Triple-Walled Gas-Circulation Thermal Support for Noncontact Warming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing human body thermal support devices either provide non-uniform warming, restrict patient movement, obstruct visual monitoring, or cause discomfort due to contact with the body and lack transparency.
Innovation Solution
A triple-walled wall structure with closed gas flow circulation, allowing for controlled temperature regulation and reduced energy consumption, combined with infrared heating and transparent design for patient observation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a thermal support device works in contact with the human body, then heating effect is improved, but patient movement is restricted and visual monitoring is obstructed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a transparent barrier (plastic sheet or glass panel) as an intermediary between the heating element and the patient's body. This barrier allows thermal energy to pass through while preventing direct contact, thereby maintaining heating effectiveness without restricting patient movement or obstructing visual monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating system is segmented into separate functional layers: a heating element layer, a transparent barrier layer, and a patient space layer. This segmentation allows the heating function to be decoupled from the contact function, enabling thermal support without physical constraint.
2Temperature
If a thermal support device works in contact with the human body, then heating effect is improved, but transparency for visual monitoring is lost
Solution Approach 1:
A transparent barrier material (plastic sheet or glass panel) is introduced as an intermediary between the heating element and the patient. This barrier allows visible light to pass through for monitoring while enabling thermal energy transfer for heating.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent specifies using transparent or translucent materials with appropriate optical properties that allow visual monitoring while maintaining thermal functionality. The material selection balances optical transparency with thermal transmission characteristics.
3Use of energy by moving object
If warmed air is used for both body heating and incubator compartment heating, then energy efficiency is improved, but temperature control uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The air heating system is segmented into separate circulation loops: one for body heating and another for incubator compartment heating. Each loop has its own temperature control, allowing uniform temperature distribution in each zone while maintaining overall energy efficiency through coordinated operation.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the incubator are provided with localized heating control. The body heating zone and compartment heating zone have separate temperature regulation, ensuring each area maintains its required temperature uniformity while the system operates efficiently.
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
Provides uniform warming without contact, reduces heat loss, maintains comfort, and allows visual monitoring while minimizing energy usage.
Implementation Method 1
a gas flow preparation unit provided at the base of the device. The gas flow preparation unit provides a warmed gas flow
Implementation Method 2
The outlet conduit is fluidly connected to the inner side space, and the inlet conduit is fluidly connected to the outer side space forming a continuous closed or semi-closed flow path from the gas flow preparation unit to the inner side space, through the opening to the outer side space and back to the gas flow preparation unit, as a result of which effective heating of the triple-walled wall is provided
Implementation Method 3
The inner wall and the outer wall are spaced apart from the intermediate wall so that between the inner and the intermediate wall the first space is formed, and between the outer wall and the intermediate wall the second space is formed
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a human body thermal support device. The device comprises a base (1), a triple-walled wall (2) mounted on the base (1). The triple-walled wall (2) comprises an inner wall (14), an outer wall (15), and an intermediate wall (45) therebetween so that a first space (4) is formed between the inner wall (14) and the intermediate wall (45), and a second space (5) is formed between the outer wall (15) and the intermediate wall (45). Both spaces (4; 5) are fluidly connected to each other so that a gas flow (10) can flow from the first space (4) to the second space (5). The device comprises a gas flow preparation unit (6) configured to warm-up and direct the warmed gas flow (10) to the first space (4) and the second space (5), in result of which effective heating of the triple-walled wall (2) is provided.