Waterbed Mattress Closure Panels for Watertight Insert Access
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing waterbed mattresses face challenges in easily inserting and removing bulky functional bodies, such as mat-shaped stabilizing bodies, due to the slit-shaped opening, which can lead to damage to eyelets and vinyl flaps, and difficulty in sealing the opening under dynamic forces.
Innovation Solution
A closure system with flat, torsion-resistant closure panels and connecting elements that clamp the waterbed cover edge, providing a secure and adjustable sealing mechanism, allowing for easy insertion and removal of functional bodies and preventing eyelet damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a slit-shaped opening with a zipper closure is used, then the opening can be opened and closed repeatedly without destruction, but bulky functional bodies can only be inserted or removed with great skill and eyelets tend to tear out
Solution Approach 1:
The closure means is divided into a first closure panel and a second closure panel that can move relative to each other. The first closure panel remains fixed while the second closure panel can be opened to create a large planar opening, allowing easy insertion and removal of functional bodies. When closed, the panels join to form a watertight seal.
Solution Approach 2:
The closure panels transition from a closed flat configuration to an open configuration where the second panel moves along the longitudinal axis, creating a three-dimensional opening space. This dimensional change allows bulky functional bodies to be easily inserted or removed while maintaining a compact closed state.
2Strength
If eyelets are provided in vinyl flaps welded to the waterbed cover for attaching stabilizing bodies, then the functional bodies can be secured, but the eyelets and vinyl flaps tend to tear out requiring repair
Solution Approach 1:
The eyelets are extracted from the vinyl flaps and directly integrated into the closure panels. This removes the weak link (vinyl flaps with embedded eyelets) and distributes the attachment forces directly to the stronger closure panel structure, preventing tearing and damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The closure panels are designed with inherent structural strength to withstand the forces applied by attached functional bodies. By providing a robust attachment structure from the beginning, the design prevents the tearing and damage that would otherwise require later repairs.
3Reliability
If a closure means is used to seal the opening, then the opening can be closed watertight, but the closure means must withstand dynamic forces without deforming or allowing water escape
Solution Approach 1:
The closure panels are made from materials that combine flexibility with high strength and torsion resistance. This composite material approach allows the panels to maintain a rigid watertight seal when closed while simultaneously withstanding dynamic forces such as shearing, bending, and torsional loads without deforming or allowing water escape.
4Reliability
If the closure means is made rigid and torsion-resistant, then the watertight sealing is maintained under dynamic forces, but the assembly and sealing mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function and the structural strength function are merged into a single integrated closure panel design. The panels incorporate sealing edges and attachment means directly into their structure, eliminating the need for separate sealing components or complex assembly mechanisms while maintaining rigidity and torsion resistance.
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 simple and secure interchangeability of bulky functional bodies, maintains watertight sealing under various loads, and simplifies attachment and repair processes, enhancing the usability and durability of the waterbed mattress.
Implementation Method 1
an edge section of the waterbed cover surrounding the opening is clamped between the closure panels or between the first closure panel and the frame
Data Source
Figure 1~5
AI summary
The mattress (1) has a water absorbing water bed covering (2) provided with a lower side surface (6) and a side surface. A functional body (4) e.g. mat-like stabilization body, is removable from the water bed covering. An opening (8) is attached with a closure unit (3) for repeated non-destructive opening and closing of the opening. The closure unit water-tightly seals the bed covering for environment in a closing position of the bed covering. The opening is laminarly formed, and the closure unit completely releases the opening in an opening position.