Patent Application
20230156869
The present document concerns heating systems. More specifically, the present document concerns systems and methods for facilitating heating of item(s).
Insulated bags are often used to facilitate the delivery of food items from a restaurant to a customer location. The insulated bags are waterproof bags made with various materials like nylon, vinyl or other exterior layer designed to keep the food items properly heated and/or chilled during transit. The insulated bags have limitations and challenges. For example, the insulation bags may not be airtight which results in heat loss from the food items and are absent of any heat generation functionality.
This document concerns systems and methods for providing and/or operating a heating pad. The heating pad comprises: a first heating fabric comprising graphene; a nanotube-based film having a first surface coupled to the first heating fabric; a second heating fabric coupled to a second opposing surface of the nanotube-based film (which may be graphene based or may be absent of any graphene); and a flexible circuit disposed between the first heating fabric and the nanotube-based film. The flexible circuit is configured to facilitate an increase in temperature by the first heating fabric and/or second heating fabrics.
The first heating fabric layer can include, but is not limited to, a monolayer of carbon atoms connected to each other via sp2 hybridization to form a planar two-dimensional hexagonal honeycomb lattice structure. The nanotube-based film can include, but is not limited to, a carbon nanotube film. The second heating fabric layer can include, but is not limited to, a carbon fiber paper, a carbon fiber cloth and/or a graphite fiber cloth. The heating pad may be configured to: convert at least a given amount (e.g., ≥50% or 75%) of electric energy into heat energy; have a radiation efficiency of at least a given amount (e.g., ≥50% or 70%); and/or operate with a voltage less than or equal to a given voltage (e.g., 36 Volts). The heating pad may be flexible and washable without affecting physical and electrical properties of the heating pad. The heating pad may be configured to: reach 140° F. in less than or equal to sixty seconds; reach 200° F. in less than or equal to one hundred eighty seconds; and/or experience a difference or rise in temperature within three seconds of power being supplied thereto.
The flexible circuit may comprise a flexible battery (e.g., a graphene battery) or the flexible circuit may be energized by a flexible battery. The flexible circuit may alternatively or additionally comprise a first conductive line portion and a second conductive line portion which are separately supplied power from a power source at the same time. The first and second conductive line portions may be designed and positioned relative to each other such that heat radiation is emitted uniformly across exposed surfaces of the heating pad. The first and second conductive line portions may partially overlap each other while being electrically isolated from each other. For example, the first conductive line portion may comprise a plurality of first fingers. At least one of the first fingers resides between a plurality of second fingers of the second conductive line portion. At least one of the second fingers resides between the plurality of fingers of the first conductive line portion.
In some scenarios, the flexible circuit may also comprise a cable connected to the first and second conductive lines and a controller removably connected to the cable. The controller may be configured to allow a user to selectively control an amount of current supplied to the first and second conductive lines from a power source. The power source may be external to the heating pad and comprise a graphene battery, a flexible graphene battery or an external energy source. The controller may be configured to facilitate wireless communications between the heating pad and an external communication device for remotely controlling operations of the heating pad. Additionally or alternatively, the flexible circuit may be configured to facilitate wireless communications between the heating pad and an external communication device for remotely controlling operations of the heating pad.
The flexible circuit may further comprise a flexible sensor and be configured to cause the heating pad to transition operational modes based on sensor data generated by the flexible sensor. The operational modes can include, but are not limited to, an off mode, an on mode, a low heat mode, a medium heat mode, and/or a high heat mode. The flexible sensor can include, but is not limited to, a pressure sensor, a temperature sensor, a location sensor, a proximity sensor, a sound sensor, and/or a camera.
In those or other scenarios, the heating pad is at least partially encompassed by a flexible output device. The flexible output device can include, but is not limited to, a light strip, an audio device and/or a vibration device.
The present document also concerns systems and methods for providing and operating a portable electric heater. The portable electric heater comprises: a controller configured to control a temperature setting of the portable electric heater; and a heating pad communicatively coupled to the controller. The heating pad comprises a plurality of material layers arranged in a stack. The material layers comprise: a first heating fabric comprising graphene; a nanotube-based film having a first surface coupled to the first heating fabric; a second heating fabric coupled to a second opposing surface of the nanotube-based film; and a flexible circuit disposed between the first heating fabric and the nanotube-based film. The flexible circuit is configured to facilitate an increase in temperature by at least the first and second heating fabrics.
