Mattress With Cooling And Heating Function

Abstract

Disclosed is a mattress, which performs a cooling function under a high temperature environment owing to air permeability thereof and a thermal function under a low temperature environment via natural convection, thereby providing a pleasant sleep environment in all temperature conditions. The mattress includes a cushioning member to perform a cushioning operation, a thermal laminate member disposed on one surface of the cushioning member, a heating element to perform a heating operation upon receiving power and to exhibit elasticity, a cooling laminate member disposed on the other surface of the cushioning member and having air permeability, and a cover member to surround an outermost portion of the mattress. By simply changing the orientation of the mattress and using the elastic cooling and heating members, the mattress is compatibly used all the year round to provide a pleasant sleep environment without deterioration of an intrinsic cushioning function and load dispersing/supporting function.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a mattress with cooling and heating functions, and more particularly, to a mattress with cooling and heating functions, which is capable of performing a cooling function under a high temperature environment owing to air permeability thereof and of performing a heating function under a low temperature environment via natural convection, thereby providing a pleasant sleep environment in all temperature conditions.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] Generally, owing to modernization, change of a residential culture to apartments and the like, the percentage of the population that uses beds is gradually increasing and currently, most homes possess beds. A bed is constituted of a bed frame and a mattress installed to the bed frame. The mattress may be classified into a spring mattress, a latex mattress, a stone mattress and a Hwangto (yellow soil) mattress, according to constituent materials or cushioning types thereof.

[0003] Although a bed using a spring mattress or a latex mattress has a greater cushioning function than a bed using a stone mattress or a Hwangto mattress and thus, provides comfort and ease during sleep, it is not provided with a heating device, which may cause a user to feel cold in the winter.

[0004] For this reason, most users of this kind of mattress use a cover, such as an electric blanket, on an upper surface of the mattress, to achieve thermal effects if necessary.

[0005] Such an electric blanket has conventionally been fabricated in such a manner that a serpentine copper wire, which serves as a heating wire, is embedded in a planar body, or in such a manner that carbon textile yarns are woven to construct a planar heating element and cover sheets overlay respectively upper and lower surfaces of the planar heating element. However, since the electric blanket lacks elasticity, covering a mattress with the non-elastic electric blanket may disadvantageously deteriorate or disable intrinsic cushioning effects of an ergonomic mattress obtained by heavy investment and research and development.

[0006] In addition, although many conventional mattresses have been fabricated to employ a spring or latex foam as a shock absorbing interior material, due to the fact that the latex foam has poor air permeability although it exhibits cushioning effects, a mattress employing a spring shock absorbing member is mainly used to achieve air permeability. However, this spring mattress still has difficulty in providing a comfortable sleep environment in the summer because of insufficient air permeability thereof.

DISCLOSURE

Technical Problem

[0007] An object of the present invention devised to solve the problem lies on a mattress with cooling and heating functions, which is capable of performing a cooling function under a high temperature environment owing to air permeability thereof and of performing a thermal function under a low temperature environment via natural convection, thereby providing a pleasant sleep environment in all temperature conditions.

[0008] Another object of the present invention devised to solve the problem lies on a mattress with cooling and heating functions, which is capable of performing a thermal function via natural convection without hindering not only a cushioning function of an ergonomic mattress for a sound sleep, but also a load dispersion function to uniformly disperse and support the weight of a human body.

Technical Solution

[0009] The object of the present invention can be achieved by providing a mattress with cooling and heating functions, the mattress including a cushioning member configured to perform a cushioning operation, a thermal laminate member disposed on one surface of the cushioning member, a heating element configured to perform a heating operation upon receiving power and to exhibit elasticity to resist external force, a cooling laminate member disposed on the other surface of the cushioning member and which is configured to have air permeability, and a cover member configured to surround an outermost portion of the mattress.

[0010] The mattress may further include a heat blocking planar element disposed on an outer surface of the thermal laminate member and which serves to prevent heat from being transferred inward, the heating element may be disposed on an outer surface of the heat blocking planar element, and the cooling laminate member may include a permeable pad formed by weaving elastic linear members into a plate shaped net.

[0011] The mattress may further include an air circulating fan configured to suction outside air into the mattress or to discharge the interior air of the mattress to the outside, wherein the air circulating fan is located at a lateral portion of the cover member.

[0012] The mattress may further include an extendable device including a cylinder secured to the mattress at a predetermined position and a rod configured to move in linkage with contraction and expansion of the mattress, the air circulating fan may be mounted to the cylinder so as to remain stationary without a risk of oscillation.

[0013] The cooling laminate member may further include a net interposed between an inner surface of the permeable pad and the cushioning member, and a dual fabric disposed on an outer surface of the permeable pad and which includes an upper fabric and a lower fabric vertically spaced apart from each other, with connective yarns interposed therebetween, and woven to exhibit air permeability.

[0014] The thermal laminate member may include a hard pad disposed in contact with the surface of the cushioning member and which is formed into a plate shape to have air permeability, a soft pad disposed in contact with an outer surface of the hard pad and which is formed into a plate shape to have air permeability, and a foam pad disposed in contact with an outer surface of the soft pad and which is formed into a plate shape to have air permeability.

[0015] The cover member may include a lining fabric disposed in contact with the heating element and the cooling laminate member and which is woven to have air permeability, a cover fabric additionally provided on an outer surface of the lining fabric and which internally defines a hollow region and has a plurality of vent holes communicating with the hollow region, and a shock absorbing material interposed between the lining fabric and the cover fabric and which serves to perform a shock absorbing operation.

