Support Pillow Center Panel Bias Layout for Shape Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing support pillows lack the ability to be easily adjusted to fit different-sized objects without distorting or permanently altering their shape, and they often fail to return to their original configuration after use.
Innovation Solution
A support pillow design featuring a pillow body with a medial region and opposing arms, where a center panel made of woven fabric with perpendicular grain directions is coupled on the bias, allowing the pillow to be stretched to fit around objects while maintaining its shape and returning to its original configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the pillow is made from stretchable material to fit different sized objects, then the adaptability is improved, but the pillow distorts or permanently alters its shape
Solution Approach 1:
The pillow cover is divided into two distinct functional zones: a center panel made of non-stretchable woven fabric and side panels made of stretchable knit fabric. This segmentation allows the center panel to maintain the pillow's structural integrity and shape, while the side panels provide the necessary stretchability to accommodate different sized objects.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the pillow cover are assigned different material properties: the center panel uses non-stretchable woven fabric for structural stability, while the side panels use stretchable knit fabric for adaptability. This local differentiation of material qualities resolves the contradiction between maintaining shape and achieving versatility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the pillow arms are separated to fit larger objects, then the adaptability is improved, but the pillow fails to return to its original configuration
Solution Approach 1:
The separation of center and side panels creates distinct functional zones where the non-stretchable center panel acts as a structural anchor that maintains the pillow's memory of its original shape, while the stretchable side panels allow temporary deformation for fitting larger objects.
Solution Approach 2:
The non-stretchable center panel provides a counteracting structural force that opposes the deformation caused by separating the arms, enabling the pillow to return to its original configuration after being used with larger objects.
3Ease of operation
If stretchable material is used for the entire pillow cover, then the ease of operation is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
Only the side panels require stretchable material for ease of operation, while the center panel uses less expensive non-stretchable woven fabric. This localized application of expensive material minimizes manufacturing costs while maintaining the necessary operational flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
Dividing the cover into different material zones allows the use of cost-effective woven fabric for the majority of the surface area (center panel), while applying expensive stretchable material only where functionally necessary (side panels), thus optimizing the cost-performance ratio.
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 pillow can be comfortably adjusted to fit various sizes, including adults and babies, and retains its shape when not in use, providing flexibility and cost-effectiveness through the use of woven fabric, while ensuring the arms spring back to their original position.
Implementation Method 1
The woven fabric is generally non-stretchable in the grain directions, and the center panel is coupled to the main section so as to be substantially on the bias. By placing the center panel on the bias, the center panel is stretchable in the direction of the inner periphery.
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, a support pillow comprises a pillow body having a medial region and two opposing arms that form a well region, a first side and a second side. The pillow body further includes an outer periphery and an inner periphery outlining the well region. The pillow body further comprises a fill material and a cover enveloping the fill material. The cover comprises a main section that extends about the first and second sides and the outer periphery, and a center panel coupled to the main section so as to be located along the inner periphery. Also, the center panel is constructed of a woven fabric having two grain directions that are generally perpendicular to each other and a bias. The woven fabric is generally non-stretchable in at least one of the grain directions, and the center panel is coupled to the main section so as to be substantially on the bias.