MULTI-ZONE TEMPERATURE MODULATION SYSTEM FOR BED OR BLANKET
20220304486 · 2022-09-29
Assignee
Inventors
- Tara Youngblood (Mooresville, NC, US)
- Todd Youngblood (Mooresville, NC, US)
- Matthew Holling (Mooresville, NC, US)
Cpc classification
F24H1/101
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F25B2321/0251
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F25B21/04
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
International classification
F24H1/10
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
Abstract
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.
Claims
1. A system for heating or cooling a fluid, comprising: a control unit comprising a first section and a second section; wherein the first section of the control unit includes at least one fluid reservoir connected to at least one pump; wherein the at least one pump is operable to move fluid from the at least one fluid reservoir into at least one thermoelectric module; wherein the at least one thermoelectric module is operable to heat and/or cool the fluid; wherein the second section of the control unit includes at least one heat sink connected to the at least one thermoelectric module and at least one fan; wherein the at least one fan generates an air path over the at least one heat sink; and wherein at least one partition separates the first section from the second section, such that the air path generated by the at least one fan does not intersect the at least one fluid reservoir or the at least one thermoelectric module.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the second section of the control unit includes a power supply unit operable to supply electrical power to the control unit, and wherein the air path generated by the at least one fan intersects with the power supply unit.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein the fluid is water.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein the control unit includes at least one fluid outlet line, wherein the at least one fluid outlet line is connected to at least one thermally-regulated article, and wherein, when the fluid exits the at least one thermoelectric module, the fluid enters the at least one fluid outlet line, and subsequently enters the at least one thermally-regulated article.
5. The system of claim 4, wherein the control unit includes at least one fluid inlet line, wherein the at least one fluid inlet line is connected to the at least one thermally-regulated article and to the at least one pump, and wherein the fluid enters the at least one fluid inlet line after exiting the at least one thermally-regulated article.
6. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one pump includes a first pump and a second pump.
7. The system of claim 6, wherein the first pump moves the fluid from the at least one fluid reservoir into at least one accumulator, and wherein the second pump moves the fluid from the at least one accumulator into the at least one thermoelectric module.
8. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one thermoelectric module includes four Peltier chips.
9. The system of claim 1, wherein the control unit includes a plurality of outlet lines and a plurality of inlet lines, wherein the fluid moves out of the control unit through one of the plurality of outlet lines and returns to the control unit through a corresponding one of the plurality of inlet lines, wherein each inlet line is connected to one of a plurality of separate pumps, and wherein the plurality of separate pumps move the fluid into the at least one thermoelectric module.
10. The system of claim 9, wherein the fluid exiting the control unit through each of the plurality of outlet lines and returning through each of the plurality of inlet lines is substantially separated from the fluid exiting through different outlet lines and returning through different inlet lines.
11. A system for heating or cooling a fluid, comprising: a control unit comprising a first section and a second section; a thermally-regulated article connected to the control unit by tubing and configured to receive fluid from and return fluid to the control unit via the tubing; wherein the first section of the control unit includes at least one fluid reservoir connected to at least one accumulator; wherein the at least one accumulator is connected to at least one pump; wherein the at least one pump is operable to move the fluid from the at least one accumulator into at least one thermoelectric module; wherein the at least one thermoelectric module is operable to heat and/or cool the fluid; wherein the second section of the control unit includes at least one heat sink connected to the at least one thermoelectric module and at least one fan; and wherein the at least one accumulator is operable to receive fluid returning from the thermally-regulated article.
12. The system of claim 11, wherein the fluid is water.
13. The system of claim 11, wherein the at least one accumulator includes a first chamber and a second chamber, wherein the first chamber is connected to a first thermoelectric module via a first set of tubing, and wherein the second chamber is connected to a second thermoelectric module via a second set of tubing.
14. The system of claim 11, wherein the at least one thermoelectric module includes four Peltier chips.
15. The system of claim 11, further including at least one reservoir pump operable to move fluid from the at least one fluid reservoir into the at least one accumulator.
16. The system of claim 11, further including at least one partition separating the first section from the second section, such that an air path generated by the at least one fan does not intersect the at least one fluid reservoir or the at least one thermoelectric module.
17. A system for heating or cooling a fluid, comprising: a control unit; wherein the control unit is configured to connect to at least one thermally-regulated article, wherein the at least one thermally-regulated article is connected to the control unit by tubing and configured to receive fluid from and return fluid to the control unit via the tubing; wherein the control unit includes at least one fluid reservoir connected to at least one accumulator; wherein the at least one accumulator includes a first chamber and a second chamber; wherein the first chamber and the second chamber of the at least one accumulator are connected to at least one pump; wherein the at least one pump is operable to move fluid from the first chamber into a first thermoelectric module and fluid from the second chamber into a second thermoelectric module; wherein the first thermoelectric module and the second thermoelectric module are operable to heat and/or cool the fluid; wherein fluid from the first thermoelectric module is connected via a first set of tubing to the at least one thermally-regulated article and fluid from the second thermoelectric module is connected via a second set of tubing to the at least one thermally-regulated article; and wherein the at least one accumulator is operable to receive fluid returning from the thermally-regulated article.