[0016] The heat blocking planar element may be formed of a fabric, which is densely woven to increase heat retention effects by preventing heat from being transferred inward and which is subjected to flame retardant finishing to achieve heat resistance.

[0017] The thermal laminate member or the cooling laminate member may be foam provided with pores having a diameter ranging from 1 mm to 30 mm, and a polymer resin mixed with functional particles is coated and hardened on the foam.

[0018] The thermal laminate member or the cooling laminate member may be formed of a dual fabric, the dual fabric may include an upper fabric, a lower fabric downwardly spaced apart from the upper fabric with a space interposed therebetween, and connective yarns interposed in the space to connect the upper fabric and the lower fabric to each other, and the upper fabric, the lower fabric and the connective yarns may be formed of elastic textile yarns or metal yarns.

[0019] The dual fabric may include a foam layer provided in the space.

[0020] The heating element may include a heating conductive wire disposed in the dual fabric and which serves not only to perform a heating operation upon receiving power, but also to exhibit elasticity to resist external force.

[0021] The heating element may include a heating conductive wire disposed in the air permeable pad and which serves not only to perform a heating operation upon receiving power, but also to exhibit elasticity to resist external force.

[0022] The cushion member may include an array of a plurality of compressive springs, and the heating element may be a planar heating element, which is formed by weaving weft yarns and warp yarns into a planar structure and simultaneously, weaving at least one strand of conductive wire in a warp yarn direction to have a linear shape or a wave shape, and the weft yarns and/or the warp yarns may include elastic polymer yarns to provide the planar heating element with elasticity.

[0023] The conductive wire may include a centrally located core yarn, a plurality of strands of insulated conductive yarns twisted on an outer circumference of the core yarn, and a plurality of strands of textile yarns wound on the conductive yarns to form a coating layer, or may include a centrally positioned elastic core yarn formed of an elastic polymer yarn, a plurality of strands of insulated conductive yarns wound on the core yarn, and a sheath layer elastically formed on an outer circumference of the conductive yarns.

[0024] The planar heating element may be separably coupled to an adjacent member.

[0025] The cover member may include a vent hole to enable flow of air into the mattress, and the vent hole may be provided with an opening/closing door to prevent air heated during the heating operation of the heating element from leaking to the outside of the mattress.

[0026] An additional pad may be detachably attached to the planar heating element and may contain particles formed of at least one of a far-infrared radiation material, an electromagnetic shielding material, an anion generating material and a sterilizing and antibacterial material.

[0027] In another aspect of the present invention, provided herein is a mattress with cooling and heating functions, the mattress including a cushioning member configured to perform a cushioning operation, a laminate member disposed on one surface of the cushioning member, a fluid transfer pipe disposed on an outer surface of the laminate member, through which a heating or cooling fluid moves, a fluid storage container in which the fluid to be moved to the fluid transfer pipe is received, a fluid circulator configured to circulate the fluid through the fluid transfer pipe, a heat exchanger configured to heat or cool the fluid to be moved to the fluid transfer pipe, an input unit configured to input the temperature, flow rate and movement time of the fluid moving through the fluid transfer pipe, a control unit configured to control the fluid circulator and the heat exchanger in response to an input signal from the input unit, and a cover member configured to surround an outermost portion of the mattress.

[0028] The mattress may further include a temperature sensor configured to sense the temperature of the fluid within the fluid transfer pipe and apply the sensed signal to the control unit, and a humidity sensor configured to sense the interior humidity of the mattress and apply the sensed signal to the control unit, the fluid circulator may include a circulation pump, and the heat exchanger may be a thermoelectric semiconductor module in which substrates are provided at both sides of P-type and N-type thermoelectric semiconductors and which is adapted to be increased or decreased in temperature according to the supply direction of power so as to heat or cool the fluid.

[0029] The mattress may further include at least one selected from among a dual fabric and a foam, the dual fabric may include an upper fabric and a lower fabric vertically spaced apart from each other with connective yarns interposed therebetween and woven to have an interior space for installation of the fluid transfer pipe, and the foam may have a hole for installation of the fluid transfer pipe.

[0030] The mattress may further include waterproof sheets provided respectively at upper and lower sides of the fluid transfer pipe.

Advantageous Effects

[0031] As described above, a mattress with cooling and heating functions in accordance with the present invention can perform not only a cooling function under a high temperature environment, such as in summer, owing to air permeability thereof, but also a thermal function under a low temperature environment, such as in winter, via natural convection. Accordingly, the mattress can be compatibly used all the year round regardless of temperature as a sleeper simply changes the up and down orientation of the mattress. Further, the mattress has the effect of providing a pleasant sleep environment in all temperature conditions.

