WO2010016759A2

WO2010016759A2 - Device for supplying an airflow to a bed, and a bed provided therewith

Info

Publication number: WO2010016759A2
Application number: PCT/NL2009/050476
Authority: WO
Inventors: Yoeri Nagtegaal; Thomas Petrus Van Den Groenendaal
Original assignee: Qrisp B.V.
Priority date: 2008-08-08
Filing date: 2009-07-31
Publication date: 2010-02-11
Also published as: NL1035802C2; WO2010016759A3

Abstract

Device for supplying an airflow to a bed, comprising: a suction unit (4) placeable close to the bed for drawing in an airflow, a conditioning unit (6) for conditioning the airflow drawn in by the suction unit (4), an air-permeable member (8) placeable above the bed, and tubes (10) arranged between the suction unit (4) and the air-permeable member (8) for guiding air from the suction unit (4) to the air-permeable member(8).

Description

DEVICE POR SUPPLYING AN AIRFLOW TO A BED, AND A BED PROVIDED THEREWITH

The present invention relates to a device for supplying an airflow to a bed. The invention further relates to a bed provided with such a device, to a method for manufacturing such a device and to a method for conditioning an airflow with such a device.

At holiday destinations and in hotels among other locations, it is usual to provide at least the guest accommodation with air-conditioning which can control the climate in the space in accordance with the wishes of the guests. Particularly in warm climates, such as in tropical regions, users will usually wish to cool the room in which they sleep at night. Cooling this sleeping area at night involves a considerable energy consumption. There is therefore a need for a device which increases sleeping comfort and which is also energy-efficient.

The invention provides a device for supplying an airflow to a bed, comprising: a suction unit placeable close to the bed for drawing in an airflow, a conditioning unit for conditioning the airflow drawn in by the suction unit, an air-permeable member placeable above the bed, and tubes arranged between the suction unit and the air-permeable member for guiding air from the suction unit to the air- permeable member.

Because the conditioning is concentrated in the area in the immediate vicinity of the bed and the users thereof instead of conditioning the air of the whole room in which the bed is situated, a cost-saving, energy-efficient device which increases sleeping comfort is provided.

According to a preferred embodiment the air- permeable member is a tube of textile. The airflow hereby leaves the device substantially silently, whereby the sleeping comfort is maintained.

The tubular, air-permeable member placed above the bed extends substantially in longitudinal direction of the bed and is arranged, as seen in width direction, substantially centrally above the lying surface of the mattress. The invention hereby has the advantage that the pleasant sensation imparted by the cooled airflow to the person lying on the bed is experienced over the whole body. The comfort hereby becomes considerably greater than if only the part of the bed where the head of the person lies were to be provided with a conditioned airflow.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the conditioning unit comprises a cooling unit for cooling the airflow. The device is hereby suitable for application in, among others, countries with a warm climate, and in particular for holiday destinations where guests will not usually be accustomed to the local climate. The device according to the invention will be able to provide the guests with additional sleeping comfort.

According to yet another preferred embodiment, the device further comprises a net-like member placeable around the bed for retaining the conditioned airflow substantially within the volume enclosed thereby. Because this net- like member retains the conditioned airflow within the volume enclosed thereby, the conditioned airflow is at least partially reconditioned by the device. Cooled air, which has moved downward from the air-permeable member situated above the bed onto the person lying on the bed, will for instance be drawn in again via the net- like member by the suction unit of the device . Although it will warm up to some extent before it is drawn in again, the temperature of this air is already cooler than the air in the bedroom outside the volume enclosed by the net-like member, whereby only a small degree of additional cooling is necessary. The net-like member thus increases the efficiency of the device, this making the device more energy-efficient. The net-like member can also serve as a mosquito net, which is a welcome additional function in tropical areas for keeping vermin away from the sleeping persons.

According to yet another preferred embodiment, the net-like member comprises a substantially air-permeable part and a substantially airtight part, wherein the airtight part extends downward from at least a level corresponding to a lying surface of a mattress of the bed.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the substantially air-permeable part of the net-like member extends upward in an area above a lying surface of a mattress of a bed. The net-like member at a level higher than the lying surface of the bed is hereby largely open, or substantially air-permeable, which has a number of advantages. On the one hand this guarantees safety, since the air-permeability ensures sufficient ventilation in the case that the feed of the airflow to the bed is disrupted. On the other hand, it gives the user of the bed a pleasant sensation of openness, whereby the device according to the invention is even suitable for people with claustrophobic tendencies.