18. The system of claim 17, wherein the fluid from the first thermoelectric module is connected via the first set of tubing to a first thermally-regulated article, and the fluid from the second thermoelectric module is connected via the second set of tubing to a second thermally-regulated article.
19. The system of claim 18, wherein the first chamber of the at least one accumulator is connected to the first thermally-regulated article via a first set of return tubing, and wherein the second chamber of the at least one accumulator is connected to the second thermally-regulated article via a second set of return tubing.
20. The system of claim 17, wherein the control unit includes at least one heat sink connected to the first thermoelectric module and the second thermoelectric module, and at least one fan
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0122] It is desirable to control the temperature of a bed or other piece of furniture that supports a person, such as when sleeping. Such control has therapeutic value in treating symptoms of menopause or conditions of hypothermia or hyperthermia, particularly when those conditions manifest themselves over a long period of time. Therapeutic value is also seen for individuals who have circulatory disorders, sleep disorders, and other conditions that are improved by increasing the comfort felt during sleep. Such control is desirable even outside the therapeutic value of cooling or heating a mattress, simply to match the personal comfort preferences of healthy individuals, or to provide localized control when a more general control, such as heating or air conditioning of a sleeping space, is unavailable or when adjustments to the general control might cause others discomfort or are inefficient from an energy consumption perspective.
[0123] One embodiment of the present invention is directed to a system for heating or cooling a fluid, including a control unit comprising a first section and a second section, wherein the first section of the control unit includes at least one fluid reservoir connected to at least one pump, wherein the at least one pump is operable to move fluid from the at least one fluid reservoir into at least one thermoelectric module, wherein the at least one thermoelectric module is operable to heat and/or cool the fluid, wherein the second section of the control unit includes at least one heat sink connected to the at least one thermoelectric module and at least one fan, wherein the at least one fan generates an air path over the at least one heat sink, and wherein at least one partition separates the first section from the second section, such that the air path generated by the at least one fan does not intersect the at least one fluid reservoir or the at least one thermoelectric module.
[0124] Another embodiment of the present invention is directed to A system for heating or cooling a fluid, including a control unit comprising a first section and a second section, a thermally-regulated article connected to the control unit by tubing and configured to receive fluid from and return fluid to the control unit via the tubing, wherein the first section of the control unit includes at least one fluid reservoir connected to at least one accumulator, wherein the at least one accumulator is connected to at least one pump, wherein the at least one pump is operable to move the fluid from the at least one accumulator into at least one thermoelectric module, wherein the at least one thermoelectric module is operable to heat and/or cool the fluid, wherein the second section of the control unit includes at least one heat sink connected to the at least one thermoelectric module and at least one fan, and wherein the at least one accumulator is operable to receive fluid returning from the thermally-regulated article.
[0125] Yet another embodiment of the present invention is directed to A system for heating or cooling a fluid, including a control unit, wherein the control unit is configured to connect to at least one thermally-regulated article, wherein the at least one thermally-regulated article is connected to the control unit by tubing and configured to receive fluid from and return fluid to the control unit via the tubing, wherein the control unit includes at least one fluid reservoir connected to at least one accumulator, wherein the at least one accumulator includes a first chamber and a second chamber, wherein the first chamber and the second chamber of the at least one accumulator are connected to at least one pump, wherein the at least one pump is operable to move fluid from the first chamber into a first thermoelectric module and fluid from the second chamber into a second thermoelectric module, wherein the first thermoelectric module and the second thermoelectric module are operable to heat and/or cool the fluid, wherein fluid from the first thermoelectric module is connected via a first set of tubing to the at least one thermally-regulated article and fluid from the second thermoelectric module is connected via a second set of tubing to the at least one thermally-regulated article, and wherein the at least one accumulator is operable to receive fluid returning from the thermally-regulated article.
[0126] In connection with the known methods of accomplishing temperature control, there are various problems and deficiencies that render these known methods ineffective or less than fully effective at achieving temperature control under optimal conditions. For example, such systems, particularly those that are designed for cooling, are often fairly noisy, thereby interfering with the subject individual's ability to sleep and defeating many of the therapeutic aspects of such systems.
