Bed Topper Airflow Layout for Targeted Skin Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Microclimate control toppers fail to uniformly distribute airflow, leading to uneven skin cooling and increased humidity, particularly in areas with higher skin temperature and sweat gland density, and are further compromised by bed profile adjustments that distort vasculature and perfusion.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating sensors to determine weight distribution and a blower connected to the topper inlet, with a fluid flowpath exhibiting nonuniform resistance to direct a larger proportion of airflow to a target region, such as the torso, while a smaller portion bypasses it, using contoured margins and spatially varying filler material properties to achieve this distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If uniform airflow distribution is used across the topper, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but skin cooling and humidity control are uneven in areas with different thermal and sweat gland characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by varying the flow resistance characteristics at different locations within the topper. The flow resistance is designed to be higher in regions corresponding to areas with higher skin temperature and sweat gland density (such as the back and pelvic region), and lower in other areas. This spatially varying resistance distribution enables non-uniform airflow that matches the local microclimate control needs of different body regions, achieving uniform skin cooling and humidity control across the entire occupant surface.
2Ease of operation
If the bed profile is adjusted to improve patient positioning, then patient comfort and perfusion are improved, but vasculature distortion and perfusion degradation occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies continuity of useful action by providing continuous airflow through the topper that compensates for the harmful effects of bed profile adjustments. The airflow system operates continuously to maintain skin cooling and humidity control even when the bed profile is adjusted, counteracting the vasculature distortion and perfusion degradation caused by profile changes. This ensures that the microclimate control function remains effective throughout the entire period of bed adjustment and patient repositioning.
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
Enhances airflow distribution to critical areas, improving skin cooling and reducing humidity, thereby addressing nonuniform skin temperature and sweat accumulation issues, while adapting to changes in occupant position and bed profile adjustments.
Implementation Method 1
A pump or similar device supplies a stream of air to the topper so that the air flows into the flowpath by way of the inlet
Implementation Method 2
The flowpath exhibits a nonuniform resistance to fluid flow in at least one of the longitudinal and lateral directions and configured to preferentially drive fluid flow through the topper so that a larger proportion of the fluid flowing through the topper flows under a target region
Implementation Method 3
The airstream establishes a microclimate in the vicinity of the occupant's skin. Specifically, the airstream helps cool the occupant's skin thereby reducing its nutrient requirements
Implementation Method 4
The airstream also helps reduce humidity in the vicinity of the occupant's skin thus combatting the tendency of the skin to become moist and soft
Data Source
Figure 1~4
Figure 2
Figure 5~7B
AI summary
A topper (38) for a bed extends in longitudinal and lateral directions and includes a fluid flowpath (60) for channeling fluid through the topper from an inlet (62) to an outlet (64). The flowpath is configured to distribute the fluid to a preferred target region (50) of the topper. A bed which includes the topper has a blower (72) connected to the topper inlet for supplying air (88) to the flowpath.