Slatted Frame Bellows Support for Adjustable Hardness and Venting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing slatted frames are complex, expensive, and lack the ability to regulate the hardness of individual slats, while also failing to address moisture issues in mattresses.

Innovation Solution

A slatted frame design where each plate supporting the mattress is equipped with a compressible bellows attached to the slats, allowing individual hardness regulation using elastic material, and featuring ventilation grooves for dehumidification and a frustoconical configuration for effective support.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a complex kinematic coupling system with multiple bellows and pneumatic connections is used to support slats, then the support functionality is achieved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesupport functionalityVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the complex kinematic coupling system, pneumatic connections, and air distributor from the slatted frame design. Instead of using multiple interconnected bellows with pneumatic coupling, the invention uses simple individual bellows attached directly to each slat, removing the disturbing complex parts while retaining the essential support functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces expensive, complex pneumatic coupling systems with simple, inexpensive individual bellows that can be easily manufactured and replaced. Each bellows acts as an independent, simple component rather than part of a complex interconnected system, reducing both manufacturing cost and device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Adaptability or versatility

If individual support bars are made adjustable for hardness regulation, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehardness regulationVSAvoidadjustment mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent achieves hardness regulation by changing the physical parameters of the bellows themselves - specifically using bellows made of elastic material with varying degrees of stiffness. By selecting bellows with different elastic properties, the hardness can be adjusted without any complex adjustment mechanisms, switches, or control systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex mechanical adjustment systems with a simple material property-based solution. Instead of using mechanical mechanisms to adjust hardness, the invention uses the inherent elastic properties of the bellows material to provide different hardness levels, eliminating the need for complex adjustment mechanisms.

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

3Adaptability or versatility

If bellows are made compressible with elastic material for hardness regulation, then adaptability is improved, but the ability to provide stable support is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehardness adjustmentVSAvoidsupport stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses dynamic bellows made of elastic material that can compress and expand in response to load. The bellows provide stable support when compressed by the weight of the mattress and user, while maintaining the ability to adjust hardness through material selection. The elastic material naturally returns to its original shape, providing stable support while allowing for different hardness levels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 design simplifies the slatted frame, allows for adjustable hardness of individual support plates, and effectively dehumidifies the mattress by using compressible bellows with elastic material and ventilation grooves.

Implementation Method 1

each plate (2-6) has a bellows (10) made of an elastic material fixed to the underside of each plate (2-6)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

each of the plates (2-6) is connected to the inside of the bellows (10) by means of an opening (11), which allows ventilation between the mattress and the surface of the plates (2-6)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVentilation: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP2428140B1Slatted frame
Publication Date: 2012.11.14 FLEISCHMANN ALOIS
  • EP2428140B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2428140B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The slatted frame (1) has a transverse strip connected to a plate carrier that is provided with multiple plates (2 to 6) as an intermediate piece between the strip and a mattress. Each plate is carried by a bellow, which is compressed and fixed on the strip, where the plates are aligned in a longitudinal direction and transversely to the frame. A groove (12) is formed on the surface of each plate, where the groove is opened in an opening (11), which is used for connecting the plate inside the bellow.