Flexible Piezoelectric Bed Sensor for Sleep-Phase Temperature Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sleep technologies, such as electric blankets, require manual operation and lack additional functionalities beyond heating, failing to support healthy sleep patterns.
Innovation Solution
A sensor device integrated into furniture, like a bed, that measures biological signals to automatically adjust temperature and wake users during optimal sleep phases, using piezoelectric materials and conductive layers to detect heart rate, respiration, and temperature, and control heating or cooling based on sleep phase analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If electric blanket is used to heat the bed, then the bed temperature is improved, but the device complexity increases and additional functionalities are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions (heating, sensing, and control) into a single integrated bed system. The heating element is integrated with biological signal sensors and a controller within the same bed structure, eliminating the need for separate electric blankets and sleep monitoring devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The bed system performs multiple functions simultaneously: it provides temperature control through heating elements, monitors biological signals (heart rate, respiration, sleep stages) through integrated sensors, and automatically adjusts operations based on sleep phase detection. This multi-functional approach replaces multiple separate devices.
2Ease of operation
If manual operation of electric blanket is required, then the ease of operation deteriorates, but the extent of automation remains low
Solution Approach 1:
The bed system automatically detects the user's presence through biological sensors, identifies sleep stages (REM, non-REM, light sleep), and autonomously adjusts heating operations without requiring manual user input. The system serves itself by making operational decisions based on real-time physiological data.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors biological signals and uses this feedback to automatically adjust bed operations. The controller receives real-time data from sensors about heart rate, respiration, and sleep phases, and dynamically modifies heating parameters in response to these physiological changes.
3Adaptability or versatility
If electric blanket provides only heating function, then the adaptability deteriorates, but the device complexity remains low
Solution Approach 1:
The bed system performs multiple functions simultaneously: it provides temperature control through heating elements, monitors biological signals (heart rate, respiration, sleep stages) through integrated sensors, and automatically adjusts operations based on sleep phase detection. This multi-functional approach replaces multiple separate devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adapts its behavior based on real-time physiological data. It adjusts heating operations differently for various sleep stages (e.g., providing more heat during light sleep, reducing during deep sleep), and can respond to changing user needs throughout the night, making the system highly adaptable to individual physiological states.
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
Enhances sleep quality by automatically adjusting temperature and waking users at optimal times, improving sleep onset and duration, and detecting potential sleep disorders.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible printed circuit board having a piezoelectric material as a sensor for generating the biological signals in response to stress applied to the piezoelectric material
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a sensor device of an article of furniture. The sensor device may comprise a flexible sensor. The flexible sensor may comprise a flexible circuit board (e.g., a flexible printed circuit board) having a piezoelectric material. The sensor device can detect one or more biological signals of a user of the article of furniture comprising the sensor device. The flexible sensor may be sandwiched between two conductive layers. An electrical insulator may be disposed between the flexible sensor and at least one of the two conductive layers.