- Introduction
This study will compare two cooling technologies (graphene chemical vapor deposition and cooling gel) through size effect analyses on the hong kong size mattress in singapore, and the temperatures and humidities under the fabric surface were measured. The humidity measurements are obtained through an integrated environmental chamber that has the ability to test bedding and seating furniture considering high humidity conditions. After the india double mattress in singapore is washed and dried, we will investigate the reusability of the PCM. The size designs of the furniture and beddings are related to physiological sizes including length, weight, and body surface area of humans. This work aims to address how the mattress size influences cooling performance in the Singapore market based on physiological data. The final goal is to determine the optimal mattress size for building an ideal aesthetics cooling mattress.
Modern “smart” society emphasizes healthy and effective sleep, ensuring a balance between recovery, recreation, and productivity. In a hot and humid climate, such as the one found in Singapore, heat-island conditions occur. Heat-island conditions introduce nocturnal discomfort problems to residential buildings due to the high transmission rate of sensible temperature through the building envelope and skin. However, thermal discomfort conditions can be minimized by using cooling technologies. Cooling technologies can be classified as passive and active technologies, and the cooling performance is verified by the predicted mean vote. A sleep environment can also be created by adjusting microclimate parameters, such as ambient temperatures and airflow speed, to achieve a comfortable environment. From the product and market perspective, mattresses are a popular choice. Customers can choose the mattress that best fits their preferences based on the size of the mattress. The aim of this research work is to address how the mattress size influences the cooling performance of different types of mattresses sold in the Singapore market.
1.1. Background and Significance
Getting a good restful sleep is of utmost importance as it affects overall body resistance. To have a good refreshing sleep, a comfortable and cool environment has always been desired. Many people spend a substantial amount of their income on air-conditioning to keep themselves cool at home. Recently, fabric technologies which have been developed for sportswear are also being used in nightwear and bedding articles. At the same time, there has also been an increase in start-up companies developing and producing cooling technologies for mattresses to respond to the global awareness and demand for this cooling phenomenon. Currently, there are three types of cooling discoverable materials that have a high heat dispersion ability which are used on the mattress cover. These are materials that reduce heat, fabric with small ceramic particles, semiconducting nanoparticles in the fiber, and other polymers. In addition to such cooling materials, intelligent covers and climate control bases are also used to render the heat of the mattress cover.
Over the past few decades, comfort technology has transformed the traditional mattress into a high-tech sleeping product with an increasing variety of choices. This study discusses the various technologies incorporated into the mattress to provide a comfortable and cool sleeping experience. The most common technologies used on the surface fabric of the mattress to reduce body heat with favorable results are the judicious use of phase change materials (PCM), thermoregulation fabric, and semi-structured 3D technology. The different types of mattresses and their respective mattress dimensions and cooling technologies available in the Singaporean market are then identified and compared. As there will be an increased awareness and demand for cooling technologies in mattresses, especially in the green and sustainable urban cities like Singapore in the coming years, the availability of such information will help consumers to acquire a comprehensive understanding of this trend and better enable first-time buyers to make an informed decision when purchasing a mattress that suits their lifestyle and sleeping habits.
- Mattress Size Standards
Part 2: This section lists the different mattress size standards that are used around the world. Mattress sizes are usually determined by its usability with bed frames, since a frame of a particular size is needed for the mattress to fit onto it. These standards allow for the interchangeability of different mattresses and bed frames that are within the same measurement. The bed frame, on the other hand, is determined by its compatibility with the size of the room, user preference, and whether the frame comes with any extra features (e.g. storage space). It is important to note that different standards are used around the world and can cause confusion both in sales and during the entry of different products (like sheets) into the consumer market.
Part 1: Introduction: Living in Singapore as a student has several challenges, not least of which is the battle to ensure a good rest for the next day of schoolwork. This project aimed to create a mattress that addresses the constraints of life in university, drawing from specific problems such as a lack of cooling and the difficulty of changing the mattress to fit future changes in bed size. Section 2 provides a comparison of different mattress sizes to understand which sleeping preference is the most popular with Singaporeans, followed by a discussion of the current cooling technologies present in Section 3. We provide a brief background in Section 4 to understand the rationale behind our decision to create a hybrid cooling system.
