Cervical multi-position pillow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pillows fail to provide adequate cervical area support for individuals of varying height, weight, and age, often being too stiff or too soft, and do not accommodate different sleeping positions, leading to discomfort and disrupted sleep.
Innovation Solution
A multi-position pillow with a sloped core support and a contouring material layer that can be adjusted to provide customizable cervical area support, distributing the weight of the head evenly and relieving pressure points, allowing users to select their preferred sleeping elevation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If existing pillows use a single fixed height design, then manufacturing is simple, but they cannot accommodate users of varying height, weight, and age
Solution Approach 1:
The pillow is divided into multiple independent height settings (first, second, and third height settings) that can be selectively used. Each height setting corresponds to a different cervical support elevation, allowing users to choose the appropriate height based on their individual needs for height, weight, and age variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The pillow transitions from a static single-height design to a dynamic multi-height system where the effective pillow height can be changed by the user. This is achieved through removable support elements or adjustable components that allow the pillow to adapt its configuration rather than being fixed in one state.
2Strength
If existing pillows are made too stiff, then cervical support is strong, but users cannot comfortably move and are locked into a single position
Solution Approach 1:
The pillow incorporates zones of different firmness levels within the same pillow structure. Certain areas provide stronger cervical support while other areas remain softer to allow comfortable movement and position changes. This localized variation in material properties enables both strong support and ease of movement simultaneously.
3Ease of operation
If existing pillows are made too soft, then user comfort is high, but the pillow bottoms out or flattens under head and neck weight providing little support
Solution Approach 1:
The pillow uses composite construction combining different materials with complementary properties. A softer outer layer provides comfort and conformability to the user's head and neck shape, while an inner support layer with higher density or elastic modulus prevents bottoming out and maintains cervical support elevation under the weight of the head and neck.
4Adaptability or versatility
If a pillow provides fixed cervical support, then structure is simple, but it cannot accommodate users who sleep in different positions or need to adjust positions frequently
Solution Approach 1:
The pillow is designed to serve multiple sleeping positions (back, side, and stomach sleeping) through its multi-height configuration. By adjusting the pillow height setting, the same pillow structure can accommodate different sleeping positions and user preferences, making it a universal solution rather than requiring separate pillows for each position.
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 pillow provides continuous elevated cervical area support, reduces numbness in fingers and arms, and promotes maximum muscle relaxation and pressure relief, accommodating various sleeping positions and preferences.
Implementation Method 1
the contouring material layer being compressible, such that to compress over a top surface of the core support when disposed within the outer cover
Implementation Method 2
a tension force is induced on the user's neck, the tension force causing a decompression of the neck and thus, resulting in a relief of pressure in the cervical area
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-position pillow for providing cervical area support during sleep, the multi-position pillow comprising: an outer cover adapted to be opened; a core support removably associated with the outer cover, the core support comprising a sloped body, wherein a downward slope of the sloped body extends from a first end to a second end, a head connected to the first end and having a hump, and a ledge disposed in the head along a top end of the hump; and a contouring material layer removably associated with the outer cover, the contouring material layer being compressible such that to compress over a top of the core support; wherein an association of the outer cover with the core support and the contouring material layer causes the core support and the contouring material layer to be positioned centrally within the outer cover, such that to provide cervical area support to a user.