IPC분류정보
국가/구분 |
United States(US) Patent
등록
|
국제특허분류(IPC7판) |
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출원번호 |
US-0775347
(2010-05-06)
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등록번호 |
US-8893329
(2014-11-25)
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발명자
/ 주소 |
- Petrovski, Dusko
- Steele, Barry
- Brykalski, Michael
- Terech, John
- Marquette, David
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출원인 / 주소 |
|
대리인 / 주소 |
Knobbe, Martens, Olson & Bear, LLP
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인용정보 |
피인용 횟수 :
33 인용 특허 :
201 |
초록
▼
A climate-conditioned bed includes an upper portion having at least a first climate zone and at least one fluid module associated with such a first climate zone. The fluid module comprises a fluid transfer device for selectively moving a fluid and a thermoelectric device for selectively heating or c
A climate-conditioned bed includes an upper portion having at least a first climate zone and at least one fluid module associated with such a first climate zone. The fluid module comprises a fluid transfer device for selectively moving a fluid and a thermoelectric device for selectively heating or cooling a fluid. The bed additionally includes one or more control modules configured to regulate the operation of the fluid module, at least one input device configured to allow an occupant to select a setting or mode associated with the first climate zone and at least a first temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature associated with the first climate zone of the thermally-conditioned bed. In some embodiments, the fluid module is operatively connected to the control module. The control module is configured to adjust at least one operational parameter of the fluid module based on, at least in part, the setting or mode selected by an occupant using the at least one input device, and the temperature detected by the first temperature sensor.
대표청구항
▼
1. A climate-conditioned bed comprising: an upper portion having a first climate zone;at least one fluid module associated with the first climate zone;wherein the at least one fluid module comprises a fluid transfer device for selectively moving a fluid and a thermal conditioning device configured t
1. A climate-conditioned bed comprising: an upper portion having a first climate zone;at least one fluid module associated with the first climate zone;wherein the at least one fluid module comprises a fluid transfer device for selectively moving a fluid and a thermal conditioning device configured to selectively heat or cool a fluid;at least one passageway positioned at least partially through an interior of the upper portion and placing the at least one fluid module in fluid communication with at least one fluid distribution member located on or near a top of the upper portion;wherein fluid entering the at least one fluid distribution member is delivered above the upper portion along an area defined by the first climate zone;at least one control module configured to regulate the operation of the at least one fluid module;wherein the at least one fluid module is operatively connected to the at least one control module;at least one input device configured to allow an occupant to select a desired climate controlled setting or mode associated with the first climate zone;wherein the at least one input device is in data communication with the at least one control module, said at least one input device being configured to receive instructions from an occupant regarding the desired climate controlled setting or mode;at least a first temperature sensor configured to detect a first temperature associated with a level of thermal conditioning occurring to fluid delivered to the first climate zone of the climate-conditioned bed; andat least one humidity sensor configured to detect a relative humidity of fluid passing through the at least one fluid module;wherein, for a particular desired climate controlled setting or mode, the at least one control module is configured to adjust at least one operational parameter of the at least one fluid module based, at least in part, on the first temperature detected by the at least one first temperature sensor, the relative humidity detected by the at least one humidity sensor and a target comfort zone;wherein the target comfort zone is based on the temperature and relative humidity of fluid thermally conditioned by the at least one fluid module and delivered to the at least one fluid distribution member; andwherein the at least one control module is further configured to adjust at least one operational parameter of the at least one fluid module to reduce the likelihood of condensate formation. 2. The climate-conditioned bed of claim 1, further comprising at least a second climate zone and at least one second fluid module associated with said second climate zone; wherein the bed further comprises at least a second temperature sensor configured to detect a second temperature associated with a level of thermal conditioning occurring to fluid delivered to the second climate zone; andwherein the at least one control module is configured to adjust at least one operational parameter of the second fluid module based, at least in part, on: (i) the climate controlled setting or mode selected by an occupant using the at least one input device, and (ii) the second temperature detected by the second temperature sensor. 3. The climate-conditioned bed of claim 2, wherein the first climate zone is located along a left side of the bed, and wherein the second climate zone is located along a right side of the bed. 4. The climate-conditioned bed of claim 2, wherein the first climate zone comprises at least two climate subzones, said climate subzones being configured to be operated differently from each other, wherein fluid is supplied to each climate subzone from separate fluid modules. 5. The climate-conditioned bed of claim 1, wherein the at least one passageway of the upper portion is in fluid communication with a duct of a climate control system of a building in which the bed is located. 6. The climate-conditioned bed of claim 1, wherein the at least one control module of the bed is operatively connected to a control system of a climate control system of a building in which the bed is located. 7. The climate-conditioned bed of claim 1, further comprising a separate fluid source in fluid communication with the at least one passageway, wherein fluids or other materials contained within said separate fluid source are configured to be selectively delivered to through the at least one passageway, toward a top surface of the upper portion. 8. The climate-conditioned bed of claim 7, wherein the fluids or other materials contained within the separate fluid source comprise at least one of a medicament, a therapeutic agent, an insect repellent and a fragrance. 9. The climate-controlled bed of claim 8, wherein the medicament comprises an asthma medication, an anti-bacterial medication, an anti-fungal medication or an anesthetic. 10. The climate-conditioned bed of claim 1, wherein the upper portion comprises at least one viscoelastic layer. 11. The climate-controlled bed of claim 10, wherein the viscoelastic layer comprises a plurality of first openings and a plurality of second openings, said first and second openings extending throughout an entire depth of said viscoelastic layer; wherein the second openings are larger than the first openings;wherein the second openings are configured to generally distribute fluid being delivered from the at least one fluid module to a top of the upper portion; andwherein the first openings are configured to assist in the breathability of the viscoelastic layer. 