2.1. Singaporean Mattress Size Standards
Enough decoration of the king-size and the super-single size has been made, we shall have a look at the various aspects. Firstly, we will take the king-size and the semi-double size mattresses out of the comparison. Most hotels and even new rental rooms are generally designed for a queen-size and a king-size mattress, respectively. It is no secret that hotel housekeepers hate making a king-size bed. One commonly acquired compromise is that some hotels use “king-size” beds (182cm x 192cm) with two single-type mattresses placed side-by-side. Therefore, we focus on the comparison of various aspects between super-single, queen-size, and single mattresses. Secondly, except for lab tests, there is no cooling technology or mattress that can actually cool a Singaporean sleeper by 2°C. Such a claim is shimmering that most consumers are compelled to buy into the fantasy. Therefore, we intend to conduct, using existing type mattresses, experiments to evaluate the ability of different cooling technologies to reduce the amount of perceived heat in sleep.
Singaporean consumers generally have a good selection of mattress sizes in stores. As of this writing, The Shopping Mall at Orchard Road Philips has 22 mattress stores alone with hundreds of models available. Queen-size mattresses are popular choices for master bedrooms on typical apartment sizes in Singapore. However, if one is restricted by the air conditioner capacity of the bedroom, going for a small queen-size mattress, 150cm x 190cm, where one’s shoulders and feet may droop off the mattress is not a good option. The next smaller size available would be a super-single (100cm x 190cm) but it may be too tight, especially for taller people. Occasionally, if one is attempting to save as much space as possible without regretting the comfort in the presence of a sleeping partner, a single (90cm x 190cm) or semi-single (120cm x 190cm) mattress would generally be unsuitable. Therefore, one could be compelled back to use a super-single mattress.
2.2. Hong Kong Size Mattresses in Singapore
In Singapore’s bedding retail industry, there is a lack of readily available stock for Hong Kong size mattresses. Only a few bedding stores and manufacturers are willing to provide made-to-order services for Hong Kong size mattresses. Except for a few European bedding brands that provide customized mattresses, some of these aforementioned suppliers provide off-the-rack Hong Kong size mattresses with limited single or super single sizes. Only one local manufacturer provides Hong Kong size mattresses with pocketed spring support. During interviews with staff in established mattress retail stores, it was found that Hong Kong size mattress sellers were not easily located in clusters like the that in the case for single, super single, or queen mattresses. According to respondents, most retailers do not offer Hong Kong size mattresses due to the absence of standard bed frames for these mattresses, emphasizing that most consumers in Singapore prefer standard sizes and therefore find it hard to locate the requisite bed size.
2.3. India Double Mattresses in Singapore
India, like Singapore, has a major Indian minority, and a large Indian store network boosts mattress sales in Singapore. The pricing structure is the same as described in the previous chapter. Many people, at any price point, will indeed recognize the value with the readily available double size mattress in a desperate hurry, whether it was for under $150 from IKEA or even over $500 from its cheaper competition. In the Singapore market, only Indian brands have an extensive presence, enabling them to take advantage of the price premium that appeals to all. The motivation is a high price and a naturally hostile retail environment due to the conventional nature of the company and the cultural store preferences of many customers.
As the name implies, double beds are larger than single beds, providing more space in bed. In other Asia-Pacific nations, it is the most widely used bed scale. However, it is not as popular as single and queen mattresses in Singapore. It is broadly used in guest bedrooms, although it is less expensive. Both partners will share the bed comfortably. The Double mattress’s identical surface area of 191cm x 139cm, but the later has a wider width of 10cm. Due to the demand of the people and the need of the times, many people are changing the single bed mattresses to double bed mattresses.
