An air distribution unit for environmentally controlled furniture, such as a bed. In representative embodiments, the air distribution unit includes a fan enclosure for accommodating a fan, with a fan enclosure inlet upstream of the fan and a fan enclosure outlet downstream of the fan, the fan enclosure including an air-flow guidance member positioned in the fan enclosure, which defines at least in part, an air-flow path between the fan enclosure inlet and the fan enclosure outlet, wherein an inner surface of the air-flow guidance member, adjacent to the air-flow path , is at least partially sound-absorbing.

A fan-equipped apparatus comprising an elongated fan plenum for a cooling chair is disclosed. In some embodiments, an elongated fan plenum can be configured to direct airflow through a chair back and concentrate on a user's back. In some embodiments, a chair with a fan-equipped cooling apparatus and a porous chair back is provided. In some embodiments, a fan-equipped apparatus can be attached to a chair selected by the user. Thermal imaging demonstrates cooling of a user by operation of the apparatus.

A mechanism for suspending a skin material on a seat rear surface with a simple and light structure is described. A vehicle seat including a seat back forming a backrest surface includes a seat back pad which is a cushion material of the seat back, a skin material which covers the seat back pad, a wire of which a part is embedded inside the seat back pad and another part is exposed to a seat rear surface, and a hook which is attached to an end portion of the skin material on the side of the seat rear surface. The wire engages with the hook so that the skin material is suspended and fixed to the seat rear surface of the seat back.

A solar radiation mitigation system mountable to a furniture element, the solar radiation mitigation system comprising a panel assembly comprising a first panel capable of blocking a first radiation amount, and a second panel in operational relation with the first panel and detachably connected thereto, the second panel being capable of blocking a second radiation amount, wherein the panel assembly blocks a combined radiation amount greater than the first and second radiation amounts when the first and second panels are in operational relation, at least one adjustable arm comprising a distal arm connector connected to the first panel, a proximal arm connector being detachably attachable to the furniture element for mounting the system to the furniture element, and an elongated member extending from the proximal arm connector to the distal arm connector, the elongated member being adjustable to position and orient the first panel with respect to the furniture element.

A seat includes a backrest, and a fan that is installed on the backrest at a position corresponding to a height of a head of a sitter sitting on the seat and generates an airflow flowing from a front toward a rear of the backrest. The seat may further include a sitter detector that detects the height of the head of the sitter, a lifting-and-lowering motor that adjusts a height of the fan, and a lifting-and-lowering controller that controls the lifting-and-lowering motor. The lifting-and-lowering controller may control the lifting-and-lowering motor to adjust the height of the fan to the height of the head of the sitter detected by the sitter detector.

Disclosed is a seat pad assembly having ventilation for comfort and heat dissipation. The seat pad assembly includes a frame with padding on top of the frame. The padding having multiple pores for the air to pass through. The frame includes a side opening on its sidewall and a front opening on its front wall. A channel fluidly connects the first opening to the second opening. A cooling module having fans is coupled to the first opening. The top of the frame is having apertures along the length of the channel, wherein the channel and the apertures are configured, such as an airflow between the first opening and the second opening results in drawing the air from the pores of the padding through the apertures into the channel. Alternatively, the channel and the apertures can be configured to draw a portion of the air flowing between the first opening and the second opening through the apertures into the pores of the padding.

A temperature modulation system for a bed, blanket, or other furniture includes a fluid for moderating temperature change, a number of conduit circuits for directing the fluid through respective zones, a control unit including a thermoelectric device for modulating temperature of the fluid, and a pump. Each of the conduit circuits selectively and independently directs fluid through its respective zone in order to produce a temperature within the zone that is independent of the temperature outside the zone. The system also includes an arrangement of one or more zones in an arrangement in which the control unit is programmed to vary the zone temperature over time according to a schedule.

A sport chair includes a seating surface operative to support a user and a processor. The processor is configured to detect the presence of a user on the seating surface, establish communication with an article of apparel on the body of the user, receive an indication of a physiological parameter of the user from a biometric sensor provided with the article of apparel, and output the physiological parameter to a display.

A thermoelectric control unit is adapted for regulating liquid temperature in a hydraulic circuit. The control unit comprises a housing, and a liquid reservoir for containing a liquid inside the housing. The reservoir has a fill opening, a liquid outlet, and a liquid return. A conduit assembly extends from the liquid outlet to the liquid return. A pump is operatively connected to the reservoir, and is adapted for moving the liquid through the conduit assembly within the hydraulic circuit. A first heat exchanger communicates with the liquid reservoir. A second heat exchanger resides adjacent the first heat exchanger, and communicates with an environment outside of the liquid reservoir and inside of the housing. A substantially planar thermoelectric cooling module is located at an electrified junction between the first and second heat exchangers.