SYSTEM & METHOD THEREOF”

REFERENCE:

This Patent Application is related to Patent Application 2873/MUM/2015 filed by the same applicant. Some of the contents of this patent application are in reference to aforesaid patent application.

FIELD OF INVENTION:

The present invention relates to apparels, and more particularly, the intelligent apparels that provides thermal comfort to a person wearing the apparels, irrespective of climatic conditions, and geographic time zones. The invention ensures wear ease with reduction in weight and ensures ease of operation with reduction in size and number of peripheral components that need extra handling, thereby increasing viability of use of the product and wide acceptability by the users. The invention further relates to a system and method to provide thermal comfort to a person wearing the said apparels.

BACKGROUND & PRIOR ART:

Human body has innate ability to adjust to the changing climate and weather. Human body’s response to change in surrounding temperature is essentially a biological process. The body generates sweating and vasodilatation in a hot environment, or generates shivering, vasoconstriction and hormonal thermogenesis in a cold environment. These responses are generated by hypothalamus, situated in the brain. Hypothalamus acts as a body thermostat by sending signals to muscles, organs, glands and nervous system in response to the messages received from body sensors in the central nervous system. The signals are carried by hormones to help acclimatise to changing climate. However, the human body needs certain time to acclimatise to weather, if it has to act on its own. The extreme weather still takes a toll on the body and may have injurious, or in certain cases mortal effect on the body. Technology has tried to ease that pain with the invention of thermostat and air conditioning unit. Thermostats regulate the flow of heat transfer fluid and maintain the temperature of the desired area at a near constant point, in a given area. If the area to be covered is large, say a commercial premise, it needs large amount of energy for dissipating heat. On an average, the human body needs only 0.03 tonnes of heat dissipation while at rest to 0.12 tonnes of heat dissipation while carrying out heavy work, meaning a lot of energy is wasted while regulating temperature of a large area. Further, each person has different comfort point, depending on his/her body mechanism and health. In a centralised temperature control system in a premise, not all people find the set temperature value comfortable enough. Furthermore, the thermostat is a closed-loop system. Therefore, the entire area has to be isolated, i.e. cut off from external environment, to regulate the temperature. It may give rise to indoor air quality problem due to inadequate ventilation. Therefore, in these cases, there is a three-fold loss in the form of huge energy loss, discomfort to many people, and indoor air quality. To address these issues, there is a need for a personalised system.

In cooler weather conditions, the option available to an individual is a thermal wear. The thermal wear prevents body heat from escaping to the outer environment, thereby providing warmth to the person wearing it. However, thermal wear is a passive system and, therefore, is unable to deal with the body sweat. For taking out the body sweat and provide the person with required comfort level, an active system is essential.

There have been few patent documents addressing these needs. For example, W02006086618 discloses a personal heat control garment comprising one or more thermoelectric cooling units configured to rest in a first location in proximity with a user of the garment. The one or more thermoelectric cooling units comprises one or more cooling surfaces configured to receive heat from the user; one or more heating surfaces thermally insulated from the one or more cooling surfaces; and one or more heat transfer units configured to transfer the heat from the one or more cooling surfaces to the one or more heating surfaces; a heat pipe thermally coupled with the one or more heating surfaces and configured to transfer the heat from the first location to a second location in proximity with the garment; and a direct current power source affixed to the garment and electrically coupled to the one or more thermoelectric cooling units.

The inventor of the present invention has proposed a novel apparel that provides comfort to the user in any climatic condition, at any geographic location on the face of the Earth. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:

The present invention discloses All Weather Intelligent Global Comfort Apparels to provide a thermal comfort to a person wearing the apparels, irrespective of climatic conditions, and geographic time zones. In a preferred embodiment, the All Weather Intelligent Global Comfort Apparel comprises of a plurality of layers, a reversible heat pump module, plurality of sensors, at least one controller and an intelligent remote server.

