EP4044871B1

EP4044871B1 - Mattress with climate control functionalities

Info

Publication number: EP4044871B1
Application number: EP20793349.0A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Daniel Schmidt
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: SCHMIDT, DANIEL
Priority date: 2019-10-18
Filing date: 2020-10-16
Publication date: 2023-08-09
Anticipated expiration: 2040-10-16
Also published as: EP4044871A1; WO2021074421A1

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION

The invention relates to a mattress. More specifically, the invention relates to a mattress configured to provide climate control functionalities.

BACKGROUND

Mattresses commonly found nowadays usually comprise one or more cushioned regions, wherein the cushioning effect of each region may be achieved by different technical means utilizing different materials. Such means and materials comprise foam-like natural and synthetic materials, coils, springs and/or a combination thereof. Most of the focus has been expended on developing the mattress with regard to correct and healthy sleeping positions of the human body. However, although the sleeping climate provided with regard to temperature and air humidity within a mattress as well as surrounding a user sleeping on the mattress plays a vital role in achieving healthy sleep conditions, the sleeping climate provided by a mattress has so far been overlooked as an important factor of sleep quality.
US 2018/027981 A1 discloses a climate control system that provides the desired climate conditions of temperature and humidity at a contact surface of a multi-layered structure. The climate control system includes a heating mechanism disposed between one or more foam layers of structure and configured to deliver heat to the contact surface and a separate cooling mechanism disposed in the foam layers, and a cooling mechanism that includes at least one fan assembly, air channels and reticulated foam layers configured to draw air away from the contact surface toward the bottom of the structure. DE 10 2015 010786 A1 discloses a bed climate system that comprises a mattress for cushioning the body of a bed user with a fluid circuit in the mattress for cooling and heating the mattress and a heat transport device which selectively transports heat from the liquid circuit as the primary side to be cooled to a secondary side or transports heat from the secondary side to the liquid as the primary side to be heated, with the expenditure of energy. US 3 999 400 A discloses a unique rotary hermetic heat pipe for transferring heat from an external source to an external heat sink. The heat pipe has a tapered condensing surface which is curved preferably to provide uniform pumping acceleration, the heat pipe being rotated at a velocity such that the component of centrifugal acceleration in an axial direction parallel to the tapered surface is greater than 1G and so that the condensing surface is kept relatively free of liquid at any attitude. The heat pipe may be incorporated in an air conditioning apparatus so that it projects through a small wall opening. In the preferred air conditioning apparatus, a hollow hermetic air impeller is provided which contains a liquefied gaseous refrigerant, such as freon, and means are provided for compressing the refrigerant in the evaporator region of the heat pipe. CN 208 211 803 U discloses a 4D seat with built-in scent capsules, including a seat base plate, with a seat cushion on the upper rear side. The seat cushion has a jet slot on the lower left and right sides, wherein the jet slot has a nozzle inside that is connected to a gas pipe that is plugged in the seat cushion cavity on the left and right sides and that is connected to the lower end of a gas supply. The lower end of said gas supply main is connected to the gas outlet of a scent generation device through a connection tube, wherein the scent generation device includes a scent generation chamber, a motor chamber, an electric motor, a spacer, a rotating shaft, a stirring impeller, a fan blade, a ventilation hole, a diversion plate and a liquid inlet.
Therefore, there is a need for a mattress that may provide a user sleeping on the mattress with a comfortable and healthy sleeping climate.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the invention disclosed herein to provide a mattress capable of providing a comfortable and healthy sleeping climate to a user of the mattress. To this end, the invention provides a mattress, a control device for controlling a mattress and a method for operating a mattress according to the enclosed independent claims, with preferred embodiments being provided by the dependent claims.
The mattress is provided with one or more climate units, wherein each climate unit comprises one or more fan units and/or one or more heating units. Providing a mattress with the capability of controlling the climate surrounding a user sleeping on the mattress affords many advantages. One of the advantages is that such a mattress disclosed herein can provide a user sleeping on the mattress with a comfortable climate under various ambient climate conditions. For example, on one end of the spectrum, in hot and/or and humid climate conditions, the mattress provides a cooling function for achieving a comfortable sleeping climate. This is advantageous compared to commonly used air conditioning units for cooling down air for achieving a comfortable sleeping climate, since there exists a variety of symptoms of physical discomfort and illness collectively summarized in the term air condition sickness that are commonly associated effects of being subjected to air condition over an extended period of time over the course of a day. On the other hand, at the other end of the spectrum, the mattress also provides a heating function for achieving a comfortable sleeping climate. This is advantageous compared to commonly used heating systems that rely on thermal convection to heat up an entire room or building in which a user of a mattress resides, as such heating systems cause the breathable air to be dry which may consequently cause discomfort and promote spread of illnesses. Furthermore, the heating function provided by the mattress may also allow the mattress to be heated to temperatures of about or above 40°C in order to effectively eliminated bed bugs.
According to a first aspect, the invention provides a mattress, configured to provide a cooling function, the mattress comprising one or more climate units, the one or more climate units comprising one or more fan units, the fan units comprising one or more fan blades, wherein the one or more fan blades of the one or more fan units have an inner cavity, wherein the inner cavity of the one or more fan blades of the one or more fan units is configured such that the inner cavity is partially or fully fillable with liquid.
By having an inner cavity that is fillable with liquid, the fan blades may be filled with a liquid and/or cooling liquid that, through thermal convection, cools air that is moved by the one or more fan blades of the one or more fan units of the one or more climate units.
According to another aspect, the invention provides a mattress wherein the one or more climate units comprise one or more heating units.
