Waterproof Breathable Thermoregulation System for Active Wear

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current waterproof containers fail to provide a compact, breathable solution for carrying and positioning hot and cold packs effectively, especially in wet environments, leading to inactivation of chemical reactants and inadequate thermoregulation.

Innovation Solution

A waterproof and breathable thermoregulation system comprising a receiver with a breathable outer layer and waterproof inner layer, integrated with a garment having multiple panels to selectively position thermogenerators, ensuring air circulation and moisture protection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If plastic or rubber containers are used to protect items, then waterproof protection is achieved, but breathability is lost and chemical reactants become inactivated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewaterproof protectionVSAvoidreactant inactivation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a porous coating on the container surface that allows water vapor to pass through while blocking liquid water. This porous structure enables the container to be waterproof against liquid penetration while maintaining breathability for chemical reactants, preventing inactivation during wet environment exposure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The container is constructed as a composite structure combining a waterproof outer layer with a breathable porous coating. This composite material approach simultaneously provides liquid waterproofing and vapor permeability, allowing the container to protect thermogenerators while maintaining chemical reactant functionality in wet conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-generated harmful factors

If dry bags are used to provide breathable waterproof storage, then breathability is improved, but size becomes large and compactness is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovebreathabilityVSAvoidcontainer size

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-generated harmful factorsVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a thin flexible container wall with integrated porous coating rather than bulky traditional dry bag structures. This thin film approach maintains breathability through the porous coating while providing compact storage space, eliminating the need for large backpack-sized containers

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Temperature

If chemical-based packs are exposed to water environments, then thermoregulation function is maintained, but chemical reactants become inactivated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermoregulation functionVSAvoidchemical reactant functionality

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The porous coating acts as an intermediary barrier between the water environment and the chemical reactants inside the container. It allows water vapor to pass through for thermoregulation functionality while blocking liquid water that would inactivate the chemical reactants, thus maintaining both thermoregulation and chemical functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Ease of operation

If compact pouches are designed for easy carrying, then ease of operation is improved, but waterproof and breathable functionality becomes insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of carryingVSAvoidwaterproof and breathable functionality

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The compact pouch incorporates a porous coating on its surface that provides both waterproofing and breathability in a space-efficient design. This porous structure enables the compact size while maintaining the necessary protective and ventilative functions for thermogenerator operation in wet environments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous 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 system allows for effective thermoregulation by maintaining the functionality of chemical-based packs in wet conditions, providing customizable temperature control and preventing reactant inactivation, thus addressing the need for compact, breathable, and effective thermoregulation in various environments.

Implementation Method 1

the receiver comprises a waterproof and breathable fabric

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBreathable fabric permeation: Permeation

Implementation Method 2

chemical reactants used in commercially available hot packs

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectExothermic Reaction: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 3

effective heat transfer to the user's body

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS11246749B2Waterproof personal thermoregulation system for the active individual

Publication Date: 2022.02.15 NEPTUNE PERFORMANCE PROD LLC

AI summary

Disclosed are thermoregulatory systems. In particular, thermoregulatory devices are incorporated into garments for warming and cooling a user's body. Thermoregulatory devices are waterproof and breathable, which allow thermogenerators such as hot packs and cold packs, to remain dry while still allowing air flow such that thermogenerators using air-activated chemical reactants remain active. Thermoregulatory devices are particularly useful with garments maintaining the thermogenerators close to the body's core where they will be most effective. The thermoregulation systems advantageously allow a user to selectively position thermoregulatory devices in different regions of the user's body to self-regulate core body temperature.