ADJUSTABLE-FIRMNESS BODY SUPPORT AND METHOD
A body support assembly includes a layer including a visco-elastic foam, a heating element in thermal communication with the foam, a temperature sensor, such as a Peltier device, in thermal communication with the foam, and a controller coupled to the sensor and programmed to control the heating element based on input from the sensor, wherein the Peltier device is operable to heat and cool the foam.
1 . A body support assembly comprising:
a layer comprising visco-elastic foam;
a heating element in thermal communication with the foam;
a temperature sensor in thermal communication with the foam; and
a controller coupled to the sensor and programmed to control the heating element based on input from the sensor.
2 . A body support assembly as defined in claim 1 , wherein the heating element comprises a Peltier device.
3 . A body support assembly as defined in claim 2 , wherein the Peltier device is capable of heating and cooling.
4 . A body support assembly as defined in claim 1 , further comprising a thermally-conductive layer adapted to distribute heat from the heating element.
5 . A body support assembly as defined in claim 4 , wherein the thermally-conductive layer comprises a metallic foil.
6 . A body support assembly as defined in claim 4 , further comprising an insulating layer adjacent to the thermally-conductive layer to inhibit the flow of heat in a direction.
7 . A body support assembly as defined in claim 1 , further comprising a user interface coupled to the controller and adapted to select a desired parameter of the body support assembly.
8 . A body support assembly as defined in claim 1 , wherein the controller includes a clock and is programmed to actuate a control function based on a programmed time of the clock.
9 . A body support assembly as defined in claim 1 , further comprising a pressure sensor, wherein the controller is coupled to the pressure sensor and is programmed to actuate a control function based on input from the pressure sensor.
10 . A body support assembly comprising:
a layer comprising foam;
a Peltier device in thermal communication with the foam;
a temperature sensor in thermal communication with the foam; and
a controller coupled to the sensor and programmed to control the Peltier device based on input from the sensor.
11 . A body support assembly as defined in claim 10 , wherein the foam comprises a visco-elastic foam.
12 . A body support assembly as defined in claim 10 , wherein the Peltier device comprises a plurality of spaced apart Peltier devices.
13 . A body support assembly as defined in claim 10 , wherein the Peltier device is capable of heating and cooling.
14 . A body support assembly as defined in claim 10 , further comprising a thermally-conductive layer adapted to distribute heating or cooling from the Peltier device.
15 . A body support assembly as defined in claim 14 , wherein the thermally-conductive layer comprises a metallic foil.
16 . A body support assembly as defined in claim 14 , further comprising an insulating layer adjacent to the thermally-conductive layer to inhibit the flow of heat through the insulating layer.