Motorized Support Frame With Translating Pivot to Prevent Mattress Compression

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing adjustable support devices for furniture, such as slatted frames and mattresses, experience mattress compression when upper body support parts are adjusted relative to a stationary central support part, leading to displacement of the mattress free end and discomfort.

Innovation Solution

The support device incorporates a mechanism where the second support part performs both pivoting and translational movements during adjustment, with the pivot axis mounted for translation in the longitudinal direction, ensuring the mattress remains uncompressed by allowing the second support part to move away from the first support part, thereby maintaining a horizontal support plane.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the upper body support part is pivoted relative to a stationary central support part, then the support device can be adjusted to different positions, but the mattress is compressed causing displacement of the mattress free end

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustability of support partsVSAvoidmattress compression
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the pivot axis translationally displaceable in the longitudinal direction of the support device, transforming it from a fixed stationary point to a dynamic element that can move. This allows the pivot axis to translate away from the central support part during adjustment, preventing mattress compression while maintaining the ability to pivot the upper body support part to different positions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention adds a translational degree of freedom to the traditional pivoting mechanism. Instead of purely rotational movement around a fixed axis, the support part now performs combined translational and rotational movement, with the pivot axis moving in the longitudinal direction while the support part pivots, thereby avoiding compression of the mattress

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the pivot axis is made translationally displaceable to prevent mattress compression, then the mattress remains uncompressed during adjustment, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemattress compressionVSAvoidcomplexity of adjustment mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The drive device is designed to perform multiple functions: it both translates the pivot axis in the longitudinal direction and enables pivoting of the support part. This multi-functionality is achieved through a compact arrangement where the electric motor and associated mechanisms accomplish both translational displacement of the pivot axis and rotational adjustment of the support part, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3009051B1Support device adjustable with an electric motor
Publication Date: 2018.11.07 DE WERTH GRP
  • EP3009051B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3009051B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3009051B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A support device 2, which can be adjusted by an electric motor, for upholstery of a piece of seating and/or lying furniture, in particular a mattress of a bed, has a base body 4, which has support parts 6 to 14, on which the upholstery is supported when the support device 2 is used, the support parts 6 to 14 have at least one stationary first support part 6 and a second support part 8 which can be pivoted relative to the first support part 6 about a pivot axis. The support device 2 also has a drive device 18 for adjusting the second support part 8 relative to the first support part 6, the second support part 8 being designed and set up in such a way that the pivot axis is mounted in a translationally displaceable manner in the longitudinal direction of the support device 2 and the second support part 8 is in drive connection with the drive device 16 in such a way that the second support part 8 executes a translational movement away from the first support part 6 at least in phases during the pivoting adjustment. The second support part 8 or a component connected thereto runs onto a first positioning element 44 during the translational movement and pivots in the process.