Climate-Controlled Bed Assembly for Localized Temperature Comfort
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing climate control systems fail to provide individualized temperature modification for beds, leading to discomfort in varying environmental conditions, as they often rely on heating or cooling entire spaces rather than focusing on specific areas like beds.
Innovation Solution
A climate-controlled bed system featuring a cushion member with recessed areas, a flow conditioning member, and a fluid temperature regulation system that includes a thermoelectric device and conduit system to distribute temperature-conditioned air or fluid directly to the occupant, ensuring personalized comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional space-wide heating or cooling systems are used, then the entire building or room temperature is controlled, but individualized temperature control for the bed area is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The bed assembly is divided into separate functional zones: a fluid transfer device, a thermoelectric device, a flow conditioning member with recessed areas, and a topper member. This segmentation allows independent temperature control of the bed area from the rest of the space, enabling individualized climate control without controlling the entire room.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow conditioning member includes recessed areas that concentrate and direct temperature-conditioned air or fluid specifically to the occupant's body contact areas. This localizes the thermal effect precisely where needed, providing adaptability for individual comfort while keeping the rest of the system relatively simple.
2Loss of energy
If heating or cooling entire spaces is used, then general environmental control is achieved, but energy efficiency for localized bed comfort is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature control function is extracted from the general space environment and applied specifically to the bed area. The fluid temperature regulation system isolates and delivers thermal energy only to where it is needed (the occupant's body), reducing energy loss to unused spaces while maintaining simple operation through integrated control.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermoelectric device and flow conditioning member work together to automatically regulate and distribute temperature-conditioned air or fluid based on the system's internal mechanisms, reducing the need for complex external control systems while improving energy efficiency for localized comfort.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a fluid temperature regulation system with multiple components is implemented, then personalized comfort is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functional components (fluid transfer device, thermoelectric device, flow conditioning member with recessed areas, and topper member) are merged into an integrated bed assembly system. This combining allows personalized comfort control through coordinated operation of components while presenting a unified, manageable system rather than separate complex devices.
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 effectively maintains a comfortable temperature for bed occupants by selectively heating or cooling specific areas, enhancing comfort and efficiency in both hot and cold environments.
Implementation Method 1
a thermoelectric device and a conduit system generally configured to transfer a fluid from the fluid transfer device to the thermoelectric device
Data Source
AI summary
A climate controlled bed comprises a cushion member having an outer surface comprising a first side for supporting an occupant and a second side, the first side and the second side generally facing in opposite directions. In some embodiments, the cushion member includes one or more recessed areas along its first side or its second side. In one embodiment, the bed further includes a flow conditioning member that may be at least partially positioned with the recessed area of the cushion member, an air-permeable topper member positioned along the first side of the cushion member and a fluid temperature regulation system.