Active Thermal Regulating Garment with Thermoelectric Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional garments for temperature regulation lack active heating and cooling components, making them ineffective in dynamically adjusting body temperature in varying environmental conditions or for individuals with temperature regulation disorders.
Innovation Solution
A thermal regulating unit comprising a first thermally conductive layer adjacent to the skin with embedded electrical wiring and thermoelectric coolers, a second conductive layer exposed to ambient air, a thermal insulating layer, and a controller to manage temperature adjustments, allowing for active heating and cooling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional garments are used for temperature regulation, then the garments provide basic coverage and comfort, but they lack active heating and cooling components making them ineffective in dynamically adjusting body temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functional components (thermoelectric coolers, thermally conductive layers, thermal insulating layers, heating elements, and control systems) into a single integrated garment structure. This combination enables the garment to provide both active cooling and heating capabilities while maintaining a unified wearable design, resolving the contradiction between enhanced temperature regulation adaptability and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The garment is designed with multi-functionality by incorporating both cooling (thermoelectric coolers) and heating (heating elements) capabilities within the same structure. The system can dynamically switch between cooling and heating modes based on environmental conditions and user needs, providing universal temperature regulation across diverse conditions without requiring separate garments.
2Adaptability or versatility
If thermoelectric coolers are integrated into the garment, then active cooling capability is provided, but the garment structure becomes more complex with multiple layers and components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by positioning thermoelectric coolers at specific thermal points on the body (such as the back) rather than distributing them uniformly throughout the entire garment. The thermally conductive layers are strategically placed to channel heat to these localized cooling zones, providing effective active cooling capability while minimizing the overall complexity of the garment structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The garment structure employs a nested layering approach where the thermal insulating layer is positioned between the thermally conductive layer and the outer garment layer. This nesting arrangement allows the thermoelectric coolers to be integrated within the garment structure without adding excessive external bulk, as each functional layer is contained within the overall garment architecture.
3Productivity
If multiple thermally conductive layers and insulating layers are used, then temperature regulation efficiency is improved, but the garment becomes less flexible and more rigid
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes flexible thermally conductive layers and thin thermal insulating layers that maintain garment flexibility despite the multi-layer construction. These layers are designed with flexible materials and thin profiles that allow the garment to conform to body movements while still providing effective thermal management, thus maintaining both temperature regulation efficiency and garment flexibility.
4Adaptability or versatility
If active heating and cooling components are added to garments, then dynamic temperature adjustment capability is achieved, but the garment requires more energy consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action through the controller that cycles the thermoelectric coolers and heating elements based on real-time temperature sensing and environmental conditions. Rather than continuous operation, the system activates components only when needed and adjusts their operation in periodic cycles, achieving dynamic temperature adjustment while minimizing unnecessary energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The garment incorporates temperature sensors that provide feedback to the controller about the user's body temperature and environmental conditions. This feedback mechanism enables the system to dynamically adjust the operation of thermoelectric coolers and heating elements to maintain optimal temperature with minimal energy expenditure, activating components only when temperature deviation occurs.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables flexible and efficient temperature regulation of up to 20 degrees Fahrenheit, providing comfort in diverse conditions and accommodating users with temperature regulation disorders, while being waterproof and durable for extended use.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of spaced-apart thermoelectric coolers on the first thermal conductivity layer
Implementation Method 2
a thermal insulating layer between the first and second thermally conductive layers to create a thermal barrier therebetween
Implementation Method 3
a first thermally conductive layer adjacent skin of the body... a second thermally conductive layer opposite the first thermally conductive layer, the second thermally conductive layer being exposed to ambient air or fluid
Data Source
AI summary
Thermal regulating units are provided. Each thermal regulating unit includes a first thermally conductive layer in contact with the skin of the body. The first thermally conductive layer is embedded with electrical wiring and a first passive thermometer sensor. A plurality of spaced apart thermoelectric coolers are provided on the first thermal conductivity layer. A second thermally conductive layer opposite the first layer is exposed to ambient air or fluid. The second thermally conductive layer includes embedded electrical wiring and a second passive thermometer sensor. A thermal insulating layer is provided between the first and second thermally conductive layers. The thermal insulating layer creates a thermal barrier therebetween and adheres the first and second thermally conductive layer together. The thermal regulating unit operates responsive to a controller to regulate the temperature of a user based on the feedback of the one or more thermal regulating units.