Garment Aperture Sensor for Switchless Temperature Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional heating garments require a switch for temperature adjustment, which can be aesthetically unappealing, prone to damage, and inconvenient for users, especially those who are visually impaired, as the switch must be manually operated.
Innovation Solution
An intelligent self-heating garment that adjusts temperature based on intuitive user actions, such as tightening or fastening of garment apertures, using resistive components like snap buttons, velcro tapes, or string fasteners connected to a controller, eliminating the need for a visible switch.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a switch is provided outside the garment for temperature adjustment, then the wearer can easily access and operate the switch, but the exterior of the garment becomes aesthetically diminished and the switch may be damaged by external impact
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the traditional external switch from the garment system entirely. Instead, it uses the garment's existing fastening components (snap buttons, velcro tapes, or string fasteners) that are already integrated into the garment structure, thereby eliminating the need for a separate external switch and preserving aesthetic appearance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the fastening components serve dual functions: their primary function of securing the garment and a secondary function of temperature control. By integrating the temperature adjustment function into the existing fastening mechanism, the same component performs multiple roles, eliminating the need for a dedicated external switch.
2Shape
If a switch is concealed inside the garment, then the exterior aesthetics are maintained, but the wearer feels inconvenience when manipulating the switch as he or she has to open a zipper to access the switch
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the temperature adjustment function from the concealed internal switch and relocates it to the external fastening components. This allows the adjustment mechanism to be accessible from the outside without compromising aesthetics, as the fastening components are naturally part of the garment's external structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastening components are designed to perform both their primary function of securing the garment and the secondary function of temperature adjustment. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for a separate concealed switch, making temperature control accessible without opening zippers or compromising aesthetics.
3Ease of operation
If a conventional switch is provided in the garment, then temperature adjustment is possible, but a person who is visually impaired may feel inconvenience groping around the garment to find the switch
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses fastening components that are inherently familiar and recognizable to all users, including visually impaired individuals. These components are located at natural, predictable positions on the garment and have distinctive tactile characteristics, making them easily detectable without visual assistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the wearer's own actions of fastening or adjusting the garment (which are natural and intuitive) to simultaneously control temperature. The fastening components provide tactile feedback that is naturally detectable, eliminating the need to search for a concealed switch.
4Ease of operation
If the switch is exposed to the outside of the garment, then the switch is accessible for operation, but the switch may be damaged by an external impact
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses fastening components that are already designed to withstand external forces and impacts as part of the garment's structural integrity. These components are inherently more durable than conventional switches, as they are built to resist the forces encountered during normal garment wear and external impacts.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent removes the vulnerable conventional switch from the system and replaces it with robust fastening components that are integral to the garment's structure. These components are naturally more resistant to damage from external impacts while maintaining accessibility for operation.
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
Enables temperature adjustment without manual switch operation, maintaining garment aesthetics and facilitating use by all individuals, including the visually impaired, by leveraging natural actions to control heating.
Implementation Method 1
a resistor provided in the tightening member and having a resistance value being changed according to an amount of tightening the aperture
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an intelligent garment, in which a heating temperature of the garment is adjusted by sensing a size of an aperture of a garment body that is changed according to user control. The garment includes: a garment body; a heater provided in the garment body; a controller adjusting a heating temperature of the heater; and a temperature adjusting unit inputting an adjusting signal to the controller, and the adjusting signal being used for adjusting the heating temperature, wherein the temperature adjusting unit generates the adjusting signal to the controller according to a change in the size of the aperture provided in the garment body through which a body part of a user passes.