Supporting module for an adaptive sleep system, and adaptive sleep system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current adaptive sleep systems are complex, leading to higher risks of defects, reduced user-friendliness, and increased production and sales costs, while failing to effectively adapt to changes in user posture and anatomy.
Innovation Solution
A modular sleep system with adaptable leaf springs and drive shafts, where the resilience is adjusted based on the position of the leaf spring with respect to the drive shaft, allowing for active adaptation to user anatomy and posture, using elastic synthetic materials and a control unit with sensors for precise adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If complex adaptive sleep systems with multiple inflatable chambers or slide mechanisms are used, then the resilient capacity can be actively adapted to user anatomy and posture, but the device complexity increases leading to higher defect risk and production costs
Solution Approach 1:
The sleep system is divided into multiple independent supporting modules, each capable of independent adjustment. This segmentation allows the complex adaptation function to be distributed across simpler, identical units, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The supporting modules incorporate dynamically adjustable elements (leaf springs with variable deformation resistance) that can change their mechanical properties in response to user needs, enabling active adaptation without requiring complex control systems.
2Adaptability or versatility
If passive pressure distribution systems like water beds are used, then the system adapts to user posture automatically, but the hip zone sinks too deep compromising body support
Solution Approach 1:
The leaf springs provide dynamic support that actively responds to user posture while maintaining proper support levels. The deformation resistance can be adjusted to prevent excessive sinking in critical zones like the hips, unlike passive systems that lack active control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the deformation resistance parameter of the leaf springs to optimize both posture adaptation and body support. By adjusting this mechanical parameter, the system achieves active adaptation while preventing the hip sinking problem inherent in passive systems.
3Device complexity
If pre-adjusted slatted base systems are used, then the structure is simple and stable, but the system cannot adapt to changes in user recumbent posture
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting modules incorporate dynamically adjustable leaf springs that can change their deformation resistance to adapt to different user postures. This dynamic capability is integrated into a modular design that maintains relative structural simplicity compared to non-modular adaptive systems.
Solution Approach 2:
Each supporting module is designed as a universal unit that can function in multiple positions and configurations. The leaf springs provide multi-functional support that adapts to various recumbent postures, allowing a single simple module design to achieve adaptive capabilities.
4Device complexity
If uniformly deformable mattress systems are used, then the structure is simple with connected supports, but the resilience cannot be adapted to different body zones
Solution Approach 1:
The sleep system is segmented into multiple independent supporting modules, each with its own adjustable leaf springs. This segmentation enables different resilience characteristics in different body zones while maintaining a relatively simple modular structure that is easier to manufacture than integrated complex systems.
Solution Approach 2:
Each supporting module can be independently adjusted to provide locally optimized support characteristics. The leaf springs in different modules can have different deformation resistance settings, allowing local quality customization for different body zones while using identical simple module designs.
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 system provides improved user-friendliness, comfort, safety, and stability, with reduced production costs and time, while effectively supporting various body zones, enhancing sleep quality for users with specific needs.
Implementation Method 1
at least one leaf spring (130, 130'), each leaf spring (130, 130') comprising a first end and a second end, each first end being connected to the first supporting element, and each second end being in contact with an adjacent drive shaft (140, 140')
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 1C
Figure 2A~2B
AI summary
The present invention relates to a supporting module (100) for use in an adaptive sleep system and to a sleep system comprising such supporting modules, the resistance (resilience) of which can be adapted in a simple manner to the anatomy and/or posture of a user. The supporting module (100) for an adaptive sleep system comprises an uppermost supporting element (110), at least two drive shafts (140, 140'), at least two leaf springs (130, 130') positioned parallel to one another, each leaf spring (130, 130') including a first and a second end, each first end being connected to the first supporting element, and each second end being in contact with an adjacent drive shaft (140, 140') via a coupling element (150), wherein the position of the second end of a leaf spring (130, 130') with respect to the adjacent drive shaft (140, 140') determines the deformation resistance of this leaf spring (130, 130'), and wherein the coupling element (150) has been configured to transmit the rotational motion of at least one drive shaft (140, 140') to the leaf spring (130, 130'), in order to modify the position of the second end of the leaf spring (130, 130') with respect to the adjacent drive shaft (140, 140').