According to yet another aspect, the invention provides a mattress wherein the one or more climate units are provided next to each other and/or on top of each other. According to yet another aspect, the invention provides a mattress, wherein the inner cavity of the one or more fan blades of a first of the one or more fan units of the one or more climate units and the inner cavity of the one or more fan blades of a second of the one or more fan units of the one or more climate units are connected to each other via one or more thermally isolated feedthroughs. According to yet another aspect, the invention provides a mattress, wherein the one or more fan units of a first of the one or more climate units and the one or more fan units of a second of the one or more climate units are connected to each other via the one or more thermally isolated feedthroughs. By employing such a modular approach, wherein each fan unit or each climate unit comprising one or more fan units may be connected to each via thermally isolated feedthroughs, both the cooling and heating performance of an individual fan unit as well as the cooling and heating performance of a climate may be readily adjusted to the space and performance requirements of a user of a mattress.
According to yet another aspect, the invention provides a mattress wherein the one or more heating units comprise one or more heating grids and/or heating rods provided above the one or more fan units. By providing the heating units above the one or more fan units, the heating performance may be enhanced by the fan units by additionally moving heated air in the direction of a user sleeping on the mattress.
According to yet another aspect, the invention provides a mattress further comprising one or more scenting units. According to a further aspect, the invention provides a mattress wherein the one or more scenting units are provided below the one or more fan units of the one or more climate units. By providing the mattress with a scenting function, one or more scents may be provided for the comfort and health of a user sleeping on the mattress.
According to yet another aspect, the invention provides a mattress further comprising one or more lying areas, wherein the one or more lying areas are provided next to each other, and wherein the one or more lying areas are configured such that the one or more lying areas can each assume varying angles of inclination. By providing one or more lying areas which are adjustable in their inclination angles, a user sleeping on the mattress may have the option of being provided with a preferable lying position.
According to yet another aspect, the invention provides a control device for controlling a mattress according to any one of the preceding clauses, the control device comprising means for controlling an amount of liquid filled into the inner cavity of the one or more fan blades of the one or more fan units of the one or more climate units, means for controlling a rotation speed of the one or more fan units of the one or more climate units. According to yet another aspect, the invention provides a control device for controlling a mattress further comprising means for controlling a heating power of the one or more heating units.
According to yet another aspect, the invention provides a method for operating a mattress according to any of the preceding clauses, the method comprising controlling an amount of liquid filled into the inner cavity of the one or more fan blades of the one or more fan units of the one or more climate units and controlling a rotation speed of the one or more fan units of the one or more climate units. According to yet another aspect, the invention provides a method for operating a mattress, the method further comprising controlling a heating power of the one or more heating units.
Preferred configurations of the mattress are described hereinafter, and also set forth in the enclosed dependent claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 illustrates a mattress according to embodiments of the present disclosure, and a bedframe;
Fig. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a mattress according to embodiments of the present disclosure;
Fig. 3A and 3B illustrate a climate unit comprising a fan unit and a partial cross-sectional view of a fan blade comprising an inner cavity, respectively, according to embodiments of the present disclosure;
Fig. 4 illustrates a climate unit comprising a fan unit and a scenting unit according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It may be advantageous to set forth definitions of certain words and phrases used throughout this patent document. The terms "include" and "comprise," as well as derivatives thereof, mean inclusion without limitation. The term "or" is inclusive, meaning and/or. The phrases "associated with" and "associated therewith," as well as derivatives thereof, may mean to include, be included within, interconnect with, contain, be contained within, connect to or with, couple to or with, be communicable with, cooperate with, interleave, juxtapose, be proximate to, be bound to or with, have, have a property of, or the like.
Fig. 1 illustrates a bed 100, the bed comprising a mattress 200 according to embodiments of the present disclosure. While the mattress is illustrated to be used in conjunction with a commonly employed bedframe 110, it should be clear to a person skilled in the art that the mattress may be used on its own or in combination with any device or arrangement associated with providing a sleeping device or apparatus. Further, the mattress may have any suitable size and/or dimensions required for use in conjunction with the aforementioned devices or arrangements.
Fig. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a mattress 200 according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The mattress may be provided with a cushioned layer 210 that serves purpose of providing a layer that may conform to a shape of a user lying on the mattress such that the user may be provided with a comfortable sleeping position. The cushioned layer may comprise materials and elements commonly employed for manufacturing a mattress such as, for example, natural and synthetic foams or foam-like materials, springs and coils and/or any other suitable material and/or element. A climate layer 220 may be provided below (in the direction of the designated use of the mattress) the cushioned layer. The climate layer is configured such that it may accommodate and comprise one or more climate units 300. Additionally, or alternatively, the climate layer may also be provided within the cushioned layer.
