ADJUSTABLE-FIRMNESS BODY SUPPORT AND METHOD

摘要

The present invention provides a body support assembly comprising a layer having a passage, a pump positioned to create a flow of fluid through the passage, a sensor that detects a parameter and produces a signal, and a controller coupled to the sensor and programmed to control the flow of fluid based on the signal. Preferably, the layer comprises visco-elastic foam. In one embodiment, the parameter corresponds with a firmness of the layer (e.g., a temperature of the layer). A heat exchanger can be used to alter (e.g., heat or cool) a temperature of the fluid. The present invention further provides a method of controlling a firmness of a body support comprising sensing a sensed value of a parameter (e.g., temperature) of the body support, establishing a desired value of the parameter, comparing the sensed parameter to the desired value, and adjusting the parameter.