Zoned Inflatable Mattress Control for Adaptive Sleep Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sleep systems fail to provide custom-tailored optimal comfort and support characteristics for individual users, as they are limited to fixed settings and do not account for body variances during sleep or long-term changes in physical attributes and preferences.
Innovation Solution
A sleep system with a variable support and comfort control system, featuring inflatable members that adjust pressure across multiple rows of coils, connected to a sense and control unit that automatically or manually adjusts comfort and support based on real-time data from sensors, allowing for immediate and long-term customization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional fixed sleep systems are used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to individual body variances and changing preferences deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sleep system is divided into multiple independently controllable zones with inflatable members positioned at different locations (head, shoulder, hip, leg regions). Each zone can be adjusted separately to accommodate different body variances and sleeping positions, allowing the system to adapt to individual users without requiring a completely different mattress for each person.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static, fixed sleep surface to a dynamic system where inflatable members can be adjusted in real-time based on detected body variances. The control system continuously monitors user characteristics and modifies the firmness and support characteristics of different zones dynamically, enabling adaptation to changing body positions, weight distribution, and personal preferences throughout the night.
2Reliability
If fixed support and comfort characteristics are provided, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to provide optimal support for individual users deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates sensors that continuously monitor user characteristics such as weight distribution, body position, and pressure points. This feedback is processed by the control system, which automatically adjusts the inflation levels of various zones to provide optimal support. The feedback loop ensures that the system reliably adapts to individual users without requiring manual intervention or complex mechanical adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The sleep system performs self-adjustment based on the detected body variances and user characteristics. The control system automatically modifies the support characteristics of different zones without requiring user intervention, making the system self-regulating and reliable in providing optimal support tailored to each user's unique anatomy and preferences.
3Manufacturing precision
If generic sleep systems are used, then ease of manufacture is maintained, but the precision of matching individual comfort and support needs deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different firmness and support characteristics to different local zones of the sleep surface based on the user's body map. Each zone (head, shoulder, hip, leg regions) can be independently adjusted to provide the precise level of support needed for that specific area, matching the user's individual comfort and support requirements with high precision while using standardized manufacturing processes for the base mattress structure.
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 system provides continuous optimal comfort and support characteristics by detecting and responding to body variances, offering a customizable sleep experience that adapts to individual needs over time, enhancing sleep quality and comfort.
Implementation Method 1
a variable support layer disposed below the variable comfort layer, the variable support layer comprising a plurality of support layer inflatable members
Implementation Method 2
a sense and control unit, the comfort layer inflatable members and the support layer inflatable members being connected to the sense and control unit
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus and method providing variable support and variable comfort control of a sleep system, the apparatus including a sleep support member including: a comfort layer including: a plurality of comfort layer inflatable members; and a comfort layer sensor configured to provide data relating to respective pressures of the comfort layer inflatable members; a data analysis unit configured to analyze data provided by the comfort layer sensor and to generate analyzed comfort layer data; and a control unit configured to control a pressure within each of the respective comfort layer inflatable members using the analyzed comfort layer data.