Smartwatch Heat Insulation Element for Sauna Use

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing smartwatches and similar wearables face challenges in withstanding high sauna temperatures, exceeding their operational range, which necessitates removal during sauna sessions, disrupting vital parameter monitoring.

Innovation Solution

A heat protection element comprising a fastening section and an insulation section, designed to be manually separable, provides thermal insulation for smartwatches, maintaining the device's temperature below 50°C in environments up to 110°C for at least 15 minutes, using materials with low thermal conductivity and a stretchable textile band for secure fit.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the smartwatch is worn directly on the wrist during sauna sessions, then continuous monitoring of vital parameters is maintained, but the smartwatch is exposed to temperatures exceeding its operational range (up to 110°C)

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous monitoring capabilityVSAvoidthermal exposure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A heat protection element is introduced as an intermediary component between the smartwatch and the hot sauna environment. This element includes an insulation section with low thermal conductivity (λ < 0.05 W/mK) that mediates the thermal interaction, allowing the watch to remain on the wrist for continuous monitoring while protecting it from excessive heat exposure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The heat protection element is segmented into distinct functional sections: a fastening section for securing the device to the wrist, and an insulation section for thermal protection. This segmentation allows the insulation properties to be optimized independently while maintaining wearability and monitoring functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a heat protection element with thick insulation material is used, then thermal insulation performance is improved, but the device complexity and bulkiness increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal insulation performanceVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The heat protection element utilizes composite material construction, combining an insulation section made from materials with low thermal conductivity (λ < 0.05 W/mK) with a fastening section. This composite approach achieves effective thermal protection with reduced material thickness compared to homogeneous structures, thereby minimizing bulkiness while maintaining insulation performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The insulation section is designed as a thin, flexible protective layer that conforms to the wrist and smartwatch geometry. This thin-film approach provides adequate thermal insulation without adding significant bulk or complexity to the overall device structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the heat protection element is permanently attached to the smartwatch, then thermal protection is continuously maintained, but the ability to read the display and interact with the device is hindered

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal protection continuityVSAvoiddisplay accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The heat protection element incorporates a dynamic, manually separable design where the insulation section can be temporarily removed or shifted to access the display, and then reattached to restore thermal protection. This dynamic configuration allows users to balance between continuous protection and operational accessibility as needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 continuous monitoring of vital parameters during sauna sessions by maintaining the smartwatch's temperature within a safe range, ensuring reliable operation and comfort.

Implementation Method 1

the insulation section is configured to insulate the object from ambient temperature, and the heat protection element can be manually separated from the wrist watch to be protected... the thermal conductivity λ of the material used for the insulation section is below 0.05 W/mK

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentUS20240415251A1Heat insulation of a wrist watch in a sauna

Publication Date: 2024.12.19 KLAFS GMBH & CO KG

AI summary

The heat protection element is configured to protect an object that is wearable at the human body, in particular a wrist watch designed as a smartwatch. The heat protection element comprises a fastening section and an insulation section. The fastening section is configured to fasten the heat protection element relative to the object to be protected, and the insulation section is configured to insulate the object from ambient temperature. The heat protection element can be manually separated from the smartwatch to be protected.