Smart nursing pillow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing nursing pillows with integrated weighing devices lack accuracy and fail to provide comprehensive data analysis for feeding sessions, as they often rely on soft materials that compromise weight measurement precision.
Innovation Solution
A smart nursing pillow with a digital scale featuring a top and bottom rigid platform separated by an air gap, embedded within soft cushioning, which accurately measures weight by isolating the scale from the supporting surfaces, combined with a mobile app for data recording and analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a scale is embedded within soft cushioning materials in a nursing pillow, then the pillow provides comfort and support for the baby, but the weight measurement accuracy deteriorates due to the soft materials interfering with the scale readings
Solution Approach 1:
The pillow is divided into distinct functional zones: a rigid platform section containing the scale for accurate weight measurement, and separate soft cushioning sections for comfort. This segmentation allows each zone to perform its specialized function without interference from the other materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The scale is extracted from the soft cushioning materials and placed on a dedicated rigid platform. This separation removes the interfering soft materials from the measurement zone, ensuring accurate weight readings while the soft materials remain available in other areas for comfort.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a scale is disposed within the cushion as disclosed in prior art, then the nursing pillow can weigh the baby, but the measurement accuracy is compromised and no proof of actual accuracy exists
Solution Approach 1:
A rigid platform acts as an intermediary between the scale and the soft cushioning materials. This intermediary structure transmits the baby's weight to the scale accurately while blocking the interference from the compressible soft materials, thereby preserving measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The structural parameter of the platform is changed from soft/compressible to rigid/non-compressible in the measurement zone. This parameter change ensures that the platform does not deform under the baby's weight, providing a stable and accurate measurement surface.
3Ease of operation
If the scale is surrounded by soft materials on all sides, then the pillow provides comprehensive cushioning, but the scale cannot accurately measure weight due to interference from the soft materials
Solution Approach 1:
Different parts of the pillow have different material properties: the platform area has rigid, non-compressible characteristics for accurate measurement, while surrounding areas have soft, compressible characteristics for comfort. This local differentiation of material quality allows both functions to coexist.
Solution Approach 2:
The pillow structure is segmented into a measurement zone with rigid platform and surrounding comfort zones with soft materials. This spatial segmentation ensures that soft materials provide cushioning only in areas where measurement accuracy is not required.
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 smart nursing pillow ensures precise weight measurement and comprehensive data collection and analysis, including feeding metrics, enabling accurate tracking of a baby's weight gain and feeding patterns, thereby enhancing the monitoring of feeding sessions.
Implementation Method 1
an air gap between a bottom side of the scale and a bottom rigid platform
Data Source
AI summary
A smart nursing pillow including a scale having a top rigid platform operatively attached to a top side and a top pillow portion operatively attached to the top rigid platform, and an air gap between a bottom side of the scale and a bottom rigid platform. A mobile application for use with the smart nursing pillow including an onboarding module, a home screen module, a Record a Feed module, a Feeding Dashboard, a Growing Dashboard, a Tutorial/Content Dashboard, and a Smart Nursing Pillow Device Dashboard stored on non-transitory computer readable media. A method of using the application. A method of using the smart nursing pillow, by placing a baby on the top pillow portion, weighing the baby before a feeding session with the scale, feeding the baby, and weighing the baby after the feeding session with the scale. A method of weighing a baby.