Modular Thermal Pad Joining Clip
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thermal pads often require multiple units to cover larger areas, resulting in gaps between pads that reduce the effectiveness of heat or cold application to injured or inflamed body regions.
Innovation Solution
A modular thermal pad system where individual pads with a sealed volume of thermal material are joined using clips with snap-fit mechanisms, ensuring no gaps between pads and allowing them to be configured into desired shapes for specific body regions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If multiple thermal pads are used to cover larger regions, then the coverage area is increased, but gaps between pads appear reducing effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the thermal treatment area into multiple modular pads that can be independently configured. Each pad is a discrete unit containing thermal material, allowing flexible arrangement to cover larger body regions while maintaining continuous thermal application through proper joining methods.
Solution Approach 2:
A joining mechanism serves as an intermediary component between multiple thermal pads. This mediator ensures proper alignment and continuous contact between adjacent pads, eliminating gaps and ensuring seamless thermal application across the entire treated area.
2Area of stationary object
If thermal pads are joined together to cover larger areas, then coverage is improved, but the complexity of configuration increases
Solution Approach 1:
The joining mechanism is designed with universal applicability, working with standard thermal pad configurations. The mechanism provides multiple functional benefits simultaneously: aligning pads, maintaining continuous thermal contact, and securing the arrangement, thereby reducing overall configuration complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The joining mechanism is pre-configured with alignment features and contact surfaces that automatically position pads correctly during assembly. This preliminary design of the joining structure eliminates the need for complex manual alignment procedures, simplifying the configuration process.
3Stability of the object's composition
If thermal pads are held together with bandages or similar means, then the pads remain in place, but gaps between pads persist reducing thermal effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The joining mechanism acts as an intermediary that simultaneously achieves two objectives: securing pads in stable positions and ensuring continuous thermal contact. This eliminates the gap problem inherent in bandage-based approaches while maintaining positioning stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The joining mechanism merges the functions of pad securing and thermal continuity into a single integrated structure. By combining these functions, the design eliminates gaps between pads while maintaining stable positioning, achieving both goals simultaneously.
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 system provides a seamless application of heat or cold across larger areas without the need for repositioning, enhancing the effectiveness of thermal treatment by eliminating gaps between pads.
Implementation Method 1
Thermal material can be warmed or chilled, and will still flow and therefore allow the pad to take on the shape of the body region to which it is applied
Implementation Method 2
applying heat or cold to various types of injuries and chronically aggravated musculo-skeletal portions of the body can alleviate pain and inflammation
Data Source
AI summary
A thermal pad system is disclosed in which two or more thermal pads can be connected together to cover a larger region of the body than a single pad, and the joining is done in such a way that there is substantially no gap between the volumes of thermal material in each pad on the side of the pads that is applied to the user's body. Each thermal pad is substantially flat, and includes a fringe portion around a volume of thermal material, wherein the two sides are joined together to create a liquid barrier. A joining clip is used to connect two thermal pads together by lifting the fringe portions along corresponding edges of the two pads away from the side of the pads to be applied to the body, and the joining clip is configured to not just hold the fringe portion sections together, but also to urge the two volume portions together under the joined fringe portion sections.