Mattress Spring Arm Layout for Adjustable Uniform Support

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing spring bases for mattresses lack adjustable spring characteristics, leading to uneven support and compromised sleeping, sitting, or reclining comfort, as they are unable to adapt to varying loads.

Innovation Solution

The base spring design features spring arms guided downwards and then upwards around the outside of spring slats, with adjustable support elements and flexible connecting profiles, allowing for customizable spring properties and even distribution of force across the mattress surface.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If spring arms are guided directly upwards to accommodate the mattress, then the structure is simple, but the spring travel is limited and support is uneven

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespring travelVSAvoidspring arm configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of guiding spring arms directly upwards, the patent guides them downwards first between the spring slats, then curves them upwards around the outside of the slats. This inverted path configuration increases the effective spring travel distance while maintaining structural feasibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The spring arms transition from a simple vertical path to a three-dimensional curved path that extends both vertically and horizontally around the spring slats. This dimensional change allows for increased travel distance without proportionally increasing structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If spring characteristics are fixed, then manufacturing is simple, but the mattress cannot be evenly supported under varying loads

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustable spring characteristicsVSAvoidspring base structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces adjustable support elements that can modify the spring characteristics of individual spring arms. This dynamic capability allows the spring base to adapt to varying loads and user preferences, transforming a static structure into an adaptable system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The spring base is divided into multiple independent spring arms, each with its own adjustable support element. This segmentation allows individual customization of spring characteristics for different regions, enabling localized adaptation without redesigning the entire system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If support points are close to the mattress underside, then structure is compact, but support distribution is uneven

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemattress support uniformityVSAvoidspring arm length
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of positioning support points close to the mattress, the spring arms are routed around the outside of the spring slats, effectively moving the support points farther away. This inverted positioning approach distributes the support force more evenly across the mattress surface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

4Adaptability or versatility

If female connectors have fixed orientation, then assembly is simple, but spring properties cannot be individualized

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindividualized spring propertiesVSAvoidconnector assembly
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The female connectors are designed to be rotatable about their longitudinal axes, allowing their orientation to be adjusted. This dynamic positioning capability enables customization of spring properties for each connector while maintaining a relatively simple assembly process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 design enhances the spring characteristics, providing more uniform support and adjustable comfort, allowing for personalized optimization of the mattress's support behavior based on load distribution and user preferences.

Implementation Method 1

The base spring is made of an elastic material, preferably plastic

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the force that acts from the mattress on the support plates and the spring arms is transferred to the pair of slats

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectForce transmission: Force

Data Source

PatentEP2779869B1Supporting spring system for a mattress in particular
Publication Date: 2018.07.18 THOMAS BETEILIGUNGS UND VERMOGENS GMBH & CO KG
  • EP2779869B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2779869B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2779869B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Supporting spring systems for sleeping, reclining or seating furniture must have spring characteristics that provide good sleeping, lying and/or seating comfort. In known supporting spring systems this is only achieved by relatively high design expenditure. The invention aims to create a simple and flexible supporting spring system which nevertheless ensures high sleeping, lying and/or sitting comfort. For this purpose, supporting elements (13, 50, 60, 70, 80) for connecting two female connectors (10) of a female connector pair (11) are provided. The supporting elements (13, 50, 60, 70, 80) comprise spring arms (15, 72) that are guided from beneath the female connectors (10) of the female connector pairs (11) up around the outside of the female connector pair (11).