A wearable instrument and a method of cooling the wearable instrument

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a wearable instrument [100] comprising at least cooling arrangement [200]. The at least one cooling arrangement [200] comprises: at least one peltier module [202] including a cooling surface [202a] and a heating surface [202b]; a cooling transfer unit [204] at least partially in contact with the cooling surface [202a] of the at least one peltier module [202], for transfer of a cooling effect from the cooling surface [202a] of the at least one peltier module [202] to a fluid stored therein; and a heat dissipation unit [206] at least partially in contact with the heating surface [202b] of the at least one peltier module [202], to transfer heat from the heating surface [202b] of the at least one peltier module [202] to ambient air. Notably, the heat dissipation unit [206] comprises one of a thermosiphon heat extraction apparatus [218] or a heat pipe-based heat extraction apparatus [218].

Description

[0001] A WEARABLE INSTRUMENT AND A METHOD OF COOLING THE WEARABLE INSTRUMENT

[0002] FIELD OF INVENTION

[0003] The present invention relates to wearable instruments. In particular, the present invention relates to a wearable instrument and a method of cooling the wearable instrument.

[0004] BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

[0005] This section is intended to provide information relating to the field of the invention and thus, any approach or functionality described below should not be assumed to be qualified as prior art merely by its inclusion in this section.

[0006] As is factually known, there has been a major rise in temperature across the globe, which in turn has impacted the daily life activity of human beings. Particularly, the present disclosure focuses on the impact of such a temperature rise on vehicle drivers. In case of four-wheeled vehicles, the driver as well as passenger comfort is taken care of by means of air conditioning systems installed within the four-wheeled vehicles. However, in case of two-wheeled vehicles, there exists no such provision to tackle the temperature rise, which results in discomfort to the driver as well as the passenger, especially in extreme hot and cold environment. Especially, in view of the above, there is a dire need to provide a comfortable thermal environment to the driver as well as passenger of a two-wheeled vehicle, which alleviates their fatigue, reduces their irritability, and improves driving safety.

[0007] One solution to the abovementioned problems is provided by a typical body wearable instruments equipped with cooling system, which are required to be worn by the driver and / or the passenger of the two-wheeled vehicle. However, such a conventional wearable instrument is based on air circulation, and the components employed to form the structure of the conventional wearable instrument are also heavy weight. While air circulation does help in regulating body temperature, such a wearable instrument is less effective in affording a consistent comfortable thermal environment for the driver, due to lower thermal efficiency and also higher noise levels. As such a wearable instrument is connected to the two-wheeled vehicle, a variation in speed of the twowheeled vehicle causes change in temperature of medium employed within the vehicle, thus causing an increase in temperature thereof, and consequently, the temperature of the conventional cooling system of the wearable instrument also increases. As a result, it is difficult to maintain a constant temperature of the conventional wearable instrument. In view thereof, the conventional wearable instrument is less useful and less effective for the driver and passenger of the twowheeled vehicle.

[0008] Few patent literatures on wearable instruments equipped with a cooling system are mentioned hereinbelow for better understanding of the field of the invention:

[0009] GB2433834A discloses and teaches a special garment adapted with heating and cooling mechanism that comprises of a thermo-electric device, an inlet coupling, outlet coupling, duct / tube, reservoir, pump, and a fan. The thermo-electric device disclosed in GB’834 is based on Peltier effect. Further, ducting / tube in garment is coupled to an inlet coupling and an outlet coupling and adapted for circulating working fluid from the inlet coupling to the outlet coupling via the said ducting. The said garment integrates a closed cycle working fluid circulation system, comprising ducting, and a pump and connections for circulating working fluid from the outlet coupling to and through the thermally conductive element and back to the inlet coupling and a fan adapted to cause passage of atmospheric air past said metal block in heat exchange.

[0010] JP2008031581A discloses a temperature-variable clothing adapted to provide cooling / heating effect to a user. The temperature-variable clothing of JP’581 comprises of a garment and an air conditioning unit attached thereto, wherein the air conditioning unit includes a pettier element installed directly onto the garment along with a heat insulating substrate.

[0011] US8001794B2 discloses and teaches a thermoelectric heat exchange system for fluids and includes a fluid delivery system and a heat exchange system in fluid and / or thermal communication with the fluid delivery system. The fluid delivery system is in fluid and / or thermal communication with the heat exchange system via tube / channels / pipes. The fluid delivery system includes: a pumping device configured to deliver a fluid; a fluid inlet system with the pumping device; a fluid outlet system with the pumping device; and a reservoir with the pumping device, and configured to hold a fluid. The heat exchange system also includes thermoelectric cooling modules, or TEC modules, in thermal communication with the heat exchange plate. Additionally, heat exchange system has an extension of fin shape member and acts as a heat sink i.e. for removal of heat. US’794 also discloses the thermoelectric exchange system that includes temperature sensor modules in communication with heat exchange system.

[0012] EP2834577B1 discloses and teaches a device for heating or cooling a body of a user that includes a thermoelectric module based on Peltier effect, a heat sink, a controller, a power source, a pressure strap in form of pump, a cooling liquid such as water, a supply tank, a supply line, wetting material and so on. However, none of the existing wearable instruments are either economical or efficient. Particularly, there exists a major concern of inefficiency caused due to poor venting of heat by the conventional cooling system. Due to such poor efficiency, the existing wearable instrument fails to provide instant cooling / heating. In addition to the aforementioned, the conventional wearable instrument is heavy in weight and is not suitable for the driver to wear conveniently while driving the two-wheeled vehicle. Also, the cooling conduits / pipes employed by the cooling system of the state-of-art wearable device are either highly flexible and low on thermal conductivity, and therefore, inefficient, or rigid and high on thermal conductivity, and therefore, uncomfortable to wear for the driver and / or the passenger of the two-wheeled vehicle. In view of the above, the existing solutions also fail to achieve a balance between flexibility and thermal conductivity of the cooling conduits / pipes employed in the cooling system.

