Side-Contour Measurement Station for Bed Support Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

The manual adjustment of lying systems for beds to accommodate individual side contours of sleepers is a lengthy and skill-dependent process, often resulting in suboptimal sleeping comfort due to subjective measurement influences.

Innovation Solution

A person measurement station with a delimited measurement space, equipped with a distance measuring device and an evaluation unit, measures the side contour of a person using predetermined criteria to objectively determine the necessary adjustments for the lying system, including the slat base, allowing for precise adaptation without manual iteration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If manual adjustment of lying system is performed by consultant, then lying comfort can be adapted to person, but adjustment process is lengthy and depends on consultant experience

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptation of lying system to personVSAvoidadjustment process time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical measurement and adjustment with an automated optical measurement system. A camera captures images of the person's side contour, and a computer automatically processes these images to determine measurement points and calculate contour data, eliminating the need for manual iteration by consultants.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service measurement where the person being measured stands in a defined measurement position and the system automatically captures and processes the side contour data without requiring expert intervention. The computer automatically identifies measurement points and calculates contour parameters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Adaptability or versatility

If manual measurement is performed, then lying system can be adjusted, but measurement quality depends on consultant skill

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelying system adjustmentVSAvoidmeasurement objectivity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces subjective manual measurement with objective automated image processing. The computer algorithm consistently applies the same measurement criteria to all persons, eliminating variability due to consultant skill level and ensuring standardized, reproducible measurements.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates a digital copy of the person's side contour through camera imaging and processes this copy to extract measurement data. This allows precise, repeatable measurements without physical contact or subjective interpretation by consultants.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Measurement precision

If automated distance measuring device is used, then measurement objectivity is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement objectivityVSAvoidmeasurement station structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a camera, which is a common multi-functional device, to capture side contour images. The same imaging technology can be used for various measurement applications, reducing the need for specialized complex equipment while maintaining measurement objectivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex mechanical measurement devices with optical imaging and computer processing. This substitution simplifies the physical hardware while achieving high measurement precision through automated image analysis algorithms.

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

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 enables efficient, objective, and precise adjustment of the lying system to match the individual side contour, improving sleeping comfort by ensuring the spine remains aligned in a horizontal plane, reducing the reliance on expert consultants and streamlining the adjustment process.

Implementation Method 1

a distance measuring device (12) for measuring a distance (14) from a predetermined area (15) of the side (16) to the side wall (4, 5) facing this side (16)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP3184002B1Person measuring station and measuring method
Publication Date: 2019.02.20 ROESSLE & WANNER
  • EP3184002B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3184002B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3184002B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a personal measurement station (1), with a rear wall (3) which delimits a measurement space (2) to the rear, with at least one side wall (4, 5) which delimits the measurement space (2) at the side, with a base ( 6) which delimits the measuring space (2) at the bottom and on which a person (10) whose side contour (11) is to be measured can stand in a measuring position in which a back of the person (10) faces the rear wall (3 ) faces and one side (16) faces the person (10) of the respective side wall (4, 5), with a distance measuring device (12) for measuring a distance (14) from a predetermined area (15) of the side (16) of the person (10) to the facing side wall (4, 5), and with an evaluation unit (17), which is coupled to the distance measuring device (12) for signal transmission, for measuring the lateral contour (11) of the person (10) several Areas (15) of the side (16) of the person (10) can specify, in each of which the distance (14) to the side wall (4, 5) is to be measured, whereby the distance measuring device (12) for the respective area (15) can automatically transmit the measured distance (14) to the evaluation unit (17) and the evaluation unit (17) based on the individual areas (15) associated distances (14) can determine the side contour (11) of the respective person (10).