Further, while the climate layer is shown in Fig. 2 to be of the same width and length as the cushioned layer, the climate layer may also only have partially the width and/or length of the cushioned layer and thus may also only be provided below or within only a portion of the cushioned layer. Further, while the climate layer 220 and the cushioned layer 210 are illustrated as two separate layers, the climate layer and the cushioned layer may also be provided such that at least a portion or all of the climate layer and at least a portion or all of the cushioned layer are formed together in and/or into a single layer. Additionally, or alternatively, the mattress may be divided into one or more lying areas (not shown), wherein the lying areas are provided next to each other. For example, the mattress may comprise one or more lying areas for supporting the head of one or more users, respectively, lying on the mattress. For example, the mattress may comprise one or more lying areas for supporting the torso of one or more users, respectively, lying on the mattress. For example, the mattress may comprise one or more lying areas for supporting the legs and/or feet of one or more users, respectively, lying on the mattress. Each lying area may be of any suitable dimension. Additionally, each lying area of the mattress may be configured such that each lying area may assume varying angles of inclination. Additionally, or alternatively, the climate layer 220 may be provided in only some of the one or more lying areas of the mattress, or in all of the one or more lying areas of the mattress.
Fig. 3A illustrates a climate unit 300 according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The climate unit according to the invention comprises one or more fan units 310, which may be positioned and/or oriented such that the one or more fan units move air in a substantially vertical direction. The one or more fan units may be mounted on a motor 330 that rotates the one or more fan blades of the one or more fan units. Additionally, or alternatively, any other suitable driving mechanism or device may be employed for rotating the one or more fan blades of the one or more fan units. The one or more fan blades may comprise a thermally conductive material such as, for example, aluminum and/or copper. However, any other suitable thermally conductive material may be comprised.
The one or more fan blades of the fan unit according to the invention are provided with an inner cavity 320. The cavity 320 may be connected to a fan liquid feedthrough 325 through which liquid may be filled into the inner cavity. Additionally, or alternatively, the feedthrough 325 may connect to a feedthrough of another fan unit of the same or another climate unit, such that when liquid may be filled simultaneously into all cavities connected together. The fan liquid may be any suitable liquid and/or cooling liquid. The fan liquid may be filled into the inner cavity by means of a pump or any other suitable device or method. Furthermore, heating units 340 may be provided in addition to the one or more fan units, for example above the one or more fan units. The heating units may comprise one or more heating grids, heating rods and/or any other suitable heating device.
Fig. 3B illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of a portion of a fan blade marked by the dashed rectangle with the label B in Fig. 3A. The inner cavity 320 of the one or more fan blades may be configured such that it extends almost the entire length of the fan blade. In general, the inner cavity may have any suitable extension and/or dimension within the one or more fan blades. The fan blade may be made from one or more materials comprising thermally conductive materials such as, for example, aluminum and/or copper. Using a thermally conductive materials allows a liquid or cooling liquid filled into the inner cavity to effectively cool the outer surface of the one or more fan blades, thus ensuring that any wind created by the one or more fan blades via rotation is cooled as a consequence.
Fig. 4 illustrates a climate unit 300 according to further embodiments of the present disclosure. The climate unit according to the invention comprises one or more fan units 310, which may be mounted such that the one or more fan units move air in a substantially vertical direction. The one or more fan units may be mounted on a motor 330 that rotates the one or more fan blades of the one or more fan units. Additionally, or alternatively, any other suitable driving mechanism or device may be employed for rotating the one or more fan blades of the one or more fan units. The one or more fan blades may comprise a thermally conductive material such as, for example, aluminum or copper. However, any other suitable thermally conductive material may be comprised. The one or more fan blades of the fan unit according to the invention are provided with an inner cavity 320. The cavity 320 may be connected to a fan liquid feedthrough 325 through which liquid may be filled into the inner cavity. Additionally, or alternatively, the feedthrough 325 may connect to a feedthrough of another fan unit of the same or another climate unit, such that when liquid may be filled simultaneously into all cavities connected together. The fan liquid may be any suitable liquid and/or cooling liquid. The fan liquid may be filled into the inner cavity by means of a pump or any other suitable device or method.
Moreover, heating units 340 may be provided in addition to the one or more fan units, for example above the one or more fan units. The heating units may comprise one or more heating grids, heating rods and/or any other suitable heating device.
Further, the one or more climate units may comprise one or more scenting units 350. The scenting units 350 could also be provided separate from the one or more climate units, e.g. in a certain distance or close to climate units. Also, if the scenting unit 350 is provided as part of the climate unit 300, it is not needed that all of the climate units of the mattress have such a scenting unit 350. The one or more scenting units may comprise a suitable container containing a scenting material, such as, for example, a scented liquid. The one or more scenting units may also be configured such that they contain a solid or any other suitable type of scenting material. Additionally, the one or more scenting units may be provided with a closing and opening mechanism to control release of a scent. Additionally, or alternatively, the one or more scenting units may be provided below the one or more fan units such that a wind created by rotation of the one or more fan blades of the one or more fan units may effectively transport a scent released by the one or more scenting units upwards and towards a user lying on the mattress. Additionally, or alternatively, the one or more scenting units may be each provided with a scent feedthrough 355. Additionally, or alternatively, the one or more scenting units may be provided with or refilled with scenting material via the respective scent feedthroughs from, for example, one or more external scent sources. The one or more external scent sources may be temporarily and/or permanently connected to the respective scent feedthroughs. Additionally, or alternatively, the respective scent feedthroughs of the one or more scenting units may be connected to each other.
While this disclosure has described certain embodiments and generally associated methods, alterations and permutations of these embodiments and methods will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the above description of example embodiments does not define or constrain this disclosure. Other changes, substitutions, and alterations are also possible without departing from the scope of this disclosure, as defined by the following claims.

