> Commercial Prototype
The prototype of a water mattress is a result of a contracted research from a company to develop its original water mattress, consisting of a set of rubber tubes, for a bedridden person. Each tube is sealed in a square pattern. The main function of this water mattress is to distribute caused by person lying on it, thus reducing the chance of injuries from prolonged stationary sleep. The company filed a petty patent on its invention. However, the users normally had problems with the original water mattress after a long-term use. It was found that the adhesive sealed line was not strong enough under prolonged pressure, causing leakage of water.
Once these problems were acknowledged, research teams, the Biomechanics Research Team (BMCT) and the Green Latex and Rubber Materials Research Team (GLRT), of the National Metal and Materials Technology Center had developed a mattress prototype to solve the problem of rupture of the seal at the head and end of the water tube, and to solve the smell problem of water tubes made from rubber. In order to set a proper seal the tube of a developed water mattress, suitable conditions of temperature, pressure, and time of mold design had to be taken into account. Therefore, CAD (Computer Aided Design) was used to simulate the flow path of the compound rubber, and make an analysis to validate the sealed tube and mold strength.
The testing results on a sealed water tube, indicated that it can support the weight as designed. Moreover, the water mattress consisting of a set of new designed sealed water tubes also passed the pressure distribution test. To improve rubber properties of the tube of the developed water mattress, a proprietary rubber vulcanization formula has been developed by using chemicals that do not cause nitrosamines (carcinogen).
In summary, this prototype of a water mattress can solve the problems of original mattress of the company. It can be produced with industry standard tools, while reducing production waste, and minimizing costs. Finally, this prototype improves the quality of life of the patients, the disabled, and the elderly, who are bedridden people by reducing pressure ulcer.
Research team
Dr. Danu Prommin and Biomechanics Research Team
Chaveewan Kongkaew and Green Latex and Rubber Materials Research Team