Adjustable Postural Support Bed With Channel-Forming Headrest
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current pillows for postural support, such as those for sleep apnea and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, are not easily adjustable and inconvenient to position and store, lacking the flexibility to accommodate changing user needs.
Innovation Solution
A bed with an adjustable headrest and backrest that can incline, featuring a shoulder and arm rest forming a channel between them, which can be adjusted in height and angle, using electric motors and actuators for easy configuration to provide optimal support and comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a pillow is used for postural support, then support for head and back is provided, but adjustability and convenience are poor
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies dynamics by making the headrest and backrest adjustable through electric motors and actuators, allowing the bed to transition between different positions (flat, inclined, elevated) to accommodate changing user needs for postural support, thereby resolving the contradiction between providing fixed support and enabling adjustability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the manual mechanical adjustment system of traditional pillows with an automated electric motor and actuator system, allowing users to adjust headrest height and backrest angle with minimal effort, thus improving both adaptability and ease of operation
2Adaptability or versatility
If a pillow is used for postural support, then support function is provided, but positioning and storage are inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies universality by integrating multiple functions into a single bed system: the bed provides both flat sleeping surface function and inclined postural support function, eliminating the need for separate pillows and improving convenience for positioning and storage while maintaining support functionality
3Adaptability or versatility
If headrest and backrest are adjusted to elevated positions, then postural support is improved, but channel formation requires specific configuration
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies self-service by designing the headrest, backrest, and shoulder/arm rest to automatically form the channel configuration when adjusted to elevated positions, eliminating the need for manual complex assembly or configuration by the user while providing improved postural support
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides a bed capable of providing postural support to a user, the bed comprising: a headrest (10) having an adjustable height; a backrest (12) having an adjustable angle (α) of inclination to incline the user's back; and a shoulder and arm rest (11) positioned between the headrest and the backrest; wherein the headrest (10), backrest (12) and the shoulder and arm rest (11) are configurable to form a channel (14) extending between and separating the headrest (10 and the backrest (12) when the headrest (10) and backrest (12) are adjusted in elevated positions, and configurable to form a substantially even sleeping surface of the backrest (12) and shoulder and arm rest (11) without forming the channel (14) when the backrest (12) is adjusted to a flat angle of inclination. The invention also provides an insert capable of being inserted into an outer bed frame in the construction of the bed, and a kit for construction of the bed.