Layered Body Support Ventilation for Temperature and Humidity Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional body supports often fail to effectively regulate temperature and humidity, leading to user discomfort due to poor design and material choices, and existing solutions are costly to install and maintain.
Innovation Solution
A body support assembly that includes sensors to detect temperature and humidity levels, a controller to manage fans for air flow, and a design with multiple layers and apertures to enhance ventilation and heat dissipation, allowing for independent control of air flow across different areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional foam materials are used in body supports, then the body support provides basic support and comfort, but the temperature and humidity regulation capability is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The body support is divided into multiple layers (first layer, second layer, third layer) with distinct functions. The first layer provides support, the second layer contains passages for air flow, and the third layer provides additional support. This segmentation allows each layer to be optimized for its specific function while collectively achieving temperature regulation without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The second layer is designed with a plurality of passages that extend through it, creating a porous structure that facilitates air flow. This porous design enables effective temperature and humidity regulation by allowing air to circulate through the body support, while maintaining structural integrity and avoiding complex mechanical systems.
2Ease of operation
If temperature and humidity regulation systems are added to body supports, then user comfort is improved, but installation and maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The body support system uses passive air flow through the passages in the second layer, driven by natural convection and user movement. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for active cooling systems, fans, or complex control mechanisms, thereby reducing installation and maintenance costs while still providing effective temperature and humidity regulation for user comfort.
3Productivity
If multiple layers with passages are used to enhance ventilation, then temperature and humidity regulation is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ventilation system is segmented into multiple layers with the second layer containing the passages. This segmentation allows the passages to be formed as an integral part of the second layer during manufacturing, rather than requiring complex assembly of separate components. The multi-layer structure enhances ventilation efficiency while keeping manufacturing processes relatively simple.
4Ease of operation
If visco-elastic material is used to increase conformability, then weight distribution is improved, but temperature sensitivity may cause discomfort in high humidity environments
Solution Approach 1:
The body support is segmented into multiple layers with the visco-elastic material used in the first and/or third layers for weight distribution, while the second layer provides ventilation passages. This segmentation allows the visco-elastic material to provide conformability and weight distribution benefits while the separate ventilation layer addresses temperature sensitivity issues in high humidity environments.
Solution Approach 2:
Different layers of the body support have different local qualities: the first and third layers provide support and conformability, while the second layer provides ventilation. This local quality differentiation allows each layer to perform its specific function optimally, with the ventilation layer compensating for the temperature sensitivity of the visco-elastic material.
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 solution provides improved comfort by effectively regulating temperature and humidity, reducing heat and moisture retention, and is designed for efficient installation and maintenance, enhancing user experience while reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
a fan to move air from a location exterior to the body support to the at least one cavity
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of first passages are defined between the first and second layers, and a plurality of second passages are defined between the second and third layers
Data Source
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AI summary
A body support assembly comprising a first layer (e.g., a visco-elastic foam) having a lower surface, and a second layer supporting the first layer and having an upper surface. One of the upper and lower surfaces is defined by a non-planar surface to define a plurality of passages. A fan is positioned to move air through the passages. Preferably, the non-planar surface comprises a plurality of protrusions (e.g., a convoluted surface). The body support can further comprise a sensor that detects a parameter and produces a signal, and a controller coupled to the sensor and programmed to control the fan. Multiple fans and sensors can be provided, and the controller can control the fans to provide different air flows through different locations of the body support assembly. A user interface can be coupled to the controller to allow selection of a desired parameter of the body support assembly.