A climate-conditioned bed includes an upper portion having at least a first climate zone and at least one fluid module associated with such a first climate zone. The fluid module comprises a fluid transfer device for selectively moving a fluid and a thermoelectric device for selectively heating or cooling a fluid. The bed additionally includes one or more control modules configured to regulate the operation of the fluid module, at least one input device configured to allow an occupant to select a setting or mode associated with the first climate zone and at least a first temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature associated with the first climate zone of the thermally-conditioned bed. In some embodiments, the fluid module is operatively connected to the control module. The control module is configured to adjust at least one operational parameter of the fluid module based on, at least in part, the setting or mode selected by an occupant using the at least one input device, and the temperature detected by the first temperature sensor.

Control schemes and features for climate-controlled beds

A distribution system is adapted for use with a mattress and a personal comfort system with an air conditioning system operable for outputting a conditioned air flow. The distribution system includes at least top and bottom layers of fabric material and a spacer structure disposed between the bottom and top layers. The spacer structure defines an internal volume within the distribution layer and is configured to enable the received conditioned air flow to flow therethrough. This flow of conditioned air has a cooling or heating effect on a body on the mattress. A system and method for controlling ventilation in a bed (mattress) includes an user-controlled air conditioning control system for generating and supplying a conditioned air flow to a distribution layer/system located on or near the mattress. The distribution layer/system includes a spacer structure surrounded by fabric material(s) and configured to receive the conditioned air flow and provide a cooling or heating effect to a body adjacent the mattress.

System and method for thermoelectric personal comfort controlled bedding

This invention is a sleep environment control system which uses wearable technology with physiological sensors to predict when a person will have a hot flash and to proactively provide localized cooling or accelerated airflow for that person for a limited time to alleviate the adverse effects of that hot flash. In an example, a physiological sensor can be a body temperature sensor, skin conductance sensor, or EEG sensor. This system can reduce interruptions of a person's sleep due to hot flashes and improve their quality of life.

WhipFlash [TM]: Wearable Environmental Control System for Predicting and Cooling Hot Flashes

A climate controlled bed comprises a cushion member having an outer surface comprising a first side for supporting an occupant and a second side, the first side and the second side generally facing in opposite directions In some embodiments, the cushion member includes one or more recessed areas along its first side or its second side In one embodiment, the bed further includes a flow conditioning member that may be at least partially positioned with the recessed area of the cushion member, an air-permeable topper member positioned along the first side of the cushion member and a fluid temperature regulation system

Heated and cooled bed assembly

An air distribution pad (12) comprises an upper layer (34), a lower layer (36), and a spacer material (32) located between the upper layer and the lower layer, the spacer material configured to allow air to pass therethrough. An air distributor (38) is configured to distribute air to the spacer material, wherein the air distributor comprises a port (40) configured to receive an air hose (16), wherein the port is directed laterally sideways from the air distributor. At least one joining structure (44) is coupled to the upper layer and the lower layer, the at least one joining structure providing one or more channels (46) formed through the spacer material in fluid communication with the air distributor. The one or more channels are configured to direct generally laterally flowing air from the port of the air distributor to a generally longitudinal direction along the at least one channel.

Distribution pad for a temperature control system

An active thermoelectric plate exchanger is provided that includes a plurality of thermally conductive plates and a thermoelectric (TE) assembly having an array of thermoelectric modules (TEM) (e.g., TE coolers or TE generators) for heating/cooling or power generation. For cooling/heating, the TECs actively transfer heat between two fluids. For power generation, the TEGs generate and output power when two fluids having a thermal differential therebetween is applied across the TEGs. Several TE assemblies may be disposed in a stacked configuration between thermally conductive plates contacting the fluids. Additional fluid turbulence generating structures may be included with the fluid flow chambers/paths to generate fluid turbulence and increase thermal efficiency. These structures may include a thermally conductive plate with surface structures or may be a thermally conductive wire cloth, woven wire or wire mesh or screen. The resulting plate exchanger is modular and scalable.

Thermoelectric plate and frame exchanger

A distribution system is adapted for use with a mattress (50) and a personal comfort system (100) with an air conditioning system operable for outputting a conditioned air flow. The distribution system includes at least top and bottom layers of fabric material and a spacer structure (230) disposed between the bottom and top layers. The spacer structure defines an internal volume within the distribution layer (110) and is configured to enable the received conditioned air flow to flow therethrough. This flow of conditioned air has a cooling or heating effect on a body on the mattress. A system for controlling ventilation in a mattress includes an user-controlled air conditioning control system (105) for generating and supplying a conditioned air flow to a distribution layer/system located on or near the mattress. The distribution layer/system includes a spacer structure (230) surrounded by fabric material and configured to receive the conditioned air flow and provide a cooling or heating effect to a body adjacent the mattress.

System for thermoelectric personal comfort controlled bedding

In accordance with one embodiment, there is provided a thermoelectric-based air conditioning system. The system includes at least a first supply air channel and a separate second supply air channel disposed in a housing. The system also includes a first thermoelectric cooler (TEC) assembly forming at least a portion of the first supply air channel and configured to independently condition air within the first supply air channel. The system further includes a second TEC assembly forming at least a portion of the second supply air channel and configured to independently condition air within the second supply air channel. The system includes a single heat exchanger configured to transfer heat with both the first TEC assembly and the second TEC assembly.

Dual core personal comfort engine (pce)

A system and method is provided for controlling condensation generation in an air conditioning system for use in a bed (mattress). During active operation of the air conditioning system to generate conditioned air, the relative humidity of ambient air is measured and operation of one or more thermoelectric devices (TEDs) within the air conditioning system in response to the measured relative humidity is adjusted to control condensate buildup. In addition, during a subsequent drying operation, the relative humidity of the ambient air is measured and the drying operation is adjusted or otherwise controlled based on the measurement.

Overton Parish

Papers

System and method for thermoelectric personal comfort controlled bedding

Thermoelectric plate and frame exchanger

System for thermoelectric personal comfort controlled bedding

Dual core personal comfort engine (pce)

Thermoelectric personal comfort controlled bedding