The present document further concerns systems and methods for providing a product with a heating capability. The product can include, but is not limited to, an insulative bag (e.g., for use in the food industry), a piece of clothing (e.g., a shirt, shorts, pants, jacket, etc.), footwear (e.g., boots, insoles for shoes, etc.), bedding (e.g., sheet, blanket, pillow, etc.), a medical apparatus (e.g., back brace, etc.), furniture (e.g., a massage chair, coach, etc.), wellness industry (e.g., spa beds, spa mats, massage equipment, etc.) sports & fitness industry (e.g., gym equipment, gym gears, pain relief heating pads, yoga mat, etc.) and/or other item (e.g., a car seat, steering wheel, etc.). The product comprises a main body; and a heating pad disposed on the main body or in a pocket of the main body. The heating pad can be the same as or similar to the heating pad described herein.
This disclosure is facilitated by reference to the following drawing figures, in which like numerals represent like items throughout the figures.
It will be readily understood that the solution described herein and illustrated in the appended figures could involve a wide variety of different configurations. Thus, the following more detailed description, as represented in the figures, is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure but is merely representative of certain implementations in different scenarios. While the various aspects are presented in the drawings, the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale unless specifically indicated.
Reference throughout this specification to features, advantages, or similar language does not imply that all the features and advantages that may be realized should be or are in any single embodiment of the invention. Rather, language referring to the features and advantages is understood to mean that a specific feature, advantage, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, discussions of the features and advantages, and similar language, throughout the specification may, but do not necessarily, refer to the same embodiment.
Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the indicated embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present solution. Thus, the phrases “in one embodiment”, “in an embodiment”, and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.
As used in this document, the singular form “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. As used in this document, the term “comprising” means “including, but not limited to”.
As noted above, insulated bags are often used to facilitate the delivery of food items from a restaurant to a customer location (e.g., house or place of employment). The insulated bags are waterproof bags made with a nylon or vinyl exterior layer designed to keep the food items properly heated and/or chilled during transit. The insulated bags have limitations and challenges. For example, the insulated bags may not be airtight which results in heat loss from the food items and are absent of any heat generation functionality to re-warm the foot items.
The present solution provides a means to overcome these drawbacks of insulated bags. In this regard, the present solution concerns a portable electric heater comprising a flexible heating pad with layer(s) of graphene fabric. The graphene fabric is designed and engineered using advance material science. The electric heater can be integrated in an insulated bag to facilitate the heating of items disposed on or inside the insulated bag (e.g., in a cavity or pocket). The electric heater may be configured to generate heat from, for example, 40° C. (104° F.) to 130° C. (266° F.). This temperature range allows various types of food items to be keep warm in the insulated bag at respectively optimal temperature(s). The circuit components of the electric heater are flexible, rugged and operationally efficient. Wireless communication technology may be integrated with the electric heater such that a user thereof can remotely control operations of the electric heater via software application(s) running on a mobile device (e.g., a smart phone) or from a remote system (e.g., a cloud based system). The wireless communication technology can include, but is not limited to, WiFi and Bluetooth. The heating pad is rugged, washable and durable.
Although the present solution is described herein in relation to the insulated bag and food industry applications, the present solution is not limited in this regard. The electric heater of the present solution can be used in other applications such as clothing applications (as shown in
Thus, this document concerns systems and methods for providing and/or operating a heating pad. The heating pad comprises: a first heating fabric comprising graphene; a nanotube-based film having a first surface coupled to the first heating fabric; a second heating fabric coupled to a second opposing surface of the nanotube-based film; and a flexible circuit disposed between the first heating fabric and the nanotube-based film, the flexible circuit configured to facilitate an increase in temperature by at least the first and second heating fabrics.
The first heating fabric layer can include, but is not limited to, a monolayer of carbon atoms connected to each other via sp2 hybridization to form a planar two-dimensional hexagonal honeycomb lattice structure. The nanotube-based film can include, but is not limited to, a carbon nanotube film. The second heating fabric layer can include, but is not limited to, a carbon fiber paper, a carbon fiber cloth and/or a graphite fiber cloth. The heating pad may be configured to: convert at least a given amount (e.g., >50% or 75%) of electric energy into heat energy; have a radiation efficiency of at least a given amount (e.g., >50% or 70%); and/or operate with a voltage less than or equal to a given voltage (e.g., 36 Volts). The heating pad may be flexible and washable without affecting physical and electrical properties of the heating pad. The heating pad may be configured to: reach 140° F. in less than or equal to sixty seconds; reach 200° F. in less than or equal to one hundred eighty seconds; and/or experience a difference or rise in temperature within three seconds of power being supplied thereto.
The flexible circuit may comprise a flexible battery (e.g., a graphene battery) or the flexible circuit may be energized by a flexible battery. The flexible circuit may alternatively or additionally comprise a first conductive line portion and a second conductive line portion which are separately supplied power from a power source at the same time. The first and second conductive line portions may be designed and positioned relative to each other such that heat radiation is emitted uniformly across exposed surfaces of the heating pad. The first and second conductive line portions may partially overlap each other while being electrically isolated from each other. For example, the first conductive line portion may comprise a plurality of first fingers. At least one of the first fingers resides between a plurality of second fingers of the second conductive line portion. At least one of the second fingers resides between the plurality of fingers of the first conductive line portion.
