A method for measuring the effective heating time of intelligent heated clothing

Abstract

This invention discloses a method for determining the effective heating time of intelligent heated clothing, relating to the field of clothing performance testing technology. The invention involves placing the intelligent heated clothing under test on the surface of a heated mannequin, identifying the monitoring areas on the mannequin's surface covered by the clothing, and setting the mannequin to a constant power operating mode under defined environmental conditions. The heating function of the intelligent heated clothing is then activated, and temperature data from each monitoring area is collected in real time. When a monitoring area meets a preset termination condition, the test is stopped, the termination time is recorded, and the effective duration of each monitoring area is determined. For each monitoring area, its weight is calculated based on its surface area, and a weighted average is calculated using the effective duration of each monitoring area to determine the effective heating time of the intelligent heated clothing. The effective heating time quantitatively characterizes the clothing's ability to maintain thermal comfort under real-world usage conditions.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of clothing performance testing technology, specifically a method for determining the effective heating time of intelligent heating clothing. Background Technology

[0002] Smart heated clothing actively generates heat through built-in flexible heating elements and rechargeable batteries, providing thermal compensation for the wearer in low-temperature environments. Besides heating power, effective heating time is another core indicator of product practicality, directly determining battery life in outdoor conditions without charging.

[0003] At present, there is a lack of unified, scientific and effective heating time testing methods in the industry. The main problems are as follows: (1) Inconsistent testing conditions: different manufacturers use different ambient temperatures and different termination criteria, which makes it impossible to compare the nominal time horizontally; (2) Unreasonable termination conditions: the common practice is to end the test when the battery is completely depleted, but at this time the clothing is often no longer able to maintain the body's comfortable temperature; on the contrary, some methods terminate the test when the temperature of any part is too low, ignoring the fact that the core area covered by the heating element can still maintain thermal comfort. The results are too strict and do not match the real user experience; (3) Neglecting human metabolic heat generation: simply testing the battery discharge time does not take into account the synergistic effect of human body's own metabolic heat and clothing heating, which deviates greatly from the real wearing experience; (4) Unscientific evaluation methods: simply taking the temperature maintenance time of a single part ignores the difference in the contribution of different parts of the human body to thermal comfort.

[0004] Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop an effective method for measuring the heating duration of intelligent heated clothing that can simulate real-world usage scenarios and the resting metabolism of the human body. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To overcome the shortcomings of the prior art, the present invention provides a method for measuring the effective heating time of intelligent heated clothing, comprising: S1. Place the smart heating garment to be tested on the surface of the heated mannequin and identify the monitoring areas on the mannequin's surface covered by the garment. S2. Under the set environmental conditions, set the heated mannequin to a constant power operating mode to simulate the human body's resting metabolic heat production. S3. Turn on the heating function of the smart heating garment and collect temperature data from each monitoring area in real time. S4. When a monitoring area meets the preset termination condition, stop the test, record the test termination time, and determine the effective duration of each monitoring area. S5. For each monitoring area, calculate its weight based on its surface area, and then perform a weighted average based on the effective duration of each monitoring area to calculate the effective heating time of the smart heating garment.

[0006] Preferably, the preset termination condition in step S4 is: the temperature of all monitoring points has been continuously below 32°C, and the cumulative duration of each monitoring point being below 32°C reaches 10 minutes.

[0007] Preferably, the preset termination condition in step S4 is: the battery output power of the smart heating garment under test drops to less than 10% of the nominal value.

[0008] Preferably, when the test is terminated due to this condition, the effective duration of each monitoring part is the time elapsed from the start of the heating function until the moment when the temperature is continuously below 32°C for a cumulative period of 10 minutes.

[0009] Preferably, when the test is terminated due to this condition, the effective duration of all monitored parts is the time elapsed from the start of the heating function until the battery is depleted.

[0010] Preferably, in step S2, the constant power working mode is set to a heating power of 60W / m² per unit area.

[0011] Preferably, step S1 further includes a preheating step: setting the warm body dummy to a constant temperature mode, setting the skin temperature to 34°C, and preheating until the surface temperature fluctuation of each monitored part is less than 0.5°C and the duration is greater than 10 minutes.

