BED MICROCLIMATE CONTROL
A bed system includes microclimate control capabilities for providing quality sleep experience. The bed system can include a microclimate control subsystem configured to supply conditioned air (e.g., heated or cooled air) to a mattress, or draw ambient air from the mattress, to achieve a desired temperature at the top of the mattress. Utilizing supply of conditioned air to provide air at desired temperature to the mattress system, or utilizing air suction to drain heat away from the mattress system, can provide precise microclimate control at the mattress, thereby permitting conformable sleep.
1 . A mattress system comprising:
a mattress cover;
a first layer having a top surface and an opposite bottom surface, the top surface covered by the mattress cover, the first layer configured to permit a first airflow rate;
a heating unit arranged above the top surface of the first layer and under the mattress cover, the heating unit being electrically controlled to increase temperature;
an airflow insert pad arranged under the bottom surface of the first layer, and configured to permit a second airflow rate being higher than the first airflow; and
an air controller configured to move air through the airflow insert pad and through the first layer to decrease a temperature at the top surface of the first layer.
2 . The mattress system of claim 1 , wherein the heating unit includes a foot warming envelop positioned at a foot of the mattress system, and the airflow insert pad is positioned closer to a head of the mattress system than the foot warming envelop.
3 . The mattress system of claim 1 , wherein the first layer is configured as a foam layer.
4 . The mattress system of claim 1 , wherein the air controller is configured to draw air from the airflow insert pad.
5 . The mattress system of claim 1 , wherein the air controller is configured to supply conditioned air to the air insert pad.
6 . The mattress system of claim 5 , wherein the conditioned air is heated air or cooled air.
7 . The mattress system of claim 1 , wherein the airflow insert pad includes a pad cover and an airflow material enclosed in the pad cover, the pad cover including a vent, and wherein the airflow insert pad is arranged for the vent to face the bottom surface of the first layer.
8 . The mattress system of claim 7 , wherein the pad cover is made of an air restrictive material, and the vent is covered by a meshed material.
9 . The mattress system of claim 7 , the vent includes a window provided in the pad cover.
10 . The mattress system of claim 7 , the vent has edges spaced inward of a perimeter of the airflow insert pad to form a border around the vent.
11 . The mattress system of claim 7 , further comprising:
an air duct fluidly connected to the airflow insert pad, the air duct including an opening that is connected to a portion of the airflow insert pad that corresponds to the border around the vent.
12 . The mattress system of claim 11 , wherein the airflow insert pad is free of holes.
13 . The mattress system of claim 1 , wherein the airflow insert pad is made of Qshion™ material.
14 . The mattress system of claim 1 , wherein the airflow insert pad is made of one of a spacer monofilament material and a reticulated foam.
15 . The mattress system of claim 1 , further comprising:
an inflatable chamber positioned below the first layer.
16 . The mattress system of claim 15 , further comprising:
a foam rail structure including top, bottom, and opposite side form rails extending between the top and bottom foam rails, and configured to surround the inflatable chamber.
17 . The mattress system of claim 16 , wherein the rails are attached to the periphery of the first foam layer on the bottom surface.
18 . The mattress system of claim 16 , further comprising:
a second foam layer attached to the bottom surface and including a cutout section configured to receive the airflow insert pad, the airflow insert pad being enclosed in the cutout section and surrounded by the second foam layer such that the airflow insert pad is not laterally exposed.
19 . The mattress system of claim 18 , wherein the airflow insert pad is attached to the bottom surface of the first foam layer through the cutout section of the second foam layer.
20 . The mattress system of claim 18 , wherein the foam rail structure is attached to the second form layer.
21 . The mattress system of claim 20 , further comprising:
an air duct extending between the airflow insert pad and the air controller.
22 . The mattress system of claim 21 , wherein at least one of the rails has a notch configured to at least partially receive the air duct.
23 . The mattress system of claim 16 , further comprising:
one or more reinforcement straps attached to the side rails and extending between the side rails.
24 . The mattress system of claim 1 , further comprising:
an air chamber at least partially surrounded by the rails; and
an air hose extending from the air chamber, the air hose extending at least partially along the duct.
25 . The mattress system of claim 21 , further comprising:
a foundation including a duct opening configured to mate with an end of the air duct.
26 . The mattress system of claim 21 , further comprising:
a sleeve at least partially disposed around the air duct.
27 . The mattress system of claim 1 , wherein the heating unit comprises a layer positioned at a foot of the mattress system above the first layer and under the mattress cover that is configured to generate heat in response to an electric current, wherein the air controller comprise:
an air controller housing defining a housing inlet and a housing outlet;
a fan positioned in the air controller housing;
an air passage connecting at least one of the housing inlet and the housing outlet of the air controller housing to the airflow insert pad.
28 . The mattress system of claim 27 , wherein the air controller further comprises a heater positioned in the air controller housing between the housing inlet and the housing outlet.
29 . The mattress system of claim 27 , wherein the air passage connects the housing inlet to the airflow insert pad and wherein the air controller is configured to draw air from the airflow insert pad into the air controller housing.
30 . A method of operating the mattress system of claim 1 , the method comprising:
heating via the heating unit; and
cooling via the air controller.
31 . The method of claim 30 , and further comprising:
heating a foot portion of the mattress system via the heating unit while cooling a second portion of the mattress system via the air controller.
32 . The method of claim 30 , and further comprising:
heating a foot portion of the mattress system via the heating unit before a user enters the mattress system;
stopping heating the foot portion of the mattress system via the heating unit either before or when a user is sensed entering the mattress system; and
cooling a second portion of the mattress system via the air controller after a user is sensed entering the mattress system.
33 . A mattress system comprising:
a mattress cover;
a first foam layer having a top surface and an opposite bottom surface, the top surface covered by the mattress cover, the first foam layer configured to permit a first airflow rate;
a foot warming envelop enclosing a heating unit and arranged under the mattress cover, the heating unit being electrically controlled;
an airflow insert pad arranged under the bottom surface of the first foam layer, and configured to permit a second airflow rate being higher than the first airflow; and
an air controller configured to draw air from the airflow insert pad to increase distribution of air through the first foam layer and decrease a temperature at the top surface of the first foam layer.