Multilayer Heat-Management Material for Solar Heat Retention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing insulating heat-reflective materials fail to provide optimal heat management by reflecting body heat back to the interior while minimizing radiant heat loss to the environment, and they do not effectively trap solar radiation for enhanced heat retention.

Innovation Solution

A multilayered construction of metal with a protective polymer overlayer is applied to the exterior of garments, combining low thermal emittance and high solar absorptance to enhance heat retention and solar radiation absorption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If a unitary metallic film or discrete pattern of metallic elements are attached to the interior surface, then heat retention is improved, but the material cannot effectively trap solar radiation or convert it to heat

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat retentionVSAvoidsolar radiation trapping and conversion capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials by combining a metallic layer (for heat reflection and low thermal emittance) with a black polymeric coating layer (for high solar absorptance). This composite structure enables the material to simultaneously reflect body heat back to the wearer while absorbing solar radiation, resolving the contradiction between heat retention and solar radiation trapping capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The heat-management element is designed to perform multiple functions: it reflects thermal radiation (heat) back to the interior, absorbs solar radiation through the black polymeric coating, and converts solar radiation to heat. This multi-functionality addresses the limitation of conventional materials that only provide heat reflection without solar radiation trapping capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Loss of energy

If metallic film or heat reflective elements are arranged on the interior surface, then body heat reflection is improved, but thermal resistance to the environment is not sufficiently increased

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebody heat reflectionVSAvoidthermal resistance to environment

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of placing the heat-reflective metallic film on the interior surface as in conventional materials, the patent inverts the arrangement by placing the multilayered heat-management element on the exterior surface. The black polymeric coating faces outward to absorb solar radiation, while the metallic layer reflects thermal radiation back through the garment to the wearer, thereby increasing thermal resistance to the external environment while maintaining body heat reflection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Loss of energy

If conventional heat-reflective materials are used, then heat retention is improved, but the base fabric's performance characteristics are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat retentionVSAvoidbase fabric performance characteristics

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the heat-management functionality into a separate multilayered element that can be coupled to the base fabric. This segmentation allows the base fabric to maintain its inherent performance characteristics (breathability, moisture management, comfort) while the attached heat-management element provides the thermal regulation and solar radiation trapping functions, thus avoiding compromise of the base fabric's properties

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 multilayered heat-management elements significantly increase thermal resistance and solar absorptance, providing improved heat retention and solar energy conversion, even at low surface coverage, without compromising the base fabric's performance characteristics.

Implementation Method 1

trap solar radiation and convert it to heat that is directed toward the interior of the base material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSolar radiation absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

convert it to heat that is directed toward the interior of the base material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSolar energy conversion: Solar Energy

Implementation Method 3

restrict heat transmission to the environment from the exterior facing surface of the base material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 4

reflect the body heat of the wearer back to the interior, or body side, of the garment

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS12501954B2Multilayered multifunctional heat-management material

Publication Date: 2025.12.23 COLUMBIA SPORTSWEAR CO

AI summary

A heat-management material that includes a base fabric having an externally facing surface and an internally facing surface; and a plurality of multilayered multifunctional heat-management elements coupled to the externally facing surface of the base material wherein the heat-management material has weighted average thermal emittance of less than 0.8 (or 80%). The multilayered multifunctional heat-management elements include a low thermal emittance layer and a high solar absorptance layer.