Thermoelectric Bedding Airflow for Quiet Personal Sleep Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air conditioning systems and fans are impractical for personal temperature regulation during sleep due to noise, cost, and inability to directly remove or add heat, leading to discomfort and poor sleep quality.
Innovation Solution
A personal comfort system integrated with a bedding assembly, featuring a thermoelectric heat pump and fan to condition air, which is delivered through a distribution layer to provide controlled temperature and humidity near the sleeper, using a thermoelectric engine and air distribution system to manage temperature uniformly across the mattress surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional air conditioning systems are used for personal temperature regulation, then cooling effect is improved, but noise and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the air conditioning function into multiple small distributed air handlers integrated into the bedding, rather than using a single large conventional AC unit. Each air handler contains a small fan and thermoelectric cooling element, allowing localized temperature control while reducing overall system noise through distribution of multiple low-noise components.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides localized cooling directly at the body-contact surface through the bedding integration, rather than cooling the entire room environment. This allows effective personal temperature regulation with minimal energy and noise, as cooling is applied only where needed at the microclimate level between sleeper and bedding.
2Temperature
If conventional air conditioning systems are used, then cooling capability is improved, but operational cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system cools only the immediate microclimate around the body rather than the entire room, dramatically reducing the volume of air that needs conditioning. The thermoelectric cooling elements are positioned in direct thermal contact with the bedding, creating a localized cool zone that consumes far less energy than conventional AC systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces conventional vapor-compression refrigeration mechanics with thermoelectric cooling (Peltier effect) in the distributed air handlers. This solid-state cooling technology has no moving parts, eliminates compressor noise, and operates at lower power consumption suitable for personal applications.
3Speed
If fans are used for air circulation, then air movement is improved, but noise and heat re-circulation worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses multiple small fans distributed throughout the bedding rather than a single large fan. Each small fan generates sufficient air movement for its local zone while producing minimal noise. The segmented approach allows effective air circulation without the high noise levels associated with conventional fan systems.
4Temperature
If conventional cooling systems are used, then cooling effect is improved, but ability to directly remove body heat worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The thermoelectric cooling elements are positioned in direct thermal contact with the bedding surface that contacts the body, creating a localized heat sink. This allows direct heat removal from the body through the bedding interface, rather than relying on indirect ambient air cooling. The localized cooling zones are strategically positioned to maximize direct heat transfer from high-heat areas of the body.
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 regulates body temperature, enhancing sleep quality by providing comfortable and controlled ambient conditions, reducing noise and energy consumption, and directly addressing heat management issues.
Implementation Method 1
at least one thermal transfer device disposed within the housing and including a thermoelectric engine and operable for conditioning air within the air flow
Implementation Method 2
a housing including a fan for generating the air flow
Data Source
AI summary
A personal comfort system, for use with a bedding assembly having a mattress, includes an air conditioning system configured to condition air within an air flow and a delivery system to receive and provide the conditioned air to a mattress. The air conditioning system includes a housing coupled with a fan and a thermal transfer device having a thermoelectric engine operable for conditioning air within the air flow.