Zoned Mattress Lifting for Spinal Alignment and Pressure Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current bed systems struggle to provide optimal support for individuals with varying physiognomies, as they often require mattresses with specific hardness distributions that can become mismatched over time due to weight changes, leading to uneven load distribution and potential spinal misalignment.
Innovation Solution
A lifting device that adjusts the height of lying surface zones, allowing for independent control of different areas of the mattress to accommodate individual contours, thereby distributing pressure homogeneously and maintaining spinal alignment without altering the mattress or spring base hardness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mattresses are designed with varying firmness distributions to accommodate different physiognomies, then spinal alignment is improved, but device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The bed system is segmented into multiple independently adjustable lying surface zones (head zone, shoulder zone, hip zone, knee zone, foot zone) that can be controlled separately. Each zone can be adjusted to different heights to accommodate different body contours and physiognomies, eliminating the need for multiple mattress variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The mattress firmness and lying surface height are made dynamically adjustable through lifting elements that can be controlled in real-time. Users can adapt the lying surface to their current physiological needs, weight changes, or preferred sleeping positions, transforming a static mattress into a dynamic system.
2Ease of operation
If mattresses are customized for specific firmness distributions, then comfort is improved, but adaptability to weight changes over time deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides dynamic adjustability allowing users to modify lying surface heights in response to weight changes, aging, or changing comfort preferences. The lifting elements can be controlled independently to adapt to different body weights and distributions over time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the height parameter of lying surface zones rather than altering the physical mattress structure. This allows continuous adaptation to different weights and physiognomies without requiring physical reconfiguration or replacement of mattress components.
3Reliability
If multiple mattress variations are produced for different physiognomies, then individual optimization is improved, but manufacturing cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of manufacturing multiple complete mattress variations, the system segments the adjustment function into controllable zones with lifting elements. A single mattress design serves all customers, with individualization achieved through electronic control of height adjustment in different zones.
Solution Approach 2:
A universal mattress design with integrated lifting elements serves multiple functions: it can be configured for different sleeping positions, accommodate various body types and weights, and adapt to changing user needs over time. This eliminates the need for multiple specialized mattress products.
4Adaptability or versatility
If lifting elements are added to adjust lying surface height, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting elements are designed to be controllably expandable and collapsible, allowing the system to self-adjust to different configurations. The control unit manages the complexity by automatically coordinating the lifting elements based on user input or pre-programmed settings.
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 lifting device ensures improved comfort and spinal alignment by adapting to the user's physiognomy through height adjustments, providing a customizable solution that remains effective despite weight changes over time.
Implementation Method 1
The lifting device has several lifting units, each lifting unit having at least one pair of expandable and collapsible lifting elements
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
The present invention relates to a lifting device (4) for adjusting the height of a lying surface zone (7) of a lying surface (5) of a bed system (1), and comprises at least one lifting unit (24) which is assigned to exactly one lying surface zone (7) and which has at least one pair of lifting elements (25) with two hydraulic or pneumatic lifting elements (26) which are connected to each other via at least one cross member (23). Increased comfort can be achieved if such a lifting unit (24) is provided for at least two different lying surface zones (7), and if the actuating device (31) and the control device (27) are designed such that the at least two lifting units (24) can be controlled independently of each other to raise and lower the respective assigned lying surface zone (7).