Template tool for attaching components to a bed system

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bed systems lack an efficient and accurate method for aligning and attaching components such as sensors and heating units to the mattress, leading to improper placement and functionality issues.

Innovation Solution

A template tool with alignment bodies and a routing tool is used to precisely position and secure components on the mattress, utilizing visual indicators and modular design for easy use across various bed sizes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If components are attached to the mattress without a template tool, then the attachment process is simpler and faster, but the placement accuracy and alignment precision deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent placement accuracyVSAvoidattachment process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The template tool serves as an intermediary device between the user and the mattress surface. It provides pre-marked alignment guides, positioning holes, and routing pathways that mediate the attachment process, ensuring components are placed accurately without requiring the user to perform complex measurements or calculations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The template tool is pre-configured with alignment markers, positioning holes, and routing pathways before use. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for on-site measurements and calculations, allowing users to simply follow the pre-established guides to achieve accurate component placement and wire routing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If components are attached without proper alignment tools, then the attachment process is quicker, but the functionality and reliability of the bed system deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebed system functionalityVSAvoidcomponent attachment time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The template tool mediates the attachment process by providing visual alignment guides and pre-defined positioning locations. This ensures that sensors, heating units, and other components are placed in their correct positions for optimal functionality, while the template itself is quickly positioned using corner alignment features.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The template tool is designed to be self-aligning through corner registration features that automatically position the template correctly when placed in the mattress corner. This self-service alignment mechanism eliminates the need for complex measurement procedures, maintaining quick attachment while ensuring reliable component placement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If a specialized template tool is used for component attachment, then the placement precision improves, but the device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent positioning precisionVSAvoidtemplate tool complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The template tool is designed as a universal device that can accommodate multiple component types (sensors, heating units, cooling elements) and various mattress sizes. It incorporates multiple opening configurations and alignment features that make it adaptable to different bed configurations, reducing the need for multiple specialized tools.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The template tool incorporates multiple discrete opening configurations within a single structure, each designed for specific component types. This segmentation of functional zones within the unified template allows precise positioning for different components while maintaining overall tool simplicity and manufacturability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS20240090677A1Template tool for attaching components to a bed system
Publication Date: 2024.03.21 SLEEP NUMBER CORP
  • US20240090677A1 patent drawing
  • US20240090677A1 patent drawing
  • US20240090677A1 patent drawing

AI summary

A template for mounting components to a bed. The template can include a body positioner that aligns with a first portion of a mattress and an alignment body connected to the body positioner. The alignment body can be configured to receive a component and align the component with respect to the mattress when the body positioner is aligned with the first portion of the mattress. The body positioner can be a vertical plate, the first portion of the mattress can be a first edge of the mattress, and the alignment body can be a horizontal plate positioned on a top of a mattress surface.