In some scenarios, the flexible circuit may also comprise a cable connected to the first and second conductive lines and a controller removably connected to the cable. The controller may be configured to allow a user to selectively control an amount of current supplied to the first and second conductive lines from a power source. The power source may be external to the heating pad and comprise a graphene battery or any other powers source. The controller may be configured to facilitate wireless communications between the heating pad and an external communication device for remotely controlling operations of the heating pad. Additionally or alternatively, the flexible circuit may be configured to facilitate wireless communications between the heating pad and an external communication device for remotely controlling operations of the heating pad.
The flexible circuit may further comprise a flexible sensor and be configured to cause the heating pad to transition operational modes based on sensor data generated by the flexible sensor. The operational modes can include, but are not limited to, an off mode, an on mode, a low heat mode, a medium heat mode, and/or a high heat mode. The flexible sensor can include, but is not limited to, a pressure sensor, a temperature sensor, a location sensor, a proximity sensor, a sound sensor, and/or a camera.
In those or other scenarios, the heating pad is at least partially encompassed by a flexible output device. The flexible output device can include, but is not limited to, a light strip, an audio device and/or a vibration device.
The present document also concerns systems and methods for providing and operating a portable electric heater. The portable electric heater comprises: a controller configured to control a temperature setting of the portable electric heater; and a heating pad communicatively coupled to the controller. The controller comprises a plurality of material layers arranged in a stack. The material layers comprise: a first heating fabric comprising graphene; a nanotube-based film having a first surface coupled to the first heating fabric; a second heating fabric coupled to a second opposing surface of the nanotube-based film; and a flexible circuit disposed between the first heating fabric and the nanotube-based film. The flexible circuit is configured to facilitate an increase in temperature by at least the first and second heating fabrics. The features of the heating pad can be the same as or similar to those described above.
The present document further concerns systems and methods for providing a product with a heating capability. The product can include, but is not limited to, an insulative bag (e.g., for use in the food industry), a piece of clothing (e.g., a shirt, shorts, pants, jacket, etc.), footwear (e.g., boots, insoles for shoes, etc.), bedding (e.g., sheet, blanket, pillow, etc.), a medical apparatus (e.g., back brace, etc.), furniture (e.g., a massage chair, coach, etc.), wellness industry (e.g., spa beds, spa mats, massage equipment, etc.) sports & fitness industry (e.g., gym equipment, pain relief heating pads, yoga mats, etc.) and/or other item (e.g., a car seat, steering wheel, etc.). The product comprises a main body; and a heating pad disposed on the main body or in the main body (e.g., in a pocket or cavity of the main body). The heating pad can be the same as or similar to the heating pad described herein.
Referring now to
As shown in
The electric heater is generally configured to emit thermal radiation to facilitate the heating of item(s) in proximity thereto. The item(s) can include, but is(are) not limited to, food item(s), fluid(s), body(ies) of living thing(s) (e.g., human(s) or animal(s)), electronic device(s), fabric item(s), and/or component(s) of vehicle(s) (e.g., a windshield, steering wheel and/or seat cushion).
As shown in
Electronic circuit component(s) is(are) integrated in the heating pad 102. The electronic circuit component(s) is(are) provided to facilitate the heating pad's production of thermal radiation and/or user control of the heating pad. The electronic circuit components can include, but are not limited to, sensor(s), batteries and/or flexible Input/Output (I/O) device(s) 116. The input device(s) of 116 can include, but are not limited to, keypad(s), button(s), switch(es) and/or touch screen display(s). The output device(s) of 116 can be configured to provide tactile, visual and/or auditory feedback to the user. Accordingly, the output device(s) can include, but is(are) not limited to, Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs), Red Green Blue (RGB) light emitter(s), light bar(s), speaker(s), display screen(s), and/or vibration device(s). The feedback can indicate, for example, an on/off status of the electric heater 100, a temperature setting of the electric heater 100, a temperature of the heating pad 102, a power supply level of charge, and/or a health or age of the heating pad 102. The electronic circuit component(s) can include other devices as will be described in detail below.
In some scenarios, the output devices 116 can include light bar(s) and/or LEDs with different colors of light being emitted to respectively provide indications of different information. For example, a red light is emitted to indicate that the heating pad is at a high temperature. A yellow light is emitted to indicate that the heating pad is at a medium temperature. A green light is emitted to indicate that the heating pad is at a low temperature. The high, medium and low temperatures can be pre-set by a user of the heating pad or at the factory prior to distribution of the heating pad in commerce. The present solution is not limited to the particulars of this example. For example, in other scenarios, light can be continuously or periodically emitted to indicate a charge status of an internal battery.
