WO2007108810A1

WO2007108810A1 - Temperature controlled occupant compartment

Info

Publication number: WO2007108810A1
Application number: PCT/US2006/010950
Authority: WO
Inventors: Cecil Mckinney
Original assignee: Covenant Partners, Inc.
Priority date: 2006-03-22
Filing date: 2006-03-22
Publication date: 2007-09-27

Abstract

The present invention is directed to compartment which is temperature regulated for both cold and hot climates. The invention comprises an enclosed compartment to hold the occupant, and at least one thermoregulatory unit, comprising at least two thermoelectric elements, connected to the compartment.

Description

TEMPERATURE CONTROLLED OCCUPANT COMPARTMENT

FIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to temperature regulation, and more particularly to temperature regulation for use in compartments for occupants, such as infant strollers, baby carriages, sleeping cribs, and wheel chairs.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Infant strollers have been in popular use for many years. Such strollers typically include those that are to be used for walking, and those for jogging. There are also strollers that can be used both for jogging and towing behind a bicycle. Although canopies have been developed for these strollers, these strollers are still unable to regulate and maintain the baby's temperature in extreme conditions of heat or cold. The demand for temperature regulated strollers is particularly quite acute in geographical locations having severe climate conditions. Similarly, the same need exists for physically challenged individuals who use either manual or powered wheel chairs.

[0003] Baby cribs, bassinettes, and play pens are well known in the art. They are used as beds, or to restrain the baby during the day time. Some of these cribs are portable. However, none of the available cribs, bassinettes, and play pens possesses a temperature regulating apparatus that can regulate the baby's environment with both cooling and heating means. There is also a specific need for temperature regulated baby cribs in homes to reduce fuel costs that result from having to cool or heat a baby's room, or even the entire house, for prolong periods.

[0004] Wheelchairs are well known in the art. They are use to move people unable to move themselves. While the use of blankets is common and the use of attached umbrellas is known in the art, there has not previously been a self-contained temperature regulated compartment for protecting a wheelchair-bound individual from extreme heat and/or cold.

[0005] Therefore, there has been a long felt need in the art for an occupant's compartment whether baby stroller, crib, or a wheel chair, that is temperature regulated for both cold and hot climates. The ability to automatically regulate the occupant's environmental temperature is an improvement over all of the earlier attempts to solve the problem of keeping an occupant protected from the heat and the cold. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] This invention is directed towards overcoming the above shortcomings by disclosing a temperature regulated occupant's compartment.

[0007] An apparatus in accord with the invention, comprised of an enclosed occupant compartment to hold the occupant, and at least one thermoregulatory unit, comprising at least one thermoelectric element, connected to the compartment, capable of both cooling and heating the air in the compartment.

[0008] In one embodiment, the apparatus in accord with the invention has a compartment with a plurality of vents.

[0009] In another embodiment, the apparatus in accord with the invention has an occupant compartment which can either be a stroller, crib, or wheel chair.

[0010] In another construction, the apparatus in accord with the invention has an enclosed compartment to hold the occupant, one thermoregulatory unit, comprising two thermoelectric elements, connected to the compartment, capable of both cooling and heating the air in the compartment, where the compartment has a plurality of vents, where the thermoregulatory unit includes at least one fan, where the compartment is a baby stroller, where the thermoregulatory unit is removably attached behind a seat of the stroller, and where the thermoregulatory unit is powered by a 12 V battery.

[0011] In another aspect, the apparatus in accord with the invention is able to keep occupants in a temperature controlled environment by the steps of placing occupant in an enclosed compartment, which has a rain guard and a thermoregulatory unit attached; closing said cover over the compartment, so that a substantial amount of the compartment is sheltered from the external environment; and starting the thermoregulatory unit, which is able to regulate the temperature within the compartment.

[0012] An advantage of the invention is that the same apparatus can be used to cool and warm the occupant(s) inside a compartment. [0013] Another advantage of the invention is that it reduces the amount of harmful airborne materials that might enter the compartment to affect the occupant.

[0014] Another advantage of the invention is that the battery pack can be quickly released and exchanged with a freshly charged pack.