[0013] Accordingly, in view of the abovementioned drawbacks and various other limitations inherent in the art, there is a well-felt need to provide an efficient, compact, economical, easy-to-wear, easy- to-manufacture, portable, and lightweight wearable instrument for regulating body temperature of a user of the two-wheeled vehicles, which the present disclosure aims to address.

[0014] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0015] This section is intended to introduce certain aspects of the disclosed system and method in a simplified form and is not intended to identify the key advantages or features of the present disclosure.

[0016] The present disclosure relates to a wearable instrument comprising at least one cooling arrangement. The at least one cooling arrangement comprises at least one peltier module, a cooling transfer unit, and a heat dissipation unit. The at least one peltier module includes a cooling surface and a heating surface. The cooling transfer unit is at least partially in contact with the cooling surface of the at least one peltier module, for transfer of a cooling effect from the cooling surface of the at least one peltier module a fluid stored therein. The heat dissipation unit is at least partially in contact with the heating surface of the at least one peltier module, to transfer heat from the heating surface of the at least one peltier module to ambient air. Notably, the heat dissipation unit comprises one of a thermosiphon-based heat extraction apparatus or a heat pipe-based heat extraction apparatus.

[0017] The present disclosure further relates to a method of cooling the wearable instrument, via the at least one cooling arrangement and a cooling circulation unit. The method comprises: providing an electric power supply to the at least one peltier module of at least one cooling arrangement installed within a wearable instrument; receiving, by a control unit of the at least one cooling arrangement, a user input, wherein the user input is to activate a cooling mode; actuating, by the control unit of the at least one cooling arrangement, a cooling surface of the at least one pettier module, upon receipt of the user input to activate the cooling mode; cooling, by the at least one pettier module of the at least one cooling arrangement, the fluid within a fluid tank of the at least one cooling arrangement, to a predetermined low-temperature; circulating, by a fluid pump of the at least one cooling arrangement, the low-temperature fluid through at least one cooling pipe wrapped around the wearable instrument; extracting, by a heat dissipation unit, heat from a heating surface of the at least one pettier module of the at least one cooling arrangement, and venting the same to ambient air.

[0018] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

[0019] In order to explain the technical solution in the embodiments of the present application more clearly, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. It is obvious that the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the application. For those skilled in the art, without any creative work, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings.

[0020] Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a wearable instrument, in accordance with the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0021] Figure 2 illustrates a perspective view of a wearable instrument, in accordance with the second embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0022] Figure 3 illustrates a first exploded view of a singular cooling arrangement installed in the wearable instrument of Figure 1, in accordance with the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0023] Figure 4 illustrates a second exploded view of the singular cooling arrangement of Figure 3, in accordance with the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0024] Figure 5 illustrates an exploded view of a primary cooling arrangement and a secondary cooling arrangement of the wearable instrument of Figure 2, in accordance with the second embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0025] Figure 6 illustrates a perspective view of an arrangement of a heat pipe-based heat extraction apparatus, at least one peltier module, and a fluid tank of the singular cooling arrangement of Figure 3, in accordance with the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0026] Figure 7 illustrates a perspective view of an arrangement of a heat pipe-based heat extraction apparatus, at least one peltier module, and a fluid tank of a primary cooling arrangement and a secondary cooling arrangements of Figure 5, in accordance with the second embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0027] Figure 8 illustrates a perspective view of an arrangement of the at least one pettier module, the fluid tank, and a fluid pump of the at least one cooling arrangement of Figure 3, in accordance with the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0028] Figure 9 illustrates a perspective view of an arrangement of the at least one pettier module and the fluid tank of the primary and secondary cooling arrangements of Figure 5, and a fluid pump of a cooling circulation unit, in accordance with the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0029] Figure 10 illustrates a perspective view of the fluid tank of the at least one cooling arrangement of Figure 3, in accordance with the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0030] Figure 11 illustrates a perspective view of the fluid tank of the primary and / or secondary cooling arrangements of Figure 5, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.

[0031] Figure 12 illustrates a perspective view of the fluid pump of the at least one cooling arrangement of either Figure 3 or Figure 5, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.

[0032] Figure 13 illustrates a perspective view of the at least one pettier module of the at least one cooling arrangement of Figure 3, in accordance with the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0033] Figure 14 illustrates a perspective view of the at least one pettier module of the primary and secondary cooling arrangements of Figure 5, in accordance with the second embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0034] Figure 15 illustrates a perspective view of the heat dissipation unit of the singular cooling arrangement of Figure 3, in accordance with the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0035] Figure 16 illustrates a perspective view of the heat dissipation unit of the primary and / or secondary cooling arrangements of Figure 5, in accordance with the second embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0036] Figure 17 illustrates a perspective view of an arrangement of a thermal block and a plurality of heat pipes of the heat dissipation unit of Figure 15, in accordance with the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0037] Figure 18 illustrates a perspective view of an arrangement of a thermal block and a plurality of heat pipes of the heat dissipation unit of Figure 16, in accordance with the second embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0038] Figure 19 illustrates a perspective sectional view of the heat dissipation unit of Figure 15, in accordance with the first embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 20 illustrates a perspective view of at least one cooling fan of the at least one cooling arrangement of either Figure 3 or Figure 5, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.

[0039] Figure 21 illustrates a perspective view of a casing of the at least one cooling arrangement of either Figure 3 or Figure 5, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.

[0040] Figure 22 illustrates a perspective view of a safety cut-off provision employed in the at least one cooling arrangement, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.

[0041] Figure 23 illustrates a flow diagram of a method of cooling the wearable instrument of either Figure 1 or Figure 2, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.

[0042] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0043] In the following description, for the purpose of explanation, various specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, that the embodiments of the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. Several features described hereafter can each be used independently of one another or with any combination of other features. An individual feature may not address any of the problems discussed above or might address only one of the problems discussed above. Some of the problems discussed above might not be fully addressed by any of the features described herein. Exemplified embodiments of the present invention are described below, as illustrated in various drawings in which reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the different drawings.

