Gel Mattress Pad Sections for Targeted Support and Lower Weight
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mattress technologies face challenges in providing comfortable support across all body areas due to uneven weight distribution and preferred sleeping positions, often resulting in localized pressure points and inadequate support, while gel/foam mattress pads are heavy and difficult to maneuver.
Innovation Solution
Integration of thermosetting gel-type elastomers with foam layers, featuring channels filled with gel material that are covered with a thin film, reducing the amount of gel required and weight, and strategically positioning gel sections for increased maneuverability and support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a gel mattress pad is made with a layer of gel sandwiched between foam layers to provide support, then comfort and support are improved, but the weight increases significantly (up to 130 pounds for king size)
Solution Approach 1:
The gel layer is divided into multiple separate gel bladders or chambers instead of a single continuous layer. Each bladder is filled with gel material and positioned at specific locations where support is needed, such as under the lumbar region. This segmentation reduces the total amount of gel material required while maintaining targeted support capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Gel material is placed only in specific localized areas where support is most needed, such as the lumbar region or other high-pressure zones, rather than distributing gel uniformly across the entire mattress pad surface. This allows the pad to provide enhanced support where required while using less gel material overall, reducing weight.
2Reliability
If a gel mattress pad is made with sufficient gel material to provide adequate support, then support capability is improved, but the pad becomes difficult to position and reposition due to weight and flexibility issues
Solution Approach 1:
Dividing the gel layer into separate bladders or modular sections reduces the overall weight and improves flexibility, making the mattress pad easier to lift, carry, and position on the mattress while maintaining support functionality in each segmented area.
Solution Approach 2:
The mattress pad combines foam material with gel-filled bladders, creating a composite structure where the foam provides the base support and flexibility for maneuverability, while the gel bladders provide targeted pressure relief and support. This composite approach balances weight, flexibility, and support capability.
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 provides improved comfort and reduced weight, allowing for easier handling and positioning of mattress pads, while maintaining support where needed, thus addressing the issues of weight and support distribution.
Implementation Method 1
the gel layer extends over the entire width and length of the mattress pad, and conforms to the contours of a body to provide support
Implementation Method 2
The liquid gel is allowed to cure into a soft, resilient solid material
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention generally relates to a mattress or a mattress pad with one or more gel sections. The gel section may provide improved support and comfort at a localized area of a mattress or a mattress pad.