Sponge, air mattress, and sponge fabrication process
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air mattresses filled with a sponge layer face increased weight due to the entire sponge layer, making them inconvenient to use, and punching holes for weight reduction leads to waste and environmental pollution.
Innovation Solution
A sponge body composed of geometric sponge blocks connected by cutting seams, which expand when an external force is applied, forming gaps equivalent to conventional holes, reducing the need for punching and minimizing waste.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the entire layer of sponge is arranged in the air mattress, then the comfort and warmth are improved, but the weight of the air mattress is greatly increased
Solution Approach 1:
The sponge is divided into multiple geometric sponge blocks (triangular, quadrangular, pentagonal, or hexagonal) that are connected to each other through connecting parts. This segmentation allows the sponge to maintain comfort while reducing overall weight and enabling compact folding.
Solution Approach 2:
The sponge blocks are designed to be movable relative to each other, allowing the sponge to dynamically expand and contract. When external force is applied, the sponge blocks can move to allow expansion, creating gaps that reduce weight while maintaining structural integrity and comfort.
2Weight of moving object
If the sponge is vertically punched to form holes for weight reduction, then the weight is reduced and comfort is improved, but sponge waste and environmental pollution occur
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of punching holes in a continuous sponge layer, the sponge is segmented into geometric blocks connected by connecting parts. This segmentation achieves weight reduction through the gaps between blocks without removing sponge material, thus avoiding waste.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a two-dimensional continuous sponge layer to a three-dimensional structure of discrete geometric blocks. This dimensional change creates gaps between blocks that reduce weight while utilizing the full sponge material, eliminating the need for punching and associated waste.
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 sponge body expands to form gaps without punching, reducing weight, minimizing waste, and maintaining comfort, while being environmentally friendly and suitable for both outdoor and household air mattresses.
Implementation Method 1
when an external force is applied, some sponge blocks rotate, while the remaining sponge blocks move, to allow the sponge body to expand
Data Source
AI summary
A sponge, an air mattress, and a sponge fabrication process are provided. The sponge is provided with cutting seams. When an external force is applied, the sponge is expanded, and gaps are formed. The gaps are equivalent to holes of an existing sponge block formed by a conventional vertical punching method. Compared to an air mattress that requires punching the entire sponge, the air mattress only requires cutting the sponge without punching holes, such that corresponding gaps (i.e., corresponding conventional holes) are formed when the sponge is expanded by an external force. After the sponge is combined with an air mattress body, a corresponding pattern is formed. The sponge avoids waste materials formed by punching holes, and is environmentally friendly.