Heated Garment with Inflatable Insulation Layer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrically heated garments fail to balance fashion, comfort, and function, particularly during high-speed motorcycle, snowmobile, or ATV riding, as they do not effectively block drafts and maintain intimate contact with the body, leading to inadequate heat retention and comfort.
Innovation Solution
A multilayered garment design featuring a lightweight outer fabric, an inflatable bladder for adjusting the spacing between a heat energy-producing layer and the body, and a power source for controlled heating, ensuring snug fit and efficient thermal transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the garment is made lightweight and stretchable, then comfort and fashion are improved, but the heating element cannot maintain intimate contact with the body during high-speed activities
Solution Approach 1:
The garment is divided into multiple functional layers: an outer shell layer, an intermediate inflatable insulation layer, and an inner heating layer. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function - the outer shell provides fashion and comfort, while the inflatable layer ensures heating contact during activities.
Solution Approach 2:
The inflatable insulation layer can be dynamically adjusted between inflated and deflated states. When inflated, it bridges gaps caused by wind and movement to maintain heating contact; when deflated, it provides a comfortable, flexible fit for general wear.
2Ease of operation
If the garment allows movement and flexibility, then comfort is improved, but air gaps form between the heating element and body, reducing heating effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The inflatable insulation layer acts as an intermediary between the outer shell and the heating layer. It dynamically adjusts to fill air gaps and maintain intimate contact between the heating element and the body, preventing heat loss while allowing the garment to remain flexible and comfortable.
3Reliability
If the garment provides sufficient insulation to block drafts, then heating effectiveness is improved, but the garment becomes bulky and less comfortable
Solution Approach 1:
The insulation layer is designed to be dynamic rather than static. It inflates only when needed to block drafts and maintain heating contact during high-speed activities, and deflates during normal wear to provide a comfortable, non-bulky fit.
Solution Approach 2:
The insulation and heating contact is provided locally where needed through the inflatable layer, rather than requiring the entire garment to be bulky. The inflation can be targeted to specific areas to block drafts while maintaining overall garment flexibility and comfort.
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 solution provides effective draft blocking, comfortable fit, and uniform heating across the body, enhancing warmth and comfort during high-speed activities by inflating the bladder to bring the heating layer into intimate contact with the wearer's body.
Implementation Method 1
a member providing heat energy... an electrical heating module
Implementation Method 2
an inflatable layer adjacent the outer shell... the inflation of the inflatable layer can be used to control the spacing
Data Source
AI summary
A heatable garment having a plurality of layers is shown. The first layer is an outer fabric layer of any fabric which is lightweight, durable and treatable and may also be air impervious. Cooperating with the outer fabric layer is an envelope or inflatable bladder having a plurality of interconnected chambers. A further inner layer adjacent the envelope or bladder is a heat producing element such as a plurality of imbedded heating wires woven into a supporting fabric. The supporting fabric may, however, comprise the inner wall of the inflatable envelope. A source of heat energy, such as a battery, is connected to the heat producing element to heat the inner fabric liner. Inflation of the inflatable bladder urges the heat producing element into intimate contact with the body of the wearer. The inflatable bladder also form fits the garment on the body of the wearer and provides insulation against heat loss.