Height adjustable travel pillow

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing travel pillows fail to provide adequate support and stability for users, especially when trying to sleep in confined airline seats, and often slip out of position, leading to discomfort and neck strain.

Innovation Solution

A height-adjustable travel pillow with a U-shaped design and internal air-filling system allows users to customize the thickness and stability, featuring concave sections for positional stability and compatibility with headphones, made from high-density memory foam.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If existing travel pillows are filled to a roughly consistent height, then manufacturing is simple, but they provide inadequate side support for users wishing to lay their head to one side or another

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveside support adaptabilityVSAvoidpillow structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pillow is divided into multiple height zones with different fill levels. The rear portion is filled to a first height while the front portion is filled to a second height that is less than the first height, creating graduated support zones that adapt to different head positions and user preferences.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the pillow shell are assigned different fill heights to provide localized support characteristics. The rear portion provides maximum support while the front portion provides reduced support, creating varying local qualities within a single pillow structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Strength

If travel pillows are made with raised ergonomic designs to provide lateral support, then head and neck support is improved, but they create pressure on the back of the neck by pressing into the travel pillow at its thickest point

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveneck support capabilityVSAvoidneck pressure and discomfort

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of raising the pillow height at the front to provide support, the invention inverts this approach by making the rear portion taller and the front portion shorter. This inversion shifts the pressure distribution away from the back of the neck while maintaining lateral support capabilities through the graduated height design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The pillow incorporates an adjustable fill system that allows users to dynamically modify the height and firmness of different zones. Users can adjust the rear portion and front portion independently to optimize support while minimizing pressure points, transforming a static pillow into a dynamically adaptable support system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Strength

If travel pillows are made thicker to provide better support, then comfort is improved, but they become bulkier and harder to store

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesupport capabilityVSAvoidpillow volume

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The pillow uses segmented height zones where only the rear portion is filled to maximum height while the front portion is filled to a reduced height. This segmentation provides thick support where needed while keeping the overall pillow volume manageable for storage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The adjustable fill system allows users to dynamically reduce the volume of the pillow by deflating or removing fill from the front portion when maximum support is not needed, enabling compact storage while maintaining full support capability when required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 pillow provides customizable support and stability, preventing slippage and enhancing comfort during travel, suitable for various users and environments.

Implementation Method 1

an air-filling system for adjusting the thickness of the travel pillows

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAir pressure: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 2

made from high-density memory foam

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMemory foam viscoelasticity: Viscoelasticity

Data Source

PatentUS12593920B2Height adjustable travel pillow

Publication Date: 2026.04.07 WU AIMING

AI summary

The present invention discloses a novel design of the height-adjustable travel pillow that provides head cushioning, and lateral support and stays in place when the user is in a seated position or semi-reclined. The travel pillow includes an inflatable system in its core which allows the user to achieve the desired thickness level to ensure maximum comfort and rest to the user.