Tubular convective device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional convective devices face challenges in maintaining uniform heat distribution and preventing pressure drop when bent, especially in tubular systems, which affects their efficiency in warming or cooling applications.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a tubular convective device made from blown film with apertures and an air-guide device to direct inflating medium, along with a hose manifold and fixation elements for secure placement, ensuring uniform heat distribution and minimizing pressure drop by facilitating the formation of creases when bent.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the tubular convective device is bent to adapt to body contours, then adaptability is improved, but pressure drop increases and heat distribution uniformity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoidpressure drop
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The air guide device divides the internal airflow path into multiple segments using guide walls, which directs air flow along the bend rather than creating a direct pressure drop. This segmentation of the flow path allows the device to be bent while maintaining pressure distribution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The air guide device acts as an intermediary element between the air source and the convective surfaces, mediating the airflow to ensure uniform distribution even when the device is bent. The guide walls create controlled flow paths that prevent pressure loss at bends.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the tubular convective device is bent to adapt to body contours, then adaptability is improved, but heat distribution uniformity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoidheat distribution uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The air guide device segments the airflow into multiple controlled paths using internal guide walls, ensuring that air is distributed uniformly to different sections of the convective device even when bent. This prevents localized heating or cooling issues.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The guide walls are strategically positioned to create different flow characteristics in different sections of the device, ensuring that each local area receives appropriate air flow for uniform heat distribution across the entire device surface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Device complexity

If conventional tubular devices are used without air guide structures, then device complexity is reduced, but pressure drop increases and heat distribution uniformity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidpressure drop
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The air guide device uses thin flexible guide walls that can be integrated into the existing tubular structure without adding significant complexity. These thin film structures effectively direct airflow while maintaining device flexibility and simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

4Device complexity

If conventional tubular devices are used without air guide structures, then device complexity is reduced, but heat distribution uniformity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidheat distribution uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The guide walls are constructed as thin flexible elements that can be easily integrated into the tubular device without significantly increasing complexity. These thin films effectively partition and direct airflow to achieve uniform heat distribution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 configuration enhances the convective system's ability to maintain efficient heat transfer and distribution, even when the device is bent, thereby improving comfort and effectiveness in warming or cooling applications.

Implementation Method 1

an air-guide device between the first portion and the second portion adapted to direct flow of the inflating medium

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid flow direction control:

Implementation Method 2

a tubular convective device made from blown film with apertures

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP3236895B1Tubular convective device
Publication Date: 2021.12.15 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES CO
  • EP3236895B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3236895B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP3236895B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

At least some aspects of the present disclosure feature a tubular convective device, comprising: a blown film forming a tube when inflated, the blown film having a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion and the second portion are separated longitudinally, and a plurality of apertures disposed on the first portion of the blown film. At least some aspects of the present disclosure feature a tubular convective system including a plurality of tubular convective devices, where adjacent tubular convective devices are connected.