U.S. patent application number 14/336707 was filed with the patent office on 2014-11-06 for adjustable-firmness body support and method.
This patent application is currently assigned to Tempur-Pedic Management, LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is Tempur-Pedic Management, LLC. Invention is credited to Kally W. Chandler, Tom D. Mikkelsen.
Application Number | 20140325758 14/336707 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42288108 |
Filed Date | 2014-11-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140325758 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Mikkelsen; Tom D. ; et
al. |
November 6, 2014 |
ADJUSTABLE-FIRMNESS BODY SUPPORT AND METHOD
Abstract
A body support assembly includes a layer including a
visco-elastic foam, a heating element in thermal communication with
the foam, a temperature sensor, such as a Peltier device, in
thermal communication with the foam, and a controller coupled to
the sensor and programmed to control the heating element based on
input from the sensor, wherein the Peltier device is operable to
heat and cool the foam.
Inventors: |
Mikkelsen; Tom D.;
(Lexington, KY) ; Chandler; Kally W.; (Gate City,
VA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Tempur-Pedic Management, LLC |
Lexington |
KY |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Tempur-Pedic Management,
LLC
Lexington
KY
|
Family ID: |
42288108 |
Appl. No.: |
14/336707 |
Filed: |
July 21, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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13141799 |
Jun 23, 2011 |
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PCT/US09/69013 |
Dec 21, 2009 |
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14336707 |
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61140598 |
Dec 23, 2008 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
5/421 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47C 21/042 20130101;
A47C 27/14 20130101; A47C 21/048 20130101; A47C 27/15 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
5/421 |
International
Class: |
A47C 21/04 20060101
A47C021/04; A47C 27/14 20060101 A47C027/14 |
Claims
1. A body support assembly comprising: a layer comprising
visco-elastic foam; a heating element in thermal communication with
the foam; a temperature sensor in thermal communication with the
foam; and a controller coupled to the sensor and programmed to
control the heating element based on input from the sensor.
2. A body support assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein the
heating element comprises a Peltier device.
3. A body support assembly as defined in claim 2, wherein the
Peltier device is capable of heating and cooling.
4. A body support assembly as defined in claim 1, further
comprising a thermally-conductive layer adapted to distribute heat
from the heating element.
5. A body support assembly as defined in claim 4, wherein the
thermally-conductive layer comprises a metallic foil.
6. A body support assembly as defined in claim 4, further
comprising an insulating layer adjacent to the thermally-conductive
layer to inhibit the flow of heat in a direction.
7. A body support assembly as defined in claim 1, further
comprising a user interface coupled to the controller and adapted
to select a desired parameter of the body support assembly.
8. A body support assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein the
controller includes a clock and is programmed to actuate a control
function based on a programmed time of the clock.
9. A body support assembly as defined in claim 1, further
comprising a pressure sensor, wherein the controller is coupled to
the pressure sensor and is programmed to actuate a control function
based on input from the pressure sensor.
10. A body support assembly comprising: a layer comprising foam; a
Peltier device in thermal communication with the foam; a
temperature sensor in thermal communication with the foam; and a
controller coupled to the sensor and programmed to control the
Peltier device based on input from the sensor.
11. A body support assembly as defined in claim 10, wherein the
foam comprises a visco-elastic foam.
12. A body support assembly as defined in claim 10, wherein the
Peltier device comprises a plurality of spaced apart Peltier
devices.
13. A body support assembly as defined in claim 10, wherein the
Peltier device is capable of heating and cooling.
14. A body support assembly as defined in claim 10, further
comprising a thermally-conductive layer adapted to distribute
heating or cooling from the Peltier device.
15. A body support assembly as defined in claim 14, wherein the
thermally-conductive layer comprises a metallic foil.
16. A body support assembly as defined in claim 14, further
comprising an insulating layer adjacent to the thermally-conductive
layer to inhibit the flow of heat through the insulating layer.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Priority is hereby claimed to U.S. Provisional Patent App.
