Bedding climate control apparatus and method to operate thereof to tent up bedding in a quiet manner because of noise dampening and component oversizing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current bed temperature control methods, such as electric blankets and medical bed heaters, are limited in heating power, take too long to raise temperature, provide no cooling, and lack fresh air circulation, posing safety and reliability issues.
Innovation Solution
A bedding climate control apparatus that uses forced air, heated by a ceramic thermal element, to rapidly heat or cool the space between bed sheets, controlled via wireless remote commands, with a fan/blower system designed for quiet operation and adjustable airflow, and a flexible hose for efficient air delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If electric blankets or medical bed heaters are used for heating, then heating function is provided, but heating power is limited and temperature rise takes too long
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a forced air system with a blower to circulate heated air through the bedding, replacing conventional conduction-based heating. The blower forces air through a heating element and distributes it through ducts in the mattress, enabling rapid temperature rise throughout the bedding without relying on slow conductive heating through blankets or pads.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical contact-based heating system (electric blankets with resistive heating elements) with a fluid-based forced air system. Instead of direct thermal contact through blankets, the system uses moving air to transfer heat, significantly increasing heating speed and power delivery to the bedding.
2Adaptability or versatility
If electric blankets are used, then heating is provided, but no cooling function is available
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a multi-functional climate control system where the same forced air infrastructure serves both heating and cooling purposes. The blower, ducts, and mattress integration remain the same, but the temperature of the supplied air can be varied to provide either heating or cooling, making the system versatile for different seasonal and comfort needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts its function based on operational mode. The blower and air delivery system remain constant, but the thermal state of the air being delivered changes between hot (for heating mode) and cool/ambient (for cooling mode), allowing the same hardware to adapt to different thermal requirements.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional heating systems are used, then temperature control is provided, but fresh air circulation is not available
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into a single integrated system: heating, cooling, and fresh air circulation all occur through the same forced air infrastructure. The blower that delivers heated or cooled air also provides continuous air circulation and can introduce fresh air into the bedding, eliminating the need for separate ventilation systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The forced air system serves multiple purposes simultaneously: it transfers thermal energy for temperature control, circulates air to prevent stagnation, and can introduce fresh air from the room environment into the bedding space, providing three functions through one system.
4Productivity
If forced air system is used for rapid heating, then heating speed is improved, but noise level increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary heating of air in a dedicated heating chamber before the air enters the blower and bedding area. This pre-heating occurs in isolation, allowing the blower to operate at lower speeds for longer durations, which reduces noise while still achieving rapid overall heating of the bedding through continuous forced air circulation.
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
Enables rapid temperature adjustment of bed sheets, providing both heating and cooling, while ensuring safety and reliability, with efficient airflow distribution for even heating or cooling of the entire sleeping area without affecting the surrounding environment.
Implementation Method 1
heated by a ceramic thermal element
Implementation Method 2
uses forced air, heated by a ceramic thermal element, to rapidly heat or cool the space between bed sheets
Data Source
AI summary
A bedding climate control apparatus that delivers, in a quiet manner, forced airflow from a fan/blower within a housing to selectively deliver tempered (heated via a thermal element) forced airflow and non-tempered (room temperature) forced airflow through a flexible air conduit to bedding. The quiet manner is attained with acoustic dampening material in the path of incoming airflow to the fan/blower and by oversizing each of the components that create a pressure drop including the capacity of the fan/blower over what is needed to deliver a required amount of airflow. Temperature may be set remotely via a wireless remote control and via a protocol access enabled device.