The apparel comprises of a first layer having high thermal conductivity positioned between the innermost layer and an intermediate layer, and to which at least one heat sink is connected; an intermediate layer embedded with at least one reversible heat pump module; a second layer, having high thermal conductivity, positioned between the intermediate layer and an outermost layer, and to which at least one heat source is connected; an outermost layer; a reversible heat pump; at least one controller positioned appropriately anywhere in the apparel adjusting the temperature near body at a desired level; a heat recovery module to recover the heat and power the reversible heat pump; and at least one micro-dehumidifier device, as shown in the figure The innermost layer of the apparel is made of any fabric preferably with less thermal resistance than the outermost layer and wherein the fabric has wicking properties. Similarly, the outermost layer of the apparel is made of any fabric with high thermal resistance and which has hydrophilic properties, wherein it enables for heat exchange with the outdoor environment. The intermediary layer of the apparel is a wicking fabric material embedded with the heat pump modules. The thermally conductive fabric is weaved inside the apparel so as to channelize heat from human body to the outer environment. The heat is pumped from the body to the outer environment with help from the heat pump module. The heat flow is channelized through the thermally conductive fabrics. The outer and inner layers of the apparel, which have high thermal resistance to avoid any unwanted heat loss, have wicking/ hydrophilic properties so as to channelize moisture/ sweat from inner layer to the outer layer. The outer and inner layers with wicking/ hydrophilic properties are connected to each other through another intermediary layer with the same properties to transfer moisture from the inner layer to the outer layer. The moisture flow from the body to the outer environment is also aided by the dehumidifier modules.

The plurality of temperature sensors are placed in the intermediary layer of the apparel and are preferably located near dense blood veins of the human body. In another embodiment, a heat recovery mode, also called a power generator module, is employed by the apparel which recovers heat and converts the recovered heat into electrical energy to power the heat pump module, either directly or through a rechargeable battery. The heat recovery mode has following arrangement:

a. A heat sink operably connected to the heat source of the heat pump module; b. The heat sink attached to a layer made from a high thermal conductivity fabric material;

c. An insulation layer to separate the heat source and the heat sink;

d. A heat source fully or partially exposed to outer environment for efficient and predominantly convective and emissive heat transfer to the outer environment.

In a cooling mode, heat is passed from the heat sink of the reversible heat pump to the heat source of power generator. The heat flow is channelized by thermally conductive fabrics connected back to back. In case the power generator is not utilized, the heat is passed by the heat pump directly to the outer environment through a series of thermally conductive fabric materials weaved inside the apparel.

The present invention further discloses a system to provide a thermal comfort to a person, in varying of climatic conditions, and geographic time zones. The system comprises an all weather global apparel to be wore by the person; an intelligent remote server communicatively coupled to the apparel, and a smart device communicatively coupled to the remote server sharing the geographic location of the person/user.

In a preferred embodiment, the controller is communicatively coupled to the remote server. The remote server is preferably a cloud server.

Furthermore, the present invention discloses a method to provide a thermal comfort to a person, in varying climatic conditions, and geographic time zones, which is achieved by means of an all weather intelligent global apparel along with the system. The method comprises steps of:

(a) Setting a temperature value at which the person/user is comfortable;

(b) Measuring the temperature surrounding the user by means of at least one temperature sensor provided within the apparel;

(c) Acquiring the geographic position of the person by means of smart device of the system; and

(d) Comparing the set value and measured value, and determining whether to employ cooling mode or heating mode based on the comparison.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS:

Figure 1 illustrates a side view of the apparels of the present invention.

Figure 2 illustrates a front view of the apparels of the present invention, with heat recovery module incorporated. Figure 3 illustrates to a front view of the apparels of the present invention, without heat recovery module.

Figure 4 illustrates the system of the present invention, that includes the apparel

Part description of the reference numeral is as follows:

(1) - innermost layer of the apparel, the layer having wicking properties;

(2) - layer having high conductivity and connected to a heat sink (3);

(3) - heat sink;

(4) - intermediate layer having wicking properties;

(5) - insulating layer;

(6) - heat source;

(7) - layer having high thermal conductivity connected to the heat source (6);

(8) - outer layer of the apparel, the layer having wicking properties;

(9) - open space between innermost layer (1) of the apparel and a dehumidifier device

(10) - micro-dehumidifier device

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION:

The present invention discloses All Weather Intelligent Global Comfort Apparels to provide a thermal comfort to a person wearing the apparels, irrespective of climatic conditions, and geographic time zones. The invention further discloses a system and a method that includes the said apparels to provide thermal comfort to any person irrespective of climatic conditions, and geographic time zones.