[0032] In particular, as a result of providing the mattress with an elastic cooling member and an elastic heating member, the mattress having an ergonomic design can successfully perform cooling and heating functions without deterioration in an intrinsic cushioning function as well as a load dispersing and supporting function thereof. Additionally, the mattress has the effect of achieving enhanced safety and market quality.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0033] FIG. 1 is a partially cut-away perspective view illustrating the configuration of a mattress with cooling and heating functions in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] FIG. 2 is a sectional view illustrating main parts of the mattress with cooling and heating functions in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] FIGS. 3A and 3B are perspective views illustrating a heating element included in the mattress with cooling and heating functions in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] FIG. 4 is a view illustrating an installed state of the heating element included in the mattress with cooling and heating functions in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a cooling laminate member included in the mattress with cooling and heating functions in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a structure for installation of an air circulating fan included in the mattress with cooling and heating functions in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] FIG. 7 is a view illustrating a first alternative embodiment of the cooling laminate member included in the mattress with cooling and heating functions in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] FIG. 8 is a view illustrating a second alternative embodiment of the cooling laminate member included in the mattress with cooling and heating functions in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] FIG. 9 is a view illustrating a first alternative embodiment of the thermal laminate member included in the mattress with cooling and heating functions in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] FIG. 10 is a view illustrating a first alternative embodiment of the mattress with cooling and heating functions in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] FIG. 11 is a view illustrating a second alternative embodiment of the mattress with cooling and heating functions in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] FIG. 12 is a partially cut-away perspective view illustrating the configuration of a mattress with cooling and heating functions in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0045] FIG. 13 is a sectional view illustrating an installed state of a heat exchanger included in the mattress with cooling and heating functions in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0046] FIGS. 14A and 14B are views illustrating different installation examples of a fluid transfer pipe included in the mattress with cooling and heating functions in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention.

MODE FOR INVENTION

[0047] Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 14B. Wherever possible, throughout FIGS. 1 to 14B, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. In the respective drawings, an illustration and a detailed description of configurations and functions and effects thereof which can be easily understood from general technology by those skilled in the art will be described briefly or be omitted, and illustration is centered on only constituent elements related to the subject matter of the present invention.

[0048] FIG. 1 is a partially cut-away perspective view illustrating the configuration of a mattress with cooling and heating functions in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a sectional view illustrating main parts of the mattress with cooling and heating functions in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0049] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the mattress with cooling and heating functions in accordance with the present invention, which is generally designated by reference numeral 1, includes a thermal laminate member 13, a heat blocking planar element 14 and a heating element 15, which are arranged at one side of a cushioning member 12 accommodated in a cover member 11. On the basis of the cushioning member 12, one side thereof realizes a heating operation under a low temperature environment, such as is encountered, e.g., in the winter, whereas the other side thereof is provided with a cooling laminate member 16 having air permeability to realize a cooling operation under a high temperature environment, such as is encountered, e.g., in the summer, which results in a pleasant sleep environment all the year round.

[0050] Although the cushioning member 12 may be freely selected from among various cushioning materials, such as latex foam, without a limitation so long as it can exhibit cushioning effects, in the present embodiment, the cushioning member 12 may include compressive springs, which are relatively inexpensive and can exhibit sufficient air permeability. More particularly, a plurality of compressive springs, which have a slightly smaller length than a thickness of a conventional mattress, is arranged adjacent to one another to form the rectangular cushioning member 12.

[0051] The thermal laminate member 13 is disposed on one surface of the cushioning member 12. The thermal laminate member 13 includes a hard pad 131, a soft pad 132 and a foam pad 133, which are sequentially stacked one above another from the interior to the exterior.

[0052] The hard pad 131 takes the form of a plate having air permeability and is disposed in contact with one surface of the cushioning member 12. The hard pad 131 is formed by applying or coating a polymer resin onto fine textile yarns and hardening the same. Assuming that the textile yarns are elastic textile yarns such as synthetic resin yarns, the resultant pad may be harder than polymer foam which is called sponge.

[0053] The soft pad 132 is disposed in contact with an outer surface of the hard pad 131 and is formed of a thin non-woven fabric suitable to achieve sufficient air permeability.

[0054] The foam pad 133 takes the form of a plate and is disposed in contact with an outer surface of the soft pad 132. The foam pad 133 has a plurality of pores in a pad body, to exhibit excellent cushioning effects and sufficient air permeability.

[0055] The heat blocking planar element 14 is disposed on an outer surface of the thermal laminate member 13. The heat blocking planar element 14 does not allow heat emitted from the heating element 15 to be transferred inward toward the cushioning member 12, but allows transfer of heat toward a sleeping surface of the mattress 1 on which a sleeper lies. To this end, the heat blocking planar element 14 may be formed of a fabric which is fabricated by densely weaving low thermal conductivity textile yarns to effectively prevent heat from being transferred inward. The fabric used to form the heat blocking planar element 14 is subjected to flame retardant finishing to obtain heat resistance characteristics and thus, is not easily disappeared by a fire.

[0056] FIGS. 3A and 3B are perspective views illustrating the heating element included in the mattress with cooling and heating functions in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0057] Referring to FIGS. 3A and 3B, the heating element 15 is disposed on an outer surface of the heat blocking planar element 14 and serves not only to emit heat upon receiving electric power, but also to exhibit elasticity to resist external force.

[0058] Although the heating element 15 may be freely selected from among various configurations so long as it does not hinder a cushioning function of the mattress, in the present embodiment, a planar heating element 15a having elasticity may be employed. The planar heating element 15a is fabricated in such a manner that weft yarns and warp yarns are woven into a planar fabric and simultaneously, at least one strand of conductive wire 151 is woven as a weft yarn or a warp yarn to have a linear shape or a wave shape. In particular, among the weft yarns and/or the warp yarns provided to weave the planar heating element, elastic polymer yarns, such as spandex yarns, are included. As the elastic polymer yarns are woven to provide the planar heating element, the resulting planar heating element may exhibit elasticity to resist external force.

