A multifunctional cooling element and cooling clothing

Abstract

This utility model relates to the field of cooling materials technology, specifically to a multifunctional cooling element and cooling clothing, comprising, in sequence: a skin-contact layer, a waterproof barrier layer, a water-retaining layer, and an outer fabric layer; the skin-contact layer, waterproof barrier layer, water-retaining layer, and outer fabric layer are composited or encapsulated by at least one connection method to form the cooling element; the waterproof barrier layer is a polymer coating. The beneficial effects of this utility model are: cooling efficiency is highly positively correlated with the evaporation rate per unit time. In the multifunctional cooling element and cooling clothing of this application, the water-retaining layer improves evaporation efficiency, cooling away heat. Furthermore, this utility model also provides a waterproof barrier layer between the skin-contact fabric layer and the water-retaining layer to prevent liquid water in the water-retaining layer from penetrating to the skin or fur, avoiding wetting of the skin and hair.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of cooling materials technology, specifically to a multifunctional cooling element and cooling clothing. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, most common cooling clothing uses a structure of "quick-drying fabric + water-retaining felt + quick-drying fabric". While this structure can remove some heat through evaporative cooling, it suffers from poor breathability, dampness against the skin, and low evaporation efficiency. Representative products such as Suitical from the Netherlands and Canicool from Germany have the advantage of a closed structure that prevents liquid water from contacting pet hair, improving dryness. However, they all use diffused moisture-permeable fabrics, which do not have the ability to allow true water vapor to pass through, resulting in hindered evaporation and limited cooling power, failing to meet users' needs for high cooling efficiency.

[0003] Chinese invention patent application number 201811444841.6 discloses a biomimetic cooling fabric comprising a skin-friendly layer, a water-retaining layer, and an evaporation layer; the areal densities of the three layers are 150-300 gsm, 200-800 gsm, and 150-300 gsm, respectively. The skin-friendly layer is made of a material with cooling and moisture-wicking properties, exhibiting excellent water absorption and diffusion, enabling rapid dissipation of body heat and accelerated sweat evaporation. The water-retaining layer has highly efficient water absorption and locking functions, storing a large amount of external water and sweat excreted by the body to provide the moisture needed for evaporative cooling. This is equivalent to adding a temperature-regulating layer of skin to the body, thus achieving a long-lasting cooling effect. However, in the above technical solution, the diffusion of moisture in the dense water-retaining layer is hindered, and liquid water is prone to back-seeping into the skin-friendly layer during pressure or movement, causing a damp feeling against the skin and hindering evaporation efficiency. Utility Model Content

[0004] The technical problem to be solved by this utility model is to provide a multifunctional cooling element and cooling clothing that ensures evaporation efficiency while preventing liquid water in the water storage layer from penetrating into the skin or fur.

[0005] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the technical solution adopted by this utility model is as follows: a multifunctional cooling element is provided, comprising: a skin-contact layer, a waterproof barrier layer, a water storage layer and an outer fabric layer arranged in sequence;

[0006] The skin-adhesive layer, waterproof barrier layer, water storage layer and outer layer are combined or encapsulated by at least one connection method to form the cooling element;

[0007] The waterproof barrier layer is a polymer coating.

[0008] Another technical solution provided by this utility model is: to provide an adjustable cooling garment for pets or humans, comprising at least two main garment pieces;

[0009] Each of the main garment pieces is made of the aforementioned multifunctional cooling element;

[0010] Adjacent main garment pieces are connected in the neck region and the torso surrounding region by connectors provided on their corresponding edges;

[0011] Each of the main garment pieces is provided with at least one openable and closable water inlet, which is connected to a water storage layer inside the main garment piece and is used to inject or drain water into the water storage layer.

[0012] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: cooling efficiency is highly positively correlated with the evaporation rate per unit time. In the multifunctional cooling element and cooling clothing of this application, a water storage layer is incorporated to improve evaporation efficiency and dissipate heat through cooling. Furthermore, this invention also incorporates a waterproof barrier layer between the skin-contact layer and the water storage layer to prevent liquid water from the water storage layer from penetrating the skin or fur, thus avoiding skin and fur becoming wet. This cooling element is suitable for pets and also for human use in high-temperature working environments, including but not limited to internal wear in outdoor or high-heat-load occupational settings such as construction workers, delivery personnel, cyclists, and medical staff.