[0015] The foregoing, and other features and advantages of the invention, will be apparent from the following, more particular description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, the accompanying drawings, and the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] FIG. 1 is a side view of the thermoregulatory unit.

[0017] FIG. 2 is a side perspective of the thermoregulatory unit.

[0018] FIG. 3 is a perspective looking up through the heating unit. [0019] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the circuitry.

[0020] FIG. 5 is a perspective of the first (crib) embodiment of the invention.

[0021] FIG. 6 is a perspective of the second (walker) embodiment of the invention

[0022] FIG. 7 is a perspective of the third (jogger) embodiment of the invention.

[0023] FIG. 8 is a perspective of the third (jogger) embodiment of the invention with a rain guard on.

[0024] FIG. 9 is a side perspective of the fourth (towable carriage) embodiment of the invention.

[0025] FIG. 10 is a side perspective of the fifth (wheel chair) embodiment of the invention.

[0026] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the relationships of some of the components involved in the invention.

DRAWINGS-REFERENCE NUMERALS

10 rain guard

11 stroller

12 seat back

14 frame

15 wheels

16 handle bars

17 canopy

21 crib

22 side panels

23 end panels

24 legs

25 lateral struts

26 wheels

27 transmitter/receiver device

28 vertical struts

30 lower frame

31 bassinette assembly 32 changing table assembly

33 remote control device

34 control box

35 control panel

110 thermoregulatory unit

112 external air deflector

113 external heat exchanger fins

114 vertical divider

115 fan unit

116 internal heat exchanger fins

117 internal air deflector

118 fan

119 internal exhaust/conditioned air port

120 external air intake port

121 external chamber

122 internal chamber

123 thermoelectric element I

124 thermoelectric element II

125 heating unit

126 external exhaust air port

127 internal port on compartment

128 battery unit

129 handle bars

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] In the following detailed description of various embodiments of the invention, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of various aspects of one or more embodiments of the invention, however, one or more embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, and/or components have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of embodiments of the invention.

[0028] This invention is generally directed to compartments that allow the occupant's environment to temperature regulated. The following description is directed towards, but not limited to, five possible embodiments of the invention, namely, the crib, walker, jogger, towable carriage, and wheel chair.

Definitions:

[0029] Compartment: herein defined as a confined, predetermined area that allows the occupant, whether a baby, child or an adult, to sit, stand, or lie down; which can be either stationary or mobile, and includes walker strollers, jogger strollers, towable carriages, wheel chairs, sleeping cribs, play pens, and bassinettes. [0030] Occupant(s): adult, child, infant, or baby.

[0031] Cribs: compartments including playpens/bassinettes, where an occupant may be placed.

[0032] Stroller: a mobile occupant's carriage, including walkers, joggers, towable carriages, and wheel chairs, in which an occupant may be placed. [0033] Rain guard or cover: a plastic or canvas type material, part of which is transparent, that is conventionally used to cover strollers so that the occupant is secluded from the external environment.

[0034] Caretaker - person caring for the occupant.

[0035] Information: text; still images; moving images; sounds, vibrations, or any combination thereof.

[0036] FIG. 1 - 3 shows the thermoregulatory unit 110 that will be used in all embodiments of the invention disclosed herein. The thermoregulatory unit is comprised of an upper heating unit 125; a lower fan unit 115; two thermoelectric elements (TE) 123 and 124; external heat exchanger fins 113; internal heat exchanger fins 116; vertical divider 114; external deflector shield 112 and internal deflector shield 117; external air intake port 120; internal exhaust/conditioned air port 119; external exhaust air port 126; fan 118; and external 121 and internal 122 chambers. The entire thermoregulatory unit is estimated to weigh approx. 2 lbs.

[0037] As the TEs operate, the current flowing through it has two effects: (1) the Peltier Effect (cooling) and (2) the Joulian Effect (heating). DC current applied across dissimilar materials causes a temperature differential. Using a thermoelectric in the heating mode is very efficient because all the internal heating (Joulian heat) and the load from the cold side are pumped to the hot side. This reduces the power needed to achieve the desired heat. Additional thermoelectric elements may be stacked to achieve even lower temperatures.

