Method for using a mattress in a furniture construction with elastic or spring modules

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing furniture designs, such as couches and beds, are difficult to disassemble and reassemble, making them cumbersome to move and store, especially when they consist of large, integral spring pads or mattresses that cannot be easily separated or rearranged.

Innovation Solution

The design of modular elastic modules with a spring and an elastic outer covering layer that can be assembled and disassembled independently, allowing for flexible configuration and easy reconfiguration into different furniture forms, with a module connecting structure that enables secure attachment to frames or other modules without the need for tools.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If a traditional integral spring pad is used, then the structural strength and stability are improved, but the ease of disassembly and reassembly deteriorates

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

Solution Approach 1:

The spring pad is divided into multiple independent elastic modules, each containing a spring element and surrounding elastic material. These modules can be individually removed and reinstalled, enabling easy disassembly and reassembly while maintaining the overall structural integrity when assembled

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Stability of the object's composition

If an integral spring pad design is used, then the structural integrity is improved, but the ease of storage and transportation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidstorage volume
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The spring pad is segmented into multiple elastic modules that can be individually compressed and stored in a compact state. When needed, these modules are expanded and assembled back into the functional spring pad, dramatically reducing storage and transportation volume

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic modules are designed to nest within each other when compressed, similar to nested dolls. This allows the entire spring pad to be collapsed into a fraction of its original volume for storage or transportation, then easily expanded back to full size

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Adaptability or versatility

If individually packaged spring bags are used, then the independence of spring elements is improved, but the ease of disassembly deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespring independenceVSAvoidease of disassembly
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Each spring element is enclosed in its own elastic module, maintaining the independence and individual functionality of each spring. However, unlike traditional individually packaged spring bags, these modules are designed with connection features that allow them to be easily assembled and disassembled as a group

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple individually packaged spring modules are combined into a unified spring pad structure through simple connection mechanisms. This merging allows the modules to function independently while being easily assembled and disassembled together, solving both the independence and ease of disassembly requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 solution allows for efficient assembly and disassembly of furniture, reducing storage and transportation space requirements by up to 90% and enabling easy replacement of individual modules, thus lowering costs and improving usability.

Implementation Method 1

at least one spring (5) disposed in the middle of the outer covering layer (1) in such a manner that the spring (5) can be substantially static relative to the outer covering layer (1)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring: Spring

Implementation Method 2

an elastic module (100) having a spring (5), and an elastic outer covering layer (1) formed of e.g., polyurethane couch sponge

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3462995B1Method for using a mattress in a furniture construction with elastic or spring modules
Publication Date: 2021.07.28 LENG LUHAO
  • EP3462995B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP3462995B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3462995B1 patent drawingFigure 4a~4b

AI summary

Furniture is assembled from elastic modules enabling rapid and convenient assembly and disassembly. The elastic module has a spring, an outer covering layer, and an end member attached to an end face of the outer covering layer. A mattress includes a plurality of individual spring assemblies (145), with each spring assembly including at least one spring (134) and a spring cap (144, 150, 161, 164, 171, 184, 194, 204). Each spring cap has at least one first attachment fitting (168, 178, 174, 186, 196) and at least one second attachment fitting (169, 180, 176, 187) with each first attachment fitting engageable into or onto and removable from a second attachment fitting of an adjoining spring cap. The spring assemblies are attached to each other via the first and second attachment fittings, forming the individual spring assemblies into a spring core. A top pad is positioned on top of the spring core. The mattress can be quickly dis-assembled and stored in a compact space by removing the top pad and separating the spring assemblies from each other.