No. 61/140,598, filed Dec. 23, 2008, the entire contents of which
are herein incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Visco-elastic foam is sometimes used to form mattresses and
other body supports, has the ability to conform to a user's body,
and can provide pressure relief for the user's body. Many types of
visco-elastic foam have a glass transition temperature at least
partially within the range of temperatures at which a room can be
or is likely to be maintained (e.g., 10-30.degree. C.). Therefore,
for such visco-elastic foams, the temperature of the visco-elastic
foam at least partially determines the firmness of the body
support. As the temperature of the body support's environment
increases (such as by an increase in room temperature and/or by
transmission of heat to the body support from a user's body), the
firmness of the body support can be reduced. Alternatively, as the
temperature of the body support's environment decreases (such as by
a decrease in room temperature and/or reduction in the amount of
heat provided to the body support by a user), the firmness of the
body support can be increased.
[0003] A particularly desirable feature for many body supports is
the ability to adjust the hardness of the body support. However,
the ability to control the firmness of body supports comprising
visco-elastic foam has heretofore been limited. Body supports
comprising visco-elastic foam having a hardness that can be
adjusted by a user would be welcome additions to the art.
SUMMARY
[0004] In some embodiments, the present invention provides a body
support comprising one or more layers of visco-elastic foam and one
or more electric heating elements (e.g., resistive heating
elements, Peltier devices, and the like) positioned to heat the
visco-elastic foam. The body support can also include one or more
sensors positioned to measure the temperature of the visco-elastic
foam in one or more locations in or on the body support, and a
controller coupled to the electric heating elements and sensor(s)
to receive the temperatures detected by the sensor(s) and to change
the output of the electric heating elements (e.g., by changing the
current supplied to the electric heating elements) as a result. In
this manner, the firmness of the body support can be adjusted in
response to controlling the output of the electric heating
elements, thereby changing the amount of thermal energy conducted
to the visco-elastic foam.
[0005] In some embodiments, the present invention provides a body
support having a first layer formed of a visco-elastic or
non-visco-clastic foam, a second layer formed of a visco-elastic
foam atop the first layer, one or more electric heating elements
(e.g., resistive heating elements, Peltier devices, and the like)
positioned to heat the visco-elastic foam of the first layer, and a
thermally-conductive layer of material positioned to distribute
heat from the electric heating elements to the second layer.
[0006] Some embodiments of the invention provide a body support
assembly includes a layer including a visco-elastic foam, a heating
element in thermal communication with the foam, a temperature
sensor in thermal communication with the foam, and a controller
coupled to the sensor and programmed to control the heating element
based on input from the sensor.
[0007] Some embodiments of the invention provide a body support
assembly including a layer comprising foam, a Peltier device in
thermal communication with the foam, a temperature sensor in
thermal communication with the foam, and a controller coupled to
the sensor and programmed to control the Peltier device based on
input from the sensor.
[0008] Other aspects of the present invention will become apparent
by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a mattress according to an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0010] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the mattress in FIG. 1.
[0011] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the mattress illustrated in
FIG. 1, showing a controller in communication with a number of
electric heating elements and a sensor of the mattress.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0012] Before any embodiments of the present invention are
explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is
not limited in its application to the details of construction and
the arrangement of components set forth in the following
description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention
is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being
carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the
phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of
description and should not be regarded as limiting. Also, terms
such as "first", "second", and "third" are used herein and in the
appended claims for purposes of description and are not intended to
indicate or imply relative importance or significance unless
otherwise specified. The term "first" does not necessarily refer to
the top most layer, rather, it refers to the first of a plurality,
without indicating a particular location or position. Similarly,
the terms "top" and "bottom" are used for the purpose of
description and are not intended to indicate or imply relative
importance, significance, unless otherwise specified. The term
"top" does not necessarily refer to the top most layer, and
"bottom" does not necessarily refer to the bottom most layer.
[0013] The use of "including," "comprising," or "having" and
variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed
thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items.
Unless specified or limited otherwise, the terms "mounted,"
"connected," "supported," and "coupled" and variations thereof are
used broadly and encompass both direct and indirect mountings,
connections, supports, and couplings. Further, "connected" and
"coupled" are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections
or couplings.
[0014] FIGS. 1-3 illustrate a body support 10 according to an
embodiment of the present invention. In the illustrated embodiment,
the body support 10 is a mattress. The illustrated body support 10
includes three layers of foam: a first layer 14, a second layer 18
positioned above the first layer, and a third layer 22 positioned
above the second layer 18 such that the second layer 18 is
positioned between the first layer 14 and the third layer 22. Some
alternative embodiments of the body support 10 only have two layers
of foam (e.g., the first and second layers 14, 18, or the first and
third layers 14, 22) or even a single layer of foam, whereas in
other embodiments, more than two layers of foam are used (e.g., one
or more layers of foam between and/or atop the second and third
layers 18, 22, between the first and second layers 14, 18, and/or
beneath the first layer 14. The third layer 22 is shown removed
from FIG. 3 for ease of illustration.
