Multi-use ergonomic pillow

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional pillows often lead to chronic pain and neuromusculoskeletal issues due to poor head and neck positioning, and they are not designed to accommodate various sleeping styles, necessitating the use of multiple pillows or inadequate support.

Innovation Solution

A modular, ergonomic multi-use pillow with adjustable sections and removable inner pods of varying fill densities, allowing for use in multiple positions and configurations to provide proper head and neck support, reducing the need for stacked pillows.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional pillows are used, then they provide basic head support, but they cause poor head and neck positioning leading to chronic pain and neuromusculoskeletal problems

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehead and neck support qualityVSAvoidchronic pain and neuromusculoskeletal problems

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The pillow is divided into multiple zones with different firmness levels and support characteristics. The pillow includes a head support zone, neck support zone, and shoulder zone, each with optimized density and firmness to provide proper anatomical alignment and prevent chronic pain.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the pillow have different physical properties (firmness, density, support characteristics) tailored to specific anatomical needs. The head zone provides gentle contouring, the neck zone offers firm support, and the shoulder zone provides progressive compression, ensuring each area receives appropriate localized support.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple pillows are used to accommodate different sleeping styles, then various positions can be supported, but the device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccommodation of different sleeping stylesVSAvoidnumber of pillows required

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pillow is designed as a multi-functional device that can accommodate supine, side, and prone sleeping positions through its zoned construction. The same pillow provides optimized support for all sleeping styles by allowing users to position themselves on different zones, eliminating the need for multiple specialized pillows.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The pillow incorporates adjustable elements and flexible zoning that allows users to customize the configuration for different sleeping positions. The modular design enables repositioning and adjustment of support zones to match various anatomical requirements and sleeping preferences.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If pillows are stacked to achieve proper elevation, then head and neck alignment can be improved, but the ease of operation and simplicity are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespinal alignmentVSAvoidsimplicity of use

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The pillow is pre-configured with built-in elevation and angular support zones during manufacturing. The zoned construction inherently provides the necessary lift and alignment for proper spinal positioning, eliminating the need for users to manually stack multiple pillows to achieve correct elevation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Ease of manufacture

If pillows are mass-produced with standard designs, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but they fail to provide ergonomic support for individual needs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemass production capabilityVSAvoidergonomic support quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The pillow is manufactured as a segmented zoned product with distinct regions of varying firmness and support characteristics. This segmentation can be achieved through standardized manufacturing processes using different foam densities or firmness levels in specific zones, maintaining mass production efficiency while providing ergonomic differentiation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The pillow utilizes controlled variations in material parameters (density, firmness, compression modulus) across different zones to provide ergonomic support. These parameter changes are implemented through standardized manufacturing techniques such as varying foam formulation or density during production, allowing ergonomic customization without compromising mass production feasibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS11503930B2Multi-use ergonomic pillow

Publication Date: 2022.11.22 SILVA PATRICK KENNETH

AI summary

A multi-use pillow that provides for a shape guided by and contemplated for use in therapeutics, ergonomics, and comfort. The multi-use pillow comprises of an outer shell configured with a first enclosure, a second enclosure, and a channel separating the two enclosures. A first inner pod and a second inner pod are received into the first enclosure and the second enclosure, respectively, and are structured to conform to a size of their respective enclosures. The multi-use pillow may be folded at the channel and allow the pillow to be adapted for use as a stacked pillow or back support. The multi-use pillow may also be adapted for several sleeping styles conforming to proper lumbar and neck support.