Thermal insulating structure with adjustable warmth control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional sleeping bags with permanently distributed insulating materials fail to maintain comfortable body temperature due to variations in outdoor temperatures and individual preferences, leading to inadequate warmth or overheating throughout the night.

Innovation Solution

A thermal insulating structure with adjustable warmth control features, including baffles and a choke point system that allows for flexible positioning of insulating material, temperature indication lines, and attachment mechanisms like buttons and hook-and-loop systems, enabling users to customize insulation distribution based on environmental conditions and personal comfort.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If insulating material is permanently distributed throughout the sleeping bag, then warmth is maintained evenly throughout, but the sleeping bag cannot adapt to temperature variations or personal preferences

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to temperature variationsVSAvoidfixed distribution of insulating material

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The sleeping bag is divided into multiple compartments using baffles, allowing insulating material to be segmented and redistributed according to temperature needs and personal preferences

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The insulating material is made movable within the compartments through channels and openings, enabling dynamic adjustment of warmth distribution rather than fixed permanent placement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Stability of the object's composition

If stitching is used to prevent filler material movement, then even warmth is maintained, but adjustability and flexibility are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveeven distribution of filler materialVSAvoidflexibility in warmth adjustment

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of continuous stitching, the design uses segmented baffles with controlled openings that allow filler movement between sections while maintaining distribution within sections

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Choke points act as intermediary elements that control and regulate the movement of filler material between compartments, enabling adjustable distribution without complete freedom of movement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If down feathers are evenly distributed to maintain consistent warmth, then comfort is improved, but the sleeping bag cannot respond to outdoor temperature variations or body heat changes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconsistent warmth maintenanceVSAvoidresponse to environmental changes

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from static even distribution to dynamic adjustable distribution, allowing users to respond to environmental changes by redistributing down feathers between compartments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The distribution parameter of down feathers can be changed by the user based on environmental conditions and personal comfort needs, enabling adaptation to temperature variations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Ease of manufacture

If a simple shell design is used, then ease of manufacture is improved, but warmth retention and temperature control are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of shell constructionVSAvoidwarmth retention capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The shell is divided into multiple compartments using baffles, creating a more complex structure that enhances warmth retention through distributed insulation while remaining manufacturable

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The baffle system serves multiple functions: structural support, insulation distribution, and adjustable warmth control, adding functionality without requiring completely separate systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

This solution allows for quick and easy adjustments to maintain optimal body temperature, accommodating external temperature variations and personal preferences, thereby enhancing sleep comfort and minimizing disturbances during the night.

Implementation Method 1

shells have been known to be filled with all types of materials which can capture and retain body heat within the sleeping bag

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentUS11033128B2Thermal insulating structure with adjustable warmth control

Publication Date: 2021.06.15 ROHWELLER DAVID

AI summary

A thermal insulating structure having insulation channels formed therein to receive insulation material, a movement channel extending along the insulation channels to disburse the insulation between the insulation channels and a storage channel to store insulation material not being used in the insulation channels. The movement channel, insulation channels and storage channel being integrally formed with each other while being partially obstructed from each other to maintain insulating material in the desired channels until moved to another one of the channels by a swiping or patting motion on the structure to provide a widely ranging temperature adjustable structure such as a sleeping bag, jacket, or comforter.