Self-Powered Mattress Airflow via Patient Movement

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mattresses fail to effectively manage moisture and heat without electrical power, leading to discomfort and potential skin issues, and often require noisy and energy-intensive compressor pumps, while also risking deflation and fluid contamination.

Innovation Solution

A self-powered air flow mechanism using patient movement to circulate air and moisture through a three-dimensional spacer fabric and air cylinders, eliminating the need for electrical power and preventing fluid contamination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If compressor pumps are used to circulate air for moisture and heat removal, then microclimate control is improved, but device complexity and energy consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat removalVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The mattress utilizes the patient's own body movements to drive air circulation through the air cells. As the patient shifts position, body weight compresses and releases the air cells, creating natural airflow that removes moisture and heat without requiring external power sources or complex mechanical pumps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical compressor pump system with a passive mechanical system utilizing the patient's body movements. The air cell structure itself acts as the circulation mechanism, converting patient motion into effective air flow through the mattress layers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Temperature

If compressor pumps are used to circulate air for moisture and heat removal, then microclimate control is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat removalVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mattress utilizes the patient's own body movements to drive air circulation through the air cells. As the patient shifts position, body weight compresses and releases the air cells, creating natural airflow that removes moisture and heat without requiring external power sources or complex mechanical pumps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical compressor pump system with a passive mechanical system utilizing the patient's body movements. The air cell structure itself acts as the circulation mechanism, converting patient motion into effective air flow through the mattress layers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Loss of substance

If electrical power is used to operate air circulation systems, then moisture and heat removal is improved, but reliability decreases due to power dependency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemoisture removalVSAvoidreliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The mattress utilizes the patient's own body movements to drive air circulation through the air cells. As the patient shifts position, body weight compresses and releases the air cells, creating natural airflow that removes moisture and heat without requiring external power sources or complex mechanical pumps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Ease of manufacture

If traditional mattress structures are used, then manufacturing is simpler, but moisture and heat management is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidheat management

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The mattress is divided into multiple air cells with different orientations (longitudinal and transverse) and characteristics. This segmentation allows each cell to perform specific functions in the moisture and heat management process while maintaining overall structural simplicity and manufacturability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The mattress incorporates vapor-permeable materials and structures that allow moisture vapor to pass through while managing heat. The porous air cell structure facilitates natural air circulation and moisture removal without complex mechanical components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

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 solution provides effective microclimate control, reducing moisture and heat without electrical power, ensuring continuous support and preventing skin issues, while being quiet and energy-efficient.

Implementation Method 1

a three-dimensional spacer fabric positioned at least partially between the main patient support structure and the patient to create a non-crushable area of support below the patient

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical support and air flow maintenance:

Implementation Method 2

air cylinders positioned to be compressed by the patient to circulate air and moisture through the three-dimensional spacer fabric

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCompression and expansion of air: Compression

Implementation Method 3

air is moved relative to the patient as the patient's physical movement causes air to be expelled from or drawn into the air cylinders, to provide cooling effects

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat and moisture removal through air flow: Convection

Data Source

PatentUS10314752B2Self-powered microclimate controlled mattress

Publication Date: 2019.06.11 SPAN AMERICA MEDICAL SYSTEMS INC

AI summary

Disclosed are apparatus and methodology for reducing humidity (i.e., moisture) and/or heat within and/or adjacent a patient support mattress, without requiring any electrical power. A spacer fabric is used to create a non-crushable area of support below a patient's core area, where moisture and heat more commonly buildup. Integrated air cells in the mattress have resilient elements such as open-celled foam interiors. The air cells are connected by air tubing to the spacer fabric, and the mattress is otherwise vented externally from the spacer fabric. As a result, the patient's movement causes air to be expelled from or drawn into the air cells, which in turn results in air movement in the spacer fabric below a patient or user, resulting in cooling effects by removing moisture and/or heat, all without requiring external or internal electrical power.