Multi-Zone Pillow Structure for Sleep Position and Heat Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pillows fail to accommodate multiple sleeping positions and lack effective temperature control, often causing discomfort due to heat retention or lack thereof.
Innovation Solution
A pillow design featuring a foam body with adjustable ridges of different heights, a gel memory foam composition for heat management, and fluid or gel-filled elements for customizable firmness and temperature regulation, along with a cover incorporating oxygenation and phase change materials for enhanced comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single pillow is used to accommodate all sleeping positions, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to different sleeping positions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The pillow is divided into multiple zones with different heights and firmness levels. The high density foam core creates distinct support zones, while the lower density foam layers provide varying comfort levels. This segmentation allows the pillow to adapt to different sleeping positions (back, side, stomach) without requiring multiple separate pillows.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the pillow have different material properties and densities. The high density foam (40-80 IFD) provides firm support in areas needing structural integrity, while lower density foam (10-30 IFD) provides softer comfort in areas needing cushioning. This local variation in material quality enables the single pillow to serve multiple sleeping positions effectively.
2Ease of manufacture
If traditional pillow materials are used, then the manufacturing cost is reduced, but the temperature control capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The pillow combines multiple foam densities (high density 40-80 IFD and lower density 10-30 IFD) in a single structure. This composite material approach provides both thermal regulation benefits through air trapping in lower density regions and structural support from higher density regions, while remaining manufacturable with conventional foam materials and processes.
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 adaptable support for various sleeping positions and effective temperature control, reducing discomfort by managing heat and promoting better sleep quality.
Implementation Method 1
In still other embodiments these first and second elongate elements comprise a gel-filled envelope
Implementation Method 2
A first foam body having top and bottom faces, opposed first and second sides, and opposed left and right ends
Data Source
AI summary
A pillow includes a foam body having top and bottom faces, opposed first and second sides, and opposed left and right ends. A first raised ridge is adjacent to and extends parallel with the first side, projecting to a first height relative to the bottom face. A second raised ridge is adjacent to and extending parallel with the second side, projecting to a second height relative to the bottom face, the second height being different from the first height. There is a trough in the first face between the first and second ridges. First and second elongate passages are disposed in and extending parallel to the first raised ridges, respectively. First and second elongate elements can be disposed in the first and second elongate passages. A second body, of a different material than the first body, disposed in the trough. A cover substantially encloses the first and second bodies.