Reactive pillow and the method of fabrication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current pillows have fixed shapes and stiffness, which fail to accommodate different sleeping postures and pressure distributions, leading to neck discomfort and poor spinal alignment, and existing pressure sensors are rigid and unsuitable for pillow applications.
Innovation Solution
A reactive pillow system featuring a flexible pressure sensor mat with interlaced conductive and non-conductive fabric layers and a piezoresistive layer, combined with an actuator system of airbags that adjusts height and shape in response to pressure data, allowing real-time adaptation to user posture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional rigid pressure sensors are used, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation and reliability deteriorate due to inability to conform to pillow surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flexible pressure sensor mat made of thin film material that can conform to the curved surface of the pillow. This flexible mat maintains measurement precision while solving the integration difficulty by being able to adapt to the pillow's surface geometry without requiring complex mounting structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical rigid pressure sensors with a flexible electronic sensor mat that uses electrical resistance changes to detect pressure. This substitution eliminates the need for mechanical mounting and allows direct integration onto the flexible pillow surface.
2Ease of operation
If flexible pressure sensor mat is used, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to creases and shear force
Solution Approach 1:
The patent embeds the flexible pressure sensor mat within the pillow structure, nesting it between the pillow cover and the filling material. This nesting protects the sensor from external shear forces and creases while maintaining its flexibility and ability to conform to the pillow surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a smooth, crease-resistant substrate material for the sensor mat that inherently resists folding and shear deformation. This material selection provides beforehand protection against the creases and mechanical stress that would otherwise compromise measurement precision.
3Manufacturing precision
If plastic foil substrate is used for sensor, then manufacturing precision is improved, but object-affected harmful factors worsen due to non-breathable property
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the non-breathable plastic foil substrate with a porous or mesh-like fabric substrate. This porous material maintains the structural integrity and manufacturing precision of the sensor while allowing air circulation, thereby eliminating the suffocation and discomfort issues associated with non-breathable materials.
4Manufacturing precision
If fixed shape pillow is used, then manufacturing precision is improved, but adaptability deteriorates for different sleeping postures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates an adjustable support system with movable components that allow the pillow to dynamically change its shape and support points. This dynamic mechanism enables the pillow to adapt to different sleeping postures (side sleeping, back sleeping, stomach sleeping) while maintaining consistent manufacturing quality through standardized mechanical components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses adjustable support elements that can change their position, height, or firmness parameters in response to detected pressure distributions. This parameter adjustment capability allows the pillow to optimize its shape and support characteristics for different sleeping postures while maintaining manufacturing precision through controlled adjustment mechanisms.
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 system provides accurate pressure monitoring and adjusts pillow shape and stiffness to alleviate neck discomfort, improve spinal alignment, and enhance sleeping quality by dynamically responding to user pressure, accommodating various sleeping positions.
Implementation Method 1
The piezoresistive fabric layer has a sheet resistance of at least 50K ohm/square and is configured to engage with the first electrode fabric layer and the second electrode fabric
Data Source
AI summary
Provided herein is a reactive pillow comprising: a pressure sensor mat (11) including a first electrode fabric layer (20) having a plurality of first conductive portions (13) and a plurality of first non-conductive portions; a second electrode fabric layer (21) having a plurality of second conductive portions (14) and a plurality of second non-conductive portions; and a piezoresistive fabric layer (24) having a sheet resistance of at least 50K ohm/square; an actuator (40) comprising a plurality of first airbags (41, 42, 43) and a second airbag (44), each of the airbags (41, 42, 43, 44) having an inflated configuration corresponding to an increase in the volume of the airbags (41, 42, 43, 44) and a deflated configuration corresponding to a decrease in the volume of the airbags (41, 42, 43, 44); a controller communicating with the pressure sensor mat (11) and the actuator (40) communicating with the controller to actuate the controller to convert the airbags (41, 42, 43, 44) between the inflated configuration and the deflated configuration thereof.