Heating pad

Abstract

A heating mat is provided. In particular, a USB heating pad having at least a regular size can be heated to a desired temperature within a desired time range. The USB heating pad includes a thermal pad including a series of layers in which a heating element is sandwiched. The heating element is further coupled to the USB connector and the controller. The thermal pad is further connected to an engagement mechanism worn by the user.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 63 / 242,199, filed on September 9, 2021, and entitled “USB Powered Heating Pad,” which is hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein. Technical Field

[0003] The present application relates to heating pads. More specifically, the present application includes heating pads that use USB power. Background Art

[0004] Clinical studies have shown that the application of heat can relieve muscle and joint pain. Chronic pain patients are willing and sometimes even prefer to use non-oral pain relief methods, such as heat pads.

[0005] Current heating pads require a lot of electricity to provide high levels of heat, as the heat can be lost to the surrounding air. Therefore, currently used heating pads are usually plugged into an outlet to provide sufficiently high levels of heat. These heating pads usually require the user to have at least 30 minutes and a plug, which means that he or she may be limited to using the heating pad at home.

[0006] Despite the convenience they offer over corded heating pads, battery powered heating pads have not been as successful in the market. Battery powered heating pads typically either require large and bulky batteries to provide enough power for high levels of sustained heat, or the batteries run out of power too quickly.

[0007] Large batteries are heavy and uncomfortable to wear, reducing the likelihood that consumers will purchase and use heating pads. Heating pads that run out of power too quickly or do not heat enough also reduce the likelihood that consumers will purchase and use heating pads. Therefore, a portable heating pad is desired that delivers high levels of heat while still being comfortable to wear.

[0008] With the rise in the availability of personal computers, the Universal Serial Bus (USB) has also been used as a power source for various applications. However, attempts to use USB as a power source for heating pads have failed due to the challenging specifications associated with using USB.

[0009] Specifically, USB power standards generally limit device wattage output. For example, conventional USB can provide up to 5 volts (V). Typically, the specifications for USB 1.0 and 2.0 standard downstream ports provide up to 500 milliamps (mA) or 0.5A, while USB 3.0 downstream ports can provide up to 900mA or 0.9A, equivalent to 4.5 watts. USB-C can provide up to 3000 milliamps (mA) or 3.0A, equivalent to 15 watts.

[0010] In addition, USB Battery Charging (BC) and Power Delivery (PD) include additional power-related specifications intended for higher power delivery to enable faster charging of modern devices. Thus, a USB BC 1.1-compliant downstream port can provide up to 1.5A at 5V, equivalent to 7.5W, and a USB BC 1.2-compliant downstream port can provide up to 5A at 5V, equivalent to 25W. On the other hand, a USB PD-compliant downstream port can provide voltages up to 20V. Despite this, most conventional devices (such as the common USB ports on laptops) do not support the PD specification. Therefore, there is a need for a full-size heating pad that can draw power from a USB source while maintaining the desired performance characteristics of a traditional heating pad.

[0011] The power constraints of the USB specification make it challenging to meet the desired performance characteristics of a heating pad. That is, if a conventional heating pad is simply converted to draw power from a USB port, the heating pad may not reach the desired heating temperature or may take an extended period of time to heat to the desired temperature due to the power constraints. Although the desired performance characteristics may be met by reducing the size of the heating pad, a small heating pad is not ideal due to its limited use. Utility Model Content

[0012] A heating pad is provided that includes a flexible heat pad, a power button, a USB connector, and an engagement mechanism, and that is capable of heating using low voltage power from the USB connector. The heating pad is preferably at least about 42 square inches. The heating pad may have a front side and a back side, wherein the back side is proximate to and facing the user when the heating pad is worn, and the front side of the heating pad faces away from the user. The heating pad may include a series of flexible layers that allow it to conform to portions of the user's body.

[0013] In some embodiments, a heating pad is provided, comprising: a heat pad coupled to an engagement mechanism, the heat pad comprising a heating element coupled to a USB connector and a controller; wherein the controller is configured to generate a first duty cycle for the heating element such that the heat pad outputs a first temperature after being turned on for a first time range; and wherein the USB connector is powered by 5V.

