Heatable Bed with Support Frame for Localized Heating Efficiency

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing building heating systems are uneconomical as they often require heating an entire room, including when no one is present, and struggle to maintain a comfortable temperature specifically for individuals in beds, leading to inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

A heated bed with a flexible frame and a heating device positioned at a distance from the bed frame, connected to a building heating system, allowing for localized temperature control and adjustable radiant heat distribution, which can be integrated into existing heating circuits for improved efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If a building heating system is used to heat the entire room, then the room temperature can be maintained at a comfortable level, but it becomes uneconomical especially when no one is present in the room

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveroom temperatureVSAvoidheating energy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The heating function is extracted from the building heating system and transferred to a localized heating device integrated into the bed frame. This allows heating to be provided only where needed (in the bed) rather than heating the entire room, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining comfortable temperature for the occupant

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The heating device provides localized heating specifically to the bed area where the occupant is located, rather than uniformly heating the entire room. This creates a temperature gradient with higher temperature in the bed area and lower temperature in the rest of the room, optimizing energy usage by heating only the necessary zone

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Loss of energy

If the heating device is positioned close to the bed base, then heating efficiency is improved, but the heating device may be damaged by deformation of the flexible bed base

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating efficiencyVSAvoidheating device durability
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A support frame is introduced as an intermediary structure between the heating device and the flexible bed base. This support frame provides a stable mounting platform for the heating device, isolating it from the deformation caused by the flexible bed base while still allowing effective heat transfer to the bed area

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system is segmented into distinct functional components: the flexible bed base for comfort, the support frame for structural stability, and the heating device for thermal regulation. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function without interfering with or damaging the others

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

This solution enables localized comfortable temperature maintenance for individuals in beds while reducing the overall heating demand, making the heating system more economical and adaptable to different body regions and bed positions.

Implementation Method 1

a heating device (30) arranged on a bed frame (10)... The heating device (30) has a support frame (32)... The heating pipe arrangement (42) can be designed to guide or transport a heating medium... Radiated heat generated by the heating line arrangement

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal radiation: Thermal Radiation

Implementation Method 2

The heating pipe arrangement (42) can have at least one pipe for carrying the heating medium... The heating medium can be water, which is transported in the heating pipe arrangement

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP4312665B1Heatable bed
Publication Date: 2024.11.13 DORFNER ANDREAS
  • EP4312665B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4312665B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4312665B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a heatable bed (100) comprising a bed frame (10), a bed base disposed on the bed frame (10) for supporting a mattress, and a heating device (30) disposed on the bed frame (10), the heating device (30) comprising a support frame (32) disposed on the bed frame (10) at a distance from the bed base, and a heating cable assembly (42) laid on the support frame (32).