[0015] In the illustrated embodiment, the first layer 14 comprises
foam, such as a latex foam, reticulated or non-reticulated
visco-elastic foam (sometimes referred to as "memory foam" or "low
resilience foam"), or reticulated or non-reticulated
non-visco-elastic foam, any polyurethane high-resilience (HR) foam,
any expanded polymer (e.g., expanded ethylene vinyl acetate,
polypropylene, polystyrene, or polyethylene), and the like, whereas
the second and third layers 18, 22 comprise reticulated or
non-reticulated visco-elastic foam.
[0016] Visco-elastic foam has unique low-resilience, slow-recovery,
body-conforming, and pressure distributing properties that are
inherently attractive for use in a wide variety of body support
applications, including mattresses such as that shown in FIGS. 1-3.
The visco-elastic foam described herein (e.g., whether for use in
the first layer 14, second layer 18, and/or third layer 22 of the
illustrated embodiment) has a hardness of at least about 20 N and
no greater than about 80 N for desirable softness and
body-conforming qualities. In other embodiments, the visco-elastic
foam has a hardness of at least about 30 N and no greater than
about 70 N for this purpose. In still other embodiments, a
viscoelastic foam hardness of at least about 40 N and no greater
than about 60 N is utilized. Unless otherwise specified, the
hardness of a material referred to herein is measured by exerting
pressure from a plate against a sample of the material to a
compression of 40% of an original thickness of the material at
approximately room temperature (e.g., 21-23 Degrees Celsius),
wherein the 40% compression is held for a set period of time,
following the International Organization of Standardization (ISO)
2439 hardness measuring standard.
[0017] The visco-elastic foam described herein can also have a
density providing a relatively high degree of material durability.
The density of the visco-elastic foam can also impact other
characteristics of the foam, such as the manner in which the
visco-elastic foam responds to pressure, and the feel of the foam.
In some embodiments, the visco-elastic foam has a density of no
less than about 30 kg/m.sup.3 and no greater than about 150
kg/m.sup.3. In other embodiments, a visco-elastic foam having a
density of at least about 40 kg/m.sup.3 and no greater than about
135 kg/m.sup.3 is utilized. In still other embodiments,
visco-elastic foam having a density of at least about 50 kg/m.sup.3
and no greater than about 120 kg/m.sup.3 is utilized.
[0018] The visco-elastic foam used in the various body support
embodiments described and/or illustrated herein can be reticulated
or non-reticulated visco-elastic foam. In this regard, reticulated
visco-elastic foam has characteristics that are also well suited
for use in the body support 10, including the enhanced ability to
permit fluid movement through the reticulated visco-elastic foam,
thereby providing enhanced air and/or heat movement within,
through, and away from the reticulated visco-elastic foam.
Reticulated foam (visco-elastic or otherwise) is a cellular foam
structure in which the cells of the foam are essentially skeletal.
In other words, the cells of the reticulated foam are each defined
by a plurality of apertured windows surrounded by cell struts. The
cell windows of reticulated foam can be entirely gone (leaving only
the cell struts) or substantially gone. In some embodiments, the
foam is considered "reticulated" if at least 50% of the windows of
the cells are missing (i.e., windows having apertures therethrough,
or windows that are completely missing and therefore leaving only
the cell struts). Such structures can be created by destruction or
other removal of cell window material, or preventing the complete
formation of cell windows during the manufacturing process of the
foam.
[0019] In some embodiments, the second layer 18 can be positioned
between the first layer 14 and the third layer 22 without being
secured thereto. However, in other embodiments, the first, second
and third layers 14, 18, 22 are secured to one another by adhesive
or cohesive bonding material, by being bonded together during
formation of the first, second layers, and/or third layers 14, 18,
22, by tape, hook and loop fastener material, conventional
fasteners, stitches extending at least partially though adjacent
layers 14, 18, 22, or in any other suitable manner.
