Adjustable Mattress Spring Element for Stiffness and Noise Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spring elements for mattresses lack adjustable stiffness and noise reduction, making them less adaptable to individual user needs and potentially uncomfortable.
Innovation Solution
The integration of coupling elements with adjustable mobility between cover plate parts, allowing for reversible adjustment of stiffness and noise reduction through selectively engaging lugs with grooves of varying lengths, and the use of elastic connecting elements to provide counterforces and prevent noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the cover plate parts are rigidly connected, then the stability of the spring element is improved, but the adaptability to individual user needs deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting element is designed with multiple grooves of different lengths that allow the cover plate parts to be positioned at different distances from the central axis. This creates adjustable mobility - the cover plate parts can move more or less relative to each other depending on which groove is engaged, enabling the spring element to adapt its stiffness to individual user needs while maintaining structural stability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the geometric parameter of the connecting element by providing grooves of different lengths. By selecting different groove lengths, the maximum mobility of the cover plate parts is adjusted, thereby changing the stiffness parameter of the spring element to match different user requirements
2Adaptability or versatility
If the cover plate parts are allowed to move freely relative to each other, then the adaptability to load is improved, but the stability of the spring element deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a static rigid connection to a dynamic adjustable connection. The cover plate parts can be configured with different degrees of mobility by selecting different groove engagements, allowing the spring element to adapt its mechanical properties to match the applied load while preventing excessive movement that would compromise stability
3Stability of the object's composition
If rigid connecting elements are used, then the path of cover plate parts is limited, but noise generation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces rigid connecting elements with elastic connecting elements that can deform elastically during operation. This flexibility allows the connecting element to absorb impacts and prevent the cover plate parts from hitting their travel limits with hard contacts, thereby reducing noise generation while still limiting the path of movement
4Object-generated harmful factors
If elastic connecting elements are used, then noise is reduced, but the path limitation of cover plate parts becomes less precise
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic connecting element provides a compromise between noise reduction and path limitation. While the elastic deformation allows slightly more movement than a rigid connection, the groove structure still defines the maximum travel path, maintaining sufficient precision while eliminating noise from hard impacts
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
Enables adjustable stiffness to accommodate individual user needs, reduces noise, and enhances sleeping comfort by allowing the spring element to be tailored to specific loads and preferences.
Implementation Method 1
Alternatively, the connecting elements can be designed to be elastic, as a result of which a counterforce opposing the movement can be applied as an elastic restoring force
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a spring element, in particular for use in a spring core mattress or in a base mattress, with a base, a cover plate and a spring body arranged between the base and cover plate, the cover plate preferably being detachably connected to the spring body and the cover plate comprising at least two parts which move away from one another transversely to the spring direction when the spring element compresses, the cover plate parts each being provided with a coupling element which is or can be coupled to a connecting element which connects at least two cover plate parts to one another and optionally limits the path of the cover plate parts relative to one another to a greater or lesser extent and/or alternatively opposes the movement with a greater or lesser counterforce.