Multifunctional mattress systems
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Mattresses struggle with temperature regulation and air circulation, leading to discomfort, especially for bedridden patients, as visco-elastic memory foam is poor at circulating air and is temperature-sensitive, compromising firmness and increasing pressure points.
Innovation Solution
A mattress system with a multifunctional foam layer having a non-planar side with bumps or peaks for improved air circulation and a thermo-regulating gel layer to maintain a 'cool' feel, combined with a mattress base and support layer, enhancing both thermal and pressure regulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If visco-elastic memory foam is used to contour to the body, then pressure points are reduced, but air circulation is poor and thermal regulation is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The foam layer is segmented into multiple independent foam balls arranged in an array, creating void spaces between them that enable air circulation while each foam ball independently contours to pressure points. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by allowing both pressure relief through individual ball deformation and air flow through the spaces between balls.
Solution Approach 2:
The array of foam balls creates a porous structure with inherent void spaces that facilitate air circulation throughout the mattress layer. This porous configuration maintains thermal regulation capability while the foam material itself continues to provide pressure point relief through its visco-elastic properties.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If visco-elastic memory foam is used to contour to the body, then pressure points are reduced, but air circulation is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The foam layer is divided into discrete foam balls arranged in arrays, creating channels and void spaces between the balls that allow air to circulate. Each foam ball remains intact and functional for pressure relief while the collective arrangement enables breathability.
Solution Approach 2:
The array configuration of foam balls inherently creates a porous structure with interconnected void spaces that facilitate air flow through the mattress layer, resolving the contradiction between maintaining foam contouring capability and enabling air circulation.
3Strength
If firmness is increased to support the body, then structural support is improved, but pressure points increase
Solution Approach 1:
Each foam ball in the array has localized softness to conform to and relieve pressure points, while the collective arrangement of multiple balls provides overall structural support and firmness. This local quality differentiation resolves the contradiction between firmness and pressure point reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The mattress combines multiple foam balls with potentially different densities or firmness levels to create a composite structure that provides both macro-level support and micro-level pressure relief, resolving the contradiction between overall firmness and local pressure point comfort.
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 mattress system effectively improves air circulation and reduces pressure points while maintaining thermal regulation, making it suitable for home and medical settings, including hospitals and burn units, by using a multifunctional foam layer with a non-planar design and a thermo-regulating gel layer.
Implementation Method 1
a thermo-regulating gel layer or a gel infused foam layer which regulates the temperature of the mattress system and maintains a 'cool' feel for the patient
Implementation Method 2
the non-planar side may define a plurality of bumps or peaks, which allow spacing between the non-planar side and adjacent its contacting layer. This spacing produces at least one air passage, thereby facilitating improved air circulation in the mattress
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of mattress systems comprise a mattress base, a multifunctional foam layer having a substantially planar top side and a non-planar bottom side contacting a top side of the mattress base, and wherein at least one air passage is present in spacing formed between the top side of the mattress base and the non-planar bottom side of the multifunctional foam layer, and a thermo-regulating gel layer affixed to at least a portion of the top side of the multifunctional foam layer.