Heated Garment Battery Pack With Wireless Multi-Garment Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Heated garments require individual battery packs for power, limiting user control and efficiency, especially when multiple garments are worn, as control is typically managed at the garment level without external coordination.
Innovation Solution
A compact power source with a controller and transceiver for wireless communication with external devices, allowing for centralized control of multiple heated garments, enabling features like constant runtime or temperature maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If each heated garment is powered by an individual battery pack with independent control, then each garment can be controlled independently, but the user must manage multiple controls and the system lacks coordination efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent consolidates control of multiple heated garments into a single external device. The external device communicates with multiple battery packs through wireless communication, allowing the user to control all heated garments from one interface rather than managing separate controls for each garment.
Solution Approach 2:
The external device serves as an intermediary between the user and multiple heated garments. It receives user input and distributes appropriate control signals to the relevant battery packs and heated garments, simplifying the control architecture and user interaction.
2Weight of moving object
If a compact battery pack is used to minimize weight and size, then the additional weight is minimal and does not hinder wearing, but the battery pack must provide sufficient power for multiple garments
Solution Approach 1:
The battery pack incorporates a controller that dynamically adjusts power distribution based on real-time demands of connected heated garments. The system can allocate power resources flexibly to meet varying heating requirements while maintaining compact dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery pack is designed as a universal power source that can simultaneously power multiple different heated garments. It includes communication capabilities to detect and manage multiple garments, providing adaptable power output for various heating scenarios.
3Adaptability or versatility
If wireless communication is implemented between battery pack and external device, then user control is enhanced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces physical control mechanisms (buttons, switches on the garment) with wireless electronic communication. The external device communicates with the battery pack through wireless signals, eliminating the need for complex mechanical control interfaces on the heated garments themselves.
4Duration of action of moving object
If the heater is controlled for constant runtime, then heating duration is maximized, but temperature decreases over time
Solution Approach 1:
The controller dynamically adjusts heater operation between constant runtime and constant temperature modes based on battery charge level and user preferences. As battery charge decreases, the system can transition to maintaining minimum temperature for extended duration or prioritize runtime maximization.
5Temperature
If the heater is controlled for constant temperature, then consistent heating is provided, but runtime is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts power delivery to the heater based on battery status and operational mode. In constant temperature mode, the controller maintains optimal heating temperature while managing power consumption to extend runtime as much as possible within the selected mode constraints.
Data Source
AI summary
A power source for a heated garment. The power source includes a housing, one or more battery cells located within the housing, a first electrical interface provided on the housing for connecting the power source to the heated garment, and a first controller located within the housing and including an electronic processor, a memory, and a transceiver, the first controller coupled to the battery cells and the first electrical interface. The controller is configured to detect the heated garment coupled to the power source at the first electrical interface, receive, with the transceiver, a control signal from an external device, and provide the control signal to a second controller included in the heated garment.