Temperature regulated apparatuses and methods of using same

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing temperature-regulating products, such as heated electric blankets, often require hand washing and lack versatility in temperature control, as they typically do not incorporate both heating and cooling elements or have removable components for ease of use and maintenance.

Innovation Solution

A temperature-regulated apparatus featuring a layered member with removable heating and cooling elements, where the heating element is a flexible sheet or electric blanket, and the cooling element is refrigerant gel packs, both of which can be easily inserted and removed without disassembling the main unit, allowing for adjustable temperature settings and easy cleaning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If heated electric blankets are used for temperature regulation, then heating function is provided, but the product requires hand washing and cannot be machine washed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of cleaningVSAvoidintegrated heating element

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The heating element is separated from the blanket fabric into a removable insert that can be independently washed. The blanket cover and heating insert are distinct components that can be separated for cleaning, allowing the fabric portion to be machine washed while the heating element is cleaned separately or replaced.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The heating element is extracted from the integrated blanket structure and placed in a removable pouch or container that can be taken out for washing. This allows the main blanket fabric to be cleaned in a washing machine without the heating component, resolving the contradiction between ease of cleaning and device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Adaptability or versatility

If both heating and cooling elements are integrated into a single pad, then temperature control versatility is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature control versatilityVSAvoiddual element integration

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A single pad structure is designed to accommodate both heating and cooling elements through removable inserts. The pad cover serves multiple functions by being able to hold either a heating element pouch or a cooling element pouch, providing temperature control versatility without requiring separate devices for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The pad system is made dynamic by allowing users to switch between heating and cooling elements based on needs. The removable nature of the element pouches enables easy substitution between hot and cold therapy components, providing adaptability while keeping the overall structure relatively simple through standardized interfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of repair

If heating and cooling elements are made removable, then ease of maintenance is improved, but the risk of loss or misplacement increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of maintenanceVSAvoidelement retention

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of repairVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The heating and cooling elements are nested within protective pouches or containers that are themselves placed inside the larger pad cover. This nested structure ensures that when elements are removed for maintenance, they remain contained within their protective housings, reducing the risk of loss or misplacement while maintaining ease of removal for cleaning or replacement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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 a versatile, user-friendly product that can be adapted for various applications, including pet beds and furniture, offering customizable temperature control and ease of maintenance by allowing the removal of heating and cooling components, thus enhancing user convenience and product longevity.

Implementation Method 1

The temperature regulating element can be a heating element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

a heating element adapted to heat the layered member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 3

a cooling element adapted to cool the layered member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS20230228484A2Temperature regulated apparatuses and methods of using same

Publication Date: 2023.07.20 FUSE LLC

AI summary

A temperature regulated apparatus can include a layered member comprising a first layer of material and a second layer of material connected to the first layer. The layered member can have a first opening formed therein and an interior area defined by the first layer and the second layer. The interior area can be in communication with the first opening. A temperature regulating element adapted to alter the temperature of the layered member can be positioned within the interior area of the layered member, and can be removed from the layered member without disassembling the layered member.