WO2017017698A2

WO2017017698A2 - Novel body temperature maintaining apparels

Info

Publication number: WO2017017698A2
Application number: PCT/IN2016/050252
Authority: WO
Inventors: Shridhar Mahadeo KAPREKAR
Original assignee: Kaprekar Shridhar Mahadeo
Priority date: 2015-07-29
Filing date: 2016-07-26
Publication date: 2017-02-02
Also published as: WO2017017698A3

Abstract

A temperature regulating system in an apparel for maintaining the body core temperature of the users within the comfort limits is disclosed herein. It may be desired to have an intelligent temperature regulation system that will set the temperature convenient to the individual, either set by him/her or system by itself identifying individual comfort. The system comprises a reversible micro thermal comfort unit (MTCU) that is attached to the apparel. The cool or hot air from MTCU is carried by means of air ducts to an inner thermally conductive surface of the apparel, providing adequate warm or cool environment to the user. The intelligent system, in addition, automatically obtain temperature data of user's comfort limit and local temperature data to determine user's comfort limit and sets the temperature by its own.

Description

NOVEL BODY TEMPERATURE MAINTAINING APPARELS

Field of Invention:

The present invention relates to temperature regulating apparels, and more particularly, the system consisting of apparels that control the core body temperature by providing heating or cooling as per the human body comfort.

Background & Prior Art:

Human body constantly produces about 90 watt of heat. The food consumed by humans is partially converted into useful energy and largely converted into heat. The heat production could significantly increase up to 870 watt based on physical activity. If the human body cannot dissipate net 90 watt heat (or up to 870 watt depending on physical activity), the body temperature starts increasing leading to hyperthermia. If body loses higher than net 90 watt (or up to 870 watt depending on physical activity), the body temperature starts to fall, leading to hypothermia.

Human body must be maintained at a core temperature of 36.5 °C - 37.5°C. The range could be wider from 33.2°C to 38.2°C depending on gender and location. If the body temperature increases beyond upper limit of this range, the effect is called hyperthermia which can lead to heat stroke and subsequent death. If the body temperature falls beyond lower limit of this range, the effect is called hypothermia which can lead to sever shivering and subsequent death. These effects are usually seen in extreme environment conditions, however, even medical condition may cause the hypothermia or hyperthermia, depending upon the condition.

To keep the body temperature under control externally, the most popular method is air conditioning in the enclosed space. An ever increasing use of air- conditioning systems has significantly increased energy demand. Air-conditioning systems consume up to 60-70% of total energy consumption by a household or by a commercial facility. While high energy cost remains a disadvantage with traditional air-conditioning systems, there are other challenges too. Firstly, an air-conditioning system in most cases does not meet thermal comfort needs for all occupants. Invariably, there are a few unsatisfied occupants who either feel hot or cold. Secondly, there is an increasing concern of sick building syndrome as air-conditioning systems often do not ensure adequate fresh air circulation and often are not effective in moisture control. Thirdly, traditional air-conditioning systems cannot satisfy thermal comfort need outside the building. The risk of thermal shock, when an individual enters from outdoor environment to indoor air-conditioned environment, is most common.

While air conditioning system is advantageous for providing cooling or heating for entire premises, whether a room or an entire building, the demands of cooling or heating vary from person to person. In order to overcome these drawbacks, apparels for cooling/ warming were introduced. Veskimo ice pack based cooling vest has a system that uses body wear heat exchange tubes. The tubes receive cold water from an ice pack kept in a separate ice box. There are a few challenges with the system. One issue is that the ice pack must be regained in an external refrigeration system. Another issue is that any water leakages from the system could challenge heat transfer efficiency of the apparel.

Another system includes simply a ventilation fan installed on a jacket. The fan provides forced air ventilation enabling the sweat generated by the body to evaporate, thereby extracting heat from the body through the process of sweat evaporation. This system exploits body sweat evaporation heat exchange process. One issue is that the sweat evaporation constantly dehydrates the body. Another issue is that the sweat evaporation efficiency would sharply drop with increasing humidity levels in the surrounding environment.

There were attempts to incorporate thermo-regulated devices into the apparels in order to add or remove heat from the body of a wearer. WO2008103742 relates to thermo-regulated apparels or apparels capable of heating and cooling the body or a portion of a body. WO'742 discloses a system process and system for heating or cooling includes a thermoelectric unit having a cooling surface and a heating surface; where the cooling surface is thermally insulated from the heating surface. A heat sink is thermally coupled to the thermoelectric unit and a wicking material operatively coupled to the heat sink. The wicking material may be substantially saturated with a mixture of water and DNA to dissipate energy. The system of WO'742 is incorporated into an apparel item.

