Air Mattress Heel-Zone Pump Layout for Pressure Relief Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air mattresses with external air supply/release devices are cumbersome to move and maintain, and those with internal pumps have complex structures that complicate caretaking and maintenance, while not effectively dispersing body pressure or reducing the risk of decubitus ulcers.
Innovation Solution
An air mattress with internal rod-shaped bladder cells and an integrated air supply/release pump system, where the pump is housed in a space between the heel area cells and the mattress edge, allowing independent pressure control for each cell group and easy handling and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the air supply/release device is disposed on the exterior of the base mat, then the device is accessible for operation, but the device must be moved separately from the mattress when the mattress is being moved, reducing the ease of performing medical or caretaking work and increasing the risk of the device and air tube breaking
Solution Approach 1:
The air supply/release device is integrated into the mattress structure by embedding it within the base mat. The device is housed in a recessed space formed by shortening specific air bladders, creating a unified structure where the device and mattress move together as one unit, eliminating the need for separate handling and reducing the risk of disconnection or damage to air tubes.
2Device complexity
If the air supply pump is embedded within the soft member at an end of the air mattress, then the pump is integrated with the mattress, but the structure becomes complicated and the size of the air mattress is increased more than necessary
Solution Approach 1:
The air supply/release device is nested within the existing mattress structure by creating a recessed space through selective shortening of air bladders. This nested arrangement allows the device to be housed within the mattress volume rather than adding external bulk, maintaining a compact size while achieving integration.
3Device complexity
If the pump and air tube are embedded within the interior of the air mattress and covered by exterior material, then the structure is integrated, but the ease of maintenance of the pump and air tube is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The air supply/release device is extracted to a specific accessible location within the mattress structure - the heel area - where it remains integrated with the mattress but is positioned for easy maintenance. The device is housed in a recessed space that allows caretakers to access and service the device without disassembling the entire mattress or dealing with complex internal routing.
4Area of stationary object
If the bladder-shaped cells extend to the edge of the air mattress, then the coverage is maximized, but no space is left for housing the air supply/release pump within the mattress
Solution Approach 1:
The air bladders are configured with different lengths in different locations - most bladders extend to the edge for maximum coverage, while specific bladders in the heel area are shortened to create a recessed space. This local variation in bladder length creates the necessary housing volume for the air supply/release device without significantly reducing the overall therapeutic coverage area.
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 enhances caretaking ease, reduces the risk of pump and tube damage, and maintains comfort by housing the pump in a non-contact area, allowing efficient body pressure dispersion and improved maintenance accessibility.
Implementation Method 1
an air supply/release pump, and an air tube linking the air cell groups and the air supply/release pump in an independent system for each air cell group
Implementation Method 2
the breathing motions of the person lying on the air mattress are assisted
Data Source
AI summary
An air mattress with an internal pump has a plurality of air cell groups lined up in the lengthwise direction of the air mattress. Each of air cell groups has a plurality of bladder-shaped cells lined up in the lengthwise direction of the air mattress. The air mattress has an air supply/release pump; and an air tube linking the air cell groups and the air supply/release pump in an independent system for each air cell group out of two or more air cell groups. All of the bladder-shaped cells are rod shapes extending in the widthwise direction of the air mattress, and the length of the air cell groups corresponding to the leg area of a reclining person is up to 30% less than that of the other bladder-shaped cells, leaving a space between there and the edge of the air mattress in which the air supply/release pump is disposed.