The heating pad 102 can be at least partially (not shown) or fully (as shown in
During operation, the electronic circuit component(s) is(are) connected to external device(s) via cable 108 and/or connector 106. Cables and connectors are well known. Any known or to be known cable and/or connector can be used here. The external device(s) can include, but is(are) not limited to, a controller 114 and/or a power source. The controller 114 can be removably coupled to cable 108 such that it can be exchanged with another controller in the event of damage thereto and/or interoperability thereof.
The heating pad 102 will now be described in more detail in relation to
The heating pad 102 is generally configured to emit thermal radiation when power is supplied thereto from an external power source and/or an internal power source. It should be noted that the heating pad 102 is designed for use with a given voltage level (e.g., 5 V, 9 V, 12 V or 24 V). The temperature of the heating pad 102 is controlled by adjusting the current suppled thereto. The current level can be selected or otherwise adjusted automatically and/or manually.
In the automatic scenarios, the current level can be adjusted based on certain information. This information includes, but is not limited to, sensor data generated by sensors integrated with electric heater 100 and/or a device (e.g., a smart phone) external to the electric heater 100. The sensor data can indicate an amount of pressure being applied to the heating pad 102, a temperature of the heating pad 102, a temperature of an external environment, a humidity of the external environment, a temperature of the item in proximity to the heating pad 102, a geographic location of the heating pad 102, and/or a height above sea level.
In the manual scenarios, the current level can be manually selected or adjusted by a user via controller 114 connected to the heating pad 102 via cable 108. The controller 114 will be described in detail below. The controller 114 may comprise switch(es), depressible button(s), rotary knob(s), and/or wireless communication technology for interfacing with an external device (e.g., a smart phone) to allow for remote control of the current level.
When power is supplied to the heating pad 102, its temperature increases by a given amount (e.g., to a temperature between 55° C. to 130° C.) in accordance with the amount of current flowing therethrough. Once the temperature reaches a desired temperature, the heating pad 102 is configured to maintain a constant temperature state.
As shown in
The heating fabric layer 402 is generally configured to produce thermal radiation when a voltage is supplied to the heating pad 102. In this regard, the heating fabric layer 402 comprises an electrically conductive material that can be energized when power is supplied to the heating pad 102. The electrically conductive material can include, but is not limited to, a graphene material (e.g., with an electrical conductivity at least 70% higher than copper), an oxford cloth (e.g., a woven fabric with a basketweave structure), and/or a heat storage and thermal insulation fabric. The graphene cloth can include, but is not limited to, polyester fibers and a graphene coating. The oxford cloth can include, but is not limited to, polyurethane. The The heat storage and thermal insulation fabric can include, but is not limited to, polyester fibers and a nano-silver film. The heating fabric layer 402 can have a width 410 selected in accordance with a given application (e.g., a width that is equal to or greater than 0.16 mm).
An illustrative graphene material that can be used as the graphene coating of the heating fabric layer 402 is shown in
Based on the superconductivity and thermal properties of the graphene material, the temperature of the graphene material can increase to a given value in a relatively short amount of time (e.g., 60 to 180 seconds). As a result of the increased temperature, the graphene material releases far-infrared light waves that can penetrate item(s) that is(are) located in proximity to heating pad 102. The item(s) can include, but is(are) not limited to, food item(s), fluid(s), body(ies) of living thing(s) (e.g., human(s) or animal(s)), electronic device(s), fabric item(s), and/or component(s) of vehicle(s) (e.g., a windshield, steering wheel and/or seat cushion). In food applications, the light waves penetrate the surface(s) of the food item(s) which facilitates the prevention of a decrease in the food item temperature(s) or facilitates an increase in the food item temperature(s). In human applications, the light waves penetrate the surface tissue of the individual's body which facilitates an acceleration of blood circulation, cell metabolism and other functions that are beneficial to the individual's health.
The nanotube-based film layer 406 is generally configured to provide physical support for layers 402, 404, 408 and facilitate heating of the heating pad 102. In this regard, the nanotube-based film layer 406 comprises a film of intertwined nanotubes. The nanotubes can include, but are not limited to, carbon nanotubes. Carbon nanotube films are well known. The nanotube-based film layer 406 has a relatively high strength, electrical conductivity and thermal conductivity.