[0038] When the thermoregulatory unit 110 is in the heating mode, a fan 118 gently extracts air from the environment and pushes the air up to the internal 122 and external 121 chambers, which are separated by a vertical divider 114. The air in the internal chamber will encounter the internal heat exchanger fins 116, which are heated. The resulting heated air is then expelled and deflected by the internal air deflector shield 117 (which is the mirror image both in shape and position of the external air deflector 112) out through the internal exhaust/conditioned air port 119 through into the compartment via a separate intake air port located on the compartment. The location of the compartment's intake port will vary depending upon the embodiment of the invention adopted. For the first embodiment of this invention, cribs, the thermoregulatory unit is affixed onto one of the crib's outer walls. For the second (walker), third (jogger), fourth (towable carriage) and fifth (wheel chair) embodiments of this invention, the thermoregulatory unit is affixed onto the back of the seat. In these embodiments, the internal exhaust/conditioned air port 119 of the thermoregulatory unit 110 will connect up with an aperturel27, that could consist of mesh net, at the rear of the seat. Therefore in these embodiments, the internal exhaust/conditioned air port 119 of the thermoregulatory unit 110 will connect up with an aperture 127, present on that same wall. Air in the external chamber will encounter the external heat exchanger fins 113, which are. chilled. The resulting chilled air is then expelled out through external exhaust air port 126, where it is deflected by external air deflector 112. When the thermoregulatory unit 110 is in the cooling mode, the internal heat exchanger fins are now chilled, resulting in cooled air being expelled into the compartment. There are carbon filters that can be removably affixed to the external intake air port and the internal exhaust/conditioned air port to remove unwanted airborne material from entering the occupant's compartment.

[0039] The thermoregulatory unit 110 can be manually controlled by the caretaker, or automatically controlled using a control box 34. It is understood that the location of this control box will vary depending upon which embodiment is adopted. In the first embodiment of the invention, cribs, the control box is connected closely with the thermoregulatory unit 110 (see FIG. 5). In the second (walker, wheel chair, and jogger) and third (towable carriage) embodiments, the control box is releasably affixed to the handle bar 129 of the compartment. For the towable carriage, it is also possible to have the control box connected to the bike's handle bars. The control box 34 has a printed circuit board (see FIG. 4) comprised of a temperature sensor feedback unit (thermistor or solid-state sensor) and a closed-loop control circuit to control/regulate the temperature. Using the thermistor, for example, the regulatory unit would be able to determine the current temperature within the compartment, and then determine if the TE unit should be placed in a COOL, HEAT or OFF mode. When the sensor detects an over temperature condition within the enclosure, the thermoregulatory unit is activated to begin cooling the air inside the compartment. Alternatively, when the sensor detects an under temperature condition within the compartment, the unit is activated to begin heating the air. In another embodiment, a temperature may be selected and the unit will turn itself on and off.

[0040] A control panel on the front of the control box 34, may be provided for indicating variables including, but not limited to, internal and external temperature, mode, and settings, as well as a switches for the user to override the controller and chose his/her own temperature settings. It should also be understood that the switches associated with the control panel may take on a variety of forms. In its simplest form, the switch could be a three-position switch, which can be set to COOL, HEAT, or OFF positions, with the current being constant, but the direction being alterable. In a more complex scheme, the switch can constitute a temperature dial, including electronic logic controls through which the user would select a desired temperature range. The switches could also adjust the amount of current flowing to vary the amount of heat transfer. There could also be a timer that would allow a user to set the apparatus to automatically start-up or shut-down at a desired time. [0041] In the first embodiment of the invention, there is circuitry, within the printed circuit board, that would allow a device 27 to be attached to the crib, and enclosed by the crib cover, that enables information to and from the crib to a remote control device 33 (see FIG. 11). In the preferred embodiment, the carrier will use a transmitter/receiver unit that incorporates existing cell phone technology to achieve this purpose. The remote device 33 would be able to display a temperature indicator so that the caretaker can discern the temperature inside the crib, as well as see and hear the baby remotely.- The remote 33 will be able to display information such as visual and/or audio alarms (or vibration mode similar to a paging device) when the temperature reaches a certain threshold, as well as still and moving images within the enclosure. The remote control device can be specifically manufactured and supplied with the crib, or could be a user's ceil phone/PDA/computer. In the latter case, conventional software could be installed to allow these devices to receive and transmit information to and from the crib.