[0014] In one embodiment, the series of layers includes a micromink layer extending over the back side of the thermal pad. Adjacent to the micromink layer, the thermal pad may include a nylon layer. A wire may be attached to the nylon layer.

[0015] The heat pad may also include a reflective layer that may reflect heat radiated toward the front side back toward the back side of the heat pad so that less heat is lost to the ambient air. In some embodiments, the reflective layer may have air gaps on both sides thereof.

[0016] The heating pad may further include a polyester batting fiber layer and a brushed polyester layer. The micro mink layer and the brushed polyester layer are the visible outer layers of the heating pad on the back side and the front side, respectively.

[0017] To use the heating pad, the user can place the heating pad on the desired part of the body and wrap the engagement mechanism around the area to secure the heating pad in place. In one embodiment, the engagement mechanism is a strap that can engage the heating pad by hook and loop engagement, but other mechanisms are also foreseeable.

[0018] The wire layout pattern used to heat the heating pad can be specifically configured to heat the heating pad to a desired temperature in a reasonable amount of time. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Figure 1 A perspective view of a USB powered heating pad is shown according to an example embodiment.

[0020] Figure 2 Shows Figure 1 Cross-sectional view of a USB-powered heating pad.

[0021] Figure 3A Shows Figure 1 Another cross-sectional view of the USB-powered heating pad.

[0022] Figure 3B Shows Figure 1 A side view of the back side of a USB powered heating pad.

[0023] Figure 3C Shows Figure 1 Another cross-sectional view of the USB-powered heating pad.

[0024] Figure 3D Shows Figure 1 Top view of the engagement mechanism of the USB-powered heating pad.

[0025] Figure 3E Shows Figure 3D A side view of the engagement mechanism.

[0026] Before explaining the embodiments disclosed in the present application in detail, it should be understood that the present application is not limited to the details of the specific arrangement shown in its application, because the present application can have other embodiments. Exemplary embodiments are shown in the reference figures of the accompanying drawings. It is intended that the embodiments and drawings disclosed in this article will be considered as illustrative rather than restrictive. In addition, the terms used herein are for the purpose of description rather than limitation. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] Although the present application allows for many different forms of embodiments, specific embodiments are shown in the drawings and will be described in detail herein, with the understanding that the present disclosure is an example of the principles of the present application. It is not intended to limit the present application to the specific illustrative embodiments. The features of the present application disclosed herein in the specification, drawings, and claims, whether individually or in any desired combination, may be important for the operation of the present application in its various embodiments. Features from one embodiment may be used in other embodiments of the present application.

[0028] like Figure 1-3E As shown, embodiments of the present disclosure include a USB powered heating pad. Figure 1 , the USB powered heating pad 100 may include a heating pad 200 and an engagement mechanism 300. The heating pad 100 may include a front side 110 and a back side 120. The front side 110 of the heating pad 100 may face outward from the wearer and be visible when the heating pad 100 is worn. The back side 120 of the heating pad 110 may be the side adjacent to the wearer when the heating pad 110 is worn.

[0029] In one embodiment, the engagement mechanism 300 can be a strap adjacent to the thermal pad 200. It is understood that the engagement mechanism 300 can include at least one hook, and the front side 110 of the thermal pad 200 can be made of a material including at least one loop so as to selectively engage the at least one hook on the engagement mechanism 300 in a hook-and-loop engagement. For example, the material can be brushed polyester or a 3D spacer mesh fabric. The material on the front side 110 of the thermal pad 200 allows the engagement mechanism 300 to selectively engage the thermal pad 200 by hook-and-loop engagement. In alternative embodiments, the engagement mechanism 300 can be other types of engagement mechanisms other than a hook-and-loop type mechanism.

[0030] Figure 2A cross-sectional view of a heat pad 200 is shown. The heat pad 200 can be at least about 15 square inches, but more typically can be at least about 20 square inches or at least about 30 square inches, or in some embodiments can be at least 40 square inches or larger. In some embodiments, the heat pad 200 can be rectangular and at least 6 by 8 inches, or in other embodiments can be at least 7 by 8 inches. The heat pad 200 can include a heating element 210 passing therethrough. The heating element 210 can be electrically coupled to a USB connector 220 on a first end. The USB connector 220 can be any type of conventional USB connector (such as A, B, C-type USB, mini USB, or micro USB). In an embodiment, the USB connector 220 can be a C-type USB female connector. In some embodiments, the heat pad 200 can be designed to be appropriately heated with a power consumption of about 5V and about 2A (i.e., about 10 watts) or less than about 20 watts. Other power consumptions based on various combinations of different amperages and 5V voltages are also contemplated.

