Palm Cooling Surface Using Thermoelectric Heat Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for cooling body tissues during exercise are complex, expensive, require significant space, and fail to maintain a cool temperature effectively, leading to reduced muscle strength and endurance due to internal heat accumulation.
Innovation Solution
A hand-held cooling therapy device with a thermally conductive surface, powered by a battery pack and thermoelectric modules, uses airflow pathways and temperature modification modules to regulate skin temperature, allowing for efficient heat transfer without liquids or vacuums.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a cooling device uses vacuum and fluid pathways to extract body heat, then heat extraction effectiveness is improved, but device complexity and storage space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential cooling function from complex vacuum and fluid pathway systems, retaining only the thermally conductive surface and passive cooling elements. This removes unnecessary complexity while preserving the core heat extraction capability through direct thermal contact with the skin.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces active mechanical cooling systems (vacuum pumps, fluid circulation systems) with a passive thermally conductive surface that relies on natural heat transfer principles. This substitution eliminates complex mechanical components while maintaining effective heat extraction.
2Temperature
If a cooling device uses vacuum and pressure regulation to improve heat extraction, then cooling effectiveness is improved, but manufacturing cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs simple, inexpensive thermally conductive materials that can be mass-produced at low cost. The design prioritizes affordability and ease of manufacture over sophisticated active cooling systems, making the device accessible and cost-effective for widespread use.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces expensive pressure regulation mechanisms and vacuum systems with passive thermal conduction principles. This substitution dramatically reduces manufacturing costs while maintaining effective cooling performance through simple thermally conductive surfaces.
3Temperature
If a metallic bar is refrigerated to provide cooling surface, then initial cooling effect is improved, but temperature maintenance capability deteriorates as fluid warms rapidly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates phase change materials that are pre-positioned within the thermally conductive structure. These materials are prepared in advance to absorb heat as the user applies the device, automatically maintaining cool temperatures without requiring external refrigeration or active fluid circulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes phase change materials that transition from solid to liquid state as they absorb body heat. This phase transition process provides sustained cooling over time, addressing the limitation of rapidly warming refrigerated fluids while maintaining effective temperature control throughout the therapy duration.
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 device effectively reduces body temperature, enhancing muscle strength and endurance by maintaining a cool surface temperature, promoting longer high-intensity exercise periods with reduced inflammation and cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
One or more thermally conductive portions of the device may be cooled by a thermoelectric module for cooling objects in close proximity thereto
Implementation Method 2
a thermally conductive device is configured with a plurality of air inlets and outlets adapted to permit air to be circulated within the device
Implementation Method 3
Temperature of the surface may be regulated by one or more airflow pathways
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus is described that provides cooling therapy for a user of the apparatus. A heat exchanger and/or thermoelectric module in the device, such as a Peltier cooling module, promotes cooling of one or more thermally conductive portions of the device and objects (such as the user's hands holding the device) in close proximity to the thermally conductive portions. A user may place one's palm(s) on the thermally conductive portion(s) to cool the user's palms. As a user's palms are cooled over a time period of use of the device of the present invention, the user's body temperature is also cooled, which reduces negative impacts of body heat on the user's muscles, and thereby enhances physical performance by the user for an added period of time.