Mattress Vibration Sensing With Structure-Borne Sound Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sleep monitoring systems rely heavily on correct positioning of sensors, which can lead to reduced reliability and ease of use, and integrating sensors into mattresses often results in signal attenuation.
Innovation Solution
A mattress with integrated piezoelectric or electromagnetic sensors coupled to a control device, where the evaluation unit is integrated or coupled with the control device, allowing existing furniture drive components to be used for power and communication, and featuring a structure-borne noise receiver to enhance signal strength and reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sensors are integrated into the mattress, then positioning reliability is improved, but signal strength is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
A structure-borne noise receiver (element for receiving sound) is introduced as an intermediary component between the mattress and the sensor. This receiver is coupled to the sensor and serves as a mediator that collects and transmits vibrations from the mattress surface to the sensor, thereby amplifying the signal strength while maintaining the integrated positioning advantage
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor system is nested within the mattress structure with the structure-borne noise receiver positioned between the mattress surface and the sensor. This nested arrangement allows the receiver to capture vibrations from the mattress while transmitting them to the embedded sensor, solving both the positioning reliability and signal strength issues
2Measurement precision
If additional evaluation devices and cables are added, then sensor signal evaluation is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The evaluation unit is merged with the existing control device of the electromotive furniture drive. This integration allows the sensor signals to be evaluated by existing processing components, eliminating the need for separate evaluation devices and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The control device of the electromotive furniture drive is designed to serve multiple functions: it controls the furniture drive operations and simultaneously evaluates sensor signals for monitoring the person on the furniture. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated evaluation hardware
3Ease of operation
If sensors are placed on bedside table or mattress surface, then ease of installation is improved, but positioning reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor and structure-borne noise receiver are pre-integrated into the mattress during manufacturing. This preliminary integration ensures that the sensor is always in the correct position relative to the mattress surface, eliminating positioning reliability issues while maintaining ease of installation as the entire mattress can be simply placed on the furniture
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 highly sensitive signal detection with high signal strength and reduced additional device costs, ensuring reliable monitoring of physiological parameters without the need for external evaluation units and cables.
Implementation Method 1
a mattress with at least one integrated piezoelectric or electromagnetic sensor arranged in the mattress for detecting vibrations, movement and/or sound
Implementation Method 2
a mattress with at least one integrated piezoelectric or electromagnetic sensor arranged in the mattress for detecting vibrations, movement and/or sound
Implementation Method 3
The mattress also acts as a good transmitter for structure-borne noise due to its extensive contact with the person. The integrated element for receiving sound, in particular structure-borne noise, also referred to below as structure-borne noise receiver, particularly picks up the structure-borne noise and passes it on to the sensor, so that there is a good signal strength.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a mattress (30) for a piece of furniture for sleeping or resting, having at least one sensor (12) arranged in the mattress (30) for sensing vibrations, motion, and/or sound. The mattress (30) is characterized in that the mattress has at least one element for receiving structure-borne sound, to which the at least one sensor (12) is coupled. The invention further relates to a piece of furniture for sleeping or resting, in particular a bed (1), having such a mattress (30).