WO2015004379A1

WO2015004379A1 - Heating glove

Info

Publication number: WO2015004379A1
Application number: PCT/FR2014/051746
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sonia BELAZZOUZ
Original assignee: Aixstream
Priority date: 2013-07-09
Filing date: 2014-07-07
Publication date: 2015-01-15
Also published as: FR3008283B1; FR3008283A1

Abstract

The invention concerns a heating glove incorporating an electric heating element powered by a power supply. This heating element is formed from flexible electric heating filaments associated with a temperature regulator, said regulator incorporating an electric or electronic circuit designed to regulate the current intended to pass through the filaments. A control member (71) of the regulator is configured to transmit a control instruction to the temperature regulator, in response to pressure on said member. In response to a predefined series of pressures being exerted on the control member (71), the latter is configured to transmit different control instructions to the temperature regulator, each of said control instructions corresponding to a predefined heating temperature and time (T1, T2, T3) of the electric heating filaments.

Description

HEATING GLOVE Description

Technical Field of the Invention

The subject of the invention is a heating glove.

It concerns the general technical field of heated clothing. It relates more particularly to the technical field of gloves motorcycle, ski, or other, and incorporating an electric heating element installed in the body of said glove for heating all or part of the inner housing in which is inserted the hand of the user.

State of the art

The heated gloves are known from the prior art.

Document US Pat. No. 4,021,640 (GROSS) discloses a glove provided with a heating system installed between an insulating layer and the liner.

Document US Pat. No. 3,632,966 (ARRON) discloses a muffle provided with a heating system arranged at the ends of the fingers. More particularly, this heating system is in the form of a heating resistance ribbon fixed between two strips of fabric. A bias tape covers the heating tape and the two strips of fabric. A layer of insulating fabric may be disposed below the heating tape to limit heat loss. The heating system is attached to the inner part of the muffle by means of a double seam line so that it is attached to the liner. The document US Pat. No. 5,620,621 (SONTAG) discloses a heating glove formed of: an outer layer of nylon or polyester, an insulating layer, a polyester or cotton lining and which is in direct contact with with the user's hand. The heating system is formed by a resistance sandwiched between two strips of heat conducting materials. The heating system can then be housed between two layers of the liner, without however being integrated.

Document US 2008/223844 (CRONN) discloses a heating glove provided with a battery, a switch and a counter. The switch transmits to the heating elements, the electrical energy contained in the battery. The meter informs the user about the heating power and / or the amount of energy remaining in the battery.

Patent document FR 2.645.410 (GONZALES) discloses a heating glove provided with a battery, a switch and a thermostat.

WO 2008/036283 (LEONARD), discloses a heating glove provided with a device for separately controlling the heat transmitted through each of the heating elements, to produce a different heating in each finger. The heating instructions are generated by a microprocessor in response to signals transmitted by temperature sensors arranged in the glove.

The heating systems described in these documents are not efficient because the thermal transfer to the hand of the user is not optimal. Indeed, at least one layer of the glove forms a screen that opposes the passage of calories to the hand.

Also, the arrangement of the heating element is such that there is generally a significant thermal loss to the outside of the glove.

In addition, the heating resistors used have a design such that they are easily broken and that their rise in temperature is slow. Finally, the regulation of the temperature is not really satisfactory, the temperature inside the glove being generally too hot or too hot.

The invention aims to remedy this state of affairs. In particular, an object of the invention is to provide a heating glove whose heating system allows an optimal adjustment of the temperature inside the glove.

The invention also aims to provide a heating glove simple but robust design, easy to use, and having a rapid temperature rise.

Another object of the invention is to minimize heat losses.

Yet another object of the invention is to ensure optimal transfer of calories from the heating system to the hand of the user.

Disclosure of the invention.

The solution proposed by the invention is a heating glove comprising a glove body formed by the superposition of at least: - an outer layer defining the shape (or "design") of said glove, - an inner lining defining an inner housing configured to cover, in use, the fingers and the hand of a user at least up to the wrist, - a waterproof membrane interposed between said outer layer and said inner lining, - a thermal insulation interposed between said waterproof membrane and said inner liner; an electric heating element being installed in the glove body for heating all or part of the inner housing, said heating element being energized by a power supply housed in said body.

