Support Pillow Stretch Panel for Shape Stability and Fit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing support pillows lack the ability to be easily manipulated into different configurations without distorting their shape, making them unsuitable for variously sized objects and applications, such as supporting adults and babies.
Innovation Solution
A support pillow design featuring a medial region and two opposing arms with a stretchable center panel that allows for wide separation and subsequent spring-back to the original position, utilizing a cover with a main section and inner periphery, constructed from stretchable materials like LYCRA or cotton, ensuring the pillow maintains its shape and provides adequate support without discomfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the pillow is made with a rigid structure to maintain its shape, then the shape stability is improved, but the ability to separate arms widely and adapt to different sizes is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The cover is constructed with different material properties in different regions: the first and second portions use non-stretchable material for shape stability, while the third portion (center panel) uses stretchable material for adaptability. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by assigning different functional qualities to different parts of the same structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover combines stretchable and non-stretchable materials in a single composite structure. The non-stretchable portions provide structural integrity and shape maintenance, while the stretchable center panel provides flexibility and adaptability to different sizes, resolving the contradiction through material composition.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the pillow is made with a stretchable material to allow wide separation of arms, then the adaptability is improved, but the shape stability is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The stretchable property is localized to the center panel region where arm separation is needed, while the rest of the cover remains non-stretchable to maintain overall shape stability. This resolves the contradiction by limiting the stretchable property to only where it is functionally required.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover is segmented into three distinct portions with different material properties: non-stretchable first portion, stretchable second portion (center panel), and non-stretchable third portion. This segmentation allows the stretchable region to provide adaptability while the non-stretchable regions maintain shape stability.
3Ease of operation
If the pillow structure is simplified for easy manipulation, then the ease of operation is improved, but the support capability for variously sized objects is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The pillow structure incorporates dynamic elements through the stretchable center panel that allows the arms to move and separate easily for manipulation, while the non-stretchable portions provide structural support. This dynamic design enables easy operation while maintaining support capability through the interplay of flexible and rigid regions.
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 placed around large objects like adults' torsos and then easily converted to support babies, maintaining its shape and providing sufficient resilience to hold objects securely without buckling, allowing for versatile use in nursing, sitting, and other applications.
Implementation Method 1
the center panel may be constructed of a stretchable material that permits the arms to be separated from each other by a wide degree and then spring back to their original position
Data Source
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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 stretchable material and has a variable width.