[0012] Preferably, the monitoring areas in step S1 include the chest, abdomen, back, and shoulders, and the surface area of ​​each monitoring area is determined based on the actual size of the warm-body dummy.

[0013] Preferably, the set environmental conditions include: an ambient temperature of any value within the range of -5℃ to -35℃, a relative humidity of 50%RH, and an ambient wind speed of 0m / s.

[0014] Preferably, the temperature data acquisition frequency in step S3 is no less than once per minute.

[0015] The advantages of this invention are: (1) Proposes the evaluation index of "effective heating time": Unlike the existing technology that uses battery discharge time or vague "battery life" as the evaluation basis, this invention for the first time clearly defines the concept of "effective heating time", which is defined as the surface area weighted average time for the skin temperature of the core part of the warm body dummy to be maintained above 32°C (the lower limit of the comfortable temperature) under simulated human resting metabolic state. This index directly reflects the actual endurance of clothing in maintaining human thermal comfort in actual use, and solves the problem of existing indexes being disconnected from user experience.

[0016] (2) A complete and effective heating duration testing method was constructed: a constant power mode (60W / m²) of a heated mannequin was used to simulate the resting metabolic rate of the human body, and this power value is directly traceable to the ISO8996-2021 standard; the temperature failure termination condition was that all monitored parts remained below 32℃, avoiding misjudgment due to premature cooling of edge parts; the comprehensive duration was calculated using the surface area weighted average method to scientifically reflect the differences in the contribution of different parts to thermal comfort. This method has clear test conditions and repeatable operation, forming a closed-loop technical solution.

[0017] (3) By combining the above indicators and methods, this invention provides the first effective heating duration test method that is quantifiable, reproducible and comparable for the intelligent heating clothing industry, solving the long-standing problems of "inconsistent battery life, arbitrary test conditions and unreasonable termination conditions", and filling the technical gap in key performance evaluation in this field. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 This is a flowchart illustrating a method for determining the effective heating time of intelligent heated clothing, as provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0019] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0020] This invention aims to provide a method for measuring the effective heating time of intelligent heated clothing. By simulating the human body's resting metabolic rate, the cumulative time for the skin temperature of the core area to be maintained above 32°C is used as the evaluation index. The failure of all monitored areas is used as the termination condition. The effective heating time of the entire garment is calculated using the surface area weighted average method (with the surface area of ​​each area as the weight), thereby scientifically and objectively evaluating the garment's continuous warmth retention capability.

[0021] This invention employs a constant-power mode using a heated dummy, setting the heating power per unit area to 60W / m² according to ISO 8996-2021 to simulate the human resting metabolic rate, thus providing a constant heat generation boundary condition for testing the heated dummy system. After the clothing heating is activated, the dummy's skin temperature dynamically changes under the coupling effect of active heating from the clothing and passive heat dissipation from the environment. The test is terminated when the temperature of all monitored areas remains below 32°C for a cumulative period of 10 minutes, or when the battery output power drops below 10% of the nominal value. The duration of each monitored area from the start to the end of the test is statistically analyzed, and a weighted average is calculated using the surface area as the weight. The resulting value is the effective heating time of the entire garment, used to quantitatively characterize the garment's ability to maintain thermal comfort under real-world conditions.

[0022] The effective heating time is defined as the weighted average of the duration during which the temperature of each monitored part remains at or above 32°C, from the start of the intelligent heating garment's heating function under specified test conditions until the temperature of all monitored parts remains below 32°C for a cumulative period of 10 minutes (or the battery is depleted). The weights are determined by the proportion of the surface area of ​​each monitored part to the total area.

[0023] This testing method uses a heated mannequin as a human thermal simulation platform. The mannequin, with its surface divided into multiple independent sections (e.g., chest, abdomen, back, shoulders), employs a zoned, independently temperature-controlled design. Each section is equipped with an independent temperature sensor and heating element. The mannequin supports a constant power operating mode, meaning each section can be set to a fixed heating power value (unit: W / m²), and this power output remains constant throughout the test, unaffected by changes in the mannequin's surface temperature. This mode simulates the relatively stable metabolic heat production of the human body at rest, providing constant heat source boundary conditions for effective heating duration testing and avoiding interference from the mannequin's own power adjustments in the independent evaluation of clothing heating effects. The test is conducted in an artificial climate chamber, allowing for precise control of ambient temperature, relative humidity, and wind speed.

