Thermoregulating gelpack
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional thermoregulating devices fail to maintain body core temperature effectively in high-temperature environments, leading to discomfort, dehydration, and increased risk of physical illness due to rapid energy loss and inefficient recharging processes.
Innovation Solution
A multi-layer gel-pack with removable and rechargeable components, comprising a thermal energy storage component, exterior and interior radiant energy barriers, and high thermal capacity layers, arranged to control radiant energy interference and provide variable thermoregulation intensity over extended durations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional thermoregulating devices are used, then body core temperature can be regulated, but the devices fail to maintain temperature effectively in high-temperature environments due to rapid energy loss
Solution Approach 1:
The gel-pack uses a composite structure combining multiple radiant energy barriers (exterior and interior) with a thermal energy storage gel layer. The exterior barrier reflects external thermal radiation away from the gel, while the interior barrier reflects body radiation back into the gel, creating a composite system that simultaneously reduces energy loss and maintains temperature reliability in high-temperature environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the thermal parameters of the system by introducing radiant energy barriers with specific reflectivity properties. The exterior barrier has high reflectivity to external thermal radiation, while the interior barrier has high reflectivity to body radiation, thereby changing the energy transfer parameters to reduce thermal energy loss and improve temperature maintenance.
2Productivity
If conventional thermoregulating devices are used, then some cooling effect is provided, but the recharging process is inefficient and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The gel-pack is divided into separable components: a reusable casing with radiant energy barriers and a removable thermal energy storage gel pack. This segmentation allows the gel component to be quickly removed and recharged separately from the barrier structure, significantly improving recharging efficiency and reducing the time the device is non-operational.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal energy storage gel is extracted as a separate, removable component from the barrier structure. This extraction enables independent recharging of the gel component without handling the entire device, thereby improving recharging productivity and minimizing loss of time when the device needs to be recharged.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional thermoregulating devices are used, then basic thermal regulation is achieved, but the devices lack variable thermoregulation intensity and extended duration capability
Solution Approach 1:
The gel-pack incorporates dynamic functionality through variable gel formulations and adjustable barrier configurations that can modify thermal radiation properties. This allows the device to adapt thermoregulation intensity to different environmental conditions and user needs, while the high thermal capacity gel extends the duration of action by storing and releasing thermal energy over extended periods.
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 gel-pack efficiently maintains body core temperature within a safe range by controlling thermal energy transfer, reducing discomfort and health risks, while allowing for easy replacement and recharging of components, enhancing user safety and comfort.
Implementation Method 1
a thermal energy storage component configured to store thermal energy radiating from a user's body
Implementation Method 2
a first radiant energy barrier disposed between the thermal energy storage component and the second surface of the casing... configured to prevent the transfer of thermal energy radiating from an exterior of the casing into the thermal energy storage component
Implementation Method 3
a second radiant energy barrier disposed between the thermal energy storage component and the first radiant energy barrier... configured to reflect the thermal energy radiating from the user's body into the thermal energy storage component
Data Source
AI summary
A gel-pack has a plurality of self-contained components organized as layers in an interior chamber of the gel-pack. Each layer may be inserted into, and removed from, the interior chamber individually. The components include a solid-state gel layer that stores thermal energy, a first radiant energy barrier that prevents the transfer of thermal energy radiating from an exterior of the gel-pack into the solid-state gel layer, and a second radiant energy barrier that reflects the thermal energy radiating from the user's body into the solid-state gel layer.