Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47G—HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT
  • A47G9/00—Bed-covers; Counterpanes; Travelling rugs; Sleeping rugs; Sleeping bags; Pillows
  • A47G9/02—Bed linen; Blankets; Counterpanes
  • A47G9/0207—Blankets; Duvets
  • A47G9/0215—Blankets; Duvets with cooling or heating means
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47C—CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
  • A47C21/00—Attachments for beds, e.g. sheet holders or bed-cover holders; Ventilating, cooling or heating means in connection with bedsteads or mattresses
  • A47C21/04—Devices for ventilating, cooling or heating
  • A47C21/042—Devices for ventilating, cooling or heating for ventilating or cooling
  • A47C21/044—Devices for ventilating, cooling or heating for ventilating or cooling with active means, e.g. by using air blowers or liquid pumps
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47C—CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
  • A47C21/00—Attachments for beds, e.g. sheet holders or bed-cover holders; Ventilating, cooling or heating means in connection with bedsteads or mattresses
  • A47C21/04—Devices for ventilating, cooling or heating
  • A47C21/048—Devices for ventilating, cooling or heating for heating

Definitions

• Air-conditioned bed comprising a mattress having an air permeable layer
• the present invention relates to the field of bedding and in particular that of air-conditioned beds.
• EP 0 862 901 discloses a device comprising thermoelectric systems for heating or cooling a mattress of a newborn incubator.
• US 2004/093050 discloses a therapeutic device for cooling the body of a person lying on a mattress, comprising an inflatable cavity system associated with an external air conditioning system.
• An object of the present invention is to provide an air-conditioned bed improving the comfort of the user.
• the air-conditioned bed according to the invention comprises: a source of conditioned air at a predetermined temperature;
• a mattress comprising an upper layer formed of a material that is permeable to air;
• First blower means for sending air conditioning from the source in the upper layer of the mattress, so that the upper layer of the mattress diffuses conditioned air.
• the source of conditioned air is able to generate hot air or cold air depending on the need of the user.
• the air conditioning diffuses towards the user through the upper layer of the mattress and more precisely through the face upper layer of the mattress, which corresponds to the upper face of the mattress.
• the upper layer of the mattress is formed in a porous material, such as for example a fibrous material. It is therefore understood that the present invention allows to maintain the thermal comfort conditions of the person or persons installed and / or lying in the bed.
• the conditioned bed according to the invention further comprises a cover comprising a first sheet capable of covering a user and a second sheet, the first sheet being permeable to air, and second means of blowing to bring air conditioned between the two sheets of the blanket.
• the air conditioning is diffused to the user both through the upper layer of the mattress and at least through the first sheet of the cover.
• An interest of the invention relates to the control of the thermal environment closer to the body and by making the interior environment of the bed can be set at a temperature significantly different from the temperature of the room in which the bed is installed .
• Air conditioning closer to the body in a limited volume can create a comfortable microclimate in a room whose temperature can be significantly different, which can greatly reduce the energy consumption associated with heating and cooling.
• the present invention aims to create a gentle air flow that avoids the usual noise nuisance ventilation systems.
• the concept creates a comfortable microclimate inside the volume defined by the top sheet, bedding and mattress. This concept is applicable to a single bed as well as two places.
• the second sheet of the cover is permeable to air so that the flow of air is essentially directed towards the user.
• the second sheet is made of a material capable of reflecting infrared radiation.
• the reflective material in the infrared is used in winter to contain the heat emitted by the body of the user and thus limits the need for heating, while in summer, on the contrary, the material separates the radiating atmosphere at higher temperature from the room in which the bed is located, the cooler atmosphere existing inside the volume delimited by the blanket and the mattress.
• the mattress further comprises an intermediate layer disposed below the upper layer, said intermediate layer having distribution means adapted to distribute the conditioned air from the first blower means in all or part of the upper layer.
• the homogeneous distribution of the conditioned air flow over the entire surface of the upper layer makes it possible to further improve the comfort of the user.
• the distribution means comprise a plurality of channels formed in the intermediate layer.
• the distribution means form a mesh network formed in an upper surface of the intermediate layer.
• the mesh network forms a grid.
• These channels are intended to allow the circulation of conditioned air throughout the mesh network and preferably on substantially the entire upper surface of the intermediate layer. It is therefore understood that the air flowing in the channels can diffuse towards the upper layer of the mattress thanks to the fact that said upper layer covers the channels.
