Multi-zone temperature modulation system for bed or blanket

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 control unit for adjusting a temperature of a fluid comprising: a pump including a first inlet, a second inlet, and at least one outlet; a reservoir including the fluid; and a thermoelectric device operable to adjust the temperature of the fluid in the reservoir; wherein the pump is operable to pump the fluid through the at least one outlet and into a first independent temperature zone; wherein the pump is operable to pump the fluid through the at least one outlet and into a second independent temperature zone; wherein the pump is operable to receive the fluid through the first inlet from the first independent temperature zone and through the second inlet from the second independent temperature zone; and wherein the first independent temperature zone and the second independent temperature zone are embedded in a mattress.

2. The control unit of claim 1, wherein the control unit is operable to wirelessly receive a first target temperature for the first independent temperature zone and a second target temperature for the second independent temperature zone.

3. The control unit of claim 1, wherein the control unit is operable to cause the thermoelectric device to heat or cool the fluid based on a first target temperature of the first independent temperature zone or a second target temperature of the second independent temperature zone.

4. The control unit of claim 1, wherein the control unit is operable to control distribution of the fluid to the first independent temperature zone or the second independent temperature zone based on a first target temperature of the first independent temperature zone or a second target temperature of the second independent temperature zone or stop distribution of the fluid to the first independent temperature zone or the second independent temperature zone based on the first target temperature of the first independent temperature zone or the second target temperature of the second independent temperature zone.

5. The control unit of claim 1, wherein the control unit is operable to control distribution of the fluid to the first independent temperature zone through the at least one outlet and the second independent temperature zone through the at least one outlet simultaneously based on scheduled target temperatures correlating to a sleep cycle of at least one user.

6. The control unit of claim 1, wherein the control unit is operable to control distribution of the fluid to the first independent temperature zone and the second independent temperature zone through the at least one outlet sequentially based on scheduled target temperatures correlating to a sleep cycle of at least one user.

7. The control unit of claim 1, wherein the at least one outlet is connected to a first end of a first circuit, wherein the first independent temperature zone includes a portion of the first circuit, wherein the at least one outlet is connected to a first end of a second circuit, and wherein the second independent temperature zone includes a portion of the second circuit.

8. The control unit of claim 1, wherein the pump incudes a multichannel pump or wherein the pump includes a multi-way valve.

9. A control unit for adjusting a temperature of a fluid comprising: a pump including a first inlet, a second inlet, and at least one outlet; a reservoir including the fluid; and a thermoelectric device operable to adjust the temperature of the fluid in the reservoir based on a schedule of target temperatures over a selected period of time; wherein the at least one outlet of the pump is connected to a first end of a first conduit circuit, wherein at least a portion of the first conduit circuit is included in a first independent temperature zone; wherein the at least one outlet of the pump is connected to a first end of a second conduit circuit, wherein at least a portion of the second conduit circuit is included in a second independent temperature zone; wherein the pump is operable to pump the fluid through the at least one outlet and into the first independent temperature zone; wherein the pump is operable to pump the fluid through the at least one outlet and into the second independent temperature zone; and wherein the first inlet receives the fluid from the first independent temperature zone and the second inlet receives the fluid from the second independent temperature zone.

10. The control unit of claim 9, wherein the first independent temperature zone and the second independent temperature zone are embedded in a mattress or a mattress topper.

11. The control unit of claim 9, wherein the schedule of target temperatures correlates to a sleep cycle of at least one user.

12. The control unit of claim 9, wherein the control unit is operable to receive a first actual temperature of the first independent temperature zone and a second actual temperature of the second independent temperature zone, and wherein the pump is operable to control distribution of the fluid to the first independent temperature zone or the second independent temperature zone based on comparison of the first actual temperature of the first independent temperature zone to a first target temperature of the first independent temperature zone or a comparison of the second actual temperature of the second independent temperature zone to a second target temperature of the second independent temperature zone or stop distribution of the fluid to the first independent temperature zone or the second independent temperature zone based on the comparison of the first actual temperature of the first independent temperature zone to the first target temperature of the first independent temperature zone or the comparison of the second actual temperature of the second independent temperature zone to the second target temperature of the second independent temperature zone.

