Concealed Battery Pocket for Heated Apparel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrically heated articles of warmth with battery retention pockets are inconvenient due to multiple small pockets, uncomfortable weight distribution, and unsightly design, as well as bulkiness and discomfort from external battery harnesses.
Innovation Solution
An integrally formed large, concealed pocket between an outer shell and inner liner with microfiber binding surfaces allows for flexible battery placement and retention at desired locations, maintaining a sleek appearance and improving comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple small pockets are provided on the outer surface to support batteries, then each heating wire circuit can be powered, but the device complexity increases and the design appearance becomes unsightly
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple separate battery pockets are merged into a single large concealed pocket formed between the outer shell and inner liner. This integration allows multiple batteries to be positioned and retained within one unified space, reducing the number of separate pocket structures needed while maintaining the ability to power multiple heating wire circuits.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery retention pocket is nested within the article of warmth itself, formed between the outer shell and inner liner layers. This nesting approach conceals the batteries within the garment structure, eliminating the need for external pockets and maintaining a sleek appearance while providing adequate space for multiple batteries.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple small pockets with wires and connectors are fabricated, then battery support is provided, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase due to securement complexity
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple wire securement points across several pockets are combined into a single integrated wire retention system within the concealed pocket. Wires can be routed and secured within the pocket space, reducing the number of separate securement locations and lowering manufacturing precision requirements for wire and connector placement.
3Weight of moving object
If external battery harnesses are used to distribute battery weight, then weight distribution is improved, but the article becomes bulky and uncomfortable when worn under apparel
Solution Approach 1:
The battery retention system is nested within the article of warmth structure, with the pocket formed between the outer shell and inner liner. This eliminates the need for external harnesses and distributes battery weight directly against the body through the garment layers, providing support without adding external bulk or discomfort.
4Ease of operation
If pockets are formed on the outer surface, then battery access is provided, but the design appearance is affected negatively
Solution Approach 1:
The battery retention pocket is nested within the article structure, concealed between the outer shell and inner liner. This concealment maintains a sleek, uninterrupted external appearance while still providing access to batteries through the article's opening or by removing the article.
5Adaptability or versatility
If fixed location pockets are used, then battery support is provided, but the wearer cannot displace battery location for comfort or activity requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The battery retention system transitions from fixed pockets to a dynamic concealed pocket space where batteries can be freely positioned and repositioned. The microfiber binding surfaces provide retention while allowing the user to move batteries to different locations and orientations within the pocket to optimize comfort for different activities or body types.
6Adaptability or versatility
If Velcro strips are used to position thermal packets, then adjustability is provided, but the material is abrasive and uncomfortable to the touch
Solution Approach 1:
The pocket surfaces are formed with microfiber materials that are homogeneous with the surrounding fabric of the article of warmth. This eliminates the abrasive Velcro material and provides a smooth, comfortable surface that is pleasant to the touch while still offering adjustable battery positioning through the soft microfiber binding.
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 comfortable, flexible, and safe battery placement without affecting the article's appearance, allowing for various battery sizes and orientations to optimize weight distribution and user convenience.
Implementation Method 1
The opposed inner surfaces are microfiber materials which bind together when placed in contact to prevent the displacement of batteries positioned therein
Data Source
AI summary
An electrically heated article of warmth adapted to generate heat to a user person's body. The article of warmth has at least one integrally formed pocket to support and conceal one or more batteries at desired locations and orientations therein for the comfort of the user person. The pocket is formed between opposed fabric materials to define a hollow concealed pocket space. An opening is formed in one of the opposed fabric materials for access to the hollow concealed pocket space. The opposed fabric materials have an inner surface facing one another in the hollow concealed pocket space. The inner surfaces have sticky materials which when the inner surfaces are placed against one another they exhibit a binding retention force. The one or more batteries are retained at the desired locations and orientations by the retention force of the of the inner surface of the opposed fabric materials being placed in contact with one another. In one embodiment, only one of the inners surfaces has a sticky material and the batteries are provided with a further sticky material to bind to the inner surface.