US20120233773A1

US20120233773A1 - Ecological sleep bedding

Info

Publication number: US20120233773A1
Application number: US13/413,887
Authority: US
Inventors: Yoshio Suzuki
Original assignee: NBK CO Ltd
Current assignee: NBK CO Ltd
Priority date: 2008-09-21
Filing date: 2012-03-07
Publication date: 2012-09-20
Also published as: JP4961522B2; JP2011189116A; JP2010094521A; CN102595974A; JP5168701B2

Abstract

An ecological sleep bedding includes a fan for circulating a bed inside air between a bedding top cover and a sleeping pad. A stereoscopic air passing net is provided for sucking the bed inside air through an intake tube and an intake inlet of an air warming circulator device. A bedding top cover air circulating net is attached to the bedding top cover, and a sleeping pad air circulating net is attached to the sleeping pad. A sleeping pad air circulating cloth covers the sleeping pad air circulating net. Further, the stereoscopic air passing net is disposed between the bedding top cover and the sleeping pad, and is placed on the sleeping pad. The stereoscopic air passing net is connected to the air warming circulator device, so that it is possible to retrofit the ecological sleep bedding to an existing bedding top cover and an existing sleeping pad.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation application of the prior PCT application PCT/JP2010/066004, filed on Sep. 9, 2010, pending, which claims priority from a Japanese patent application No. 2009-244930, filed on Sep. 9, 2009, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND RELATED ART STATEMENT

The present invention relates to an ecological sleep bedding with ecology consciousness.
In a conventional technology, when a bed is warmed, a warm air is blown into a warm air path between a bedding top cover and a sleeping pad, so that an inside environment is adjusted to a comfortable sleeping condition. After the warm air passes through the warm air path, the warm air is discharged to outside. A heater is provided for warming an external air to a specific temperature. Accordingly, in the conventional technology, energy loss tends to be large, and a large amount of carbon dioxide gas is generated and emitted.
Further, in the conventional technology, it is difficult to use an existing bedding top cover and sleeping pad, and it is necessary to purchase a special top cover and sleeping pad provided with the warm air path. In the conventional technology, a temperature and humidity sensor may be installed in the bedding top cover or the sleeping pad. In this case, when an ailing person or an elderly person who has a difficulty to control an inside temperature even through a remote controller, or a room temperature suddenly drops due to a severe cold wind, it is possible to automatically adjust the inside temperature. However, in an actual case, such a sensor tends to malfunction frequently, thereby making it difficult to maintain the device (refer to Patent References No. 1 to No. 6).
Patent Reference No. 1: Japanese Patent Publication No. 3061360
Patent Reference No. 2: Japanese Patent Publication No. 3186632
Patent Reference No. 3: Japanese Patent Publication No. 3053507
Patent Reference No. 4: Japanese Patent Publication No. 2630733
Patent Reference No. 5: Japanese Patent Publication No. 2616893
Patent Reference No. 6: Japanese Patent Publication No. 3633977
In view of the problems of the conventional technology described above, a first object of the present invention is to provide an ecological sleep bedding capable of using continuously for eight hours for a normal person and twenty four hours for an ailing person. In the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to reduce carbon dioxide, which is a worldwide common issue of mankind.
Further, a second object of the present invention is to provide an ecological sleep bedding capable of retrofitting to an existing bedding top cover and sleeping pad.
Further, a third object of the present invention is to provide an ecological sleep bedding capable of preventing odd smell and in-house infection due to discharge of urine smell or disease-causing germs together with a warm air into a room when a user uses the ecological sleep bedding at home, or in a hospital or nursery home.
Further, a fourth object of the present invention is to provide an ecological sleep bedding capable of preventing the issues such as difficult maintenance or malfunction of the sensor installed in the bedding top cover or the sleeping pad for automatically adjusting the inside temperature when an ailing person or an elderly person uses the ecological sleep bedding.
Lastly, a fifth object of the present invention is to provide an ecological sleep bedding with ecology consciousness capable of operating with small power consumption, thereby reducing carbon dioxide gas emission.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In order to attain the objects described above, according to the present invention, an ecological sleep bedding includes a fan for circulating a bed inside air between a bedding top cover and a sleeping pad. More specifically, a stereoscopic air passing net is provided for sucking the bed inside air between the bedding top cover and the sleeping pad, and the bed inside air is sucked in an air warming circulator device for circulation through an intake tube and an intake inlet of the air warming circulator device.
In the present invention, a bedding top cover air circulating net is attached to the bedding top cover, and a sleeping pad air circulating net is attached to the sleeping pad. A sleeping pad air circulating cloth covers the sleeping pad air circulating net. Further, the stereoscopic air passing net is disposed between the bedding top cover and the sleeping pad, and is placed on the sleeping pad. The stereoscopic air passing net is connected to the air warming circulator device, so that it is possible to retrofit the ecological sleep bedding to an existing bedding top cover and an existing sleeping pad.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic transparent plan view showing a configuration of an air warming circulator device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic transparent front view showing the configuration of the air warming circulator device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view showing the air warming circulator device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic front view showing the air warming circulator device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional side view showing an ecological sleep bedding attached to a bed according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic sectional side view showing the ecological sleep bedding attached to a futon according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a schematic transparent front view showing the ecological sleep bedding attached to the futon according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a schematic transparent plan view showing the ecological sleep bedding when a bedding top cover air circulating net 32 is attached to a bedding top cover according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a schematic plan view showing a top cover air outlet attaching cloth 29 according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a schematic plan view showing a bedding top cover air circulating net 32 according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a schematic plan view showing a bedding top cover air circulating net 32 according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a schematic side view showing a sleeping pad air circulating net 31 with a sleeping pad air circulating cloth 34 attached thereto according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a schematic sectional side view showing the sleeping pad air circulating net 32 according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a schematic plan view showing a stereoscopic air passing net according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a schematic sectional side view showing the stereoscopic air passing net according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a schematic sectional side view showing a modified example of a stereoscopic air passing net 38 according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 17 is a graph showing a temperature profile in a bed in a hospital (measured on Aug. 7, 1999);