[0059] The conductive wire 151, as illustrated in FIG. 3A, may be constituted of a heat resistant core yarn 1511, a plurality of strands of insulated conductive yarns 1512 twisted on an outer circumference of the core yarn 1511, and a plurality of strands of textile yarns 1513 wound on the conductive yarns 1512 to form a coating layer. The conductive wire 151 having the above described configuration does not exhibit elasticity and therefore, it is necessary to weave the conductive wire 151 to have a wave shape as illustrated in FIG. 3A, in order to provide the woven planar heating element 15a with elasticity.

[0060] Alternatively, as illustrated in FIG. 3B, the conductive wire 151 is constituted of an elastic core yarn 1514, which is centrally positioned in the conductive wire 151 and is formed of an elastic polymer yarn such as a spandex yarn, a plurality of strands of insulated conductive yarns 1515 wound on the core yarn 1514, and a sheath layer 1516 elastically formed on an outer circumference of the conductive yarns 1515. In this case, the sheath layer 1516 is formed of a plurality of strands of textile yarns wound on the outer circumference of the conductive yarns 1515. The conductive wire 151 having the above described configuration exhibits elasticity and hence, the resultant planar heating element achieves elasticity although being linearly woven.

[0061] The conductive yarns 1512 or 1515 may be freely selected from among a variety of linear conductive members (for example, textile yarns containing a conductive material in the form of nano particles, plated yarns obtained by plating textile yarns with a conductive metal, or carbon fiber yarns). Here, the linear conductive members may serve to conduct electric current according to the magnitude of voltage or current applied thereto, or may serve to emit resistance heat. In the present embodiment, the conductive yarns 1512 or 1515 may be formed of metal yarns having a diameter of several tens to several hundred micrometers. In an exemplary embodiment, the conductive wires 1512 or 1515 may be selected from among metal yarns (commonly, referred to as enamel yarns) formed by coating stainless steel yarns, titanium yarns, or copper yarns having a diameter of 10 .mu.m to 50 .mu.m with an insulating material. In this case, although the strand number of the conductive yarns may be changed in various manner according to rated voltage, heating temperature and the like, five to thirty strands of conductive yarns may be provided.

[0062] An additional pad may be detachably attached to an inner surface or an outer surface of the planar heating element 15a. The pad may contain particles formed of at least one selected from among a far-infrared radiation material, such as ceramic, etc., an electromagnetic shielding material, such as metal nano particles, metal oxide particles, etc., an anion generating material, such as tourmaline, etc., and a sterilizing and antibacterial material, such as silver nano particles, charcoal, etc.

[0063] The planar heating element 15a is further provided with a power supply device (not shown) to apply electric current to the conductive wire 151. The power supply device may be an AC to DC power supply device that converts AC line voltage to DC voltage, or may be a rechargeable power supply device.

[0064] FIG. 4 is a view illustrating an installed state of the heating element included in the mattress with cooling and heating functions in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 4, illustration of a part of the cover member is omitted to expose the inner heating element.

[0065] Referring to FIG. 4, the planar heating element 15a is separable for repair or replacement. To this end, in the present embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the planar heating element 15a is separably coupled to the heat blocking planar element 14 located therebelow by means of a separator 152 in the form of a zipper.

[0066] In addition to the configuration as illustrated in FIG. 4, another configuration of separably coupling the planar heating element may include a fixing cover (not shown), which is connected to an edge portion of the planar heating element so as to be fixed to the mattress, and a fixing member (not shown), which allows the planar heating element to be selectively separated from the fixing cover. In this case, the fixing member may be any one of a Velcro fastener, a button, a zipper and the like, and the fixing cover may be formed of a fabric in the form of a mesh net.

[0067] The planar heating element may be woven with antistatic yarns (not shown) to prevent generation of static electricity. The antistatic yarns may be selected from among fine metal yarns, metal plated fibers, fibers containing copper sulfide in the form of nano particles and the like.

[0068] FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating the cooling laminate member included in the mattress with cooling and heating functions in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0069] The cooling laminate member 16 is disposed on the other surface of the cushioning member 12 and is configured to achieve air permeability. In particular, in the present embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the cooling laminate member 16 may include a permeable pad 161, which is formed by weaving elastic linear members into a plate shaped net, in order to achieve enhanced cooling effects. The linear members constituting the permeable pad 161 may be monofilaments 1611, which have elasticity and thus, exhibit excellent restoration.

[0070] In addition to the permeable pad 161, the cooling laminate member 16, as illustrated in FIG. 2, further includes a net 162 interposed between an inner surface of the permeable pad 16 and the cushioning member 12 and a dual fabric 163 provided at an outer surface of the permeable pad 16. The dual fabric 163 consists of an upper fabric 1631 and a lower fabric 1632, which are vertically spaced from each other with connective yarns 1633 interposed therebetween and are woven to exhibit air permeability.

[0071] The cover member 11 is configured to surround the entire outer surface of the mattress 1. Although the cover member 11 may have various shapes so long as it can exhibit sufficient air permeability, in the present embodiment, the cover member 11 is formed by sewing a lining fabric 111, a shock absorbing material 112 and a cover fabric 113, which are sequentially arranged from the interior to the exterior, to define a single planar body, in order to provide the sleeper with comfort and achieve air permeability.

[0072] The lining fabric 111 may be a mesh net shaped fabric installed in contact with both the heating element 15 and the cooling laminate member 16 so as to surround the entire mattress.