[0127] Of somewhat more universal importance, however, is the lack of specificity such systems have in controlling temperatures in various zones of coverage, when the user desires different temperatures in different zones. A user that desires a particular temperature for sleeping is able share his or her bed with another person who desires a different temperature for sleeping—a situation that often leads to arguments, one user's lack of comfort, or a compromise that leaves neither partner happy. Another user might desire, for example, a certain temperature for the majority of his or her body but a somewhat warmer temperature for his or her feet, or a somewhat cooler temperature for his or her head.
[0128] In order to satisfy the need for multiple zones, conventional systems have heretofore utilized multiple apparatuses to conduct zone-independent temperature modulations. In the situation where the bed is to be shared, each side of the bed is provided with its own independent temperature control apparatus. A similar arrangement could potentially be used for different zones associated with a single user. However, conventional arrangements that require multiple independent systems require substantial duplication of the most expensive and potentially noisy parts of a conventional temperature control system—the circulation pump and the heating or cooling source.
[0129] For systems that utilize fluid in order to accomplish heating or cooling, the rate at which a device is able to cool or heat to a specific temperature and the amount of power required to cool or heat to that temperature requires improvement. Existing fluid-controlled systems either fail to treat the fluid at all, allowing it to flow at its ambient temperature and therefore being very limited in the range of deliverable temperatures, or they fail to separate the fluid flowing through the article from air used to withdraw excess heat from the system, hurting the thermal efficiency of the device. There is there a need for a fluid-controlled system having an increased thermal efficiency.
[0130] Yet another issue with conventional single-zone systems is that they are not programmatically controllable over time. Although some systems provide for thermostatic control to prevent overheating or overcooling, some users might desire, for example, a warmer temperature at bedtime and a cooler temperature later in the sleep cycle, or vice versa. These systems are even more deficient when the user wishes to coordinate varying temperatures in various zones with various stages of the sleep cycle in order to promote deeper and more satisfying sleep.
[0131] Although many of the applications of the present invention relate to sleep and beds, the invention is equally applicable to other types of support furniture, such as chairs, or to more portable systems, such as wheelchair cushions, blankets, or mattress pads.
[0132] What is needed is a multi-zone temperature modulation system that enables selective and independent heating or cooling of specific zones using a single heating or cooling apparatus and pump to minimize the cost efficiency of manufacture, and that is able to be programmatically controlled to vary the target temperature over time according to personal comfort or sleep cycle considerations.
[0133] Referring now to the drawings,
[0134] In one embodiment, the system 10 includes only a single temperature zone. In another embodiment, as shown in
[0135] In order to accomplish the temperature modulation of the zones 11, 12, 13, a set of conduit circuits 40, at least one per zone, is provided. In one embodiment, the conduit circuits 40 comprise any suitable material, such as plastic or metal, and/or more preferably flexible silicone, selected with the principal consideration being the ability of the conduit circuit material to transmit heat to or from the mattress pad 30. In one embodiment, there is more than one conduit circuit 40 per zone. The conduit circuit or circuits 40 repeatedly traverse the zone in a back-and-forth arrangement, in order to provide temperature modulation to the entire desired surface area of the zone. The conduit circuits 40 are arranged to return to their starting point to enable the return of fluid to the heating/cooling apparatus 50.
[0136] In one embodiment, the set of conduit circuits 40 comprises one or more tubes extending the length of the system 10, wherein each of the one or more tubes is connected to at least one inlet and at least one outlet. In another embodiment, the set of conduit circuits 40 comprises a hydro layer. In one embodiment, the hydro layer comprises a first membrane and second a membrane. The first membrane of is attached to the second membrane along the perimeter of the first membrane, such that the first membrane and the second membrane form a sealed inner compartment. In one embodiment, first membrane includes a plurality of shapes, wherein the first membrane is further welded to the second membrane at a perimeter of each of the plurality of shapes. The plurality of shapes includes at least one of the following: a triangle, a rectangle, a square, an ellipse, a circle, a pentagon, a hexagon, an octagon, and/or any other polygon. At least one inlet and at least one outlet connect the control unit to the sealed inner compartment of the first membrane and the second membrane, such that fluid is able to flow from the control unit to the sealed inner compartment.
[0137] The heating/cooling apparatus 50 generally includes one or more reservoirs 60 for temperature modulation fluid 52, which is able to be a liquid, such as water, or a gas, such as air. In a preferred embodiment, water is the fluid mediator for temperature modulation. The reservoir 60 is provided with a device 62 for heating or cooling the liquid 52 stored therein, such as a Peltier thermoelectric device. Such a device is generally well known and useful for its efficient movement of heat when a direct current is applied thereacross. The Peltier device 62 creates a heat source and a heat sink on its opposite sides, and if the direction of the current applied across it is reversed, the heat source and heat sink switch sides. This feature makes a Peltier device 62 ideal for systems which require selective heating and cooling.