[0044] References to “one embodiment,” “at least one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “one example,” “an example,” “for example,” and so on indicate that the embodiment(s) or example(s) may include a particular feature, structure, circuit, architecture, characteristic, property, element, or limitation but that not every embodiment or example necessarily includes that particular feature, circuit, architecture, structure, characteristic, property, element, or limitation. Further, repeated use of the phrase “in an embodiment” does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment.

[0045] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a wearable instrument for efficiently regulating body temperature of a user. Such a wearable instrument equipped with the at least one cooling arrangement is efficient, compact, economical, easy-to-wear, easy-to-manufacture, portable, and lightweight as compared to the existing technology. An exemplary application of the present invention is that a driver and / or a passenger of the two- wheeled vehicles can wear the wearable instrument of the present invention, in order to tackle the rise in temperature during the summer season. Although the ensuing disclosure describes the invention to be applicable for tackling high temperature, those skilled in the art may appreciate that the concepts of the present disclosure may also be extended to the application of the same during winter season, to provide a heating effect to the driver and / or passenger of the two-wheeled vehicles.

[0046] The wearable instrument

[0100] comprises a vest

[0102] , at least one cooling arrangement

[0200] , and a cooling circulation unit

[0230] . Those skilled in the art may appreciate that the vest

[0102] may be any of a garment, a jacket, and other similar types of vests commonly known in the art. Further, although the present disclosure describes the wearable instrument

[0100] to be a vest

[0102] , it may be understood that the concepts of the present invention may also extend to a pant, a bodysuit, a helmet, a hoodie with mask, and the like. In an embodiment, the vest

[0102] employs at least one coating (not shown) that possesses high thermal conductivity to aid in providing rapid cooling as well as comfort to the user. Preferably, the at least one coating is a graphene coating, however multiple coatings will be considered to create a comfortable thermal environment within the vest. This will be achieved by a conductive coating on the inside of the vest to create a maximum cooling effect, with an insulation on the outside to prevent a loss of cooling into the ambient environment.

[0047] In a first embodiment, as seen from figure 1, 3, and 4, the at least one cooling arrangement

[0200] of the wearable instrument

[0100] comprises a singular cooling arrangement

[0200] . While in a second embodiment, as seen from figure 2 and 5, the at least one cooling arrangement

[0200] comprises a primary cooling arrangement [200a] and a secondary cooling arrangement [200b], such that the primary cooling arrangement [200a] and a secondary cooling arrangement [200b] are fluidly connected with each other in either of series or parallel manner. In the present context, the expression ‘fluidly connected’ refers to the specific connections made between the primary and secondary cooling arrangements [200a, 200b] for circulation of ‘cooling’ fluid therebetween. The structure and arrangement of the at least one cooling arrangement

[0200] and the cooling circulation unit

[0230] of the wearable instrument

[0100] will be described hereinafter in detail.

[0048] The at least one cooling arrangement

[0200] comprises at least one peltier module

[0202] , a cooling transfer unit

[0204] , and a heat dissipation unit

[0206] .

[0049] As shown in figure 8, 9, 13, and 14, the at least one peltier module

[0202] is an electronic component that comprises of two ceramic plates separated by semiconductor pellets, when current flows through the semiconductor pellet, one plate dissipates heat and the other absorbs heat. Further, the at least one peltier module

[0202] works on peltier effect which brings up a temperature difference by transferring heat between two junctions. The at least one peltier module

[0202] is electrically connected to a power source (not shown). For example, the power source is a battery installed within the two-wheeled vehicle. In such a case, no additional power source and associated weight is added on to the at least one cooling arrangement

[0200] , thereby substantially minimizing the overall weight thereof. As is seen from figures 2 and 3, the at least one pettier module

[0202] includes a cooling surface [202a] and a heating surface [202b] . In an exemplary embodiment, the at least one pettier module

[0202] includes two pettier modules, namely, a first pettier module

[0204] and a second pettier module

[0206] . The first and second pettier modules [204, 206] are electrically connected in parallel to each other, such that the first and second pettier modules [204, 206] are thermocouples capable of producing a heating effect on the heating surface [202b] and a cooling effect on the cooling surface [202a], upon supply of electric current thereto, via the power source. Those skilled in the art may employ any number of pettier modules

[0202] electrically connected in parallel, in order to achieve a similar cooling effect, and the same lies well within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0050] In the first embodiment, as shown in figure 2 and 3, each of the first and second pettier modules [204, 206] are positioned adjacently, such that the heat dissipation unit

[0216] at least partially contacts with the heating surfaces [202b] of the each of the first pettier module

[0204] and the second pettier module

[0206] , while the cooling transfer unit

[0208] at least partially contacts with the cooling surface [202a] of each of the first pettier module

[0204] and the second pettier module

[0206] ,

[0051] In the second embodiment, as shown in figure 5, the first peltier module

[0204] and the second pettier module

[0206] , are positioned stacked over each other in a manner that cooling surface [202a] of the second peltier module

[0206] is in contact with the heating surface [202b] of the first peltier module

[0204] , such that the heat dissipation unit

[0216] at least partially contacts with the heating surface [202b] of the second peltier module

[0204] , while the cooling transfer unit

[0208] at least partially contacts with the cooling surface [202a] of the first peltier module

[0204] , Particularly, as seen from figure 14, the first peltier module

[0204] is relatively smaller than the second peltier module

[0206] , The structure and arrangement of the cooling transfer unit

[0208] will be described hereinafter in detail.