[0031] In some embodiments, the heating element 210 can be a low-voltage resistance wire with a first length and a first wire diameter, thereby generating a first total resistance. The diameter of the wire can be less than 2 millimeters (mm), and more typically less than 1.5mm, but generally the diameter is between 0.5 and 1.5mm or 0.8 and 1.2mm. The length of the wire and the wire diameter can affect the heating characteristics of the heat pad 200. In some embodiments, the length of the wire can be about five times (in cm) the area of ​​the heating pad. For example, a heating area of ​​20 times 10 centimeters can have an area of ​​200 square centimeters and a wire length of about 1 meter (m). If the wire is too long, given the same wire diameter, it will take too long to heat the heat pad 200 with a given power constraint. Alternatively, if the wire is too short, the heating area of ​​the heat pad 200 will be too small. Therefore, properly balancing the geometry and size of the heating element 210 and the desired size of the heat pad 200 can increase the functionality and desirability of the heat pad 100. Typically, the first total resistance may be about 1 to 2 ohms, more typically 1.5 to 1.8 or about 1.8 ohms, when measured as the resistance of the entire thermal pad when measured at 25 degrees Celsius or less.

[0032] In an example embodiment, the desired heating area 230 can be seven (7) inches by eight (8) inches, thereby having an effective heating area of ​​56 square inches (or approximately 360 square centimeters). Further, it may be desired that the thermal pad 200 can heat to a first target temperature within a first target time range. In this example embodiment, the first target temperature can be approximately 145F and the first target time range can be less than sixteen (16) minutes from room temperature. Further, the power drawn from the USB connector 220 can be limited to 5V and 2A. Using these requirements as an example, the heating element 210 can be a 1.8 meter (m) long low voltage resistive wire having a wire diameter ranging from 0.8 millimeters (mm) to 1.2 mm, and wherein the pad has a total resistance of approximately 1.8 ohms. As Figure 2 As shown, the heating elements 210 may be arranged in a substantially square wave or sine wave pattern.

[0033] The heating element 210 can be further electrically coupled to a controller 240. In an embodiment, the controller 240 can be a button controller located on the heat pad 200. In some embodiments, the controller 240 can include one or more indicators (such as LEDs or other displays). In some embodiments, the controller 240 can control the heating element 210 so that the heating pad 100 can have more than one heating setting.

[0034] Using the above embodiment as an example, the controller 240 can be configured to produce three different heat settings: low, medium, and high. Assuming that the maximum heat output at the example embodiment can be approximately 145 (-15 / +25) F, such maximum heat output can be set to a high heat setting. By controlling the duty cycle, i.e., turning the heating element 210 on and off, the controller 240 can also control the heating element 210 to produce a medium setting of approximately 130 (+ / -10) F and a low setting of approximately 110 (+ / -15) F. It should be noted that the above settings are merely illustrative, and by adjusting the duty cycle, the controller 240 can be configured to produce a variety of different heat settings.

[0035] The thermal pad 200 may also include an aperture or opening 250 so that the USB connector 220 may protrude out of the various layers (described below) of the thermal pad 200. In an example embodiment, the USB connector 220 may protrude out of the thermal pad 200 from the front side 110. Additionally, a pocket or pouch 260 may be provided on the surface of the thermal pad 200 that may serve as a small storage device for the cord of the USB connector 220.

[0036] Reference now Figures 3A-3E , showing various details of the heating pad 100. In some embodiments, the heating pad 200 may include multiple flexible layers. In an exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIG. Figure 3CAs shown, the thermal pad 200 may include a series of five layers in addition to the heating element 210 sandwiched therein.

