Sleeve Pillow Structure for Portable Arm and Hand Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a portable and comfortable resting solution for individuals who sleep or rest with their arm or hand under their head, particularly for travel, work breaks, or specific positions like surgery, as existing solutions are not compact, flexible, or specifically designed for such use cases.
Innovation Solution
A compact, flexible, and portable 'sleeve' or 'glove' pillow with a cylindrical arm portion and connected hand portions made of safe, fire-resistant materials, featuring adjustable straps and padding for comfort and ease of use, allowing the arm and hand to slide through, providing support and versatility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional pillow is used for arm/hand support, then it provides basic cushioning, but it is not compact, flexible, or portable enough for travel and work environments
Solution Approach 1:
The pillow is divided into distinct functional segments: a cylindrical arm portion for supporting the forearm and connected hand portions with fingers. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall compactness when not in use.
Solution Approach 2:
The pillow incorporates flexible materials and movable components that allow it to adapt its shape and configuration based on usage needs. The hand portions can be positioned differently to accommodate various hand positions, and the overall structure can be compressed for portability.
2Ease of operation
If the pillow is designed to be compact and portable, then it can be easily carried in bags, but it may compromise on comfort and support features
Solution Approach 1:
The pillow utilizes flexible materials that can be compressed into a compact form for portability while maintaining the necessary cushioning and support properties when deployed. The flexibility allows the pillow to conform to different arm and hand positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The hand portions are designed to nest within or alongside the arm portion when not in use, creating a compact configuration that fits easily into bags. When needed, the hand portions can be extended or positioned outward to provide the necessary support.
3Ease of manufacture
If the pillow uses standard materials, then it is easy to manufacture, but it may not provide optimal comfort, fire resistance, or hygiene properties
Solution Approach 1:
The pillow employs composite materials that combine multiple properties: fire-resistant outer layers for safety, hypoallergenic fillings for hygiene and comfort, and soft inner layers for cushioning. These composite materials maintain ease of manufacture while providing enhanced reliability across multiple performance criteria.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the pillow use different materials optimized for their specific functions: fire-resistant materials on the exterior surface, hypoallergenic materials in contact with skin, and cushioning materials in areas requiring support. This local differentiation of material properties enhances overall performance without significantly complicating manufacturing.
Data Source
AI summary
A combination sleeve/glove pillow allows extra comfort for arm sleepers and in situations like workbreaks or unusual sleeping quarters. A padded cylindrical pillow material between 1 and 3 cm thick and between 20 to 30 cm long is covered with cloth, allowing an arm to slide through. The cylindrical section is then attach to an upper and lower hand portion, each of which include pillow material covered with cloth, and attached to each other. The pillow provides comfort under multiple scenarios while allow the user free hand movement.