[0013] Furthermore, compared to other waterproof barrier materials, polymer coatings are low-cost, wear-resistant, durable, have excellent mechanical strength, and are resistant to surface contamination. Polymer coatings also have the advantages of simple local repair, strong sustainability, and environmental friendliness. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the multifunctional cooling element in Embodiment 1 of the present utility model;

[0015] Figure 2 This is a test result diagram of Embodiment 3 of a specific implementation of this utility model;

[0016] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an adjustable cooling garment for pets or humans, as described in Embodiment 6 of this utility model.

[0017] Label Explanation:

[0018] 1. Skin-adhesive layer; 2. Waterproof barrier layer; 3. Water-retaining layer; 4. Outer fabric; 5. Main garment piece; 6. Cover assembly. Detailed Implementation

[0019] To explain in detail the technical content, objectives, and effects of this utility model, the following description is provided in conjunction with the embodiments and accompanying drawings.

[0020] This utility model provides a multifunctional cooling element, comprising, in sequence: a skin-contact layer, a waterproof barrier layer, a water storage layer, and an outer fabric layer;

[0021] The skin-adhesive layer, waterproof barrier layer, water storage layer and outer layer are combined or encapsulated by at least one connection method to form the cooling element;

[0022] The waterproof barrier layer is a polymer coating.

[0023] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: cooling efficiency is highly positively correlated with the evaporation rate per unit time. In the multifunctional cooling element and cooling clothing of this application, a water storage layer is incorporated to improve evaporation efficiency and dissipate heat through cooling. Furthermore, this invention also incorporates a waterproof barrier layer between the skin-contact layer and the water storage layer to prevent liquid water from the water storage layer from penetrating the skin or fur, thus avoiding skin and fur becoming wet. This cooling element is suitable for pets and also for human use in high-temperature working environments, including but not limited to internal wear in outdoor or high-heat-load occupational settings such as construction workers, delivery personnel, cyclists, and medical staff.

[0024] Furthermore, compared to other waterproof barrier materials, polymer coatings have the following advantages:

[0025] (1) It can be processed by various methods such as impregnation, coating, and hot melt adhesive bonding. The production line investment scale is small, suitable for mass production. The unit area cost is only about 1 / 3 to 1 / 2 of that of ePTFE membrane, and it is wear-resistant and durable.

[0026] (2) Excellent mechanical strength: The PU coating itself has excellent wear resistance, tear resistance and anti-aging properties, and can withstand frequent bending and friction. Its service life is longer than that of the ePTFE microporous membrane, which is easily torn or punctured.

[0027] (3) Resistance to surface contamination: The overall coating structure has no exposed micropores, making it less prone to clogging by grease or dust, and its moisture permeability deteriorates more slowly after long-term use.

[0028] (4) Local repair is simple. Once scratches or leaks occur, the same formula material can be recoated locally for repair, saving the overall replacement cost. However, once the microporous membrane is damaged, the entire membrane usually needs to be replaced.

[0029] (5) Sustainability and environmental protection: The polymer coating uses water-based or solvent-free formulations, and new water-based PU or VOC-free solvent-based coatings meet environmental regulations and reduce harmful emissions; ePTFE production and DWR treatment often involve perfluorinated compounds, which pose higher environmental and health risks.

[0030] Furthermore, in the aforementioned multifunctional cooling element, the polymer coating is a coating formed by coating and curing a polymer material onto the skin layer, and the hydrostatic pressure of the polymer coating is not less than 1000 mmH2O.

[0031] Furthermore, in the aforementioned multifunctional cooling element, the skin-contact layer is made of polyester fabric, nylon, cotton, linen, viscose, or polypropylene, and the hydrostatic pressure of the polymer coating is not less than 5000 mmH2O.

[0032] Furthermore, in the aforementioned multifunctional cooling element, the polymer coating comprises at least one of the following polymer materials:

[0033] Polyurethane (PU);

[0034] Organosilicon polymers;

[0035] Acrylic polymers;

[0036] Polyvinyl chloride (PVC);

[0037] Styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR);

[0038] Nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR);

[0039] Ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA).

[0040] Furthermore, in the aforementioned multifunctional cooling element, the outer fabric comprises a waterproof and breathable polymer film and a surface fabric arranged sequentially along the direction away from the water storage layer. The waterproof and breathable polymer film is an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene film, an expanded polyethylene film, or a polyurethane nanofiber electrospun film.

[0041] Furthermore, in the aforementioned multifunctional cooling element, the outer fabric includes a mesh reinforcement layer, a waterproof and breathable polymer film, and a surface fabric arranged sequentially along the direction away from the water storage layer.

