Climate-Controlled Bed Assembly With Zoned Thermal Air Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional climate control systems are inadequate for providing individualized temperature modification to specific areas, such as beds, leading to discomfort due to uneven heating or cooling, especially in poorly ventilated environments.
Innovation Solution
A climate-controlled bed design featuring a core with passageways, fluid distribution members, and a thermoelectric device that allows for selective temperature conditioning of air or fluids, along with a comfort layer and flow diverters to enhance comfort and even distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional air-conditioning systems are used to cool the entire building, then the overall indoor temperature is reduced, but the bed occupant's back and pressure points remain sweaty due to lack of localized cooling
Solution Approach 1:
The bed cooling system is segmented into multiple independent zones with separate fluid distribution channels targeting specific body contact areas. This allows localized temperature control for different body regions (back, shoulders, hips) independently, resolving the contradiction between overall cooling and localized comfort control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by providing targeted cooling fluid distribution to specific bed zones corresponding to body pressure points. The fluid distribution members deliver conditioned fluid locally to sweaty areas, enabling precise temperature management at the bed surface level rather than uniform building-wide cooling.
2Temperature
If heating units are used to warm the indoor space in winter, then the overall room temperature increases slowly, but the bed occupant needs quick warming for comfort
Solution Approach 1:
The bed heating system performs preliminary action by pre-warming the bed surface and occupant contact areas directly, rather than waiting for the entire room to warm up. The fluid heating members can be activated before occupancy or immediately upon detection of cold conditions, providing rapid localized warmth to the bed surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating heating fluid flow to specific bed zones where the occupant makes contact. This localized heating approach delivers warmth quickly to the most needed areas (back, shoulders, hips) independent of the slow overall room heating process.
3Ease of operation
If fluid distribution members are added to the bed core, then thermal comfort is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bed core structure serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, houses fluid distribution channels, and acts as a thermal transfer medium. By integrating these functions into the existing bed core rather than adding separate components, the patent improves thermal comfort while minimizing increases in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the fluid distribution system with the bed core structure by embedding channels and members within the core material itself. This consolidation approach combines structural support and thermal regulation functions into a single integrated component, reducing overall system complexity compared to separate systems.
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 provides targeted and efficient climate control, reducing thermal discomfort and fluid losses, ensuring uniform thermal coverage and improved occupant comfort.
Implementation Method 1
a thermoelectric device for selectively thermally conditioning fluids being transferred by the fluid transfer device
Implementation Method 2
the fluid distribution member is configured to at least partially distribute fluid within said fluid distribution member
Implementation Method 3
the spacer comprises a spacer fabric, a spacer material and/or any other member that is configured to generally allow fluid to pass therethrough
Data Source
AI summary
According to certain arrangements, a climate controlled bed includes an upper portion comprising a core with a top core surface and a bottom core surface. The core includes at least one passageway extending from the top core surface to the bottom core surface. The upper portion of the bed further includes at least one fluid distribution member positioned above the core, wherein the fluid distribution member is in fluid communication with at least one passageway of the core. The fluid distribution member is configured to at least partially distribute fluid within said fluid distribution member. The upper portion of the bed further comprises at least one comfort layer positioned adjacent to the fluid distribution member.