Dual-Layer Support Cushion for Pressure Relief and Heat Dissipation

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional body supports often underutilize visco-elastic materials due to poor design and material choices, failing to provide optimal comfort and support for users.

Innovation Solution

A body support design featuring two layers: a top layer of open-celled non-reticulated visco-elastic foam for comfort and pressure distribution, and a bottom layer of reticulated non-visco-elastic foam for ventilation and heat dissipation, with specific hardness and density ranges to enhance durability and temperature responsiveness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If a single layer of visco-elastic foam is used, then the body support can conform to the user and distribute weight, but it retains heat and lacks temperature regulation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat dissipationVSAvoidtemperature sensitivity

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The body support is divided into multiple layers with distinct functions: a first layer of visco-elastic foam for pressure distribution and temperature sensitivity, and a second layer of non-visco-elastic foam for ventilation and heat dissipation. This segmentation allows each layer to optimize its specific function without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the body support have different material properties tailored to local needs. The first layer uses visco-elastic material where body contact occurs for conformability and temperature response, while the second layer uses non-visco-elastic material for structural support and heat management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If visco-elastic material is used, then the body support conforms to the user, but the capabilities are underutilized due to poor design

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebody conformanceVSAvoidperformance effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The body support is divided into multiple layers with distinct functions: a first layer of visco-elastic foam for pressure distribution and temperature sensitivity, and a second layer of non-visco-elastic foam for ventilation and heat dissipation. This segmentation allows each layer to optimize its specific function without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent specifies precise parameter ranges for the visco-elastic foam (hardness: 10-40 ILD, density: 20-40 kg/m³) to ensure optimal performance. By controlling these parameters, the material's ability to conform to the body and respond to temperature changes is maximized while maintaining structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If conventional foam materials are used, then the body support provides basic support, but it fails to provide optimal comfort and support across different temperatures and user weights

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveeffectiveness across temperatures and weightsVSAvoiddual-layer structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The body support is divided into multiple layers with distinct functions: a first layer of visco-elastic foam for pressure distribution and temperature sensitivity, and a second layer of non-visco-elastic foam for ventilation and heat dissipation. This segmentation allows each layer to optimize its specific function without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines two different foam materials with complementary properties: visco-elastic foam for adaptive comfort and non-visco-elastic foam for structural support and ventilation. This composite structure achieves performance across different temperatures and user weights that neither material could provide alone.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 dual-layer design provides improved comfort, support, and heat management, ensuring the body support remains effective across a range of temperatures and user weights, enhancing user experience and product performance.

Implementation Method 1

a bottom layer of reticulated non-visco-elastic foam for ventilation and heat dissipation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat dissipation: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

a top layer of open-celled non-reticulated visco-elastic foam for comfort and pressure distribution

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure distribution: Deformation

Data Source

PatentEP1898752B1Support cushion

Publication Date: 2015.10.14 TEMPUR WORLD LLC

Figure 1
Figure 1A~2A
Figure 2~2B

AI summary

A body support comprising a top layer of flexible visco-elastic material having an exposed convoluted top surface is disclosed. The flexible visco-elastic material can have a reticulated or non-reticulated cellular structure. In some embodiments, one or more other layers of the body support comprises reticulated visco-elastic foam, and can have at least one material property responsive to temperatures in the range of a user's body heat. In these and other embodiments, one or more of the other layers of flexible material comprises non- visco- elastic foam, and can be combined in a body support with one or more layers of visco-elastic foam. The body support can include one or more layers of other material types, including one or more layers of high-resilience polyurethane foam.