Modular Pneumatic Mattress Cell Layout for Knee Hinge Flex
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pneumatic mattresses face challenges in providing effective support and preventing pressure sores, as separate independent cells can lead to slipping and accidental punctures, which result in costly mattress damage.
Innovation Solution
A pneumatic mattress design featuring integrated groups of cells in top and bottom layers with disconnectable connections, a multi-way umbilical hose, and a pneumatic connector, allowing for selective air supply and improved structural flexibility, particularly at the knee position to facilitate hinging and prevent mattress opening under weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If separate independent cells are used in the mattress, then the mattress structure is simple and cheap to manufacture, but the cells can lead to slipping and accidental punctures which result in costly damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple independent cells into integrated groups where cells are connected through common walls and shared structural elements. This merging approach maintains the simplicity of individual cell construction while creating a more reliable overall structure that prevents slipping and reduces puncture risks through interconnected support.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the mattress into distinct groups of integrated cells that can function independently while maintaining overall structural integrity. This segmentation allows the mattress to be divided into manageable sections with specific functions, balancing manufacturing simplicity with enhanced reliability through localized cell integration.
2Reliability
If cells are integrally fabricated and smaller, then support is improved to prevent anatomy slipping, but the mattress structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple smaller cells into integrated groups that provide enhanced support while avoiding the complexity of fully integral fabrication. The cells within each group share common structural elements and walls, creating effective support structures that prevent anatomy slipping without requiring completely integrated construction across the entire mattress.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by creating integrated cell groups in specific regions where enhanced support is needed to prevent slipping, while other regions may use simpler cell structures. This allows the mattress to provide targeted support effectiveness without uniformly increasing complexity across the entire structure.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the entire top layer is integrated, then structural integrity is maintained, but pneumatic inflation resists bending at the knee hinge
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the top layer into separate groups of integrated cells rather than creating a single fully integrated structure. This segmentation allows the knee region to flex and hinge independently while maintaining structural integrity in other areas, resolving the conflict between overall stability and local flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by providing integrated cell groups in regions requiring structural integrity (such as the hip and torso areas) while allowing segmentation and flexibility in the knee region. This creates different structural characteristics in different locations, maintaining integrity where needed while enabling operational flexibility where required.
4Ease of repair
If disconnectable connections are used between cell groups, then ease of repair and replacement is improved, but structural integrity may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the mattress into distinct groups of cells with disconnectable connections between them, allowing damaged groups to be replaced independently while maintaining overall structural integrity. The segmentation enables modular repair approaches without compromising the stability of the complete mattress structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates disconnectable connection mechanisms that are pre-designed and pre-positioned between cell groups, allowing for easy separation and replacement of damaged sections. These preliminary connection designs facilitate rapid repair actions while maintaining structural integrity during normal operation.
Data Source
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AI summary
A mattress (1) has a cover (2) enclosing two layers (3,4) of pneumatic cells. The cells are made of impermeable sheet or tube material welded into desired shapes. The bottom layer comprises edge cells (31) extending the full length of the mattress. These cells are partially closed at two positions, a hip position (32) and a knee position (33). Thus these cells have a head and back portion (34), an upper leg portion (35) and a lower leg portion (36). The portions can hinge or pivot with respect to their adjoining portions, without the pneumatic pressure in them tending to keep them rigid. Between the edge cells at the head end of the bed, i.e. between the head portions (34), six short head cells (37) are arranged with their cell length in the direction of the length of the mattress. The head cells are manufactured as a group separate from the edge cells. Similarly six lower leg cells (38) are provided between the lower leg portions (36). The central space in the bottom layer left by cells just described is filled by a group of nine transversely extending cells (39). The groups of cells are held together by toggles described in more detail below. The upper layer consists of a head back and upper leg group of twelve transverse cells (41) and a second group of seven lower leg cells (42).