress thickness for comfort when in use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The mattress combines two different spring systems: traditional coil springs in the first and third sections, and collapsible sinuous springs in the second section. This merging of different spring mechanisms allows the mattress to achieve sufficient collapse for storage in low profile furniture while maintaining structural integrity and comfort.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Volume of moving object

If the mattress is folded into a thin structure for storage in low profile furniture, then storage space is improved, but the structural stability and comfort of the sleeping surface are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemattress thicknessVSAvoidstructural stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The mattress is divided into multiple independent spring sections (first section with coil springs, second section with collapsible sinuous springs, third section with coil springs) that can be pivotally folded relative to each other. This segmentation allows the mattress to be folded into a compact thickness suitable for low profile furniture while maintaining the overall mattress thickness for comfort when in use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The mattress changes its physical parameters (thickness, volume) by folding the spring sections relative to each other. When folded for storage, the sections are arranged in a compact configuration; when in use, the sections are extended to provide the necessary thickness and structural stability for a comfortable sleeping surface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 design allows for a compact, comfortable, and stable foldable mattress that fits in smaller spaces, maintaining structural stability and ease of use, while being cost-effective and easy to manufacture.

Implementation Method 1

the springs pivot about the wires comprising the grid so that the mattress upper surface is drawn closer and shifts longitudinally relative to the mattress lower surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPivoting: Hinge

Implementation Method 2

A foldable mattress design featuring pivotably joined spring sections with a transition section and biasing straps

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2849611B1Foldable sofa mattress and method for storing a foldable mattress
Publication Date: 2018.07.18 AXESS DIRECT INC
  • EP2849611B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2849611B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2849611B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A foldable sofa mattress and method for storing within low profile furniture. The mattress includes a transition section disposed between different collapsible sinuous spring sections. The sinuous spring sections are pivotably joined to the transition section and the sections are affixed to upper and lower grids for support. A method for storing a foldable mattress includes the steps of providing a mattress with a transition section disposed between two collapsible sections, extending opposing pairs of straps from the transition section to each of the separate collapsible sections, and bending the mattress. The method further includes the steps of flattening the two collapsible sections, placing the flattened sections on top of one another, and storing the folded mattress in a cavity.