[0020] With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, each of the first, second,
and third layers 14, 18, 22 can be substantially flat bodies having
substantially planar top and bottom surfaces 26, 30, 34, 38, 39,
41. However, in other embodiments, one or more of the top and
bottom surfaces 26, 30, 34, 38, 39, 41 of any of the first, second,
and third layers 14, 18, 22 can be non-planar, including without
limitation surfaces having ribs, bumps, and other protrusions of
any shape and size, surfaces having grooves and other apertures
that extend partially or fully through the respective layer 14, 18,
22, and the like. Also, depending at least in part upon the
application of the body support 10 (i.e., the product defined by
the body support 10 or in which the body support 10 is employed),
any one or more of the first, second, and third layers 14, 18, 22
can have shapes that are not flat. By way of example only, any of
these layers 14, 18, 22 can be generally wedge-shaped, can have a
concave or convex cross-sectional shape, can have a combination of
convex and concave shapes, can have a stepped, faceted, or other
shape, can have a complex or irregular shape, and/or can have any
other shape desired.
[0021] One of the properties of visco-elastic foam is glass
transition. The glass transition temperature of the visco-elastic
foam can impact the degree of firmness or hardness of the body
support 10 (i.e., the layers 14, 18, 22), such as by changing the
firmness of the second and third layers 18, 22, and also by
changing the firmness of the first layer 14 and other layers in
those embodiments in which the first layer 14 and any other layers
comprise visco-elastic foam. In some embodiments of the preferred
embodiment, the glass transition temperature of the visco-elastic
foam falls at least partially within the range of about 10.degree.
C. and about 30.degree. C. However, glass transition temperatures
falling within a range of, for example, -5.degree. C. to 40.degree.
C. are possible. In the illustrated embodiment, the second and
third layers 18, 22 change in firmness through a range of
temperatures of the second and third layers 18, 22. The firmness of
the body support 10 can thereby be adjusted by changing the
temperature of the second and/or third layers 18, 22. In other
words, the body support 10 has a variable firmness that is
controlled by the temperature of the visco-elastic foam in the
second and/or third layers 18, 22 (and in any other layer of the
body support 10 comprising visco-elastic foam, in some
embodiments).
[0022] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the body support 10 includes a
thermoelectric system 42 for heating and/or cooling the
visco-elastic foam within the body support 10, and a
thermally-conductive layer of material 46 positioned between the
first and second layers 14, 18 of the body support 10. In the
illustrated embodiment, the thermoelectric system 42 includes a
number of Peltier devices 50, whereas in other embodiments, the
thermoelectric system 42 can also or instead include resistive
heaters which convert electric energy to heating energy, and/or
other thermoelectric devices. Each Peltier device 50 is able to
heat and cool the first and second layers 14, 18 (as well as
additional layers of the body support, if present). In other
embodiments, any or all of the Peltier devices 50 can be used
exclusively to heat the first and second layers 14, 18. In such
embodiments, other Peltier devices 50 can be used exclusively to
cool the first and second layers 14, 18. Hereinafter, reference is
only made to Peltier devices 50 for ease of description, it being
understood that the following description of the possible
locations, arrangements, and operation of Peltier devices 50
applies equally to resistive heaters and any other type of
thermoelectric element desired.
[0023] By heating and/or cooling viscoelastic foam of the second
and third layers 18, 22 (and the first layer 14, in those
embodiments in which the first layer 14 comprises viscoelastic
foam), the Peltier devices 50 are able to adjust the firmness in
the body support 10 or a particular area of the body support 10
(e.g., an end of the body support 10, a side of the body support
10, an interior region of the body support 10, and the like).
[0024] The Peltier devices 50 of the illustrated embodiment are
positioned along and recessed into the top surface 26 of the first
layer 14 so as to be substantially flush with the top surface 26.
However, in other embodiments, some or all of the Peltier devices
50 are located atop of and extend beyond the top surface 26 of the
first layer 14, or are located below the top surface 26 of the
first layer 14. In still other embodiments, Peltier devices 50 are
recessed within the bottom surface 38 of the second layer 18,
located inside the second layer 18, located between the second and
third layers 18, 22 (whether recessed within the surfaces thereof
34, 39 or otherwise), or are located inside the third layer 22.
[0025] In the illustrated embodiment, the Peltier devices 50 are
arranged into a single group and are substantially centrally
positioned along the top surface 26 of the first layer 14 of the
body support 10. The thermoelectric system 42 (e.g., the
illustrated Peltier devices 50) is able to adjust the temperature
of the second and third layers 18, 22 of the body support 10 and
thereby adjust the firmness of the visco-elastic foam of the second
and third layers 18, 22 that surround the thermoelectric system 42.