[0052] As seen from figures 2, 3, and 5, the cooling transfer unit

[0208] is at least partially in contact with the cooling surface [202a] of the at least one peltier module

[0202] , for transfer of the cooling effect from the cooling surface [202a] of the at least one peltier module

[0202] to the vest

[0102] of the wearable instrument

[0100] . The cooling transfer unit

[0208] comprises a fluid tank

[0210] . In the second embodiment of the present invention, the cooling circulation unit

[0230] circulates fluid stored in the cooling transfer unit

[0208] of each of the primary cooling arrangement [200a] and a secondary cooling arrangement [200b] through the wearable instrument

[0100] , enabling transfer of cooling effect from the fluid of the cooling transfer unit

[0208] of each of the primary cooling arrangement [200a] and a secondary cooling arrangement [200b] to the wearable instrument

[0100] . Referring to figure 6, there is shown the fluid tank

[0210] of the cooling transfer unit

[0208] , of the first embodiment of the present invention. The fluid tank

[0210] is abutted with the cooling surface [202a] of the at least one pettier module

[0202] , to transfer the cooling effect from the cooling surface [202a] of the at least one pettier module

[0202] to a fluid stored within the fluid tank

[0210] . Notably, the fluid tank

[0210] is made up of a copper material, which aids in enhancing a rate of cooling of the fluid within the fluid tank

[0210] . As seen from figure 6, the fluid tank

[0210] includes a tank inlet [210a] fluidly connected to the at least one cooling pipe

[0212] , and a tank outlet [210b] fluidly connected to the fluid pump

[0214] . Referring to figure 11, there is shown the fluid tank

[0210] of the second embodiment. Notably, the fluid tank

[0210] defines a recess [210c] on a top side thereof. The recess [210c] is adapted to receive and support the first pettier module

[0204] of the at least one pettier module

[0202] , in a flushed manner. The structure and arrangement of the heat dissipation unit

[0216] will be described later in the present disclosure. At this juncture, the structure and arrangement of the cooling circulation unit

[0230] of the wearable instrument

[0100] will be described in detail.

[0053] The cooling circulation unit

[0230] is at least partially installed within the wearable instrument

[0100] , The cooling circulation unit

[0230] is fluidly connected to the cooling transfer unit

[0208] , for circulation of fluid through the wearable instrument

[0100] enabling transfer of cooling effect from the fluid of the cooling transfer unit

[0208] to the wearable instrument

[0100] , As seen from the accompanying figures, the cooling circulation unit

[0230] comprises at least one cooling pipe

[0212] installed to be wrapped within and / or around a portion of the wearable instrument

[0100] , and a fluid pump

[0214] , Notably, each of at least one cooling pipe

[0212] and the fluid pump

[0214] are suitably fluidly connected to the fluid tank

[0210] of the cooling transfer unit

[0208] of each of the at least one cooling arrangement

[0200] , to circulate fluid stored in the fluid tank

[0210] of the cooling transfer unit

[0208] of each of the at least one cooling arrangement

[0200] in a close loop manner, for enabling transfer of the cooling effect from the fluid to the wearable instrument

[0100] , By virtue of such an arrangement, the fluid stored within the fluid tank

[0210] is capable of being circulated between the fluid tank

[0210] and the at least one cooling pipe

[0212] , to transfer the cooling effect from the fluid to the vest

[0102] of the wearable instrument

[0100] , thus providing a conducive thermal environment to a user of such a wearable instrument

[0100] , be it a driver and / or a passenger of the two-wheeled vehicle.

[0054] The at least one cooling pipe

[0212] is a single elongated pipe positioned within dedicated pipe pockets (not shown) integrally formed within the vest

[0102] of the wearable instrument

[0100] . Particularly, the at least one cooling pipe

[0212] defines multiple bends suitably defined to cover a defined surface area of the vest

[0102] of the wearable instrument

[0100] . Preferably, the at least one cooling pipe

[0212] is suitably structured to allow a parallel flow of the fluid therethrough. Essentially, the at least one cooling pipe

[0212] is made up of a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) material, wherein the TPE material is a flexible material having a thermal conductivity higher than 1 W / mK. More particularly, the thermal conductivity of the TPE material ranges between 1 W / mK to 10 W / mK. The TPE material can be selected form a group comprising of thermoplastic vulcanizates, thermoplastic polyolefins, copolyester elastomers, and combinations thereof. Those skilled in the art may appreciate that thermoplastic elastomer material is highly flexible, stretchable, and also hypoallergenic. In an embodiment, the at least one cooling pipe

[0212] is enhanced with one of boron nitride or carbon nanotubes, in order to maximize the overall thermal conductivity of the at least one cooling pipe

[0212] . In said embodiment, preferably, the at least one cooling pipe

[0212] has a thermal conductivity ranging between 25 W / mK to 30 W / mK.

[0055] Referring to figure 12, there is shown the fluid pump

[0214] of the cooling transfer unit

[0208] . Particularly, the fluid pump

[0214] includes a suction inlet [214a] fluidly connected to the tank outlet [210b] of the fluid tank

[0210] , and a pump outlet [214b] fluidly connected to the at least one cooling pipe

[0212] . Notably, the fluid pump is adapted to: draw the fluid from the fluid tank

[0210] ; circulate the fluid through the at least one cooling pipe

[0212] , such that the cooling effect carried by the fluid is transferred to the at least one cooling pipe

[0212] ; and return the fluid back to the fluid tank

[0210] . The structure and arrangement of the heat dissipation unit

[0216] will now be described in detail.

