Mattress with flexible pressure sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current pressure sensing mechanisms for mattresses are costly, cumbersome, and non-transparent, lacking elasticity, which makes them difficult to implement effectively without altering the feel of the mattress.
Innovation Solution
A flexible pressure sensor made of a conductive polymeric material with a composite of a flexible polymer and electrically conductive filler, integrated into the mattress layers, allowing for real-time dynamic contact information without altering the mattress's feel, and enabling control of firmness based on pressure distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional pressure sensors are used in mattresses, then pressure sensing capability is achieved, but the mattress feel is altered and elasticity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies this principle by using a thin film pressure sensor with flexible substrate that can conform to the mattress surface without adding significant rigidity. The flexible substrate and thin film structure allow the sensor to bend and deform with the mattress, maintaining its original feel and elasticity while still detecting pressure changes accurately.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the sensor to improve flexibility, including using flexible substrates, thin film structures, and soft encapsulation materials. These parameter changes enable the sensor to maintain mattress elasticity and feel while providing accurate pressure sensing capability.
2Measurement precision
If traditional pressure sensors are used in mattresses, then pressure sensing capability is achieved, but cost increases and implementation becomes cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies this principle by designing a pressure sensor system that can serve multiple functions: pressure sensing, position detection, and potential integration with mattress control systems. The flexible sensor can be configured in various patterns (intersecting strips, grids, sheets) to provide different sensing capabilities, reducing the need for multiple specialized components and simplifying implementation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses simplified sensor configurations that replicate essential sensing functions without requiring complex traditional sensor assemblies. The flexible strip and grid patterns create effective pressure sensing zones through simpler geometric arrangements, reducing manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining sensing accuracy.
3Loss of information
If pressure sensors are integrated into mattress layers, then real-time dynamic contact information is obtained, but the sensor must maintain elasticity and transparency to feel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses thin film pressure sensors with flexible substrates that are transparent or translucent to touch. The thin film structure allows skin contact and pressure application without significant interference, maintaining the natural feel of the mattress surface while capturing real-time dynamic contact information through the flexible sensing elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material structures combining flexible substrates, conductive traces, and soft encapsulation layers. These composite materials provide both the electrical sensing capability and the tactile transparency needed, allowing the sensor to remain largely unnoticed by users while delivering accurate real-time pressure and contact data.
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 solution provides cost-effective, transparent, and unobtrusive pressure sensing that maintains the mattress's elasticity, allowing for precise monitoring of sleep quality and pressure distribution while enabling adjustable firmness and position-based adjustments.
Implementation Method 1
a polymeric contact sensor comprising a plurality of flexible strips formed of a polymeric material and a conductive filler
Implementation Method 2
pressure sensors are often difficult to implement into a mattress because of their lack of elasticity and impact on changing the feel of the mattress
Data Source
AI summary
Mattresses including a polymeric contact sensor configured to provide real-time dynamic contact information, which can then be used to report sleep quality, body position and/or pressure distributions to the user. The polymeric contact sensors could also be used to control parameters of the mattress and/or foundation with adjustable firmness for a given position and/or body shape/type/size. The polymeric contact sensor includes a plurality of flexible strips formed of a polymeric material and a conductive filler, wherein the polymeric contact sensor is in electrical communication with a data acquisition terminal, wherein the polymeric contact sensor is disposed on or within the upholstery layer, or on or within the quilt layer, or on a top surface of the innercore unit.