Vacuum-Actuated Bed Component Design to Reduce Noise and Vibration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bed components that adjust height and firmness automatically during sleep using air cushions are noisy and bulky due to the use of linear or eccentric pumps, which are disadvantageous for user comfort and aesthetics.

Innovation Solution

A bed component utilizing a vacuum pump externally connected to an actuator with a compressible open-pore core, allowing for height and firmness adjustment with reduced noise and vibration, integrated into the mattress or mattress base, and featuring a sound insulation device to minimize noise disturbance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If linear or eccentric pumps are used to generate overpressure for height and firmness adjustment, then the adjustment function is achieved, but strong vibrations and loud noises are generated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheight and firmness adjustmentVSAvoidvibrations and noises

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional approach by using a vacuum pump to create negative pressure instead of using overpressure pumps. This causes the air cushion to be sucked inwards, generating significantly less vibrations and noises while achieving the same height and firmness adjustment effect

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical overpressure pump system with a vacuum pump system that uses atmospheric pressure differential to achieve the same actuation effect, thereby reducing mechanical vibrations and noise generation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If overpressure pumps are used for adjustment, then the adjustment function is achieved, but the system becomes bulky and externally visible

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheight and firmness adjustmentVSAvoidpump system size

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

By inverting the pressure approach to use vacuum instead of overpressure, the patent enables the use of smaller, more compact vacuum pumps that can be integrated within the mattress structure rather than requiring external bulky pump systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Object-generated harmful factors

If the vacuum pump is integrated into the mattress, then noise is attenuated and design is sleek, but the pump must be positioned externally to the actuator

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovenoiseVSAvoidpump positioning

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-generated harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the system into a vacuum pump unit positioned in an external area (footboard, headboard, or under-bed space) and actuators positioned within the mattress, connected via fluid conduits. This allows noise attenuation while maintaining functional integration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses fluid conduits as intermediaries to connect the externally positioned vacuum pump to the internal actuators, enabling the pump to be located in a noise-isolated external area while still controlling the mattress actuators effectively

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Ease of operation

If actuators with air cushions are used, then height adjustment is achieved, but the actuators sink into themselves upon pump failure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheight adjustmentVSAvoidsupport during pump failure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

By using vacuum pressure instead of overpressure, the air cushion structure is inverted to expand outward rather than collapse inward upon failure, maintaining structural integrity and support function even when the vacuum pump fails or power is lost

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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 optimal lying comfort with minimal noise and vibration, ensuring continuous support even in case of pump failure, and allows for targeted adjustment of the lying profile through active and passive zones, while maintaining a sleek and attractive design.

Implementation Method 1

a vacuum is formed in the actuator by the vacuum pump in the actuated state of the actuator

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVacuum: Vacuum

Data Source

PatentUS11666155B2Bed component and bed

Publication Date: 2023.06.06 EMMA SLEEP GMBH

AI summary

A bed component, for example a mattress or a mattress base, includes a vacuum pump and at least one actuator which is adaptable in its height and/or firmness and has a maximum height in the non-actuated state, wherein the vacuum pump is fluidly connected to the actuator and a vacuum is formed in the actuator by the vacuum pump in the actuated state of the actuator and the height and/or firmness of the actuator is reduced, wherein the vacuum pump is provided in an area of the bed component external to the actuator. Further, a bed including a bed component is shown.