[0073] The cover fabric 113, as illustrated in FIG. 2, is additionally disposed on an outer surface of the lining fabric 111 and internally defines a hollow region 1131. The cover fabric 113 further has a plurality of vent holes 1132 to communicate with the hollow region 1131. The cover fabric 113 takes the form of a dual fabric consisting of an upper fabric 1136 and a lower fabric 1137, which are vertically spaced apart from each other with connective yarns 1135 interposed therebetween and are woven to exhibit air permeability.

[0074] The shock absorbing material 112 is interposed between the lining fabric 111 and the cover fabric 113 to perform a shock absorb function. The shock absorbing material 112 is made of synthetic cotton or natural cotton.

[0075] The cover member 11 is dividable into two parts for ease in washing and installation. To separate the cover member 11 into two parts, the cover member 11 is provided with any separator 114, such as a zipper, which is located at a lateral position of the mattress.

[0076] Referring again to FIG. 1, the mattress 1 is further provided at a lateral portion of the cover member 11 with an air circulating fan 115. The air circulating fan 115 serves to suction outside air into the mattress 1, or to discharge the interior air of the mattress 1 to the outside. This air circulation enhances air permeability of the mattress 1, allowing the sleeper to be comfortable during sleep even under a high temperature environment, such as in summer.

[0077] FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a structure for installation of the air circulating fan included in the mattress with cooling and heating functions in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0078] The air circulating fan 115 is installed to an extendable device 118, which is moved in linkage with contraction and expansion of the mattress, which ensures implementation of a smooth blowing operation even if the height of the air circulating fan 115 is changed in a thickness direction according to a cushioning operation of the mattress. For example, the extendable device 118 includes a cylinder 1181 and a rod 1182 which is vertically moved by a spring (not shown) elastically installed within the cylinder 1181. When the air circulating fan 115 is installed to the cylinder 1181 of the extendable device 118 having the above described configuration, only the rod 1182 performs translational movement along with the cushioning member 112 even if the cushioning member 112 in the form of an array of compressive springs is contracted or expanded by the weight of the sleeper. Thereby, the cylinder 1181 exhibits no movement relative to the mattress 1 and the air circulating fan 115 installed to the cylinder 118 remains stationary and is capable of stably performing a blowing operation.

[0079] The cover member 11 is provided with a vent hole 116 through which outside air is introduced into the mattress or the interior air of the mattress is discharged to the outside. The vent hole 116 is preferably provided with an opening/closing door 1161. The door 1161 is closed in an airtight manner to the vent hole 116 to prevent leakage of air heated during thermal treatment by the heating element 15, which enhances thermal treatment via natural convection.

[0080] Hereinafter, operations of the mattress with cooling and heating functions in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention will be described in brief.

[0081] First, when it is desired to use the mattress 1 with cooling and heating functions in accordance with the present invention under a high temperature environment, such as in summer, the mattress 1 is oriented such that the cooling laminate member 16 is located upward.

[0082] In a state in which the cooling laminate member 16 is located upward, the cushioning member 12 in the form of an array of compressive springs can act to communicate the interior of the mattress with the outside, thus achieving enhanced air permeability. Moreover, as the cooling laminate member 16, which is disposed in contact with the cushioning member 12, is constituted of the net 162, the permeable pad 161 and the dual fabric 163, all of which have excellent air permeability, and the cover member 11 is also constituted of the lining fabric 111, the shock absorbing material 112 and the cover fabric 113, all of which have excellent air permeability, smooth flow of air is possible.

[0083] In particular, the permeable pad 161 is formed into a plate by winding monofilaments that may be used as a fishing line due to high restoration. Thus, the permeable pad 161 may exhibit remarkably enhanced air permeability as compared to foam that is widely used in conventional beds as an auxiliary cushioning member, which provides a comfortable sleep environment under a high temperature environment, such as in summer.

[0084] On the contrary, when it is desired to use the mattress 1 with cooling and heating functions in accordance with the present invention under a low temperature environment, such as in winter, the mattress 1 is oriented such that the heating element 15 is located upward.

[0085] In a state in which the heating element 15 is located upward, if the user operates the power supply device to supply electric power to the conductive wire 151 as a heating wire of the planar heating element 15a, a heating operation is initiated. In this case, since the heat blocking planar element 14 is provided at a lower surface of the planar heating element 15a, it is possible to prevent heat generated by the planar heating element 15a from being transferred to the cushioning member 12 and to guide the heat to be transferred to the cover member 11, on which the sleeper lies, via natural convection, which has the effect of achieving thermal effects.

[0086] The surface of the heat blocking planar element 14 is subjected to flame retardant finishing and therefore, it is possible to prevent deterioration of the mattress or generation of a fire even if the planar heating element overheats.

[0087] FIG. 7 is a view illustrating a first alternative embodiment of the cooling laminate member included in the mattress with cooling and heating functions in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0088] Referring to FIG. 7, the cooling laminate member 16 may be formed of foam in such a manner that pores 162 having a diameter of 1 mm to 30 mm is formed in a foam body 161. In this case, functional particles 163 performing beneficial effects may be contained in the pores 162, or a polymer resin mixed with the functional particles 163 may be coated and hardened on the foam body.

