Handheld Warming Device with Waterproof Seal and Resistive Heating

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing handheld warming devices are often limited by their one-time use, require flammable fuels, or rely on batteries, and typically only heat localized areas, while also being vulnerable to water and debris exposure.

Innovation Solution

A handheld warming device with a resilient outer jacket and a heat-generating inner core that includes a power source and a heating sleeve with coil traces, providing efficient heat distribution around the entire perimeter and featuring a waterproof design to protect internal components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If one-time use iron oxidation warmers are used, then portability and simplicity are improved, but duration of action is limited to about an hour

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveportability and simplicityVSAvoidduration of action

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a rechargeable battery system that can be recharged via USB connection, allowing the warmer to be recovered and reused multiple times instead of being discarded after one use. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining portability and simplicity while extending duration of action through reusable power storage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the chemical oxidation mechanism (iron + air) with an electrical heating system powered by rechargeable batteries. This substitution maintains the simplicity and portability of the original design while enabling multiple reuse cycles through electrical recharging, thus extending operational duration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Temperature

If flammable lighter fuel warmers are used, then heat generation is improved, but safety and reliability deteriorate due to open flame requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat generationVSAvoidsafety and reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the combustion-based heating mechanism (flame + fuel) with an electrical resistive heating system using coil traces powered by batteries. This eliminates open flame and flammable fuel while maintaining effective heat generation, thus improving safety and reliability without sacrificing thermal performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If battery-powered warmers with localized heating are used, then portability is improved, but heat distribution uniformity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveportabilityVSAvoidheat distribution uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the heating function into multiple independent heating zones using separate coil trace elements distributed across different surfaces of the device. This segmentation allows each zone to operate independently, providing uniform heat distribution across the entire device surface while maintaining portability through the battery-powered design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements different heating characteristics in different locations by placing coil traces on multiple surfaces (front, back, sides) of the device. Each location receives targeted heating appropriate to its function, achieving uniform overall heat distribution while maintaining the portable battery-powered form factor.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Device complexity

If warmers without environmental protection are used, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability deteriorates due to water and debris exposure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidprotection from water and debris

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a waterproof enclosure with sealed construction that protects internal components from water and debris exposure. This protective shell adds minimal complexity to the overall device while significantly improving reliability by preventing environmental contaminants from damaging the battery and heating elements.

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

The device offers prolonged heating with rechargeable batteries, efficient heat distribution across the entire hand, and a waterproof seal to ensure rugged outdoor use, addressing the limitations of existing warming devices.

Implementation Method 1

a heating sleeve with coil traces, providing efficient heat distribution around the entire perimeter

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectResistive heating: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentUS20240098849A1Handheld Warming Device

Publication Date: 2024.03.21 WATERS IND INC

AI summary

There is provided a personal warming device having an inner core having a housing containing a power source, and a heating sleeve that extends about substantially the entire perimeter of the housing. The personal warming device further includes a jacket that provides a substantially fluid-tight seal about the inner core.