[0042] It is understood that the size and the number of the thermoregulatory unit can be selected to match the requirements of the compartment. For instance, a larger thermoregulatory unit with four thermoelectric elements could be used to regulate the temperature within a twin-baby stroller or wheel chair; alternatively, two separate thermoregulatory units could be used for these embodiments.

[0043] US Patent 6,735,796, incorporated herein by reference, discloses the first embodiment of the invention, a generically described crib 21, which includes a pair of side panels 22 joined to a pair of end panels 23 to foπn a rectangular compartment (see FIG. 5). It should be noted that either one or both of the panel ends 23 could be reinforced with both fabric and metal frame to support the thermoregulatory unit 110 that will be attached thereon. A floor panel spans the lower edges of the side and end panels, and is supported by a lower frame structure. The lower frame structure may include legs 24 and/or wheels 26 joined to lateral struts 25. A quartet of vertical struts 28 extend upwardly through panel sleeves from the lower frame structure at the corners of the apparatus, and are joined to a quartet of upper corner brackets 30. This patent also discloses how such play pens can be adapted to provide a bassinet assembly 31 and a changing table assembly 32 that may be supported on the upper frame assembly of the play pen 21 and disposed to span the upper opening thereof. In this embodiment of the invention, the crib walls could be coated with insulating fabric composed of materials known in the art as insulators, such as, but not limited to, poly-fiber. Such materials will allow better retention of the heat within the enclosure.

[0044] US Patent 4,945,584, incorporated herein by reference, discloses a possible cover that can be modified for cribs. The cover includes a tent-like canopy having a pair of panels extending downwardly from two opposite ends which lie against the inside of a pair of sides of the crib or playpen and are tied in place by straps which extend about the sides. Although, this patent shows the cover leaving a side of the crib exposed, the first embodiment of the invention will instead have a cover that will completely cover the crib. It is understood that the cover is comprised of separate panels, at least one of which can be unzipped to gain access to the inside of the crib. The cover for the crib retains the internal crib temperature that is regulated by thermoregulatory unit. In another embodiment, the cover could be coated with insulating fabric composed of materials known in the art as insulators, such as, but not limited to, poly-fiber.

[0045] Referring to FIG 6, there is shown a typical stroller 11, the second embodiment of the invention, with a canopy 17 secured to stroller. The stroller has a child seat secured to a frame 14 supported on wheels 15. A handlebar 16 is secured to the frame 14 for a person to displace the vehicle 11 on the wheels. A typical rain guard 10 is also secured to the canopy 17 of the stroller 11 and extends over the child seat 12 and compartment. Typical jogging strollers differ from walking strollers because they have reinforced structures, and larger wheels (possibly air inflated) (see FIG. 7 and 8). Moreover, typical joggers have only three wheels. Nevertheless, both walkers and joggers will have rain guards fitted that will serve not only to keep the external elements out, but also to retain some of the internal heated air that is generated by the thermoregulatory unit. Walker rain guards are manufactured by several manufacturers including Prince Lionheart, Inc. (Santa Maria, California); whereas jogger rain guards are made by manufacturers including, H.I. S. Juveniles, Inc. (Manhattan, New York).

[0046] It is understood that for embodiments, that their respective rain guards could be coated with insulating fabric composed of materials known in the art as insulators, such as, but not limited to, poly-fiber. [0047] FIGs 7 and 8 are illustrations of a jogger stroller of the third embodiment of the invention, with the thermoregulatory unit 110 at the back of the baby's seat and above his/her head. In the preferred embodiment, the entire fabric behind the seat is insulated except for an aperture that could be made of mesh net 127 that will connect with the internal exhaust/conditioned air port of the thermoregulatory unit, and receive air therefrom. In this embodiment, a 12 V battery pack 128 is used and shown seated on the lower baggage rack of the stroller. It is understood that 24, 36 or 48 V batteries could also be used. The battery pack can also be recharged by connecting a cable from the battery to a 115 V source. However, in the preferred embodiment, the entire battery pack is removed to be exchanged with a freshly charged battery pack. It will be understood that wheel chairs, because of their similarities with strollers, can be similarly outfitted with the thermoregulatory unit 110.