[0042] As described above, the mesh reinforcement layer not only provides physical protection for the ePTFE membrane but also enhances interfacial bonding strength through the mesh. Its core function is to significantly strengthen the bond between this "three-in-one outer layer" structure and other layers. As a crucial connecting medium, it ensures the structural stability and coordinated operation of the entire multi-layer garment system (or product system).

[0043] Furthermore, in the aforementioned multifunctional cooling element, hot melt adhesive is used to bond the side of the skin-adhesive layer away from the skin to the mesh reinforcement layer of the outer fabric.

[0044] Furthermore, in the aforementioned multifunctional cooling element, the mesh reinforcement layer is made of polyester fiber mesh or polyester fiber warp-knitted fabric.

[0045] Furthermore, in the aforementioned multifunctional cooling element, the outer surface of the outer fabric is provided with a radiation cooling coating. The radiation cooling coating is composed of a high emissivity matrix resin and radiation particles. The radiation particles are one or more of nano-sized silicon dioxide, silicon carbide, titanium dioxide, calcium carbonate, barium sulfate, silicon nitride, zinc oxide, aluminum oxide, iron oxide, zirconium dioxide, or jade powder. The particle size of the radiation particles is controlled at 0.2–4 μm, and the content per square meter is 2g–60g.

[0046] This utility model also provides an adjustable cooling garment for pets or humans, comprising at least two main garment pieces;

[0047] Each of the main garment pieces is made of the multifunctional cooling element described in any one of claims 1-9;

[0048] Adjacent main garment pieces are connected in the neck region and the torso surrounding region by connectors provided on their corresponding edges;

[0049] Each of the main garment pieces is provided with at least one openable and closable water inlet, which is connected to a water storage layer inside the main garment piece and is used to inject or drain water into the water storage layer.

[0050] The key technical concept of this utility model lies in:

[0051] (1) Cooling efficiency is highly positively correlated with the evaporation rate per unit time. Moreover, users are concerned about whether their skin or hair will become wet, so it is necessary to increase the evaporation rate while suppressing moisture leakage. In addition, this utility model also proposes a thermodynamic relationship based on first principles: user's body surface temperature ≈ cooling efficiency - heating efficiency.

[0052] (2) To effectively cool down:

[0053] The following should be enhanced: 1) evaporative heat dissipation, 2) infrared radiation, and 3) air convection.

[0054] It also suppresses: 1) solar radiation heat absorption, 2) environmental heat conduction, and 3) infrared reflection.

[0055] Therefore, this utility model introduces a radiation cooling coating in its material selection to improve infrared emissivity and reduce solar energy absorption. This, in conjunction with a high-efficiency evaporation structure, achieves a combination of active and passive cooling.

[0056] (3) The structural design of this utility model also fully considers the "failure mechanism" problem of radiation cooling materials in practical applications. In the prior art, radiation cooling coatings are often located at the water evaporation interface, and liquid water film is easily formed on their surface during use. The water film has strong absorption characteristics in the infrared band (especially the 8-14 micrometer atmospheric window), which significantly weakens its heat dissipation function.

[0057] This invention uses an outer layer of water-resistant fabric (such as DWR fabric or composite ePTFE membrane fabric) as the coating substrate, combined with a water storage layer structure that stores water in the inner middle layer. This effectively prevents the accumulation of liquid water on the outer surface, significantly improves the infrared radiation efficiency and continuous performance of the radiation cooling coating, thereby maximizing the synergistic effect of evaporative heat dissipation and far-infrared cooling mechanism to form a complete cooling system.

[0058] The parameter settings for each layer of material in this utility model are as follows:

[0059] 1. Skin-adhering layer

[0060] It can be made from polyester, nylon or their blends.

[0061] 2. Parameters of the waterproof barrier layer

[0062] The waterproof barrier layer is a polymer coating, which is a microporous coating or a hydrophilic non-porous coating.

[0063] The polymer coating is a coating formed by coating and curing a polymer material onto the skin-adhesive layer, and the hydrostatic pressure of the polymer coating is not less than 1000 mmH2O.

[0064] The polymer coating is made of at least one of the following polymeric materials:

[0065] Polyurethane (PU);

[0066] Organosilicon polymers;

[0067] Acrylic polymers;

[0068] Polyvinyl chloride (PVC);

[0069] Styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR);

[0070] Nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR);

[0071] Ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA).

[0072] 3. Aquifer parameters

[0073] The material of the water storage layer is selected from one or more of the following: needle-punched cotton, non-woven fabric, cotton fabric, fleece, open-cell foam, microfiber material, natural fiber material, composite material containing superabsorbent polymer (SAP), or material containing hydrogel.

