Adjustable Sleep Support Layers With Sensor-Based Pressure Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sleep systems fail to provide custom-tailored optimal comfort and support characteristics for individual users, as they are limited to fixed settings and do not account for body variances during sleep or long-term changes in physical attributes and preferences.
Innovation Solution
A sleep system with a variable comfort layer and support layer, equipped with sensors and a control unit that analyzes pressure data to adjust inflatable members for real-time and long-term adjustments, allowing for automatic and manual adjustments to provide optimal comfort and support based on individual characteristics and preferences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed sleep system is used, then the structure is simple and cost-effective, but it cannot adapt to individual body variances and long-term changes in physical attributes
Solution Approach 1:
The sleep system transitions from a static, fixed structure to a dynamic system with adjustable support and comfort layers. Inflatable members can be adjusted in real-time based on sensor feedback about body position, weight distribution, and sleep habits, allowing the system to adapt to individual variances and changes over time
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates sensors that continuously monitor body variances, pressure distribution, and sleep patterns. This feedback is processed by a control unit that automatically adjusts the inflatable members and comfort layers to optimize support and comfort characteristics based on the collected data
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional fixed sleep systems are used, then manufacturing and operation are simple, but they cannot provide optimal comfort and support for individual users
Solution Approach 1:
The sleep system performs self-adjustment through automated control based on sensor data. The control unit automatically modifies the support and comfort characteristics without requiring user intervention, making the system easy to operate while providing highly customized settings tailored to each user's body attributes and sleep habits
3Loss of time
If showroom testing is used to select sleep systems, then the selection process is brief and convenient, but it cannot determine long-term suitability
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary evaluation and adjustment during the selection process. Sensors collect data about the user's body characteristics and sleep habits during a brief period, and the control unit pre-adjusts the support and comfort settings before the user commits to the purchase, providing a more accurate assessment of long-term suitability than traditional showroom testing
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 system dynamically adjusts to provide the best combination of comfort and support, accommodating body variances and long-term changes, enhancing the overall sleep experience with customizable settings.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the plurality of comfort layer inflatable members (224) may be adjusted to provide a desired comfort characteristic to a top region of the sleep system. Each of the plurality of support layer inflatable members (234) may be adjusted to provide a desired support characteristic to the sleep system.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method providing variable support and variable comfort control of a sleep system, the apparatus including a sleep support member including: a comfort layer including: a plurality of comfort layer inflatable members; and a comfort layer sensor configured to provide data relating to respective pressures of the comfort layer inflatable members; a data analysis unit configured to analyze data provided by the comfort layer sensor and to generate analyzed comfort layer data; and a control unit configured to control a pressure within each of the respective comfort layer inflatable members using the analyzed comfort layer data.