FIG. 18 is a graph showing a temperature profile in a bed in a national hospital (measured on Sep. 30, 2003);

FIG. 19 is a graph showing a temperature profile in a futon at a home (measured on Mar. 11, 2007);

FIG. 20 is a graph showing a temperature profile in a futon at a luxury hotel (measured on Aug. 26, 2007);

FIG. 21 is a graph showing a temperature profile of the ecological sleep bedding (an air sleep) of a warm air exhausting type (measured on Jan. 7, 2008); and

FIG. 22 is a graph showing a temperature profile of the ecological sleep bedding (an eco sleep) of a warm air circulating type (measured on Aug. 30, 2009).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In an embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 5, a bed inside air 35 between a bedding top cover 33 and a sleeping pad 31 is sucked in a stereoscopic air passing net 22 or a stereoscopic air passing net 42 shown in FIG. 6. Then, the bed inside air 35 is introduced in an air warming circulator device 1 through an intake tube 28 and an intake inlet 3 of the air warming circulator device 1.
An air flow of the air warming circulator device 1 will be explained next with reference to FIG. 2. After the air passes through the intake inlet 3 from the intake tube 28, a return sensor 12 is provided for detecting a temperature and humidity of the air. Then, the return sensor 12 sends a signal to an electric control board 45, so that the temperature and the humidity are controlled.
In the next step, after the air passes through a return path 18, a sterilization lamp 17 shown in FIG. 1 sterilizes the air and a deodorant sterilization filter 16 completely sterilizes and deodorizes the air. Then, the air passes through an air path hole 15 and enters the return path 18. Afterward, a sirocco fan 7 sucks the air from a fan intake inlet 9 through a sirocco fan air path 19, so that the air flows into a warm air path 14 shown in FIG. 2.
At this moment, a computer controls an adjustment heater 13 and a motor 8 according to the signal from the return sensor 12, so that the temperature and the humidity of the air are adjusted at a specific level, for example, the temperature of 28° C. to 34° C. and the humidity of 30% to 50%. After the temperature and the humidity of the air are adjusted, the air passes through a sleeping pad air outtake outlet 4 and a sleeping pad air outtake tube 24, so that the air returns to be the bed inside air 35 from a sleeping pad air blow cloth 34 through a sleeping pad air passing net 31.
In the embodiment, an intake temperature humidity sensor 43 has a function similar to that of the return sensor 12. Further, after the air flows into a bedding top cover air outtake outlet 6 through the warm air path 14, the air passes through a bedding top cover air outtake tube 23, so that the air returns to be the bed inside air 35 through a bedding top cover air outtake cloth 34 through a bedding top cover air passing net 31. Accordingly, the air is combined with the air flowing from the sleeping pad, thereby creating the comfortable environment.
It is noted that heat of the warm air at the temperature of 32° C. is dissipated from the bedding top cover and the sleeping pad. A human body having a body temperature of 32° C. becomes a heating body, so that the air having a temperature of around 31° C. returns to the intake tube 28 of the air warming circulator device 1 through the stereoscopic air passing net 22. Accordingly, the warm air circulates through the path described above, thereby preserving energy and reducing carbon dioxide emission.
As shown in FIG. 5, the air warming circulator device 1 is provided for circulating the bed inside air 35 through the stereoscopic air passing net 22, thereby achieving the first object of the present invention. As described above, a human body having a body temperature of 32° C. becomes a heating body, so that the air blown at a temperature of around 32° C. is circulated at a temperature of around 31° C. Further, instead of a case that 100% of the air is circulated, a small amount of outside air enters through a small gap between the bedding top cover and the sleeping pad. Accordingly, it is possible to maintain a constant humidity as shown in a graph shown in FIG. 22.
