System and a method for improving a person's sleep
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electric blankets lack temperature control precision, often overheating due to uniform heating and fixed power settings, failing to account for body position and environmental conditions, leading to poor sleep quality for many users.
Innovation Solution
A bedding layer with individually thermally adjustable zones and dispersed temperature sensors that detect body presence and position, allowing separate control of temperature, heating, and cooling rates in different areas to maintain preset temperatures, thereby optimizing temperature adjustment based on body presence and movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional electric blankets use constant power input with discrete power settings, then the heating function is provided, but the temperature control precision is poor and overheating occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system where temperature sensors continuously monitor the temperature in each zone and automatically adjust the heating power to maintain the desired temperature. This closed-loop control eliminates the need for manual power setting adjustments and prevents overheating by dynamically responding to actual temperature conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static discrete power settings to dynamic continuous temperature control. The heating power in each zone is automatically adjusted in real-time based on temperature sensor feedback, allowing the system to adapt to changing thermal conditions without requiring user intervention or complex manual adjustments.
2Use of energy by moving object
If electric blankets supply heat uniformly to the whole bed, then the heating coverage is comprehensive, but the energy efficiency is reduced and local overheating occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The bedding layer is divided into multiple independently controllable heating zones, each with its own temperature sensor and heating elements. This segmentation allows each zone to be controlled separately based on local thermal conditions and body presence, eliminating the need for uniform heating across the entire bed and significantly improving energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
Each heating zone is equipped with individual temperature control capabilities, allowing the system to provide customized heating to different areas of the bed based on local requirements. Zones with body presence receive heating while zones without body presence remain unheated, optimizing energy usage and preventing local overheating.
3Reliability
If electric blankets do not account for body position and environmental conditions, then the device simplicity is maintained, but the sleep quality is poor due to inappropriate temperature
Solution Approach 1:
Temperature sensors in each zone continuously monitor thermal conditions and provide feedback to the control system. This feedback enables automatic adjustment of heating power based on actual temperature, body presence, and environmental conditions, ensuring optimal sleep temperature without requiring complex manual intervention from the user.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically detects body presence in each zone and independently adjusts the heating power to maintain comfortable temperature conditions. The bedding layer serves itself by automatically adapting to user needs and environmental changes without external control, simplifying operation while improving sleep quality.
4Measurement precision
If pressure sensing mats are used to detect body position, then the detection accuracy is high, but the device cost is high and comfort is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical pressure sensing mats with a thermal field-based detection system. Temperature sensors monitor thermal patterns and body heat distribution to infer body position and presence, eliminating the need for expensive and rigid pressure-sensitive materials while maintaining detection accuracy and improving comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses thermal energy as an intermediary to detect body presence and position. Instead of directly measuring mechanical pressure, the temperature sensors detect heat transfer patterns caused by body contact, providing indirect but accurate information about body position without requiring specialized pressure-sensitive 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
Improves sleep quality by providing precise temperature control, reducing overheating, and adjusting heating or cooling dynamically based on body position, leading to faster sleep onset, reduced awakenings, and increased deep sleep duration.
Implementation Method 1
detecting the presence and or the position of the body of the person on or underneath a bedding layer with a plurality of individually thermally adjustable zones and a plurality of temperature sensors
Implementation Method 2
controlling any one of the group consisting of the temperature, the heating rate and the cooling rate of each individual thermally adjustable zone of the bedding layer such that the temperature of the thermally adjustable zones are adjusted to a preset temperature
Data Source
AI summary
A system for improving a person's sleep includes a bedding layer having a plurality of individually controllable thermally adjustable zones, a plurality of temperature sensors, where at least one temperature sensor per thermally adjustable zone is dispersed throughout the bedding layer. Further, a controller is configured to control the heating power of each thermally adjustable zone, and detect in which the body presence is detected.