Flexible Heating Pad with Adhesive Skin Interface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional heat plasters for neck and back tension are unsustainable, cause skin rashes, fail to provide consistent deep heat, and restrict movement, leading to ineffective pain relief and potential skin injuries due to uncontrolled heat application.
Innovation Solution
A heating and/or cooling device with a flexible pad that converts electrical energy into thermal energy, featuring a control unit with a signal processor for open-loop or closed-loop control, allowing for adjustable and safe heat delivery, and a rechargeable battery for mobility, reducing the risk of skin reactions and improving posture by stimulating muscles and blood circulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If chemical heat plasters are used to generate heat, then heat therapy can be provided, but skin rashes are caused and the plasters must be replaced regularly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the chemical reaction system with an electrical heating system. The heating element converts electrical energy to thermal energy, eliminating the need for chemical substances that cause skin rashes. This substitution resolves the contradiction by maintaining heat generation capability while removing the harmful chemical effects on skin.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an adhesive layer as an intermediary between the heating element and the skin. This adhesive layer prevents direct contact between the skin and potentially harmful materials, while still allowing effective heat transfer. This mediator resolves the contradiction by enabling heat therapy without causing skin irritation.
2Ease of operation
If heat plasters are applied to relieve local pain, then short-term relief is achieved, but new tension arises in other parts of the body
Solution Approach 1:
The heating device is designed to be versatile in its application, capable of addressing multiple muscle groups and tension areas. By providing uniform, controllable heating across different body regions, the device allows for comprehensive therapy that prevents compensatory tension from developing in untreated areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic control of heating parameters, allowing adjustment of temperature and duration based on specific treatment needs. This dynamic capability enables tailored therapy sessions that address the root cause of tension rather than just local symptoms, preventing new tension from forming in other body parts.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If continuous heat supply is provided, then therapeutic effect is maintained, but muscle tissue becomes accustomed and relaxing effect is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic heating cycles with alternating phases of heat application and rest periods. This periodic action prevents muscle adaptation by continuously varying the stimulus, maintaining therapeutic effectiveness over extended treatment sessions without reducing the relaxing effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The device features dynamic control capabilities that allow real-time adjustment of heating parameters based on tissue response. This enables optimization of treatment protocols to maintain effectiveness while preventing adaptation, balancing duration and efficiency of therapeutic effect.
4Temperature
If high temperature heat is applied to achieve therapeutic effect, then pain relief is improved, but skin injuries such as burns may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates temperature sensing and control systems that continuously monitor the heating element temperature and adjust power delivery accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures the temperature remains within the safe therapeutic range, providing effective pain relief while preventing skin burns through automated safety control.
Solution Approach 2:
The device enables precise control and adjustment of heating parameters including temperature, power level, and treatment duration. By allowing fine-tuning of these parameters, the system achieves optimal therapeutic effect while maintaining safety margins to prevent skin injury.
5Temperature
If larger heating pads connected to power supply are used, then freedom of movement is restricted by power cable, but heating capability is improved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical power cable connection with a wireless power transmission system. The heating element receives electrical energy wirelessly, eliminating the physical constraint of the power cable and restoring full freedom of movement while maintaining effective heating capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating device is constructed with flexible, thin-film heating elements that can conform to body contours and move freely. This flexible design, combined with wireless power delivery, maintains therapeutic heating capability while completely eliminating the restriction imposed by rigid power cables.
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 device provides cost-effective, sustainable, and intelligent heat therapy that effectively relaxes muscles, improves posture, and reduces pain by delivering controlled heat or cold energy directly to the body, minimizing skin injuries and promoting better joint health.
Implementation Method 1
at least one heating element (26) by means of which electrical energy output by an electrical energy source (22) can be converted into heating energy
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a heating and/or cooling device (10) for delivering heating and/or cooling energy to the body of a living being (28). The heating and/or cooling device (10) comprises a heating and/or cooling pad (12) which can be connected to the body of the person (28). The heating and/or cooling pad has an upper face (122) and a lower face (121), and an adhesive surface (1210) is provided on the lower face (121) for attaching the heating and/or cooling pad (12) to the surface of the skin of the person (28). The heating and/or cooling pad comprises at least one heating and/or cooling element (26) by means of which electrical energy output by an electrical energy source (22) can be converted into heating and/or cooling energy. The heating and/or cooling device (10) further comprises a control unit (14) which is provided for fixedly or detachably accommodating the energy source (22) and has a signal processor (16). Furthermore, the control unit (14) is provided for outputting an open-loop and/or closed-loop control signal, by means of which the energy output from the energy source (22) to the heating and/or cooling element (26) can be controlled. The heating and/or cooling pad (12) and the control unit (14) can be electrically and mechanically connected to one another by at least one electrical connector (18a, 18b), via which the electrical energy can be transmitted to the heating and/or cooling element (26), and by at least one mechanical and/or magnetic connector (20a, 20b).