WO2017028830A1

WO2017028830A1 - Bed air conditioning system

Info

Publication number: WO2017028830A1
Application number: PCT/DE2016/000278
Authority: WO
Inventors: Witali Himmelreich
Original assignee: Gentherm Gmbh
Priority date: 2015-08-20
Filing date: 2016-07-19
Publication date: 2017-02-23
Also published as: DE102015010786A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a bed air conditioning system. According to the invention, the bed air conditioning system comprises a mattress (1, 1', 1") for cushioning the body of a bed user, a fluid circuit (2, 2', 2", 3, 3', 3") in the mattress (1, 1', 1") for cooling and heating of the mattress (1, 1', 1") and a heat transport device (5) which transports heat, selectively using energy, from the fluid circuit (2, 2', 2", 3, 3', 3") to the primary side which is to be cooled and to a secondary side (6, 7) or heat from the secondary side (6, 7) to the fluid circuit (2, 2', 2", 3, 3', 3").

Description

Bed climate system

The present invention relates to a bed climate system, ie a device for air conditioning a bed.

The heating and cooling of bed mattresses with air circulation is known per se. In different climatic regions and seasons, pleasant conditions can be created for the user. This applies to the usual private use, but also for special uses such. B. the sick leave and the like. The invention is directed to both fields of application.

The object is to provide a bed climate system improved in terms of efficiency.

For this purpose, the invention is directed to a bed climate system with a mattress for cushioning the body of a bed user, a fluid circuit in the mattress for cooling and heating the mattress and a heat transport device which selectively transfers heat from the fluid circuit as the primary side to be cooled to a secondary side with energy input or Transports heat from the secondary side to the liquid circuit as the primary side to be heated.

Preferred embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims, wherein the invention is also directed to the use of a mattress and a heat transport device for the described bed climate system.

The heat transport device according to the invention is in contrast to a conventional heating (in which heat is generated by energy, in particular electrical resistance heating) to transport the heat, from the mattress of the bed to a secondary side or vice versa, depending on whether cooled or heated should. Basically, the invention is directed to a bed climate system that can heat or cool at the user's option, so not on a pure heating system or a pure cooling system (which is not an additional heating or cooling system in the way).

1

Confirmation copy | Such a heat transport device could be about a heat pump, as it is known from building heaters, or, in a smaller size, even tumble dryers. In addition, a preferred choice is a thermoelectric device (in the following TED device), which works with the so-called thermoelectric effect or Peltier effect. Here, one side of a Peltier element cools down with the use of electrical energy and heats up the other, so that such a TED device is also suitable as a favorable heat transport device. In particular, she usually works noise-free.

Furthermore, according to the invention, a fluid circuit is provided in the mattress of the bed climate system, which can typically transport energy in the form of heat much more effectively than air or other gases. This is true even when using water as a medium; but it can also be used more powerful liquids, such as glycol. The advantages of a fluid circuit for heat transfer within the mattress are according to the inventor of the performance of the invention so important that the increased compared to air overhead for the management of the medium and the elimination of given in air transport drying options are accepted. Of course this does not preclude additional air circulation.

Preferably, the padding elements of the mattress are made of a gel, e.g. B. a PU gel (polyurethane gel). This not only offers good cushioning and comfort properties, but is also very well suited for combination with fluid lines. In this case come on the one hand line-like cavities in the upholstery gel (and in principle in other upholstery materials) per se, so incorporated channels, or built tubing with different from the gel coats, such as soft silicone tubing or soft PU tubing. The density and design of the hoses in terms of cross-sectional shape and size and also the design of the hose shells are in individual cases to match the upholstery so that the existence of the hoses or the integrated (cavity) lines is not or only slightly palpable. This also applies to the distance to the user side, but is preferably rather low in order not to cause too large loss of efficiency. Care is taken in the wiring that care is taken that supply parts and return parts of the lines, ie line parts that lie in the flow direction rather before or rather behind a middle between inlet and outlet, to a certain extent occur alternately. This does not necessarily have to be an alternating arrangement in the sense that in each case the next adjacent line piece of a lead-in part is a return part and vice versa. However, it is preferred that at least the next but one neighboring line belongs to the other line part.

The temperature conditions in or on the mattress (preferably on the use side) can be detected by a temperature sensor, for example by an NTC element, ie an electrical measuring resistor with a negative temperature coefficient, or else by a thermocouple. With such a temperature detection then a temperature control is possible, but also a pure temperature limitation down and / or above or a temperature control without actual control (eg. Only with monitoring in the sense of an alarm function) are conceivable.