[0138] The Peltier device 62 is thus used to change the temperature of the reservoir fluid 52, i.e., heating or cooling the fluid 52 in order to heat or cool the zones 11, 12, 13, according to the position of a switch that is under one of various forms of control to be discussed in more detail below. In response to a need for heating or cooling a zone, fluid is drawn from the reservoir 60 and directed through the conduit circuits 40 to effectuate the necessary temperature change. The application of energy necessary to move the fluid 52 through the conduit circuits 40 is effectuated in a variety of possible ways, such as through the use of a multichannel pump, multiple single-outlet pumps, or a single-outlet pump in combination with one or more valves.
[0139] Control 70, which is wireless as shown but which is alternatively provided with a wired connection to the heating/cooling apparatus 50, is used to set the target temperatures for each of the zones. Control 70 in combination with temperature probes 80 enables the system to maintain a target temperature in each zone 11, 12, 13 through the selective application of heated or cooled fluid to the conduit circuits 40 in each zone. Using the control 70, a user selects an independent target temperature for each zone 11, 12, 13. Temperature probes 80 in each zone provides temperature data for that zone to the heating/cooling apparatus 50, which, by comparison of the target temperature set using the control 70 and the actual measured temperature, determines whether to heat or cool the fluid 52 and determine to which conduit circuit or circuits 40 the heated or cooled fluid 52 should be distributed in order to make the actual temperature match the target temperature.
[0140] In a preferred embodiment, the mattress pad 30 or mattress 23 (for embedded designs) includes padding 90 between the conduit circuits 40 and the resting surface, in order to improve the comfort of a user who lies upon the system and to prevent the concentrated heat or cold of the conduit circuits 40 from being applied directly or semi-directly to the user's body. Instead, the conduit circuits 40 heats or cools the padding 90, which provides more gentle temperature modulation for the user's body.
[0141] Referring now to
[0142] In
[0143] Referring now to
[0144] The computing apparatus 54 is designed or programmed to operate the Peltier device 62 and more particularly to apply direct current of a given polarity across the Peltier device 62, in order to heat or cool the fluid 52 in the reservoir 60, as needed. The computing apparatus 54 is also designed or programmed to operate a pump and valve system 110, various embodiments of which are illustrated in schematic detail in
[0145] In one example, in the beginning of use, a user, using the user interface 70, calls for a target temperature of 60° F. in zone 11 and a target temperature of 70° F. in zone 12. The temperature probes 80 registers the temperature of zone 11 as 75° F. in zone 11 and 74° F. in zone 12. The computing apparatus 54 therefore activates the Peltier device 62 in cooling mode, to chill the reservoir fluid below 60° F. The computing apparatus 54 also activates the pump and valve system 110, causing fluid 52 to flow through both conduit circuits 40, back and forth across the two zones 11, 12, and returning to the reservoir 60. Over time, the actual temperature as measured by the temperature probes 80 decreases. Eventually, the temperature in zone 12 is measured at the target of 70° F. The computing apparatus 54 then controls the pump and valve system 110 to cause cooled fluid to stop flowing through zone 12, even as cooled fluid continues to flow through zone 11. Eventually, the temperature in zone 11 will also reach the target. However, if the temperature in zone 12 again rises, the pump and valve system is able to be adjusted one or more times during the process to maintain the temperature in zone 12 at the target, while the temperature in zone 11 continues to drop to the lower target temperature.
[0146] Those skilled in the art will recognize that programmatic control of the target temperatures over time, such as over the course of a night's sleep, is possible if a computer 70 is employed as the user interface. Because the target temperatures are able to be set at any time, those target temperatures are able to be manipulated through the sleeping period in order to match user preferences or a program to correlate with user sleep cycles to produce a deeper, more restful sleep.
[0147] A system 110 according to the present invention permits the elimination of duplicate parts, typically the most expensive parts of such an apparatus, such as the heating/cooling device 62 and the control apparatus 54, through the creative use of one or more pumps and valves and principles of time and flow division.
[0148] Referring now to
[0149] Referring now to
[0150] Referring now to
[0151] The principle of time division, as applied in the present invention, relies upon the tendency of the temperature of a given zone to remain fairly steady over time. That is, heating or cooling only needs to be applied for a few minutes per hour to keep the temperature of a given zone at the target, while another zone requires fairly constant heating or cooling to maintain its target temperature. The control apparatus 54 is therefore able to divide the time among the zones in an efficient manner that keeps each zone as near to its target temperature as possible over the greatest period of time.