In other words, the portions of the visco-elastic foam in thermal
communication with the Peltier devices 50 receive heat from or
transmit heat to the Peltier devices 50, thereby changing the
firmness of the body support 10. Generally, the thermoelectric
system 42 has the strongest effect in changing the firmness of the
body support 10 in the immediate region surrounding the Peltier
devices 50 of the thermoelectric system 42.
[0026] In some embodiments, the thermoelectric system 42 includes
Peltier devices 50 arranged into two or more groups each positioned
in different, separate locations along the length "L" and width "W"
of the body support 10 (e.g., within or atop the first layer 14, as
shown in the illustrated embodiment, or in any other location in
the depth of the body support 10 as described herein). In this way,
the thermoelectric system 42 can independently adjust the
temperature (and therein the firmness) of the body support in two
or more separate areas of the body support 10. For example, a first
group of one or more Peltier devices 50 can be positioned in a
first region 54 of the body support 10 (e.g., corresponding to the
legs of a user resting upon the body support 10), whereas a second
group of one or more Peltier devices 50 can be positioned in a
second region 58 of the body support (e.g., corresponding to the
torso of a user resting upon the body support 10), thereby enabling
the firmness of the leg region to be changed independently of the
torso region. In the first and second regions 54, 58, the Peltier
devices 50 can heat and/or cool the layers 18, 22 to decrease or
increase, respectively, the firmness sensed by the user at such
regions. As another example, the regions just referred to can
correspond to different sides of a body support 10 dimensioned to
support two reclining users in side-by-side relation, thereby
enabling the firmness of one user's portion of the body support 10
to be changed independently of the other user's portion. Again, the
Peltier devices 50 in such regions can heat and/or cool the layers
18, 22 to decrease or increase, respectively, the firmness sensed
by the users at such regions. Any number and combination of regions
along the length and width of the body support 10 are possible for
any degree of control over the body support 10 and regions
thereof.
[0027] As mentioned above, the body support 10 of the illustrated
embodiment includes a layer 46 of thermally-conductive material.
This layer 46 can be used to more effectively conduct and
distribute heat within the body support 10 (e.g., to and from the
Peltier devices 50). In particular, the layer 46 of
thermally-conductive material can be a layer of metal foil or other
thermally-conductive material that transmits thermal energy from
the Peltier devices 50 to the surfaces 26, 38 of the first and
second layers 14, 18 positioned adjacent the heat conducting layer
46. The layer 46 can have any length and width relative to the
length "L" and width "W" of the body support 10, and in the
illustrated embodiment extends substantially the entire length "L"
and width "W" of the body support 10. Other embodiments of the body
support 10 do not utilize the layer 46 of thermally-conductive
material.
[0028] In some embodiments, one surface of the layer 46 of
thermally-conductive material can be provided with a thermally
insulating material positioned, for example, adjacent the second
layer 18, with the opposite thermally-conductive side of the layer
46 positioned adjacent the thermoelectric system 42 and the first
layer 14. In operation, as the thermoelectric system 42 supplies
thermal energy to the body support 10, the insulating surface of
the layer 46 resists the transmission of thermal energy to the
second layer 18, whereas the opposite thermally conducting surface
of the layer 46 allows transmission of thermal energy to the first
layer 14 via the top surface 26. In those embodiments in which the
first layer 14 comprises visco-elastic foam, the first layer 14
provides firmness-adjusting capabilities while the second and third
layers 18, 22 remain in a substantially steady-state (non-changing
firmness) as the temperature of the first layer 14 changes. In
other embodiments, the layer 46 just described can be flipped in
order to insulate the first layer 14 against heat transmission,
while transmitting and distributing thermal energy to and from the
second and third layers 18, 22 to change the firmness of the second
and third layers 18, 22.
[0029] Electric energy can be supplied to the thermoelectric system
42 by, for example, a portable power source, such as a battery (not
shown), or by any other electric power source (e.g., household or
building electric power circuit). The battery can be embedded into
any portion of the body support 10, in some embodiments.
[0030] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the body support 10 of the
illustrated embodiment also includes a sensor 62 and a controller
66 in communication with the sensor 62. The controller 66 can be
powered by the same power source as the thermoelectric system 42 or
any other power source. The controller 66 in the illustrated
embodiment is also coupled to the thermoelectric system 42. In some
embodiments, a single sensor 62 is used; although in other
embodiments, the body support 10 can include multiple sensors 62.
