Article and system for heating or cooling a surface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing temperature control systems for surfaces, such as mattresses, are inefficient in managing personal comfort and therapeutic needs, particularly for individuals with circulatory disorders or sleep disorders, and often lead to energy inefficiency and discomfort when used in shared spaces.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a control unit connected to flexible fluid supply and return lines within a surface layer with varying chamber sizes and shapes, allowing for localized temperature adjustment through circulating fluid, integrated with a control unit for efficient heating or cooling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a temperature control system is implemented for a mattress or surface, then personal comfort and therapeutic needs are improved, but energy consumption increases and others in shared spaces may experience discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The mattress is divided into multiple independently controllable zones with separate temperature control for each zone. This allows personalized temperature control for different body regions while enabling the system to activate only the necessary zones, thereby reducing overall energy consumption compared to heating or cooling the entire mattress surface.
Solution Approach 2:
Different zones of the mattress are provided with different temperature control capabilities tailored to specific therapeutic or comfort needs. This localized approach allows temperature adjustment only where needed rather than uniformly across the entire surface, optimizing energy efficiency while maintaining personal comfort.
2Temperature
If fluid circulation channels are embedded within a mattress or mattress pad, then temperature control is achieved, but the structural complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid circulation system utilizes flexible tubing that can be easily integrated into the mattress structure. The flexible nature of the tubing allows it to conform to the mattress contours and simplifies installation compared to rigid piping systems, reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining effective temperature control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs fluid circulation through embedded channels to transfer heat, utilizing well-established pneumatic and hydraulic principles. This approach provides efficient temperature control through proven technology, balancing performance with relatively straightforward manufacturing processes for fluid distribution systems.
3Adaptability or versatility
If general heating or air conditioning is used for a sleeping space, then overall temperature control is provided, but localized comfort needs cannot be met and energy efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The mattress temperature control system is segmented into multiple independent zones that can be controlled separately. This allows localized temperature adjustment for specific body regions or individuals, providing adaptability for different comfort needs while consuming significantly less energy than heating or cooling the entire room environment.
Solution Approach 2:
Each zone of the mattress can be independently temperature-controlled to match the specific thermal needs of different body areas or users. This localized quality approach provides superior adaptability compared to general space conditioning, while the targeted nature of the heating/cooling application improves energy efficiency by avoiding unnecessary conditioning of the entire sleeping space.
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 sleep quality and stress reduction by providing personalized temperature control, reducing energy consumption, and minimizing disruption to others in shared spaces.
Implementation Method 1
relying on principles of heat exchange to control the surface temperature
Implementation Method 2
circulation of a heated or cooled fluid through a mattress
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides systems, methods, and articles for stress reduction and sleep promotion. A stress reduction and sleep promotion system includes at least one remote device, at least one body sensor, and at least one remote server. In other embodiments, the stress reduction and sleep promotion system includes machine learning.