Air Distribution Pad Channel Layout for Personalized Bed Climate
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current large-scale environmental control systems, such as HVAC, cannot provide personalized thermal comfort within a bed, leaving users dependent on ambient conditions for sleep comfort.
Innovation Solution
An air distribution pad system placed on a mattress, comprising an upper and lower layer with a spacer material, and an air distributor that directs heated or cooled air from an engine through channels to provide personalized heating or cooling to a user's personal space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If large-scale environmental control systems (HVAC) are used to control ambient temperature, then building-wide thermal comfort is improved, but personalized thermal comfort within the bed cannot be provided
Solution Approach 1:
The mattress is divided into multiple independent air channels that can be individually controlled. Each channel receives conditioned air through separate pathways, allowing different zones of the mattress to be heated or cooled independently, thus providing personalized thermal comfort for different body regions.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the mattress are provided with different thermal characteristics through the channel system. The air distribution pad creates localized temperature zones that match the user's personal comfort requirements, rather than applying uniform temperature control across the entire mattress surface.
2Adaptability or versatility
If air channels are added to the mattress structure to enable personalized climate control, then personalized thermal comfort is improved, but the complexity of the mattress structure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The air distribution pad serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support as a mattress layer, creates air channels for climate control, and distributes conditioned air through its integrated channel system. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components and simplifies the overall system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The air channels are integrated within the layers of the mattress structure itself, with channels formed between the first and second layers. This nesting approach embeds the climate control functionality within the existing mattress architecture rather than adding separate external components.
3Productivity
If multiple air channels are formed through the mattress layers, then air distribution and personalized comfort are improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The air channels utilize pneumatic principles to distribute conditioned air throughout the mattress structure. The channels are designed to work with air pressure differentials, allowing efficient air flow distribution without requiring complex mechanical pumps or valves, thereby simplifying manufacturing while maintaining high air distribution efficiency.
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 allows for improved comfort and control over ambient temperature and humidity within the user's personal space, enabling individualized thermal management for enhanced sleep experience.
Implementation Method 1
a spacer material located between the upper layer and the lower layer, the spacer material configured to allow air to pass therethrough
Implementation Method 2
Stitching couples the upper layer and the lower layer and extends through the spacer material. The stitching provides one or more channels formed through the spacer material in fluid communication with the air distributor
Implementation Method 3
The one or more channels are configured to direct air from the air distributor along the one or more channels and out of the openings
Data Source
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AI summary
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.