Universal Vent Attachment for Body Armor Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Law enforcement and military personnel wearing body armor in vehicles experience discomfort due to heat and humidity, as existing vehicle air conditioning systems fail to effectively cool the wearer.
Innovation Solution
A body armor cooling system that includes a universal vent attachment with a flexible hose and bellows assembly, allowing air to be directed from the vehicle's vent to the wearer, and optionally to other areas like the trunk or pet carriers, using a hook-shaped nozzle and a sealing bellows member to ensure airflow and comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If vehicle air conditioning is used, then the vehicle interior temperature is reduced, but the cooling effect is insufficient for personnel wearing body armor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by directing cooled air specifically to the body armor wearer through a targeted delivery system. The hose and nozzle assembly delivers air directly to the wearer's back area, creating a localized cooling zone rather than relying on general vehicle air conditioning. This resolves the contradiction by providing intensive local cooling where needed most, even when the overall vehicle temperature is already reduced.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary device - the hose and nozzle assembly - that bridges the gap between the vehicle air conditioning system and the body armor wearer. This intermediary captures conditioned air from the vehicle vent and redirects it through the body armor to the wearer's skin, enhancing the cooling effect without requiring changes to the vehicle's AC system itself.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a universal vent attachment is designed to fit various vents, then adaptability is improved, but the attachment mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing the attachment mechanism to work with multiple types of vehicle vents. The spring-loaded louver engagement system can accommodate different vent sizes and configurations through adjustable positioning, allowing a single device design to serve multiple vehicle models and vent types without requiring custom adaptations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses dynamics by incorporating spring-loaded, movable components in the attachment mechanism. The spring clips can flex and adjust to engage with different louver configurations, and the bellows assembly can expand or contract to accommodate varying distances between the vent and the hose connection point. This dynamic design provides adaptability without significantly increasing structural complexity.
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 effectively cools the wearer and can be easily installed in various vehicles, providing comfort in hot climates and addressing the challenge of air circulation blockages, such as those behind partitions.
Implementation Method 1
The spring clips are preferably substantially rigid but flexible enough to clip to vent louvers
Implementation Method 2
The cover preferably comprises sealing material, preferably weatherstripping, to surround and substantially seal the vent
Data Source
AI summary
A body armor cooling system for law enforcement officers or military or security personnel having a hook-shaped nozzle attached to one end of a flexible hose member and a bellows assembly attached to the other end of the flexible hose member. The end of the hook-shaped nozzle is tucked beneath the protective armor that the law enforcement officer is wearing in order to provide a cooling effect. The bellows assembly is connected to the air conditioner vent opening on the dash of the vehicle. The bellows assembly makes an air tight seal with the dash of the vehicle and it can easily be attached and detached. A universal vent attachment system makes the present invention usable in any vehicle.