Segmented Heated Wearable Panel for Fire Safety and Breathability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Heated wearables face issues with fire vulnerability due to electrical sparks at wire junctions and discomfort from non-breathable, larger panels that fail to wick perspiration, necessitating a fireproof and breathable heating panel design.

Innovation Solution

The heating panel is constructed with a fireproof, impermeable power leads connection section and a breathable heating wire section, using laminated fabric sheets and non-conductive sleeves to isolate power leads, allowing for moisture wicking and shedding.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If the heating panel is made larger to cover more body surface area, then the heating coverage is improved, but the panel becomes less breathable and less comfortable for perspiration management

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheating panel sizeVSAvoidbreathability and perspiration management

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The heating panel is divided into two distinct sections: a fireproof power leads connection section that is airtight and non-breathable, and a breathable heating wire section made of breathable fabric materials. This segmentation allows each section to have optimized properties for its specific function, resolving the contradiction between panel size and breathability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If the panel is made airtight to prevent fire and protect electrical connections, then fire safety is improved, but the panel becomes non-breathable and uncomfortable for active wearers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefire safetyVSAvoidbreathability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Different parts of the heating panel have different breathability properties: the power leads connection section is made airtight and fireproof for safety, while the heating wire section is made breathable for comfort. This local differentiation of material properties resolves the contradiction between fire safety and breathability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of operation

If breathable fabric materials are used to improve comfort and perspiration management, then breathability is improved, but fire vulnerability increases due to oxygen presence at power wire connections

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovebreathabilityVSAvoidfire vulnerability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The panel is segmented into a fireproof sealed section containing power wire connections and a breathable section containing heating wires. This segmentation isolates the fire risk at electrical junctions from the breathable fabric areas, allowing breathability where needed while maintaining fire safety at critical connection points.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Device complexity

If larger panels are constructed to eliminate multiple smaller panels, then installation complexity is reduced, but the panels become less pliable and less comfortable for body conformation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation complexityVSAvoidpliability and body conformation

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The breathable heating wire section is constructed with flexible breathable fabric materials that can conform to body contours, while the power leads connection section uses rigid fireproof materials for safety. This local differentiation maintains pliability in the areas that need it while ensuring fire safety in the connection areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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

This design enhances safety by preventing electrical fires and improves wearer comfort by allowing for breathability and moisture management, making heated wearables safer and more comfortable.

Implementation Method 1

heating wires which are usually made of carbon, copper alloy or other suitable conductive materials to capable of generating heat when rendered electrical conductive

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

provides moisture wicking and shedding for the comfort of a wearer person

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Data Source

PatentUS20240260686A1Electrically heating sectional panel structure for heated wearables

Publication Date: 2024.08.08 DE SANTIS BROOKE ERIN MRS

AI summary

A heating panel structure for heated wearables is constructed with a power leads connection section and a breathable heating wire section. The power leads connection section contains at least electrically shielded power leads connections to heating wires disposed in a pattern in the breathable heating wire section. The power leads connection section is formed of selected fabrics interconnected together to form an air-tight non-breathable fireproof and waterproof impermeable enclosure for the power leads connections. The breathable heating wire section is formed with a lamination of breathable fabric sheets, between which a pattern of the heating wire is secured, and which provides moisture wicking and shedding for the comfort of a wearer person.