[0089] Here, the functional particles mean a far-infrared radiation material, such as ceramic, etc., an electromagnetic shielding material, such as metal nano particles, metal oxide particles, etc., an anion generating material, such as tourmaline, etc., and a sterilizing and antibacterial material, such as silver nano particles, charcoal, etc.

[0090] Although the foam illustrated in FIG. 7 may also serve as the thermal laminate member owing to cushioning effects thereof, the foam may be more effectively used as the cooling laminate member because the pores thereof have a diameter in the range of 1 mm to 30 mm suitable to achieve excellent air permeability.

[0091] FIG. 8 is a view illustrating a second alternative embodiment of the cooling laminate member included in the mattress with cooling and heating functions in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention. More particularly, FIG. 8 is a sectional view illustrating main parts in a simplified manner.

[0092] Referring to FIG. 8, the cooling laminate member 16 may take the form of a dual fabric consisting of an upper fabric 164, a lower fabric 165 downwardly spaced apart from the upper fabric 164 with a space interposed therebetween, and connective yarns 166 interposed in the space to connect the upper fabric 164 and the lower fabric 165 to each other. Also, weft yarns 167, warp yarns 168 and the connective yarns 166, which constitute the dual fabric, may be elastic textile yarns or metal yarns.

[0093] Although the elastic dual fabric may be used as the thermal laminate member owing to cushioning effects thereof, it may be more effectively used as the cooling laminate member because the upper fabric 164 and the lower fabric 165 are formed of permeable fabrics and are arranged with the space therebetween so as to exhibit excellent air permeability.

[0094] FIG. 9 is a view illustrating a first alternative embodiment of the thermal laminate member included in the mattress with cooling and heating functions in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention. More particularly, FIG. 9 is a sectional view illustrating main parts in a simplified manner.

[0095] Referring to FIG. 9, although the thermal laminate member 13 takes the form of a dual fabric similar to the cooling laminate member 16 in accordance with the above described second alternative embodiment, additionally, the thermal laminate member 13 includes a foam layer 137 in a space between an upper fabric 135 and a lower fabric 136. In this case, the foam layer 137 is formed of polyurethane based foam resin having relatively excellent cushion characteristics.

[0096] Although the thermal laminate member 13 having the above described configuration may be used as the cooling laminate member in terms of the fact that all of the upper fabric 135, the lower fabric 136 and the foam layer 137 perform cushioning effects, due to the presence of the foam layer 137 provided in the space of the dual fabric, the thermal laminate member 13 may be more effectively used as the thermal laminate member because it exhibits less air permeability and greater heat retention efficiency than the dual fabric illustrated in FIG. 8.

[0097] FIG. 10 is a view illustrating a first alternative embodiment of the mattress with cooling and heating functions in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 10, only the thermal laminate member and the heating element, which represent major differences, are illustrated.

[0098] Referring to FIG. 10, the mattress 1 with cooling and heating functions in accordance with the first alternative embodiment includes the cushioning member (not shown) performing a cushioning operation, the thermal laminate member (not shown), the heating element 15, the cooling laminate member (not shown) and the cover member (not shown). The thermal laminate member 13 includes a permeable pad 138 formed by weaving elastic linear members into a plate shaped net, and the heating element 15 includes a heating conductive wire 155, which functions to generate heat upon receiving electric power and is disposed in the permeable pad 138 so as to exhibit elasticity to resist external force.

[0099] The heating conductive wire 155 may have the same configuration as described with relation to FIG. 3A or FIG. 3B.

[0100] In the mattress with cooling and heating functions in accordance with the first alternative embodiment, instead of providing the planar heating element, the permeable pad 138, which constitutes the thermal laminate member 13, functions as a heating element by means of the heating conductive wire 155 embedded therein, which can realize the mattress 1 with cooling and heating functions in a more simplified manner.

[0101] FIG. 11 is a view illustrating a second alternative embodiment of the mattress with cooling and heating functions in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 11, only the thermal laminate member and the heating element, which represent major differences, are illustrated.

[0102] Referring to FIG. 11, the mattress 1 with cooling and heating functions in accordance with the second alternative embodiment includes the cushioning member (not shown) performing a cushion operation, the thermal laminate member (not shown), the heating element 15, the cooling laminate member (not shown), and the cover member (not shown). The thermal laminate member 13 includes a dual fabric 139, and the heating element 15 includes a heating conductive wire 156 which functions to emit heat upon receiving electric power and is disposed in the dual fabric 139 so as to exhibit elasticity to resist elastic force.

[0103] The dual fabric 139 includes a foam layer 139a provided in a space thereof for heat retention. The heating conductive wire 156 may be disposed on an upper fabric 1391 or a lower fabric 1392 of the dual fabric 139, or may be woven in the space along with connective yarns 1393. FIG. 11 illustrates an example in which the heating conductive wire 139 is disposed on the upper fabric 1391 close to the sleeping surface of the mattress.

[0104] FIG. 12 is a partially cut-away perspective view illustrating the configuration of a mattress with cooling and heating functions in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. Illustration with respect to constituent elements (e.g., the cushioning member) similar to the above described first embodiment is omitted.

[0105] As illustrated in FIG. 12, the mattress with cooling and heating functions in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention, which is generally designated by reference numeral 2, includes the cushioning member (not shown), the laminate member (not shown), a fluid storage container 22, a fluid transfer pipe 23, a fluid circulator 24, a heat exchanger 25 and a cover member 21. The mattress 2 is configured to perform a heating operation under a low temperature environment, such as in winter, and a cooling operation under a high temperature environment, such as in summer, which can provide the sleeper with comfortable sleep.