The invention may be comprehended with reference to figures 1 to 3 appended at the end of the specification. However, the figures are provided to demonstrate the embodiments of the invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

With reference to the figures 1-4, the apparel comprises of an innermost layer (1) which is positioned closest to a human body while wearing the apparel; a first layer (2) having high thermal conductivity positioned between the innermost layer (1) and an intermediate layer (4), and to which at least one heat sink (3) is connected; an intermediate layer (4) embedded with at least one reversible heat pump module (12); a second layer (7), having high thermal conductivity, positioned between the intermediate layer (4) and an outermost layer (8), and to which at least one heat source (6) is connected; an outermost layer (8); a reversible heat pump (12) positioned between an insulation layer (5) and the second layer (7); at least one controller (13) positioned at an appropriate places for adjusting the temperature near body at a desired level; a heat recovery module (11) attached to an insulation layer (5) to recover the heat and power the reversible heat pump module (12); and at least one micro-dehumidifier device (10) attached to the outermost layer (8). The said apparel is configured to function in heating mode or cooling mode depending upon the requirement. In a preferred embodiment, the innermost layer (1) is prepared from a material having wicking properties and less thermal resistance than the outermost layer (8). The outermost layer (8) is prepared from a material having hydrophilic property and higher thermal resistance than the innermost layer (1). The heat sink (3) is preferably a thermoelectric module that serves to absorb the required heat without significantly altering the temperature of the apparel. The first layer (2) and the second layer (7) are wearable fabric materials with reasonable thermal conductivity to aid transfer of heat from the heat source (6) to the heat sink (3) and from the heat sink (3) to the outer ambient environment. The required area of heat transfer is deduced from a heat transfer equation and placement of the heat pump and power generator modules throughout the apparel. The layers (2 & 7) weaved inside the apparel and connected to both heat sinks and heat sources of the heat pumps and the power generators.

It may be noted that both inner and outer layers have less thermally conductivity. The thermally conductive layers are weaved inside the apparel as shown in the figure so as to channelize heat from human body to the outer environment. The heat is pumped from the body to the outer environment with help from the reversible heat pump module (12). The heat flow is channelized through the thermally conductive layers. The outer and inner layers (8 & 1 respectively) of the apparel, which have high thermal resistance to avoid any unwanted heat loss, have wicking/ hydrophilic properties so as to channelize moisture/ sweat from inner layer to the outer layer. The moisture flow from the body to the outer environment is also aided by the dehumidifier modules as indicated by the arrows in the figure 1-4. The outer and inner layers with wicking/ hydrophilic properties are connected to each other through another intermediary layer with the same properties to transfer moisture from the inner layer to the outer layer.

The temperature of near to the skin of a human body may be noted by means of the plurality of sensors placed near dense blood veins of the human body to transmit the temperature related data to the controller (13). The heat sink is situated away from the body, whereas the heat source is closer to the body. For instance, in the heat pump mode, the heat source is facing the body, whereas the heat sink would face away from the body. In the power generator module, the same arrangement is applicable. In case the power generator is not utilized, the heat is passed by the heat pump directly to the outer environment through a series of thermally conductive fabric materials weaved inside the apparel.

The apparel is selected from jackets, shirts, vests, gloves, socks, cap, hooded tops, pants, full body suits and such. The construction of the apparel as described and claimed can be applied to any of the said apparels. The construction of the apparel remains the same irrespective of the size of the apparel.

The invention further discloses a system to provide a thermal comfort to a person, in varying of climatic conditions, and geographic time zones. The system comprises an all weather global apparel (100) to be wore by the person; an intelligent remote server (300) communicatively coupled to the apparel, and a smart device (200) communicatively coupled to the remote server (300) sharing the geographic location of the person/user. The apparel is configured to function in a cooling mode or a heating mode depending upon the communication received from the remote server.

In a preferred embodiment, the controller (13) is communicatively coupled to the remote server (300). Further, in the preferred embodiment, the remote server (300) may be a cloud server.

The temperature of near to the skin of a human body may be noted by means of the plurality of sensors placed near dense blood veins of the human body to transmit the temperature related data to the controller (13). The controller thereafter transmits the temperature related data to the remote server (13) for determining the comfort level of the user. The geographic location acquired from the smart device (200) enhances the system’s cognitive ability to forecast, and provide instructions to the controller (13) for the purpose of adjusting the temperature to a desired level, which controller (200) promptly does.

The invention furthermore discloses a method to provide a thermal comfort to a person, in varying climatic conditions, and geographic time zones, by means of an all weather intelligent global apparel and a system. The apparel is wore by the person. The method comprises:

(a) Setting a temperature value at which the person/user is comfortable;

(b) Measuring the temperature surrounding the user by means of at least one temperature sensor provided within the apparel;

(c) Acquiring the geographic position of the person by means of smart device of the system; and

(d) Comparing the set value and measured value, and determining whether to employ cooling mode or heating mode based on the comparison.