The said document, that is, WO'742 employs a combination of thermoelectric devices and evaporative cooling in form of a novel heat sink attached to thermoelectrics. Additionally, a heat pipe or similar heat transfer system can be used in locations where evaporation cannot happen immediate to hot side of thermoelectric. However, there are several drawbacks of WO'742 which are enlisted as follows:

1) It uses PCM (phase change material) layer as the limited size of battery cannot support the high energy consuming thermoelectric technology for longer hours. Phase change material takes care of passive absorption of body heat for certain time. Therefore, the same PCM will not be useful when the body loses excessive heat due to cold surrounding and the heat loss must be prohibited and heat must be provided to the body. In such case whether to use PCM or not must be decided by the user depending on comfort requirement.

2) It uses wicking material. Wicking material heat rejection works on evaporative heat dissipation principle. Wetness of the material could be reasonably uncomfortable. Moreover, the material could add to humid conditions around the body which is not a desirable. Moreover, evaporative principle fails when surrounding is very humid. With increasing humidity evaporation efficacy drops making the wicking material ineffective. More problems that can associate with the wicking material are odour and bacterial growth leading to an unhealthy wearable. Any wetness, even if not felt by the user, would make the wearable unworthy and unhealthy over a longer term.

3) When the wi eking material becomes ineffective, WO' 742 utilises heat pipe. Heat pipe could work one way. That means, heat pipe will not be effective in reverse cycle. Moreover, heat pipe efficacy is too sensitive to surrounding temperature which means heat pipe effectiveness is challenged with every changing surrounding temperature.

4) WO'742 couples several methods of heat transfer in varying conditions.

Switching from one method to another, for instance, switching from wicking material to heat pipe or from PCM heat transfer to non-PCM heat transfer cannot be automated. Moreover, lower Co-efficient of Performance (COP), which is 1 in case of WO'742, also challenges commercial viability.

In view of the aforesaid drawbacks, it may be desirable to employ more efficient system to provide regulated temperature to an individual. Further, every individual has his/her own comfort level with regard to surrounding temperature. It may be, therefore, even more desired to have an intelligent temperature regulation system that will set the temperature convenient to the individual, either set by him/her or system by itself identifying individual comfort.

Summary of Invention:

The main object of the present invention is to provide thermal comfort to a human body by regulating core body temperature.

The additional object of the invention is to provide thermal comfort to a human body by regulating body temperature based on local geographic conditions across the globe.

Accordingly, the present invention discloses a temperature regulating system for maintaining the body core temperature of the users within the comfort limits. In an embodiment, the temperature regulating system in an apparel comprises a reversible Micro Thermal Comfort Unit (MTCU) attached to an inner thermally conductive surface of the apparel, wherein the thermally conductive surface is to provide adequate warm or cool environment to the user; plurality of air ducts including supply ducts and return ducts channelled in the inner surface of the apparel to distribute cold / hot air from the MTCU to various parts of the body; wherein said air ducts are shielded by an outer insulation surface of the apparel to prohibit heat gain or loss by said apparel; a portable control device carried by the user to control the temperature according to the user' s comfort limit; and a server in wireless communication, with said MTCU to automatically obtain temperature data of user's comfort limit and local temperature data to determine user's comfort limit, and with said portable device to manual control of the temperature according to the user's comfort limit respectively. The flexible air ducts are placed inside the apparel at locations where there is high density of blood veins close to the skin. The temperature may be controlled manually as well as automatically. The MTCU comprises a scroll compressor, a condenser coil, a thermal expansion valve, a 4-way reversing valve, an evaporator coil and a communication module. The MTCU is run on a rechargeable battery. The battery could be recharged remotely by a central charging station at a certain location. The server in this embodiment, the apparels may be jacket, bed sheet, blanket, hand gloves, socks, head wear and like.

In another embodiment, a temperature regulating system comprises a reversible MTCU attached to the apparel; at least one supply air outlet and at least one return air outlet provided to the apparel to circulate cool / warm air from the MTCU to the user; a portable control device carried by the user to control the temperature according to the user's comfort limit; and a remote server in wireless communication, with the reversible MTCU to automatically obtain temperature data of user's comfort limit and local temperature data to determine user's comfort limit, and with said portable device to manual control of the temperature according to the user's comfort limit respectively. In yet another embodiment, the temperature regulating system within an apparel comprises a reversible MTCU attached to the apparel; at least one air nozzles situated at an outer insulated surface of the said apparel forming air fountain to control the surrounding temperature of the users, wherein said outer insulation surface to prohibit heat gain or loss by said apparel; a plurality of return air ducts to distribute cool / hot air from said MTCU and redirect the cool / hot air; a portable control device carried by the user to control the temperature according to the user's comfort limit; and a server in wireless communication, with the reversible MTCU to automatically obtain temperature data of user's comfort limit and local temperature data to determine user's comfort limit, and with said portable device to manual control of the temperature according to the user's comfort limit. In such form, the users sitting or standing inside the air fountain experience thermal comfort. The heat load limits to an envelop within the air- fountain. In said embodiment may be table cloth apparel, kitchen platform cloth and similar apparels.