[0024] Specifically, by Figure 1 As shown, a method for measuring the effective heating time of intelligent heated clothing includes the following steps: S1. Wear the smart heating garment to be tested on the surface of the heated mannequin and determine the monitoring area on the surface of the heated mannequin covered by the smart heating garment to be tested.

[0025] The mannequin was dressed in the smart heating suit to be tested, ensuring that the heating module fit well with the monitoring area. The mannequin's arms hung naturally at its sides, simulating a normal standing posture.

[0026] The monitoring sites are determined based on the actual coverage area of ​​the electrically heated garment under test. For typical torso-covering electrically heated garments (such as heated vests and jackets), the heating elements are usually located in core areas such as the chest, abdomen, back, and shoulders; these areas are selected as monitoring sites. If the garment under test is a locally heated product (such as heated waist supports or heated knee pads), the monitoring sites should be adjusted to the actual area of ​​the body covered by the garment. This embodiment uses a common torso-covering electrically heated garment as an example. Surface area of ​​each monitoring site. The measurements were determined based on the actual dimensions of the warm-body dummy and are used for subsequent weight calculations.

[0027] Set the warm-up dummy to constant temperature mode, set the skin temperature to 34℃, and preheat the dummy until the surface temperature of each monitored part is stable (temperature fluctuation is less than 0.5℃, and the duration is greater than 10 minutes).

[0028] Note: The total time for switching from constant temperature mode to constant power mode and turning on clothing heating should be controlled within 1 minute to ensure that the surface temperature of the dummy is always above the comfort lower limit of 32°C in the initial stage of the test, and to avoid premature termination of the test due to heat loss during the switching process.

[0029] S2. Set the ambient temperature, humidity, and wind speed to the specified values ​​and record the initial environmental parameters. Wait for each parameter to stabilize. For example: Set the parameters according to the applicable environment of the smart heated clothing to be tested (e.g., -5℃, -15℃, -25℃, -35℃, etc.); relative humidity: 50%RH; ambient wind speed: 0m / s. Set the heated mannequin to constant power working mode to simulate the human body's resting metabolic heat production.

[0030] The present invention selects 60W / m² as the heating power value for the constant power mode of the warm body dummy, based on the following: Metabolic rate at rest was calculated using standard human body parameters, in accordance with ISO 8996-2021 standard.

[0031] Metabolic rate of a standard male (25 years old, weight 70kg, height 1.73m, body surface area 1.83m²): ; Standard female metabolic rate (25 years old, weight 60kg, height 1.60m, body surface area 1.62m²): ; The above calculations show that the resting metabolic rate per unit area for both standard males and standard females is approximately 60 W / m². For ease of testing and data comparison, this invention rounds down the heating power of each area of ​​the warm-body dummy to 60 W / m² to simulate the metabolic heat production level of the human body at rest.

[0032] S3. Activate the heating function of the intelligent heating garment (select the test level according to product specifications, such as low, medium, or high), and simultaneously start the temperature monitoring system. Set the data acquisition frequency to at least once per minute to record the temperature data of each monitored area in real time.

[0033] S4. When the preset termination condition is met, stop the test, record the test termination time, and determine the effective duration of each monitoring point. .

[0034] Continuously monitor the temperature of each component. Stop the test and record the termination time when any of the following conditions are met: Condition A (Temperature Failure): The temperature of all monitored locations has been continuously below 32°C, and the cumulative duration of each location being below 32°C has reached 10 minutes (i.e., the last location has been in a continuous low-temperature state for 10 minutes).

[0035] Condition B (Power depleted): Battery output power ≤ 10% of nominal value.

[0036] For each monitoring location i (i=1,2,…,n), define its effective duration. (Unit: min) as follows: If the test terminates due to condition A (temperature failure), then It equals the time elapsed from the start of the test (heating turned on) until the point where the temperature remains below 32°C for a cumulative period of 10 minutes.