In the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12, a room temperature regulator 41 and an electric outlet 26 may be controlled with a switch. Accordingly, at a sleeping time, the air warming circulator device 1 is turned on, and the room temperature regulator 41 of a room air conditioner 25 is turned off. Alternatively, until the room temperature exceeds 28° C. in summer, it is controlled such that the room temperature regulator 41 of the room air conditioner 25 is turned off. Further, until the room temperature becomes below 23° C. in winter, it is controlled such that the air warming circulator device 1 is turned off. Through the control described above, it is possible to greatly conserve energy and reduce carbon dioxide emission as well as promote healthy life. For example, the room air conditioner 25 consumes 2.2 kw, and the air warming circulator device 1 has a heater of 510 w and a motor of 10 w. The heater of 510 w is used for a short period of time, and the motor of 10 w constantly circulate the warm air.
In the embodiment, a bedding top cover air blow net 32 or a bedding top cover air outlet attaching cloth 29 shown in FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 is attached to the existing bedding top cover as shown in FIG. 8, thereby achieving the second object of the present invention. FIG. 9 shows a more simple setting for general use. As for the sleeping pad, as shown in FIGS. 12, 13 and 14, the sleeping pad 31 and the sleeping pad air blow cloth 34 are placed under the sleeping pad. With the setting described above, it is possible to retrofit the air warming circulator device 1 to the existing bed.
In the embodiment, the bed inside air 35 is circulated as shown in FIG. 5, thereby achieving the third object of the present invention. Further, the circulated air is satirized and deodorized with the deodorant sterilization filter 16 and the sterilization lamp 17. Accordingly, even if the air leaks outside, it is possible to prevent bad urine smell or germs inside the bed from discharging outside. Further, it is possible to clean even a room air if the air warming circulator device 1 is used for a long period of time. It is configured such that the warm air at the temperature of 28° C. and the humidity of 40±5% flows under a back of the human body. Accordingly, it is possible to maintain a back skin healthy and prevent bedsores, thereby solving various problems from the point of view of health, hygiene, and environment.
In the embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the return sensor 12 is disposed at the location where the air flows into the intake inlet 3 of the air warming circulator device 1. When the return sensor 12 detects the temperature of the air lower than the specific level, the adjustment heater 13 is energized with a larger current to heat the air. When the return sensor 12 detects the temperature of the air higher than the specific level, the adjustment heater 13 is energized with a larger current to regulate the temperature of the air, so that the air having the specific temperature is constantly circulated.
Further, when the return sensor 12 detects the humidity of the bed inside air 35 higher than 40% by 3% to 5% due to perspiration, the rotation of the motor of 10 w is increased to increase an amount of the air, so that the humidity is maintained at 40%. In the opposite case, the rotation of the motor of 10 w is decreased to decrease an amount of the air, so that the humidity is increased through perspiration.
Further, the intake temperature humidity sensor 43 is disposed in the stereoscopic air passing net 22, and the return sensor 12 is disposed in the return path of the air warming circulator device 1. Accordingly, it is possible to accurately measure and control the temperature of the bed inside air 35, thereby making it possible to solve the problems without malfunction.
As an effect of the first object, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the air warming circulator device 1 is configured to suck the air only through the intake inlet 3. Further, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 13, the bed inside air 35 is circulated, thereby making it possible to reduce a leaking amount of the warm air. More specifically, the warm air is blown out at the temperature of 32° C., and is returned to the air warming circulator device 1 at the temperature of 31° C. When the warm air is returned, the warm air receives the body temperature of 36° C., as indicating the temperature between 29.5° C. and 30° C. It is noted that the adjustment heater 13 is not operating.
Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the room temperature regulator 41 of the room air conditioner 25 and the electric outlet 26 of the air warming circulator device 1 are controlled together. Accordingly, at the sleeping time, when the air warming circulator device 1 is turned on to start blowing the warm air, the room temperature regulator 41 is turned off, or the room air conditioner 25 is turned off until the room temperature exceeds 28° C. in summer. Further, until the room temperature becomes below 23° C. in winter, it is controlled such that the air warming circulator device 1 is turned off. AS a result, it is possible to conserve electricity for the room air conditioner 25 of 2.2 kw and the air warming circulator device 1 of 10 w, thereby reducing carbon dioxide emission. It has been known that hotels contribute to 10% of carbon dioxide emission, and homes contribute to 13% of carbon dioxide emission. With the present invention, it is possible to reduce carbon dioxide emission by 2 to 3%.
As an effect of the second object, it is possible to retrofit the set of the air warming circulator device 1, the sleeping pad 31, the stereoscopic air passing net 22, and the bedding top cover air outlet attaching cloth 29 shown in FIG. 2 to the existing bedding in homes and hotels, thereby effectively utilizing the present invention.
As an effect of the third object, as shown in FIG. 5, the bed inside air 35 is circulated such that the bed inside air 35 is satirized and deodorized. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent bad urine smell or germs of a patient inside the bed from discharging outside. Further, it is possible to clean even a room air if the air warming circulator device 1 is used for a long period of time, thereby effectively preventing in-hospital infection. It is imperative for a person to sleep in a good condition, and it has been difficult to regulate an air inside a bed, in which an average person spends one third of a lifetime.
As an effect of the fourth object, in the conventional device, a temperature sensor extends from a heater to inside between a top cover and a sleeping pad, so that the heater is controlled through a signal of the temperature sensor. Accordingly, the temperature sensor measures only a temperature or humidity of an air blown from the heater, and it is difficult to measure a temperature of an air inside a bed. On the other hand, in the present invention, the temperature of the bed inside air 35 is measured at the intake inlet 3, so that it is possible to control the temperature of the bed inside air 35 inside the bed.
In the embodiment, the intake temperature humidity sensor 43 may be disposed in the stereoscopic air passing net 22, so that it is possible to quickly detect the temperature and the humidity of the bed inside air 35. Further, it is possible to install the intake temperature humidity sensor 43 at the position at a factory, thereby making it possible to easily install while reducing probability of malfunction.
It is noted that when a person stays at a hotel, the person tends to turn on the air conditioner upon entering a room, and keep the air conditioner on until check-out. When the air warming circulator device 1 is used to maintain the temperature inside the bed, even if the air conditioner is turned off during sleep, a room temperature is maintained 26° C.±3° C. due to the good temperature retention performance. Instead of maintaining the room temperature with the air conditioner of 2.2 kw, it is possible to maintain the comfortable environment inside the bed with the air warming circulator device 1, thereby providing good night sleep, energy conservation, carbon dioxide reduction, and benefit to hotels. Especially, the present invention is beneficial for people in transportation industry, which tends to have short sleep time. Further, if people associated with medical and responsible for a patent life for 24 hours do not sleep well, a serious error may occur. The present invention should be good fit to such people. Further, the present invention can be effectively applied to a patient with bedsores.

