Side-Sleep Support Frame for Shoulder Pressure Relief

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional sleep devices fail to adequately address thorax pressure on the shoulder, proper spine-neck-legs alignment, and arm-hand support, leading to shoulder pain, sleep disturbances, and other discomforts for side sleepers, particularly those with chronic pain or limited mobility.

Innovation Solution

A device comprising a frame that elevates the torso, includes angle restrictors, a hump for semi-seated positioning, shoulder braces, and a leg support system to maintain proper alignment and distribute body weight, allowing the arms to be positioned without shoulder pressure, with adjustable components to fit individual body shapes and sizes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If the user sleeps on their side, then shoulder pain is reduced compared to back sleeping, but the shoulder still bears significant body weight causing pressure and discomfort

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshoulder painVSAvoidpressure on shoulder

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary support structure (the frame with arm support surfaces) that mediates between the user's body weight and the shoulder. The arm support surfaces provide a intermediate loading path that distributes weight away from the shoulder joint, allowing side sleeping while eliminating excessive pressure on the shoulder.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The support system is segmented into multiple functional components: the frame structure, the arm support surfaces, and the torso support. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function - the arm support surfaces specifically address shoulder pressure while the frame provides overall structural support.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Stress or pressure

If the user sleeps on their back, then shoulder pressure is eliminated, but sleep apnea and snoring are exacerbated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure on shoulderVSAvoidsleep apnea

Core Design Contradiction:

Stress or pressureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a dynamic sleeping system that can adapt to different positions. The frame structure allows the user to be supported in a side-lying position with arms properly positioned, providing the benefits of side sleeping (apnea prevention) while eliminating shoulder pressure through the arm support surfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If the user places the arm beneath the torso for support, then arm positioning comfort is improved, but the shoulder experiences increased pressure from body weight

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvearm positioning comfortVSAvoidpressure on shoulder

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The arm support surfaces serve as an intermediary structure that allows the arm to be positioned beneath the torso while preventing direct transmission of body weight to the shoulder. The support surfaces provide a distributed loading area that maintains arm positioning comfort without concentrating pressure on the shoulder joint.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS8713729B2Devices and systems for supporting a user

Publication Date: 2014.05.06 MALAKHOV MIKHAIL P

AI summary

A device for supporting a user includes a frame for supporting the torso of the user. The frame may be oriented in a left, middle and right orientations. The user's arms extending through openings, which permit the user to position the arm adjacent the frame without the user's body weight on the user's shoulder or arm.