[0106] Similar to the above described first embodiment, the cushioning member (not shown), which exhibits cushioning effects, is made of a compressive spring suitable to reduce cost and achieve sufficient air permeability.

[0107] The laminate member (not shown) is disposed on one surface of the cushioning member and includes a permeable pad formed by weaving elastic linear members into a plate shaped net to enhance cooling properties (in the same manner as the first embodiment).

[0108] The fluid storage container 22 is a storage container in which fluid such as water is received. An outlet port and an inlet port of the fluid transfer pipe 23 which will be described hereinafter are connected to the fluid storage container 22.

[0109] The fluid transfer pipe 23 provides a flow path of heating or cooling fluid and is configured in such a manner that a hose formed of a material having excellent heat exchange characteristics is arranged in a zigzag pattern on an outer surface of the laminate member.

[0110] The fluid circulator 24 serves to circulate the fluid through the fluid transfer pipe 23 and may be a circulation pump.

[0111] FIG. 13 is a sectional view illustrating an installed state of the heat exchanger included in the mattress with cooling and heating functions in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0112] The heat exchanger 25 serves to heat or cool the fluid moving through the fluid transfer pipe 23. The heat exchanger 25 takes the form of a conventional thermoelectric semiconductor module in which substrates 252 and 253 are provided at both sides of P-type and N-type thermoelectric semiconductors 251 and adapted to be increased or decreased in temperature according to the supply direction of power so as to heat or cool the fluid.

[0113] The thermoelectric semiconductor module serving as the heat exchanger 25, as illustrated in FIG. 13, is installed in such a manner that the substrate 252 is attached to a wall surface of the fluid storage container 22 to heat or cool the fluid via heat exchange according to the supply direction of power. In FIG. 13, reference numeral 254 represents a packing for air tightness, and cooling and radiating fan (not shown) may further be provided to enhance efficiency of the thermoelectric semiconductor module.

[0114] The cover member 21 is configured to surround the entire mattress 2. Similar to the above described first embodiment, the cover member 21 may be formed by integrally sewing a lining fabric (not shown), a shock absorbing material (not shown) and a cover fabric (not shown), which are sequentially arranged from the interior to the exterior.

[0115] The mattress 2 with cooling and heating functions in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention further includes an input unit (not shown) to input the temperature, flow rate and movement time of the fluid moving through the fluid transfer pipe 23, a control unit (not shown) to control the fluid circulator 24 and the heat exchanger 25 in response to an input signal from the input unit (not shown), a temperature sensor (not shown) to sense the temperature of fluid within the fluid transfer pipe 23 so as to apply the sensed signal to the control unit, and a humidity sensor (not shown) to sense the interior humidity of the mattress 2 so as to apply the sensed signal to the control unit.

[0116] A waterproof sheet 26 is provided at an upper surface and/or a lower surface of the fluid transfer pipe 23, to prevent the fluid transfer pipe 23 from being damaged by condensed water.

[0117] FIGS. 14A and 14B are views illustrating different installation examples of the fluid transfer pipe included in the mattress with cooling and heating functions in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0118] As illustrated in FIG. 14A, in one example to assist in installing and fixing the fluid transfer pipe 23, there may further be provided a dual fabric 28 consisting of an upper fabric 281 and a lower fabric 282, which are vertically spaced apart from each other with connective yarns 283 interposed therebetween and are woven to define a space therebetween.

[0119] As illustrated in FIG. 14B, in another example to assist in installing and fixing the fluid transfer pipe 23, there may further be provided a foam body 29 having an installation hole 29a.

[0120] When the fluid transfer pipe 23 is secured in the same manner as illustrated in FIGS. 14A and 14B, the fluid transfer pipe 23 may be not only more stably secured, but also may enhance cooling and heating efficiencies because the dual fabric 28 or the foam body 29 serve to retain heat or coldness.

[0121] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A mattress with cooling and heating functions, the mattress comprising: a cushioning member configured to perform a cushioning operation; a thermal laminate member disposed on one surface of the cushioning member; a heating element configured to perform a heating operation upon receiving power and to exhibit elasticity to resist external force; a cooling laminate member disposed on the other surface of the cushioning member and which is configured to have air permeability; and a cover member configured to surround an outermost portion of the mattress.

2. The mattress according to claim 1, further comprising a heat blocking planar element disposed on an outer surface of the thermal laminate member and which serves to prevent heat from being transferred inward, wherein the heating element is disposed on an outer surface of the heat blocking planar element, and wherein the cooling laminate member includes a permeable pad formed by weaving elastic linear members into a plate shaped net.

3. The mattress according to claim 2, further comprising an air circulating fan configured to suction outside air into the mattress or to discharge the interior air of the mattress to the outside, wherein the air circulating fan is located at a lateral portion of the cover member.

4. The mattress according to claim 3, further comprising an extendable device including a cylinder secured to the mattress at a predetermined position and a rod configured to move in linkage with contraction and expansion of the mattress, wherein the air circulating fan is mounted to the cylinder so as to remain stationary without a risk of oscillation.

5. The mattress according to claim 2, wherein the cooling laminate member further includes: a net interposed between an inner surface of the permeable pad and the cushioning member; and a dual fabric disposed on an outer surface of the permeable pad and which includes an upper fabric and a lower fabric vertically spaced apart from each other, with connective yarns interposed therebetween, and woven to exhibit air permeability.