The sensor(s) 62 can be positioned on or in the body support 10 to
enable measurement of the temperature (and therefore the firmness)
of the visco-elastic foam of the body support 10. For example, one
or more sensors 62 can be located on the top surface 39 of the
third layer 22, the bottom surface 41 of the third layer 22 and/or
on the top surface 34 of the second layer 18 at any location along
the length and width of the body support 10. Alternatively or in
addition, one or more sensors 62 can be recessed within or embedded
within the top surface 39 of the third layer 22, the bottom surface
41 of the third layer 22 and/or the top surface 34 of the second
layer 18 at any location along the length and width of the body
support 10. In this manner, the sensor(s) 62 can detect the
temperature of the second and/or third layers 18, 22 at such
locations, and can provide such temperature information to the
controller 66. In these and other embodiments, one or more
sensor(s) 62 are positioned outside of the body support 10 and
instead detect the temperature of the environment around the body
support 10 (thereby indirectly enabling an estimate to be made of
the temperature of the second and/or third layers 18, 22 or of any
other layer of the body support 10).
[0031] As just described, the sensor(s) 62 in the illustrated
embodiment are positioned to sense the temperature of the second
layer 18 (or the second and third layers 18, 22), and can provide
that information to the controller 66. In some embodiments, one or
more additional sensors (not shown) can be used to sense, for
example, pressure, movement, moisture, or other parameters to be
provided to the controller 66. Temperature or other data can be
transmitted from the sensor(s) 62 to the controller 66 via a
hardwired connection, or via a wireless connection (in which case
the sensor(s) 62 can each be connected to one or more suitable
transmitters, and the controller 66 can be connected to a suitable
receiver for receiving the sensor data).
[0032] In some embodiments, the controller 66 is embedded into the
body support 10, away from the resting position of the user's body
upon the body support 10. For example, the controller 66 can be
located within a recess in the first layer 14, such as in a side
surface of the first layer 14.
[0033] The controller 66 can be a programmable or non-programmable
microprocessor capable of receiving temperature data from the
sensor(s) 62 of the body support 10, processing the temperature
data, and responding by changing operation of the thermoelectric
system 42. The controller 66 can be electrically coupled to a user
interface (shown embedded within the first layer 14 of the body
support 10 in FIG. 2, but alternatively or also being a hand-held
unit tethered to body support 10 or in wireless communication with
a transceiver connected to the sensor(s) 62 and Peltier devices)
having one or more user-manipulatable controls, such as buttons,
dials, switches, a touch screen, and the like. These controls can
enable a user of the body support 10 to input desired firmness
settings and/or commands to change operation of the thermoelectric
system 42 (e.g., supply power to, stop the supply of power to,
increase power to, and/or decrease power to the Peltier devices
50), and in some embodiments can display body support information
to the user (e.g., body support firmness, body support temperature,
and the like). In some embodiments, the controls include one or
more user-manipulatable controls to change the thermoelectric
system 42 from a heating mode to a cooling mode, or from a cooling
mode to a heating mode using the Peltier devices 50.
[0034] Accordingly, the controller 66 can receive inputs from a
user via a user interface to adjust the firmness of the body
support 10 (by changing the temperature of the visco-elastic foam
of the body support 10). This adjustment can be made by the
controller stopping, starting, increasing, and/or decreasing power
supplied to the Peltier devices 50, whether to the same Peltier
devices 50 for heating and cooling, or to different sets of Peltier
devices for heating and cooling, respectively.
[0035] With continued reference to the illustrated embodiment, a
user can adjust or tune the temperature of the visco-elastic foam
in the body support 10 to a degree that is proportional to a
desired mattress firmness. In operation, the sensor(s) 62 sense the
temperature of the body support 10 (e.g., the visco-elastic foam
layer 14, 18, and/or 22), and provides the sensed temperature to
the controller 66. The controller 66 can compare the sensed
temperature to a preferred or desired temperature for the body
support 10 (e.g., the first, second, and/or third layer 14, 18, 22)
input by the user. The controller 66 can thereafter automatically
adjust the temperature of the body support 10 by controlling the
thermoelectric system 42 as described above until the measured
temperature is the same as the desired temperature. For example, if
the measured temperature is cooler than the desired temperature,
then the controller 66 can increase the amount of heating (thermal)
energy delivered by the Peltier devices 50. In some embodiments,
the control system 66 controls the amount of electrical energy
supplied to the Peltier devices 50 of the thermoelectric system 42
to increase and/or decrease the temperature of the first layer
14.