[0074] Preferably, the weight of the water storage layer can be 30 g / m³. 2 Up to 500g / m 2 The thickness can range from 0.5mm to 30mm.

[0075] Alternatively, fabrics with moderate water retention capacity, such as cotton or fleece, can be used as the composite absorbent layer to improve the balance between water retention and the feel of the garment. This design can be adjusted according to the usage scenario, providing greater water storage capacity and evaporation potential compared to traditional structures.

[0076] 4. Outer fabric

[0077] The outer layer material is selected from the following two categories:

[0078] Functional fabrics made of composite ePTFE or ePE membranes have a hydrostatic pressure ≥5000mmH2O and a vapor permeability (GB / T12704.1 positive cup method) ≥6000g / m³. 2 ·24h;

[0079] Polyester or nylon fabrics treated with DWR have a hydrostatic pressure ≥30mmH2O and a vapor permeability (GB / T12704.1 positive cup method) ≥10000g / m². 2 • 24h; The water repellency rating of the DWR-treated fabric is preferably 90 or above in the AATCC 22 standard, with a droplet contact angle ≥110° to prevent liquid water from penetrating from the water storage layer to the outside of the garment.

[0080] 5. Radiation-cooled coating

[0081] The radiation-cooling coating is composed of a high-emissivity matrix resin (such as polyurethane) and radiation particles. The pore size of the matrix can be 0.01 μm-15 μm, and the pore density is approximately 1.5 × 10⁻⁶. 9 pcs / cm 2 These micropores allow for sufficient gas and water vapor channels, ensuring the fabric's breathability and moisture permeability.

[0082] The thickness of the radiation cooling coating is 2μm–40μm;

[0083] The matrix resin is selected from polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), acrylic resin, polyethylene (PE), or a combination thereof;

[0084] The radiating particles are selected from one or more of the following: silicon dioxide (SiO2), silicon carbide (SiC), titanium dioxide (TiO2), calcium carbonate (CaCO3), barium sulfate (BaSO4), silicon nitride (Si3N4), zinc oxide (ZnO), aluminum oxide (Al2O3), iron oxide (Fe2O3), zirconium dioxide (ZrO2), magnesium oxide (MgO), boron nitride (h-BN), and jade powder. The particle size is controlled between 10 nm and 10 μm, and the content per square meter is preferably 2 g–60 g. The coating emissivity is ≥0.9, the solar reflectivity R is ≥0.85, and it covers the atmospheric window (8–13 μm) band to enhance infrared heat dissipation and avoid heat absorption at high temperatures. In addition, the structure of this invention avoids the formation of a continuous film of liquid water on its surface, significantly preserving the performance advantages of the radiative cooling layer.

[0085] The microporous design of the base resin in this application meets the requirements for air permeability and evaporation, avoiding the need for through-holes or drilling in radiation cooling coatings. This avoids the problems that macroscopic through-holes can cause, such as damaging the coating integrity, potentially leading to cold particle shedding, reduced reflectivity, or affecting the coating's wear resistance.

[0086] The outer fabric including the radiation cooling coating in this application may be the breathable and cooling woven fabric with publication number CN113997673B entitled "Breathable and Cooling Woven Fabric and Preparation Method Thereof".

[0087] 6. Dispensing and laminating process

[0088] The inner layer, consisting of a skin-adhesive layer and a waterproof barrier layer, is bonded to the water-retaining layer using a hot-melt adhesive dispensing process. The adhesive used can be either polyester-based or polyamide-based hot-melt adhesive, with no specific type limitation. The preferred dispensing spacing is 5–20 mm, and the dispensing dot diameter is 1–2 mm. The arrangement can be linear or grid-like to ensure the stability of the composite structure while maintaining uniformity of the breathable channels.

[0089] 7. Waterproof performance

[0090] The waterproof barrier layer on the skin-contact side is required to have a hydrostatic pressure performance of ≥5000mmH2O;

[0091] The outer fabric must be able to prevent the leakage of liquid from the water storage layer, and the design standard is to prevent leakage of ≥30mm water column (corresponding to the maximum water storage layer thickness).

[0092] 8. Moisture permeability

[0093] The moisture permeability of the waterproof membrane must meet the ISO 15496 standard, preferably with a moisture permeability of ≥10000g / m³. 2 • 24h (for ePTFE / ePE membranes); DWR-treated fabrics can achieve a moisture permeability of 8000–10000 g / m². 2 ·24h.

