Wearable Device Thermal Insulation and Phase Change Heat Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wearable devices generate heat that can exceed body temperature, causing discomfort due to inadequate heat dissipation, and existing solutions either fail to address heat conduction effectively or are not designed for wearable applications.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a heat insulating member or heat storage member with a phase change material between the heat source and the body-contacting surface, along with air layers and thermal diffusion sheets, to reduce heat conduction and manage temperature effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If heat conduction materials are used to dissipate heat from the heat source, then heat dissipation is improved, but heat conduction to the human body increases causing discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different thermal conductivity properties to different regions of the housing. The first housing portion (facing the heat source) has high thermal conductivity to conduct heat away from the heat source, while the second housing portion (contacting the human body) has low thermal conductivity to prevent heat from reaching the user. This local differentiation of material properties resolves the contradiction between heat dissipation and heat conduction to the body.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediate structure (the divided housing with different thermal properties) between the heat source and the human body. This intermediary housing structure selectively manages heat flow: conducting it in one direction (away from heat source) while blocking it in another direction (toward the body), thus resolving the thermal management contradiction.
2Volume of moving object
If the size of the wearable device is reduced, then wearability is improved, but heat dissipation capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is segmented into multiple portions with different thermal conductivity characteristics. This segmentation allows the device to achieve effective heat management without requiring a large overall size, as each segment performs a specific thermal function within the compact form factor.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite construction with different housing portions having different thermal conductivity properties. This composite approach enables sophisticated thermal management in a compact device, allowing heat dissipation pathways to be engineered without increasing overall device volume.
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 effectively reduces heat conduction to the user's body, preventing discomfort and improving the durability of electronic components by managing temperature within safe limits, even during prolonged wear.
Implementation Method 1
a heat insulating member (i.e., a heat insulator), disposed inside the housing between the heat source and the wall that contacts the human body, that reduces heat conduction from the heat source to the human body
Implementation Method 2
an air layer may be formed between the heat source and the heat insulating member
Implementation Method 3
a thermal diffusion sheet may be disposed on a surface of the heat insulating member that is closest to the heat source
Implementation Method 4
a heat storage member, disposed inside the housing between the heat source and the wall that contacts the human body, that stores heat generated by the heat source
Implementation Method 5
the heat storage member may be one of a heat storage foam member (or heat storage form) and a heat storage sheet that contain a phase change material that liquefies at a melting point or more and stores the heat
Data Source
AI summary
A wearable device includes: a housing configured to be worn on a human body and accommodating a heat source; and a heat insulator configured to reduce heat conduction from the heat source to the human body. The housing includes a wall that contacts the human body in a state that the housing is worn on the human body, and the heat insulator is disposed inside the housing at a position between the heat source and the wall of the housing.