Support cushions including reticulated materials and methods for controlling surface temperature of same

Abstract

A support cushion for providing individualized heating and cooling to a user resting on the support cushion is provided. The support cushion includes a body supporting portion, a plurality of thermoelectric elements positioned and configured to selectively provide heating or cooling of the body supporting portion, and a heat dissipating portion that is comprised of a flexible foam having a plurality of cells with a reticulated cellular structure and that is operably connected to the thermoelectric elements. Methods of controlling a surface temperature of a support cushion are also provided.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A support cushion, comprising:
 a body supporting portion having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface;   a plurality of thermoelectric elements positioned and configured to selectively provide heating or cooling at the first surface of the body supporting portion; and   a heat dissipating portion comprised of a flexible foam having a plurality of cells with a reticulated cellular structure, the heat dissipating portion operably connected to the thermoelectric elements.   
     
     
         2 . The support cushion of  claim 1 , wherein the heat dissipating portion includes an inlet port and an outlet port for conveying air through the heat dissipating portion. 
     
     
         3 . The support cushion of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more fans operably connected to the heat dissipating portion for dispersing heat away from the heat dissipating portion. 
     
     
         4 . The support cushion of  claim 1 , and further comprising a seal covering the heat dissipating portion. 
     
     
         5 . The support cushion of  claim 1 , wherein the heat dissipating portion is a poured flexible foam. 
     
     
         6 . The support cushion of  claim 1 , wherein the heat dissipating portion is positioned adjacent to the second surface of the body supporting portion and adjacent to the plurality of thermoelectric elements. 
     
     
         7 . The support cushion of  claim 1 , wherein the body supporting portion is comprised of a flexible foam. 
     
     
         8 . The support cushion of  claim 1 , wherein the body supporting portion is comprised of a visco-elastic foam. 
     
     
         9 . The support cushion of  claim 1 , wherein the body supporting portion is dimensionally-sized to support a person lying in a supine or prone position. 
     
     
         10 . The support cushion of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of thermoelectric elements is positioned adjacent to the body supporting portion. 
     
     
         11 . The support cushion of  claim 1 , wherein the thermoelectric elements are discrete Peltier elements. 
     
     
         12 . The support cushion of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of thermoelectric elements are multiple Peltier elements arranged in a series. 
     
     
         13 . The support cushion of  claim 1 , wherein the thermoelectric elements are arranged in an array. 
     
     
         14 . The support cushion of  claim 13 , wherein at least a portion of the thermoelectric elements of the array are individually addressable. 
     
     
         15 . The support cushion of  claim 1 , wherein the body supporting portion includes a plurality of columnar voids, and wherein each columnar void includes at least a portion of one thermoelectric element. 
     
     
         16 . The support cushion of  claim 1 , further comprising a power supply for supplying electrical current to the thermoelectric elements, and further comprising a controller for controlling the electrical current supplied to the thermoelectric elements from the power supply. 
     
     
         17 . The support cushion of  claim 16 , wherein the controller is operably connected to one or more fans positioned in the heat dissipating portion such that the controller activates the fans to dissipate heat away from the heat dissipating portion when the Peltier elements are providing cooling of the body supporting portion. 
     
     
         18 . A mattress assembly, comprising:
 a mattress having an upper surface and a lower surface opposite the upper surface;   a plurality of Peltier elements positioned and configured to selectively provide heating or cooling at the upper surface; and   a layer of a flexible foam having a plurality of cells with a reticulated cellular structure, the layer of flexible foam operably connected to the Peltier elements and configured to disperse heat generated by the array of Peltier elements away from the mattress when the Peltier elements are providing cooling of the upper surface of the mattress.   
     
     
         19 . The mattress assembly of  claim 18 , wherein the layer of flexible foam is positioned beneath the lower surface of the mattress and contacts at least a portion of the Peltier elements. 
     
     
         20 . The mattress assembly of  claim 18 , wherein the mattress is comprised of a visco-elastic foam. 
     
     
         21 . The mattress assembly of  claim 18 , further comprising a comfort layer positioned atop the mattress, the comfort layer being comprised of a visco-elastic foam. 
     
     
         22 . The mattress assembly of  claim 21 , wherein the comfort layer has a density less than that of the mattress. 
     
     
         23 . The mattress assembly of  claim 18 , further comprising a base layer positioned and configured to provide support to the mattress, the layer of thermally-absorbent material, or both. 
     
     
         24 . The mattress assembly of  claim 23 , wherein the base layer is adjustable. 
     
     
         25 . A method of controlling a surface temperature of a support cushion, comprising the steps of:
 providing a support cushion having a body supporting portion, a heat dissipating portion comprised of a plurality of cells with a reticulated cellular structure, and a plurality of Peltier elements positioned in the support cushion and operably connected to the body supporting portion and the heat dissipating portion;   supplying electrical current to the plurality of Peltier elements, such that electrical current is supplied in a first direction to decrease the surface temperature of the body supporting portion, and such that electrical current is supplied in a second direction to increase the surface temperature of the body supporting portion; and   dissipating heat generated by the plurality of Peltier devices into the heat dissipating portion.   
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , further comprising the step of dissipating heat away from the heat dissipating portion by conveying air through the heat dissipating portion. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the body supporting portion is comprised of a visco-elastic foam. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 25 , further comprising the step of controlling an amount of electrical current supplied to Peltier elements to control an amount of heating or cooling of the support cushion. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the step of dissipating heat generated by the plurality of Peltier elements comprises activating one or more fans operably connected to the heat dissipating portion to dissipate heat away from the heat dissipating portion.