Sleep device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Obstruction of breathing passages occurs when sleeping on the side due to pillow or bedding distortion, leading to reduced oxygen intake and snoring, as the airways are narrowed by poor posture or facial tissue distortion.
Innovation Solution
A sleep device with a core and padded surfaces that prevents bedding from contacting the face, featuring arcuate knobs and a central cavity for the ear, allowing unobstructed breathing by maintaining nasal passages open and reducing pressure on the face.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a pillow or bedding is used during side sleeping, then head support is provided, but the breathing passages become obstructed and airways are narrowed
Solution Approach 1:
The pillow is divided into distinct functional zones: a first region for head support, a second region for cheek support, and a third region for ear support. This segmentation allows each region to perform its specific function without interfering with breathing passages, resolving the contradiction between providing head support and preventing breathing obstruction.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the pillow have different structural properties tailored to their specific functions. The first region has properties optimized for head support, the second region for cheek support with airway clearance, and the third region for ear support. This local differentiation allows the pillow to provide comprehensive support while maintaining open airways.
2Ease of operation
If the face contacts the pillow during side sleeping, then comfort is provided, but the soft tissue of the face is distorted and airways are narrowed
Solution Approach 1:
The pillow creates a segmented support system where the cheek rests on a dedicated second region that is shaped and positioned to support the cheek without allowing facial soft tissue to collapse into the airway. This separates the comfort function from the harmful tissue distortion.
Solution Approach 2:
The pillow acts as an intermediary structure between the face and the mattress, providing a controlled interface that supports the cheek and ear while maintaining proper airway alignment. The specific geometry of the second and third regions mediates the interaction to prevent tissue distortion.
3Ease of operation
If the ear is compressed during side sleeping, then head support is maintained, but breathing is restricted and snoring occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The pillow provides separate support regions for the head and ear. The third region is specifically designed to support the ear in a position that maintains airway openness, preventing the compression that leads to breathing restriction and snoring while the first region maintains head support.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If a device is added to prevent breathing obstruction, then oxygen intake is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pillow performs multiple functions simultaneously: head support, cheek support, ear support, and airway maintenance. By integrating these functions into a single multi-region device, the solution improves breathing without requiring multiple separate components, thus limiting the increase in complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The pillow uses changes in geometric parameters and material properties across different regions to achieve its multiple functions. By varying the shape, density, and firmness parameters locally, the single device can provide differentiated support while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides methods and systems for a sleep device that includes a core having a top portion, a bottom portion, a top side, a bottom side, a first side, and a second side. A first padded surface covers the top portion of the core, and a second padded surface covers the bottom portion of the core. The top side is generally linear and extends to a first end and a second end on either side of the top side, a first side extends downwardly from the first end and a second side extends downwardly from a second end, the first end and second end extends downwardly to a bottom side, wherein the bottom side contains two-spaced apart knobs and centrally located cavity between the two spaced-apart knobs.