Heated Equipment Bag With Segmented Compartments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Winter sport equipment, particularly bulky items like ski and snowboard boots, can be difficult to transport and warm up due to their cold state, leading to prolonged or incomplete warming of extremities when used.
Innovation Solution
A heated equipment bag with multiple compartments, each containing a flexible heating element that conforms to the shape of the equipment, providing heat on three surfaces (sides and bottom) to efficiently warm footwear and clothing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single large compartment with a heating element is used, then the equipment can be transported in one bag, but the heating effectiveness is reduced and other items may overheat
Solution Approach 1:
The equipment bag is divided into multiple separate compartments (first compartment, second compartment, third compartment) instead of using a single large compartment. Each compartment can be independently configured for heating, allowing targeted heating of specific items while preventing overheating of others. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by improving heating effectiveness through focused thermal zones while maintaining a manageable bag structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If rigid heating elements are used, then the heating structure is simple, but the heating coverage is insufficient for irregularly shaped equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs flexible heating elements that can conform to the shapes of various equipment items rather than using rigid heating structures. This flexibility allows the heating elements to wrap around or贴合 irregularly shaped objects like boots and gear, providing comprehensive heating coverage while maintaining ease of integration into the bag compartments.
3Loss of time
If equipment is heated in a cold state, then the equipment can be transported efficiently, but the user takes longer to warm up extremities
Solution Approach 1:
The heating elements are activated during the transport phase to pre-warm the equipment before the user needs to use it. This preliminary heating action ensures that when the user removes items from the bag, they are already warm, significantly reducing the time needed to warm up extremities and improving immediate usability without compromising transport efficiency.
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 heated equipment bag effectively warms winter sport equipment, making it easier to put on by ensuring extremities are warmed quickly and thoroughly, while preventing overheating of other items in the bag.
Implementation Method 1
The heating element is configured to receive power from a wall outlet or an automobile power socket and to radiate heat within the compartment
Implementation Method 2
The heating element is configured to receive power from a wall outlet or an automobile power socket and to radiate heat within the compartment
Data Source
AI summary
A heated equipment bag includes: a housing providing a first compartment configured to receive a first piece of footwear, the housing further providing a second compartment configured to receive a second piece of footwear, the first compartment being separate from the second compartment; a first heater disposed in the first compartment and configured to produce heat; and a second heater disposed in the second compartment and configured to produce heat.