Sleeping bag having open-cell polyurethane foam insulation and a center opening with magnetic fasteners
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cold-weather sleeping bags with open-cell foam insulation face challenges such as poor wind resistance, water repellency, bulkiness, and difficulties in mass production due to the handling and sewing of thick foam, while also appearing cumbersome.
Innovation Solution
A sleeping bag design featuring an open-cell, hydrophobic polyurethane or polyether foam insulation layer sandwiched between a fully-synthetic, tightly-woven, water-resistant polyester or nylon shell and a loosely-woven smooth liner, with a center opening secured by magnetic fasteners for improved comfort and ease of use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If open-cell foam insulation is used in sleeping bags, then thermal insulation is improved, but wind resistance and water repellency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines open-cell foam insulation with a tightly-woven outer shell fabric to create a composite structure. The foam provides thermal insulation while the shell fabric provides wind and water resistance, resolving the contradiction between insulation performance and protection against environmental elements.
2Temperature
If thick foam insulation is used, then thermal performance is improved, but bulkiness and difficulty in mass production increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sleeping bag is constructed by separating the foam insulation into manageable sections and assembling them between fabric layers. This segmentation allows for easier handling, cutting, and sewing during mass production while maintaining effective thermal insulation throughout.
3Device complexity
If traditional fasteners are used, then structural simplicity is maintained, but ease of operation and comfort deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical fasteners (zippers, buttons, snaps) with magnetic fasteners. The magnetic attraction provides secure closure while allowing for easier operation and improved comfort at the center opening, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and ease of operation.
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 design provides enhanced wind resistance, moisture vapor transmission, and comfort while being lightweight and compressible, allowing for restful sleep by minimizing external light and promoting melatonin production, thus improving sleep quality.
Implementation Method 1
an open-cell, hydrophobic, polyurethane or polyether foam insulation layer
Implementation Method 2
open-cell, hydrophobic, polyurethane or polyether foam insulation layer
Implementation Method 3
center opening with magnetic fasteners
Data Source
AI summary
An improved sleeping bag is provided, which has an open-cell, polyurethane or polyether foam insulation layer sandwiched between an outer shell of fully-synthetic, tightly-woven, water-resistant, yet breathable fabric and a more loosely-woven smooth liner fabric, also made of a smooth, fully-synthetic polymeric material. The sleeping bag also has a longitudinal overlapping opening that extends the full length of the bag. Once the two sides of the opening are overlapped, the overlapping sides become secured together with a plurality of magnetic fasteners. Each fastener consists of a magnetic button component, which fits into a magnetic socket component of opposite polarity.