Bed air control system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11684167-B2
Application number	US-202017139683-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 31, 2020
Priority date	Jan 3, 2020
Publication date	Jun 27, 2023
Grant date	Jun 27, 2023

Abstract

A bed system includes microclimate control capabilities for providing quality sleep experience. The bed system can include a microclimate control subsystem configured to supply conditioned air (e.g., heated or cooled air) to a mattress, or draw ambient air from the mattress, to achieve a desired temperature at the top of the mattress. Utilizing supply of conditioned air to provide air at desired temperature to the mattress system, or utilizing air suction to drain heat away from the mattress system, can provide precise microclimate control at the mattress, thereby permitting conformable sleep.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A bed comprising:
a mattress comprising:
an inflatable air chamber;
an air distribution layer positioned above the inflatable air chamber;
a foam layer positioned above the air distribution layer and proximate a top of the mattress, wherein the foam layer and the air distribution layer are both configured to allow airflow therethrough, and wherein the air distribution layer resists air flow less than the foam layer;
a first air hose connected to the inflatable air chamber for inflating the inflatable air chamber; and
a second air hose connected to the air distribution layer for moving air through the air distribution layer, wherein the second air hose extends from a location that is lower than the inflatable air chamber, around a first side of the inflatable air chamber, to the air distribution layer above the inflatable air chamber,

wherein the mattress further comprises a mattress cover, and wherein the first and second air hoses enter the mattress through a common hole in the mattress cover.

2. The bed of claim 1 , wherein the inflatable air chamber comprises a first inflatable air chamber and the air distribution layer comprises first and second air distribution zones, wherein the first inflatable air chamber is positioned under the first air distribution zone, and wherein the mattress further comprising a second inflatable air chamber positioned under the second air distribution zone.

3. The bed of claim 2 , wherein the mattress further comprises an insulator positioned between the first air chamber and the second air chamber to reduce heat transfer between the first air chamber and the second air chamber.

4. The bed of claim 2 , wherein the mattress further comprises an insulator positioned between the first and second air chambers and also between the first and second air distribution layers to reduce heat transfer between left and right sides of the mattress.

5. The bed of claim 2 , and further comprising:
a foundation having a support platform configured for supporting the mattress and including a first foundation opening extending through the support platform and configured to receive the first and second air hoses;
a pump assembly fluidly connected to an end hose end of the first air hose and configured to supply fluid to the inflatable air chamber, wherein the pump assembly is positioned in the foundation; and
an air controller fluidly connected to the second air hose and configured to move air through the air distribution layer, wherein the air controller is positioned in the foundation.

6. The bed of claim 1 , wherein the first air hose is at least partially routed adjacent the second air hose.

7. The bed of claim 1 , wherein the first air hose is at least partially routed together with the second air hose within the mattress.

8. The bed of claim 1 , wherein the air distribution layer includes a layer cover, and wherein the second air hose is fastened to the layer cover to fluidly connect the second air hose with the air distribution layer.

9. The bed of claim 1 , and further comprising:
a foundation having a support platform configured for supporting the mattress and including a first foundation opening extending through the support platform and configured to receive the first and second air hoses.

10. The bed of claim 9 , further comprising:
a hose connector including a base fixed to a top surface of the foundation, and a rib extending from the base away from the top surface of the foundation, the rib configured to be inserted into the second air hose and maintain a width of at least an end of the second air hose against the first air hose running adjacent the second air hose, when the end of the second air hose is connected to the hose connector.

11. The bed of claim 1 , wherein the inflatable air chamber is configured to be inflated and deflated to a selected pressure.

12. A bed comprising:
a mattress comprising:
an inflatable air chamber;
an air distribution layer positioned above the inflatable air chamber;
a foam layer positioned above the air distribution layer and proximate a top of the mattress, wherein the foam layer and the air distribution layer are both configured to allow airflow therethrough, and wherein the air distribution layer resists air flow less than the foam layer;
a first air hose connected to the inflatable air chamber for inflating the inflatable air chamber; and
a second air hose connected to the air distribution layer for moving air through the air distribution layer, wherein the second air hose extends from a location that is lower than the inflatable air chamber, around a first side of the inflatable air chamber, to the air distribution layer above the inflatable air chamber,

wherein the inflatable air chamber comprises a first inflatable air chamber and the air distribution layer comprises first and second air distribution zones, wherein the first inflatable air chamber is positioned under the first air distribution zone, and wherein the mattress further comprising a second inflatable air chamber positioned under the second air distribution zone, and
wherein the mattress further comprises:
a third air hose connected to the second inflatable air chamber for inflating the second inflatable air chamber; and
a fourth air hose connected to the second air distribution layer for moving air through the second air distribution layer, wherein the fourth air hose extends from a second location that is lower than the second inflatable air chamber, around a second side of the second inflatable air chamber, to the second air distribution layer above the second inflatable air chamber.

13. The bed of claim 12 , wherein the mattress further comprises a mattress cover, and wherein the first and second air hoses enter the mattress through a first common hole in the mattress cover and the third and fourth air hoses enter the mattress through a second common hole in the mattress cover.

14. The bed of claim 12 , wherein the mattress further comprises:
a first rail positioned on the first side of the first inflatable air chamber, wherein the first rail defines a first hose passage, and wherein the first and second hoses enter the mattress proximate the first hose passage; and
a second rail positioned on the second side of the second inflatable air chamber, wherein the second rail defines a second hose passage, and wherein the third and fourth hoses enter the mattress proximate the second hose passage.

15. The bed of claim 14 , wherein the first rail includes a first notch that defines the first hose passage, and the second rail includes a second notch that defines the second hose passage.

16. The bed of claim 15 , wherein the first rail and the second rail extend between a head portion and a foot portion of the mattress,
wherein the first and second inflatable air chambers are positioned between the first rail and the second rail,
wherein the first notch is defined at a middle portion of the first rail between the head portion and the foot portion of the mattress, and
wherein the second notch is defined at a middle portion of the second rail between the head portion and the foot portion of the mattress.

17. The bed of claim 12 , wherein the inflatable air chamber is configured to be inflated and deflated to a selected pressure.

Assignees

• Sleep Number Corp

Inventors

• Karschnik Kody Lee
• Yang Chee Nong
• Rose Eric
• Palashewski Wade Daniel

Classifications

• A47C21/048 Primary

  for heating · CPC title

• A47C19/027

  with means for preventing frame from sagging · CPC title

• A47C20/041

  by electric motors · CPC title

• A47C20/04

  with adjustable inclination (A47C20/08 takes precedence) · CPC title

• A47C31/008

  Use of remote controls · CPC title