Powered garments, portable devices controlling powered garments, chargers for powered garments, enclosures for storing powered garments, and interconnections of powered garments
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for garments that provide protection against extreme temperatures without inconveniencing the wearer and that can monitor physiological and environmental attributes, with a requirement for efficient electrical power management to support integrated heating, cooling, and sensor functions.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a hanger with magnetic charging interfaces and a garment with corresponding interfaces for inductive charging, along with a network of interconnected garments and devices for data communication and power management, utilizing USB interfaces and wireless communication for efficient energy transfer and data exchange.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If insulation is added to protect against extreme temperatures, then protection against heat and cold is improved, but garment weight and bulk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into a single integrated system: the garment includes both insulation layers for thermal protection and embedded heating elements powered by a battery pack, eliminating the need for separate heating devices and reducing overall weight while maintaining protection against extreme temperatures
Solution Approach 2:
The garment is designed with multi-functionality to provide both passive insulation and active heating capabilities through integrated heating elements, allowing a single garment to adapt to varying temperature conditions and reduce the need for multiple separate protective layers
2Object-affected harmful factors
If insulation is added to protect against extreme temperatures, then protection against heat and cold is improved, but garment bulk and dimensions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the heating function into the existing insulation structure by embedding heating elements within the insulation layers, thereby providing active temperature control without adding significant bulk or dimensions to the garment
3Adaptability or versatility
If heating and cooling capabilities are integrated into the garment, then performance enhancement is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the thermal control system into separate heating zones and cooling zones within the garment, each controlled independently, allowing for localized temperature adjustment and simplified control of each function while maintaining overall system versatility
Solution Approach 2:
The garment incorporates dynamically controllable heating and cooling elements that can be adjusted in real-time based on environmental conditions and user needs, with control systems that adapt to varying requirements and simplify operation through automated regulation
4Measurement precision
If biometric sensors are integrated into the garment, then physiological monitoring capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple biometric sensing functions into a single integrated sensor module that can simultaneously monitor physiological parameters, reducing the number of separate components and simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining comprehensive monitoring capability
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor system is designed with multi-functionality to detect various physiological parameters using a unified sensing platform, allowing the garment to monitor multiple attributes through a single integrated system rather than requiring separate dedicated sensors for each parameter
5Duration of action of moving object
If rechargeable battery systems are used to power garment functions, then operational autonomy is improved, but charging convenience becomes a challenge
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates preliminary charging capability by integrating wireless charging coils into the garment structure, allowing the battery to be recharged automatically when the garment is stored or worn, eliminating the need for manual disassembly and external charging equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The garment system performs self-service charging through integrated wireless charging coils that automatically recharge the battery when the garment is placed on a charging surface or worn, requiring no user intervention and maintaining operational autonomy while simplifying the charging process
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 convenient and efficient recharging of garments with rechargeable batteries while facilitating the collection of biometric and environmental data, improving the control and configuration of smart garments through integrated power and communication systems.
Implementation Method 1
a hanger magnet having a first pole configured to attract the garment charging interface of the powered garment
Implementation Method 2
hanger circuitry configured to provide charging electric energy to at least two hanger contacts
Data Source
AI summary
In selected examples, a hanger or a garment-storing enclosure couples to an electrically-powered garment, to provide electrical energy for recharging the garment's battery and operating the garment's electronics. The electrical energy may be transferred using low frequency inductive coupling or electromagnetic coupling in the radio frequency range of the spectrum. The hanger/enclosure may include a data interface to the garment, and another data interface to a Wide Area Network (WAN) or another network. Each of the data interfaces may be, e.g., a wireless RF data interface. The garment may include biometric, environmental, and other sensors for collecting data. Through the data interfaces, the hanger/enclosure may enable data flow between the garment and remote devices connected to the WAN. The garment-storing enclosure may be a portable enclosure, such as a garment travel bag. It may also be a relatively-fixed enclosure, such as a closet in an office or a dwelling.