In principle, the invention is directed to the arrangement of the fluid circuit in the mattress, wherein a so-called topper, that is to say a mattress for use on a main mattress to be arranged underneath, is also suitable as mattress. Such toppers are generally known in terms of increasing comfort and compared to the main mattress usually much thinner; in the present case, a thickness of at most 150 mm is preferred. The use in a topper leads to a certain modularity in the sense that you can work with a standard mattress as the main mattress and the climate system with the topper optionally mit- or can be supplied. In particular, the topper does not have to completely fill the mattress task with regard to the upholstery properties of the bed, and the topper manufacturer can concentrate more on the aspect of air conditioning and work together with a possibly different mattress manufacturer, who in turn concentrates on the mattress or supply it independently ,

So far, abstract has been spoken by a secondary site. This must basically be able to fulfill its function as a heat sink and source, so z. B. a Be reservoir. However, in practice it is desirable to make this secondary side structurally not too large and also to avoid the connection to reservoirs on site (eg building parts) for reasons of practicability (although this is of course conceivable and encompassed by the invention). In that regard, heat equalization can thus also be provided on the secondary side, for which purpose preferably a fluid circuit, and more particularly likewise a fluid circuit, is provided. This transports heat away from or towards the heat transport device (in particular the TED device). The transport then leads to a heat exchanger (or from this to the heat transport device) and this heat exchanger is preferably separated from the mattress. For example. it may be a device containing the heat exchanger which is installed or suspended independently of and outside the mattress. Such a heat exchanger could, in addition to a known design with good thermally conductive materials and ribs z. B. also have a fan. This outsourced device preferably also contains the secondary-side fluid circuit and the heat transport device, so it is connected to the mattress via part of the primary-side fluid circuit.

Also, regardless of the separately aufzustellenden or suspended device with the heat exchanger is preferred that the heat transport means and possibly the secondary-side fluid circuit are arranged outside the mattress. The mattress should preferably remain as free as possible from technical equipment, in particular electrical equipment (although, as a rule, a temperature sensor is electrical, although connected with little or no currents).

However, the statements on the secondary-side heat exchanger are not in the way of a storage device or storing properties on the secondary side. For example. For example, sufficient heat capacity could ensure that a substantial portion or all of the heat balance of the secondary side takes place outside of the bedclimate system's useful life in terms of mattress conditioning. For example, so could be air-conditioned during the rest period of the bed user, the mattress and the heat expended this heat capacity withdrawn or removed from the mattress heat stored there. Then the heat balance between the heat capacity and the environmental environment, z. As the room air, all or a substantial part take place after the rest period. For example, after leaving a bedroom, a fan together with the mentioned heat exchanger could provide for heat balance.

A further preferred embodiment provides, at least in the primary-side liquid circuit, a liquid pump submerged in the media liquid. It has been found that this is a significant reduction of vibrations and noise possible. This preferably applies analogously to a secondary-side fluid circuit, if present.

The invention also relates to a complete bed including the previously described bed climate system, which thus has, in addition to the mattress, a bed frame and / or a mattress for placement under the mattress of the bed climate system. As far as the bed climate system is realized with a topper, so the bed has a "main mattress" on.

Furthermore, the invention also relates to the use of a mattress (including topper) for a bed climate system or the bed just mentioned and a corresponding use of a heat transport device for this, in particular a TED device.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to an exemplary embodiment whose features are meaningful for all categories of claims and can also be essential to the invention in combinations other than those shown.

FIG. 1 shows schematically a bed climate system according to the invention

Figures 2-4 show sections through a mattress of the bed climate system of Figure 1 with various solutions for the liquid lines

FIG. 5 shows an exemplary arrangement of the lines

In Figure 1 can be seen above a schematic plan view of a mattress or mattress over, so a topper 1, a bed climate system. As symbolically represented represents, this mattress is detected in a predominant part of its base area of a liquid circuit with liquid lines 2 and 3, wherein the reference numeral 2 of the inlet and designated by the reference numeral 3 of the sequence. Feed lines 2 and discharge lines 3 run substantially antiparallel and adjacent to each other, which is otherwise (in relation to the described pairing) is a spiral arrangement. Of course, other arrangements would be possible, for. B. two layers, wherein the upper layer, the inlet 2 of the system and the lower layer may contain the drain 3. An advantage here is a more homogeneous temperature profile and a better temperature distribution, but at the latest the next but one neighbor of each supply line 2 should be a drain line 3 and vice versa. In the present case this is already the case with the next neighbor.

The lines lead a liquid for temperature control purposes, which is cooled or heated in a conventional heat exchanger 4 (shown symbolically) in a conventional manner, including the heat exchanger 4 from a TED device 5, ie a correspondingly powerful Peltier element, thermally is charged. The heat exchanger 4 may be, for example, a conventional aluminum heat exchanger for liquid lines, wherein the TED device is coupled to the aluminum heat exchanger 4 with good thermal conductivity and large area.

On the other side of the TED device 5 is a secondary-side heat exchanger 6, in which a secondary-side fluid circuit 7 circulates. This liquid circuit performs (for example in the case of cooling the mattress 1) heat from the right side of the TED device 5 and distributes them to the heat exchanger 6, which they z. B. emits to the ambient air. For optimization, externally mounted fans can support the heat sink effect.

