ADJUSTABLE-FIRMNESS BODY SUPPORT AND METHOD
The present invention provides a body support assembly comprising a layer having a passage, a pump positioned to create a flow of fluid through the passage, a sensor that detects a parameter and produces a signal, and a controller coupled to the sensor and programmed to control the flow of fluid based on the signal. Preferably, the layer comprises visco-elastic foam. In one embodiment, the parameter corresponds with a firmness of the layer (e.g., a temperature of the layer). A heat exchanger can be used to alter (e.g., heat or cool) a temperature of the fluid. The present invention further provides a method of controlling a firmness of a body support comprising sensing a sensed value of a parameter (e.g., temperature) of the body support, establishing a desired value of the parameter, comparing the sensed parameter to the desired value, and adjusting the parameter.
1 . A body support assembly comprising:
a layer having a serpentine passage Wherein the serpentine passage has more than one turn found in the layer;
a pump positioned to create a flow of fluid through the passage;
a sensor that detects a parameter and produces a signal; and
a controller coupled to the sensor and programmed to control the flow of fluid based on the signal.
2 . A body support assembly as defined in claim 1 , wherein the layer comprises a first layer and a second layer supporting the first layer.
3 . A body support assembly as defined in claim 2 , wherein the passage is defined between the first and second layers.
4 . A body support assembly as defined in claim 1 , wherein the layer comprises visco-elastic foam.
5 . A body support assembly as defined in claim 1 , wherein the parameter corresponds with a firmness of the layer.
6 . A body support assembly as defined in claim 5 , wherein the parameter comprises a temperature of the layer.
7 . A body support assembly as defined in claim 1 , further comprising a heat exchanger for altering a temperature of the fluid.
8 . A body support assembly as defined in claim I, wherein the body support has at least two areas, and each area has a sensor and a passage through which fluid can flow, wherein the controller can control the fluid through each passage to separately control the parameter of the different areas.
9 . 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.
10 . A method of controlling a firmness of a body support comprising;
sensing a sensed value of a parameter of the body support, the parameter corresponding with the firmness of the body support;
establishing a desired value of the parameter;
comparing the sensed parameter to the desired value; and
adjusting the parameter such that the sensed value moves toward the desired value.