Improvements relating to folding beds and bed chairs

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bed systems for anglers, such as folding beds and bed chairs, face challenges in providing sustained warmth and comfort in extremely cold conditions, as hot-water bottles are inconvenient, have limited heat duration, and pose risks of leakage or failure.

Innovation Solution

A removable sheet assembly with integrated electrical heating pads, a control unit, and a power supply system that secures cables within a seam region, allowing for safe, compact, and lightweight heating, providing adjustable warmth to specific areas.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If hot-water bottles are used to provide warmth, then thermal comfort is improved, but device complexity and reliability deteriorate due to need for water supply, limited heat duration, and leakage risks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal comfortVSAvoidleakage risk
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical hot-water bottle system with an electrical heating system. Electrical heating elements are integrated into the bedding components, eliminating the need for water supply infrastructure and hot-water bottles. This substitution provides more reliable and controllable heating without leakage risks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The heating elements are pre-integrated into the bedding components during manufacturing. This preliminary integration ensures that the heating system is ready for immediate use without requiring separate assembly or connection of hot-water bottles, improving both reliability and ease of use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Temperature

If hot-water bottles are used to provide warmth, then thermal comfort is improved, but portability deteriorates due to high carry weight of water

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal comfortVSAvoidcarry weight
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the water-based heating system with an electrical heating system. This eliminates the need to carry heavy water containers, as the heating elements are integrated into the lightweight bedding components. The electrical system provides the same thermal comfort without the high carry weight associated with water.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Temperature

If electrical heating elements are integrated into bedding, then heating effectiveness is improved, but safety deteriorates due to cable exposure risks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating effectivenessVSAvoidcable exposure risk
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent nests the electrical heating elements within the bedding components themselves. The heating elements are integrated into the mattress cover, duvet cover, or pillowcase, with cables routed through seams and channels in the fabric. This nesting approach protects the cables from exposure and reduces safety risks while maintaining heating effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses flexible fabric layers and thin film materials to enclose and protect the electrical heating elements and cables. The bedding components act as flexible protective shells that contain the electrical components while allowing them to function. This approach eliminates cable exposure risks while maintaining heating effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

4Adaptability or versatility

If removable sheet assembly with heating elements is provided, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases due to integration of multiple components

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveconfigurabilityVSAvoidcomponent integration
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the heating system into separate, removable bedding components such as mattress covers, duvet covers, and pillowcases with integrated heating elements. Each component can be independently attached or removed from the bed system, providing adaptability and flexibility. The segmentation allows users to configure the heating system according to their specific needs while managing complexity through modular design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 solution provides sustained warmth efficiently, reducing the drawbacks of hot-water bottles by offering a safe, convenient, and portable heating solution that can be controlled for extended periods without the risks of leakage or failure.

Implementation Method 1

at least one electrical heating pad underlying the top sheet

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentEP4000465B1Improvements relating to folding beds and bed chairs
Publication Date: 2023.09.20 CATCHUM 88
  • EP4000465B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4000465B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4000465B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A removable sheet assembly (100) for a foldable bed system is disclosed. The bed system has sheet attachment means for releasably securing the removable sheet assembly to the bed system, and the removable sheet assembly comprises a fabric top sheet (102) having at least one seam region (106) disposed at an edge of the top sheet (102), sheet fastener means (126) for securing a periphery of the removable sheet assembly (102) to the sheet attachment means of the bed system, at least one electrical heating pad (108a, 108b) underlying the top sheet (102), a power connector (116) for connection to a portable power supply, and at least one supply cable (110) for supplying power from the power connector (114) to the heating pad (108a, 108b), the supply cable (110) being disposed at least partially within the seam region (106).