List of reference signs as used in drawings:

100:: bed
110:: bedframe
200:: mattress
210:: cushioned layer
220:: climate layer
300:: climate unit
310:: fan unit
320:: inner cavity
325:: fan liquid feedthrough
330:: motor
340:: heating unit
350:: scenting unit
355:: scent feedthrough

Claims

A mattress (200), the mattress comprising:
one or more climate units (300), the one or more climate units (300) comprising:
one or more fan units (310), each fan unit (310) comprising one or more fan blades,

characterized in that the one or more fan blades of the one or more fan units (310) have an inner cavity (320),

wherein the inner cavity (320) of the one or more fan blades of the one or more fan units (310) is configured such that the inner cavity (320) is partially or fully fillable with liquid.
The mattress (200) according to claim 1, wherein the one or more climate units (300) comprise one or more heating units (340).
The mattress (200) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more climate units (300) are provided next to each other and/or on top of each other.
The mattress (200) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the inner cavity (320) of the one or more fan blades of a first of the one or more fan units (310) of the one or more climate units (300) and the inner cavity (320) of the one or more fan blades of a second of the one or more fan units (310) of the one or more climate units (300) are connected to each other via one or more thermally isolated fan liquid feedthroughs (325).
The mattress (200) according to the preceding claim, wherein the one or more fan units (310) of a first of the one or more climate units (300) and the one or more fan units (310) of a second of the one or more climate units (300) are connected to each other via the one or more thermally isolated fan liquid feedthroughs (325).
The mattress (200) according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the one or more heating units (340) comprise one or more heating grids and/or heating rods provided above the one or more fan units (310).
The mattress (200) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising one or more scenting units (350).
The mattress (200) according to claim 7, wherein the one or more scenting units (350) are provided below the one or more fan units (310) of the one or more climate units (300).
The mattress (200) according to any one of the preceding claims,
the mattress (200) further comprising one or more lying areas,

wherein the one or more lying areas are provided next to each other, and

wherein the one or more lying areas are configured such that the one or more lying areas can each assume different angles of inclination.
A control device for controlling and comprising a mattress (200) according to any one of the preceding claims, the control device comprising:
means for controlling an amount of liquid filled into the inner cavity (320) of the one or more fan blades of the one or more fan units (310) of the one or more climate units (300);

means for controlling a rotation speed of the one or more fan units (310) of the one or more climate units (300).
A method for operating a mattress (200) according to any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the method comprises:
controlling an amount of liquid filled into the inner cavity (320) of the one or more fan blades of the one or more fan units (310) of the one or more climate units (300);

controlling a rotation speed of the one or more fan units (310) of the one or more climate units (300).