Climate controlled beds and methods of operating the same

A method of thermally conditioning a climate controlled bed assembly, comprising:

• providing a climate controlled bed assembly, wherein the bed assembly is configured to that at least one operational mode of the bed assembly is selectively modifiable by a user;
• wherein the climate controlled bed assembly comprises a support member configured to support an occupant;
• delivering fluids to at least one fluid distribution member positioned at least partially within the support member of the bed assembly, wherein the at least one fluid distribution member comprises at least one inlet through which fluids selectively enter the at least one fluid distribution member;
• wherein fluids are delivered to the least one fluid distribution member using at least one fluid module, said at least one fluid module being in fluid communication with the at least one fluid distribution member;
• wherein the at least one fluid module comprises a fluid transfer device and a thermal conditioning device configured to selectively heat or cool fluids being transferred by the fluid transfer device;
• wherein fluids entering the at least one fluid distribution member are generally distributed therein before exiting through a plurality of openings along an upper portion of the at least one fluid distribution member;
• wherein a generally fluid permeable top pad positioned along an upper portion of the support member permits fluids exiting the at least one fluid distribution member to pass through the top pad toward an occupant of the bed assembly;
• controlling at least one operational parameter of the at least one fluid module according to at least one control scheme using at least one control module;
• and
• sensing at least one condition associated with the bed assembly or the fluids being delivered through the bed assembly using at least one sensor, said at least one sensor is in data communication with the control module and is configured to provide feedback control for regulating at least one operational parameter of the at least fluid module;
• wherein the at least one control scheme comprises a first operational stage and at least a second operational stage;
• wherein, during the first operational stage, the thermal conditioning device of the at least one fluid module is activated to a first activation level to thermally condition fluids being transferred to the at least one fluid distribution member to a first thermal conditioning level;
• wherein, during the second operational stage, the thermal conditioning device is activated to a second activation level to thermally condition fluids being transferred to the at least one fluid distribution member to a second thermal conditioning level;
• wherein an amount of heating or cooling occurring at the first thermal conditioning level varies from an amount of heating or cooling occurring at the second thermal conditioning level;
• and
• wherein the fluid transfer device of the at least one fluid module is configured to operate consistently during both the first operational stage and the second operation stage so that a flowrate of fluids delivered to the at least one fluid distribution member is generally constant.

A climate controlled bed assembly, comprising:

• a support member configured to support an occupant, said support member having an upper end and a bottom end;
• at least one fluid distribution member positioned along or within the support member;
• at least one fluid module comprising a fluid transfer device and a thermal conditioning device, said at least one fluid module being configured to deliver fluids to the at least one fluid distribution member;
• wherein fluids being transferred by the fluid transfer device are configured to be heated or cooled by the thermal conditioning device when the thermal conditioning device is activated;
• wherein fluids entering the at least one fluid distribution member are generally distributed therein before exiting through a top portion of the at least one fluid distribution member;
• at least one air permeable top layer positioned along the upper end of the support member, said at least one air permeable top layer being allowing exiting the at least one fluid distribution member to pass through the at least one air permeable top layer toward an occupant of the bed assembly;
• a control module configured to operate at least one operational parameter of the at least one fluid module according to at least one operational scheme;
• and
• at least one timer configured to detect an elapsed time and to automatically regulate at least one operational parameter of the at least one fluid module according to the at least one operational scheme;
• wherein the at least one operational scheme comprises a first operational stage and at least a second operational stage;
• wherein, during the first operational stage, the thermal conditioning device of the at least one fluid module is activated to a first activation level to thermally condition fluids being transferred to the at least one fluid distribution member to a first thermal conditioning level;
• wherein, during the second operational stage, the thermal conditioning device is activated to a second activation level to thermally condition fluids being transferred to the at least one fluid distribution member to a second thermal conditioning level;
• wherein the first thermal conditional level is different than the second thermal conditioning level, such that the first thermal conditioning level varies from the second thermal conditioning level;
• wherein the fluid transfer device of the at least one fluid module is configured to operate consistently during both the first operational stage and the second operation stage so that a flowrate of fluids delivered to the at least one fluid distribution member is generally constant;
• and
• wherein the control module is configured to switch operation of the at least one fluid module from the first operational stage to the second operational stage based on an elapsed time detected by the at least one timer.