With 8 and 9, a primary-side and a secondary-side fluid pump are designated, each pumping around the fluid circuit. These pumps are both immersed in the liquid of the circuit, including in this example in the supply line of the primary-side fluid circuit, a corresponding thickening is provided (only symbolically drawn) and also in the secondary fluid circuit a corresponding space is provided. Figures 2 - 4 show a section through the topper 1 of Figure 1, in such a way that the lines can be seen in their cross-sectional shape. FIG. 2 shows a mattress 1 padded with PU gel 10, in the upper region of which circular silicone tube pieces can be seen. This corresponds to the situation in FIG. 1.

Figure 3 shows a variant in which a mattress 1 'is also padded with PU gel 10 and in the line area flush adjacent and each rectangular line cross sections 2' and 3 'can be seen. Due to the rectangular shape can create a continuous layer, so that the lines are even less tactile than in the variant in Figure 2. Again, it may, for. B. act on silicone leads.

4 shows a variant of FIG 2, wherein the mattress 1 "is composed of an upper and a lower half each of PU gel 10 and in the contact surface of the two halves approximately semicircular profiles are embedded on both sides Gel 10 itself cavities 2 "and 3" formed in the sense of liquid lines.

FIG. 4 also shows a symbolic NTC temperature sensor 11 with a corresponding sensor line 12, by means of which the cooling and heating power of the TED device 5 can be regulated.

FIG. 5 shows that lines can be routed on two planes arranged one above the other, the feed line (inlet line 2 "') preferably being arranged closer to the upper layer or closer to a surface touched by a user than the return line (outlet lines 3"'). ). The conduit details and embodiments may be selected as described above. An arrangement as in Figure 5 allows a more homogeneous temperature distribution.

Claims

claims

1 . Bed climate system with

a mattress (1, 1 ', 1 ") for upholstering the body of a bed user, a fluid circuit (2, 2', 2", 3, 3 ', 3 ") in the mattress (1, V, 1") for cooling and heating the mattress (1, 1 ', 1 ") and

a heat transport device (5), the heat optionally from the fluid circuit (2, 2 ', 2 ", 3, 3', 3") transported as a primary side to be cooled to a secondary side (6, 7) or energy from the secondary side ( 6, 7) to the liquid circuit (2, 2 ', 2 ", 3, 3', 3") transported as the primary side to be heated.

2. Bed climate system according to claim 1, wherein the mattress (1, 1 ', 1 ") comprises padding elements made of a gel, in particular a PU gel.

3. Bed climate system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the liquid circuit (2, 2 ', 3, 3') in the mattress (1, 1 ') in hoses (2, 2', 3, 3 ') made of a soft plastic is guided, especially in silicone tubing or soft PU tubing.

4. Bed climate system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the liquid circuit (2 ", 3") in cavities (2 ", 3") of a cushioning material of the mattress (1 ") is guided as lines.

5. Bed climate system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the liquid circuit (2, 2 ', 2 ", 3, 3', 3") in the mattress (1, 1 ', 1 ") is arranged and laid so that its Lines in a flow part (2, 2 ', 2 ") at the latest as the next adjacent lines such a return part (3, 3', 3") and vice versa.

6. Bed climate system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that lines of a lead part (2, 2 ', 2 ") at least partially closer to a user-side surface of a mattress (1, 1', 1") are arranged as lines of a return part ( 3, 3 ', 3 ").

7. Bed climate system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein in the mattress (1 "), a temperature sensor (11), in particular an NTC element, for temperature limitation, control and / or regulation is provided.

A bed climate system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the mattress (1, 1 ', 1 ") is a mattress for use on a main mattress to be arranged thereunder and is at most 150 mm thick.

9. bed climate system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the heat transport means (5) is a working with the Peltier effect thermoelectric device (5).

10. Bed climate system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the secondary side of a fluid, in particular liquid circuit (6).

11. Bed climate system according to claim 10, in which the secondary-side fluid circuit (6) has a heat exchanger (7) separated from the mattress (1), in particular a device to be independently erected or suspended from the mattress (1).

12. Bed climate system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the heat transport means (5) and possibly the secondary-side fluid circuit (6) outside the mattress (1) are arranged.

13. Bed climate system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the primary-side fluid circuit (2, 2 ', 2 ", 3, 3', 3") and possibly also the secondary-side fluid circuit (2, 2 ', 2 ", 3, 3 ', 3 ") each having a liquid pump (8, 9) which is immersed in the liquid.

14. bed with a bed climate system according to one of the preceding claims and a mattress for the mattress (1, 1 ', 1 "), in particular a bed frame and / or a mattress.

15. Use of a mattress (1, 1 ', 1 "), in particular a top mattress, for a bed climate system according to one of claims 1 - 13 or a bed according to claim 14.

16. Use of a heat transport device (5), in particular a thermoelectric device (5), for a bed climate system according to one of claims 1-13 or a bed according to claim 14.