Reusable warming blanket with phase change material
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional warming blankets lose heat quickly, failing to provide sustained comfort to pre-operative patients, and air-activated self-heating blankets are uncomfortable, expensive, and environmentally unfriendly.
Innovation Solution
A warming device featuring weldable fabric layers with a phase change material, such as carbon paraffin, enclosed in channels or pockets, which retains heat for extended periods while maintaining comfort and being reusable.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional cotton warming blankets are preheated in warming cabinets, then they provide initial comfort warmth, but they lose their heat within a couple of minutes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates phase change material (PCM) that undergoes phase transition from solid to liquid at body temperature, absorbing and releasing latent heat to maintain thermal energy over extended periods. This phase change mechanism allows the blanket to retain warmth for significantly longer than conventional blankets that rely solely on sensible heat storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite structure combining conventional fabric layers with integrated phase change material pockets. This composite design merges the comfort and breathability of cotton fabric with the extended heat retention properties of PCM, achieving both initial warmth and prolonged thermal maintenance.
2Duration of action of moving object
If disposable air-activated self-heating blankets are used, then heat is generated by exothermic reaction for extended period, but they are uncomfortable, expensive, and environmentally unfriendly
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using exothermic chemical reactions, the patent employs physical phase transitions of PCM that occurs reversibly and sustainably. The PCM absorbs heat during phase change from solid to liquid and releases it during freezing, providing extended warmth without the discomfort and environmental issues of disposable chemical heating blankets.
Solution Approach 2:
The phase change material provides self-regulating thermal control without requiring external activation or disposal. The PCM automatically absorbs and releases heat based on temperature conditions, eliminating the need for air activation and reducing environmental impact through reusability.
3Duration of action of moving object
If air-activated blankets are made with synthetic nonwoven materials, then they provide extended heat generation, but they do not feel as comfortable as cotton
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines natural cotton fabric layers with phase change material pockets, creating a composite blanket that offers the softness and comfort of cotton against the skin while incorporating PCM for extended heat retention. This composite approach eliminates the need for uncomfortable synthetic nonwoven materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different materials to different regions of the blanket: comfortable cotton fabric where it contacts the skin and phase change material in internal pockets for heat storage. This local differentiation ensures skin comfort is maintained while achieving extended heat generation through the PCM.
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 maintains patient comfort by retaining heat for at least 45 minutes, is comfortable like cotton, and is reusable, reducing environmental impact and costs.
Implementation Method 1
A phase change material may be enclosed in the pocket
Implementation Method 2
The phase change material may have a melting point between approximately 37° C. and 44° C.
Implementation Method 3
The weldable fabric on the first fabric layer may be a thermoplastic urethane. The weldable fabric on the second fabric layer may be a thermoplastic urethane.
Implementation Method 4
The pocket may be formed by radiofrequency welding of the weldable fabrics.
Data Source
AI summary
A warming device may include a batting layer having a phase change material. The batting layer may have a patient side and an upper side. A hot melt fabric adhesive may be applied to the patient side and upper side of the batting. A first fabric layer may be adhered to the hot melt fabric on the patient side of the batting. The first fabric layer may have a phase change material integrated coating. An insulation layer may be adhered to the hot melt fabric on the upper side of the batting. A second fabric layer may be coupled to the insulation layer.