- Cooling Technologies in Mattresses
As the market is mainly reliant on foam or spring mattresses currently, problems with heat retention and storage have not been fully addressed. To address these problems, a bionic smart cooling mattress is proposed. This new cooling system uses a life activity simulator to provide real human metabolic heat, built on four parts. Firstly, there is a bionic hollow fiber fabric layer which is integrated with meso and micro-channels. This fabric can absorb sweat and moisture quickly from the body. Secondly, a heat recovery element based on a plate heat exchanger is placed in the fabric layer and gives a countercurrent enrichment effect, which effectively reduces the sensible heat of the liquid and increases the temperature difference between fabric layer and heat carrier. The heated components of the human body are mainly the head, neck, back, and feet, so the mattress has the bionic heat-exchanging components installed in these areas. By connecting these heat-exchanging components to necessary locations in the fabric layer, the enriched heat is carried by the heat carrier to the evaporator integrated with the fabric layer, so thermal conductivity occurs with the help of capillary action. The vaporized enriched heat is expelled from the mattress via the external latent heat of the evaporation or cold storage device so that the high-quality cooling effect can be provided. Finally, a thermal insulation and encapsulating system with air layers has been designed to prevent cold air diffusion, ensure the cooling airflow velocity and stabilize the cooling effect, and deliver comfortable interaction and perception.
In order to achieve good quality sleep, one of the most important factors to consider is the thermal comfort of the body throughout the whole sleep process, which comes from the heat transfer between the body and the sleeping environment. To increase the thermal comfort of the sleeping environment, there are many methods which can be employed, such as selecting clothing which is appropriate for the environment, positioning the body in an appropriate way, employing good surrounding mattresses, or adjusting the temperature of the surrounding environment. Among all the technology solutions, clothing and sleep posture control are both dependent on a person’s habits and choices, while mechanical or environmental control systems usually have limitations in the market. On the other hand, mattresses, especially smart mattresses with advanced materials and technologies, play a vital role in regulating the body temperature. The use of advanced materials will greatly assist in the creation of smart mattresses which can help people to keep cool, ensuring a good and high quality sleep.
3.1. Ice Cool Mattresses
Focusing on the marketing language on cooling technology by the companies, Saart uses graphite-infused layers to regulate humidity and temperature, possibly with a phase-changing technology similar to the Simba Hybrid Pro. Another futuristic-sounding cover from King Koil is their Icy Touch cover, but there is little mention about the technology used to cool the mattress. To blend in the idea of eco-friendliness into the mattress, UniCased technology is used by heaters, which is to eliminate pressure points, as well as the motion transfer with green technologies. Given that sleeping hot is one of the top issues in ice cool mattress, it is recommended that manufacturers should provide more information about the technology or material used for cooling in the covers.
Ice Cool technology, as the name suggests, instills the mattress’ cover with a cool sensation. The name of the technology is, however, different among companies such as the Maxcoil version known as SanityCool. This is achieved by incorporating cutting-edge cooling technology on the mattress top layer to help regulate temperature. In the case of Simmons mattresses, the top cover is crafted with advanced cooling yarn, helping to draw away heat and regulate mattress temperature for optimal sleeping comfort. Simba Sleep, instead of the typical Ice Cool, uses Simbatex, their Simba trademarked breathable mattress fabric made of latex, which is more open cell than memory foam, which also aids in temperature regulation. Most importantly, the covers are removable to facilitate easy washing. This is a good feature with our tropical weather with high humidity or when residents sleep on the mattress with direct skin contact.
3.2. Innovative Cooling Materials and Designs
The gel can be incorporated in multiple ways, but the effect of having the gel as a topper can significantly impact the cooling of the mattress. For foam toppers that use gel, the gel material absorbs the body heat, and the gel layer remains cooler than the original memory foam. Hence, the gel-infused foam allows the sleeper’s skin temperature to remain closer to a neutral temperature thus allowing for relatively cooler sleep conditions and is reported to be cooler than copper and graphite-infused foams. However, gels are also known to form a thin but solid layer that is less likely to conform to the shape of the user compared to memory foam. Gel materials are also more likely to retain their structure better over time, providing better support for the user. While this material is cooler than memory foam and does also provide some additional support that would be helpful to many sleepers, some people may notice that it is not as moldable and contouring as regular memory foam.
