Temperature controlled bed system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12303445-B2
Application number	US-202117360420-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 28, 2021
Priority date	Aug 31, 2009
Publication date	May 20, 2025
Grant date	May 20, 2025

Abstract

According to certain arrangements, a conditioner mat for use with a bed assembly includes an upper layer comprising a plurality of openings, a lower layer being substantially fluid impermeable, at least one interior chamber defined by the upper layer and the lower layer and a spacer material positioned within the interior chamber. In one embodiment, the spacer material is configured to maintain a shape of the interior chamber and to help with the passage of fluids within a portion of interior chamber. The conditioner mat can be configured to releasably secure to a top of a bed assembly.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A temperature controlled bed system comprising:
a temperature layer configured to be attached to a top of a mattress and be wrapped around the mattress to secure the temperature layer to the mattress, wherein the temperature layer comprises:
a plurality of fluid flow paths;
a material positioned between the plurality of fluid flow paths to space adjacent flow paths;
an upper layer above the plurality of fluid flow paths and the material, wherein the material positioned between the plurality of fluid flow paths comprises foam material and wherein the temperature layer further comprises the foam material being positioned both above and below the fluid flow paths;
a lower layer below the plurality of fluid flow paths and the material; and
a fitted portion configured to at least partially wrap around sides and a bottom of the mattress to secure the temperature layer to the top of the mattress;

a plurality of fluid conduits configured to connect to the plurality of fluid flow paths; and
a fluid module configured to heat and cool fluid.

2. The temperature controlled bed system of claim 1 , and further comprising:
the mattress, wherein the mattress is sized to be positioned inside of the temperature layer; and
means for supporting the mattress.

3. The temperature controlled bed system of claim 1 , and further comprising:
a temperature sensor;
a liquid sensor;
an occupant detection sensor; and
a controller in data communication with each of the temperature sensor, the liquid sensor, the occupant detection sensor and the fluid module, wherein the controller is configured to regulate the fluid module based on data from one or more of the temperature sensor, the liquid sensor, and the occupant detection sensor and based on a predetermined time schedule.

4. The temperature controlled bed system of claim 1 , wherein the temperature layer comprises:
one or more friction surfaces;
fluid permeable fabric;
straps;
elastic;
hook-and-loop fasteners;
a plurality of zippers; and
a plurality of snap connections.

5. The temperature controlled bed system of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the upper layer and the lower layer comprises substantially fluid impermeable material.

6. The temperature controlled bed system of claim 1 , wherein a surface of one or more layers in the temperature layer comprises a plurality of tactile or non-slip features configured to increase friction at a portion of the temperature layer to reduce movement of the portion of the temperature layer.

7. The temperature controlled bed system of claim 1 , wherein a surface of one or more layers in the temperature layer comprises a plurality of rubber bumps.

8. The temperature controlled bed system of claim 1 , wherein the fluid flow paths comprise multiple flow paths that curve throughout the temperature layer and around each other.

9. The temperature controlled bed system of claim 1 , wherein the fluid conduits comprise flexible rubber tubing having a generally circular cross-section.

10. The temperature controlled bed system of claim 1 , wherein portions of the temperature layer are connected via stitching and via adhesive.

11. The temperature controlled bed system of claim 1 , wherein the fluid module comprises a first pair of outlet fittings each configured to connect to one of the plurality of fluid conduits and a second pair of outlet fittings each configured to connect to a second one of the plurality of fluid conduits, wherein the plurality of fluid conduits are configured to connect the first pair of outlet fittings to a first side of the temperature layer and wherein the plurality of fluid conduits are configured to connect the second pair of outlet fittings to a second side of the temperature layer.

12. The temperature controlled bed system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of fluid conduits comprise plastic or rubber, wherein the plurality of fluid conduits include means to prevent or reduce likelihood of thermal losses between the fluid module and the temperature layer.

13. The temperature controlled bed system of claim 1 , wherein the temperature layer is configured to allow flow of fluid from the fluid module through the plurality of fluid flow paths of the temperature layer and to prevent or restrict flow of the fluid from the fluid module through the material.

14. The temperature controlled bed system of claim 1 , and further comprising:
a first fitting configured to facilitate connection of first and second fluid conduits of the plurality of fluid conduits to the temperature layer; and
a second fitting configured to facilitate connection of one or more other fluid conduits of the plurality of fluid conduits to the temperature layer.

15. The temperature controlled bed system of claim 1 , wherein the temperature layer defines a cutout of internal layer material that is positioned in-between the upper and lower layers at a middle portion of an edge of the temperature layer between two corners of the temperature layer, wherein the cutout of the internal layer material is sized and shaped to receive both a fitting and at least a portion of a fluid conduit within the cutout.

16. The temperature controlled bed system of claim 1 , wherein the fitted portion comprises a skirt portion that is configured to at least partially wrap around the mattress including wrapping around all sides and at least a portion of the bottom of the mattress to releasably secure to the mattress.

17. The temperature controlled bed system of claim 16 , wherein the skirt portion is configured to extend continuously around all of the mattress and comprises one or more elasticized portions.

18. The temperature controlled bed system of claim 1 , wherein the material is positioned between the upper and lower layers.

19. A temperature controlled bed system configured to condition air or other fluid, the temperature controlled bed system comprising:
a mattress comprising foam;
a temperature layer configured to be attached to a top of the mattress and be wrapped around the mattress to secure the temperature layer to the mattress, wherein the temperature layer comprises:
a plurality of fluid flow paths with non-fluid zones between the fluid flow paths;
a foam material positioned between the plurality of fluid flow paths to space adjacent flow paths;
an upper layer above the fluid flow paths and the foam material;
a lower layer below the fluid flow paths and the foam material; and
a fitted portion configured to at least partially wrap around sides and a bottom of the mattress to secure the temperature layer to the top of the mattress;

a plurality of fluid conduits configured to connect to the plurality of fluid flow paths; and
a fluid module configured to heat and cool the air or the other fluid.

20. The temperature controlled bed system of claim 19 , wherein the plurality of fluid flow paths comprises:
a first fluid flow path that is routed in a first zone configured to support a first person; and
a second fluid flow path that is routed in a second zone configured to support a second person.

21. The temperature controlled bed system of claim 20 , wherein the first fluid flow path is configured to receive the air or the other fluid having a first temperature, and the second fluid flow path is configured to receive the air or the other fluid having a second temperature.

22. The temperature controlled bed system of claim 19 , and further comprising a controller configured to receive

Assignees

• Sleep Number Corp

Inventors

• Brykalski Michael J
• Marquette David
• Terech John
• Vidojevski Robert

Classifications

• A61G2203/46

  for temperature · CPC title

• A61G7/05769

  with inflatable chambers · CPC title

• A47C21/044 Primary

  with active means, e.g. by using air blowers or liquid pumps · CPC title

• A61G7/05784

  with ventilating means, e.g. mattress or cushion with ventilating holes or ventilators · CPC title

• A61G7/057 Primary

  Arrangements for preventing bed-sores or for supporting patients with burns, e.g. mattresses specially adapted therefor {(ventilation openings in mattresses A47C21/042; pneumatic or hydraulic mattresses A47C27/08)} · CPC title