The heating fabric layer 408 is configured to provide a water-resistant layer, provide structural support to layers 402-406, and facilitate heating of the heating pad 102. The heating fabric layer 408 is also configured to allow thermal radiation to be emitted from the heating pad 102 on a side opposite to that of the heating fabric layer 402. The heating fabric layer 408 can include, but is not limited to, a carbon fiber cloth, a graphite fiber cloth, a graphene cloth and/or a carbon/graphite fiber cloth.
The circuit layer 404 is generally configured to allow a voltage and current to be applied across a surface 416 of the heating fabric layer 416 and a surface 418 of the nanotube-based film layer 406. In this regard, the circuit layer 404 comprises electronic components such as conductive material(s) (e.g., wires, a patterned film, a patterned foil and/or traces printed on layer 402 and/or 406) and/or electronic devices (e.g., flexible Integrated Circuits (ICs), sensor(s), etc.). The circuit layer 404 can be disposed on the heating fabric layer 402 and/or the nanotube-based film layer. The voltage and current may be applied uniformly or non-uniformly across surfaces 416, 418. When the voltage/current are applied, the heating pad 102 emits thermal radiation 420 therefrom in one or more directions shown by arrows 422, 424.
An insulation layer 430 may be disposed between the heating fabric layer 402 and the circuit layer 404. The insulation layer 430 can include, but is not limited to, a thermally conductive silica gel.
A cover layer 432 may be disposed on the heating fabric layer 402. The cover layer 432 can include, but is not limited to, a heat storage and insulation cloth, a hot melt omentum. The hot melt omentum can include, but is not limited to, a thermoplastic polyurethane.
The heating pad 102 can convert a relatively large amount of electric energy into heat and have a relatively high heat radiation efficiency. For example, in some scenarios as shown in
The relative percentages of each layer 402-408, 430, 432 can be selected in accordance with a given application. For example, in some scenarios, the heating pad comprises 1% red copper film 404, 25% cloth/fabric-based facing layer 432, 25% thermal insulation fabric layer 430, 24% hot melt mesh film 432, and 25% layers 402, 406, 408. In other scenarios, the heating pad comprises 31.7% layer 402, 4.9% layer 404, 31.7% layer 306 and 31.7% layer 408. Accordingly, layer 402 can have a thickness of 0.08 mm. Layer 404 can have a thickness of 0.05 mm. Layer 406 can have a thickness of 0.08 mm. Layer 408 can have a thickness of 0.08 mm. The present solution is not limited to the particulars of these scenarios.
Referring now to
The first conductive line portion 1130 comprises two fingers 1134 which are connected to each other via connection line 1138. The second conductive line portion 1132 comprises two fingers 1136 that are connected to each other via connection line 1140. The fingers 1134 and 1136 are interdigitated meaning that at least one finger 1134 resides between fingers 1136 and at least one finger 1136 resides between fingers 1134. During operation, power is provided to both conductive line portions simultaneously or concurrently such that the heat radiation emitted from the heating pad 102 is uniform across its surfaces. The present solution is not limited in this regard. The first and second conductive line portions can be designed such that heat radiation emission is not uniform across the heating pad's surfaces. For example, the first and second conductive line portions can have a different number of fingers and/or serpentine patterns.
Although only two fingers are shown in
The conductive line portions 1130, 1132 are connected to the cable 108 via wires 1106, 1110 and electrodes 1108, 1112. In some scenarios, at least the wire-electrode connections are enclosed or otherwise encompassed by an environmental seal component 1300 as shown in
The cable 108 is connected to a controller 114. The controller 114 will be described in detail below. Still, it should be noted here that the controller 114 is generally configured to facilitate the turning On/Off of the electric heater 100 whereby a voltage is applied to the heating pad 102 and/or the adjustment of an amount of current that is supplied to the circuit layer 404 via cable 108 whereby the overall temperature of the heating pad 102 is increased/decreased. Accordingly, the controller 114 may also coupled to an internal power source via wires 1114 and/or an external power source via cable 108. The internal power source can include, but is not limited to, flexible batteries (e.g., graphene batteries), flexible energy harvesting circuit (e.g., flexible piezoelectric energy harvester), and/or capacitor(s). The energy harvesting circuit can be configured to harvest energy from light, movement (e.g., vibration), and/or Radio Frequency (RF) signals.
