Travel pillow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing travel pillows lack a practical and durable design that allows for flexible outer shell selection and effective tensile load management, often leading to material overload and damage when subjected to tensile forces.
Innovation Solution
A U-shaped neck pillow design featuring a reinforcement band and connecting means at the leg tips, which can be connected directly or indirectly to secure the pillow on the neck and facilitate compact transport, with the reinforcement band routed inside the outer cover to absorb tensile stresses without overloading the cushion material.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the pillow material is made softer and more skin-friendly, then comfort is improved, but tensile strength deteriorates causing material overload and damage
Solution Approach 1:
The pillow is divided into two functional parts: a soft cushion core for comfort and a separate reinforcement band for tensile strength. The reinforcement band is routed inside the outer cover but remains structurally distinct, allowing each component to optimize its specific function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The reinforcement band acts as an intermediary element between the soft cushion core and the outer cover. It absorbs tensile forces that would otherwise be transmitted to and damage the soft cushion material, thereby protecting the comfort-providing components while enabling the use of softer materials.
2Strength
If a reinforcement band is added to absorb tensile loads, then tensile strength is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcement band is merged with the outer cover by routing it inside the cover, creating a unified appearance while maintaining functional separation. This integration approach adds the necessary structural element without significantly increasing perceived complexity, as the band follows the natural contours of the pillow.
3Reliability
If connecting means are provided at leg tips for secure connection, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting means at the leg tips serve multiple functions: securing the pillow around the neck, enabling compact transport by connecting leg tips together, and providing adjustment capability. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by delivering multiple benefits from a single structural feature.
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 solution provides a durable and comfortable travel pillow that can withstand tensile loads without damaging the cushion material, allowing for the use of softer, skin-friendly materials and enabling easy adjustment and secure connection for enhanced usability.
Implementation Method 1
The reinforcement band can at least be subjected to tensile loads... the reinforcement band routed inside the outer cover to absorb tensile stresses without overloading the cushion material
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a neck pillow or travel pillow. In particular, the invention relates to a travel pillow (10) designed as a substantially U-shaped neck pillow, comprising a first leg (12) and a second leg (14) connected by a central section (16), wherein the first leg (12) terminates in a first leg point (22) and the second leg (14) terminates in a second leg point (24), and the travel pillow (10) has a circumferential inner surface, a circumferential outer surface, a top surface (18), a bottom surface (20), and a central surface (M), characterized in that the travel pillow (10) has a reinforcing band (30) extending from the first leg (12) through the central section (16) to the second leg (14).