CPC A47C 31/004 (2013.01) [A47C 21/044 (2013.01); A47C 21/048 (2013.01); A47C 31/008 (2013.01)] | 9 Claims |
1. A device which creates a plurality of adjustable thermal zones in a bed comprising:
a fluid cooling and/or heating unit;
a grid of fluid flow pathways in a bedding component of a bed;
a plurality of fluid flow valves on the grid of fluid flow pathways;
wherein fluid which has been cooled and/or heated by the fluid cooling and/or heating unit flows through a first set of the fluid flow pathways when a first set of the fluid flow valves have selected configuration and flows through a second set of the fluid flow pathways when a second set of the fluid flow valves have selected configurations;
wherein the cooled and/or heated fluid is retained within the grid of fluid flow pathways;
wherein the fluid flow pathways create a closed loop of cooled and/or heated fluid between the bedding component and the fluid cooling and/or heating unit;
a data processing unit which controls which fluid flow valves are in which configuration at a given time; and
a plurality of pressure sensors, wherein data from the pressure sensors is sent to the data processing unit, wherein analysis of data from the pressure sensors indicates an area directly under a person's body, and wherein the configurations of the fluid flow valves are selectively configured to direct fluid from the fluid cooling and/or heating unit through fluid flow pathways which are in the area directly under the person's body.
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