Improved active suspension

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing active suspensions are not easily applicable to slats, require complex fixing systems, and are not adaptable to user-specific needs, making them impractical and costly for use in recreational vehicles and boats.

Innovation Solution

An active suspension system comprising an elastic element with cantilevered flexible arms and a supporting member that can be easily mounted on slats or flat surfaces using U-shaped profiles and adjustable spacer elements, allowing tool-free installation and reconfiguration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If active suspensions use complex fixing systems with screws, then they achieve reliable attachment to slats, but they become difficult to install and reconfigure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment reliabilityVSAvoidinstallation ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional mechanical screw-fixing system with a clip-based mechanical engagement system. The clips engage with slots in the slats to provide reliable attachment without requiring screws, thereby maintaining attachment reliability while dramatically improving installation ease and enabling tool-free reconfiguration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The active suspension system is divided into modular components (elastic elements, supporting members, clips) that can be independently assembled and reconfigured. This segmentation allows the system to maintain reliable attachment through precise mechanical engagement while enabling easy installation and reconfiguration of individual modules.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Stability of the object's composition

If active suspensions are designed for fixed positioning, then they provide stable support, but they cannot be adapted to different user needs or reconfigured

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveposition stabilityVSAvoidreconfiguration capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic positioning system where clips can be easily detached and repositioned along slots in the slats. This allows the active suspension to transition from a fixed to a reconfigurable state, maintaining stability during use while enabling adaptation to different user needs and mattress configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The slots are pre-positioned in the slats at various locations to anticipate future reconfiguration needs. This preliminary arrangement of attachment points enables users to easily reposition the active suspensions along the slots without requiring additional modifications, thereby providing both stability and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If active suspensions require precise positioning according to physical characteristics, then they provide personalized comfort, but the positioning process becomes complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepersonalization capabilityVSAvoidpositioning time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The clip-and-slot system enables dynamic repositioning of active suspensions along the slats without requiring precise measurement or complex adjustment procedures. Users can quickly move clips to different slot positions to personalize the suspension arrangement according to their physical characteristics, significantly reducing the time required for positioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Reliability

If active suspensions are made with complex shapes for functionality, then they provide better support, but they become more difficult and costly to manufacture

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesupport performanceVSAvoidmanufacturing simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The active suspension is segmented into separate functional components (elastic elements, supporting members, clips) that can each be manufactured using simple, cost-effective processes. This segmentation allows each part to have the necessary functional shape without requiring complex overall geometry, thereby maintaining support performance while simplifying manufacturing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

Enables easy, tool-free application and reconfiguration of the suspension to adapt to user needs, reducing costs and enhancing comfort by providing customizable support for mattresses on various surfaces.

Implementation Method 1

an elastic element (2), comprising a central body (21), a plurality of flexible arms (22) extending at an angle in a cantilever fashion from the central body (21) and a raised perimeter portion (23) connected to the flexible arms (22) and supported elastically by them

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS20250213049A1Improved active suspension

Publication Date: 2025.07.03 GELLI PLAST SRL

AI summary

Described is an improved active suspension to give an additional spring to an overlying mattress, including an elastic element including a central body, a plurality of flexible arms extending in a cantilever fashion from the central body and a raised perimeter portion connected to the flexible arms and supported elastically by them, a member for supporting the elastic element, designed to be mounted on a slat.