[0037] If the test terminates due to condition B (battery depletion), then all parts... Both are equal to the time elapsed from the start of the test until the battery is depleted.

[0038] S5. Measure the surface area of ​​each monitoring point. (unit: ), calculate the total area : The weight of the i-th part for: ; The average value is calculated based on the surface area of ​​each monitoring location, using the following formula: .

[0039] As shown in Table 1, a smart heated garment (vest style) was tested at an ambient temperature of -25℃. The monitoring areas were the chest, abdomen, back, and shoulders. The battery was not depleted during the test. The surface area and effective duration of each monitoring area are shown in Table 1 below.

[0040] Table 1 Surface area and effective duration of each monitoring location

[0041] but 0.2782×75+0.2738×96+0.2161×188+0.2320×167≈126.5min.

[0042] By combining the above indicators and methods, this invention provides for the first time an effective heating duration testing method that is quantifiable, reproducible, and comparable for the intelligent heated clothing industry. It solves the long-standing problems of "inconsistent battery life specifications, arbitrary testing conditions, and unreasonable termination conditions," and fills the technical gap in key performance evaluation in this field.

[0043] The above are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for determining the effective heating time of intelligent heated clothing, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: S1. The smart heating garment to be tested is worn on the surface of the heated mannequin, and the monitoring parts of the heated mannequin surface covered by the smart heating garment to be tested are determined. S2. Under the set environmental conditions, the warm body dummy is set to constant power working mode to simulate the human body's resting metabolic heat production. S3. Turn on the heating function of the smart heating garment under test and collect temperature data of each monitoring part in real time; S4. When the monitoring part meets the preset termination condition, stop the test and record the test termination time, and determine the effective duration of each monitoring part. S5. For each monitoring part, calculate the weight of each monitoring part based on its surface area, and calculate the effective heating time of the smart heating garment to be tested by weighting the effective duration of each monitoring part according to the weight.

2. The method for determining the effective heating time of intelligent heated clothing according to claim 1, characterized in that, The preset termination condition in step S4 is that the temperature of all the monitored parts has been continuously below 32°C, and the cumulative duration of each monitored part being below 32°C reaches 10 minutes.

3. The method for determining the effective heating time of intelligent heated clothing according to claim 1, characterized in that, The preset termination condition in step S4 is: the battery output power of the smart heating garment under test drops to less than 10% of the nominal value.

4. The method for determining the effective heating time of intelligent heated clothing according to claim 2, characterized in that, When the test is terminated due to this condition, the effective duration of each monitoring part is the time elapsed from the start of the heating function until the first time the temperature is continuously below 32°C for a cumulative period of 10 minutes.

5. The method for determining the effective heating time of intelligent heated clothing according to claim 3, characterized in that, When the test is terminated due to this condition, the effective duration for all monitored parts is the time elapsed from when the heating function is turned on until the battery is depleted.

6. The method for determining the effective heating time of intelligent heated clothing according to claim 1, characterized in that, The constant power working mode in S2 is set to a heating power of 60W / m² per unit area.

7. The method for determining the effective heating time of intelligent heated clothing according to claim 1, characterized in that, Step S1 also includes a preheating step: setting the warm body dummy to constant temperature mode, setting the skin temperature to 34°C, and preheating until the surface temperature fluctuation of each monitoring part is less than 0.5°C and the duration is greater than 10 minutes.

8. The method for determining the effective heating time of intelligent heated clothing according to claim 1, characterized in that, The monitoring areas in step S1 include the chest, abdomen, back, and shoulders, and the surface area of ​​each monitoring area is determined based on the actual dimensions of the warm-body dummy.

9. The method for determining the effective heating time of intelligent heated clothing according to claim 1, characterized in that, The set environmental conditions include: an ambient temperature of any value within the range of -5℃ to -35℃, a relative humidity of 50%RH, and an ambient wind speed of 0m / s.

10. The method for determining the effective heating time of intelligent heated clothing according to claim 1, characterized in that, In step S3, the temperature data acquisition frequency shall not be less than once per minute.

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