6. The mattress according to claim 5, wherein the thermal laminate member includes: a hard pad disposed in contact with the surface of the cushioning member and which is formed into a plate shape to have air permeability; a soft pad disposed in contact with an outer surface of the hard pad and which is formed into a plate shape to have air permeability; and a foam pad disposed in contact with an outer surface of the soft pad and which is formed into a plate shape to have air permeability.

7. The mattress according to claim 6, wherein the cover member includes: a lining fabric disposed in contact with the heating element and the cooling laminate member and which is woven to have air permeability; a cover fabric additionally provided on an outer surface of the lining fabric and which internally defines a hollow region and has a plurality of vent holes communicating with the hollow region; and a shock absorbing material interposed between the lining fabric and the cover fabric and which serves to perform a shock absorbing operation.

8. The mattress according to claim 2, wherein the heat blocking planar element is formed of a fabric, which is densely woven to increase heat retention effects by preventing heat from being transferred inward and which is subjected to flame retardant finishing to achieve heat resistance.

9. The mattress according to claim 1, wherein the thermal laminate member or the cooling laminate member is foam provided with pores having a diameter ranging from 1 mm to 30 mm, and a polymer resin mixed with functional particles is coated and hardened on the foam.

10. The mattress according to claim 1, wherein the thermal laminate member or the cooling laminate member is formed of a dual fabric, wherein the dual fabric includes an upper fabric, a lower fabric downwardly spaced apart from the upper fabric with a space interposed therebetween, and connective yarns interposed in the space to connect the upper fabric and the lower fabric to each other, and wherein the upper fabric, the lower fabric and the connective yarns are formed of elastic textile yarns or metal yarns.

11. The mattress according to claim 10, wherein the dual fabric includes a foam layer provided in the space.

12. The mattress according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the heating element includes a heating conductive wire disposed in the dual fabric and which serves not only to perform a heating operation upon receiving power, but also to exhibit elasticity to resist external force.

13. The mattress according to claim 2, wherein the heating element includes a heating conductive wire disposed in the air permeable pad and which serves not only to perform a heating operation upon receiving power, but also to exhibit elasticity to resist external force.

14. The mattress according to claim 1, wherein the cushion member includes an array of a plurality of compressive springs, and wherein the heating element is a planar heating element, which is formed by weaving weft yarns and warp yarns into a planar structure and simultaneously, weaving at least one strand of conductive wire in a warp yarn direction to have a linear shape or a wave shape, and wherein the weft yarns and/or the warp yarns include elastic polymer yarns to provide the planar heating element with elasticity.

15. The mattress according to claim 14, wherein the conductive wire includes a centrally located core yarn, a plurality of strands of insulated conductive yarns twisted on an outer circumference of the core yarn, and a plurality of strands of textile yarns wound on the conductive yarns to form a coating layer, or includes a centrally positioned elastic core yarn formed of an elastic polymer yarn, a plurality of strands of insulated conductive yarns wound on the core yarn, and a sheath layer elastically formed on an outer circumference of the conductive yarns.

16. The mattress according to claim 15, wherein the planar heating element is separably coupled to an adjacent member.

17. The mattress according to claim 15, wherein the cover member includes a vent hole to enable flow of air into the mattress, and wherein the vent hole is provided with an opening/closing door to prevent air heated during the heating operation of the heating element from leaking to the outside of the mattress.

18. The mattress according to claim 14, wherein an additional pad is detachably attached to the planar heating element and contains particles formed of at least one of a far-infrared radiation material, an electromagnetic shielding material, an anion generating material and a sterilizing and antibacterial material.

19. A mattress with cooling and heating functions, the mattress comprising: a cushioning member configured to perform a cushioning operation; a laminate member disposed on one surface of the cushioning member; a fluid transfer pipe disposed on an outer surface of the laminate member, through which a heating or cooling fluid moves; a fluid storage container in which the fluid to be moved to the fluid transfer pipe is received; a fluid circulator configured to circulate the fluid through the fluid transfer pipe; a heat exchanger configured to heat or cool the fluid to be moved to the fluid transfer pipe; an input unit configured to input the temperature, flow rate and movement time of the fluid moving through the fluid transfer pipe; a control unit configured to control the fluid circulator and the heat exchanger in response to an input signal from the input unit; and a cover member configured to surround an outermost portion of the mattress.

20. The mattress according to claim 19, further comprising: a temperature sensor configured to sense the temperature of the fluid within the fluid transfer pipe and apply the sensed signal to the control unit; and a humidity sensor configured to sense the interior humidity of the mattress and apply the sensed signal to the control unit, wherein the fluid circulator includes a circulation pump, and wherein the heat exchanger is a thermoelectric semiconductor module in which substrates are provided at both sides of P-type and N-type thermoelectric semiconductors and which is adapted to be increased or decreased in temperature according to the supply direction of power so as to heat or cool the fluid.

21. The mattress according to claim 20, further comprising at least one selected from among a dual fabric and a foam, wherein the dual fabric includes an upper fabric and a lower fabric vertically spaced apart from each other with connective yarns interposed therebetween and woven to have an interior space for installation of the fluid transfer pipe, and wherein the foam has a hole for installation of the fluid transfer pipe.

22. The mattress according to claim 20, further comprising waterproof sheets provided respectively at upper and lower sides of the fluid transfer pipe.