[0056] As seen from the accompanying figures, the heat dissipation unit

[0216] is at least partially in contact with the heating surface [202b] of the at least one peltier module

[0202] , to transfer heat from the heating surface [202b] of the at least one peltier module

[0202] to ambient air. The heat dissipation unit

[0216] comprises one of a thermosiphon-based heat extraction apparatus

[0218] or a heat pipe-based heat extraction apparatus

[0218] . In an embodiment, the thermosiphon-based heat extraction apparatus

[0218] is employed in the heat dissipation unit

[0216] , wherein the heating effect is extracted from the heating surface [202b] of the at least one peltier module

[0202] , by way of thermosiphoning effect. In the present context, ‘Thermosiphoning effect’ refers to a thermal management principle wherein the motive forces of natural convection and conduction are utilized for transfer of heat from the heating surface [202b] of the at least one peltier module

[0202] to the thermosiphon -based heat extraction apparatus

[0218] . In another embodiment, the heat pipe-based heat extraction apparatus

[0218] is employed in the heat dissipation unit

[0216] , wherein at least one wicking material is employed for effecting transfer of heat from the heating surface [202b] of the at least one peltier module

[0202] to the heat pipe-based heat extraction apparatus

[0218] . In yet another embodiment, the thermosiphon-based heat extraction apparatus

[0218] and the heatpipe based heat extraction apparatus

[0218] have a substantially similar structure and arrangement. For such an embodiment, both the terms may be used interchangeably hereinafter. In said embodiment, as seen from figures 15-19, the thermosiphon heat extraction apparatus

[0218] (or the heat pipe-based heat extraction apparatus) includes a thermal block

[0222] , a plurality of heat pipes

[0224] , and a plurality of fin plates

[0226] . The thermal block

[0222] is abutted with the heating surface [202b] of the at least one peltier module

[0202] . The thermal block

[0222] carries the heating effect from the heating surface [202b] of the at least one peltier module

[0202] .

[0057] The plurality of heat pipes

[0224] is adapted to store therein a thermal fluid for extracting the heating effect from the thermal block

[0222] . Each of the plurality of heat pipes

[0224] comprises a horizontal section [224a] extending through the thermal block

[0222] and at least one vertical section [224b], such that the plurality of heat pipes

[0224] carries thermal fluid therein. Notably, the horizontal section [224a] of the plurality of heat pipes

[0224] carries the heating effect from the thermal block

[0222] to cause phase change of the thermal fluid therein and cause the same to flow to the at least one vertical section [224b] thereof.

[0058] The plurality of fin plates

[0226] is fixedly attached to and supported on the plurality of heat pipes

[0224] . The plurality of fin plates

[0226] carries the heating effect from the thermal fluid in the at least one vertical section [224b] of the plurality of heat pipes

[0224] to the plurality of fin plates

[0226] , such that the heating effect is dissipated to ambient air through the plurality of fin plates

[0226] by either of a natural convention, a forced convection, an evaporative convention, and / or a combination thereof. Notably, the thermal block

[0222] , the plurality of heat pipes

[0224] , and the plurality of fin plates

[0226] , are made up of a thermally conductive material selected from the group consisting of copper, aluminium, and / or silver.

[0059] As seen from figure 20, the heat dissipation unit

[0216] further comprises at least one fan unit

[0220] which is employed to pass air towards the plurality of fin plates for causing transfer of heating effect from the plurality of fin plates

[0226] to ambient air, by way of forced convection.

[0060] In an embodiment, the at least one cooling arrangement

[0200] employs at least one casing member

[0228] to house and support various aforementioned components of the at least one cooling arrangement

[0200] , which is depicted in figure 21. The at least one casing member

[0228] of the at least one cooling arrangement

[0200] is made from explosion-proof material, and thus, it is very safe to use the wearable instrument

[0100] equipped with the at least one cooling arrangement

[0200] of the present invention.

[0061] In another exemplary embodiment, the at least one cooling arrangement

[0200] of the present invention can be operated efficiently through Bluetooth / WiFi / infra-red application, or any other application present in a user’s mobile device or computer or laptop or any other device. In another embodiment, the said application may be integrated with artificial intelligence (Al) and / or machine learning (ML), in order to process data procured from one or more temperature sensors (not shown), which may suitably be disposed on the vest

[0102] of the wearable instrument

[0100] , to consequently ensure that hot spots across the vest

[0102] is substantially minimized. Further, such an integration of AI / ML in the application also ensures that the overall electricity consumption by the at least one cooling arrangement

[0200] is reduced, as the integration results in optimization of flow of fluid within the closed loop of the at least one cooling arrangement

[0200] and a minimal (required) current being supplied to the at least one peltier module

[0202] . Those skilled in the art may contemplate the specific details pertaining to integration of AI / ML with the application, and the same lies well within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0062] In one of the embodiments of present invention, the fluid utilized in the fluid tank

[0210] is water, as it is easily available and produces no harmful pollutants. In another embodiment, the fluid utilized in the fluid tank

[0210] is water with a soluble additive to prevent undesirable growth therein. In such an embodiment, the soluble additive can be one of glycol or nanotubes, while the solvent is water. In an exemplary embodiment, the fluid can be one of water, glycol, carbon nanotubes, and combinations thereof.

[0063] The at least one cooling arrangement

[0200] of the present invention may employ any other fluid which primarily does not result in release of pollutants and the same lies well within the scope of the present disclosure. At least by virtue of the aforementioned, the present invention proves to be an environment-friendly system.

[0064] As seen from figure 22, the at least one cooling arrangement

[0200] includes a safety cut-off provision

[0232] for cutting off the power supply to the at least one peltier module

[0202] , in the event an instantaneous temperature of the fluid within the fluid tank

[0210] reaches below a threshold temperature of 5 degrees Celsius. Such a provision ensures that the fluid within the fluid tank

[0210] does not undergo freezing and also prevents any interruption in the circulation of the same. Similarly, in an alternate embodiment, the at least one cooling arrangement

[0200] may employ a heating mode, for the winter season, wherein at a maximum temperature during heating mode can go up to 40 degree Celsius and a similar safety cut-off provision as above may be provided once the said maximum temperature is achieved by the at least one cooling arrangement

[0200] , to protect the user from any of the heat bum injuries.

[0065] In accordance with the first embodiment of the wearable instrument

[0100] , the flow of the fluid is as follows: Initially, the fluid is cooled in the cooling transfer unit

[0208] of the singular cooling arrangement

[0200] , by means of the at least one peltier module

[0202] . Next, the cooled fluid is drawn from the cooling transfer unit

[0208] into the at least one cooling pipe

[0212] of the cooling circulation unit

[0230] , by means of the fluid pump

[0214] , to be circulated through a complete length of the at least one cooling pipe

[0212] . During this circulation, the fluid transfers its cooling effect (and absorbs heat) from the vest

[0102] of the wearable instrument

[0100] , in contact with the user, to the user, thereby providing a comfortable thermal environment to the user. Thereafter, the fluid is returned back to the cooling transfer unit

[0208] to be cooled and ready to be circulated again.