• the second blower means comprise a tube connecting the intermediate layer of the mattress to the cover, in order to bring conditioned air between the first and second sheets of the cover.
• the tube is preferably connected to one of the channels of the mesh network of the intermediate layer thus making it possible to circulate conditioned air from the intermediate layer towards the inside of the cover.
• the first blower means comprise two ducts connected to the mesh network on either side of the width of the mattress.
• the conditioned bed further comprises means for adjusting the flow rate of the air flowing in each of the two pipes. In this way, it is possible to adjust the airflow diffusing on the left and right sides of the mattress.
• two users of the air-conditioned bed according to the invention can independently adjust the flow of air diffusing into the mattress.
• the pipes are made of flexible elastomer so as to reduce the noise associated with the circulation of the conditioned air.
• the air conditioning source comprises a reversible heat pump, for generating hot air or cold air.
• the heat pump is a reversible heat pump micro-pump which is installed in a removable drawer to facilitate the necessary maintenance operations.
• the air is filtered and the diffusion of freshness or heat is adjustable.
• - Figure 1 is a side sectional view of the air-conditioned bed according to the invention, the flow of air being schematized by arrows;
• - Figure 2 shows a detail of the tube connecting the intermediate layer to the cover of the air-conditioned bed according to the invention;
• FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the intermediate layer of the mattress of the conditioned bed according to the invention.
• FIG. 4 shows a detail of one of the two pipes of the first blower means for bringing the conditioned air in the mesh network of the intermediate layer of the air-conditioned bed according to the invention
• FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the air-conditioned bed according to the invention in which the upper layer of the mattress is shown partially broken away;
• FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the bed of the air-conditioned bed according to the present invention housing the air conditioning source;
• FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the conditioned air source and the first blower means; and - Figure 8 is a front view of the control panel of the air-conditioned bed according to the invention.
• the air-conditioned bed 10 comprises an air-conditioning source comprising a heat pump 12 integrated in a removable drawer. 14 located under the bed 10.
• Reversible heat pumps for generating hot air or cold air, are already known elsewhere and their operation will not be repeated here.
• the conditioned bed 10 comprises a mattress 16 formed of an upper layer 18 adapted to support a user 11, and an intermediate layer 20 located below the upper layer 18.
• the upper layer 18 is preferably made of a fibrous material.
• the conditioned bed 10 further comprises first blower means comprising at least one blower and two ducts 22 connected to the intermediate layer 20.
• the intermediate layer 20 comprises distribution means 24 able to distribute the conditioned air coming from the micro-pump 12 over the entire surface of the upper layer 18. Then, the air is diffused through the upper layer 18, which preferably occupies one third of the total thickness of the mattress 16.
• the upper layer 18 of the mattress 10 is provided with mechanical properties and porosity ensuring the dual maintenance of mechanical comfort and a controlled air distribution.
• the air-conditioned bed 10 further comprises a cover 26 comprising a first sheet 28 permeable to air, a second sheet 30 impermeable to air, and a third sheet 32 outside.
• the first and second sheets are fixed together by their sides so as to delimit an internal cell 33.
• the intermediate layer 20 is connected to the cell 33 of the cover 26 via a flexible tube 34.
• This tube 34 can bring the air from the intermediate layer 20 to the cell 33.
• this tube 34 is doubly removable on the one hand vis-à-vis the cover 26 to allow easy washing and, on the other hand, vis-à-vis a connector 36.
• the first and second sheets 28,30 form envelope and are made of fabric.
• the first sheet 28 is made of cotton, a material that is permeable to air.
• any other type of breathable fabric can be used.
• the second sheet 30, made of a washable material has particular properties and can be either very low in the air, and / or both very low breathability and reflective in the infrared.
• FIG. 3 shows, by way of example, the structure of the intermediate layer 20 of the mattress 16 provided on its upper part with a meshed distribution network 38 with horizontal primary distribution channels 40 and 42 that are symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal axis central of the mattress 16 and powered by first and second symmetrical vertical air intake pipes 44 and 46.
• the channels of the meshed distribution network 38 are advantageously formed in the intermediate layer 20.
• the intermediate layer 20 of the mattress 16 preferably constituting two-thirds of the total thickness of the mattress 16 is manufactured in a material of the polyurethane type or more generally of a foam with suitable mechanical properties and having a certain rigidity.
• the symmetry of the first and second vertical air intake pipes 44 and 46 and the primary channels 40 and 42 make it possible, for a two-seater mattress, modulate the flow of air on the right side and the left side of the mattress 16 by changing the conditions of air conditioning when two people want to adjust the different conditions of comfort in the bed. It is the same for the first sheet 28 for two-seater beds where a not shown central seam can be formed between the first and second sheets delimiting two right and left longitudinal sub-cells.
