Segmented Suspension Spring Slat for Adaptive Lying Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mattress base springs often fail to provide optimal lying comfort, as they form either an undesirable wide hollow for back sleepers or an insufficient hollow for side sleepers, leading to discomfort and permanent deformation over time.
Innovation Solution
A spring slat design featuring two individual spring slats connected at their longitudinal ends, curved convexly in the unloaded state, which prevents compensatory movement and forms bulges that adapt to the body's contour, reducing the span of the lying depression and enhancing stabilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional flexible spring slats are used in mattress base, then the structure is simple and cost-effective, but the lying comfort is insufficient due to excessive deflection forming wide hollows for back sleepers or insufficient hollows for side sleepers
Solution Approach 1:
The spring slat is segmented into two individual spring slats arranged one above the other, with rigid connections at longitudinal ends. This segmentation allows independent deflection control while maintaining structural integrity, resolving the contradiction between simple manufacturing and comfortable lying support.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring slats are curved in the opposite direction to compression (convex curvature) in the unloaded state. This pre-curvature design limits excessive deflection and controls hollow formation, improving lying comfort without complicating manufacturing.
2Adaptability or versatility
If additional mechanical spring elements or devices are added to stabilize sleeping position, then lying comfort improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The stabilization function is achieved through segmented spring slats with specific curvature and connection arrangements, eliminating the need for additional mechanical spring elements or complex stabilization devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The convex curvature of the spring slats in the unloaded state inherently provides sleeping position stabilization by controlling deflection patterns and hollow formation, replacing complex stabilization mechanisms with simple geometric design.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the spring slats are made with greater thickness or width to reduce deflection, then lying comfort improves, but manufacturing cost and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The spring slat system uses two thinner slats arranged vertically rather than one thick slat, achieving comparable or superior deflection control through the segmented structure while reducing overall weight and material consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The convex curvature design allows thinner slats to achieve adequate deflection control, as the geometric shape provides structural stiffness without requiring increased material thickness or width, thereby reducing weight.
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
This design improves lying comfort by forming a hollow that is better adapted to the body's shape, providing better support and stability, especially for side sleepers, without requiring additional elements and can be produced inexpensively.
Implementation Method 1
the deflection of the spring slats is naturally greatest in the middle of their span. If a person lies on a mattress located on the mattress base, a certain amount of depression usually develops as a result of the deflection
Implementation Method 2
the mattress can only be reset by the elastic properties of the mattress itself
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A slat 6 for a seat or reclining furniture base comprises at least two individual slats 7, 7.1, 7.2 arranged one above the other in the compression direction, which slat 6 is curved over its span in the unloaded state against the direction of compression. In this spring strip 6, the at least two individual spring strips 7, 7.1, 7.2 are rigidly connected to one another at a distance from one another at their longitudinal axial ends, at least in the longitudinal extension.