[0066] In accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention, the flow of the fluid is as follows:

[0067] Initially, the fluid is cooled in the cooling transfer unit

[0208] of the primary cooling arrangement

[0200] , by means of the at least one peltier module

[0202] thereof. Thereafter, the fluid is transferred to the cooling transfer unit

[0208] secondary cooling arrangement

[0200] , to be further cooled by means of the at least one peltier module

[0202] thereof. Next, the cooled fluid is drawn from the cooling transfer unit

[0208] of the secondary cooling arrangement

[0200] into the at least one cooling pipe

[0212] of the cooling circulation unit

[0230] , by means of the fluid pump

[0214] , to be circulated through a complete length of the at least one cooling pipe

[0212] . During this circulation, the fluid transfers its cooling effect (and absorbs heat) from the vest

[0102] of the wearable instrument

[0100] , in contact with the user, to the user, thereby providing a comfortable thermal environment to the user. Thereafter, the fluid is returned back to the cooling transfer unit

[0208] to be cooled and ready to be circulated again. It may be understood that the order of sequence of positioning of the primary and secondary cooling arrangements [200a, 200b] may be modified, and the same lies within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0068] Referring to figure 23, the present disclosure further relates to a method

[0300] of cooling the wearable instrument

[0100] , via the at least one cooling arrangement

[0200] and a cooling circulation unit

[0230] . Broad steps of the method

[0300] will be described hereinafter in detail.

[0069] At step

[0302] , an electric power supply is provided to the at least one peltier module

[0202] of the at least one cooling arrangement

[0200] . Notably, a user engages a power button (not shown) installed on the casing member

[0228] of the at least one cooling arrangement

[0200] , to activate the at least one cooling arrangement

[0200] , by allowing the electric power supply thereto. In one embodiment, a voltage for electric power supply falls in range of 7- 12V and electric current of 8- 20A to enable working of the at least one cooling arrangement

[0200] of the present invention.

[0070] At step

[0304] , a control unit of the at least one cooling arrangement

[0200] receives a user input for mode selection. Notably, the user input is to activate a cooling mode of the at least one cooling arrangement

[0200] . The casing member

[0228] defines corresponding provision for receiving the user input, for example, in form of a button and / or a display touch.

[0071] At step

[0306] , the control unit actuates the cooling surface [202a] of the at least one pettier module

[0202] , upon receipt of the user input to activate the cooling mode of the at least one cooling arrangement

[0200] .

[0072] At step

[0308] , the at least one pettier module

[0202] cools the fluid within the fluid tank

[0210] to a predetermined low temperature. Notably, the predetermined low temperature is at least 16 degrees Celsius. For example, the at least one pettier module

[0202] of the at least one cooling arrangement

[0200] of the present invention cools the fluid from a high ambient temperature (for example, 35- 40 degrees Celsius) to 16 degrees Celsius in a time duration ranging from 4 to 6 minutes.

[0073] At step

[0310] , the fluid pump

[0214] circulates the low-temperature fluid through the at least one cooling pipe

[0212] wrapped around the wearable instrument

[0100] , thereby providing the cooling effect to the user.

[0074] At step

[0312] , the heat dissipation unit

[0216] extracts heat from the heating surface [202b] of the at least one pettier module

[0202] of the at least one cooling arrangement

[0200] and vents the same to ambient air. Step

[0312] further comprises multiple sub-steps which will be described hereinafter.

[0075] At sub-step [312a], the thermal block

[0222] of the thermosiphon heat extraction apparatus

[0218] (or the heat pipe-based heat extraction apparatus

[0218] ) extracts the heating effect from the heating surface [202b] of the at least one pettier module

[0202] .

[0076] At sub-step [312b], the plurality of heat pipes

[0224] of the thermosiphon heat extraction apparatus

[0218] (or the heat pipe-based heat extraction apparatus

[0218] ) extracts the heating effect from the thermal block

[0222] , to thereby transfer the heating effect to a thermal fluid employed within the plurality of heat pipes

[0224] .

[0077] At sub-step [312c], the aforementioned transfer of heating effect causes a phase change of the thermal fluid employed within the plurality of heat pipes

[0224] , such that the thermal fluid carrying the heating effect flows from a horizontal section [224a] to the at least one vertical section [224b] of each of the plurality of heat pipes

[0224] .

[0078] At sub-step [312d], the plurality of fin plates

[0226] of the thermosiphon heat extraction apparatus

[0218] (or the heat pipe-based heat extraction apparatus

[0218] ) extracts the heating effect from the phase-changed thermal fluid. At sub- step [312e], the at least one fan unit

[0220] of the heat dissipation unit

[0216] vents the heating effect from the plurality of fin plates

[0226] of the thermosiphon heat extraction apparatus

[0218] (or the heat pipe-based heat extraction apparatus

[0218] ) to ambient air.

[0079] It may be understood that the abovementioned steps may either be performed sequentially, simultaneously, or any combination thereof. By virtue of the above-described method

[0300] , the at least one cooling arrangement

[0200] efficiently cools the vest

[0102] of the wearable instrument

[0100] , thereby providing a comfortable thermal environment to the user. A similar method for heating of the vest

[0102] of the wearable instrument

[0100] , via the at least one cooling arrangement

[0200] , may be contemplated by those skilled in the art, and therefore, the same has not been described hereinafter for the sake of brevity. The above-described method

[0300] is described so as to apply to the first embodiment of the present invention, however, those skilled in the art may appreciate that the method

[0300] may also suitably be extended to the second embodiment of the present invention, and the same lies within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0080] Various advantages of the at least one cooling arrangement

[0200] and the method

[0300] of cooling the wearable instrument

[0100] , of the present invention, exist. The present invention provides an efficient, compact, economical, easy-to-wear, easy-to-manufacture, portable, and lightweight wearable instrument

