Modular Cardboard Bed Design for Portable Storage and Reconfiguration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional beds are not easily portable or configurable for changing needs, making them unsuitable for situations like institutional facilities or emergency settings where flexibility and storage are required.

Innovation Solution

A bed design featuring a base with interchangeable sections and a lattice framework support, constructed from corrugated cardboard, allowing for configuration between a sleeping and storage mode, with the ability to fold and reconfigure for compact storage and easy movement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If a conventional bed is designed to remain in a fixed position, then structural stability is improved, but portability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidportability
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The bed is divided into modular sections including a head section, foot section, and support structure that can be separated and reconfigured. The base comprises first and second sections that can be mated together in different arrangements, enabling the bed to be disassembled for easy movement while maintaining stability when assembled.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The bed incorporates movable and reconfigurable components including linear members that can pivot between extended and contracted configurations, and sidewalls that can be positioned in overlapping arrangements. This dynamic design allows the bed to transition between stable sleeping configuration and compact storage configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of manufacture

If a bed is designed with fixed configuration, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but adaptability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidconfigurability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The bed is constructed from standardized modular sections that can be manufactured independently and assembled in different configurations. The base sections, support members, and sidewalls are discrete components that can be produced using simple manufacturing processes and then combined to create beds of various sizes and arrangements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The modular components are designed to serve multiple functions and can be configured for different uses. The same base sections and support members can be arranged to create single beds, twin beds, or storage configurations, providing versatility without requiring complex specialized manufacturing for each configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Quantity of substance

If a bed includes enclosed interior space for storage, then storage capability is improved, but device complexity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage capacityVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The bed design incorporates nested storage spaces where the support structure and base sections create enclosed interior volumes when mated together. The first and second sections overlap in an arranged manner to form enclosed interior space, with the mattress and support positioned within, creating storage capability using the structural components themselves rather than adding separate storage elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentUS11871849B2Bed
Publication Date: 2024.01.16 BOB BARKER
  • US11871849B2 patent drawing
  • US11871849B2 patent drawing
  • US11871849B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A bed that includes a base with first and second sections each with a face and sidewalls that extend around the perimeter of and outward from one side of the face. The bed also includes a mattress and a support. The bed is selectively positionable between a first configuration and a second configuration. The first configuration includes the support positioned in the base and with the mattress supported on the base. The second configuration includes the mattress and the support positioned in the base for storage or shipping.