Silver-Nano Electronic Ink Heating Element for Independent Zone Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional heating products are inefficient in temperature control, lead to excessive electric consumption, and may be harmful due to the use of hot wires or electromagnetic waves, and do not cater to individual body part temperature needs.
Innovation Solution
A silver-nano electronic-ink print heating element separation-type electric thermotherapy apparatus using a copper foil tape or electric wire for electrode connection, with a PTC ink printed via a gravure device, allowing for independent temperature control of multiple heating elements through a control unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional screen printing and etching processes are used to manufacture heating films, then heating elements can be produced, but the manufacturing process becomes complicated and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional screen printing and etching processes with gravure printing technology. This substitution simplifies the manufacturing process by using a rolling gravure printing method that can continuously produce heating elements without the complex alignment and multiple processing steps required by screen printing and etching, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining production capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the manufacturing approach from batch processing (screen printing) to continuous rolling processing (gravure printing). This parameter change in the manufacturing process enables simplified production with fewer steps, reduced material waste, and lower manufacturing costs while maintaining heating element performance
2Area of stationary object
If integral heating members are used to heat large areas, then coverage is improved, but excessive electric consumption occurs when only specific body parts need heating
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the heating blanket into multiple independent heating zones with separate heating elements. Each zone can be independently controlled and switched on or off based on the user's needs. This segmentation allows only the required body areas to be heated, significantly reducing electric consumption compared to heating the entire blanket surface, while still providing comprehensive coverage when needed
3Temperature
If conventional hot wires or PVC hoses are used in heating products, then heating function is achieved, but electromagnetic wave exposure and safety problems occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the harmful electromagnetic radiation source by replacing conventional hot wires and PVC hoses with silver-nano electronic-ink printed heating elements. This extraction eliminates the electromagnetic wave exposure problem while maintaining the heating function, as the printed heating elements generate heat through resistive heating of the silver-nano ink pattern without producing harmful electromagnetic radiation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials, specifically silver-nano particles embedded in an electronic ink matrix, to create heating elements that provide efficient heating without electromagnetic radiation. The composite structure of silver-nano ink combines the high electrical conductivity of silver with the flexibility and processability of electronic ink, achieving safe and effective heating
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 precise temperature control, reduces electric consumption by heating only the desired body area, and avoids electromagnetic wave exposure, promoting blood circulation and metabolism while being cost-effective and thermally efficient.
Implementation Method 1
a heating element formed using a gravure device and the temperature of which is controlled by a user for respective body parts or areas
Implementation Method 2
which includes a self-temperature controllable PTC silver-nano electronic-ink print heating element
Data Source
AI summary
A silver-nano electronic-ink print heating element separation-type electric thermotherapy apparatus includes two or more silver-nano electronic-ink print heating elements that emit heat using a power source applied from a power source unit. The electric thermotherapy apparatus includes a control unit which receives the power source from the power source unit to output a power source on-off signal and a temperature control signal for controlling the two or more silver-nano electronic-ink print heating elements, and the silver-nano electronic-ink print heating elements emitting heat depending on the power source and/or a temperature applied using the control unit, whereby an integral heating element, such as an electric mat, an electric mattress, an electric cushion, a hot-water mat, and an electric carpet, includes two or more divided parts, and thus it is easy to separately use the parts of the heating element and to independently control the temperature for the heating parts.