Temperature-Controlled Viscoelastic Support for Adjustable Firmness

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing molded bodies for bed supports and seat bases, such as mattresses and cushions, require resource-intensive modifications to adjust firmness, which are not suitable for short-term changes and can be subjective and variable.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating thermoelastic and viscoelastic plastic materials with a temperature-regulating device and control system that adjusts firmness by altering temperature, allowing for controlled and efficient adjustments in firmness distribution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If air or water bladders are introduced into the shaped body to alter firmness, then the firmness can be adjusted, but the modification becomes resource-intensive and suitable only for persistent changes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefirmness adjustment capabilityVSAvoidmodification complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by utilizing the temperature-dependent firmness characteristics of thermoelastic and viscoelastic plastic materials. By changing the temperature parameter, the firmness of the shaped body can be adjusted without physical modifications or additional components like air or water bladders. This allows for both persistent and temporary firmness adjustments through simple temperature control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If the firmness of the shaped body is altered by introducing air or water bladders, then the firmness adjustment can be achieved, but the procedure requires larger modifications and is very resource-intensive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefirmness adjustment capabilityVSAvoidresource consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the approach from physical modification (introducing bladders) to parameter modification (changing temperature). This eliminates the need for additional substances and resources, as the firmness adjustment is achieved purely through thermal control of the existing thermoelastic and viscoelastic plastic material.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If conventional materials are used in the shaped body, then the manufacturing is simpler, but the firmness cannot be easily adjusted for short-term changes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidfirmness adjustability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses thermoelastic and viscoelastic plastic materials that inherently possess temperature-dependent firmness characteristics. This allows the material to maintain manufacturing simplicity while enabling easy firmness adjustment through temperature control, resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Adaptability or versatility

If the firmness of the shaped body is adjusted using sliders on slatted frames, then the firmness can be adapted, but the adjustment is limited to slatted frame structures and requires manual intervention

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefirmness adjustment capabilityVSAvoidadjustment convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical adjustment system (sliders on slatted frames) with a thermal control system. Instead of manually moving mechanical components, the firmness is adjusted by controlling the temperature of the thermoelastic and viscoelastic plastic material, which automatically changes its properties in response to temperature variations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

Enables quick and efficient adjustments to firmness without significant resource modifications, providing improved comfort and pressure distribution through temperature-dependent changes in material elasticity.

Implementation Method 1

at least one section of thermoelastic and viscoelastic plastic material, a temperature-regulating device, which is arranged in thermal contact with the at least one section of thermoelastic and viscoelastic plastic material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermoelasticity:

Implementation Method 2

at least one section of thermoelastic and viscoelastic plastic material, whose firmness, respectively elasticity, alters significantly with its temperature

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectViscoelasticity: Viscoelasticity

Implementation Method 3

a temperature-regulating device, which is arranged in thermal contact with the at least one section of thermoelastic and viscoelastic plastic material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS8499389B2Molded product and use thereof

Publication Date: 2013.08.06 VARIOWELL DEV

AI summary

In order to adjust the firmness of a shaped product in a targeted way, it is proposed to provide at least one section made of a thermoelastic and viscoelastic plastic, a temperature-regulating device placed in thermal contact with the at least one section made of thermoelastic and viscoelastic plastic, and a control device for the temperature-regulating device configured to adjust the firmness of the at least one section made of thermoelastic and viscoelastic plastic by changing the temperature. Such a shaped product can be used as a seat base or bed support.