According to yet another preferred embodiment, the separation between the substantially air-permeable part and the substantially airtight part of the net-like member is preferably situated at a height of between 0 and 15 cm, more preferably between 2 and 10 cm, and even more preferably at a height of substantially 5 cm relative to the lying surface of the mattress of the bed. The cooled air leaving the air- permeable member placed above the bed will move downward and will here also spread outward in the direction of the net- like member. When the separation is situated at said heights, the airflow displaced toward the net-like member is on one hand blocked by the substantially airtight part of the nut-like member. This airflow is on the other hand only blocked by the net-like member where the airflow will have spread to a position close to the edge of the lying surface of the mattress. Above this level the net-like member can be air-permeable, whereby some measure of air from outside the volume enclosed by the net-like member can also enter the volume enclosed thereby. A controllable and limited ventilation hereby takes place, which from hygienic and other viewpoints is desirable and has the effect of increasing comfort. Because the ventilation is limited and controllable, the system remains as energy-efficient as possible, i.e. no more new air than is necessary is admitted from outside the volume enclosed by the net-like member.

According to yet another preferred embodiment, the device comprises a substantially airtight separation on at least the top side of the volume enclosed by the net-like member. Warm air will rise and accumulate in the room in which the bed is situated close to the ceiling of this bedroom. The airtight separation prevents this warm air accumulated close to the ceiling from also being suctioned in, thus further improving the efficiency.

According to yet another preferred embodiment, the outflow speed of the air from the air-permeable member placeable above the bed is preferably between 0.04 and 0.12 m/s, more preferably between 0.06 and 0.10 m/s and still more preferably substantially 0.08 m/s. These outflow speeds of for instance 0.04, 0.05, 0.06, 0.07, 0.08, 0.09, 0.10, 0.11 and 0.12 m/s, together with the acceleration exerted on the conditioned {cooled} air by gravity, ensures that the speed of the airflow is so low when it reaches a person lying on the bed that this person experiences a cooling which increases comfort without the airflow being perceived here as draughty. According to yet another preferred embodiment, the pressure difference between the air in the air-permeable member placeable above the bed and the air in the volume enclosed by the net- like member is preferably between 30 and 90 Pa, more preferably between 40 and 70 Pa and still more preferably substantially 50 Pa. These pressure differences of for instance 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80 and 90 Pa have been found suitable for generating the above stated outflow speeds, and thereby suitable for supplying a comfortable conditioned airflow to the person lying on the bed. According to yet another preferred embodiment, the air-permeable member placeable above the bed comprises an exit surface provided with pores which is preferably between 0.50 and 2.00 m², more preferably between 0.75 and 1.50 m² and still more preferably substantially 1 m². This surface area of the exit surface, of for instance 0.50, 0.75, 1.00, 1.25, 1.50, 1.75 and 2.00 m², has been found sufficiently large to supply a conditioned airflow over the whole mattress surface in a double bed.

According to yet another preferred embodiment, the flow rate of the airflow from the air-permeable member placeable above the bed is preferably between 100 and 300 m³/h, more preferably between 150 and 250 m³/h and still more preferably substantially 200 m³/h. These flow rates of for instance 100, 125, 150, 175, 200, 225, 250, 275 and 300 m³/h, which are generated by the suction unit, provide a sufficient circulation for conditioning the airflow in a manner which is comfortable for the persons. According to yet another preferred embodiment, the user can switch as desired between one or more different positions corresponding to these flow rate values, such as for instance 100, 125, 150, 175, 200, 225, 250, 275 and 300