[0100] for a user of a two-wheeled vehicle, capable of efficiently regulating body temperature of the user. The wearable instrument

[0100] can be worn by a motorbike driver, agricultural worker, research scientist, factory workers, so on and so forth. By virtue of the explosion-proof casing member

[0228] as well as the hypoallergenic cooling pipe

[0212] , the present invention is safe to use for human beings. The present invention is environment-friendly, the fluid circulated within the cooling transfer unit

[0208] , for cooling the wearable instrument

[0100] , is a pollutant-free fluid, for example, water. The overall weight of the wearable instrument

[0100] ranges between 1 kg and 1.5 kg, which is light weight as compared to the existing solution. The at least one cooling arrangement

[0200] has high efficiency at least by virtue of the at least one cooling pipe

[0212] being made up of the TPE material having high thermal conductivity (i.e., above 1 W / mk), and therefore, the at least one cooling arrangement

[0200] provides a faster cooling rate as compared to the existing solutions. In the at least one cooling arrangement

[0200] , a wide range of temperature selection can be achieved for cooling mode (i.e., between 16 degree Celsius and 25 degree Celsius) as well as for heating mode (i.e., between 26 degree Celsius and 39 degree Celsius).

[0081] A description of an embodiment with several electronic components, and constituents are mentioned, wherein such components and constituents are arranged in a device as herewith described. While such electronic components as listed in description do not act as limitation for incorporation of other electronic components. On the contrary, a wide variety of other useful, adequate, easily available electronic components of different characteristics and types can be employed in a vest-based device for producing cooling and heating mechanism.

[0082] While the present disclosure has been described with reference to certain embodiments and exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made, and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the present disclosure without departing from its scope.

[0083] LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0084] 100 - Wearable instrument

[0085] 102 - Vest

[0086] 200 - Cooling arrangement

[0087] 202 - Peltier module

[0088] 202a - Cooling surface

[0089] 202b - Heating surface

[0090] 204 - First peltier module

[0091] 206 - Second peltier module

[0092] 208 - Cooling transfer unit

[0093] 210 - Fluid tank

[0094] 210a - Tank inlet

[0095] 210b - Tank outlet

[0096] 212 - Cooling pipe

[0097] 214 - Fluid pump

[0098] 214a - Suction inlet

[0099] 214b - Pump outlet

[0100] 216 - Heat dissipation unit

[0101] 218 - Thermosiphon heat extraction apparatus / Heat pipe-based heat extraction apparatus

[0102] 220 - Fan unit

[0103] 222 - Thermal block 224 - Heat pipes

[0104] 224a - Horizontal section

[0105] 224b - Vertical section

[0106] 226 - Fin plates 228 - Casing member

[0107] 230 - Cooling circulation unit

[0108] 300 - Method

[0109] 302-312 - Broad steps of method

Claims

We Claim:

1. Awearable instrument [100], comprising: at least one cooling arrangement [200], comprising: at least one peltier module [202] including a cooling surface [202a] and a heating surface [202b]; and a cooling transfer unit [208] at least partially in contact with the cooling surface [202a] of the at least one peltier module [202] for transfer of a cooling effect from the cooling surface [202a] of the at least one peltier module [202] to a fluid stored therein; and a heat dissipation unit [216] at least partially in contact with the heating surface [202b] of the at least one peltier module [202], to transfer heat from the heating surface [202b] of the at least one peltier module [202] to ambient air, wherein the heat dissipation unit [216] comprises one of a thermosiphon heat extraction apparatus [218] or a heat pipe-based heat extraction apparatus [218],2. The wearable instrument [100] as claimed in claim 1, further comprises a cooling circulation unit [230] at least partially installed within the wearable instrument [100], the cooling circulation unit [230] being fluidly connected to the cooling transfer unit [208], for circulation of fluid through the wearable instrument [100] enabling transfer of cooling effect from the fluid of the cooling transfer unit [208] to the wearable instrument [100],3. The wearable instrument [100] as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one peltier module [202] includes two peltier modules, namely, a first peltier module [204] and a second peltier module [206], electrically connected in parallel to each other, such that each of the first peltier module [204] and the second peltier module [206] are thermocouple capable of producing the heating effect on the heating surface [202b] and the cooling effect on the cooling surface [202a], upon supply of electric current thereto.

4. The wearable instrument [100] as claimed in claim 3, wherein the first peltier module [204] and the second peltier module [206], are positioned adjacently, such that the heat dissipation unit [216] at least partially contacts with the heating surfaces [202b] of the each of the first peltier module [204] and the second peltier module [206], while the cooling transfer unit [208] at least partially contacts with the cooling surface [202a] of each of the first peltier module [204] and the second peltier module [206],5. The wearable instrument [100] as claimed in claim 3, wherein the first peltier module [204] and the second peltier module [206], are positioned stacked over each other in a manner that cooling surface [202a] of the second peltier module [206] is in contact with the heating surface [202b] of the first peltier module [204], such that the heat dissipation unit [216] at least partially contacts with the heating surface [202b] of the second peltier module [204], while the cooling transfer unit [208] at least partially contacts with the cooling surface [202a] of the first peltier module [204],6. The wearable instrument [100] as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cooling transfer unit [208] comprises: a fluid tank [210] abutted with the cooling surface [202a] of the at least one peltier module [202], to transfer the cooling effect from the cooling surface [202a] to a fluid within the fluid tank [210],7. The wearable instrument [100] as claimed in claims 2 and 6, wherein the cooling circulation unit [230] comprises: at least one cooling pipe [212] installed to be wrapped within and / or around a portion of the wearable instrument [100]; and a fluid pump [214], such that each of at least one cooling pipe [212] and the fluid pump [214] are suitably fluidly connected to the fluid tank [210] of the cooling transfer unit [208] of each of the at least one cooling arrangement [200], to circulate fluid stored in the fluid tank [210] of the cooling transfer unit [208] of each of the at least one cooling arrangement [200] in a close loop manner, for enabling transfer of the cooling effect from the fluid to the wearable instrument [100].