A recent innovation in mattress design is the use of copper-infused materials for both the fabric and layers of the mattress. Both the use of copper as the primary material for mattress construction, as well as the use of copper to assist with cooling, are very recent developments. As the human body emits heat, the copper material is quick to absorb the heat from surrounding surfaces. Through this quick heat transfer, the copper also does not feel too hot to the touch. Furthermore, copper materials are known to have natural resistance to both dust mites and microbes and can reduce the concentration of both. These are great benefits for those seeking a hypoallergenic foam and the copper infusion can create a healthier sleep environment with cleaner sleep surfaces. Mattresses with top layers infused with copper are also reported to be helpful in killing bacteria or minimizing odor in addition to having a thinner layer of foam to sleep on. Another material that has also been very commonly used is gel-infused memory foam.
- Consumer Preferences and Market Trends
Studies have shown that thermoregulation is associated with the depth, short-term changes in the thermal environment, and the type of sleeping systems. Relatively shallow natural mattresses containing low densities of materials reduce and stabilize the microclimate surrounding the body. Lightweight toppers improve the restraint effectiveness and effectively conduct heat away from the body. Alternatively, other products adopted in the sleeping systems have incorporated cooling technologies to guarantee undisturbed sleep. Ocyb fabric, the latest innovative textile designed for bedding and china towels, is one of the Japanese consumers’ popular choices. On the other hand, the Koreans are interested in mattress ticking made of X-Static, silver-coated fabrics with extraordinary antibacterial properties. Other products in the market are pocket spring mattresses with natural fiber components, slatted bed bases of fine mesh construction to promote air circulation, and active down duvets made of a combination of natural and synthetic material to maintain a force of nature, while remaining body washable and hypoallergenic. Overall, the abundance of cooling technologies developed for various sleeping systems satisfies the demand for ultimate sleeping comfort in the global market.
Despite the recent clean and green frenzy, the mattress industry’s trend is geared towards larger sizes. The expanding mattress sizes are largely driven by the increasing average weight and height of people. Based on the statistics by the Department of Statistics (DOS), the increase in average weight (28.5 kg) and height (0.16 m) of the local males from 1980 to 2013 has confirmed this fact. The evolving taste and preferences of consumers to adopt larger mattresses are due to the impact from the influence of Western culture, as well as the increased disposable income in the developed economy. The size changes of mattresses affect the population projection for future demand and replacement for end-use market products like air conditioning systems. For example, a larger mattress covering the total floor area of a room leads to a higher demand for energy. The size differences in mattresses are flagged for policymakers and market players to heighten designing considerations to improve the energy efficiency and ventilation rate of sleeping systems, particularly in the multi-ethnic Singapore society.
4.1. Factors Influencing Mattress Purchases in Singapore
This study provides more evidence within the context of mattress purchasing, resulting in helpful information and advice for companies to design advertising and marketing campaigns based on the correlations between these factors and how they group in terms of mattress sizes. The end result demonstrates that attitudes can be grouped into three and two classes of mattress sizes by employing two useful segmentation approaches: (1) in the case of status, the mattress buyers are sub-grouped into three classes which represent lifestyles and the standard of living of the mattress buyers; (2) in the case of cooling technologies, the mattress buyers are sub-grouped into two classes which represent consumer self-centered purchase intentions. To begin with, the demand for mattresses grows with rises in household income and the gradual improvement of living standards that enable people to satisfy their diverse needs both in the aspects of meeting personal needs (sleep comfort) and meeting psychological needs (satisfying oneself by seeking social status).
Mattress replacement is a major life cycle expense, but despite its significance, the industry is still classified as traditional and has paid little attention to a number of potential innovative determinants. This study aims to fill the research gap and showcases that mattress buyers are subject to status-seeking behaviors that influence their final purchase. Generally, Singaporeans are only children and the price of the mattress is an important determinant that is related to conspicuous consumption and demand. A larger mattress size increases the perceived influences of demand in relation to both social and family factors. On the one hand, the sleeping environment is a kind of private affair, but on the other hand, there are two sides to the function of meeting personal needs (sleep comfort) and meeting psychological needs (satisfying oneself by identifying social status).
