Inflatable mattress with longitudinally oriented stringers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing patient handling mattresses with transverse stringers face challenges in air circulation, moisture vapor transmission, and pressure point reduction when deflated, leading to discomfort and potential skin issues for patients.

Innovation Solution

A transfer mattress design featuring longitudinal inner and outer stringers, where the stringers are angled and positioned to allow for efficient air flow and reduced material layers when deflated, enhancing breathability and comfort.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If transverse stringers are used in the mattress, then structural support is provided, but air circulation and moisture vapor transmission are hindered when deflated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural supportVSAvoidpoor air circulation and moisture vapor transmission

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The mattress is divided into multiple air chambers separated by longitudinal stringers, creating a segmented structure that allows air to circulate between chambers while maintaining structural support. The stringers act as dividers that provide strength while enabling airflow pathways.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from transverse (crosswise) stringers to longitudinal (lengthwise) stringers, changing the orientation dimension. This dimensional change allows air to flow freely in the transverse direction while longitudinal stringers maintain structural integrity, solving both support and circulation requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Stability of the object's composition

If multiple material layers are used when deflated, then structural integrity is maintained, but breathability and comfort are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidreduced breathability and comfort

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Different regions of the mattress have different structural characteristics. The longitudinal stringers provide localized structural support where needed, while the air chambers between them provide localized breathability and moisture transmission, creating varying qualities across different zones of the mattress.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The mattress uses flexible membrane walls for air chambers that can adapt to inflation and deflation states. These thin flexible films maintain structural integrity when deflated while allowing breathability, replacing rigid multiple layers with adaptive flexible structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Stress or pressure

If the mattress is fully inflated, then load support is improved, but accessory attachment becomes difficult due to reduced connector distance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveload supportVSAvoidaccessory attachment

Core Design Contradiction:

Stress or pressureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The mattress structure dynamically adapts between inflated and deflated states. Connectors are positioned to utilize the deflated state for accessory attachment, while the inflated state provides load support. The system transitions between these states to satisfy different operational requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Accessories are attached to the mattress in its deflated state before inflation, when connectors are more accessible and spaced favorably. This preliminary action of attaching accessories before inflation avoids the difficulty of attachment during the loaded inflated state.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 mattress design improves air circulation and moisture vapor transmission, reducing pressure points and enhancing patient comfort, while maintaining structural integrity and ease of accessory attachment.

Implementation Method 1

the escape of air under pressure through the pinholes creates an air bearing of relatively small height between the underlying fixed, generally planar support surface and the perforated flexible sheet

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAir bearing: Air Lubrication

Implementation Method 2

When the mattress is charged with pressurized air, the increased volume of air acts initially to jack a load placed upon the mattress above the perforated flexible sheet

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentUS12213921B2Inflatable mattress with longitudinally oriented stringers

Publication Date: 2025.02.04 D T DAVIS ENTERPRISES LTD (D B A HOVERTECH INT)

AI summary

A transfer mattress includes a top panel; a bottom panel; an outer stringer having a superior edge coupled to the top panel and an inferior edge coupled to the bottom panel such that a portion of the outer stringer extending between the top panel and the bottom panel is at an angle other than 90 degrees with respect to the top panel and the bottom panel when the mattress body is inflated; and an inner stringer positioned between the central longitudinal axis and the outer stringer and having a superior edge coupled to the top panel and an inferior edge coupled to the bottom panel such that a portion of the inner stringer extending between the top panel and the bottom panel is at an angle other than 90 degrees with respect to the top panel and the bottom panel when the mattress body is inflated.