Girth-adjustable sleeping bag
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sleeping bags are restrictive and less comfortable than traditional bedding, fail to accommodate a range of temperature conditions, and do not allow for easy adaptation to different sleeping positions due to their fixed size and insulation properties, which are compromised by user weight.
Innovation Solution
A sleeping bag design featuring a top cover and bottom sheet with flexible lateral flaps that can be secured to a sleeping pad, allowing for conversion between wrapped and expanded configurations, enabling users to adjust the bag's girth and insulation based on personal build and temperature needs, while preventing sliding off the pad.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a larger sleeping bag is used, then comfort and freedom of movement are improved, but thermal efficiency deteriorates due to larger interior volume requiring more body heat
Solution Approach 1:
The sleeping bag incorporates adjustable girth through detachable lateral flaps with multiple attachment paths, allowing the interior volume to be dynamically reduced or expanded based on user needs. This enables the bag to transition between a snug, thermally efficient configuration and a more spacious, comfortable configuration without requiring multiple separate bags.
2Ease of manufacture
If a conventional fixed-size sleeping bag is used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to different temperature conditions and user builds deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sleeping bag is divided into modular components including a main body, detachable lateral flaps, and a hood with separate attachment systems. The lateral flaps can be detached and reattached at different positions along the top cover, creating segmented adjustment zones that allow customization of girth without complicating the overall manufacturing process.
3Temperature
If sleeping bag insulation is placed beneath the user, then thermal insulation is provided, but the insulation becomes dead weight and loses its thermally insulating properties
Solution Approach 1:
The sleeping bag utilizes a thin, flexible bottom sheet instead of bulky insulation layers beneath the user. This bottom sheet is secured to the sleeping pad and features lateral flaps that can be adjusted to provide minimal necessary insulation while preventing the user from sliding off the pad, thereby eliminating dead weight insulation while maintaining thermal efficiency.
4Volume of stationary object
If a larger interior volume is used, then comfort is improved, but the sleeping bag becomes less thermally efficient
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable girth system allows the interior volume to be dynamically modified during use. Users can detach lateral flaps and reattach them at different positions to reduce or expand the effective interior volume, enabling the same bag to provide both snug, thermally efficient enclosures and more spacious, comfortable configurations as conditions require.
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 comfortable use by users of various builds and under different temperature conditions, reducing the need for multiple bags and minimizing weight by optimizing insulation distribution, while maintaining thermal integrity and allowing greater freedom of movement.
Implementation Method 1
the bottom sheet is structurally arranged so as to be secured to a sleeping pad
Implementation Method 2
The sleeping pad typically provides at least some degree of thermal insulation under the sleeper
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A sleeping bag includes a top cover and bottom sheet. The bottom sheet can be secured to a sleeping pad and includes a sheet portion and lateral flaps connected to the sheet portion along opposite lateral edges of the sleeping pad when the bottom sheet is secured thereto. The top cover and lateral flaps enable attachment, detachment, and reattachment of the lateral flaps along their lateral edges to a top cover outer surface along corresponding attachment paths displaced medially from top cover lateral edges, enabling a top cover headward portion to assume wrapped and expanded configurations, and enabling conversion between those configurations. When wrapped, headward portions of the top cover outer surface, that are lateral of the attachment paths, are positioned against the sheet portion; when expanded, the lateral flaps and lateral portions of the top cover extend upward or laterally away from the sleeping pad lateral edges.