According to yet another preferred embodiment, the temperature difference between the air in the air-permeable member placeable above the bed and the air in the volume enclosed by the net-like member is preferably between 0 and 10⁰C, more preferably between 2 and 7⁰C and still more preferably substantially 5°C. These temperatures of for instance 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10⁰C have been found suitable for providing a comfortable night's sleep for the persons lying on the bed, even in warm bedrooms where the temperature can be as high as 45⁰C.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the permeability of the substantially air-permeable part of the net-like member is such that the ratio between the supply of air from outside the volume enclosed by the net- like member and recirculation of conditioned air already present in the volume enclosed by the net-like member is substantially between 30/70 and 10/90, and more preferably substantially 20/80. Such a permeability, where for instance fresh air supply and recirculation are in a proportion of 20% to 80%, has been found to be comfortable and energy-efficient, since only a small measure of additional cooling and/or heating is required.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the distance between the mattress and the net-like member is preferably 0-50 cm, more preferably 5-20 cm, and still more preferably substantially 10 cm. The airflow can be drawn in again in sufficiently unobstructed manner particularly when there is some distance between the mattress and the net- like member .

The invention further relates to a bed provided with a device as described above . In a preferred embodiment the air-permeable member is arranged extending above the bed in longitudinal direction and, as seen in width direction, the air-permeable member is arranged substantially centrally above the lying surface of a mattress of the bed. The conditioned airflow is hereby supplied to substantially the whole body of the person lying on the bed.

The invention further relates to a method for manufacturing such a device, and to a method for conditioning an airflow with such a device. In a preferred embodiment the method for conditioning an airflow with a device according to the invention comprises the step of arranging the air-permeable member extending above the bed in longitudinal direction, wherein the air-permeable member, as seen in width direction, is arranged substantially centrally above the lying surface of a mattress of the bed.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention are further elucidated in the following description with reference to the drawing, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a bed equipped with a device according to the invention; and

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the device shown in figure 1, wherein the bed is shown transparently.

Device 1 shown in the figures for supplying an airflow to a bed 2 comprises a suction unit 4 situated under bed 2 for drawing in an airflow for conditioning. This airflow Al drawn in by suction unit 4 is conditioned in a conditioning unit 6. Conditioned airflow A2 is then guided as airflow A3 via one or more tubes 10 to an air-permeable tube 8 situated above bed 2. Air-permeable tube 8 is for instance a tube of textile. In the shown embodiment the shown tube 8 has a substantially half-round shape, this having the advantage that it can lie flat against the substantially straight separation 20 on the top side and can distribute air A4 in all desired directions. The textile of the tube is provided with pores which provide a permeability such that the conditioned airflow A4 leaves the tube at a desired outflow speed. The airflow A4 leaving tube 8 has an outflow speed and is moreover influenced by the gravitational force exerted on airflow A4. Cold air has a higher density than warm air and will thereby accelerate in downward direction. Airflow A4 accelerates and is distributed over substantially the whole bed surface, whereby persons lying on bed 2 experience a comfortable conditioned airflow A5. Airflow A5 is held within the volume enclosed by net 14 via an airtight part 18 of net-like member 14, which net 14 also serves as a mosquito net, and will eventually move under bed 2, where it is once again drawn in by suction unit 4 as airflow Al.

Above the airtight part 18 of net 14, net 14 has an air-permeable part 16. The separation between airtight part 18 and air-permeable part 16 can be a sudden transition 22, although it can also comprise a gradual transition. The upper air-permeable part 16 gives the persons lying on the bed an 'open' feeling and moreover allows some supply of air from outside the volume enclosed by net 14. A desired ventilation can hereby be obtained, for instance 20% supply of air present in the bedroom outside the volume enclosed by net 14 (airflow A6 in figure 2) . Because airflow Al then consists of 80% air supplied via airflow A4, A5 and 20% air supplied via airflow A6, only a small measure of additional cooling is necessary to obtain the desired temperature when air leaves tube 8 during the subsequent cycle.

On the top side the volume enclosed by net 14 is closed by an airtight separation 20 which prevents warm air - which will tend to accumulate close to the ceiling in the bedroom - from also being entrained in airflow A4.

Close to the edges there is preferably some distance, for instance 10 cm, between the mosquito net and the mattress so that airflow A5 can be entrained in substantially unobstructed manner.

A filter 12 can further be arranged in suction unit 4 for the purpose of filtering air contaminants such as dust particles from the air.

The one or more tubes 10 are preferably given a thermally insulated form so as to prevent the conditioned airflow A2, which is guided via the one or more tubes 10 to air-permeable tube 8 as airflow A3, from resulting in condensation.