[0037] The series of layers may include a first layer 310 that covers the back side 120 of the heat pad 200 and is positioned adjacent to the user when the heating pad 100 is worn. Because the first layer 310 is the layer that contacts the user's skin or clothing, it preferably provides a comfortable surface that does not irritate the user's skin when the heating pad 100 is worn. The layer 310 should also be able to transfer heat. In some embodiments, the first layer 310 may be a micro mink layer. The first layer 310 may, for example, have a weight of approximately 200 g / m2.

[0038] The heat pad 200 may further include a second layer 320 that provides a surface to which the heating element 210 is attached. The second layer 320 may be, for example, a nylon scrim layer. The nylon fabric may have a weight of about 50 g / m2.

[0039] The thermal pad 200 may also include a third layer 330, wherein the second layer 320 is preferably located and positioned between the first layer 310 and the third layer 330. The third layer 330 may be any suitable type of fabric or material that can reflect heat toward the back side 120 of the thermal pad 200 so that the back side 120 of the thermal pad 200 is hotter than the front side 110 of the thermal pad 200. In one embodiment, the third layer 330 may include hollow polyester fibers that are needled through both the nonwoven substrate and the reflective metallized polyester film. The third layer 330 may be further surrounded by air gaps or air spaces on both sides. The third reflective layer 330 may have a weight of approximately 150 g / m2.

[0040] The thermal pad 200 may further include a fourth layer 340 located and positioned on the front side 120 of the third layer 330. Therefore, the third layer 330 may preferably be located and positioned between the second layer 320 and the fourth layer 340. The fourth layer 340 may be a polyester batting fiber layer having a weight of about 150 g / m2.

[0041] Finally, the heating pad 200 may include a fifth layer 350, which in one embodiment may be a brushed polyester layer. The brushed polyester layer may have a weight of 130 g / m2. The visible outer layer 100 of the heating pad includes the first layer 310 and the fifth layer 350, wherein only the fifth layer 350 is visible when the heating pad 100 is worn.

[0042] In practice, the user can place the heating pad 100 on the desired part of the body, wrap the engagement mechanism 300 around the area, and secure the heating pad 100 via the engagement mechanism 300. The user can insert the USB connector 220 into an appropriate USB port, such as an existing USB port on a laptop or personal computer, a power bank, or into an electrical outlet through an adapter with or without a USB extension cable. The user can then turn on the heating pad 100 and adjust the temperature via the controller 240.

[0043] As can be seen from the foregoing, the various embodiments of the present application are well suited to achieve all the purposes and advantages set forth above and other advantages that are obvious and inherent to this structure. It should be understood that some features and sub-combinations of the present embodiment are practical and can be adopted without reference to other features and sub-combinations. Since many possible embodiments of the present application can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present application, it should also be understood that all disclosures set forth herein or shown in the accompanying drawings should be interpreted as being merely illustrative and non-restrictive. The various configurations described above and shown in the accompanying drawings are presented only by way of example and are not intended to limit the concept, principle, and scope of the present application.

[0044] However, after considering the specification and the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art will understand many changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications of the present application. All these changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications that do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present application are deemed to be covered by the present application, and the present application is limited only by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A heating pad, characterized in that: The heating pad comprises: a thermal pad coupled to the engagement mechanism, the thermal pad comprising a heating element coupled to the USB connector and the controller; wherein the controller is configured to generate a first duty cycle for the heating element such that the thermal pad outputs a first temperature after being turned on for a first time range; and Wherein, the USB connector is powered by 5V.

2. The heating pad according to claim 1, characterized in that The first temperature is 145F, and the first time range is less than 16 minutes.

3. The heating pad according to claim 1, characterized in that The heat pad includes a 56 square inch heating area.

4. The heating pad according to claim 1, characterized in that The heated area is 7 inches wide and 8 inches long.

5. The heating pad according to claim 1, characterized in that The heating element is a low voltage resistance wire.

6. The heating pad according to claim 5, characterized in that The low voltage resistance wire has a length of at least 1.8 meters and a diameter of 1 millimeter.

7. The heating pad according to claim 1, characterized in that The controller is further configured to generate a second duty cycle for the heating element such that the thermal pad may output a second temperature.

8. The heating pad according to claim 7, characterized in that The controller is further configured to generate a third duty cycle for the heating element such that the thermal pad may output a third temperature.

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