Animal Cooling Mat with Modular Insulation for Rapid Heat Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Dogs, especially those with thick fur coats or brachycephalic breeds, are prone to overheating due to their inability to sweat effectively, and existing cooling methods such as evaporative coverings or gel pads are inadequate for rapid or prolonged cooling, especially in high humidity or when air conditioning is unavailable.
Innovation Solution
A modular cooling mat system comprising a mat shell with a removable coolant sheet, cushioning pad, and insulating pad, where the coolant sheet provides high heat absorption capacity, the cushioning pad ensures even heat transfer, and the insulating pad reduces heat from the floor, allowing for efficient cooling of animals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If evaporative coverings are used to cool dogs, then some cooling effect is achieved, but in high humidity conditions the coverings transfer heat to the dog making the problem worse
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical state parameter of the cooling medium from liquid (evaporative) to solid (frozen gel or ice), allowing heat absorption through phase change at constant temperature without relying on evaporation, thus eliminating the problem of heat transfer in high humidity conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes phase transition of water from liquid to solid state (freezing) to create a thermal sink that absorbs heat from the dog's body at a constant temperature (32°F or 0°C), providing reliable cooling regardless of ambient humidity levels
2Temperature
If gel cushioning pads are used for cooling, then some heat transfer is provided, but they cannot provide sufficient heat transfer or heat sink capacity for rapid or prolonged cooling
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs phase change material (frozen gel or ice) that absorbs large amounts of heat through melting, providing both high heat transfer capacity and prolonged cooling duration as the phase transition process continues until the entire material melts
Solution Approach 2:
The invention combines frozen cooling material with flexible fabric or gel layers to create a composite cooling pad that provides both thermal capacity and comfort, enabling rapid and prolonged cooling effect
3Temperature
If gel cushioning pads are placed on warmed surfaces, then they provide cooling, but they rapidly transfer heat from the warm surface possibly negating any heat transfer from the dog
Solution Approach 1:
The invention places an insulating layer between the cooling pad and the warm surface beforehand, preventing heat conduction from the surface while allowing the cooling pad to maintain its temperature and continue absorbing heat from the dog
Solution Approach 2:
The insulating layer acts as an intermediary between the cooling pad and the warm surface, blocking harmful heat transfer from the surface while permitting the cooling function to operate effectively
4Temperature
If immersion in cool water is used for rapid cooling, then effective cooling is achieved, but it is problematic when cool water source is unavailable or the dog is difficult to lift
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the essential cooling function from the immersion method by creating a portable cooling pad containing frozen material, allowing rapid cooling to be achieved without requiring water immersion or lifting the dog
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling pad is designed to be self-contained and portable, enabling the dog to cool itself by simply lying on the pad without requiring human assistance for immersion or water application
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 cooling mat system effectively reduces an animal's body temperature by providing a high heat sink capacity and even heat transfer, making it suitable for use in various environments and accommodating different animal sizes through modular configuration.
Implementation Method 1
the coolant sheet provides high heat absorption capacity
Implementation Method 2
providing a high heat sink capacity
Implementation Method 3
the insulating pad reduces heat from the floor
Data Source
AI summary
The present animal cooling mat apparatus includes a mat shell, at least one coolant sheet, at least one cushioning pad, and at least one foam pad. The coolant sheet is removably located within the mat shell, with the cushioning pad removably located within the mat shell above the at least one coolant sheet and the insulating pad is located within the mat shell below the at least one coolant sheet. The coolant sheet provides a heat sink to rapidly cool an animal, while the cushioning pad facilitates heat transfer and the insulating pad reduces the amount of ambient heat transferred from the environment. Multiple apparatuses may be combined to accommodate larger animals.