Blanket to protect body from harsh environmental conditions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Individuals, particularly those with conditions like ALS, struggle to enjoy outdoor activities due to discomfort from harsh weather conditions such as cold temperatures, as existing clothing and apparel fail to adequately regulate body temperature and provide sufficient protection.

Innovation Solution

A blanket with multiple panels and adjustable fasteners, incorporating materials like fleece and waterproof layers, along with optional heating elements and hand-warmer pockets, designed to restrict heat transfer and provide insulation from environmental conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional clothing and apparel are used, then the design is simple and easy to manufacture, but they fail to adequately regulate body temperature and provide sufficient protection from harsh weather conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection from harsh weather conditionsVSAvoidcomplexity of blanket structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The blanket is divided into multiple panels (front panel, back panel, side panels) with different orientations and functions. Each panel can be independently adjusted and fastened, allowing customized coverage and insulation for different body regions, thereby providing comprehensive weather protection while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The blanket incorporates multiple layers including waterproof outer layers, insulating middle layers (such as fleece or down), and breathable inner layers. This composite material structure provides enhanced protection against wind, rain, and cold temperatures while regulating body temperature, resolving the contradiction between protection reliability and material complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Temperature

If existing clothing is used, then the structure is simple, but they fail to provide adequate insulation and temperature regulation for individuals with temperature sensitivity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebody temperature regulationVSAvoidcomplexity of insulation system

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Different panels of the blanket are designed with different insulation properties and thicknesses tailored to specific body regions. High-insulation panels are placed on the torso and core areas, while lighter panels cover extremities, providing optimized temperature regulation without uniformly increasing complexity across the entire garment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The blanket incorporates adjustable fasteners (snaps, hooks, or zippers) that allow users to dynamically adjust the coverage and insulation levels throughout the day based on changing weather conditions and body temperature needs, enabling adaptive temperature regulation without requiring a complex active heating system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Object-affected harmful factors

If heavy-duty protective clothing is used to block wind and rain, then protection is improved, but the clothing becomes bulky and less comfortable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection from wind and rainVSAvoidcomfort and ease of movement

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The blanket uses flexible waterproof and windproof outer layers made from thin film materials that conform to the body's contours without adding bulk. These flexible membranes provide effective protection against wind and rain while maintaining comfort and ease of movement, resolving the contradiction between harmful factor protection and operational ease

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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

Enables users to comfortably participate in outdoor activities by maintaining body temperature and protecting against wind, rain, and extreme temperatures, enhancing the overall experience for individuals sensitive to weather conditions.

Implementation Method 1

incorporating materials like fleece and waterproof layers, along with optional heating elements... designed to restrict heat transfer and provide insulation from environmental conditions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 2

optional heating elements... designed to restrict heat transfer and provide insulation from environmental conditions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentUS9861143B2Blanket to protect body from harsh environmental conditions

Publication Date: 2018.01.09 SERVANTS HEART OUTFITTERS L L C

AI summary

A blanket that may include a layer of material with trapezoidally shaped notches in two opposite sides of the material. An upper panel of the material may be configured to wrap around a user's upper legs with the user in a sitting position, and a lower panel of the material may be configured to wrap around the user's lower legs. Fasteners removably attach right and left edges of the lower panel together. A method of covering a portion of a user's body with a blanket may include placing the blanket on the user with an upper panel of the blanket over the user's upper legs, and a lower panel of the blanket over the user's lower legs, wrapping left and right edges of the lower panel around the user's lower legs, thereby surrounding the user's lower legs with the lower panel.