13. The control unit of claim 9, wherein the fluid is water, and wherein the first independent temperature zone and the second independent temperature zone are embedded in a mattress or a mattress topper.

14. The control unit of claim 9, wherein the control unit is operable to wirelessly receive a first target temperature for the first independent temperature zone and a second target temperature for the second independent temperature zone.

15. A control unit for adjusting a temperature of a fluid comprising: a pump system including at least one outlet, and a first inlet, and a second inlet; and a reservoir including the fluid; at least one temperature sensor; wherein the control unit is operable to heat and cool the fluid in the reservoir; wherein the pump system includes a single pump with a multi-outlet valve, a single pump with a single outlet valve, a multichannel pump, and/or a system comprised of one or more pumps and valves; wherein the at least one outlet of the pump system is connected to the first independent temperature zone and the second independent temperature zone; wherein the pump system is operable to pump the fluid through the at least one outlet and into the first independent temperature zone or the second independent temperature zone; wherein the first inlet is connected to the first independent temperature zone, and wherein the second inlet is connected to the second independent temperature zone; wherein the control unit receives data from the at least one temperature sensor corresponding to the temperature of the first independent temperature zone and/or the second independent temperature zone; and wherein the heating or cooling of the fluid in the reservoir by the control unit is modified based on the data from the at least one temperature sensor.

16. The control unit of claim 15, wherein the control unit is operable to receive target temperatures from at least one computing device.

17. The control unit of claim 15, wherein the fluid is water.

18. The control unit of claim 15, wherein the at least one outlet includes a first outlet and a second outlet, wherein the first outlet is connected to the first independent temperature zone and the second outlet is connected to the second independent temperature zone.

19. The control unit of claim 15, wherein the control unit is operable to heat and cool the fluid in the reservoir using a thermoelectric device.

20. The control unit of claim 15, wherein the first independent temperature zone and the second independent temperature zone are embedded in a mattress or a mattress topper.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Further features, embodiments, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description with reference to the drawings, wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 is an environmental view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

(3) FIG. 2A is a plan view of a preferred embodiment as in FIG. 1;

(4) FIG. 2B is a plan view of an alternative embodiment;

(5) FIG. 2C is a plan view of another alternative embodiment;

(6) FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

(7) FIG. 4A illustrates a first preferred embodiment of a pump and valve system.

(8) FIG. 4B illustrates a second preferred embodiment of a pump and valve system.

(9) FIG. 4C illustrates a third preferred embodiment of a pump and valve system.

(10) FIG. 5A illustrates a recliner chair with multiple independent temperature zones.

(11) FIG. 5B illustrates a multi-zone heating/cooling system contained within a blanket.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(12) Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates the general arrangement of a preferred embodiment of a multi-zone temperature modulation system 10 according to the present invention in an environmental perspective view. A bed 20 includes a support frame 21, a box spring foundation 22, and a mattress 23, all of conventional construction. In the depicted embodiment, the mattress 23 has been provided with a topper 30 that has embedded within it a multi-zone temperature modulation system 10 according to the present invention. Although the depicted embodiment illustrates a separate mattress topper 30, those skilled in the art will recognize that it is equally possible to combine the mattress 23 and topper 30 into a single piece, with the temperature modulation system 10 effectively being embedded in the mattress 23 itself. A separate mattress topper 30 holds some advantages over the combined construction because of the ability to use a separate topper 30 to retrofit an existing mattress 23.

(13) The system 10 as depicted is divided generally into three temperature zones 11,12,13, which correspond generally to the position of a person's head and neck, trunk and legs, and feet when the person (not shown) lies on the mattress 23. The depicted system 10 is arranged to permit the three zones 11,12,13 to be targeted for three independent temperatures. As used herein, the term “independent temperature” refers to a zone temperature that is set or targeted without respect to the temperature of another zone; an independent temperature is able to be the same temperature as that of another zone, and there is no requirement that the temperatures be different.