12. The climate-conditioned bed of claim 1, wherein the control module is configured to be operatively connected to at least one separate device or system. 13. The climate-conditioned bed of claim 12, wherein the at least one separate device or system comprises a thermostat or other controller for a building's climate control system, a multimedia device, a control unit, a computer, an internet connection or another network connection. 14. The climate-conditioned bed of claim 12, wherein the at least one separate device or system comprises a Smartphone or a multimedia device. 15. The climate-conditioned bed of claim 1, wherein the at least one fluid module, the at least a first temperature sensor and the at least one control module are included within a single housing. 16. The climate-conditioned bed of claim 1, further comprising a temperature alarm configured to be activated when the temperature associated with the first climate zone exceeds a threshold temperature. 17. The climate-conditioned bed of claim 1, wherein the at least one control module is configured to thermally pre-condition the bed by activating the at least one thermal module according to a setting selected by an occupant. 18. A climate-conditioned seating assembly comprising: at least a first climate zone;at least one fluid module associated with the first climate zone;wherein the at least one fluid module is configured to selectively transfer and environmentally-condition a fluid;a control module configured to regulate the operation of the at least one fluid module;at least one temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of fluid entering the at least one fluid module;at least one humidity sensor for detecting the relative humidity of fluid entering the at least one fluid module;wherein the at least one fluid module is operatively connected to the control module;at least one user input device configured to allow an occupant to select a desired environmental control setting or mode associated with the first climate zone;wherein the at least one fluid module is configured to deliver fluids through at least one passageway of the seating assembly, into and through at least one fluid distribution member, and toward a top surface of said seating assembly, the at least one fluid distribution member comprising at least one layer positioned along a top of the seating assembly, wherein the at least one fluid distribution member is air permeable and configured to generally distribute fluid within the at least one fluid distribution member;wherein, for a particular environmental control setting or mode, the at least one control module is configured to adjust at least one operational parameter of the at least one fluid module based, at least in part, on the first temperature detected by the at least one temperature sensor, the relative humidity detected by the at least one humidity sensor and a target comfort zone;wherein the target comfort zone is based on the temperature and relative humidity of fluid environmentally conditioned by the at least one fluid module and delivered to the at least one fluid distribution member; andwherein the at least one control module is further configured to adjust at least one operational parameter of the at least one fluid module to reduce the likelihood of condensate formation. 19. The seating assembly of claim 18, wherein the assembly comprises a consumer bed, a medical bed, a wheelchair or a vehicle seat. 20. A climate-conditioned bed assembly comprising: a first climate zone and at least a second climate zone;at least one first fluid module associated with the first climate zone;at least one second fluid module associated with the second climate zone;each of the at least one first fluid module and the at least one second fluid module comprising a fluid transfer device and a thermal conditioning device, wherein said fluid transfer device is configured to transfer fluids through the bed assembly, and wherein the thermal conditioning device is configured to selectively thermally-condition such fluids;wherein the at least one first fluid module is configured to deliver fluids to the first climate zone, the first climate zone comprising at least one first fluid distribution member, the at least one first fluid distribution member comprising at least one layer positioned along a top of the bed assembly, wherein the at least one first fluid distribution member is air permeable and configured to generally distribute fluid within the at least one first fluid distribution member;wherein the at least one second fluid module is configured to deliver fluids to the second climate zone, the second climate zone comprising at least one second fluid distribution member, the at least one second fluid distribution member comprising at least one layer positioned along a top of the bed assembly, wherein the at least one second fluid distribution member is air permeable and configured to generally distribute fluid within the at least one second fluid distribution member;at least one control module configured to regulate the operation of the at least one first fluid module and the at least one second fluid module;wherein each of the fluid modules is operatively connected to the at least one control module; andat least one occupant input device configured to allow an occupant to select a climate control setting or mode for at least one of the first climate zone and the second climate zone;wherein the at least one control module is configured to adjust at least one operational parameter of at least one of the fluid modules based, at least in part, on the climate control setting or mode selected by an occupant, a temperature of fluid entering the fluid modules detected by at least one temperature sensor and a relative humidity of fluid entering the fluid modules detected by at least one humidity sensor;wherein the control module is configured to adjust at least one operational parameter of at least one of the fluid modules in order to maintain the desired climate control setting or mode in at least one of the first climate zone and the second climate zone along an upper portion of the bed assembly, and wherein the at least one control module is further configured to adjust at least one operational parameter of the at least one fluid module to reduce the likelihood of condensate formation; andwherein the first climate zone is configured to be controlled independently of the second climate zone. 21. The climate-conditioned bed assembly of claim 20, wherein an operational parameter of at least one fluid module comprises at least one of a level of heating or cooling of the thermal conditioning device and a flowrate of the fluid transfer device. 22. The climate-conditioned bed assembly of claim 20, wherein the desired climate control setting or mode is configured to vary over time as determined by a control algorithm. 23. The climate-conditioned bed assembly of claim 20, wherein the at least one control module is configured to regulate at least one of the fluid modules to adjust a temperature along the upper portion of at least one of the first climate zone and the second climate zone to help awaken an occupant positioned thereon. 24. The climate-conditioned bed assembly of claim 20, further comprising a timer operatively connected to the at least one control module, said timer being configured to regulate at least one of the fluid modules. 25. The climate-conditioned bed of claim 1, wherein the thermal conditioning device comprises a thermoelectric device. 26. The climate-conditioned bed of claim 1, wherein the thermal conditioning device comprises a convective heater. 27. The climate-conditioned bed assembly of claim 20, wherein the thermal conditioning comprises at least one of a thermoelectric device and a convective heater.
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