Inflatable Sleep System Evaluation for Accurate Comfort and Support Fit
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Solution Overview
Problem
The selection of a suitable sleep system for an individual is challenging due to the vast number of factors influencing comfort and support, including physical attributes and sleeping habits, and current methods rely on brief showroom testing, which may not accurately determine long-term suitability.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that utilize inflatable members within a test bed to measure and adjust pressure levels, providing real-time data on comfort and support, allowing for the calculation of optimal pressure levels and recommendations for a sleep system tailored to the individual's needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If brief showroom testing is used to evaluate sleep system suitability, then the evaluation process is quick and simple, but the accuracy of determining long-term suitability is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses inflatable members (pneumatic elements) within the test bed to simulate different sleep system characteristics. These inflatable members can be adjusted to create varying support and comfort levels, allowing comprehensive evaluation of sleep system suitability during a brief showroom testing period rather than requiring weeks of actual sleep testing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes physical parameters of the test bed by adjusting the inflation pressure of internal members. This allows the test bed to simulate different mattress firmness levels, support characteristics, and comfort properties, enabling accurate evaluation of multiple sleep system configurations during a short testing period.
2Measurement precision
If multiple factors are considered for sleep system selection, then the suitability evaluation becomes more accurate, but the selection process becomes complicated and difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The test bed is designed as a universal evaluation device that can assess multiple sleep system characteristics simultaneously. It incorporates inflatable members that can simulate various mattress types, firmness levels, and support properties within a single apparatus, eliminating the need for multiple separate testing devices or complex evaluation procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically measures and analyzes the user's body characteristics and sleep preferences during the testing process. Sensors detect pressure distribution, body position, and other parameters, then the system processes this data to provide objective suitability recommendations, reducing the complexity of manual evaluation for the user.
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 objective evaluation of a person on a sleep system, facilitating the selection of a suitable sleep system by measuring pressure differences and adjusting support and comfort levels, thereby recommending a system that provides optimal comfort and support characteristics.
Implementation Method 1
measuring a pressure of the comfort layer inflatable member as a first measured comfort value; and measuring a pressure of the support layer inflatable member as a first measured support value
Implementation Method 2
adjusting a pressure of a comfort layer inflatable member disposed within a comfort layer of the evaluating member to a initial comfort value; and adjusting a pressure of a support layer inflatable member disposed within a support layer of the evaluating member to an initial support value
Data Source
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AI summary
A method is provided for evaluating a person for a sleep system using an evaluating member comprising a comfort layer having a comfort layer inflatable member disposed therein and a support layer having a support layer inflatable member disposed therein. The method comprises, when a person is positioned on the evaluating member: measuring a pressure of the comfort layer inflatable member; and measuring a pressure of the support layer inflatable member. Using the measured pressures, the most suitable sleep system support layer characteristics and the most suitable sleep system comfort layer characteristics are determined for the person.