(14) Although the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1 shows multiple zones arranged for a single person's use, other multi-zone arrangements are possible, and will be discussed in greater detail below. The present invention is not limited to a particular number or arrangement of the zones; it is sufficient for the multi-zone aspect of this invention that there be more than one zone, regardless of the disposition of the zones.

(15) 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. These conduit circuits 40 are able to be formed of any suitable material, such as plastic or metal, 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 topper 30. Depending on the configuration of the zone, it is sometimes preferred to have more than one conduit circuit 40 per zone, particularly in the case of a very large 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.

(16) The heating/cooling apparatus 50 generally includes one or more reservoirs 60 for temperature modulation fluid 52, which is a liquid, such as water, or a gas. In a preferred embodiment shown, 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.

(17) 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.

(18) 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 will enable 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 will select an independent target temperature for each zone 11,12,13. Temperature probes 80 in each zone will provide temperature data for that zone to the heating/cooling apparatus 50, which will by comparison of the target temperature set using the control 70 and the actual measured temperature determine 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.

(19) In a preferred embodiment, the topper 30 or mattress 23 (for embedded designs) will include 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 will heat or cool the padding 90, which will provide more gentle temperature modulation for the user's body.

(20) Referring now to FIGS. 2A-2C, various embodiments of the present invention are illustrated in plan view for comparative purposes, in order to demonstrate the various zone arrangements that are serviced according to the present invention. In FIG. 2A, the view is as in FIG. 1, in which three zones 11,12,13, corresponding generally to the head, body and legs, and feet, respectively, of the subject utilizing the system. Although only three zones are shown, it is equally possible to have two, four, or more zones of control. In FIG. 2B, another preferred embodiment is shown in which two sides of a two-person bed, such as a full, queen, or king size bed, are provided with two separate zones 11,15. In one embodiment, these zones are divided into zones or subzones 12,13,14 and 16,17,18 as in FIG. 2A. In the arrangement shown in FIG. 2B, two separate controls are provided in order to enable each user to set his or her own preferences. In this embodiment, despite the presence of two separate controls, a single heating/cooling apparatus 50 are utilized to control the temperature of reservoir fluid 52.

(21) In FIG. 2C, another alternative embodiment is shown in which, again, there are three zones 11,12,13. For purposes of this embodiment, the arrangement could as easily encompass only a single zone 11, because the significance of this embodiment is in the control system 71. Instead of a wireless handheld control, the heating/cooling apparatus 50 is conveniently connected via a port 75 such as a USB, serial, or other port to computer 71. Computer 71 has been programmed to control the operation of the system 10 in accordance with a schedule of target temperatures selected to correlate with sleep cycles of the user. Such an arrangement promotes deeper, more restful sleep by altering body temperature at critical points. This arrangement will be discussed in greater detail below.

(22) Referring now to FIG. 3, a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in a schematic view to illustrate in greater and more convenient detail the various components of the system. Zones 11,12 are provided with conduit circuits 40 for directing a heated or cooled fluid 52 therethrough. The fluid 52 is held in a reservoir 60 and heated or cooled using a Peltier device 62 or any other suitable means. Temperature probes 80 are located within the zones 11,12 and are connected to the control unit 50, which contains computing apparatus 54, (e.g., a microprocessor, a circuit board containing logic circuits, or any other suitable arrangement), the construction of which is well known in the art to which the present invention relates. Computing apparatus 54 is attached to a user interface 70, which is, in various embodiments be a handheld wireless or wired remote control, a personal computer, or other suitable input device. The user interface 70 is used to set the parameters of operation of the control unit 50.

(23) 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 FIGS. 4A-4C. By manipulating the pump and valve system 110, the computing apparatus controls the manner in which heated or cooled fluid 52 is driven through the conduit circuits 40 to heat or cool the zones 11,12.

(24) For 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 register 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. At a given point, 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, because the temperature in zone 12 rises, the pump and valve system are 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.