8. The wearable instrument [100] as claimed in claim 6, wherein the fluid tank [210] is made up of copper material.

9. The wearable instrument [100] as claimed in claim 7, wherein the at least one cooling pipe [212] is a single elongated pipe positioned within dedicated pipe pockets integrally formed within the wearable instrument [100], the at least one cooling pipe [212] defining multiple bends suitably defined to cover a defined surface area of the wearable instrument [100],10. The wearable instrument [100] as claimed in claim 7, wherein the at least one cooling pipe [212] is suitably structured to allow parallel flow of fluid therethrough.

11. The wearable instrument [100] as claimed in claim 7, wherein the at least one cooling pipe [212] is made up of thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) material.

12. The wearable instrument [100] as claimed in claim 11, wherein the TPE material is a flexible material including a thermal conductivity higher than IW / mK.

13. The wearable instrument [100] as claimed in claim 1, wherein the thermosiphon heat extraction apparatus [218] or the heat pipe-based heat extraction apparatus [218] includes: a thermal block [222] abutted with the heating surface [202b] of the at least one peltier module [202]; a plurality of heat pipes [224], each comprising a horizontal section [224a] extending through the thermal block [222] and at least one vertical section [224b], such that the plurality of heat pipes [224] carries thermal fluid therein; and a plurality of fin plates [226] fixedly attached to and supported on the plurality of heat pipes [224], such that the heating effect of the heating surface [202b] of the at least one peltier module [202] is transferred through the plurality of fin plates [226] to be vent to ambient air.

14. The wearable instrument [100] as claimed in claim 13, wherein the thermal block [222] carries the heating effect from the heating surface [202b] of the at least one peltier module [202], the horizontal section [224a] of the plurality of heat pipes [224] carries the heating effect from the thermal block [222] to cause phase change of the thermal fluid therein and cause the same to flow to the at least one vertical section [224b] thereof, while the plurality of fin plates [226] carry the heating effect from the thermal fluid in the at least one vertical section [224b] to the plurality of fin plates [226], such that the heating effect is dissipated to the ambient air through the plurality of fin plates [226], by either of a natural convention, a forced convection, an evaporative convention, and / or a combination thereof.

15. The wearable instrument [100] as claimed in claim 13, wherein the thermal block [222], the plurality of heat pipes [224], and the plurality of fin plates [226], are made up of a thermally conductive material selected from the group consisting of copper, aluminium, and / or silver.

16. The wearable instrument [100] as claimed in claim 13, wherein the heat dissipation unit [216] comprises at least one fan unit [220] for passing air towards the plurality of fin plates [226], for causing transfer of heating effect from the plurality of fin plates [226] to ambient air, by way of forced convention.

17. The wearable instrument [100] as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one cooling arrangement [200] comprises a singular cooling arrangement [200],18. The wearable instrument [100] as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one cooling arrangement [200] comprises a primary cooling arrangement [200a] and a secondary cooling arrangement [200b], such that the primary cooling arrangement [200a] and a secondary cooling arrangement [200b] are fluidly connected with each other in either of series or parallel manner.

19. The wearable instrument [100] as claimed in claim 18, wherein the cooling circulation unit [230] circulates fluid stored in the cooling transfer unit [208] of each of the primary cooling arrangement [200a] and a secondary cooling arrangement [200b] through the wearable instrument [100], enabling transfer of cooling effect from the fluid of the cooling transfer unit [208] of each of the primary cooling arrangement [200a] and a secondary cooling arrangement [200b] to the wearable instrument [100],20. A method [300] of cooling a wearable instrument [100], via at least one cooling arrangement [200] and a cooling circulation unit [230], the method [300] comprising: providing an electric power supply to the at least one peltier module [202] of the at least one cooling arrangement [200] installed within the wearable instrument [100]; receiving, by a control unit of the at least one cooling arrangement [200], a user input, wherein the user input is to activate a cooling mode; actuating, by the control unit of the at least one cooling arrangement [200], a cooling surface [202a] of the at least one peltier module [202], upon receipt of the user input to activate the cooling mode; cooling, by the at least one peltier module [202] of the at least one cooling arrangement [200], the fluid within a fluid tank [210] of the at least one cooling arrangement [200], to a predetermined low temperature; circulating, by a fluid pump [214] of the at least one cooling arrangement [200], the low-temperature fluid through at least one cooling pipe [212] wrapped around the wearable instrument [100]; extracting, by a heat dissipation unit [216], heat from a heating surface [202b] of the at least one peltier module [202] of the at least one cooling arrangement [200], and venting the same to ambient air.

21. The method [300] as claimed in claim 14, wherein the step of extracting comprises:extracting, by a thermal block [222] of a thermosiphon heat extraction apparatus [218] or the heat pipe-based heat extraction apparatus [218] of the heat dissipation unit [216], a heating effect from the heating surface [202b] of the at least one peltier module [202]; extracting, by a plurality of heat pipes [224] of the thermosiphon heat extraction apparatus [218] or the heat pipe-based heat extraction apparatus [218], the heating effect from the thermal block [222], to thereby transfer the heating effect to a thermal fluid employed within the plurality of heat pipes [224]; causing, by the heating effect, a phase change of the thermal fluid employed within the plurality of heat pipes [224], such that the thermal fluid carrying the heating effect flows from a horizontal section [224a] to the at least one vertical section [224b] of each of the plurality of heat pipes; extracting, by a plurality of fin plates [226] of the thermosiphon heat extraction apparatus [218] or the heat pipe-based heat extraction apparatus [218], the heating effect from the phase-changed thermal fluid; and venting, by at least one fan unit [220] of the heat dissipation unit [216], the heating effect from the plurality of fin plates [226] of the thermosiphon heat extraction apparatus [218] or the heat pipe-based heat extraction apparatus [218] to ambient air.

Images