Heat Transfer Vest with Hook-and-Loop Securement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing garments for heat transfer either fail to effectively manage temperature differences to avoid tissue damage while transferring sufficient heat, or they do not provide adequate temperature regulation in extreme environments, affecting human performance and productivity.
Innovation Solution
A wearable vest with a plurality of heat transfer packs that utilize a phase-change medium, attached via hook-and-loop panels, allowing for customizable placement and temperature control to absorb or transfer heat, ensuring a safe and efficient heat transfer mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a great temperature difference is used to transfer sufficient heat, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but tissue damage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a phase change material (PCM) that undergoes phase transition at a controlled temperature to transfer heat to the wearer. The PCM absorbs heat during phase change from solid to liquid, providing efficient heat transfer while maintaining a safe temperature that prevents tissue damage. This resolves the contradiction by achieving high heat transfer efficiency through phase transition rather than relying on large temperature differences that would cause tissue damage.
2Use of energy by moving object
If heat transfer packs are securely attached to the garment, then heat transfer effectiveness is improved, but garment flexibility and comfort deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flexible securing mechanism with straps and buckles that can be adjusted to provide secure attachment of heat transfer packs while maintaining garment flexibility. The dynamic adjustment capability allows the wearer to optimize the balance between secure attachment for effective heat transfer and sufficient flexibility for comfort and movement.
3Temperature
If multiple heat transfer packs are used to regulate temperature in extreme environments, then temperature control effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the heat transfer system into multiple separate heat transfer packs that can be independently positioned on different body regions. This segmentation allows effective temperature control across the torso by placing packs strategically, while each individual pack remains a simple, manageable unit. The modular approach enables temperature regulation effectiveness without excessive overall system 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 vest effectively regulates body temperature in various environments, enhancing human performance by maintaining core temperature within safe limits, thereby improving productivity and reducing the adverse effects of heat or cold exposure.
Implementation Method 1
A heat transfer medium that undergoes a phase change offers advantages. First, the use of a phase change allows the absorption of much more heat that would be possible in its absence. Second, the use of a phase change provides a steady temperature for the heat transfer medium as it is transitioning from a solid to a liquid
Implementation Method 2
the use of a phase change allows the absorption of much more heat that would be possible in its absence
Implementation Method 3
the appropriate portions of the interior surface are covered in a hook-compatible material (such as VELCRO loop material). In these versions, the thermal transfer packs include one or more hook panels that are used to attach the packs to the interior surface
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention comprises a heat transfer vest. The vest is configured to mount a plurality of heat transfer packs on its interior surface. In the preferred embodiments the appropriate portions of the interior surface are covered in a hook-compatible material. In these versions, the thermal transfer packs include one or more hook panels that are used to attach the packs to the interior surface.