Portable Arm Immersion Cooling Trough for Core Temperature Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for reducing core temperature in physically active individuals, especially in hot environments, are either cumbersome, expensive, or not effectively portable, leading to continued risks of heat illness and heat stroke, particularly for soldiers and athletes.
Innovation Solution
A lightweight, portable apparatus featuring a collapsible trough for immersing hands and forearms in cooling water, utilizing the higher heat transfer coefficient of water and larger surface area-to-mass ratio of forearms to efficiently lower core body temperature, designed for easy use and transport by two people.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If cooling suits are used to lower body core temperature, then cooling effectiveness is improved, but device complexity and cost increase, and ease of operation deteriorates due to interference with activity
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the essential cooling function from complex cooling suits and concentrates it into a simple water container. Instead of using elaborate cooling garments that interfere with movement, the patent uses a basic container holding cooling water, which achieves the same thermal effect without the complexity and operational interference of full-body cooling suits.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces expensive, complex cooling suits with inexpensive, simple containers that can be easily replaced or refilled. The focus shifts from durable, costly equipment to affordable, temporary cooling solutions that achieve the same physiological effect without requiring significant investment in specialized gear.
2Temperature
If cooling suits are used to lower body core temperature, then cooling effectiveness is improved, but portability deteriorates due to additional weight and bulk
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the unnecessary weight and bulk of cooling suits by extracting only the essential element: cooling water in a simple container. This eliminates the weight of garments, insulation layers, and complex thermal management systems while retaining the core cooling function through direct water contact or evaporation.
3Temperature
If traditional cooling methods are used for large groups, then individual cooling effectiveness is maintained, but productivity decreases due to frequent rest periods and performance degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The invention enables individuals to self-administer cooling by simply accessing water containers and applying water to their bodies or immersing extremities. This self-service approach eliminates the need for supervised rest periods and complex group management, allowing continuous work while maintaining individual cooling needs without requiring productivity loss.
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 apparatus effectively reduces core temperature through heat transfer, is inexpensive, and shows positive user acceptance, reducing heat injuries and improving performance in military and athletic settings, with potential for broader applications in hot environments.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing the higher heat transfer coefficient of water and larger surface area-to-mass ratio of forearms to efficiently lower core body temperature
Data Source
AI summary
A two person portable apparatus (10) for reducing the core temperature of one or more human beings includes a trough (14) made of a waterproof, flexible fabric (56) and a generally rectangular frame (12). Portions (68, 70, 72, 74) of the fabric (56) are looped over sides (24, 26, 28, 30) of the frame (12) so that the trough is supported by and suspended from the frame. The apparatus includes four legs (16, 18, 20, 22) hinged to corners of the frame and pivotable inwardly under the trough. Cooling water is placed in the trough and the hands and forearms of human beings are immersed in the cooling water.