Systems and methods for internal airbed structure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional airbeds face issues with internal tensioning structures that add weight, make them cumbersome to fold and store, and do not provide a desired appearance, while also potentially allowing over-inflation and surface shearing.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a sheet-based or strip-based internal structure that attaches to the top and bottom surfaces of the air mattress, forming a web-like configuration to maintain shape, prevent over-inflation, and reduce bulk, allowing for easier storage and transport.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional internal tensioning structures (strips with strands of string or wire) are used, then the airbed achieves its intended shape and prevents over-inflation, but the airbed's overall weight increases and it becomes cumbersome to fold and store

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshape maintenance and over-inflation preventionVSAvoidairbed weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces conventional rigid tensioning strips with a flexible mesh sheet made of thin material. The mesh sheet attaches to the interior surfaces of the top and bottom surfaces of the air mattress, providing the necessary tensioning function while being lightweight and flexible. This allows the airbed to maintain its shape and prevent over-inflation without adding significant weight or bulk.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Shape

If conventional internal tensioning structures (strips with strands of string or wire) are used, then the airbed achieves its intended shape, but the airbed becomes cumbersome to fold and store when not inflated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveairbed shapeVSAvoidfolding and storage convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible mesh sheet can be easily folded and compressed along with the deflated airbed, making storage convenient. Unlike rigid strips, the mesh sheet conforms to the compressed shape of the deflated airbed without creating bulk or resistance to folding.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Shape

If conventional internal structures are used, then the airbed maintains its shape, but the structure does not provide a desired appearance of the airbed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveairbed shapeVSAvoidappearance quality

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The mesh sheet can be made from visually appealing materials with various patterns, colors, or transparencies. When the airbed is inflated, the mesh sheet creates a subtle, aesthetically pleasing texture on the surface rather than the harsh appearance of conventional strips. The mesh structure allows light to pass through or reflects light in an attractive manner.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentUS10455949B2Systems and methods for internal airbed structure

Publication Date: 2019.10.29 POLYGROUP MACAU BVI

AI summary

An air mattress comprises an internal structure for helping the air mattress maintain a desired geometric shape when inflated and for preventing shearing of the top and bottom surfaces of the mattress. The internal structure comprises a plurality of connection strips or a mesh web that are attached to a plurality of top surface connection points and bottom surface connection points.