In a cooling mode, following steps are executed:

(a) Absorbing the heat trapped between the body and an innermost layer by means of a first high thermal conductivity layer (2), both layers being provided within the apparel; (b) Transferring the heat outside the apparel through a heat sink (3) provided at the first layer (2), a heat source (6) provided at an intermediate layer (4) and a second high thermal conducting layer (7), the said layers being provided within the apparel.

Similarly, in the heating mode, following steps are executed:

(a) Harnessing the heat from outer environment by means of a reversible heat pump;

(b) Transferring the heat through the second high thermal conducting layer (7), the heat sink (3) and to the space between body and innermost layer (1).

Working of the All Weather Global Comfort Apparel is as follows:

1. The user switches on the apparel. Preferably, the apparel may be battery operated. The batteries are rechargeable batteries. As a result of switching on, plurality of heat pump modules, spread throughout the apparel, are powered.

In an alternate embodiment, the apparel may be powered by alternative means, such as solar, wind, hydrogen, fuel cells, kinetic energy, vibration motion.

2. The controller located at any convenient location in the apparel is powered.

The location of the controller is dependent on the type of apparel and its application. In an exemplary embodiment where the apparel may be a jacket, the controller may be located at any one side. In an embodiment where the apparel may be a head hood, the controller may be located at top or bottom of the head hood.

3. A connectivity is established between the controller and the intelligent remote cloud server, which is connected to the user’s smart device. Preferably, the intelligent remote server and the smart device communicate through an application. The smart device primarily acts as a tool to provide a time zone at which the person/user is present. Alternatively, the smart device may provide the remote server a temperature related data of a particular geographic location at which the person/user is present. 4. The intelligent remote server receives temperature and geographic data from plurality of temperature sensors through the controller. The temperature sensor may be sensors, thermocouple, thermistors and such.

5. The temperature and geographic data received from various temperature sensors is compared with a temperature set-point by means of the controller.

6. If the measured temperature value is higher than the set-point, the controller triggers the respective heat pump to operate in a cooling mode. If the measured temperature value is lower than the set-point, the controller triggers the respective heat pump to operate in a heating mode.

7. The controller periodically receives temperature & geographic data from the temperature sensors attached to the respective heat pumps in a periodic manner and sends instruction to the respective heat pumps in a periodic manner.

8. In a cooling mode, the heat pump module absorbs heat trapped between the body and the innermost layer (1) of the apparel. The heat is absorbed by the high thermal conductivity layer (2) connected to the heat sink (3). The heat is thereby transferred to the heat sink (3) through layers (2 & 7) and further is transferred to the heat source (6) by means of the reversible heat pump (12). The heat source (6) transfers the heat to the high conductivity layer (7) connected to the heat source (6), and the heat is finally transferred to the open environment or to the heat sink of the heat recovery module (11).

9. In a heating mode, heat is transferred to the space between the body and the apparel by means of the reversible heat pump module (12), until the temperature of the said space reaches the set-point. The heat from the open environment is harnessed by means of the reversible heat pump module (12) and is transferred to through a series of the layers (2 & 7) and the heat sink (3). The heat is pumped to the heat sink (3) and is consequently transferred to the space between the body and the innermost layer (1) of the apparel.

10. The reversible heat pump (12) operates either in a heating mode or in a cooling mode to finally maintain the temperature of the space between the body and the apparel at a temperature set-point set in the controller. The apparels of the present invention may include jackets, shirts, vests, gloves, socks, cap, hooded tops, pants, full body suits and such.

The applications of the apparel range from mobile personalized comfort to medical application, space travel, underwater diving, mining, sports, fitness, military, police, high altitude living, farming, and trekking.

The apparels of the present invention have vast applications. The apparels are extremely useful for not only day-to-day activities but also during expeditions. For example, the traveller lands into a country having sub-zero temperature after a long flight from a country with hot environment. The All Weather Global Comfort apparels provide the user comfortable feeling immediately after landing, by gaining knowledge that country beforehand and utilising existing knowledge of the user’s comfort limits.

In a case of a soldier posted at a location where the environment is not just sub- zero, but is very harsh and changing every hour, All Weather Intelligent Global Comfort apparels is more than an adequate solution. The apparel quickly and continuously adjusts its own temperature to the soldier’s comfort level.

For a person required to work in a steaming heat for long periods of time, the intelligent apparel of the present invention provides a comfort as per his/her body requirement.

The invention ensures wear ease with reduction in weight and ensures ease of operation with reduction in size and number of peripheral components that need extra handling, thereby increasing viability of use of the product and wide acceptability by the users.