Pillow with Adjustable Phase-Change Cooling Layers for User Comfort
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pillows with gel layers for cooling effects cannot be adjusted, leading to uncomfortable sleeping experiences for users due to unadjustable coldness.
Innovation Solution
A pillow design featuring an outer pillow cover with a first phase-change material layer on its inner surface and a second phase-change material layer on the pillow core, allowing the pillow core to be detachably positioned to provide varying cooling effects by changing its orientation relative to the user.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a gel layer is added to the pillow core to provide cooling effect, then the cooling effect is improved, but the cooling effect cannot be adjusted leading to uncomfortable sleeping experience
Solution Approach 1:
The phase-change material is divided into two separate layers: a first phase-change material layer on the inner surface of the outer pillow cover and a second phase-change material layer on the outer surface of the pillow core. This segmentation allows independent positioning and adjustment of each layer to achieve desired cooling effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The pillow core is designed to be detachably filled in the outer pillow cover, allowing the user to dynamically adjust the position of the second phase-change material layer relative to the first phase-change material layer. This dynamic adjustment enables variable cooling effects based on user preference.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the pillow core is detachably filled in the outer pillow cover with phase-change material layers, then the cooling effect becomes adjustable, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The outer pillow cover and pillow core are designed as universal components where the pillow core can be detachably inserted and removed from the outer pillow cover. This multi-functional design allows the same components to serve both as structural elements and as adjustable cooling elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The second phase-change material layer on the pillow core is nested within the structure of the outer pillow cover containing the first phase-change material layer. This nesting arrangement allows compact integration while maintaining adjustability through relative positioning.
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 design allows for adjustable cooling experiences, enhancing user comfort by providing extreme or moderate cooling based on the positioning of the phase-change material layers, while maintaining breathability and support through a layered fabric structure.
Implementation Method 1
a first phase-change material layer is arranged on an inner surface of the outer pillow cover, and a second phase-change material layer is arranged on an outer surface of the pillow core
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a pillow and belongs to the technical field of bedding. The pillow comprises an outer pillow cover and a pillow core, wherein the pillow core is detachably filled in the outer pillow cover. The outer pillow cover comprises a first fabric layer and a second fabric layer, and a first phase-change material layer is arranged on an inner surface of the first fabric layer. The pillow core comprises an elastic material layer and a second phase-change material layer arranged on an outer surface of the elastic material layer. When the second phase-change material layer is close to the first phase-change material layer, the pillow can provide an extremely strong cooling effect. When the second phase-change material layer is far away from the first phase-change material layer, the pillow can provide a moderate cooling effect.