Rigid Panel Support for Bedding Sensor to Prevent Slat Collapse
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sleep data collection devices are sensitive to the type of bed frame, leading to reduced performance and sensitivity, especially when the sensor gets stuck between slats or collapses, losing detection accuracy for weaker signals like heartbeats and breathing.
Innovation Solution
An acquisition apparatus with a sensor supported by a rigid panel system that interposes between the bed frame elements and the sensor, providing a continuous support for mechanical wave detection, ensuring the sensor remains effective regardless of the bed frame type, and includes a flexible sheath for easy storage and attachment systems for secure placement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the sensor is placed directly on the bed frame elements, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision deteriorates because the sensor gets stuck between slats and loses sensitivity
Solution Approach 1:
A rigid support panel is introduced as an intermediary element between the bed frame slats and the sensor. This panel provides continuous support across multiple slats, preventing the sensor from getting stuck in gaps while maintaining structural simplicity. The panel acts as a mediator that transfers mechanical waves from the mattress through the slats to the sensor without requiring direct sensor-to-slat contact.
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure is divided into multiple rigid panels that can be independently positioned across the slats. This segmentation allows each panel to span multiple slats, ensuring continuous support while maintaining flexibility in the overall device design and simplifying assembly.
2Ease of operation
If the sensor is placed directly on the bed frame elements, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates because the sensor collapses and loses detection accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The rigid support panel serves as a mediator that protects the sensor from direct contact with discontinuous slats, preventing collapse and ensuring reliable detection. This intermediate structure maintains sensor reliability while keeping the installation process simple and straightforward.
Solution Approach 2:
The rigid support panel provides preemptive protection to the sensor by creating a stable platform before the sensor encounters the discontinuous slats. This prior cushioning prevents potential sensor collapse and ensures consistent detection performance throughout operation.
3Measurement precision
If a rigid structure is added to distribute forces, then the measurement precision is improved, but the device complexity increases and manipulability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The rigid support structure is segmented into multiple independent panels rather than a single complex structure. This segmentation simplifies the overall device complexity while maintaining the force-distributing function needed for precise measurements across the discontinuous slats.
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 apparatus enhances the sensitivity and accuracy of physiological data collection by maintaining sensor efficiency and preventing it from getting stuck or collapsing, ensuring effective detection of mechanical waves across various bed frames, including those with slats.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor designed to capture mechanical waves passing through the bedding (typically generated by the living being)
Data Source
AI summary
An acquisition apparatus for acquiring physiological data of an individual, configured to be installed in a bed frame, with an acquisition portion which includes a sensor intended to capture mechanical waves transiting in the bed frame, a support device including one or more rigid panels, the support device being configured to rest on bed frame elements which may be discontinuous for example slats, so that the support device is interposed between the bed frame elements and the sensor, and may provide a substantially continuous support to the sensor receiving the mechanical waves generated by the individual through the bedding, if necessary with folding zones between panels.