Patent•
Climate controlled bed assembly
17 Jul 2009-
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors propose an upper portion comprising a core with a top core surface and a bottom core surface, where the core includes at least one passageway extending from the top surface to the bottom surface.
Abstract: According to certain arrangements, a climate controlled bed includes an upper portion comprising a core with a top core surface and a bottom core surface. The core includes at least one passageway extending from the top core surface to the bottom core surface. The upper portion of the bed further includes at least one fluid distribution member positioned above the core, wherein the fluid distribution member is in fluid communication with at least one passageway of the core. The fluid distribution member is configured to at least partially distribute fluid within said fluid distribution member. The upper portion of the bed further comprises at least one comfort layer positioned adjacent to the fluid distribution member. The bed also includes a lower portion configured to support the upper portion and at least one fluid module configured to selectively transfer air to or from the fluid distribution member of the upper portion. In some arrangements, the fluid module includes a fluid transfer device and a thermoelectric device for selectively thermally conditioning fluids being transferred by the fluid transfer device.
Citations
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Patent•
30 Aug 2010TL;DR: In this article, a conditioner mat for use with a bed assembly includes an upper layer comprising a plurality of openings, a lower layer being substantially fluid impermeable, at least one interior chamber defined by the upper layer and the lower layer and a spacer material positioned within the interior chamber.
Abstract: According to certain arrangements, a conditioner mat for use with a bed assembly includes an upper layer comprising a plurality of openings, a lower layer being substantially fluid impermeable, at least one interior chamber defined by the upper layer and the lower layer and a spacer material positioned within the interior chamber. In one embodiment, the spacer material is configured to maintain a shape of the interior chamber and to help with the passage of fluids within a portion of interior chamber. The conditioner mat additionally includes an inlet in fluid communication with the interior chamber, at least one fluid module comprising a fluid transfer device and a conduit placing an outlet of the at least one fluid module in fluid communication with the inlet. In some arrangements, the fluid module selectively delivers fluids to the interior chamber through the conduit and the inlet. In one embodiment, fluids entering the chamber through the inlet are generally distributed within the chamber by the spacer material before exiting through the plurality of openings along the upper layer. The conditioner mat can be configured to releasably secure to a top of a bed assembly.
97 citations
Patent•
06 May 2010TL;DR: In this paper, a 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 input device, and the temperature detected by the first temperature sensor.
Abstract: 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.
93 citations
Patent•
23 Jul 2008TL;DR: In this paper, the authors describe a thermoelectric system consisting of a plurality of thermal elements, each of which has a cooling side and a heating side, with the heat exchanger being in thermal communication with at least some of the elements.
Abstract: According to some embodiments, a thermoelectric system includes a plurality of thermoelectric elements forming a thermoelectric array, the thermoelectric elements having a cooling side and a heating side. The system further includes at least one heat exchanger on at least one of the cooling side and the heating side, the heat exchanger being in thermal communication with at least some of the thermoelectric elements. In addition, the system includes a substrate generally positioned between the thermoelectric elements and the heat exchange element. The substrate comprises an electrical isolation layer, a support element configured to receive the heat exchanger and a plurality of interconnecting tabs configured to place adjacent thermoelectric elements in electrical communication with one another.
90 citations
Patent•
02 Jul 2008TL;DR: In this paper, the authors propose to use a scrim layer over the spacer fabric to help direct and/or distribute air or other fluid to an exterior surface of the seating assembly, which can also be configured to receive one or more films, occupant sensory devices, comfort layers, scrims, temperature sensors, heating devices, etc.
Abstract: A seat portion or a backrest portion of seating assembly comprises a recessed area or wide groove along its exterior surface. The recessed area can be configured to receive a spacer (e.g., spacer fabric, member, module, etc.) that helps maintains the spatial and structural integrity of the recessed area. The spacer can be generally air and fluid permeable. In addition, a scrim layer can be positioned over the spacer fabric to help direct and/or distribute air or other fluid to an exterior surface of the seating assembly. The recessed area can also be configured to receive one or more films, occupant sensory devices, comfort layers, scrims, temperature sensors, heating devices and/or the like. Thus, air or other fluid can be delivered into the recessed area of a seat or backrest portion of a seating assembly, and subsequently delivered through the spacer fabric and scrim layer towards or away from an occupant. In some embodiments, the air or fluid is conditioned (e.g., heated or cooled) prior to entering the recessed area.
