Wye connector for a plurality of devices connected to a fluid source
The present invention is directed to a wye connector for use in fluidly coupling two or more thermally regulated articles to a fluid source. The wye connector includes quick disconnect elements attachable to a corresponding quick disconnect element attached to the fluid source and/or to the two or more thermally regulated articles, and a plurality of tubes connecting each quick disconnect element. The tubes connecting each quick disconnect element are attached to at least one thermoelectric module capable of heating and/or cooling fluid moving through the tubes.
1 . A connector element for connecting a control unit to a plurality of temperature-regulated articles, comprising:
at least one primary connector configured to connect to at least one fluid outlet and at least one fluid inlet of at least one control unit;
a plurality of secondary connectors each configured to connect to at least one fluid outlet and at least one fluid inlet of one of a plurality of temperature-regulated articles;
at least one first fluid conduit connecting a fluid outlet of the at least one primary connector to a fluid inlet of a first one of the plurality of secondary connectors;
at least one second fluid conduit connecting a fluid outlet of the first one of the plurality of secondary connectors to a fluid inlet of the second one of the plurality of secondary connectors;
at least one third fluid conduit connecting a fluid inlet of the at least one primary connector to a fluid outlet of a second one of the plurality of secondary connectors; and
at least one heating module configured to heat fluid within the at least one second fluid conduit.
2 . The connector element of claim 1 , wherein the at least one heating module includes at least one thermoelectric element.
3 . The connector element of claim 1 , wherein the at least one first fluid conduit, the at least one second fluid conduit, and/or the at least one third fluid conduit include at least one hollow tube.
4 . The connector element of claim 3 , wherein the at least one hollow tube includes polyurethane.
5 . The connector element of claim 1 , wherein the fluid inlet and/or the fluid outlet of the at least one primary connector includes at least one ribbed protrusion extending outwardly from a base of the at least one primary connector.
6 . The connector element of claim 5 , wherein the at least one first fluid conduit and/or the at least one third fluid conduit are frictionally engaged with the at least one ribbed protrusion of the at least one primary connector.
7 . The connector element of claim 1 , wherein the at least one primary connector includes a quick release mechanism.
8 . The connector element of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of temperature-regulated articles includes at least one mattress pad, at least one pillow, and/or at least one blanket.
9 . A connector element for connecting a control unit to a plurality of temperature-regulated articles, comprising:
at least one primary connector configured to connect to at least one fluid outlet and at least one fluid inlet of at least one control unit;
a plurality of secondary connectors each configured to connect to at least one fluid outlet and at least one fluid inlet of one of a plurality of temperature-regulated articles;
at least one first tube connecting a fluid outlet of the at least one primary connector to a fluid inlet of a first one of the plurality of secondary connectors;
at least one second tube connecting a fluid inlet of the at least one primary connector to a fluid outlet of a second one of the plurality of secondary connectors; and
at least one heating module configured to heat fluid within the at least one second tube.
10 . The connector element of claim 9 , wherein at least one third tube connects a fluid outlet of the first one of the plurality of secondary connectors to a fluid inlet of a third one of the plurality of secondary connectors, and wherein at least one fourth tube connects a fluid outlet of the third one of the plurality of secondary connectors to a fluid inlet of the second one of the plurality of secondary connectors.
11 . The connector element of claim 9 , wherein the at least one first tube and/or the at least one second tube include polyurethane.
12 . The connector element of claim 9 , wherein the fluid inlet and/or the fluid outlet of the at least one primary connector includes at least one ribbed protrusion extending outwardly from a base of the at least one primary connector.
13 . The connector element of claim 12 , wherein the at least one first tube and/or the at least one second tube are frictionally engaged with the at least one ribbed protrusion of the at least one primary connector.
14 . The connector element of claim 9 , wherein the at least one primary connector includes a quick release mechanism.
15 . The connector element of claim 9 , wherein the plurality of temperature-regulated articles includes at least one mattress pad, at least one pillow, and/or at least one blanket.
16 . A system for heating or cooling a plurality of temperature-regulated articles with a single control unit, comprising:
a control unit;
a plurality of temperature-regulated articles;
at least one primary connector configured to connect to at least one fluid outlet and at least one fluid inlet of at least one control unit;
a plurality of secondary connectors each configured to connect to at least one fluid outlet and at least one fluid inlet of one of a plurality of temperature-regulated articles;
at least one first fluid conduit connecting a fluid outlet of the at least one primary connector to a fluid inlet of a first one of the plurality of secondary connectors;
at least one second fluid conduit connecting a fluid outlet of the first one of the plurality of secondary connectors to a fluid inlet of the second one of the plurality of secondary connectors;
at least one third fluid conduit connecting a fluid inlet of the at least one primary connector to a fluid outlet of a second one of the plurality of secondary connectors; and
at least one heating module configured to heat fluid within the at least one second fluid conduit.
17 . The system of claim 16 , wherein the at least one heating module includes at least one thermoelectric element.
18 . The system of claim 16 , wherein fluid inlet and/or the fluid outlet of the at least one primary connector includes at least one ribbed protrusion extending outwardly from a base of the at least one primary connector.
19 . The system of claim 16 , wherein the at least one primary connector includes a quick release mechanism.
20 . The system of claim 16 , wherein the plurality of temperature-regulated articles includes at least one mattress pad, at least one pillow, and/or at least one blanket.