Modular Support Element With Anti-Friction Adaptive Surface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modular supporting elements, such as mattresses, face challenges in providing localized adaptation and comfort due to continuous upper sheets that mask individual modular elements' elastic and profile differences, leading to friction issues and irregular surfaces when not assembled correctly.
Innovation Solution
A modular supporting element composed of modules with varying rigidity, made from materials like polyurethane gel and foam, with anti-friction means to prevent contact friction and allow full height extension, enabling customizable support and comfort without the need for intermediate spaces, and featuring self-assembly capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If a continuous upper sheet of material is used to provide a uniform surface, then surface uniformity is improved, but localized adaptation capability deteriorates because the sheet masks the different elastic capacities of individual modular elements
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous upper sheet is divided into multiple independent modular elements, each capable of independent elastic deformation. This segmentation allows each module to adapt locally to body contours while collectively forming a continuous support surface, resolving the contradiction between surface uniformity and localized adaptation.
Solution Approach 2:
Each modular element is designed with specific elastic characteristics tailored to different body regions (head, back, legs). The local quality of each module differs to match the specific support requirements of different anatomical areas, enabling localized adaptation while maintaining overall surface continuity through the modular arrangement.
2Stability of the object's composition
If modular elements are completely juxtaposed to eliminate intermediate spaces, then structural compactness is improved, but friction between elements increases and surface irregularity worsens
Solution Approach 1:
A thin film intermediary layer is introduced between adjacent modular elements. This film reduces friction between modules, allows independent elastic deformation without mechanical interference, and maintains surface continuity. The intermediary resolves the contradiction by enabling close juxtaposition of modules while eliminating harmful friction effects.
3Ease of manufacture
If modular elements are made with height equal to 100% of product thickness, then structural efficiency is improved, but assembly precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The modular elements are designed with self-aligning features and inherent stability that enable automatic positioning during assembly. The modules' geometric characteristics and the containment hood structure work together to guide proper placement without requiring high-precision manual assembly, resolving the contradiction between structural efficiency and assembly precision requirements.
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 enhances ergonomic adaptability, comfort, and ease of assembly by allowing modules to maintain their individual elastic properties while providing continuous support without friction, optimizing ergonomics and usability across different user sizes and shapes.
Implementation Method 1
anti-friction means arranged at least on part of the sides of the modules
Implementation Method 2
modular elements making up the supporting elements of known type can be composed of deformable and elastic elements with various characteristics
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 2a~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A modular supporting element (1), e.g., a mattress (2), a cushion, a sitting surface of a chair, of an armchair, a saddle for vehicles and the like, comprises a plurality of modules (3, 4, 6) arranged juxtaposed the one to the other by means of complementary geometries and/or unification elements (7, 17, 18, 19) such as hoods, linings, meshes and the like; the modules (3, 4, 6) also comprise, at least on one part of their side surface, parts in anti-friction material (11).