Wearable Vest with Phase Change Thermal Packs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat transfer garments face challenges in maintaining a temperature difference that is sufficient for heat transfer without causing tissue damage, and they are not adaptable for various environmental conditions such as high heat or cold environments.
Innovation Solution
A wearable vest with thermal transfer packs that utilize a duplex design, where sub-bags filled with water are surrounded by a humectant solution that freezes into a malleable snow-like consistency, allowing for efficient heat absorption or transfer while maintaining comfort and flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a heat transfer medium with a temperature significantly below skin temperature is used, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but tissue damage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes phase change materials that transition from solid to liquid at temperatures near or slightly below skin temperature. This phase transition absorbs large amounts of heat (latent heat) while maintaining a relatively safe temperature range, thus improving heat transfer efficiency without causing tissue damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the temperature parameter of the heat transfer medium to be closer to skin temperature (e.g., 20-30°C) rather than using extremely cold materials. This parameter adjustment maintains effective heat transfer while eliminating the harmful effect of tissue damage.
2Ease of operation
If a garment-based heat transfer mechanism is used, then portability and ease of use are improved, but temperature control precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The garment incorporates phase change materials that automatically maintain a stable temperature during phase transition. This provides inherent temperature control precision without complex active control systems, resolving the contradiction between portability and temperature control precision.
3Ease of manufacture
If a fixed design heat transfer garment is used, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but adaptability to various environmental conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The garment uses phase change materials that dynamically adjust their heat absorption and release characteristics based on environmental temperature conditions. The materials automatically adapt to different environments (hot, cold, moderate) without requiring design changes, thus maintaining manufacturing simplicity while improving adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat transfer garment is designed with universal phase change materials that can function effectively across a wide range of environmental conditions. A single garment design serves multiple functions (cooling in heat, warming in cold) through the bidirectional heat transfer capability of phase change materials.
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 providing a comfortable and efficient heat transfer mechanism that is adjustable and customizable for different applications.
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.
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
Upon freezing, this composition creates a solid state that is akin to packed snow or crushed ice. It remains pliable instead of freezing into a unified solid mass.
Data Source
AI summary
A heat transfer system that may be used to absorb heat from a human user. A wearable vest is provided. The innermost surface of the vest is covered in hook-compatible material. One or more thermal transfer packs are configured to be attached to the vest. One or more hook panels on each thermal transfer pack is used to stick the thermal transfer pack directly to the innermost surface of the vest.