Multi-zone cooling for a foam padding

Abstract

A foam padding has at least one upper section and at least one lower section. The foam padding comprises at least one absorber that is embedded in the upper section, the at least one absorber for absorbing thermal energy from the upper section. The foam padding further comprises at least one band that is embedded in the lower section, the at least one band for transferring thermal energy within the lower section.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A foam padding having edges, and at least one upper section and at least one lower section, the foam padding comprising:
 at least one absorber embedded in the upper section, the at least one absorber for absorbing thermal energy from the upper section; and   at least one band embedded in the lower section, the at least one band configured for transferring thermal energy within the lower section from a sub-section with excess thermal energy to at least one sub-section without excess thermal energy,   wherein the at least one sub-section without excess thermal energy is located at the edges of the foam padding.   
     
     
         2 . The foam padding according to  claim 1 , wherein the upper section is located between the lower section and a surface of the foam padding. 
     
     
         3 . The foam padding according to  claim 1 , wherein the upper section has a substantially homogeneous temperature distribution, and/or the lower section has an inhomogeneous temperature distribution. 
     
     
         4 . The foam padding according to  claim 1 , wherein the absorber comprises at least one conducting layer. 
     
     
         5 . The foam padding according to  claim 1 , wherein the absorber comprises a plurality of conducting strips connected together by a conducting connecting band, wherein the connecting band is more flexible than the plurality of conducting strips. 
     
     
         6 . The foam padding according to  claim 1 , wherein the band comprises a continuous conducting layer extending from within the at least one sub-section with excess thermal energy to the at least one sub-section without excess thermal energy. 
     
     
         7 . The foam padding according to  claim 1 , wherein the absorber has a higher thermal capacity than the band. 
     
     
         8 . The foam padding according to  claim 4 , wherein the conducting layer has a thickness of 0.5 mm to 2.00 mm and/or a width of 30 mm to 70 mm. 
     
     
         9 . The foam padding according to  claim 4 , wherein the conducting layer is made of graphite. 
     
     
         10 . The foam padding according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the absorber or the band are laminated on at least one side with polyethylene, polyurethane, or other stabilizing materials. 
     
     
         11 . The foam padding according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the absorber or the band are punctured and/or perforated. 
     
     
         12 . The foam padding according to  claim 1 , wherein the lower section has a temperature distribution that is inhomogeneous in a direction parallel to the surface of the padding. 
     
     
         13 . The foam padding according to  claim 1 , wherein the lower section has a temperature distribution that is inhomogeneous in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the padding. 
     
     
         14 . The foam padding according to  claim 1 , wherein the foam padding is in the form of a mattress or a seat.