The circuit layer 404 also comprises electronic device(s) 1116. The electronic device(s) 1116 can include, but is(are) not limited to, Integrated Circuit(s) (ICs), processor(s), data store(s), wireless communication devices (e.g., flexible wireless transceiver(s)), temperature sensor(s) (e.g., thermistor(s)), moisture sensor(s), location sensor(s), proximity sensor(s), pressure sensor(s), sound sensor(s), camera(s) and/or power supply circuits. The temperature sensor(s) can detect and measure the temperature of the heating pad 102, the temperature of a surrounding environment, and/or a temperature of an item in proximity thereto. The moisture sensor(s) can detect and measure the amount of moisture in the heating pad 102 and/or the humidity of a surrounding environment. The location sensor(s) can detect a geographic location of the heating pad 102 and/or a distance of the heating pad 102 from sea level. The pressure sensor(s) can detect and/or measure an amount of pressure being applied to the heating pad by an external object. The pressure measurement can be used to facilitate control of the electric heater 100. The proximity sensor(s) can detect when an item is proximate thereto. The sound sensor(s) can detect the presence of sound and/or measure an amount of sound or variations in sound pressure. The sound sensor can include, but is not limited to, a diaphragm microphone. The camera(s) can capture image(s) of a surrounding environment and/or an item in proximity to the electric heater. The sensor data can be stored in data store(s) internal to and/or external to the heating pad 102. The electronic device(s) 1116 is(are) coupled to the controller 1118 via wires 1114 of cable 108.
The present solution is not limited to the architecture shown in
The sensor data can be used to facilitate the control of the electric heater 100. For example, the electric heater 100 can be automatically turned on when the heating pad detects that a particular type of object is in proximity thereto. This detection can be made using data generated by the proximity sensor(s), pressure sensor(s), sound sensor(s), camera(s) and/or location sensor(s). In this regard, it should be noted that a first food item of a first type would apply less pressure to the heating pad than a second food item of a second type, e.g., when the first food item weighs less than the second food item. Thus, pressure measurement(s) can be compared to entries in a Look Up Table (LUT) and/or threshold hold values that are pre-defined by certain types of items. An item is considered to be of a given type associated with an LUT entry in which the pressure measurement(s) exist. The present solution is not limited to the particulars of this example.
In some scenarios, the amount of current supplied to the heating pad 102 is automatically adjusted by controller 1118 based on information received from the electronic device(s) 1116 and/or other information received from an external device 1150. The external device 1150 can include, but is not limited to, a mobile phone, a smart phone, a personal digital assistant, a personal computer, a desktop computer, a laptop, a tablet, a remote controller, a cloud based system and/or a network node. For example, the current is adjusted when a humidity of a surrounding environment exceeds a threshold value, an amount of moisture in the heating pad exceeds a threshold level, and/or the distance of the heating pad above sea level exceeds a threshold value. Alternatively or additionally, the current may be selected so that the temperature of the heating pad increases to a desired level in a given amount of time dependent on conditions of a surrounding environment (e.g., temperature and/or humidity). An LUT can be used to facilitate the current selection. The present solution is not limited to the particulars of this example.
If batteries are integrated or otherwise disposed in the heating pad 102, a battery charger 1152 can be provided to re-charge the batteries. The battery charger 1152 can include, but is not limited to, an inductive battery charger, a wireless battery charger and/or a wired battery charger designed to be coupled/decoupled from the controller 114. The battery charger 1152 may be configured to be used to charge the internal or external batteries of the heating pad relatively quickly. The battery charger 1152 may or may not be compatible for use in charging batteries of other electronic device (i.e., devices other than the electric heater and/or external power source). The battery charger 1152 may have output devices for indicating a battery charge states (e.g., a fully charged status, a partially charged status or a low charge status). The output devices can include, but are not limited to, LEDs, display(s), and/or speaker(s).
Referring now to
Marking(s) 1406 may be disposed on, printed on or formed in the housing 1402. The marking(s) 1406 can indicate to a user an operational state of the electric heater (e.g., an on state, an off state, a battery charging state, etc.) and/or the setting for a heat level parameter of the heating pad 102. For example, there may be five settings for the heat/current level parameter with one being the lowest setting and five being the highest setting. The present solution is not limited to the particulars of this example.
Referring now to
In the insulated bag scenarios, the power source 1500 may be also stored in the insulated bag 150 or can be external to the insulate bag. The electric heater 100 can be connected to the power source 1500 prior to or subsequent to being inserted into cavity/pocket 152 of the insulated bag 150 or the electric heater can just be placed in the insulated bag. A separate pocket 154 may optionally be provided in the cavity/pocket for receiving and retaining the power source 1500 in a given position inside the insulated bag relative to the heating pad 102. Pocket 254 can ensure that power is continuously supplied from the power source 1500 to the electric heater 100 throughout use and/or transport of the insulated bag.
Referring now to
Computing device 1600 may include more or less components than those shown in
Some or all the components of the computing device 1600 can be implemented as hardware, software and/or a combination of hardware and software. The hardware includes, but is not limited to, one or more electronic circuits. The electronic circuits can include, but are not limited to, passive components (e.g., resistors and capacitors) and/or active components (e.g., amplifiers and/or microprocessors). The passive and/or active components can be adapted to, arranged to and/or programmed to perform one or more of the methodologies, procedures, or functions described herein.
