Internal support system for an inflatable air mattress

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Inflatable air mattresses experience shape distortion and instability under load due to increased internal pressure, which affects user comfort and requires additional internal support structures that can complicate manufacturing.

Innovation Solution

An internal support structure for inflatable air mattresses comprising one or more loops of material attached to the top and bottom panels, which prevents shape distortion and enhances stability without the manufacturing challenges associated with mesh materials.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If multiple separate chambers are included in the internal support system, then structural stability is improved, but the time required for inflating or deflating the air mattress increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidinflation/deflation time

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The internal support structure is divided into multiple separate chambers that are arranged in parallel. Each chamber can be independently inflated or deflated, allowing the structure to maintain stability while enabling selective inflation/deflation to reduce overall time compared to a single large chamber system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements more chambers than the minimum single-chamber configuration, providing enhanced stability. However, by allowing selective inflation/deflation of individual chambers rather than requiring all chambers to be fully processed, the system achieves partial action that reduces total inflation/deflation time while maintaining structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

2Shape

If mesh material with apertures is used in the internal structure, then the problem of shape distortion is addressed, but manufacturing difficulties arise due to attachment challenges

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshape stabilityVSAvoidattachment difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The internal support structure uses uniform solid wall chambers rather than mesh material with varying aperture patterns. This homogeneous construction eliminates the attachment difficulties associated with mesh materials while still providing effective shape stability through the rigid chamber walls.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #33Homogeneity

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs simple, easily manufacturable chamber structures that can be produced and attached using standard manufacturing processes. These solid-walled chambers are simpler to fabricate and attach than mesh materials, reducing manufacturing complexity and cost while achieving the desired shape stabilization function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Data Source

PatentUS12279700B2Internal support system for an inflatable air mattress

Publication Date: 2025.04.22 BELGRAVIA WOOD LTD

AI summary

The disclosed technology includes an internal support structure for providing structural stability to an inflated air mattress. The internal support structure can include a loop of material and attachment strips to attach the loop to the top and bottom panels. The internal support structure can also include attachment strips to attach the ends of the loop of material together to complete the loop. The air mattress can include a plurality of internal support structures.