[0152] Although the arrangement illustrated in
[0153] Also, as is illustrated in
[0154] Referring now to the drawings generally, a temperature modulation system 10 for a bed 20 includes a fluid 52 for moderating temperature change at a surface 24 of the bed 20, a number of conduit circuits 40 for directing the fluid 52 through respective zones 11, 12, 13, and a thermoelectric device 62 for modulating the temperature of the fluid 52. The system 10 also includes a pump 110 for pumping the fluid 52 through the conduit circuits 40. Each of the conduit circuits 40 selectively, by use of a pump and valve system 110, and independently directs fluid 52 through its respective zone 11, 12, 13 to achieve a temperature of the mattress 23 of the bed 20 that is independent of the temperature of the bed 20 outside the zone 11, 12, 13.
[0155] The fluid 52 is able to be a liquid such as water, or a gas, such as air, depending upon the requirements of the system. In one embodiment, the pump and valve system 110 is a multichannel pump. In another embodiment, the pump and valve system 110 is a single pump with a multi-outlet valve. In yet another embodiment, the pump and valve system 110 includes several pumps and valves. The particular type of pump and valve system chosen is able to be varied depending on nature of the fluid 52 used. The valves 113 are mechanically or electrically operated, under the control of a control system 54 that selectively opens and closes the valves 113 to permit fluid 52 to flow therethrough.
[0156] The system 10 is operable to be designed to operate on a flow-division or a time-division basis, the latter being characterized by permitting the full flow of fluid 52 to be directed through a single conduit circuit 40 for a given period of time, one at a time serially, to achieve the target temperature in each zone 11, 12, 13.
[0157] In order that the system 10 controls each zone individually, temperature sensing probes 80 are provided, which give feedback to the control system 54 concerning the actual temperature of the given zone 11, 12, 13. Through the use of a Peltier thermoelectric device 62, it is possible to provide heating and cooling using the same unit, thereby increasing the utility of the present invention in comparison to systems that provide only heating or only cooling. When voltage is applied to the thermoelectric device 62 in one direction, the thermoelectric device 62 provides heating, while when voltage is applied in an opposite direction across the thermoelectric device 62, the thermoelectric device 62 provides cooling.
[0158] In the context of bed use, the system 10 is able to be integrated into the mattress 23, or into a separate article, such as a mattress pad 30 or a blanket. The system 10 receives user input through a user interface 70 such as a remote control, wired or wireless. In another embodiment, the system is provided with a port 75 to connect it to a computer 71, such as a personal computer, as shown in
[0159] More generally, the present invention includes a multi-zone temperature modulation system 10 for providing selective temperature change to a living subject. The system includes a first zone 11 that includes a first conduit circuit 40 for directing a first fluid 52 therethrough, in order to bring the first zone temperature to a target temperature for the first zone 11. The system also includes a second zone 12 of similar but independent construction, and the second zone 12 has a target temperature that is independent of the target temperature of the first zone 11. As above, this embodiment uses a thermoelectric device for selectively modulating the temperature of the first and second fluids, as well as at least one pump for pumping the fluids through the conduit circuits. This arrangement is applicable to a wide variety of contexts, including beds, mattress pads, chairs, other support furniture, and blankets.
[0160] Yet another embodiment involves the use of at least one zone and the selective manipulation of the temperature over a period of time. In such an embodiment, a temperature modulation system 10 provides selective temperature change to a living subject and includes a fluid 52 for moderating temperature change within a selected zone 11 adjacent the subject. At least one conduit circuit directs the fluid 52 through the zone 11 to control temperature of the zone 11 according to a selected target temperature. In one embodiment, the control system 54 (either on its own or under the programmatic control of an attached computer 71) is programmed to control the zone temperature according to a schedule of target temperatures over a selected period of time.
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[0163] The at least one heat sink 210 helps to remove excess heat from the at least one thermoelectric module 220, increasing the thermal efficiency of the control unit 200. The interior of the control unit 200 includes at least one fan 212 positioned directly adjacent to the at least one grate 202. The at least one fan 212 is operable to suck air into the control unit 200 and push air out of the control unit 200. By creating an air path with the at least one fan 212, heat from the at least one heat sink 210 is able to be efficiently removed.
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[0165] In one embodiment, the control unit 200 includes at least one pump connected to the at least one fluid reservoir 206. The at least one pump is operable to increase or decrease the flow of fluid out of the at least one fluid reservoir 206 to the at least one thermoelectric module 220. Including at least one pump helps the control unit 200 to control the flow of fluid even if the control unit 200 is turned on its side. By contrast, gravity-assisted systems are often unable to achieve sufficient fluid flow if they are tilted relative to the ground, resulting in a less robust system. Furthermore, because gravity-assisted systems require a fluid reservoir to be placed at a high point and other components of the system to be placed at a point lower than the fluid reservoir, such systems often require more space vertically. Therefore, it is a benefit of the present system that it is able to maintain a relatively lower profile compared to gravity-assisted systems. Maintaining a relatively lower profile helps the control unit 200 to more easily fit under a bed for easy storage and use. Accordingly, the present invention does not include a gravity-assisted system in one embodiment.
