Therapeutic Bed With Layered Support for Prolonged Face-Down Rest

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing therapeutic beds do not support prolonged relaxation or sleep in a face-down position for everyday use, lacking the necessary adjustability and comfort for different user sizes and preferences.

Innovation Solution

A bed with anisotropic density and elasticity distribution along its axis, featuring a recess for the head and optional arm support, supplied with controlled air, and comprising multiple layers with varying densities and elasticities to accommodate user needs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a face hole is provided in the bed for air supply, then breathing is enabled in face down position, but the bed structure becomes more complex and less suitable for prolonged everyday use

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebreathing comfortVSAvoidbed structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by providing air supply specifically to the head region through a recess rather than throughout the entire bed. The recess is positioned to accommodate the user's head and face, delivering air enriched with fume or steam locally where needed for therapeutic breathing, while the rest of the bed maintains its simple structure suitable for prolonged everyday use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If the bed is designed for face down position with face hole, then therapeutic treatment is enabled, but the bed is not suitable for prolonged relaxation or sleep in everyday use

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetherapeutic treatment capabilityVSAvoidprolonged relaxation duration
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the recess reversible closable with a closure element. The closure element can be positioned to close the recess when not in use, allowing the bed to adapt between therapeutic mode (recess open for air supply) and everyday relaxation mode (recess closed for continuous support). This dynamic adjustment enables the bed to serve both therapeutic treatment and prolonged everyday relaxation needs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If a removable closure element is provided for the recess, then the recess can be closed when not in use, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverecess closabilityVSAvoidclosure mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies self-service by designing the closure element to be removable and positionable by the user without requiring complex mechanisms or assistance. The closure element can be easily inserted into or removed from the recess opening, allowing users to independently adjust the bed between therapeutic and relaxation modes, thereby minimizing the added complexity while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4418958B1Therapeutic bed
Publication Date: 2025.08.06 HELSESENG AS
  • EP4418958B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1C
  • EP4418958B1 patent drawingFigure 1D~2
  • EP4418958B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~4A

AI summary

Bed (1) for everyday use by at least one user (30), said bed exhibiting an anisotropic density and/ or elasticity distribution along an axis (3) perpendicular to the plane (4) defined by the largest surface of the bed. The bed comprises at least a first layer (11) and at least a second layer (12) located at different layers of the axis (3). The first (11) layer and the second layer (12) have different densities and/ or elasticities. The bed (1) comprises at least one mattress having a first recess (13) enabling to rest the users (1) head (31) in a face down position. The recess (13) is at least partly arranged in the first (11) layer and the first layer (11) covers at least a distance of 80 mm along the axis (3).