Climate Topper Flowpath With Shape-Change Actuators for Targeted Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional climate management systems for beds, such as those used in healthcare settings, fail to provide targeted and occupant-specific cooling, leading to inadequate coolant distribution under heavily loaded body parts, which are most susceptible to pressure ulcers, due to the compression of spacer materials under weight, resulting in uneven airflow resistance.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating shape change actuators (SCAs) made of shape change materials (SCMs) within the climate management system's flowpath, which adjust their configuration based on temperature to regulate fluid flow distribution, counteracting compression and ensuring adequate coolant flow to high-risk areas by changing shape in response to the occupant's weight and temperature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If spacer material is used to fill the flowpath, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the coolant flow distribution becomes non-uniform under occupant weight
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by varying the spacer material density in different regions of the flowpath. Specifically, the spacer material has a first density in a first region and a second density in a second region, where the densities are different. This allows the system to maintain simple manufacturing while achieving uniform coolant flow distribution under occupant weight by compensating for compression effects in heavily loaded areas through higher initial density spacers in those regions.
2Device complexity
If the flowpath is designed to be one size fits all, then the device complexity is low, but it cannot accommodate patient specific needs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by creating region-specific spacer densities within a single flowpath structure. The spacer material is configured with different densities in different regions to account for varying occupant weight distribution patterns. This allows a single flowpath design to adapt to different patients and positions without requiring multiple customized flowpaths or complex control systems, thus maintaining low device complexity while achieving patient-specific adaptability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If thermally conductive pathways with sensors and controllers are added, then patient specific targeted cooling is achieved, but the device complexity increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by using the occupant's own body weight and temperature to automatically regulate coolant flow distribution. The variable density spacer material passively compensates for compression effects without requiring external sensors, controllers, or active adjustment mechanisms. The system self-adjusts based on the physical principles of compression and density, eliminating the need for complex electronic control systems while still achieving patient-specific targeted cooling.
4Ease of manufacture
If uniform spacer density is used throughout the flowpath, then the manufacturing is simple, but coolant flow becomes diverted from heavily loaded areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by implementing local quality through region-specific spacer densities. The spacer material is manufactured with different densities in different regions of the flowpath, allowing for targeted coolant flow enhancement in heavily loaded areas. While this requires more complex manufacturing than uniform density spacers, it significantly improves coolant flow efficiency by ensuring adequate cooling reaches the most vulnerable areas under occupant weight.
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 use of SCAs in the climate management system ensures non-uniform fluid flow distribution, increasing coolant flow to areas bearing the most weight and reducing the risk of pressure ulcers by adapting to the occupant's position and weight distribution, thereby enhancing targeted climate management.
Implementation Method 1
a set of shape change actuators (SCA's) comprised of a shape change material (SCM) having properties including a critical temperature T0
Implementation Method 2
adjust their configuration based on temperature to regulate fluid flow distribution, counteracting compression
Data Source
AI summary
One embodiment of a climate management topper includes a flowpath boundary which defines a flowpath adapted to carry a stream of fluid in a principal direction. A flow compliant filler occupies at least part of the flowpath. The filler includes a spacer and a set of shape change actuators (SCA's) each of which is made of a shape change material (SCM). The properties of the SCM include a critical temperature T0. The SCA's are configured to regulate distribution of the fluid stream through the flowpath in a direction transverse to the principal direction as a function of temperature. In one example the flowpath boundary is formed by liner panels and the SCA's are linear elements that elongate at a temperature TH which is higher than T0 thereby distending the spacer and reducing its resistance to fluid flow. One suitable shape change material is a nickel/titanium alloy known as NiTiNOL.