[0094] Example 1

[0095] Please see Figure 1 A multifunctional cooling element includes, in sequence: a skin-contact layer 1, a waterproof barrier layer 2, a water storage layer 3, and an outer fabric layer 4.

[0096] The skin-adhesive layer, waterproof barrier layer, water storage layer and outer layer are combined or encapsulated by at least one connection method to form the cooling element;

[0097] The connection method may be: adhesive bonding: wherein the adhesive is selected from hot melt adhesive, reactive hot melt adhesive, pressure-sensitive adhesive or water-based adhesive, and the application method is selected from dot, line, mesh or surface application; hot pressing bonding; ultrasonic welding or bonding; high frequency welding or bonding; or sewing.

[0098] Optionally, the skin-adhesive layer and the waterproof barrier layer are combined to form an inner composite structure, and the water-retaining layer is disposed between the inner composite structure and the outer layer, and the outer layer is connected to the inner composite structure or the water-retaining layer.

[0099] The skin-adhesive layer can be made of breathable and comfortable nylon fabric;

[0100] Waterproof barrier layer: The waterproof barrier layer is a polymer coating, which is either a microporous coating or a hydrophilic non-porous coating. The waterproof barrier layer may be a polyurethane (PU) film coated and cured onto the skin-adhesive layer, the PU film having a hydrostatic pressure of at least 6000 mmH2O. The skin-adhesive layer and the PU film together constitute the inner composite structure.

[0101] Aquifer: using a weight of 170g / m³ 2 Needle-punched nonwoven fabric with a thickness of 1.5mm.

[0102] Outer layer: The outer layer is a textile fabric, and the fabric of the outer layer facing the water storage layer is also laminated with a waterproof and breathable polymer layer.

[0103] It can be a functional fabric with a composite ePTFE or ePE membrane; or it can be a polyester or nylon fabric treated with DWR, which can prevent liquid water from seeping from the water storage layer to the outside of the garment.

[0104] The cooling element can be equipped with a central waterproof zipper water inlet, or alternatively, a pull-out cap or a silicone sealing plug, to meet the functional requirements of repeated water filling and adjustment of evaporation capacity.

[0105] The water inlet can also use Velcro or other methods to open and close, as long as it meets the need for water filling. If the opening is in a high place, such as a dog's back or a human's shoulder, then its sealing does not need to be particularly good, because liquid water flows downhill.

[0106] Example 2

[0107] Similar to other structures in Example 1, the improvement in this example lies in the structure of the outer layer; if the outer fabric is made of a waterproof and breathable polymer film (ePTFE), its durability in bonding with the inner water storage layer and other hot melt adhesives is insufficient. Covering the outside of the ePTFE with another layer such as polyester mesh can significantly improve the bonding strength and the effect on moisture permeability is acceptable.

[0108] The outer layer of this embodiment consists of three closely integrated layers, each of which performs a specific function and together constitutes the outer layer.

[0109] Outer Layer - Polyester Fabric: This is the outermost layer of the entire outer layer, made of durable woven polyester fabric. The surface of this polyester fabric has undergone a durable water-repellent (DWR) chemical treatment.

[0110] Outer layer - Middle layer: ePTFE membrane;

[0111] Next to the inner side of the polyester fabric is a layer of ePTFE (expanded polytetrafluoroethylene) film, which is the key to achieving the core waterproof and breathable performance of the fabric.

[0112] The ePTFE membrane is laminated to the outer polyester fabric using advanced hot melt lamination and dispensing technology. The adhesive used is thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) or polyester (PES) hot melt adhesive, ensuring excellent bond strength and outstanding washability.

[0113] The adhesive application process employs intermittent dot-like application, with the diameter of the adhesive dots controlled between 0.5 and 1.5 mm and the spacing between the dots between 1 and 3 mm. This precise dispensing method ensures a strong bond between the two layers of material while maximizing the preservation of the microporous structure of the ePTFE membrane, thereby ensuring excellent air permeability.

[0114] Outer layer - Inner layer mesh reinforcement layer:

[0115] On the other side of the ePTFE membrane (i.e., the side facing away from the outer polyester fabric), a layer of 30D polyester mesh is laminated, forming the inner layer of the composite fabric, namely the mesh reinforcement layer. This inner layer structure (the skin-contact layer + waterproof barrier layer) is connected to the outer fabric's mesh reinforcement layer, with a water-retaining layer sandwiched in between. Hot melt adhesive can be used to bond the skin-contact layer (the side facing away from the skin) to the outer fabric's mesh reinforcement layer.

