Flexible Graphite Composite Heat Spreader for Uniform Wearable Heating
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thermal management systems in clothing and vehicles lack flexibility, uniformity of temperature distribution, and breathability, leading to hot spots and inefficient energy use.
Innovation Solution
A composite article comprising compressed particles of exfoliated graphite or graphitized polymer sheets, reinforced with fiber materials and coated with protective layers, which can be woven or stitched to form flexible and breathable heat spreaders, integrated with heating elements for uniform temperature distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If rigid thermal management materials are used, then thermal conductivity is improved, but flexibility and conformability to moving surfaces deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses flexible graphite as a composite material that combines the high thermal conductivity of graphite with the flexibility needed for conformable thermal management applications. This resolves the contradiction by providing a material that is both thermally conductive and flexible, unlike rigid thermal management materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs thin film structures of flexible graphite that can conform to moving surfaces while maintaining thermal conductivity. The thin film nature allows the material to be both thermally effective and adaptable to various shapes and movements, resolving the rigidity-flexibility contradiction.
2Speed
If high power heating elements are used, then heating speed is improved, but temperature uniformity deteriorates due to hot spots
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible graphite acts as an intermediary heat spreader between the heating element and the target surface. It receives heat from the heating element and distributes it uniformly across the surface, preventing hot spots while maintaining fast heating response.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible graphite provides locally adaptive thermal conduction, distributing heat from concentrated heating elements across broader areas. This creates uniform temperature distribution while maintaining the ability to respond quickly to heating demands.
3Loss of energy
If dense non-breathable thermal management layers are used, then thermal insulation is improved, but breathability and comfort deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible graphite structure provides thermal management functionality while maintaining breathability through its inherent porous or layered structure. This allows moisture vapor transmission while still providing thermal insulation and heat distribution, resolving the contradiction between insulation and breathability.
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 composite article enhances flexibility, reduces hot spots, and improves temperature uniformity while maintaining breathability, resulting in more efficient thermal management with reduced energy consumption.
Implementation Method 1
The sheet has a first surface and a second surface and comprises a plurality of cut outs. A protective coating is aligned with a first surface of the sheet. The article also includes reinforcement such as at least one of a fiber reinforced polymer, a fiber weave, a synthetic polymer or fiber mat or combinations thereof, aligned with at least one of the first surface of the sheet or a second surface of the sheet.
Implementation Method 2
Resistively heated jackets have been offered by DeWalt, Ravean, Milwaukee, EXO 2
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
A composite artic l e is provided for use as a heat spreader, a cooling element or as pari of the heating system for a wide variety of items. The composite article can mclude at l east one sheet of compressed particles of exfoliated graphite or graphiiized polymer. A protective coating may be aligned or adhered with a surface of the sheet. The article may also mclude at least.one of a fiber reinforced polymer, a fiber weave or fiber mat or combinations thereof, aligned with at least one of the first surface of the sheet or a second surface of the sheet. The composite article can include a. plurality of strips of compressed particles of exfoliated graphite, of graphiiized polymer or combinations thereof, which are woven together and/or it can Include cut outs, slits or other perforations to provide flexibility, stretehabi Kiy, and breathahility.