Adhesive Heating Pad with Control Unit for Skin Safety
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional heat patches for relieving neck and back tension are unsustainable, cause skin reactions, lack temperature regulation, and restrict movement due to their inflexible design and reliance on chemical reactions, leading to short-term pain relief and potential skin injuries.
Innovation Solution
A thermal pad with an adhesive surface, a heating element, and a control unit that converts electrical energy into thermal energy, allowing for adjustable and controlled heat delivery, integrated with sensors for posture feedback and radio communication for efficient and sustainable pain management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If chemical heat patches are used to generate heat, then heat therapy can be provided without external power sources, but skin rashes and allergic reactions occur due to chemical reactions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces chemical energy conversion with electrical energy conversion. Instead of using chemical reactions (exothermic processes) to generate heat, the invention uses an electrical heating element that converts electrical energy directly into thermal energy through resistive heating. This substitution eliminates contact with chemical substances that cause skin reactions, while maintaining the heat generation function.
2Ease of operation
If conventional heat patches are used, then portability is achieved, but freedom of movement is restricted due to inflexible design and power cord requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The heating pad is designed with a flexible, thin structure that can conform to body contours and move freely with the user. The device eliminates rigid power cords and bulky components, creating a portable unit that maintains flexibility and adaptability for various body positions and movements.
3Temperature
If constant heat supply is provided by heat patches, then therapeutic heat can be maintained, but muscle tissue becomes accustomed and relaxing effect is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit implements periodic or intermittent heating cycles, alternating between heating phases and cooling phases. This periodic action prevents continuous heat exposure that causes muscle accommodation, while still maintaining therapeutic benefits through repeated thermal stimulation. The system can switch between different heating patterns including continuous, intermittent, and cyclic modes.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If heat patches are applied only to painful areas, then localized pain relief is achieved, but new tension develops in other body parts due to compensatory posturing
Solution Approach 1:
The heating pad is designed to provide both localized and distributed heating modes. It can concentrate heat on specific painful areas when needed, or distribute heat more broadly across larger muscle groups to prevent compensatory tension. The flexible design allows adaptation to different application scenarios, making it versatile for treating both focal and regional musculoskeletal issues.
5Power
If larger heating pads connected to electricity are used, then sufficient thermal energy can be delivered, but freedom of movement is severely restricted by power cord requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the power source from the heating element, allowing the heating pad to be a lightweight, portable unit while the power source can be positioned independently. This segmentation enables sufficient power delivery without requiring a long power cord attached to the heating pad itself, improving mobility and freedom of movement.
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
The thermal pad provides sustained, adjustable heat therapy that promotes muscle relaxation, improves posture, and reduces pain without skin reactions, enhancing user mobility and long-term pain management.
Implementation Method 1
The heating pad (12) comprises at least one heating element (26), by means of which electrical energy emitted by an electrical energy source (22) can be converted into thermal energy
Data Source
Figure 1~3b
Figure 4~5b
Figure 6~7
AI summary
A heat pad for delivering heat energy to a person's body. The heat pad comprises a heating pad that can be connected to the person's body. The heating pad has a top and a bottom surface, and the underside of the heating pad has an adhesive surface for attaching it to the person's skin. The heating pad includes at least one heating element by which electrical energy supplied by an electrical energy source can be converted into heat energy. Furthermore, the heat pad includes a control unit, which is designed to permanently or detachably accommodate the energy source and which has a signal processor designed to output a control signal by which the energy output from the energy source to the heating element can be controlled.The heating pad and the control unit can be electrically and mechanically connected to each other by at least one electrical connector, through which the electrical energy can be transferred to the heating element, and at least one mechanical connector.