All-inclusive one-piece electrical heating liner for articles of apparel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heated articles of apparel are bulky, cumbersome, and prone to malfunctions due to loose wiring and complex assembly processes, requiring skilled labor and resulting in limited usage time and high costs, with issues such as wire damage, battery discharge, and aesthetic concerns with metal wire bundles.
Innovation Solution
An all-inclusive electrical heating liner with a thermally insulating fabric piece, integrated heating wire patterns, adjustable shoulder bands, and inductive charging, which simplifies assembly, reduces labor requirements, and provides adjustable fit for various sizes and genders, while eliminating risks of wire damage and battery discharge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If heating pads and loose wiring are attached to the liner of the article, then heating function is provided, but the article becomes bulky and cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines heating pads, wiring, control components, and battery into a single integrated heating liner assembly that is seamlessly incorporated into the garment structure, eliminating the need for separate attached components and reducing overall bulkiness while maintaining heating functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The heating liner is designed as a universal component that can be integrated into various types of garments (jackets, pants, vests) and serves multiple functions including heating, control, and power supply, replacing the need for separate specialized components
2Ease of operation
If loose wiring and cables are secured in place and connected to batteries and control, then heating operation is enabled, but connection points become hazardous and prone to malfunction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates wiring and connection points directly into the liner fabric structure, eliminating loose cables and external connection points that could become hazardous, while maintaining reliable electrical connections for heating operation
Solution Approach 2:
The wiring is embedded within the flexible liner fabric, which protects the electrical connections while maintaining flexibility and movement capability, preventing wire exposure and connection hazards
3Ease of manufacture
If wires are tied together in bundles or cable form, then electrical connections are established, but the wires become bulky and form displeasing esthetics on the outer surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates wiring directly into the liner fabric structure, eliminating the need for visible wire bundles or cables on the garment surface, thereby maintaining aesthetic appearance while establishing necessary electrical connections
Solution Approach 2:
The wiring is concealed within the flexible liner fabric layers, hiding electrical connections from view while maintaining functionality, thus eliminating bulky wire bundles and improving aesthetics
4Ease of manufacture
If stitching is performed to secure the liner, then the article is assembled, but stitching needles may sever the wires rendering the heating system inoperative
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates wiring and heating elements directly into the liner fabric structure, creating a unified component that can be assembled through conventional stitching without risk of severing separate wire components
Solution Approach 2:
The wiring is embedded within the flexible liner fabric, protecting it from stitching needles and mechanical damage during assembly, while maintaining heating system functionality
5Ease of operation
If batteries are used to power the heating circuits, then portable heating is achieved, but the heating can only operate for specific time periods and requires charging time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates temperature sensing and automatic control capabilities that adjust heating parameters based on actual thermal conditions, optimizing energy consumption and extending battery operation time while maintaining effective heating
6Manufacturing precision
If skilled labor is used to ensure proper construction of the heated garment, then assembly quality is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates all heating components into a single pre-assembled liner unit with standardized attachment features, enabling simple integration into garments through conventional manufacturing processes without requiring specialized skilled labor
Solution Approach 2:
The heating liner is designed as a universal component with standardized interfaces that can be integrated into various garment types using常规 manufacturing processes, reducing the need for specialized assembly skills and lowering manufacturing costs
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 solution provides a cost-effective, easy-to-assemble, and durable heating solution with adjustable fit for different sizes and genders, reducing manufacturing errors and liability, and enabling longer usage with inductive charging and automatic temperature control.
Implementation Method 1
The dorsal panel and the pair of frontal panels each have a heating wire pattern permanently secured thereto
Implementation Method 2
The liner is constructed of a thermally insulating fabric piece shaped to define a dorsal panel and a pair of frontal panels
Data Source
AI summary
An all-inclusive electrical heating liner for use in the fabrication of articles of apparel is disclosed. It is comprised of a thermally insulating fabric piece which is shaped to define a dorsal panel and a pair of frontal panels to which are secured patterns of heating wires at specific locations. The spaced relationship between the dorsal panel and the pair of frontal panels is adjustable whereby the liner can be incorporated in articles of apparel of different sizes including small. Medium, large and X-large apparel sizes and gender types. The liner incorporates a power supply, controls, switches, wiring, connectors and other components thereby facilitating the incorporation of the liner into an article of apparel resulting in a cost reduction to the manufacturer of heated articles of apparel. Various embodiments are described to show that the all-inclusive one-piece heating liner is adaptable to many articles which require control heating.