Temperature control apparatus and method for thermoregulation of a human body

Abstract

The present invention relates to a temperature control apparatus for thermoregulation of a human body, comprising at least one radiation absorption panel with at least one surface capable of absorbing thermal radiation, and a cooling device provided to cool said panel. A sleeping accommodation for a human being comprises a lying area and such a temperature control apparatus, wherein the radiation absorption panel is disposed adjacent to the lying are or above the lying area. The invention further relates to a corresponding method for thermoregulation of the human body.

1 . The temperature control apparatus for thermoregulation of a human body,
 comprising at least one radiation absorption panel capable of absorbing thermal radiation and   a cooling device provided to cool said panel,   wherein said panel comprises an insulating layer covering at least one surface of said panel capable of absorbing thermal radiation,   said insulating layer having a low thermal conductance and a high transparency for thermal radiation,   said insulating layer is provided as a sandwich layer comprising at least two layers formed of a material having a high transparency for thermal radiation,   said at least two layers being separated by an air layer or a layer mainly comprising air.   
     
     
         2 . The temperature control apparatus according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein said panel is formed at least partially of a material capable of absorbing thermal radiation.   
     
     
         3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . The temperature control apparatus according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein said cooling device is a thermoelectric cooling device, a water cooling device or a refrigerating cooling device.   
     
     
         6 . The temperature control apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said panel is provided as a curved plate. 
     
     
         7 . The temperature control apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said panel is provided as a ceiling panel or wall panel of a room or a compartment. 
     
     
         8 . A sleeping accommodation for a human being,
 comprising a lying area and a temperature control apparatus according to  claim 1 ,   wherein the radiation absorption panel is disposed adjacent to the lying area or above the lying area.   
     
     
         9 . The sleeping accommodation according to  claim 8 ,
 wherein said lying area is formed by the top surface of a bed.   
     
     
         10 . The sleeping accommodation according to  claim 8 ,
 wherein the panel is curved to enclose the lying area at least partially.   
     
     
         11 . A method for thermoregulation of a human body, comprising:
 arranging a radiation absorption panel capable of absorbing thermal radiation in the vicinity of the human body to absorb thermal radiation emitted by the human body,   wherein said panel comprises an insulating layer covering at least one surface of said panel capable of absorbing thermal radiation,   said insulating layer having a low thermal conductance and a high transparency for thermal radiation,   said insulating layer is provided as a sandwich layer comprising at least two layers formed of a material having a high transparency for thermal radiation,   said at least two layers being separated by an air layer or a layer mainly comprising air,   and cooling said panel.   
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 11 ,
 wherein the human body is covered at least partially by said panel.   
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 11 ,
 wherein said cooling is performed as thermoelectric cooling, water cooling or refrigerating cooling.   
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein said method comprises providing said radiation absorption panel with an insulating layer having a low thermal conductance and a high transparency for thermal radiation.