Although they show preferred embodiments of the invention, the above described embodiments are intended only for the purpose of illustrating the invention and not to limit the scope of the invention in any way. The scope of the invention is therefore defined solely by the following claims .

Claims

1. Device for supplying an airflow to a bed, comprising: - a suction unit (4) placeable close to the bed for drawing in an airflow;

- a conditioning unit (6) for conditioning the airflow drawn in by the suction unit {4} ;

- an air-permeable member (8) placeable above the bed; and

- tubes (10) arranged between the suction unit (4) and the air-permeable member (8) for guiding air from the suction unit (4) to the air-permeable member (8) .

2. Device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the air- permeable member (8) is a tube of textile.

3. Device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the tubular, air-permeable member (8) placeable above the bed can be arranged extending substantially in longitudinal direction of the bed and can be arranged, as seen in width direction, substantially centrally above the lying surface of a mattress of the bed.

4. Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the conditioning unit (6) comprises a cooling unit for cooling the airflow.

5. Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, further comprising a net-like member (14) placeable around the bed for retaining the conditioned airflow substantially within the volume enclosed thereby.

6. Device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the net- like member (14) comprises a substantially air-permeable part (16) and a substantially airtight part (18) , and wherein the airtight part (18) extends downward from at least a level corresponding to a lying surface of a mattress of a bed.

7. Device as claimed in claim 5 or 6, wherein the substantially air-permeable part (16) of the net-like member (14) extends upward in an area above a lying surface of a mattress of a bed.

8. Device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the separation between the substantially air-permeable part (16) and the substantially airtight part (18) of the net- like member (14) is preferably situated at a height of between 0 and 15 cm, more preferably between 2 and 10 cm, and still more preferably at a height of substantially 5 cm relative to the lying surface of the mattress of the bed.

9. Device as claimed in any of the claims 5-8, wherein the device comprises a substantially airtight separation (20) at least on the top side of the volume enclosed by the net-like member (14) .

10. Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the outflow speed of the air from the air- permeable member (8) placeable above the bed is preferably between 0.04 and 0.12 m/s, more preferably between 0.06 and 0.10 m/s and still more preferably substantially 0.08 m/s.

11. Device as claimed in any of the claims 5-10, wherein the pressure difference between the air in the air- permeable member (8) placeable above the bed and the air in the volume enclosed by the net- like member {14) is preferably between 30 and 90 Pa₇ more preferably between 40 and 70 Pa and still more preferably substantially 50 Pa.

12. Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the air-permeable member (14) placeable above the bed comprises an exit surface provided with pores which is preferably between 0.50 and 2.00 m², more preferably between 0.75 and 1.50 m² and still more preferably substantially 1 m².

13. Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the flow rate of the airflow from the air- permeable member (14) placeable above the bed is preferably between 100 and 300 m³/h, more preferably between 150 and 250 m³/h and still more preferably substantially 200 m³/h.

14. Device as claimed in any of the claims 5-11, wherein the temperature difference between the air in the air-permeable member (8) placeable above the bed and the air in the volume enclosed by the net- like member (14) is preferably between 0 and 10⁰C, more preferably between 2 and 7⁰C and still more preferably substantially 5°C.

15. Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the permeability of the substantially air- permeable part (16) of the net-like member (14) is such that the ratio between the supply of air from outside the volume enclosed by the net-like member (14) and recirculation of conditioned air already present in the volume enclosed by the net-like member (14) is substantially between 30/70 and 10/90, and more preferably substantially 20/80.

16. Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the distance between the mattress and the net-like member (14) is preferably 0-50 cm, more preferably 5-20 cm, and still more preferably substantially 10 cm.

17. Bed, provided with a device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims.

18. Bed as claimed in claim 17, wherein the air- permeable member (8) is arranged extending above the bed in longitudinal direction and, as seen in width direction, the air-permeable member (8) is arranged substantially centrally above the lying surface of a mattress of the bed.

19. Method for manufacturing a device as claimed in any of the claims 1-16.

20. Method for conditioning an airflow with a device as claimed in any of the claims 1-16.

21. Method as claimed in claim 20, comprising the step of arranging the air-permeable member (8) extending above the bed in longitudinal direction, wherein the air- permeable member (8) , as seen in width direction, is arranged substantially centrally above the lying surface of a mattress of the bed.