This glove is remarkable in that:

the inner lining consists of textile fibers held together in the form of a layer,

the heating element is formed of flexible heating electric filaments positioned on the inner liner. the electric heating filaments are associated with a temperature regulator connected in series with the battery, which regulator integrates an electric or electronic circuit designed to regulate the current intended to pass through the filaments,

- a controller of the regulator is installed on the outer layer

(10)

the control member is configured to transmit a command setpoint to the temperature controller, in response to a pressure on said member,

in response to a predetermined succession of pressures on the control member, the latter is configured to transmit different control commands to the temperature controller, each of these control commands corresponding to a predetermined temperature and a predetermined heating time of the electrical filaments heating.

The electric heating filaments used are now intimately linked to the lining of the glove which is in direct contact with the user's hand. The glove remains comfortable and flexible, that is to say that the heating microfilaments used do not change the elasticity of the lining. The transfer of calories to the hand of the user is optimal since no layer forming a thermal barrier is interposed between the heating element and the inner housing. Also, the thermal insulation effectively opposes heat transfer to the outside of the glove: losses are minimal. These technical characteristics are therefore combined in a particularly advantageous manner to achieve the aforementioned objectives. Finally, the heating system allows optimal adjustment of the temperature inside the glove, the user can easily and quickly adjust the temperature set according to his needs.

Description of the figures. Other advantages and characteristics of the invention will appear better on reading the description of a preferred embodiment which will follow, with reference to the accompanying drawings, carried out as indicative and non-limiting examples and in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view from above of a glove according to the invention,

FIG. 2 is a schematic view from below of the glove of FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is a sectional view along A-A of the glove of FIG. 1,

FIG. 4 illustrates an electric heating element according to the invention integrated in the textile fibers of the lining of the glove,

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic sectional view along B-B of the electric heating element of FIG. 4;

- Figure 6 is a diagram showing: - ordinate temperatures obtained inside the inner housing of a glove according to the invention; - on the x-axis, the control instructions for a temperature controller associated with the heating electric filaments.

Preferred embodiments of the invention

The heating glove object of the invention which will now be described, is part of a pair of gloves to be worn by a user. It can be a pair of motorcycle gloves, ski, equestrian, for everyday use, etc.

By "glove" is meant in the sense of the present invention a piece of clothing that fits the hand of a user and covers at least to the wrist, or with separation to match the shape of each finger (from type illustrated in Figures 1 to 3 appended), or without separation except the thumb (muffle type, not shown). In Figures 1 and 2 attached, the glove object of the invention comprises a first central portion 1 which covers, in use (that is to say when the glove is worn by a user) the palm and the back of the hand up to the wrist. A second distal portion 2 covers, in use, the fingers separately (or together in the case of a muffle). A side portion 3 covers, in use, the thumb. Optionally, a third proximal portion 4, covers, in use, the part of the forearm of the user who is located below the wrist. This third portion 4 may be extended by a skirt 40 adapted to be housed under the sleeve of a garment worn by the sailor user to prevent the penetration of water or snow inside the glove.

A fastening device 5, secured to the glove, prevents or limits its withdrawal when worn by the user. This fixing device 5, well known to those skilled in the art, is for example in the form of a band adapted to grip the portion of the glove located at the wrist of the user. Velcro® type fastening means keeps the belt in the set position.

Referring more particularly to Figure 3, the body of the glove comprises an outer layer 10 defining the shape of said glove. This outer layer 10 is for example made of flexible cooking, or textile. This layer 10 is advantageously waterproof without this being necessary. It is made of one or more pieces assembled together by stitching and / or gluing. These parts are not necessarily made of the same material, stronger materials may be provided at the most stressed areas of the glove, especially at the inner face of the hands, the width of the thumb, and / or the ends fingers. Similarly, reinforcing elements, for example in the form of rigid or semi-rigid plastic shell, may be arranged at the areas of the glove which are more stressed. The glove body also comprises an inner liner 1 1 defining an inner housing 1 10 configured to cover, in use, the fingers and the hand at least up to the wrist. This inner liner 1 1, made of a fibrous material, is advantageously made of textile fibers held together in the form of a layer, and more particularly in the form of a mesh reinforcement or a fleece having a certain thickness. Agglomerated polyester fibers are advantageously used in the form of a sparse layer, that is to say enclosing for a given mass of fibers a large volume of air. These polyester fibers may optionally be mixed with natural fibers of the wool or cotton type. Other synthetic fibers may be used to form the inner liner 1 1, including polyamide fibers or Rhovyl'On® type fibers.