[0036] In some embodiments, the thermoelectric system 42 is
automatically activated (i.e., the supply of power to the Peltier
devices 50 is changed) when a user is sensed to have rested upon
the body support 10, such as by a pressure sensor as described
above. Alternatively, the thermoelectric system 42 can be activated
by the user via the user interface described above. In any case, if
the temperature sensed by the sensor(s) 62 indicate that the
firmness of the body support 10 is too high or too low, the
controller 66 can automatically adjust the thermoelectric system 42
accordingly (as also described above) to provide heat to or draw
heat away from the body support 10 in order to lower or raise the
firmness of the visco-elastic foam, respectively. In some
embodiments, the controller 66 can be programmed to activate the
thermoelectric system 42 at a particular time of day, thereby
readying the body support 10 for the user in advance of use.
[0037] In some embodiments, the controller 66 can determine when
the programmed parameter (e.g., layer temperature, corresponding to
layer firmness) has been reached based on data received from the
sensor(s) 62. Furthermore, the controller 66 can automatically
change operation of the thermoelectric system 42 (e.g., turn the
thermoelectric system 42 off, reducing power to the Peltier devices
50 of the thermoelectric system, and the like) in response to
reaching the programmed, desired and/or preferred parameter.
[0038] In some embodiments, the controller 66 can regulate the
temperature of one or more visco-elastic foam layers for multiple
users (i.e., multiple temperature settings) and/or can regulate the
temperature of one or more areas of a visco-elastic foam layer for
the same user (e.g., head, torso, and leg areas of the body support
10). For example, the body support 10 can be a mattress having two
adjacent areas upon which two users can respectively lie. One of
the two areas can be programmed to a particular firmness, while the
other area can be programmed to a different firmness. In such
embodiments, at least two sets of Peltier devices 50 can be located
in different areas of the body support 10, and can be independently
controlled by the controller 66 as described above. Any number of
different areas of the body support 10 can have dedicated sets of
Peltier devices 50 for heating and/or cooling such areas to
different temperatures.
[0039] In some embodiments, multiple layers of Peltier devices 50
located in the same or different layers of visco-elastic foam in
the body support 10 can be utilized to increase and/or decrease the
temperature and resulting firmness of one or more layers of
visco-elastic foam at different depths of the body support 10.
[0040] In the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 1-3, the Peltier
devices 50 of the body support 10 are located between two layers
14, 18 of the body support 10, and can be recessed within either
layer 14, 18 as desired. In other embodiments, the Peltier devices
50 can be partially or entirely embedded within a layer of the body
support 10, such as entirely or partially within the visco-elastic
second layer 18 of the illustrated body support 10. In such
embodiments, the layer (e.g., layer 18) can be molded (e.g.,
injection molded, spray molded, and the like) as a single layer,
with the Peltier devices 50 embedded in the molded layer during
manufacture.
[0041] The body support 10 illustrated in FIGS. 1-3 is presented in
the form of a mattress. However, it will be appreciated that the
features of the body support 10 described above are applicable to
any other type of body support having any size and shape. By way of
example only, any of the features described above are equally
applicable to mattress toppers, overlays, futons, sleeper sofas,
seat cushions, seat backs, and any other element used to support or
cushion any part or all of a human or animal body. Accordingly, as
used herein, the term "body support" is intended to refer to any
and all of such elements (in addition to mattresses).
[0042] Although the invention has been described in detail with
reference to certain preferred embodiments, variations and
modifications exist within the scope and spirit of one or more
independent aspects of the invention described. For example,
although the use of Peltier devices 50 is described for adjusting
the temperature (and therefore the firmness) of the top two layers
of foam 18, 22 in the illustrated embodiment, it will be
appreciated that such devices can be positioned anywhere within the
depth of a body support 10 and can be operated in a manner similar
to that described above to adjust the temperature (and therefore
the firmness) of any foam layer located at any depth within a body
support 10. Control over the firmness of layers deeper within the
body support 10, such as visco-elastic layers located deeper within
the body support 10, can still provide a degree of control of the
overall firmness of the body support 10.
[0043] Various features and advantages of the invention are set
forth in the following claims.
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