Sleep Platform Pneumatic Array Design to Reduce Noise and Vibration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beds with pneumatic features face challenges due to noise and vibrations generated by air pumps, which can disrupt sleep quality, and the limited space for pump placement, leading to reduced utility and increased exposure to noise and vibrations.
Innovation Solution
A bed with a pneumatic system that utilizes an array of independently operable pumps to provide dynamic and configurable sleep surface firmness, where the outputs of the pumps are coupled together and controlled by a controller that determines which pumps to operate based on predetermined pneumatic effects and wear levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single air pump is used to provide pneumatic adjustment of the sleep surface, then the device complexity is reduced, but the noise and vibrations generated by the pump increase, negatively impacting sleep quality
Solution Approach 1:
The single pump is divided into multiple independent pumps (first pump and second pump) that can operate separately. This segmentation allows the system to achieve the same pneumatic adjustment function while reducing the noise and vibrations affecting the sleep surface, as multiple smaller pumps generate less disturbance than one large pump.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller alternates operation between the first pump and second pump in periodic cycles. During each cycle, one pump operates while the other remains inactive, allowing the operating pump to complete its function before being deactivated. This periodic operation reduces cumulative noise and vibrations compared to continuous operation of a single pump.
2Area of stationary object
If the air pump is located in close proximity to the sleep area to reduce space requirements, then the bed footprint is reduced, but the exposure of the sleeper to noise and vibrations increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pump system is segmented into multiple independent pumps with separate control. This allows the controller to manage which pumps are active at any given time, reducing the overall noise and vibration exposure to the sleeper while maintaining compact positioning within the bed structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller implements periodic operation where pumps are activated and deactivated in sequence rather than continuously. This reduces the duration and intensity of noise and vibration exposure to the sleeper, even when pumps are positioned close to the sleep area.
3Speed
If all pumps are operated simultaneously to provide maximum pneumatic effect, then the firmness adjustment speed is improved, but the wear on each pump increases, reducing the bed's utility lifetime
Solution Approach 1:
The controller alternates operation between multiple pumps in periodic cycles rather than running all pumps continuously. Each pump operates for a designated period then is deactivated while others take over, allowing individual pumps to rest and reduce wear accumulation. This extends the overall system lifetime while maintaining effective firmness adjustment capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system rotates usage among multiple pumps, effectively discarding the wear accumulation from any single pump by transferring operational load to others. This load distribution strategy recovers the operational capacity of individual pumps over time, extending the overall system utility lifetime.
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 effectively reduces noise and vibrations, provides customizable firmness and support across different areas of the sleep surface, and extends the bed's utility by decoupling the bed's lifetime from that of the pumps.
Implementation Method 1
The air pressure may be provided by an air pump, for example
Data Source
AI summary
A bed may provide pneumatic effects. An array of pumps may be used in providing the pneumatic effects. In some embodiments less than all of the pumps may be operated to provide some of the pneumatic effects, and in some such embodiments no individual pump may be able to provide others of the pneumatic effects, and in some or other such embodiments all of the pumps may be required to provide at least one of the pneumatic effects.