Claims

1. A sleeping device comprising:

a fan for circulating a bed inside air between a bedding top cover and a sleeping pad.

2. The sleeping device according to claim 1, wherein said fan is configured to suck the bed inside air between the bedding top cover and the sleeping pad from a foot side, and to return the bed inside air into a bed.

3. The sleeping device according to claim 1, further comprising at least one of a plane air passing net and a stereoscopic air passing net disposed at an end portion of a sleeping pad air passing net on a foot side for sucking the bed inside air.

4. The sleeping device according to claim 1, wherein said fan is configured to suck the bed inside air between the bedding top cover and the sleeping pad through a sleeping pad air passing net with air permeability, and to return the bed inside air into a bed.

5. The sleeping device according to claim 1, wherein said fan is configured to suck the bed inside air from a portion of the sleeping pad other than a foot side.

6. The sleeping device according to claim 1, further comprising a sleeping pad air blow cloth disposed at an end portion of a sleeping pad air passing net on a foot side for returning the bed inside air into a bed.

7. The sleeping device according to claim 1, wherein said fan is configured to suck the bed inside air and to return the bed inside air into a bed through a space between the bedding top cover and the sleeping pad and a space between a sleeping pad air passing net and a sleeping pad cover.

8. The sleeping device according to claim 1, further comprising a heater for heating the bed inside air thus sucked so that the fan returns the bed inside air thus heated into a bed.

9. The sleeping device according to claim 1, further comprising a filter so that the fan returns the bed inside air into a bed through the filter.

10. The sleeping device according to claim 1, further comprising a switch for switching a power source between a room air conditioner and an air warming circulator device.

11. The sleeping device according to claim 1, further comprising a sensor for detecting a person inside a bed between the bedding top cover and the sleeping pad so that the fan starts circulating the bed inside air when the sensor detects the person to regulate a room temperature.

12. The sleeping device according to claim 1, further comprising a return sensor for detecting a temperature and humidity of the bed inside air so that the bed inside air is maintained at a temperature between 28° C. and 34° C. and humidity between 30% and 50% with the fan and a heater.

13. A sleeping device comprising:

a fan for circulating a bed inside air between a bedding top cover and a sleeping pad;

a sleeping pad air passing net placed on the sleeping pad; and

at least one of a plane air passing net and a stereoscopic air passing net disposed at an end portion of the sleeping pad air passing net on a foot side for sucking the bed inside air.

14. The sleeping device according to claim 13, further comprising a sleeping pad air blow cloth disposed at an end portion of a sleeping pad air passing net on a foot side for returning the bed inside air into a bed.

15. The sleeping device according to claim 13, further comprising a heater for heating the bed inside air thus sucked so that the fan returns the bed inside air thus heated into a bed.

16. The sleeping device according to claim 13, further comprising a filter so that the fan returns the bed inside air into a bed through the filter.

17. The sleeping device according to claim 13, further comprising a switch for switching a power source between a room air conditioner and an air warming circulator device.

18. The sleeping device according to claim 13, further comprising a sensor for detecting a person inside a bed between the bedding top cover and the sleeping pad so that the fan starts circulating the bed inside air when the sensor detects the person to regulate a room temperature.

19. The sleeping device according to claim 13, further comprising a return sensor for detecting a temperature and humidity of the bed inside air so that the bed inside air is maintained at a temperature between 28° C. and 34° C. and humidity between 30% and 50% with the fan and a heater.