Multi-Layer Warming Blanket for Breathable Heat Retention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Metalized materials used for retaining body heat lack breathability and flexibility, making them unsuitable for specific environments and applications that require vapor permeability and conformability.

Innovation Solution

A warming blanket design incorporating a perspiration absorptive layer (PAL), a metal coating layer (MCL), and a transparent coating layer (TCL), where the MCL is positioned between the PAL and TCL, enhancing breathability, flexibility, and thermal reflection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If a metal coating layer is applied to retain body heat, then thermal reflection is improved, but breathability and flexibility deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat lossVSAvoidbreathability and flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The blanket is divided into multiple functional layers: a perspiration absorptive layer (PAL) for moisture management, a metal coating layer (MCL) for thermal reflection, and a transparent coating layer (TCL) for breathability. This segmentation allows each layer to specialize in one function, resolving the contradiction between heat retention and breathability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses a composite structure combining different materials with complementary properties: the PAL absorbs perspiration, the MCL reflects thermal radiation, and the TCL allows vapor transmission. This composite approach enables the blanket to simultaneously achieve thermal reflection and breathability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Loss of energy

If a metalized material is used for thermal retention, then heat reflection is improved, but conformability to body shape deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebody heat retentionVSAvoidflexibility and conformability

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The blanket employs thin film structures for the coating layers that can flex and conform to body contours. The transparent coating layer and metal coating layer are applied as thin films on a flexible substrate, enabling the blanket to adapt to various body shapes while maintaining thermal reflection properties

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Loss of energy

If a metal coating layer is applied to reflect body heat, then thermal reflection is improved, but vapor permeability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat lossVSAvoidvapor permeability

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The transparent coating layer acts as an intermediary between the metal coating layer and the external environment. It allows water vapor to pass through while protecting the metal layer and maintaining its thermal reflection properties, thus resolving the contradiction between heat retention and vapor permeability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 design effectively reduces heat loss by reflecting body heat while allowing vapor permeability and flexibility, making it suitable for outdoor and nighttime use.

Implementation Method 1

the metalized materials (e.g., also known as a space blanket, mylar blanket, first aid blanket, safety blanket, thermal blanket, etc.) include a heat-reflective metal coating applied to a thin plastic film or nonwoven. Ideally, the metalized materials reflect around 90% of a user's body heat to mitigate heat loss from the user's body.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

the PAL is a perspiration absorptive layer that has a front surface, a back surface, and a through-hole formed therein. The PAL bonds to the MCL at the front surface of the PAL with an adhesive layer.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVapor absorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 3

The TCL, for example, provides a layer that mostly transmits several wavelengths of light therethrough and enables the external light (e.g., electromagnetic radiation) to reach the MCL, while in accordance with certain embodiments the TCL also functions as a layer of thermal insulation to mitigate heat loss from the MCL into the external environment.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation transmission: Refraction

Data Source

PatentUS20230276961A1Nighttime Warming Blanket

Publication Date: 2023.09.07 NANHAI NANXIN NON WOVEN CO LTD

AI summary

Warming blankets are provided, in which the warming blankets include (i) a perspiration absorptive layer (PAL); (ii) a metal coating layer (MCL); and (iii) a transparent coating layer (TCL); wherein the MCL is located directly or indirectly between the PAL and the TCL. Methods of producing a warming blanket are also provided.