As shown in
At least some of the hardware entities 1614 perform actions involving access to and use of memory 1622, which can be a RAM, a disk driver, network device, cloud-based device, and/or a CD-ROM. Hardware entities 1614 can include a disk drive unit 1616 comprising a computer-readable storage medium 1618 on which is stored one or more sets of instructions 1620 (e.g., software code) configured to implement one or more of the methodologies, procedures, or functions described herein. The instructions 1620 can also reside, completely or at least partially, within the memory 1622 and/or within the CPU 1606 during execution thereof by the computing device 1600. The memory 1622 and the CPU 1606 also can constitute machine-readable media. The term “machine-readable media”, as used here, refers to a single medium or multiple media (e.g., a centralized or distributed database, and/or associated caches and servers) that store the one or more sets of instructions 1620. The term “machine-readable media”, as used here, also refers to any medium that is capable of storing, encoding or carrying a set of instructions 1620 for execution by the computing device 1600 and that cause the computing device 1600 to perform any one or more of the methodologies of the present disclosure.
In some scenarios, the hardware entities 1614 include an electronic circuit (e.g., a processor) programmed for facilitating the heating of item(s). In this regard, it should be understood that the electronic circuit can access and run application(s) 1624 and/or a machine learning application(s) 1626 installed on the computing device 1600.
The application(s) 1624 may be configured to facilitate control and/or operation of an electric heater (e.g., electric heater 100 of
The application(s) 1624 can also facilitate the remote control of operational settings for a group of electric heaters such that they all operate in accordance with policies of a business entity (e.g., a restaurant or a chain of restaurants) or for an individual (e.g., heat pad on different body part locations like legs, chest, etc.). In this way, operational setting of two or more electric heaters can be set via common user-software interactions with the computing device 1600. For example, a user can select a single temperature value via a widget displayed on the computing device which causes the temperature setting to be changed on a plurality of electric heaters. The present solution is not limited in this regard.
In some scenarios, operational parameters for the electric heater 100 are pre-defined or customized for use with certain types of items. The sets of pre-defined/customized operational parameters can be stored in a datastore of the computing device and/or selected via a user interaction with application(s) 1624. For example, a user accesses a drop-down menu of a Graphical User Interface (GUI) presented on display 1654 and selects an item type from a plurality of different item types listed in the drop-down menu. The item type selection causes the electric heater to be controlled in accordance with pre-defined/customized operational parameters associated therewith.
The machine learning application(s) 1626 may implement(s) Artificial Intelligence (AI) that provides the computing device 1600 with the ability to automatically learn and improve data analytics from experience without being explicitly programmed. The machine learning application(s) employ(s) one or more machine learning algorithms that learn various information from accessed data (e.g., via pattern recognition and prediction making). Machine learning algorithms are well known in the art. For example, in some scenarios, the machine learning application 1626 employs a supervised learning algorithm, an unsupervised learning algorithm, and/or a semi-supervised algorithm. The machine learning algorithm(s) is(are) used to model temperature decisions based on data analysis (e.g., captured sensor information and other information). The modelled temperature decisions are represented in a machine learning model.
The machine learning model can be used to determine optimal temperature setting(s) for the electric heater based on various information. This information can include, user input information (e.g., user identifier, user preferences, medical information, physical condition information, etc.), sensor data (e.g., location of electric heater, temperature of heating pad, amount of pressure being applied to heating pad, and/or amount of moisture in fabric of heating pad, etc.), environmental data (e.g., temperature and/or humidity of surrounding environment, etc.), time of day, time of year, and/or type of item being heated (e.g., food, fluid/liquid, clothing, gloves, shoes, hat, blanket, car seat, etc.). In this way, operation of the electric heater can be customized and/or optimized for environmental conditions, item types, users, user preferences and/or user medical conditions.
Referring now to
Method 1700 begins with 1702 and continues with 1704 where a graphene slurry is obtained. The graphene slurry is made of graphene powder, curing agent, auxiliary agent and other components. The following table lists the raw materials for the graphene slurry.
The graphene slurry can be prepared by, for example: accurately weighing 45 g of Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) resin with a number average molecular weight of 22000; dissolving the TPU in 150 g of Dimethylformamide (DMF) at a dissolution temperature of 80° C.; waiting until the dissolution is completely reduced to room temperature; adding 55 g of Auxiliary A to the dissolution; stirring the mixture evenly to produce a first resin solution; accurately weigh 35 g of TPU resin with a number average molecular weight of 35000; dissolving the TPU in 150 g of DMF at a dissolution temperature of 80° C.; waiting until the dissolution is completely reduced to room temperature; adding 65 g of Auxiliary A to the dissolution; stirring the mixture evenly to produce a second resin solution. The first and second resin solutions are mixed together and stirred uniformly at a mass ratio of 1:1 to prepare a graphene solvent. Graphene slurries with different concentration gradients can be prepared in accordance with this process. The mass concentrations can include, but are not limited to, 3.5%, 4.5%, 5.5%, 6.5%, 7.5%, 8.5% and/or 9.5%. The total mass fraction of the four additives can also be varied.