• FIG. 4 shows a detail of the distribution means 24 where the second conduit 46 supplies the grid network 38 in the form of a grid, for example comprising channels 48, 50, 52.
• FIG. 5 shows a partially cut-away section of the upper layer 18.
• This layer 18 is made of a fibrous material, with mechanical strength such that the weight of the person or persons lying down does not result in the total crushing of this upper layer. 18 to allow air circulation even under the surfaces of the body directly in contact with the bedding.
• the slide 14 containing the micro-heat pump 12 is integrated in the part of a bed base 54 which is located in foot of the bed 10.
• the micro-heat pump 12 comprises one or two hermetic compressors (not shown here), advantageously operating in 24 V direct current, integrated in a phonically insulated box 56.
• a first refrigerant / air exchanger 60 which , in refresh mode, works in a condenser and which receives the air from a fan 62 which draws air from the outside through an opening 64.
• This flow of air passes through the insulating compartment 56 of the compressors and leaves through the opening 66 represented in FIG. 7, which makes it possible to cool the compressors.
• the micro-heat pump 12 further comprises a box 68 in which are successively a filtration system 70 downstream of an opening 72 and upstream of the fan 74, which is hidden by the filtration system 70, then a second refrigerant / air exchanger 76 which in cooling mode operates as an evaporator and cools the incoming filtered air.
• the air entering through the opening 72 then passes through the filtration system 70 to successively trap dust, various particles and pollen, a last layer of activated carbon can also advantageously trap odor molecules.
• This filtration system 70 is removable and can easily be changed without opening the drawer 14, by a single opening in the upper part of the integrated drawer in the bed frame.
• An automatism using the value of the temperature difference between the air outlet temperature of the second exchanger 76 and the surface temperature of said exchanger 76 makes it possible to diagnose clogging of the filter.
• the air thus filtered and then cooled or heated by the exchanger 76 is then taken up by a fan 78 which will circulate it through the set of flexible and acoustically insulating pipes 22.
• These flexible pipes are advantageously made of flexible elastomeric material with high sound damping to prevent vibration transfer and solid sound conduction.
• two fans 80 and 82 provide air circulation in the network of pipes 22 and respectively in the first vertical inlet pipe 44 for the fan 80 and the second vertical inlet duct 46 for the fan 82. As already shown in FIG. 5, this air air flow is then diffused in the mesh network 38 via the primary distribution channels
• the known method of a four-way valve is used which will reverse the direction of circulation of the refrigerant in the exchangers, the first exchanger 60 then operating as an evaporator to absorb the heat coming from the air in the room and the second heat exchanger 76 then operating in a condenser to heat the air.
• the air is then circulated in the channel network and diffusing via the diffusing mat 10 and the diffusing sheet 26 as previously described.
• the filtration system 86 shown in FIG. 7 placed at the inlet of the first exchanger 60 is identical to the filtration system 70 described above.
• the air-conditioning source 12 is controlled from a control panel 88 or advantageously from a remote control whose control switches are presented in principle in FIG. 8.
• a button 90 allows the starting and stopping of the fans 80,82 and also to choose one or more levels of ventilation. Below this control button are available two switches 92 and 94 specifying right and left, to activate or inhibit the ventilation system of the left or right parts of a double bed.
• a button 96 is an on / off button for heating, the button 98 an on / off button for cooling. The engagement of the button 96 inhibits the engagement of the button 98 and vice versa.
• LEDs 100 and 102 indicate that the filters, respectively 70 and 86, must be changed.
• the lights 100 or 102 come on and, in addition, the operation of the micro pump Reversible heat 12 is inhibited until the filters are changed.
• a button 104 which controls a timer and a clock to trigger the pre-conditioning heating or cooling before entering the bed.
• the control panel or the remote control 88 offers the user the following possibilities: ventilation only by activating the button 90 and with different levels of ventilation, the cooling associated with the ventilation by the activation of the button 96, the heating by the activation of the button 98. The activation of these two buttons necessarily triggers the ventilation at the first level.
• the timer clock button 104 allows the user to prepare the reads in the desired temperature conditions.

Landscapes

• Mattresses And Other Support Structures For Chairs And Beds (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=36972939

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (3)

Cited By (6)

Families Citing this family (41)

Family Cites Families (6)

• 2005
  • 2005-11-25 FR FR0511936A patent/FR2893826B1/fr not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 2006
  • 2006-11-24 WO PCT/FR2006/051228 patent/WO2007060371A2/fr not_active Ceased
  • 2006-11-24 EP EP06842039A patent/EP1951089A2/de not_active Withdrawn

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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