A waterproof membrane 12 is interposed between the outer layer 10 and the inner lining 1 1. This membrane 12 protects the lining 1 1 of the weather to keep hands dry, while being breathable for optimal thermal comfort. Preferably a membrane 12 of PTFE or GORE-TEX® is used. This membrane 12 may be combined with or integrated with an aluminum microfilm of the MYLAR® type or survival blanket, the function of which is to return the heat towards its source, ie towards the inner housing. This microfilm is secured to the membrane 12 by gluing.

An additional layer 13 is advantageously inserted between the waterproof membrane 12 and the inner lining 11 to impart more heat to the glove. This additional layer 13 is thermally insulating and can be made of THINSULATE®, PRIMALOFT®, goose down, or any other similar insulating material.

These different layers 10, 1 1, 12, 13 are superimposed one above the other to form the body of the glove and held together by gluing, thermal welding or stitches. To heat all or part of the inner housing 1 10, an electric heating element 7 is installed in the glove body. This heating element 7 is energized by means of a power supply housed in the body of the glove. Referring more particularly to Figures 1 and 3, the power supply is in the form of a flat battery 6, for example lithium, removably housed in a sealed pocket 60 provided in the third proximal portion 4 of the glove which pouch is integrated in the outer layer 10. The battery 6 has for example a length of about 5 cm, a width of about 3 cm and a thickness of about 0.5 cm. It delivers a relatively low voltage, for example between 1.5 volts and 24 volts, preferably 7.5 volts.

A removable connector 61 provides the electrical connection between the battery 6 and the heating element 7. When the battery 6 is discharged, it is sufficient for the user to exit the pocket 60, to disconnect the connector 61 and to connect it to the sector by means of a conventional transformer, of the type used for mobile phone charging. When the battery 6 is recharged, these steps are implemented in the reverse order. An indicator light can be integrated with the battery 6 to indicate its charge level.

The heating element 7 is formed of flexible electric heating filaments whose diameter is advantageously less than 1 mm, preferably less than 0.8 mm. They can, however, have a larger diameter. These filaments 7 are advantageously in the form of polyester fibers (and more generally in the same form as the constituent fibers of the liner 11), which fibers may for example be coated with a resistive conductive material of copper or stainless steel type, on a thickness of a few tenths of a micrometer. This coating material is chosen so that its properties are not or only slightly altered in contact with the air or the ambient humidity likely to reign in the inner housing 1 10. The resistance of the filaments used is for example between 0.1 Ohm and 10 Ohms per meter linear. It has been found that these heating filaments 7 rise very rapidly in temperature, being able to pass in a few seconds from a temperature, in the internal housing 1 10, from 0 ° C. to a temperature of approximately 55 ° C., for a temperature of the outside of the glove of -15 ° C (this temperature representing the temperature felt by motorcycle at 100 km / h by 0 ° C).

As shown in Figures 4 and 5 attached, the filaments 7 are intimately mixed with the textile fibers of the lining 1 1, that is to say that heating filaments and textile fibers are juxtaposed and / or intersect. This intimate mix ensures a uniform and uniform heat diffusion inside the housing 1 10, while maintaining the flexibility and other properties of the lining 1 1.

The filaments 7 may be sewn-knitted with the textile fibers of the liner 11. The filaments 7 may also be knitted directly through a nonwoven web of textile fibers of the liner 1. Alternatively, when the liner 1 1 is in the form of a molded flexible fleece, the filaments 7 can be directly mixed with the textile fibers during molding. Each filament 7 can also be held against the liner 1 1 by means of a seam.

According to a preferred embodiment, the filaments 7 are glued by hot rolling with the textile fibers of the lining 1 1. The filaments 7 may in this case be in the form of panels or plies previously coated with glue, and more particularly a polyurethane hot melt glue film.

These filaments 7 are then positioned on the liner 11. These filaments 7 can also be positioned on a first lining layer 11 and then covered by a second lining layer. In the latter case, the filaments 7 are integrated in the thickness of the lining itself. The assembly "liner 1 1 / filaments 7" is subjected to hot rolling consisting of bringing it to a heating temperature higher than the melting temperature of the glue, under a determined pressure for a predetermined period, so as to make at least a portion of the glue in the interstices of the textile fibers of the liner 1 1. Good results are obtained when the rolling is carried out at about 600 ° C under an assembly pressure of 2 bar to 10 bar. The heating is for example carried out by means of an oven or hot air pulsed, and pressurization by means of a press.

