Ice Therapy Machine Freezer Integration and Fluid Substitution

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional ice therapy machines require frequent ice replacement and struggle to maintain low temperatures due to heat absorption from injuries, especially for larger areas, and existing solutions like antifreeze are toxic or excessively costly.

Innovation Solution

Replacing water with a safe ethylene glycol mixture and placing the entire ice therapy machine, including the ice chest and pump, in a freezer to maintain low temperatures without melting ice, using a modified portable freezer with openings for hoses and power cord, and incorporating an on/off switch for convenience.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If water is used as the circulating fluid in the ice therapy machine, then the machine can achieve above-freezing temperatures, but the ice melts rapidly due to heat absorption from injuries, requiring frequent ice replacement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecirculating fluid temperatureVSAvoidice replacement frequency

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameter of the circulating fluid from water to ethylene glycol mixture. This parameter change allows the fluid to maintain liquid state at sub-freezing temperatures and reduces heat absorption from injuries, thereby extending ice duration and reducing replacement frequency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Temperature

If antifreeze (propylene glycol) is used to achieve sub-freezing temperatures, then the temperature can be maintained below 32°F, but the toxic material and noxious fumes make it unsuitable for consumer use

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecirculating fluid temperatureVSAvoidtoxicity and noxious fumes

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses ethylene glycol, which is safer for consumer use than propylene glycol, and combines it with the strategy of placing the entire ice chest assembly in a freezer. This allows the system to achieve sub-freezing temperatures without using toxic antifreeze in the circulating fluid, eliminating toxicity and noxious fumes concerns

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Temperature

If a compressor and evaporator refrigeration cycle is used instead of an ice chest, then sub-freezing temperatures can be achieved, but the cost increases to tens of thousands of dollars, making it suitable only for hospitals

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecirculating fluid temperatureVSAvoidmachine cost

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the ice chest with the freezer environment by placing the entire ice chest assembly containing the pump and hoses inside a freezer. This combination allows the system to achieve sub-freezing temperatures using simple ice rather than expensive compressor-evaporator systems, making the therapy machine affordable for consumer use

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Duration of action of moving object

If the therapy pad circulates water at above-freezing temperatures, then the machine can operate continuously, but it cannot achieve temperatures below 32°F since the water would freeze or turn to slush

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous operation capabilityVSAvoidminimum achievable temperature

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical state parameter of the circulating fluid by using ethylene glycol mixture that remains liquid at sub-freezing temperatures. This allows the fluid to circulate continuously while maintaining temperatures below 32°F, overcoming the limitation of water-based systems that freeze at these temperatures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Reduces the frequency of ice replacement, maintains low temperatures for extended periods, and enhances the therapeutic effect while maintaining cost-effectiveness and convenience, allowing for continuous cold therapy without the need for frequent ice replenishment.

Implementation Method 1

The chilled circulating water and therapy pad provide a more convenient and uniform cold temperature therapy

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 2

placing the entire ice therapy machine, including the ice chest and pump, in a freezer to maintain low temperatures without melting ice

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 3

Since the ethylene glycol mixture remains liquid at temperatures under 32 degrees, the temperature of the freezer can also be set to a temperature lower than 32 degrees

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMelting: Melting

Data Source

PatentUS11246750B2Ice therapy method and apparatus

Publication Date: 2022.02.15 BROWN JAMES E

AI summary

A method of using an ice therapy machine involves replacing water with windshield washer fluid containing ethanol or ethylene glycol, and placing the main unit of the ice therapy machine, including the ice chest and pump, in a freezer to prevent the ice in the ice chest from melting. The freezer has been modified to include openings for passage of the fluid-circulating tubes of the ice therapy machine, and an opening for the power cord of the ice therapy machine, which supplies power to the pump. Alternatively, the door of the freezer may be replaced by an insulated panel having openings for the coolant circulating tubes and power cord. An on/off switch may be installed in the power cord so that the pump can be turned on and off without having to open the freezer door.