[0048] FIGs. 7 and 8 show the control box and panel releasably affixed to the handle bar 129 of the jogging stroller. The control box is connected to the thermoregulatory unit and the battery with wires which can be concealed beneath the fabric of the compartment or rain guard. It is appreciated that wheel chairs will have the control box releasably affixed to either of their arm rests.

[0049] A towable carriage is shown in FIG. 9. US Patents 6,896,275 and 6,705,628, incorporated herein by reference, also disclose a towable carriage, which is part of the third embodiment of the invention. The towable carriage includes a frame extending from a front end to a back end of the carriage, and at least two wheels rotatable on the frame. A support structure is attached to the frame and supports the child facing the front end of the carriage.

A canopy including side panels and a front panel surrounds the child and includes windows facilitating viewing and ventilation for the child. A tow bar assembly is removably attached to either the front end or back end of the carriage and includes a coupling for attachment to the bicycle. As noted above, in this embodiment of the invention, the thermoregulatory unit, like the second embodiment, is located behind the seat of the occupant. The positions of the thermoregulatory unit 110 and control box 34 are shown.

[0050] FIG. 10 shows an illustration of a typical wheel chair disclosed by US Patent 5,560,635 incorporated herein by reference. The position of the thermoregulatory unit 110 and control box 34 are shown. [0051] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the structure of the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. In view of the foregoing, it is intended that the present invention cover modifications and variations of this invention provided they fall within the scope of the following claims and their equivalents.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A temperature regulated and enclosed compartment comprising: an enclosed compartment to hold an occupant, and at least one thermoregulatory unit, comprising at least one thermoelectric element, connected to said compartment, capable of both cooling and heating the air in said compartment.

2. The temperature regulated and enclosed compartment of claim 1, wherein the compartment has a plurality of vents.

3. The temperature regulated and enclosed compartment of claim 2, wherein there is one thermoregulatory unit with two thermoelectric elements.

4. The temperature regulated and enclosed compartment of claim 3, wherein the thermoregulatory unit includes at least one fan.

5. The temperature regulated and enclosed compartment of claim 4, wherein said compartment is an apparatus selected from the group consisting of a stroller, carriage, and wheelchair.

6. The temperature regulated and enclosed compartment of claim 4, wherein the compartment is a crib.

The temperature regulated and enclosed compartment of claim 5, wherein the thermoregulatory unit is removably attached behind a seat of said stroller, carriage or wheelchair.

8. The temperature regulated and enclosed compartment of claim 6, wherein the thermoregulatory unit is removably attached to one of the outside walls of said crib.

9. A temperature regulated and enclosed occupant compartment comprising: an enclosed compartment to hold an occupant, and at least one thermoregulatory unit, comprising two or more thermoelectric elements, connected to said compartment, capable of both cooling and heating the air in said compartment, wherein the compartment has a plurality of vents, wherein the thermoregulatory unit includes at least one fan, wherein the compartment is a stroller, carriage, or wheelchair.

10. A temperature regulated and enclosed occupant compartment comprising: an enclosed compartment to hold an occupant, and at least one thermoregulatory unit, comprising two or more thermoelectric elements, connected to said compartment, capable of both cooling and heating the air in said compartment, wherein the compartment has a plurality of vents, wherein the thermoregulatory unit includes at least one fan, wherein the compartment is a crib.

11. A temperature regulated and enclosed occupant compartment comprising: an enclosed compartment to hold an occupant, and at least one thermoregulatory unit, comprising two or more thermoelectric elements, connected to said compartment, capable of both cooling and heating the air in said compartment, wherein the compartment has a plurality of vents, wherein the thermoregulatory unit includes at least one fan, wherein the compartment is a wheel chair, and wherein the thermoregulatory unit is powered by a battery.

12. A method to keep occupants of a compartment in a temperature controlled environment comprising the steps of: placing occupant in an enclosed compartment, which has a rain guard and a thermoregulatory unit attached, closing said cover over said compartment, so that a substantial amount of the compartment is sheltered from the external environment, and starting said thermoregulatory unit, which is able to regulate the temperature within the compartment.