[0116] Besides providing physical protection for the ePTFE membrane, this mesh layer's core function is to significantly enhance the bonding tightness between this "three-in-one outer layer" structure and other layers. As a crucial connecting medium, it ensures the structural stability and coordinated operation of the entire multi-layer garment system (or product system).

[0117] After reinforcing the waterproof and breathable polymer film (ePTFE) with 30D mesh, the moisture permeability decreased from 10000 to 9437. Test method (GB / T12704.1) positive cup method. Peeling difficulty: Before adding the mesh, the hydrostatic pressure at the joint was only about 200-1000 mmH2O, and it could be torn easily with slight force, making it very unstable in the long run. After adding the mesh, the water pressure at the joint was at least 3000-5000 mmH2O, making it very difficult to tear by hand.

[0118] Example 3

[0119] A multifunctional cooling element includes, in sequence: a skin-contact layer 1, a waterproof barrier layer 2, a water storage layer 3, and an outer fabric layer 4;

[0120] The skin-adhesive layer is made of nylon fabric, comprising 75% nylon and 25% spandex, with a fabric weight of 207g per square meter.

[0121] Waterproof barrier layer: The waterproof barrier layer is a 0.02mm low-permeability transparent polyurethane (PU) film coated and cured on the skin-adhesive layer. This PU film has a hydrostatic pressure of 6395mmH2O. The skin-adhesive layer and the PU film together form the inner composite structure.

[0122] Aquifer: using a weight of 170g / m³ 2 Needle-punched nonwoven fabric with a thickness of 1.5mm.

[0123] Outer layer: Functional fabric with composite ePTFE membrane, waterproof to 15000mm, moisture permeable to 6400g, membrane thickness 20-25μm, weight per square meter 5-6g, and the attached fabric is 240T spring spun yarn.

[0124] The water storage layer is sandwiched between the inner composite structure and the outer layer. The edges of the outer and inner layers are bonded together with thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) hot melt adhesive in a strip pattern. A waterproof zipper is located at the center of the outer layer for adding water to the water storage layer and draining excess water.

[0125] Analysis of the cooling effect of the cooling element obtained in this embodiment:

[0126] (1) Please refer to Figure 2 Pet cooling clothing and suitical cooling clothing made using this cooling element showed the following results in indoor testing: Figure 2 As shown;

[0127] Test conditions: Water was added and excess water was drained.

[0128] In a windless indoor environment, a K-type thermocouple 4-channel temperature measuring instrument is used.

[0129] CH2 and CH4 represent the surface temperature changes of the dummy dog.

[0130] CH1 represents the temperature change of the skin-contact layer of suitable clothing;

[0131] CH3 represents the temperature change of the clothing's skin-contact layer in this embodiment;

[0132] The test lasted approximately one hour, with a maximum temperature difference of 1.2°C and an average temperature difference of 0.91°C between CH1 and CH3. This demonstrates that the cooling effect of this embodiment is better than that of the suitical.

[0133] Secondly, the maximum temperature difference between CH3 and CH4 is 3.2 degrees Celsius, and the average temperature difference is 2.6 degrees Celsius, proving that there is indeed a cooling effect.

[0134] (2) At room temperature of 30.6℃, take a 10cm×10cm sample and seal it with transparent tape on a 9cm×9cm sample of absorbent needled cotton containing water. Let it stand for 1 hour and record the weight change of the absorbent needled cotton and the surface temperature of the sample. The specific data are shown in Table 1.

[0135] Table 1

[0136]

[0137] Results analysis:

[0138] Compared with the suitical cooling garment (mass evaporation 0.59g, surface temperature 26.3℃), the pet cooling garment obtained in this embodiment has a greater mass evaporation (0.72g) and a lower equilibrium surface temperature (25.1℃), indicating a significant improvement in evaporative heat dissipation performance.

[0139] Example 4

[0140] A multifunctional cooling element includes, in sequence: a skin-contact layer, a waterproof barrier layer, a water-retaining layer, and an outer fabric layer;

[0141] Skin-contact layer: Made of polyester fabric to ensure basic comfort when in contact with the skin.

[0142] A polyurethane (PU) waterproof coating is applied to the side of the polyester fabric facing away from the skin. This coating gives the skin-adhesive layer waterproof properties, with a hydrostatic pressure of at least 2000 mmH2O.

[0143] Waterproof barrier layer: polymer coating, wherein the polymer coating is a microporous structure coating or a hydrophilic non-porous structure coating.

