Sleeping system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current sleeping systems fail to provide optimal body support as they are not adaptable to changes in user position, leading to inadequate support, especially at the hip area, and are often complex and costly, limiting their use to analysis rather than daily sleeping.
Innovation Solution
A modular sleeping system comprising horizontal slats connected by coupling elements and sliding elements that allow for adjustable resistance to bending and torsion, enabling dynamic adjustment of support levels without direct contact, facilitated by actuators and sensors for autonomous control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If adaptive sleeping systems with multiple inflatable chambers or spring units are used, then body support is optimized, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sleeping system is divided into multiple independent zones along the longitudinal axis, each zone containing its own slats and sliding devices. This segmentation allows each zone to be adjusted independently to match different body regions (head, torso, hips, legs), providing optimized body support without requiring a completely complex system redesign. The modular zone structure enables targeted adaptation where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The slats in each zone are made dynamically adjustable through sliding devices that allow real-time modification of slat spacing. Unlike fixed pretensioned spring units, this system can change its configuration during sleep based on user position and comfort needs. The sliding mechanism enables continuous adjustment of resilient capacity, transforming a static structure into a dynamic adaptive system.
2Adaptability or versatility
If sliding devices are added to adjust slat tension, then body support is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sliding devices are designed to be manually operable by the user without requiring external power sources or complex control mechanisms. Users can directly adjust the slat tension by sliding the devices along the support beam, making the system self-serviceable and eliminating the need for motors, sensors, or electronic controls that would increase complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The sliding devices act as simple mechanical intermediaries between the user and the slat tensioning system. Rather than directly attaching slats to a fixed beam, the sliding devices provide a simple mechanical interface that allows easy adjustment of slat position and tension, reducing the complexity of the overall connection mechanism.
3Adaptability or versatility
If zones are adjusted independently, then body support is optimized, but ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The support system is segmented into multiple zones along the longitudinal axis, with each zone having its own independent sliding devices. This segmentation allows users to adjust only the specific zone that needs modification (e.g., just the hip area or just the leg area) without having to adjust the entire bed, making zone-specific support easier to operate.
Solution Approach 2:
Users can apply partial adjustment to only the necessary zones rather than adjusting the entire system. For example, if only hip support needs modification, the user adjusts only the sliding devices in the hip zone, leaving other zones unchanged. This partial action approach simplifies operation by focusing adjustments only where needed.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 1D~3
Figure 4A~4C
AI summary
The present invention relates to an adaptive sleeping system which makes it possible to adapt the resilient capacity at various positions to the anatomy and/or position of the user.