Infrared Extremity Sleeve Heating for Warmth Without Dexterity Loss

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for warming extremities such as hands and feet are inefficient, often leading to reduced dexterity and tactile sensitivity, and can cause discomfort or injury due to excessive heat transfer, especially when trying to maintain core body temperature.

Innovation Solution

A heating garment with a tubular design featuring infrared radiation (IR) and conduction heat sources, controlled by a thermal regulation controller, which distributes heat efficiently and safely to extremities while minimizing surface temperature increases.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If core warmers are used to warm extremities, then extremity temperature is improved, but energy consumption increases and system efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveextremity temperatureVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The heating system is segmented into localized extremity heaters rather than a single core warmer, allowing direct heating of hands and feet separately from the core body, thereby reducing the energy required to achieve the desired extremity temperature

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary thermal regulation layer between the heating element and the extremity that optimizes heat transfer efficiency, reducing energy loss and improving the overall energy efficiency of the heating system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of energy

If core temperature is increased to transfer more heat to extremities, then heat transfer to extremities is improved, but discomfort or injury occurs and perspiration increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat transfer to extremitiesVSAvoiddiscomfort or injury

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The heating system applies local quality by providing targeted heating only to the extremities (hands and feet) rather than increasing core temperature, thereby achieving the necessary heat transfer to extremities without causing discomfort or injury to the wearer

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs periodic or cyclic heating control that modulates the heating output to maintain optimal temperature without excessive heat buildup, preventing discomfort and perspiration while still effectively warming the extremities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Loss of energy

If discrete insulation implements are used to cover extremities, then thermal loss is reduced, but dexterity and tactile sensitivity are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal lossVSAvoiddexterity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical insulation system (gloves or mittens) with a thermal radiation heating system that actively generates heat, thereby reducing thermal loss without requiring physical coverage that would impede dexterity and tactile sensitivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Temperature

If actively heated core warmers are used, then extremity warmth is improved, but system efficiency decreases due to larger heating area

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveextremity warmthVSAvoidsystem efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 heating garment effectively maintains extremity warmth without causing discomfort, enhancing dexterity and tactile sensitivity, and reduces energy consumption through timed alternating or synchronized heating cycles.

Implementation Method 1

the heating garment including an infrared radiation (IR) heating source that distributes IR heat along at least a portion of the heating garment

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInfrared radiation: Infrared Radiation

Implementation Method 2

the heating garment includes a conduction heat source that conducts heat along at least a portion of the heating garment

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS12471644B2Extremity heater

Publication Date: 2025.11.18 CARDINAL ENGINEERING LLC

AI summary

Disclosed is a heating system including: a heating garment formed as a tubular sleeve, the heating garment configured for being worn on a limb, having a cylindrical shape, a proximate end, a distal end that is axially spaced from the proximate end, a dorsal side, a ventral side that radially opposes the dorsal side, a proximate opening at the proximate end, and a distal opening at the distal end, wherein the heating garment is configured for being slid over the limb so that the proximate end is at a wrist or ankle, the distal end is near an elbow or knee, the dorsal side covers a dorsal side of the limb and the ventral side covers a ventral side of the limb, the heating garment including an infrared radiation (IR) heating source that distributes IR heat along at least a portion of the heating garment.