Pocketed Spring Mattress Venting for Cooler Foam Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mattresses, particularly those using foam technology, face challenges in providing optimal comfort and support due to heat retention and breathability issues, leading to discomfort during prolonged use.
Innovation Solution
A mattress design featuring a viscoelastic foam top layer, an open-cell foam intermediate layer for breathability, and a conventional polyurethane foam bottom layer, with an optional layer of individually pocketed spring coils and a foam casing that facilitates air circulation through vents, enhancing heat transfer and support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If foam material is used for mattress construction, then comfort and support are improved, but heat retention increases and breathability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The mattress is divided into multiple foam layers with different cell structures (closed-cell and open-cell foams) to segment the heat retention and breathability functions across different layers, allowing each layer to contribute differently to overall comfort and thermal management
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the mattress utilize different foam types - closed-cell foam in some layers for support and density, open-cell foam in other layers for breathability and heat dissipation, creating local quality variations that address both comfort and thermal concerns
2Strength
If closed-cell foam is used for support layer, then structural support is improved, but air flow and breathability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The support system is segmented into multiple foam layers with different cell structures, placing closed-cell foam where structural support is prioritized and open-cell foam where air flow is prioritized, allowing both functions to coexist in the same mattress system
Solution Approach 2:
The mattress combines different foam materials (closed-cell and open-cell structures) in a composite multi-layer construction, leveraging the complementary properties of each material type to achieve both support and breathability
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 improves comfort and support by reducing heat retention, increasing breathability, and providing enhanced air circulation, resulting in a more comfortable sleeping experience.
Implementation Method 1
The open cell structure provides for increased breathability and may facilitate the transfer of body heat through the foam top layer
Implementation Method 2
The layer of springs may be provided adjacent the foam top layer... The layer of springs in certain aspects may be a layer of individually pocketed spring coils... functions as an air pump to circulate air through the intermediate layer and vent to the atmosphere
Data Source
AI summary
A foam mattress is provided having a body facing surface comprising a first foam layer on a first spring layer formed of a plurality of individual pocketed spring coils. A second foam layer formed of a reticulated foam supports the first spring layer. The foam mattress further having a bottom layer of conventional foam. The foam mattress is surrounded by a foam casing that has at least one vent formed in the casing. The first spring layer causes air to flow from the second foam layer through the vents.