(25) 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, will be possible if a computer 70 is employed as the user interface. Because the target temperatures is 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.

(26) In the system heretofore described, the details of the pump and valve system 110 have been largely omitted. A system 110 according to the present invention will permit 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.

(27) Referring now to FIG. 4A, a first preferred embodiment of a pump and valve system 110 is a multichannel pump 110 which includes an inlet 112 which serves as a conduit for fluid from the reservoir 60 and a number of outlets 114, each of which is independently controlled to permit fluid 52 to flow or not to flow into a respective conduit circuit 40 associated with a zone 11,12,13. In this arrangement, the multichannel pump 110 applies pressure to the fluid 52 and selectively opens each outlet 114 according to instructions from a control apparatus 54 (see FIG. 3) to allow fluid to flow to the associated zone 11,12,13, thus cooling or heating the zone 11,12,13 in accordance with a differential between the target temperature and the actual temperature for that zone. Because the outlets 114 are individually controlled, the flow of fluid 52 is divided among one or more outlets 114 at the same time. Alternatively, this arrangement is used in a time-division arrangement, whereby the full flow of fluid 52 is directed serially through the respective outlets 114 in order to achieve the same effect.

(28) Referring now to FIG. 4B, a second preferred embodiment of a pump and valve system 110 is illustrated. This arrangement is simpler in scope than the embodiment shown in FIG. 4A, in that the pump 116 is physically separated from the valve 118. The pump 116 is activated to provide fluid pressure, and the valve 118 is under the control of the control apparatus 54, alternately directing the fluid from inlet 112 through outlets 114,114,114 serially in a time-division arrangement.

(29) Referring now to FIG. 4C, another preferred embodiment of a pump and valve system 110 is illustrated. In this arrangement, each zone 11,12,13 is provided with its own pump 110 and valve 113, which independently operates to provide fluid pressure through the associated conduit circuit 40. This arrangement results in some duplication of components, but is useful under certain circumstances in which there is a need to provide full flow of fluid 52 through each zone 11,12,13 at all times.

(30) 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 often need only 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 thus divides 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.

(31) Although the arrangement illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2A-2C is in a mattress-type arrangement, such as a mattress 23 or a topper 30, it is equally possible to apply the concepts of the invention to other contexts. For example, as in FIG. 5A, a recliner chair 25 is shown. In much the same manner as is done with the mattress 23 or topper 30 arrangements, the recliner chair 25 is provided with a number of zones 11,12,13,14,15, each of which has an associated conduit circuit 40 under independent temperature control by a control apparatus 5 0 as directed by a user interface 70. The operation of such a system is identical to that described above.

(32) Also, as is illustrated in FIG. 5B, the concepts of the present invention are not limited to support furniture such as mattresses, chairs, and the like. A multi-zone heating/cooling system is contained within a blanket 27, for example, which is conveniently placed over or under the user to provide heating or cooling within given zones 11,12. In such an arrangement, the use of flexible tubing for the conduit circuits 40 is important to promote the ability of the blanket 27 to conform to the user's body.

(33) 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.

(34) In one embodiment, the fluid 52 is a liquid such as water, or it is 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, or it is a single pump with a multi-outlet valve, or it includes several pumps and valves. The particular type of pump and valve system chosen is tied to the nature of the fluid 52. 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.

(35) The system 10 is 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.

(36) In order that the system 10 is able to control 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.

(37) 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.

(38) In the context of bed use, the system 10 is able to be integrated into the mattress 23, or it is able to be a separate article such as a mattress topper 30.

(39) The system 10 conveniently receives user input through a user interface 70 such as a remote control, wired or wireless. Alternatively, the system is provided with a port 75 to connect it to a computer 71 such as a personal computer, in order to enable programmatic control of the system over time.

(40) 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. 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. Similar features of this embodiment are provided as above.

(41) This arrangement is applicable to a wide variety of contexts, including beds, mattress toppers, chairs, other support furniture, and blankets.

(42) 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. The structure is largely as above, but 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.

(43) 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.