Adjustable-firmness body support and method

Abstract

A body support assembly includes a layer including a visco-elastic foam, a heating element in thermal communication with the foam, a temperature sensor, such as a Peltier device, in thermal communication with the foam, and a controller coupled to the sensor and programmed to control the heating element based on input from the sensor, wherein the Peltier device is operable to heat and cool the foam.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A body support assembly comprising:
 a layer comprising visco-elastic foam;   a heating element in thermal communication with the foam;   a temperature sensor in thermal communication with the foam; and   a controller coupled to the sensor and programmed to control the heating element based on input from the sensor.   
     
     
         2 . A body support assembly as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the heating element comprises a Peltier device. 
     
     
         3 . A body support assembly as defined in  claim 2 , wherein the Peltier device is capable of heating and cooling. 
     
     
         4 . A body support assembly as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising a thermally-conductive layer adapted to distribute heat from the heating element. 
     
     
         5 . A body support assembly as defined in  claim 4 , wherein the thermally-conductive layer comprises a metallic foil. 
     
     
         6 . A body support assembly as defined in  claim 4 , further comprising an insulating layer adjacent to the thermally-conductive layer to inhibit the flow of heat in a direction. 
     
     
         7 . A body support assembly as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising a user interface coupled to the controller and adapted to select a desired parameter of the body support assembly. 
     
     
         8 . A body support assembly as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the controller includes a clock and is programmed to actuate a control function based on a programmed time of the clock. 
     
     
         9 . A body support assembly as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising a pressure sensor, wherein the controller is coupled to the pressure sensor and is programmed to actuate a control function based on input from the pressure sensor. 
     
     
         10 . A body support assembly comprising:
 a layer comprising foam;   a Peltier device in thermal communication with the foam;   a temperature sensor in thermal communication with the foam; and   a controller coupled to the sensor and programmed to control the Peltier device based on input from the sensor.   
     
     
         11 . A body support assembly as defined in  claim 10 , wherein the foam comprises a visco-elastic foam. 
     
     
         12 . A body support assembly as defined in  claim 10 , wherein the Peltier device comprises a plurality of spaced apart Peltier devices. 
     
     
         13 . A body support assembly as defined in  claim 10 , wherein the Peltier device is capable of heating and cooling. 
     
     
         14 . A body support assembly as defined in  claim 10 , further comprising a thermally-conductive layer adapted to distribute heating or cooling from the Peltier device. 
     
     
         15 . A body support assembly as defined in  claim 14 , wherein the thermally-conductive layer comprises a metallic foil. 
     
     
         16 . A body support assembly as defined in  claim 14 , further comprising an insulating layer adjacent to the thermally-conductive layer to inhibit the flow of heat through the insulating layer.