U-Shaped Travel Pillow With Flat, Thin Back for Neck Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current travel pillows fail to provide adequate neck support in various head positions, often causing neck strain by forcing the head forward and lacking support in front positions, with existing designs being inadequate for left, right, and forward orientations.
Innovation Solution
A U-shaped travel pillow with a second U-shaped raised cushion, made from memory foam, that fits ergonomically around the neck, featuring a drawstring with an adjustable cinch mechanism to prevent the pillow from shifting and allowing for hands-free transport, while also providing pockets for storage and a reversible cover for comfort and convenience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional U-shaped travel pillow is used, then the pillow provides basic neck support, but it forces the head forward causing neck strain and does not provide adequate support in left, right, and forward positions
Solution Approach 1:
The pillow is divided into multiple functional segments: a base cushion forming a U-shape, and additional lobes attached to the base cushion. Each lobe is designed to support specific head positions (left, right, forward), allowing the pillow to provide comprehensive support without forcing the head forward.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the pillow have different structural properties tailored to specific functions. The base cushion provides general neck support, while the added lobes provide localized support for extreme head positions. The lobes are specifically shaped and positioned to support the head in left, right, and forward orientations without causing strain.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the pillow lobes are made tall and rigid to prevent splitting, then head position stability improves, but the pillow loses adaptability to different headrest shapes and sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The pillow lobes are constructed from soft, pliable materials that can deform and adapt to various headrest shapes and sizes. This flexibility allows the lobes to maintain their structural integrity and support function while conforming to different geometries of seat headrests, ensuring both stability and adaptability.
3Ease of manufacture
If the pillow is designed with a fixed U-shape, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but the pillow cannot provide adequate support for alternative head positions
Solution Approach 1:
The pillow is constructed as an assembly of separate components: a base cushion and attachable lobes. This segmented design allows for relatively simple manufacturing of each individual component while enabling the final assembled product to provide support for multiple head positions including left, right, and forward orientations.
Solution Approach 2:
The lobes are attached to the base cushion to form an integrated structure that provides comprehensive support. The combination of the U-shaped base and the additional lobes creates a versatile pillow that maintains manufacturing simplicity while achieving multi-position support capability.
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 offers comprehensive neck support in all positions without causing strain, preventing the head from being pushed forward, and allows for adjustable fit and storage, enhancing comfort during travel.
Implementation Method 1
A U-shaped travel pillow with a second U-shaped raised cushion, made from memory foam, that fits ergonomically around the neck
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention discloses a U-shaped travel pillow having a base cushion and raised cushion fixed to the top side of the base cushion. The inner peripheral walls of the base and raised cushions are mutually flush, while the rear walls are mutually flush and substantially flat for better contact with flat surfaces, such as a headrest, seat, or chair. Furthermore, the rear wall of the raised cushion is thinner than the sides, providing more liberty to adjust head position by easily adapting to the shape of the headrest, seat or chair. A removable cover is adapted to cover the base and raised cushions, while a drawstring with an adjustable cinch mechanism can be used for adjusting the travel pillow around the neck.