Self-Activated Cooling Pack With Hydrophobic Wetting Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional thermal cooling devices face issues with premature reaction due to moisture exposure, leading to inconsistent and short-lived cooling effects, and challenges in applying compositions uniformly and effectively.
Innovation Solution
A cooling substrate combination featuring a porous absorbent web with a film-like continuous network of a cooling composition that includes a hydrophobic agent to inhibit wetting, allowing for controlled and prolonged cooling when activated by an aqueous liquid, combined with a shell member that separates the substrate from the liquid source and is activated manually to release the liquid.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If the cooling composition is applied to the substrate without a hydrophobic agent, then the cooling reaction occurs rapidly, but the cooling effect is short-lived and the reaction may occur prematurely during storage
Solution Approach 1:
A hydrophobic agent is introduced as an intermediary substance between the aqueous liquid and the cooling composition. This agent forms a barrier that controls the interaction between water and the cooling agents (urea or ammonium nitrate), allowing the reaction to proceed at a controlled rate rather than immediately upon contact. The hydrophobic agent mediates the wetting process to achieve sustained cooling over extended periods while preventing premature reaction during storage and application.
Solution Approach 2:
The wettability parameter of the substrate is modified by applying a hydrophobic coating. This changes the surface properties of the substrate to reduce water absorption and control the rate at which the aqueous liquid penetrates to the cooling composition. By altering this physical parameter, the system transitions from rapid, short-lived cooling to controlled, sustained cooling that lasts for the desired duration without premature activation.
2Reliability
If the cooling composition is exposed to moisture during application or storage, then the reaction may occur prematurely, but this lowers the quality of the composition and degrades the desired effect
Solution Approach 1:
The hydrophobic agent is applied in advance to the substrate before the cooling composition is activated. This preliminary protective layer prevents moisture from reaching the cooling agents during storage, handling, and application phases. By establishing this protective barrier beforehand, the system prevents the harmful premature reaction that would otherwise occur during these pre-activation stages, ensuring the cooling effect remains reliable and intact until intended use.
3Duration of action of moving object
If the cooling composition is applied to achieve a sustained and controlled reaction, then it is difficult to apply the compositions to substrates in an effective and uniform concentration
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into distinct functional layers: the substrate, the hydrophobic agent layer, and the cooling composition layer. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized and applied independently. The hydrophobic agent can be applied as a separate coating layer with controlled thickness and uniformity, which then serves as a consistent barrier across the entire substrate surface. This layered approach ensures uniform concentration distribution and sustained cooling performance that would be difficult to achieve with a single homogeneous composition.
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 controlled and sustained cooling effect, maintaining a desired temperature for an extended period by inhibiting premature reaction and ensuring uniform application of the cooling composition.
Implementation Method 1
As the particles dissolve in the aqueous liquid, heat is absorbed and a cooling effect is generated
Implementation Method 2
a hydrophobic agent that is present in the composition in an effective amount to inhibit wetting of the substrate
Implementation Method 3
a first absorbent web of a porous material having a first cooling composition applied thereto
Data Source
AI summary
A cooling device for placement against a body part or object includes a shell member having an outer face and an inner face disposed against a surface to be cooled. A first cooling substrate is disposed within the shell member and is an absorbent web having a generally uniform application of a first cooling composition applied thereto, the cooling composition activated by contact with an aqueous liquid. An aqueous liquid source is disposed within the shell member and is separated from the first cooling substrate by a barrier member. The device is activated by manual manipulation to breach the barrier member causing liquid from the liquid source to move within the interior space of the shell member to contact and activate the cooling composition whereby a cooling reaction is generated.