[0144] Water storage layer: Made of composite nonwoven fabric containing superabsorbent polymer (SAP).

[0145] The total weight of the aquifer is 200 g / m³. 2 With a thickness of 3mm, it can effectively absorb and store moisture for subsequent evaporation and cooling.

[0146] Outer layer: Made of polyester fabric and treated with durable water-repellent (DWR) chemicals to provide initial barrier against moisture in the reservoir.

[0147] The key feature is that the outer surface of the outer fabric (i.e., the outermost side facing the environment) is provided with a radiation cooling coating.

[0148] Coating thickness: The thickness of the radiation cooling coating is controlled within the range of 2μm to 40μm.

[0149] Radiation particles: The radiation particles contained in the coating are nanoscale and are selected from one or more of the following: silicon dioxide (SiO2), silicon carbide (SiC), titanium dioxide (TiO2), calcium carbonate (CaCO3), barium sulfate (BaSO4), silicon nitride (Si3N4), zinc oxide (ZnO), aluminum oxide (Al2O3), iron oxide (Fe2O3), zirconium dioxide (ZrO2), or jade powder.

[0150] Particle characteristics: The particle size of the radiation particles is precisely controlled between 0.2 μm and 4 μm.

[0151] Particle content: The content of radiative particles on each square meter of outer fabric ranges from 2 grams to 60 grams. This radiative cooling coating is designed to enhance the passive cooling effect of components by efficiently dissipating heat into the external environment in the form of infrared radiation.

[0152] Component assembly and functional design:

[0153] The water storage layer is sandwiched between a skin-like layer treated with PU coating and an outer layer with a radiation-cooling coating.

[0154] The edges of the outer layer and the skin-adhesive layer are ultrasonically welded to form a sealed cavity to accommodate the water storage layer.

[0155] A waterproof zipper is located at the center of the outer layer, which is used to easily add water to the water storage layer and drain excess water or perform internal cleaning when needed.

[0156] Through the above structural combination, this multifunctional cooling element aims to combine the principles of evaporative cooling and radiative cooling to provide an efficient and long-lasting cooling experience.

[0157] Example 5

[0158] A cooling garment includes, in sequence: a skin-contact fabric layer, a waterproof barrier layer, a water-retaining layer, and an outer fabric layer.

[0159] The skin-adhering fabric layer and the waterproof barrier layer are combined to form the inner layer, and the water-retaining layer is independently sandwiched between the inner and outer fabric layers. The outer fabric layer is welded to the inner layer by hot melt adhesive or ultrasonic welding.

[0160] The water storage layer is made of needle-punched cotton, non-woven fabric, cotton fabric, or fleece, and the weight of the water storage layer is 300 g / m³. 2 The thickness of the water storage layer is 20mm.

[0161] The water storage layer is independently set up, sandwiched between the inner and outer fabric layers, and features a short evaporation path and high efficiency. (Compared to the water storage layer which does not have an independently set cooling element, it has lower cost and lower entry barrier).

[0162] The skin-contact fabric layer is a functional fabric with a polyurethane (PU) waterproof coating applied to the side facing away from the skin, and has a hydrostatic pressure ≥5000mmH2O.

[0163] The outer fabric layer is made of DWR-treated polyester with a hydrostatic pressure ≥30mmH2O and a vapor permeability (GB / T12704.1 positive cup method) ≥10000g / m². 2 ·24h;

[0164] The skin-contact fabric layer and the outer fabric layer are heat-bonded together at their outer edges using hot melt adhesive or ultrasonic welding to form a "bag-like" cavity structure. The water storage layer is placed inside this cavity and is prevented from shifting relative to the outer fabric layer by adhesive or other fixing devices. The heat-bonding adhesive between the skin-contact fabric layer and the outer fabric layer is a polyester-based or polyamide-based hot melt adhesive.

[0165] The outer fabric layer is equipped with a waterproof zipper for water injection and ventilation.

[0166] Example 6

[0167] Please see Figure 3 An adjustable cooling garment for pets or humans, comprising at least two main garment pieces 5;

[0168] Each of the main garment pieces is made from a multifunctional cooling element obtained in any of Examples 1-6;

[0169] Adjacent main garment pieces are connected in the neck and torso areas by connectors (such as fasteners or Velcro) on their corresponding edges;

[0170] Each of the main garment pieces is provided with at least one water inlet that can be opened and closed by a zipper. The water inlet is connected to the water storage layer inside the main garment piece and is used to inject or drain water into the water storage layer.