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[0167] After passing through the at least one thermoelectric module 220, the fluid exits the control unit 200 through at least one fluid outlet tube 222. Although not visible in
[0168] In one embodiment, the accumulator 242 is also attached to a third pump. Fluid that is extracted and pushed by the third pump enters, exits, and reenters the at least one thermoelectric module 220 through an entirely independent and separate plurality of tubes than the plurality of tubes 246 connected to the second pump 244. Furthermore, fluid extracted by the third pump exits the control unit 200 through a second outlet tube, which is independent and separate from the at least one fluid outlet tube 222. After the fluid enters and exits at least one article, it reenters the control unit 200 through a second inlet tube, which is independent and separate from the at least one inlet tube, and then reenters the third pump.
[0169] In another embodiment, as shown in
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[0171] In one embodiment, the back face of the first chamber 2502 includes at least one discharge port 2514 operable to connect to a pump via tubing, wherein the pump is operable to move fluid from the first chamber 2502 into a thermoelectric module via tubing. In one embodiment, the back face of the first chamber 2502 includes at least one return port 2516 operable to receive fluid returning from a thermally-controlled article via tubing. In one embodiment, the back face of the second chamber 2504 includes at least one discharge port 2518 operable to connect to a pump via tubing, wherein the pump is operable to move fluid from the second chamber 2504 into a thermoelectric module via tubing. In one embodiment, the back face of the second chamber 2504 includes at least one return port 2519 operable to receive fluid returning from a thermally-controlled article via tubing.
[0172] Many different designs of a chassis for a control unit and a reservoir for the control unit are contemplated herein. For example,
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[0186] One of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the shape of the cap and the shape of the fluid reservoir covered by the cap are not intended to be limiting according to the present invention. For example, the control unit 430 shown in
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[0189] In one embodiment, the bridging component 458 includes a plurality of vent openings 452. In one embodiment, the outside surface of one of the two substantially parallel wings 459 includes a control panel 453 (e.g., including a power button, a display, and/or other buttons for controlling the control unit 450).
[0190] The fluid circulation system is separated from the at least one fan 212 and the at least one heat sink 210 by the partition 230, as shown in
[0191] In one embodiment, the control unit 200 includes at least one wireless antenna. The temperature of fluid outputted from the control unit 200 and/or a plurality of temperatures associated with a plurality of durations are able to be adjusted by at least one remote and/or at least one user device. In one embodiment, the control unit 200 is operable to communicate with the at least one remote and/or at least one user device via a wireless local area network (WLAN, e.g., WIFI, etc.), a wireless personal area network (WPAN, e.g., BLUETOOTH, ZIGBEE, etc.), a cellular network (3G, 4G, 5G, etc.), near-field communication (NFC), and/or infrared transmittal. In one embodiment, the control unit 200 and/or at least one user device are in communication with a remote server, including a global analytics engine, a calibration engine, a simulation engine, a reasoning engine, and/or a database. The global analytics engine is operable to predict values for stress-reduction and sleep promotion by generating a virtual model based on real-time data, while the calibration system modifies and updates the virtual model based on real-time data, as described in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2020/0113344, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. In one embodiment, the at least one user device includes a cellular phone, a tablet, a personal computer, a smart watch, a smart thermostat, and/or any other device operable to accept input from a user.
[0192] In one embodiment, the control unit 200 is operable to drop a temperature of fluid from 68° F. to 58° F. in less than 5.3 minutes when in a closed loop (i.e., without the mattress pad attached). In one embodiment, the closed loop consists of 14″ long silicone tubing with an outer diameter of ⅜″, an inner diameter of ¼″, and ⅜″ 90° circular plastic connector. The mattress pad 30 preferably has a rate of heat transfer of at least 200 W at a water temperature of 14.4° C. (58° F.). In another embodiment, the mattress pad 30 has a rate of heat transfer of at least 150 W at a water temperature of 14.4° C. (58° F.).
[0193] In one embodiment, the temperature modulation system 10 includes at least one sensor embedded within the temperature modulation system 10 and/or disposed on top of the temperature modulation system 10. In one embodiment, the at least one sensor includes at least one of the following: a heart rate sensor, a body weight sensor, a body temperature sensor, a pulse oximeter sensor, a respiration sensor, an electrooculography sensor, an electromyography sensor, a movement sensor, a brain wave sensor, an energy field sensor, an analyte sensor, a blood pressure sensor, and/or an electrodermal activity sensor. In another embodiment, the temperature modulation system 10 also includes at least one environmental sensor, including at least one of the following: an environmental temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, an air quality sensor, a light sensor, and/or a barometric sensor. In one embodiment, measurements taken by the at least one sensor and/or the at least one environmental sensor are used to automatically adjust the temperature of fluid output from the control unit 200.