86 citations
Patent•
31 May 2011TL;DR: In this article, 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, which has a cooling or heating effect on a body on the mattress.
Abstract: 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.
79 citations
References
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Patent•
28 Nov 2005
TL;DR: A vehicle seat with a backrest cover is at least partially air permeable, and covers at least one passage of the air-handling device as discussed by the authors, where the air exchanged between the environment and the air handling device passes for the most part through the air permeable regions of the backrest covers.
Abstract: A vehicle seat with a backrest ( 16 ) that has a backrest cushion ( 18 ) and a rear backrest cover ( 20 ), and an air-handling device that is associated with the backrest ( 16 ) and is connected to an air distribution device ( 30, 32 ) in the seat. The rear backrest cover ( 20 ) is at least partially air permeable, and covers at least one passage ( 27 ) of the air-handling device ( 23 ). The air exchanged between the environment and the air-handling device ( 23 ) passes for the most part through the air-permeable regions of the backrest cover ( 20 ).
192 citations
Patent•
07 Nov 2003TL;DR: In this paper, a vehicle seat air-conditioning system is used with a main airconditioning unit which operates in one of a plurality of air blow modes, and an air blower unit for blowing the air conditioned air.
Abstract: A vehicle seat air-conditioning system is used with a main air-conditioning unit which operates in one of a plurality of air blow modes. The main air-conditioning unit has an air-conditioned air outlet-port for supplying air-conditioned air irrespective of the air mode. The vehicle seat air-conditioning system includes an air-conditioned air duct connected to the air-conditioned air outlet-port, a seat-air duct connected to the air-conditioned air duct to supply the air-conditioned air to the inside of a seat and an air blower unit for blowing the air-conditioned air.
186 citations
Patent•
24 Aug 2006
TL;DR: In this paper, an apparatus for adjusting the body temperature of a patient comprises an enclosure defining an interior space for receiving at least a portion of the patient's body therein, and a portable control unit that includes a liquid delivery system, a power source, a control system and a user interface for powering and controlling the system.
Abstract: An apparatus for adjusting the body temperature of a patient comprises an enclosure defining an interior space for receiving at least a portion of a patient's body therein. The enclosure is adapted for substantially sealingly enclosing the portion of the patient's body within the interior space with the enclosure. Heat transfer liquid may then be circulated through the interior space of the enclosure via an inlet and an outlet for flow over the patient's body in direct liquid contact therewith to promote heat transfer between the patient's body and said heat transfer liquid. The heat transfer liquid may be either warmer or cooler than the patient's body temperature, to either warm or cool the portion. Controlled cooling may be employed to induce therapeutic hypothermia, while controlled warming may be employed to counteract unintended hypothermia. The apparatus further comprises a portable control unit that includes a liquid delivery system, a power source, a control system and a user interface for powering and controlling the liquid delivery system.
186 citations
Patent•
18 Oct 1989
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors describe a seat construction with joined seat and backrest parts, and a plenum into which is received temperature conditioned air, where coil springs define the plenum and a covering is secured over the springs consisting of, from the inside out, a metal mesh layer, an elastomer sheet with a number of openings, and an air permeable fabric layer.
Abstract: A seating construction with joined seat and backrest parts has a plenum into which is received temperature conditioned air. Coil springs define the plenum and a covering is secured over the springs consisting of, from the inside out, a metal mesh layer, an elastomer sheet with a number of openings, and an air permeable fabric layer. The elastomer sheet behaves as a viscous liquid when subjected to forces and shocks. An alternative to the elastomer sheet is a baglike layer filled with fluid with a number of openings provided to enable passage of conditioned air through the layer.
180 citations
Patent•
21 May 2001TL;DR: In this paper, the upholstered zone through which air can be made to flow is composed of three layers and in the manner of a sandwich of two rubberized hair layers and a knitted layer of coarse-mesh knitted spacing fabric in between the hair layers.
Abstract: A seat module is designed as a seat cushion or backrest and can be actively ventilated. The seat module includes a cushion, which has a cushion pad impermeable to air and an upholstered zone that extends over the latter and through which air can be made to flow and which is covered by an air-permeable cushion cover. A cushion carrier accommodates the cushion. To improve the quality of the module as regards sitting comfort and long-term stability combined with low manufacturing costs, the upholstered zone through which air can be made to flow is composed of three layers and in the manner of a sandwich of two rubberized hair layers and a knitted layer of coarse-mesh knitted spacing fabric in between the hair layers.
167 citations