Integrated fan assembly for beds

Abstract

A mattress having a first layer with a first layer top and bottom extending from a first edge to a second edge, a first side rail proximate the first edge, a second side rail proximate the second edge, additional layers positioned under the first layer bottom between the first side rail and the second side rail, and a first air module that creates airflow, positioned between the first side rail and at least one of the additional layers. The first air module can draw air from the first layer and direct exhaust air between the first side rail and the second layer. The mattress can define a first channel between the first side rail and the second layer that can permit flow of the exhaust air. The second layer can define a layer recessed portion at a side of the second layer that is adjacent to the first side rail.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A mattress comprising:
 a first layer having a first layer top and a first layer bottom;   a head rail attached to the first layer bottom;   a foot rail attached to the first layer bottom and defining a first recessed portion; and   a first air module configured to create airflow between the first layer top and the first layer bottom, the first air module being positioned in the first recessed portion of the foot rail.   
     
     
         2 . The mattress of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a first side rail extending longitudinally and connecting a first edge of the head rail with a first edge of the foot rail;   a second side rail opposite the first side rail, extending longitudinally, and connecting a second edge of the head rail with a second edge of the foot rail; and   one or more additional layers positioned under the first layer bottom between the first side rail and the second side rail, wherein the one or more additional layers comprises:
 a core, and 
 a second layer positioned under the core and covering the core between the first side rail and the second side rail. 
   
     
     
         3 . The mattress of  claim 2 , further comprising a thermal layer attached to the first layer bottom, wherein the thermal layer (i) is configured to extend a first distance longitudinally between the head rail and the foot rail and (ii) is offset a second distance from at least one of the first side rail and the second side rail. 
     
     
         4 . The mattress of  claim 3 , wherein the thermal layer is positioned closer to the foot rail than the head rail of the mattress. 
     
     
         5 . The mattress of  claim 3 , further comprising an air duct hose configured to fluidly connect the first air module to the thermal layer. 
     
     
         6 . The mattress of  claim 5 , wherein the first air module is configured to draw air from the thermal layer through the air duct hose, and discharge the drawn air out into the foot rail. 
     
     
         7 . The mattress of  claim 2 , wherein the first air module is configured to draw air from the first layer and direct exhaust air into the foot rail and towards the first side rail of the mattress. 
     
     
         8 . The mattress of  claim 2 , wherein the first air module is configured to draw air from the first layer and direct exhaust air into the foot rail and towards the second side rail of the mattress. 
     
     
         9 . The mattress of  claim 1 , wherein the first air module is configured to draw air from the first layer and direct exhaust air into the foot rail of the mattress. 
     
     
         10 . The mattress of  claim 1 , wherein the first recessed portion is configured to at least partially receive the first air module. 
     
     
         11 . The mattress of  claim 1 , wherein the first air module includes:
 a housing that defines an air inlet and an air outlet; and   a fan assembly enclosed in the housing and configured to suction air through the air inlet and supply exhaust air through the air outlet.   
     
     
         12 . The mattress of  claim 11 , wherein the first air module includes:
 wiring that is electrically connected to the fan assembly and extending from the housing, the wiring configured to electrically connect to a power source external to the mattress and supply electrical power to the fan assembly.   
     
     
         13 . The mattress of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a second recessed portion defined in the foot rail proximate the first recessed portion; and   a second air module configured to create airflow and positioned inside the second recessed portion of the foot rail.   
     
     
         14 . The mattress of  claim 13 , wherein the second air module is configured to draw air from the first layer and direct exhaust air in a same direction in the foot rail as exhaust air that is directed by the first air module. 
     
     
         15 . The mattress of  claim 13 , wherein the second air module is configured to draw air from the first layer and direct exhaust air in a different direction in the foot rail as exhaust air that is directed by the first air module. 
     
     
         16 . The mattress of  claim 1 , wherein the first air module defines an air outlet that is configured to discharge air into the foot rail of the mattress. 
     
     
         17 . The mattress of  claim 1 , wherein the first air module is configured to draw air from the first layer and direct exhaust air into the foot rail towards an interior of the mattress. 
     
     
         18 . The mattress of  claim 1 , further comprising a bottom layer positioned under the first layer, wherein the bottom layer extends from the head rail to the foot rail of the mattress, the bottom layer including first and second portions that extend laterally between the head rail and the foot rail along a predetermined axis of the bottom layer. 
     
     
         19 . The mattress of  claim 18 , wherein the first and second portions of the bottom layer are laminated to respective first and second side rails of the mattress, and the first and second portions being configured to be opened from the predetermined axis of the bottom layer to expose at least a portion of the first layer, the head rail, the foot rail, and the first air module in the recessed portion of the foot rail of the mattress. 
     
     
         20 . The mattress of  claim 18 , wherein the bottom layer comprises first and second openings in the respective first and second portions of the bottom layer, the first and second openings being configured to route wires from at least the first air module along at least one side of the mattress.