[0194]
[0195]
[0196]
[0197] A spacer layer 610 is positioned within the interior chamber 600 between an interior surface of the first layer of the waterproof material 602 and an interior facing of the second layer of the waterproof material 604. The spacer layer 610 is configured to provide structural support to maintain partial channels for fluid flow through the interior chamber. In one embodiment, the fluid flows through the spacer layer. In a preferred embodiment, the spacer layer is laminated, affixed, adhered, attached, secured, or welded to the first layer of the waterproof material and/or the second layer of the waterproof material. The spacer layer is preferably made of a foam mesh or a spacer fabric. In one embodiment, the spacer layer has antimicrobial properties. In another embodiment, the spacer layer 610 is in a honeycomb shape.
[0198]
[0199] A spacer layer 610 is positioned within the interior chamber 600 between an interior surface of the first layer of the waterproof material 602 and an interior facing of the second layer of the waterproof material 604. The spacer layer 610 is configured to provide structural support to maintain partial channels for fluid flow through the interior chamber. In one embodiment, the fluid flows through the spacer layer. In a preferred embodiment, the spacer layer is laminated, affixed, adhered, attached, secured, or welded to the first layer of the waterproof material and/or the second layer of the waterproof material. The spacer layer is preferably made of a foam mesh or a spacer fabric. In one embodiment, the spacer layer has antimicrobial properties.
[0200] As previously described, the mattress pad includes two layers of a waterproof material and at least one additional layer of a second material in one embodiment. Although
[0201] In another embodiment, the mattress pad includes at least one layer of a thermally reflective and/or an insulating material (e.g., lyocell, such as TENCEL). In one embodiment, the first layer of the second material 606 and/or the second layer of the second material 608 is a thermally reflective and/or the insulating material. In another embodiment, the thermally reflective and/or the insulating material is positioned between the second layer of the waterproof material 604 and the second layer of the second material 608. In yet another embodiment, the thermally reflective and/or the insulating material is positioned between the first layer of the waterproof material 602 and the first layer of the second material 606.
[0202] In one embodiment, the mattress pad absorbs heat from the mattress. Advantageously, providing the thermally reflective and/or the insulating material between the waterproof layer of the mattress pad and the mattress reduces the thermal demand on the cooling unit without impacting the rate of heat transfer from the occupant.
[0203]
[0204] The server 850 is constructed, configured, and coupled to enable communication over a network 810 with a plurality of computing devices 820, 830, 840. The server 850 includes a processing unit 851 with an operating system 852. The operating system 852 enables the server 850 to communicate through network 810 with the remote, distributed user devices. Database 870 is operable to house an operating system 872, memory 874, and programs 876.
[0205] In one embodiment of the invention, the system 800 includes a network 810 for distributed communication via a wireless communication antenna 812 and processing by at least one mobile communication computing device 830. Alternatively, wireless and wired communication and connectivity between devices and components described herein include wireless network communication such as WI-FI, WORLDWIDE INTEROPERABILITY FOR MICROWAVE ACCESS (WIMAX), Radio Frequency (RF) communication including RF identification (RFID), NEAR FIELD COMMUNICATION (NFC), BLUETOOTH including BLUETOOTH LOW ENERGY (BLE), ZIGBEE, Infrared (IR) communication, cellular communication, satellite communication, Universal Serial Bus (USB), Ethernet communications, communication via fiber-optic cables, coaxial cables, twisted pair cables, and/or any other type of wireless or wired communication. In another embodiment of the invention, the system 800 is a virtualized computing system capable of executing any or all aspects of software and/or application components presented herein on the computing devices 820, 830, 840. In certain aspects, the computer system 800 is operable to be implemented using hardware or a combination of software and hardware, either in a dedicated computing device, or integrated into another entity, or distributed across multiple entities or computing devices.
[0206] By way of example, and not limitation, the computing devices 820, 830, 840 are intended to represent various forms of electronic devices including at least a processor and a memory, such as a server, blade server, mainframe, mobile phone, personal digital assistant (PDA), smartphone, desktop computer, netbook computer, tablet computer, workstation, laptop, and other similar computing devices. The components shown here, their connections and relationships, and their functions, are meant to be exemplary only, and are not meant to limit implementations of the invention described and/or claimed in the present application.
