Inflatable Pillow V-Channel Structure for Natural Neck Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional inflatable pillows, particularly those with a U-shaped profile, provide limited lateral support and prevent the head and neck from resting naturally due to their design, causing the head to be unnaturally pushed forward and potentially constricting the throat area.
Innovation Solution
A pillow with a V-shaped profile formed by two sheets of flexible material, featuring a channel that increases in width from the centerline to create a pinch-point, securing the head and providing greater support and stability by channeling the head towards the apex of the V-shape, thus maintaining a relatively rigid shape when inflated.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a U-shaped profile pillow is used, then lateral support is provided, but the head cannot rotate backwards to lie flat and the throat area may be constricted
Solution Approach 1:
The pillow is segmented into distinct functional zones: a head zone with a channel that forms a V-shaped profile when inflated, and wing portions that extend laterally. This segmentation allows the head zone to provide forward support while the wings provide lateral support without constricting the throat, resolving the contradiction between lateral support and head rotation freedom.
Solution Approach 2:
The pillow employs asymmetric geometry with a V-shaped profile in the head zone where the channel width increases from the centerline towards the wings. This asymmetric design creates a natural channeling effect that guides the head into the correct position while maintaining lateral support, eliminating the constriction problem of symmetric U-shaped designs.
2Ease of operation
If a U-shaped profile pillow is used, then the neck is surrounded, but the head is unnaturally pushed forward towards the chest
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of having the pillow material directly behind the neck push the head forward (as in conventional U-shaped pillows), the invention inverts the approach by creating a V-shaped channel that channels the head backwards towards the apex. The geometry is reversed so that the structural support comes from the angled wings rather than from material directly behind the neck, correcting the head position naturally.
3Ease of operation
If the base portion of the U-shape is reduced in size, then head rotation is improved, but other problems such as limited lateral support remain
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from a two-dimensional U-shaped plan view to a three-dimensional V-shaped profile in the head zone. By creating the V-shape through the channel geometry rather than reducing the base area, the design achieves improved head rotation through the apex while maintaining full lateral support through the extended wings, solving both problems simultaneously.
Data Source
Figure 1a~1c
Figure 2a~3b
Figure 4a~5b
AI summary
The invention relates to a pillow (10), comprising two sheets of flexible material, joined together to define a space, suitable for inflating to provide a cushioned support. The pillow has a head zone (16) for providing cushioning means to a user's head and two wings (18), configured to extend away from the head zone such that the pillow is substantially U-shaped in the plane of the pillow, when deflated. A channel (22) is provided between the sheets of flexible material to connect the wings (18). The channel (22) is positioned at a point in the head zone (16) furthermost from the wing ends (20). The width of the channel increases from the centre line (24) such that when the pillow is inflated, the pillow has a substantially V-shaped profile, formed about the centre line (24) and centerred on the channel (22).