Removable Heating Panels for Bulletproof Wearables in Cold Weather
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Solution Overview
Problem
Bulletproof vests are heavy and bulky, restricting movement and providing inadequate warmth in cold weather, posing challenges for police and military personnel.
Innovation Solution
Integration of lightweight, removable electrical heating panels within bulletproof apparel, controlled by a push-button switch or smartphone app, with insulation to prevent heat loss and ballistic plate degradation, and a battery system for prolonged use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a bulletproof vest is worn to provide ballistic protection, then protection against projectiles is improved, but weight and bulkiness increase restricting movement
Solution Approach 1:
The heating system is divided into separate removable heating panels that can be independently attached to different sections of the bulletproof vest. This segmentation allows the vest to maintain its protective function while adding only the necessary heating components, rather than integrating heating throughout the entire vest structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the thermal parameter of the bulletproof vest by adding active heating elements that can adjust the temperature of the vest. This allows the vest to transition from a passive protective garment to an active thermal regulation system, counteracting the coldness of the ballistic plate without significantly increasing weight.
2Reliability
If a bulletproof vest is worn to provide ballistic protection, then protection against projectiles is improved, but bulkiness increases restricting arm movement
Solution Approach 1:
The heating system is divided into separate removable heating panels that can be independently attached to different sections of the bulletproof vest. This segmentation allows the vest to maintain its protective function while adding only the necessary heating components, rather than integrating heating throughout the entire vest structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating panels are designed to be removable and adjustable, allowing the wearer to dynamically configure the vest based on environmental conditions and movement requirements. This dynamic adaptability enables the wearer to optimize both protection and mobility for different operational scenarios.
3Temperature
If heating panels are added to warm the wearer in cold weather, then warmth is improved, but heat loss to the cold ballistic plate increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces thermal insulation material as an intermediary layer between the heating panels and the cold ballistic plate. This intermediary prevents direct thermal contact, reducing heat loss to the plate while maintaining the heating effect on the wearer's body. The insulation acts as a thermal barrier that preserves the effectiveness of the heating system.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating system applies heat locally at the interface between the heating panel and the wearer's body, rather than attempting to heat the entire vest structure. This localized heating approach, combined with thermal insulation, ensures that energy is directed where needed (at the wearer's skin) without being wasted on heating the cold ballistic plate.
4Temperature
If heating panels are added to warm the wearer in cold weather, then warmth is improved, but the ballistic plate performance degrades due to excessive heat
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces thermal insulation material as an intermediary layer between the heating panels and the cold ballistic plate. This intermediary prevents direct thermal contact, reducing heat loss to the plate while maintaining the heating effect on the wearer's body. The insulation acts as a thermal barrier that preserves the effectiveness of the heating system.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating system applies heat locally at the interface between the heating panel and the wearer's body, rather than attempting to heat the entire vest structure. This localized heating approach, combined with thermal insulation, ensures that energy is directed where needed (at the wearer's skin) without being wasted on heating the cold ballistic plate.
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
Enhances warmth and mobility in cold weather by reducing bulkiness and weight, allowing for controlled heat generation and monitoring vital signs, while maintaining ballistic protection.
Implementation Method 1
an electrical heating panel (20) formed of a material which has incorporated into it a pattern of one or more electrical heating conductors (32)
Implementation Method 2
a high density thermally insulating foam panel (54) whereby to insulate the heating panel form the ballistic plate
Data Source
AI summary
A bulletproof article of apparel is provided with an opening in an inner lining thereof for access to a configured space adapted to receive a bulletproof panel and an electrically heating panel having electrical heating conductors. A dc voltage supply cable is secured to the electrical heating conductors to provide comfort to a wearer person during cold climatic conditions. A controller module is secured to the dc voltage supply cable and to a dc battery to control a supply voltage to the electrical heating conductors. The controller module is retained at a location accessible to a wearer person fitted with the bulletproof article of apparel and has a switch to permit the wearer person to switch the battery power on/off and regulate the voltage supply to the electrical heating conductors. Feedback means informs the wearer person of the operating mode provided by a switch actuation by the wearer person.