Upholstery Support Element With Angled Bearing Surfaces for Ventilation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bearing elements for upholstered surfaces, such as mattresses, face challenges in providing sufficient rear ventilation to dissipate body moisture, leading to premature aging of the upholstery, and existing solutions like separate injection-molded lifting elements are costly and require additional assembly steps.

Innovation Solution

The bearing surfaces protrude obliquely upwards from the bearing plane at an acute angle, creating punctiform or linear support zones that allow for improved rear ventilation without the need for additional components, reducing production and assembly costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the support plate has a large surface area to ensure even sinking of the mattress, then the comfort for a person lying on the upholstery is improved, but the rear ventilation of the upholstery is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovecomfortVSAvoidmoisture accumulation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The support plate is segmented into multiple support surfaces arranged in a grid pattern, creating numerous small bearing points instead of a continuous large surface. This segmentation maintains comfort through distributed support while creating extensive open areas for rear ventilation to dissipate moisture effectively.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a separate injection-molded lifting element with a spring is used to improve rear ventilation, then the ventilation is improved, but the production costs and assembly costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveventilationVSAvoidproduction cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The lifting function and ventilation function are merged into the support plate itself. The support surfaces are designed to tilt upward at an acute angle relative to the bearing plane, creating a built-in lifting effect that raises the mattress edge for ventilation without requiring separate lifting elements or springs, thereby eliminating additional production and assembly costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The support plate performs multiple functions simultaneously: it provides bearing support through the support surfaces, creates ventilation channels through the tilted geometry, and eliminates the need for separate lifting components. This multi-functionality reduces overall device complexity and manufacturing costs while achieving the ventilation goal.

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

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

This design enhances rear ventilation, effectively dissipates body moisture, and maintains a stable and aesthetically pleasing mattress position, while eliminating additional costs associated with separate components.

Implementation Method 1

at least one spring element that projects upwards from the base plate in the direction of the upholstery and consists of a plurality of spring arms

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the bearing surfaces protrude obliquely upwards from the bearing plane defined by the free upper ends of the spring arms at an acute angle to the bearing plane

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGeometry: Geometry

Data Source

PatentEP2046166B1Support element for a padded overlay of seating and lying surfaces
Publication Date: 2013.03.13 FROLI KUNSTWERK HEINRICH FROMME
  • EP2046166B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2046166B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2046166B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

According to the invention, a mounting element for an upholstery cover for seating and lying surfaces with a baseplate (1) for fixing to a base, at least one spring element, formed from several spring arms (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d), erect in the direction of the upholstery cover and support plate made up of several support surfaces (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d) connected to the upper ends of the spring arms (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) may be improved to provide an improved back ventilation of the upholstery cover with a mounting element that is economic to produce and of secure and long-life applications, wherein the support surfaces (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d), with an unloaded upholstery cover applied to the mounting element, extend upwards through the support plane (7) defined by the free upper ends of the spring arms (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) inclined upwards at an acute angle to the support plane (7).