Inflatable mattress with longitudinally oriented stringers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing patient handling mattresses lack efficient control over patient movement during transfer and have issues with breathability, moisture vapor transmission, and material layering that can cause pressure points and discomfort.
Innovation Solution
The mattress design incorporates longitudinally oriented inner and outer stringers with perforations, allowing for controlled airflow and reduced material layers when deflated, coupled with connectors for easy accessory attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If traditional inflatable mattress designs are used, then manufacturing is simpler, but structural stability and resistance to deformation are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The mattress is divided into multiple independent longitudinal sections, each containing its own stringers and air chambers. This segmentation allows each section to maintain structural integrity independently while contributing to the overall stability of the mattress, resolving the contradiction between structural stability and manufacturing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The mattress combines multiple materials including fabric outer layers, foam padding, and air-filled chambers with stringers. This composite structure integrates the strengths of different materials to achieve superior structural stability while maintaining manageable manufacturing complexity through standardized assembly processes.
2Strength
If traditional inflatable mattress designs are used, then manufacturing is simpler, but resistance to bursting and puncturing is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The air chambers are segmented into multiple longitudinal sections separated by stringers. This segmentation contains potential bursts or punctures to individual sections, preventing catastrophic failure of the entire mattress and improving overall strength and safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The mattress incorporates foam padding layers and reinforced fabric constructions before the air chambers are inflated. These pre-installed cushioning elements provide initial protection against punctures and distribute impact forces, enhancing resistance to bursting and puncturing.
3Adaptability or versatility
If traditional inflatable mattress designs are used, then material usage is lower, but support for different body positions is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The mattress features variable firmness zones created by different stringer configurations, air chamber pressures, and foam densities in different regions. This allows the mattress to adapt to different body positions and sleeping preferences without requiring additional materials, as each zone is optimized for its specific function.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustable air chambers allow users to dynamically change the firmness and support characteristics of different mattress zones. This dynamic adaptability enables the mattress to accommodate various body positions and sleeping styles without requiring multiple mattresses or excessive materials.
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
Enhances patient comfort by improving breathability, reducing pressure points, and facilitating easy patient transfer with controlled airflow and stable support, while maintaining accessory attachment integrity.
Implementation Method 1
Inflatable structures, and in particular, inflatable mattresses, generally require some form of structural support in order to maintain their shape when inflated
Implementation Method 2
Inflatable structures, and in particular, inflatable mattresses, generally require some form of structural support in order to maintain their shape when inflated. Without such support, the material used to construct the inflatable structure must be quite heavy duty in order to prevent bursting or puncturing, and even then the structural integrity is often insufficient
Data Source
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AI summary
A transfer mattress includes a top panel, a bottom panel, an outer stringer and an inner stringer. The top panel has a perimeter including a proximal edge and a distal edge, wherein a central longitudinal axis extends from the proximal edge to the distal edge. The bottom panel has a plurality of perforations and a perimeter including a proximal edge and a distal edge coupled to the perimeter of the top panel. The outer stringer and inner stringer each have a superior edge coupled to the top panel and an inferior edge coupled to the bottom panel and a longitudinal portion that is substantially parallel to the central longitudinal axis. The inner stringer is positioned between the central longitudinal axis and the outer stringer.