Control schemes for climate-controlled beds

Abstract

A climate-conditioned bed includes an upper portion having at least a first climate zone and at least one fluid module associated with such a first climate zone. The fluid module comprises a fluid transfer device for selectively moving a fluid and a thermoelectric device for selectively heating or cooling a fluid. The bed additionally includes one or more control modules configured to regulate the operation of the fluid module, at least one input device configured to allow an occupant to select a setting or mode associated with the first climate zone and at least a first temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature associated with the first climate zone of the thermally-conditioned bed. In some embodiments, the fluid module is operatively connected to the control module.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A climate-conditioned bed comprising:
 an upper portion having a first climate zone;   at least one fluid module associated with the first climate zone;   wherein the at least one fluid module comprises a fluid transfer device for selectively moving a fluid and a thermoelectric device configured to selectively heat or cool a fluid;   at least one internal passageway through an interior of the upper portion, said at least one internal passageway placing the at least one fluid module in fluid communication with at least one fluid distribution member located on or near a top of the upper portion;   wherein the at least one fluid distribution member is configured to generally distribute fluid toward an occupant along an area defined by the first climate zone;   at least one control module configured to regulate the operation of the at least one fluid module;   wherein the at least one fluid module is operatively connected to the at least one control module;   at least one input device configured to allow an occupant to select a desired climate controlled setting or mode associated with the first climate zone;   wherein the at least one input device is in data communication with the at least one control module, said at least one input device being configured to receive instructions from an occupant regarding the desired climate controlled setting or mode; and   at least a first temperature sensor configured to detect a first temperature associated with the first climate zone of the climate-conditioned bed;   wherein the at least one control module is configured to adjust at least one operational parameter of the at least one fluid module based, at least in part, on: (i) the setting or mode selected by an occupant using the at least one input device, and (ii) the first temperature detected by the first temperature sensor.