[0171] The zipper can also be a cover assembly 6 or other openable opening, which prevents aqueous solutions containing detergent from entering the enclosed structure of the cooling garment. This is crucial for protecting the ePTFE (expanded polytetrafluoroethylene) membrane inside the garment, as prolonged or repeated contact with detergent components can damage the microporous structure and hydrophobic properties of the ePTFE membrane, leading to decreased waterproof and breathable functions, or even premature aging and failure. The reliable sealing design of the cover assembly acts as an isolation barrier.

[0172] Example 7

[0173] For pets, if the outer fabric uses DWR instead of a waterproof membrane, it can cause leaks. Leaks usually occur in lower areas or at the edges.

[0174] Based on the above, this embodiment provides an improvement on the outer layer fabric based on the above embodiment. The outer layer fabric includes an edge fabric and an inner lining fabric. The inner lining fabric is a polyester or nylon fabric treated with DWR. The outer surface of the inner lining fabric is provided with a radiation cooling coating. The edge fabric is a functional fabric that is composite with an ePTFE membrane, ePE membrane, or PU membrane, TPU membrane, or PE membrane on the side facing the water storage layer.

[0175] Specifically, the multifunctional cooling element of this embodiment includes a water storage layer and an outer fabric on its outer surface. The outer fabric includes an inner lining and an edge fabric. The inner lining is polyester treated with DWR, and its outer surface is coated with a radiation cooling coating. The edge fabric is a functional fabric composited with an ePTFE membrane facing the water storage layer. The outer fabric also has water inlet and outlet ports, which can be made of waterproof zippers or Velcro. Their location is not limited, but they are preferably located at the edge of the outer fabric to facilitate the drainage of excess water.

[0176] The advantages of the improved outer fabric described above are: combining the waterproof advantages of the waterproof membrane with the high moisture permeability and vapor permeability of DWR, and maximizing solar radiation absorption at higher elevations. This embodiment innovatively proposes an implementation method that combines these advantages. The aforementioned outer fabric sacrifices some water tightness to achieve higher moisture permeability, making it more adaptable to direct sunlight during the day compared to other embodiments, thus demonstrating superior performance for specific application scenarios.

[0177] The above description is merely an embodiment of this utility model and does not limit the patent scope of this utility model. Any equivalent modifications made based on the content of this utility model specification and drawings, or direct or indirect applications in related technical fields, are similarly included within the patent protection scope of this utility model.

Claims

1. A multifunctional cooling element, characterized by, It includes, in sequence: a skin-adhesive layer, a waterproof barrier layer, a water-retaining layer, and an outer fabric layer; The skin-adhesive layer, waterproof barrier layer, water storage layer and outer layer are combined or encapsulated by at least one connection method to form the cooling element; The waterproof barrier layer is a polymer coating.

2. The multifunctional cooling element according to claim 1, wherein The polymer coating is a coating formed by coating and curing a polymer material onto the skin-adhesive layer, and the hydrostatic pressure of the polymer coating is not less than 1000 mmH2O.

3. The multifunctional cooling element of claim 2, wherein, The skin-adhesive layer is made of polyester fabric, nylon, cotton, linen, viscose, or polypropylene, and the hydrostatic pressure of the polymer coating is not less than 5000 mmH2O.

4. The multifunctional cooling element of claim 1, wherein The outer fabric includes a waterproof and breathable polymer film and a surface fabric arranged sequentially along the direction away from the water storage layer. The waterproof and breathable polymer film is an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene film, an expanded polyethylene film, or a polyurethane nanofiber electrospun film.

5. The multifunctional cooling element of claim 1, wherein The outer fabric includes a mesh reinforcement layer, a waterproof and breathable polymer film, and a surface fabric arranged sequentially along the direction away from the water storage layer.

6. The multifunctional cooling element of claim 5, wherein, Hot melt adhesive is used to bond the skin-adhesive layer to the mesh reinforcement layer of the outer fabric, with the side facing away from the skin attached.

7. The multifunctional cooling element of claim 5, wherein The mesh reinforcement layer is made of polyester fiber mesh or polyester fiber warp-knitted fabric.

8. An adjustable cooling garment for pets or humans, characterized in that, Includes at least two main garment pieces; Each of the main garment pieces is made of the multifunctional cooling element described in any one of claims 1-7; Adjacent main garment pieces are connected in the neck region and the torso surrounding region by connectors provided on their corresponding edges; Each of the main garment pieces is provided with at least one openable and closable water inlet, which is connected to a water storage layer inside the main garment piece and is used to inject or drain water into the water storage layer.

Images