Mattress And Cushion Covers With Fiber-Reinforced Spring Slats
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Solution Overview
Problem
The attachment of spring bases in upholstered furniture is complex and often results in uneven support, leading to reduced comfort due to the rigidity of traditional materials like steel or glass fiber slats, which require large distances between slats, resulting in a small contact surface and deep sagging under load.
Innovation Solution
A cover with a receiving device for spring slats made of fiber-reinforced plastic, featuring a pultruded fiber core surrounded by a thermoplastic matrix, with a sleeve leg protruding on opposite sides for an enlarged contact surface, and a pocket arrangement for secure slat placement, eliminating the need for direct attachment to the furniture frame.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional steel or glass fiber slats are used for the sprung base, then the structural strength is sufficient, but the contact surface between slats and mattress is small due to the required large distances between slats, resulting in deep sagging under load and reduced comfort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameters by using fiber-reinforced plastic with a pultruded fiber core instead of traditional steel or glass fiber slats. This material innovation allows for increased slat density (reducing distances between slats) while maintaining structural strength, thereby increasing the contact surface area and reducing sagging under load
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite materials by combining a fiber core (providing tensile strength) with a plastic sheath (providing compression resistance and surface contact). This composite structure enables the slats to be positioned closer together while maintaining adequate strength, thus increasing the contact surface area between the sprung base and mattress
2Force
If the spring slats are made rigid to provide firm support, then the load-bearing capacity is sufficient, but the comfort is reduced due to the lack of elasticity and increased sagging in areas between slats
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the elasticity parameters by using fiber-reinforced plastic with a pultruded fiber core, which provides both strength and flexibility. This allows the slats to maintain load-bearing capacity while exhibiting sufficient elasticity to reduce sagging and improve comfort in areas between slats
Solution Approach 2:
The composite structure of fiber core and plastic sheath provides a balanced combination of rigidity and flexibility. The fiber core ensures load-bearing capacity while the plastic matrix allows for controlled deformation, resulting in slats that are both strong and comfortable
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
This configuration simplifies the construction and attachment of the spring base, provides improved comfort through even support, allows for easy cleaning and transport, and offers adjustable elasticity for varying load requirements.
Implementation Method 1
the sprung slats being made of a fiber-reinforced plastic material with a preferably pultruded fiber core and a plastic sheath enclosing the fiber core
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a cover (8) for a mattress (6) or a cushion (3) of a piece of furniture (1), comprising a usable side (10) and a rear side (11). A receiving device for a supporting spring system (12) which has spring strips (15) is provided on the rear side (11). At least one spring strip (15) is made of a fiber-reinforced plastic material with a preferably pultruded fiber core (18) and a casing (17) which surrounds the fiber core (16) and is made of plastic. According to the invention, a respective casing limb (18) for an increased support surface area of the spring strip (15) protrudes on opposite sides of the casing (17).