Next in 1706, a glass sheet is coated with the graphene slurry. The coated glass sheet is then placed in an oven heated to a given temperature (e.g., 120° C.), as shown by 1708. In 1710, the coated glass sheet remains in the oven for a given period of time (e.g., 2 hours) so that the graphene slurry dries at a constant temperature. The dried graphene slurry forms a 2D hexagonal honeycomb graphene structure. The glass sheet and 2D hexagonal honeycomb graphene structure are then removed from the oven in 1712. The same are allowed to cool in 1714 at room temperature. The cooled 2D hexagonal honeycomb graphene structure is referred to as a graphene cloth or fabric.
In 1716, the graphene cloth or fabric is then peeled off of the glass sheet such that the 2D hexagonal honeycomb structure is retained. The peeling process ensures that the overall performance of electrothermal conversion rate, electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, stability, thermal uniformity, flexibility and longevity are improved as compared to those of conventional graphene sheets.
Referring now to
Thereafter in 1812, a circuit layer is disposed on the graphene cloth/fabric. The circuit layer can include a patterned conductive film and/or electronic devices (e.g., sensors, etc.). In 1814, an adhesive may optionally be disposed on a surface of the circuit layer. A cord/cable (e.g., cable 108 of
In 1824, a release paper on the surface of the hot melt film is torn off. A heat storage and insulation fabric and/or graphene cloth is set on a surface of the low temperature hot melt film. Heat and pressure are applied to the assembled stack in 1826. The heat storage/heat preservation fabric is integrated with the graphene flexible heating cloth, the circuit layer and electric components.
The quality of the finished product is inspected in 1828 and re-inspected in 1830. The inspections of 1828 and 1830 can involve checking whether an appearance is defective, whether the detection circuit is normal, whether the detection sensor signal is normal, whether the working current and resistance are normal, whether the wireless communication between an external device (e.g., a smart phone) and the controller is normal, and/or whether the heating temperature is normal. Subsequently, 1832 is performed where method 1800 ends or other operations are performed.
The above described processes 1700, 1800 have been used to produce heating pads comprising graphene cloths/fabrics with different thicknesses. The following Examples are provided that are useful for understanding similarities and differences in the electrical properties of graphene flexible heating cloths having different thicknesses.
In this example, a relatively thin graphene heating pad 1900 is created. The layer structure for this heating pad 1900 is shown in
In this example, a relatively thick graphene heating pad 2000 is created. The layer structure for this heating pad 2000 is shown in
Illustrative temperatures and pressures used during process 1800 for the hot melt and low temperature melt meshes are: high temperature hot melt mesh omentum—hot pressing temperature 145° C. to 160° C. and pressure 2 KG; low temperature hot melt omentum—hot pressing temperature 90° C. and pressure 2 KG. After the heating pad is integrated by hot pressing, as long as the temperature for the graphene flexible heating pad does not exceed 120 ° C., the performance of the hot melt film will not be affected. The present solution is not limited to the particulars of this example.
In this example, a relatively thin graphene heating pad 2100 is created. The layer structure for this heating pad 2100 is shown in
In this example, a heating pad is created using a graphene flexible heating cloth that has a thickness (e.g., thickness 410 of
The present solution is not limited to the particulars of this example.
In this example, a heating pad is created using a graphene flexible heating cloth that has a thickness (e.g., thickness 410 of
The present solution is not limited to the particulars of this example.
In this example, a heating pad is created using a graphene flexible heating cloth that has a thickness (e.g., thickness 410 of
The present solution is not limited to the particulars of this example.
The described features, advantages and characteristics disclosed herein may be combined in any suitable manner. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, in light of the description herein, that the disclosed systems and/or methods can be practiced without one or more of the specific features. In other instances, additional features and advantages may be recognized in certain scenarios that may not be present in all instances.
Although the systems and methods have been illustrated and described with respect to one or more implementations, equivalent alterations and modifications will occur to others skilled in the art upon the reading and understanding of this specification and the annexed drawings. In addition, while a particular feature may have been disclosed with respect to only one of several implementations, such feature may be combined with one or more other features of the other implementations as may be desired and advantageous for any given or particular application. Thus, the breadth and scope of the disclosure herein should not be limited by any of the above descriptions. Rather, the scope of the invention should be defined in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.
