Thermoelectric Support Cushion for Quiet Surface Temperature Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current support cushions lack the ability to individually control surface temperature, which is crucial for enhancing sleep comfort and reducing sleep debt, leading to various health and productivity issues.
Innovation Solution
Integration of thermoelectric elements, such as Peltier elements, within a mattress assembly that allows for selective heating or cooling of the surface, combined with a heat dissipating portion made of thermally absorbent materials like elastomeric gelatinous materials, enabling users to control temperature without the need for fans or noisy devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If thermoelectric elements are integrated into the mattress assembly for selective heating or cooling, then temperature control capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mattress assembly is divided into distinct functional layers: a body supporting portion and a heat dissipating portion. The thermoelectric elements are positioned at the interface between these layers, allowing independent optimization of each section. This segmentation enables temperature control without requiring the entire mattress structure to be redesigned, thus managing complexity while achieving the temperature control function.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat dissipating portion serves multiple functions: it acts as a heat sink for the thermoelectric elements, provides structural support, and maintains the overall integrity of the mattress assembly. By making this portion multi-functional, the patent reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby controlling device complexity while achieving effective heat management.
2Loss of energy
If a heat dissipating portion made of thermally absorbent material is added, then heat dissipation efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heat dissipating portion is merged with the body supporting portion to form an integrated mattress assembly. The thermally absorbent material is incorporated directly into the structure that already provides mechanical support, eliminating the need for separate heat dissipation components. This merging approach improves heat dissipation efficiency while minimizing the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat dissipating portion with thermally absorbent material passively absorbs and dissipates heat generated by the thermoelectric elements without requiring active cooling systems, fans, or additional energy input. This self-service heat dissipation mechanism improves efficiency while avoiding the complexity of active thermal management systems.
3Manufacturing precision
If thermoelectric elements are positioned within the body supporting portion, then temperature control precision is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of positioning thermoelectric elements within the thickness of the body supporting portion (vertical dimension), the patent places them at the interface between the body supporting portion and the heat dissipating portion (horizontal dimension). This dimensional change allows for easier integration during manufacturing while maintaining precise temperature control at the surface where it is most needed.
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 allows for personalized temperature control, improving sleep comfort and reducing sleep debt, thereby enhancing overall health and productivity by providing a quiet and efficient means of heating or cooling the mattress surface.
Implementation Method 1
The thermoelectric elements are comprised of a plurality of Peltier elements that, upon flowing an amount of electrical current in a first direction through the Peltier elements, cool the first surface of the body supporting portion by drawing heat away from the first surface and toward the second surface of the body supporting portion.
Implementation Method 2
a heat dissipating portion that is comprised of a thermally-absorbent material and is operably connected to the thermoelectric elements
Data Source
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AI summary
A support cushion for providing individualized heating and cooling to a user resting on the support cushion is provided. The support cushion includes a body supporting portion, a plurality of thermoelectric elements positioned and configured to selectively provide heating or cooling of the body supporting portion, and a heat dissipating portion that is comprised of a thermally-absorbent material and is operably connected to the thermoelectric elements. Methods of controlling a surface temperature of a support cushion are also provided.