Vapor heating implement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vapor heating implements face challenges in the start-up and endurance of vapor generation, as they require optimization of water content and composition to achieve efficient heat transfer and thermal performance.

Innovation Solution

A vapor heating implement is designed with a heating unit comprising an exothermic layer made of an oxidizable metal, water, and a water-retention agent, along with a water-retention sheet, where the water content is carefully balanced within specific ranges to enhance vapor generation and heat transfer efficiency, with the exothermic layer containing iron powder and activated carbon, and the water-retention sheet having a polymer component.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If water content in the heating implement is increased to improve vapor generation, then vapor generation rate increases, but the exothermic temperature decreases and heat transfer efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevapor generation rateVSAvoidexothermic temperature

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the water content parameter to a specific range (40-80 parts by mass per 100 parts by mass of oxidizable metal) to achieve the best balance between vapor generation rate and exothermic temperature. This parameter optimization allows the system to maintain both high productivity and high temperature performance simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If water content in the exothermic layer is increased to improve vapor generation, then vapor generation improves, but the oxidation reaction efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevapor generationVSAvoidoxidation reaction efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent specifies that water content in the exothermic layer should be 8-45 parts by mass per 100 parts by mass of oxidizable metal. This controlled parameter range ensures sufficient water for vapor generation while maintaining optimal conditions for oxidation reaction efficiency, resolving the contradiction between productivity and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Stability of the object's composition

If water-retention agent content is increased to improve water retention, then water retention improves, but the overall heat generation capacity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater retentionVSAvoidheat generation capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the water-retention agent content to 0.3-20 parts by mass per 100 parts by mass of oxidizable metal. This parameter control ensures adequate water retention for sustained vapor generation without excessive amounts that would dilute the reactants and reduce heat generation capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Weight of moving object

If the heating implement is designed to be lightweight and flexible, then comfort improves, but the amount of oxidizable metal and water is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveweightVSAvoidamount of oxidizable metal and water

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent specifies precise composition ratios (water: 40-80 parts, water-retention agent: 0.3-20 parts per 100 parts oxidizable metal) that maximize vapor generation efficiency per unit mass. This allows the heating implement to achieve effective performance with minimized material quantities, maintaining lightweight and flexible characteristics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 solution achieves improved exothermic temperature range (38-70°C), increased vapor generation rates, and efficient heat transfer, while maintaining a flexible and lightweight design, thereby addressing the limitations of previous vapor heating technologies.

Implementation Method 1

an exothermic layer having an exothermic composition and a water-retention sheet, wherein the exothermic composition containing an oxidizable metal, water and a water-retention agent

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOxidation: Oxidation

Implementation Method 2

produce heat by oxidation reaction of an oxidizable metal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectExothermic reaction: Exothermic Reaction

Implementation Method 3

a water-retention sheet containing a polymer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS9671134B2Vapor heating implement

Publication Date: 2017.06.06 KAO CORP

AI summary

A vapor heating implement satisfies: (A) the content of water in the heating implement is equal to or higher than 40 parts by mass and is equal to or lower than 80 parts by mass for 100 parts by mass of the oxidizable metal; (B) the content of the water-retention agent in the exothermic composition is equal to or higher than 0.3 parts by mass and is equal to or lower than 20 parts by mass for 100 parts by mass of the oxidizable metal; (C) the content of water contained in the exothermic layer (121A) is equal to or higher than 8 parts by mass and is equal to or lower than 45 parts by mass for 100 parts by mass of the oxidizable metal; and (D) the content of water contained in the water-retention sheet (121C) is from 15 to 30 mass % of the maximum water absorption of the water-retention sheet.