Cooling Chair with Recirculating Cold-Fluid Bladder System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooling devices do not effectively utilize waste cooling fluid, such as cold water/ice mixture, to provide continuous and efficient cooling for users, particularly in chair-based applications.
Innovation Solution
An insulated cooler system with a pump and hose configuration that recirculates cold fluid through a manifold in a closed loop, allowing for adjustable flow rates and temperature control, enabling efficient heat transfer and reuse of cooling fluid.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If cold water/ice mixture is used in a cooler, then cooling capacity is provided, but the cooling fluid is wasted and not reused
Solution Approach 1:
The system recovers and recirculates the cold water/ice mixture from the cooler through a pump and manifold system, preventing it from being discarded. The cooling fluid is continuously reused to maintain cooling capacity while reducing waste.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the cooler's own cooling fluid to provide cooling, circulating it through the seat pad and back to the cooler for reuse. This self-service approach eliminates the need for external cooling sources and maximizes utilization of the existing cooling capacity.
2Temperature
If cooling fluid is circulated through a seat pad, then user cooling is achieved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is segmented into distinct functional components: the cooler, pump, manifold, and seat pad with internal channels. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while simplifying the overall system design and maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooler serves multiple functions: storing ice/water, acting as a heat exchanger, and providing the cooling fluid reservoir. The pump and manifold system can be adapted to different seat pad configurations, making the system universally applicable to various chair types.
3Duration of action of moving object
If a pump is used to circulate cooling fluid, then continuous cooling is achieved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pump operates periodically rather than continuously, activating when cooling is needed and stopping when the desired temperature is achieved. This periodic operation maintains continuous cooling效果 while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to constant pump operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates temperature sensing that provides feedback to control pump operation. When the seat pad or user reaches the desired temperature, the feedback signal stops the pump, preventing unnecessary energy consumption while maintaining the cooling duration needed for user comfort.
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 system provides continuous and adjustable cooling by recycling cold fluid, maintaining user comfort and reducing waste, while being adaptable to various body parts and chair configurations.
Implementation Method 1
The cooling fluid can be circulated and recycled through a manifold in a pre-determined pattern to optimize cooling for a user
Implementation Method 2
An insulated cooler system with a pump and hose configuration that recirculates cold fluid
Data Source
AI summary
A cooling device includes an insulated cooler for holding cold fluid and ice. The device has a chamber, a cover, and a fill and drain valve. A tube connects the valve to a pump. The pump provides cold fluid to a bladder configured to fit a chair. The bladder can include a back portion, a seat portion and an internal manifold arranged in a closed loop for optimized cooling. The bladder can be reconfigured to cool a targeted portion of a user's body such as a leg, arm, neck, or torso.