At the end of the hot rolling, a cooling step, at ambient temperature or by thermal quenching, is advantageously envisaged.

In the accompanying figures, the filaments are arranged in the thickness of the lining 1 1, substantially in the middle of the latter. However, we can consider installing them in the entire thickness of the lining 1 1, or in a slice located near the hand of the user, preferably at a distance of between 0.1 mm and 0.5 mm housing internal 1 10. In the latter case, the feeling of warmth felt by the user is optimal.

According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the filaments 7 are arranged to heat the entirety of the inner housing 1 10. However, it can be provided that they heat only the areas covering the fingers and / or the palm of the hand . The filaments 7 can be arranged randomly in the lining 1 1, or instead follow a specific frame. In the example illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, the filaments 7 are arranged in the form of coils, throughout the lining 11, so that the heating is as homogeneous as possible inside the housing 10. .

The filaments 7 are connected to the terminals of the battery 6 so as to turn them on. The resistance that they oppose to the circulation of the electrical current that crosses them, produces the heat. With reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, for regulating the heat generated by the filaments 7, and therefore the temperature at inside the housing 1 10, said filaments are associated with a temperature controller 70. The latter is connected in series with the battery 6 and integrates an electric or electronic circuit designed to adjust the current for passing through the filaments 7.

The regulator 70 is provided with a control member 71 installed on the outer layer 10. In the example illustrated in FIG. 1, the control member 71 is installed in the third proximal portion 4 of the glove, and projects from the In this way, by pressing on the control member 71, the user can easily adjust the heating temperature.

According to the invention, in response to a pressure on the member 71, a control setpoint is generated and then transmitted to the regulator 70. The control member 71 is for example in the form of a pushbutton which acts mechanically on a component of the regulator 70 making it possible to regulate the intensity of the current delivered to the filaments 7. In an alternative embodiment, a pressure on the member 71 generates an electric pulse which is transmitted to the regulator 70. In response to this pulse, the regulator 70 adjusts the intensity of the current delivered to the filaments 7.

More particularly, in response to a predetermined succession of pressures on the control member 71, various control commands are transmitted to the regulator 7. Each of these setpoints corresponds to a predetermined temperature (and possibly a heating time) of the filaments 7.

By way of example, in the diagram of FIG. 6, a first prolonged pressing ([t0-t1]) on the member 71 generates a first temperature setpoint. The filaments 7, hitherto inactive and at ambient temperature, are energized to reach a predetermined temperature T1. For example [t0-t1] = 4s and T1 = 38 ° C. This temperature T1 is for example maintained for a period ranging from 30 minutes to 4 hours.

A second short press ([t2-t3]) on the member 71 generates a second temperature setpoint. The filaments 7 are further fed to reach another predetermined temperature T2> T1. For example [t2-t3] = 2s and T2 = 45 ° C. This temperature T2 is for example maintained for a period of 30 min 3h.

A third short press ([t4-t5]) on the member 71 generates a third temperature setpoint by which the filaments 7 reach a new predetermined temperature T3> T2. For example [t4-t5] = 2s and T3 = 55 ° C. This temperature T3 is for example maintained for a period ranging from 30 minutes to 2 hours 30 minutes.

When the user wishes to stop the heating, it presses again prolonged ([t6-t7]) on the organ 71. For example [t6-t7] = 4s. The control instruction is such that the filaments 7 are no longer powered.

In order to enable the user to verify the set heating temperature, the member 71 advantageously incorporates a light indicator 72 which changes color as a function of the command setpoint emitted. This indicator 72 may be in the form of a light emitting diode (LED) associated with an electronic circuit 73 for varying the color. Referring to the example of Figure 6, on the interval [t1 -t3] the color of the LED may be green, on the interval [t3-t5] the color of the LED may be orange, on the interval [t5-t7] the color of the LED can be red. And when the filaments 7 are not turned on, the LED remains off.

