Hot potato wetsuit heating system

Abstract

A wetsuit heating system worn beneath a wetsuit comprising a wearable garment with insulating and reflecting layers to distribute heat from an electronic module. The reflective layer is an outer textile layer which channels heat back to the body. Also claimed is that the insulating means are a spacer mesh textile layer shaped to fit the small of the back. The heating module is wearable beneath the wetsuit in a waterproof pouch between the insulating and reflecting layers. The assembled layers may be sewn onto a wearable garment and the heating module positioned at the small of the back.

Description

This invention relates to a heating system to be worn beneath a wetsuit, providing additional warmth when engaging in watersports or cold-water activities. When surfers (for example) wear a wetsuit, they rely on the insulating properties of neoprene to hold back the effects of cold water. However, wetsuits are bulky and restrictive - not ideal for the flexibility and freedom of movement required in watersports. Furthermore, neoprene wetsuits struggle to withstand winter conditions; users are forced to wear increasingly thick / heavy suits as winter approaches, exacerbating the issues of discomfort, weight and restriction. Previous attempts to solve the problem using electronic heating were unsuccessful; a wire-resistance / webbing heater has been tried, spreading heat over the whole back. It required bulky separate batteries and did not withstand sustained exposure to cold water. To overcome these problems, the present invention proposes a modular heating system which is governed by a combination of insulation and reflection. This allows intense heat to be generated in a small area - then directed safely and efficiently. To be effective in the context, a heating module needs to be so hot that it would be unsafe in prolonged use next to the skin. Management of this heat by the proposed invention allows the user to wear a thinner, more flexible wetsuit year-round in cold water. The present invention utilises a series of commercially available products and materials combined in a unique and specific manner. The details of each of these will be outlined here and later in the description as appropriate. Commercially available electronic heating modules, typically used for hand-warming or remedial therapy, are rechargable and last for around 3 hours which is ideal for the proposed application. However, they are not waterproof. Furthermore, they heat on a thermostatic cycle to 55 degrees Celsius, which is too hot for prolonged exposure to the skin in the proposed application. The present invention proposes use of a commercially available IP68 compliant waterproof pouch, typically used for the safe storage of mobile phones and other electronic devices. The correct placement of this pouch - and the sandwiching of it between the correct combination of materials - is integral to the success of the present invention. The present invention proposes a layer of insulating material to prevent excessive levels of heat passing to the skin. Polypropylene thermal fleece fabric is typically used in vests or lower body base layers, worn beneath wetsuits in watersports. This material is plush and ‘fluffy’ and of approximately 1mm thickness. Combined with the other materials within the modular system, this correctly manages heat distribution. Use of this fabric keeps the module away from the skin whilst allowing enough heat to pass through. The insulating patch is shaped to cover the footprint of the module and waterproof pouch. This sits snugly in the small of the back - a natural gap in the ‘fit’ of a standard wetsuit. The present invention proposes that a reflective layer is used to channel excess / wasted heat safely back to body’s core and up towards the thoracic spine area. The reflection is provided by means of a heat-reflective textile layer. Reflective, silver-coloured fabrics are widely available and have a range of applications, such as linings on thermal clothing or insulation on catering storage products. The correct material for the application should be 0.5mm - 0.8mm thickness with some stretch. The reflective patch is shaped so that it extends beyond the footprint of the pouch and module, trapping heat and redirecting it inwards to the lower back, as well as channelling it upwards towards the mid back and shoulders via convection. The patch is shaped so that the upper part tapers to a rounded point - this means that the patch won’t interfere with the movement of the scapula I shoulder blades in athletic motion such as swimming or paddling a surfboard. The insulating and reflective layers are assembled using a coverstitch or overlock sewing machine onto a wearable garment, sandwiching the pouch / heating module in the correct position at the small of the back. The wearable garment takes the form of a short-sleeved vest. The material used should be tight-fitting and stretchy, to create comfort and ease of movement whilst ensuring that the module / pouch is held closely to the body. The ideal garment is similar to a commercially available compression vest used for fitness applications, or a surfing ‘rash vest’ which is worn for UV protection or to prevent abrasion. A polyamide / elastane mix is typically used in these applications and works perfectly here. The combination of the four layers in the present invention (garment, insulation, pouch, reflective fabric) is calibrated to prevent excess heat from touching the skin, whilst also creating gentle warmth at the site of the module. A wetsuit is then worn as normal. The positioning of the heating module in the proposed invention is further controlled by the fit of the wetsuit. In a typical wetsuit, there’s a natural gap in the small of the back - the module / pouch will sit in this gap. The stretch / tightness of the wetsuit will ensure that the module is held close to the skin to achieve optimum heat transfer. The system increases the performance of a standard neoprene wetsuit, allowing the user to wear a thinner, more flexible wetsuit, or use one suit year-round - instead of two or three to account for changing seasons. Figure one shows the system assembled as a wearable garment (4). Reflective textile layer (2) and the opening of the waterproof pouch (3). The edges of the insulating layer (1) can be seen at the edge of the pouch. The position of the concealed heating module is indicated (5). Figure two shows the movement of heat effected by the system. A module radiates intense heat (5). Excess heat to the skin is mitigated by the insulating layer (1). The insulating qualities of the fabric have been selected / calibrated to conduct gentle warmth to the small of the back. The reflective layer (2) redirects heat (which would otherwise escape through the pouch / wetsuit) back towards the body’s core and upwards to the thoracic spine via convection.

Claims

1. A heating system worn beneath a wetsuit comprising a wearable garment with insulating and reflecting layers to manage and distribute heat from an electronic module2. A wetsuit heating system according to claim 1, in which the reflective means are provided by an outer reflective textile layer which channels otherwise wasted heat back to the body’s core and up to the mid back area3. A wetsuit heating system according to claim 1, in which the insulation means are provided by a ‘spacer mesh’ textile layer shaped to fit the small of the back and of a thickness and density calibrated to optimise warmth and safety4. A wetsuit heating system according to claim 1, in which a heating module can be worn safely beneath a wetsuit in a waterproof pouch, sandwiched between the insulating and reflecting layers5. A wetsuit heating system according to claim 1, in which the assembled layers can be sewn onto a wearable garment, positioning the heating module securely at the small of the back

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