4.2. Emerging Trends in Mattress Industry
42.2 Performance-based Shopping In order to attract the modern consumers and also record substantial gains in the market, the mattress companies have started displaying the boost-promising features of their products such as trust, durability, luxury, build quality, sleep, and cool. Many mattress brands have increasingly teamed up with superstars, athletes, and celebrities in order to market their products effectively. This has resulted in the production of several new hot-sell mattresses, built specifically for athletes, superstars, and celebrities.
42.1 Digital Retail A majority of the major mattress retailers have moved to a digital platform to sell mattresses to the consumers. This has been done due to the rapid changes in product research and shopping habits of the modern consumers. This has also forced the mattress companies to post relevant and contemporary information on their digital platforms, such as websites, Facebook, and YouTube, in order for them to adapt to this increasing consumer engagement.
The mattress industry has been increasingly undergoing rapid changes due to many new kinds of emerging trends. These major emerging trends have been summarized below.
- Conclusion
Lifestyles are upgrading, living habits are changing, and the quality of sleep is receiving increasing attention. In turn, new mattress technologies are also being developed to meet these rapidly changing needs. The Singaporean market status is used as the benchmark in providing consumers with different options according to their sleeping needs. The findings from this survey provide a comprehensive comparison in a variety of mattress sizes in order to cater to the needs of different consumers. In parallel, mattress technologies arise to bring freshness to warm and humid tropical climaxing nights. Responses not only predicted the peak times accurately but also they were able to differentiate between peak and very low viewership periods. These quality surveys also serve as useful and insightful sources of data for further academic research. There have been no studies conducted in comparing mattress sizes and cooling mattresses specifically for the Singaporean mattress market. Ample academic literature describes the importance of sleep quality for human health through numerous studies. These studies are predominantly from Western countries where seasonal climates vary greatly. Therefore, they are not obtainable to residents living in a tropical climate. A large number of habitual nocturnal awakenings. This finding might be related to their lives in a gerd-type (gross energy release during sleep) environment over a long time; therefore, there is a clear need for different mattress sizes and cooling technologies in meeting the sleeping needs of these consumers.
The mattress, whether an essential furniture or a key sleeping aid, plays a crucial role in determining sleep quality. A good sleeping environment can allow us to fall asleep faster and sleep deeper. At the same time, it is also vital for our health. First, the wellbeing, spine, and physical development of our body can be affected by the use of different mattresses. Therefore, the physical factors of the mattress, including size, are important considerations when choosing a mattress. Second, our sleep is also affected by the sleeping environment temperature. A mattress with cooling technology can help us cool down in bed; in turn, we will feel calm and fall asleep without any discomfort. In conclusion, the product characteristics of the mattress cannot be overlooked, and choosing the most suitable mattress can help in improving sleep quality. Other than surveying our personal opinions on memory foam and cooling technologies, the project aims to provide us with a better understanding of this type of product. Acquiring professional knowledge and strengthening familiarization are a part and parcel of our undergraduate studies; these skills can be gained by conducting a comprehensive public survey on mattress product characteristics before graduation.
5.1. Summary of Key Findings
In both surveys, it was found that the most common mattress size for people in Singapore is the queen size mattress. It was also found that people living in condominiums tend to prefer queen mattress sizes compared to people living in Housing Development Board (HDB) type apartments where queen and king size mattresses are equally popular. In terms of brand popularity, European International brands such as Sealy, Simmons, and Tempur were found to be more popular than other mattress brands, including major American labels that are less commonly available in the Singaporean market. The key capital and key performance index indicates that companies should focus on marketing campaigns and tie-ups to bolster their brand presence, in addition to research and development in innovative technologies to provide consumers with the right products meeting their cooling requirements for higher consumer satisfaction.