The inner lining 1 1 which has just been described can be installed in any type of clothing (jacket, pants, hat, scarf, shoes, ...). In particular, it can be used to form a jacket type clothing or motorcycle jacket for example. In this case: the above-mentioned outer layer defines the shape of said garment; the inner lining defines a housing; covering, in use, the arms and the trunk of the user, - the sealed membrane 12 and the thermal insulation 13 above are arranged in an identical manner to that described further in the description. An electric heating element is installed in this garment to heat all or part of the inner housing. As described above, it is powered by the aforementioned power supply 6, housed in said garment, for example in a pocket specifically designed for this purpose. The inner liner 1 1 is again made of textile fibers held together in the form of a layer. The aforementioned filaments 7 are intimately mixed with the textile fibers of the inner lining 11.

The arrangement of the various elements of the heating glove, liner and warming garment in the embodiments described above should not be understood as requiring such an arrangement in all implementations. In any event, it will be appreciated that various modifications may be made to the glove, liner, garment and heating system without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

claims

A heating glove comprising a glove body formed by the superposition of at least: an outer layer defining the shape of said glove; an inner liner defining an inner housing configured to cover , in use, the fingers and the hand of a user at least up to the wrist, - a waterproof membrane (12) interposed between said outer layer and said inner lining, - a thermal insulator (13) interposed between said waterproof membrane and said inner liner; an electric heating element (7) being installed in the glove body for heating all or part of the inner housing (1 10), said heating element being energized by a power supply (6) housed in said body,

characterized by the fact that:

the inner lining (1 1) consists of textile fibers held together in the form of a layer,

the heating element is formed of flexible electric heating filaments (7) positioned on the inner liner (1 1), said filaments being connected to the terminals of a battery (6) so as to turn them on,

the heating electric filaments (7) are associated with a temperature regulator (70) connected in series with the battery (6), which regulator integrates an electric or electronic circuit designed to regulate the current intended to pass through the filaments (7),

a control member (71) of the regulator (70) is installed on the outer layer (10),

the control member (71) is configured to transmit a command setpoint to the temperature controller (70), in response to a pressure on said member,

in response to a predetermined succession of pressures on the control member (71), the latter is configured to transmit different control commands to the temperature controller (70), each of these control corresponding to a predetermined temperature and heating time (T1, T2, T3) of the electric heating filaments (7).

Heating glove according to claim 1, wherein:

a first prolonged pressure on the control member (71) generates a first temperature setpoint, the filaments (7) that have been previously inactive and at ambient temperature, are energized to reach a predetermined temperature T1,

- A second short press on the control member (71) generates a second temperature setpoint, the filaments (7) are fed further to reach another predetermined temperature T2> T1,

- A third short press on the control member (71) generates a third temperature setpoint by which the filaments 7 reach a new predetermined temperature T3> T2.

3. heating glove according to claim 2, wherein following a further prolonged pressing on the control member (71), the control setpoint is such that the filaments (7) are no longer fed.

4. Heating glove according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control member (71) is in the form of a push button which acts mechanically on a component of the regulator (70) for adjusting the intensity of the current delivered to the filaments (7).

5. Heating glove according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a pressure on the member (71) generates an electric pulse which is transmitted to the controller (70), in response to this pulse, said regulator adapting the intensity of the current delivered to the filaments (7).

Heating glove according to claim 1, wherein the inner liner (1 1) consists of textile fibers held together in the form of a layer, and wherein the electric heating filaments (7) have a diameter of less than 1 mm, which filaments are intimately mixed with the textile fibers of the inner lining (1 1).

7. heating glove according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the electric heating filaments (7) are hot-rolled with the textile fibers of the lining (1 1).

8. Heating glove according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the electric heating filaments (7) are arranged to heat the entirety of the inner housing (1 10).

9. Heating glove according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the electric heating filaments (7) are in the form of polyester fibers coated with a resistive conductive material.

10. Heating glove according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the electric heating filaments (7) are installed in the thickness of the liner (1 1).

1. Heating glove according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the electric heating filaments (7) are installed in a wafer of the lining (1 1) located at a distance of between 0.1 mm and 0.5 mm of the internal housing (1 10).

12. Heating glove according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control member (71) incorporates a light (72) which changes color according to the control setpoint issued by said member.

13. Heating glove according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the waterproof membrane (12) is combined with or integrates an aluminum microfilm returning the heat to the inner housing (1 10).