Self-Heating Fluid Connector With Phase-Change Heat Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing self-heating fluid containers face issues with uneven heat distribution due to inadequate mixing of liquid and solid reagents, leading to localized overheating and underheating, and require external power sources, making them non-portable.
Innovation Solution
A self-heating fluid connector with an exothermic phase change material and a manually operable initiator, where fluid conduits or channels are in thermal communication with the material, allowing controlled heat transfer to fluids as they flow, and optionally includes temperature control mechanisms and insulation for efficient heating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If solid reagent and liquid reagent are used for exothermic reaction, then heating function is achieved, but uneven heat distribution and localized overheating occur due to inadequate mixing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses phase change material that transitions from solid to liquid state during the exothermic reaction. This phase transition enables the reagent to automatically mix with the liquid reagent, ensuring uniform heat distribution throughout the fluid without localized overheating.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical state parameter of the reagent from solid to liquid through phase transition. This parameter change facilitates automatic mixing and ensures uniform heat distribution, resolving the contradiction between achieving heating function and maintaining heating uniformity.
2Ease of operation
If external power source is used for heating, then controlled heating is achieved, but portability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a self-heating mechanism where the container heats itself through an exothermic chemical reaction between reagents stored within the container. This eliminates the need for external power sources, making the device portable and easy to operate without electrical infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the heating function from external power sources and relocates it into the container itself through integrated exothermic reagents. This extraction enables portability while maintaining controlled heating capability through the chemical reaction system.
3Ease of operation
If exothermic chemical reaction is used for heating, then portability is improved, but control over heat generation becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes phase change material that transitions from solid to liquid state to initiate and control the exothermic reaction. This phase transition provides a natural control mechanism for heat generation, making the device portable while maintaining controllable heating through the physical state change of the reagent.
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 controlled, efficient, and portable heating of fluids by ensuring even heat distribution and reducing the need for external power, addressing the limitations of existing technologies.
Implementation Method 1
an exothermic phase change material within the housing; one or more fluid conduits extending between the first and second ends and being in thermal communication with the exothermic phase change material
Implementation Method 2
heat is transferred to fluid caused to flow through the fluid conduits
Data Source
AI summary
A self-heating fluid connector comprising a housing in which is provided exothermic phase change material and one or more fluid channels extending from one end of the housing to the other, in thermal communication with the exothermic phase change material, whereby fluid passing through the fluid conduits is heated by the exothermic phase change material. The self-heating connector is particularly suited for use with a fluid container and a fluid delivery port such as a baby's bottle and feeding teat.