[0207] In one embodiment, the computing device 820 includes components such as a processor 860, a system memory 862 having a random access memory (RAM) 864 and a read-only memory (ROM) 866, and a system bus 868 that couples the memory 862 to the processor 860. In another embodiment, the computing device 830 is operable to additionally include components such as a storage device 890 for storing the operating system 892 and one or more application programs 894, a network interface unit 896, and/or an input/output controller 898. Each of the components is operable to be coupled to each other through at least one bus 868. The input/output controller 898 is operable to receive and process input from, or provide output to, a number of other devices 899, including, but not limited to, alphanumeric input devices, mice, electronic styluses, display units, touch screens, signal generation devices (e.g., speakers), or printers.
[0208] By way of example, and not limitation, the processor 860 is operable to be a general-purpose microprocessor (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU)), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a microcontroller, a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), a Programmable Logic Device (PLD), a controller, a state machine, gated or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any other suitable entity or combinations thereof that is able to perform calculations, process instructions for execution, and/or other manipulations of information.
[0209] In another implementation, shown as 840 in
[0210] Also, multiple computing devices are operable to be connected, with each device providing portions of the necessary operations (e.g., a server bank, a group of blade servers, or a multi-processor system). Alternatively, some steps or methods are operable to be performed by circuitry that is specific to a given function.
[0211] According to various embodiments, the computer system 800 is operable to operate in a networked environment using logical connections to local and/or remote computing devices 820, 830, 840 through a network 810. A computing device 830 is operable to connect to a network 810 through a network interface unit 896 connected to a bus 868. Computing devices are operable to communicate communication media through wired networks, direct-wired connections or wirelessly, such as acoustic, RF, or infrared, through an antenna 897 in communication with the network antenna 812 and the network interface unit 896, which are operable to include digital signal processing circuitry when necessary. The network interface unit 896 is operable to provide for communications under various modes or protocols.
[0212] In one or more exemplary aspects, the instructions are operable to be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or any combinations thereof. A computer readable medium is operable to provide volatile or non-volatile storage for one or more sets of instructions, such as operating systems, data structures, program modules, applications, or other data embodying any one or more of the methodologies or functions described herein. The computer readable medium is operable to include the memory 862, the processor 860, and/or the storage media 890 and is operable be a single medium or multiple media (e.g., a centralized or distributed computer system) that store the one or more sets of instructions 900. Non-transitory computer readable media includes all computer readable media, with the sole exception being a transitory, propagating signal per se. The instructions 900 are further operable to be transmitted or received over the network 810 via the network interface unit 896 as communication media, which is operable to include a modulated data signal such as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism and includes any delivery media. The term “modulated data signal” means a signal that has one or more of its characteristics changed or set in a manner as to encode information in the signal.
[0213] Storage devices 890 and memory 862 include, but are not limited to, volatile and non-volatile media such as cache, RAM, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, FLASH memory, or other solid state memory technology; discs (e.g., digital versatile discs (DVD), HD-DVD, BLU-RAY, compact disc (CD), or CD-ROM) or other optical storage; magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage, floppy disks, or other magnetic storage devices; or any other medium that can be used to store the computer readable instructions and which can be accessed by the computer system 800.
[0214] In one embodiment, the computer system 800 is within a cloud-based network. In one embodiment, the server 850 is a designated physical server for distributed computing devices 820, 830, and 840. In one embodiment, the server 850 is a cloud-based server platform. In one embodiment, the cloud-based server platform hosts serverless functions for distributed computing devices 820, 830, and 840.
[0215] In another embodiment, the computer system 800 is within an edge computing network. The server 850 is an edge server, and the database 870 is an edge database. The edge server 850 and the edge database 870 are part of an edge computing platform. In one embodiment, the edge server 850 and the edge database 870 are designated to distributed computing devices 820, 830, and 840. In one embodiment, the edge server 850 and the edge database 870 are not designated for distributed computing devices 820, 830, and 840. The distributed computing devices 820, 830, and 840 connect to an edge server in the edge computing network based on proximity, availability, latency, bandwidth, and/or other factors.
[0216] It is also contemplated that the computer system 800 is operable to not include all of the components shown in
[0217] In view of the aforesaid written description of the present invention, it will be readily understood by those persons skilled in the art that the present invention is susceptible of broad utility and application. Many embodiments and adaptations of the present invention other than those herein described, as well as many variations, modifications, and equivalent arrangements, will be apparent from or reasonably suggested by the present invention and the foregoing description thereof, without departing from the substance or scope of the present invention. Accordingly, while the present invention has been described herein in detail in relation to preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that this disclosure is only illustrative and exemplary of the present invention and is made merely for purposes of providing a full and enabling disclosure of the invention. The foregoing disclosure is not intended nor is to be construed to limit the present invention or otherwise to exclude any such other embodiments, adaptations, variations, modifications and equivalent arrangements, the present invention being limited only by any claims appended hereto and the equivalents thereof.