IP Library › Granted Patent US 11,962,164
Granted Patent B2
US 11,962,164 · App. 17/891,597 · Granted Apr 16, 2024

Pillow with cooling system

Inventors: Tyler Holmvik (Minneapolis, MN); Caleb Siffring (Saint Louis Park, MN); Cory Grabinger (Maple Grove, MN)
Assignee: Sleep Number Corporation
H02J50/12H02J50/80
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,962,164
App. No.
17/891,597
Granted
Apr 16, 2024
Kind
B2
Abstract

A bed has a mattress. A first wireless charging array is positioned on a top side of the mattress nearer a head of the mattress. A pillow is configured to be positioned atop the first wireless charging array. The pillow includes a second wireless charging array located on an underside of a pillow. The second wireless charging array is configured to receive energy from the first wireless charging array. A companion device is configured to use the energy. An energy storage device is within the pillow. The energy storage device is configured to store charge received by the first wireless charging array. The energy storage device is configured to supply power to the companion device.

Claims (40)

1. A pillow cooling system comprising:

a pillow having a pillow interior and a pillow exterior, wherein the pillow defines one or more channels sized to conduct air;

a cooler unit positioned in the pillow interior, wherein the cooler unit is positioned to and configured to move air through the one or more channels of the pillow,

an energy storage device positioned in the pillow interior and in electronic communication with the cooler unit to power the cooler unit; and

a communication device in the pillow interior, wherein the communication device is configured to send a charge state of the energy storage device.

2. The pillow cooling system of claim 1 , and further comprising:

a wireless charging array connected to the energy storage device to charge the energy storage device.

3. The pillow cooling system of claim 2 , wherein the wireless charging array is positioned on a bottom of the pillow, the pillow cooling system further comprising:

a bed having a second wireless charging array.

4. The pillow cooling system of claim 1 , and further comprising:

one or more presence sensors positioned in the pillow interior and configured to detect a presence of a user on the pillow.

5. The pillow cooling system of claim 4 , wherein the cooler unit is configured to operate in response to the presence of the user detected by the one or more presence sensors.

6. The pillow cooling system of claim 4 , wherein the communication device is further configured to send an occupation state based on whether the presence of the user is detected on the pillow.

7. The pillow cooling system of claim 1 , and further comprising:

a pillow controller having a processor and a memory, wherein the pillow controller is operatively connected to the cooler unit, the energy storage device, and the communication device.

8. The pillow cooling system of claim 7 , wherein the pillow controller is positioned in the pillow interior.

9. The pillow cooling system of claim 1 , wherein the pillow defines a a plurality of perforations each sized and configured to conduct air flow.

10. The pillow cooling system of claim 1 , and further comprising:

a heater positioned in the pillow interior, wherein the heater is operatively connected to the energy storage device and is configured to emit heat.

11. The pillow cooling system of claim 1 , and further comprising:

a solar cell positioned at least partially on the pillow exterior and in electronic communication with the energy storage device, wherein the solar cell is configured to convert light into electricity to power the energy storage device.

12. The pillow cooling system of claim 1 , and further comprising:

a pillow controller having a processor, memory, and an occupant sensor, wherein the pillow controller is configured to initiate charging of the energy storage device in response to detecting a lack of an occupant via the occupant sensor.

13. The pillow cooling system of claim 1 , and further comprising:

a fluid distribution member comprising foam.

14. The pillow cooling system of claim 1 , and further comprising:

a housing sized to retain one or more components within the pillow, wherein the one or more components retained within the housing includes the energy storage device.

15. The pillow cooling system of claim 1 , wherein the cooler unit is configured to cool via forced air conduction.

16. A pillow comprising:

a pillow interior defining one or more perforations sized to conduct air through the pillow;

a housing sized to retain one or more components within the pillow;

an energy storage device positioned inside the pillow;

a forced air device positioned inside the pillow, wherein the forced air device is configured to move air through the one or more perforations of the pillow; and

a communication device in the pillow interior, wherein the communication device is configured to send a charge state of the energy storage device.

17. The pillow of claim 16 , and further comprising:

a wireless charging array connected to the energy storage device to charge the energy storage device.

18. The pillow of claim 16 , and further comprising:

a pillow controller having a processor, memory, and a sensor operatively coupled to the forced air device.

19. The pillow of claim 16 , wherein the forced air device is a cooler unit.

20. The pillow of claim 16 , wherein the pillow interior further defines one or more perforations sized to conduct air through the pillow.

Assignments (2)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 4, 2025
From: SLEEP NUMBER CORPORATION
To: U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 073507/0051 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 29, 2022
From: HOLMVIK, TYLER; SIFFRING, CALEB; GRABINGER, CORY
To: SLEEP NUMBER CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 060928/0757 →
Continuity (3)
Continuation 16731986 · Dec 31, 2019
Provisional Application 62834748 · Apr 16, 2019
Related Publication 20230054736A1 · Feb 23, 2023
Cited By (2)
US 12,453,427 US 12,569,083