In yet another embodiment, the temperature regulating system includes any nano- tube materials to distribute cold or hot air from the reversible MTCU to various parts of the body. The nano-tube material replaces the need for air duct. The nano- tube material is sandwiched between inner and outer layers of the apparel.

Further, the present invention discloses method for automatic control of temperature value of the temperature regulating system for maintaining the body core temperature within the comfort limits of the user. The said method comprises setting a temperature value to be maintained, measuring user's surrounding temperature, measuring the system operating temperature based on user's comfort level, providing a feedback of the temperature values to the server, and controlling output temperature value near the set value based on feedback values of the auxiliary temperatures and body temperatures. The surrounding temperatures as well as system operating temperature is measured using temperature sensors. The output temperature is controlled by means of a PID Controller. The present invention also discloses method for adaptability of the temperature regulating system with changing geographical conditions for maintaining the body core temperature within the comfort limits of the wearer. The said method comprises learning the user's travel plan from the cloud account, downloading statistical information of the auxiliary outdoor ambient conditions and standard deviation of the user's metabolism data from the mean value from the fellow apparels in the travel zone, configuring an operating logic for the new travel zone to control output temperature value near the set value based on feedback values of the auxiliary temperatures and standard deviation of the user's metabolism rate from the mean value metabolism rate.

Brief Description of Drawings:

Fig 1 illustrates a preferred Embodiment of the invention used as a body wear jacket

The component bearing reference numerals are explained as follows:

100 - Micro Thermal Comfort Unit (MTCU), 150 - wireless communication facility, 400 - air ducts, 401 - supply air ducts, 402 - return air ducts.

Fig. 2 illustrates the preferred embodiment of the invention as a body wear jacket

The component bearing reference numerals are explained as follows:

300 - outer insulation layer, 403 - supply air outlet, 402 - return air outlet.

Fig 3 illustrates Components of Micro Thermal Refrigeration Unit (MTCU). The component bearing reference numerals are explained as follows:

101 - Fresh Air Intake - This is intake of ambient air which acts either as heat source or heat sink based on heating or cooling mode of the MTCU

102 - Warm Air Exhaust - This is ambient air exhaust. The exhaust air temperature is higher than ambient temperature in cooling mode and the temperature is lower than ambient temperature in the heating mode.

103 - Air Supply to the apparel - A cool or warm air supplied to apparel, 104 - Air Returns from the apparel, - A cool or warm air returning from the apparel

105 - Battery Back Up, - batteries to power the MTCU

106 - Condenser Fan, - One of the two fans that pulls warm air to and pushes warmer air away from the MTCU

107 - Evaporator Fan, - One of the two fans that pulls cool air to and pushes cooler air away from the MTCU

108 - Micro Channel Condenser Coil - Condenser coil inside the MTCU, reversible refrigeration unit or heat pump.

109 - Micro Compressor, - Scroll compressor inside the MTCU, reversible refrigeration unit or heat pump.

110 - Expansion Device, - Thermostatic expansion valve inside the MTCU, reversible refrigeration unit or heat pump.

111 -Micro Channel Evaporator Cell, - Evaporator coil inside the MTCU, reversible refrigeration unit or heat pump.

112 - Remote Charging Sensor, - Sensor that will activate automatic battery charging if the remote charger is available within certain distance from the MTCU

113 - PVC Connector to connect with PVC Air Duct - The connectors that connect air ducts in the MTCU with air ducts in the apparel. The connectors are easy to attach or detach.

Fig 4 illustrates Components of apparel used in body wear jacket

Fig. 5 illustrates sectional view of the apparel of the present invention.

Fig 6 illustrates Embodiment of the invention used as a table top unit

The component bearing reference numerals are explained as follows:

500 - reversible MTCU, 510 - air nozzle, 520 - air function, 530 - air duct, 540 - return air duct

Fig 7 illustrates a Remote charging station utilised in the present invention Fig. 8 illustrates working of the system of the present invention in a heating mode Fig. 9 illustrates working of the system of the present invention in cooling mode Detailed Description of Invention:

Accordingly, the present invention discloses a temperature regulating system in an apparel for maintaining the body core temperature of the users within the comfort limits. In a preferred embodiment, the apparel may be a body wear jacket or any other similar apparel. In another embodiment, the apparel may be a table top apparel or any other similar apparel.

The present invention may be apprehended by referring to figures and illustrations. While the figures represent various embodiments of the invention, the scope of the invention is not restricted to the figures. Any modifications may be construed as falling in the ambit of the present invention.

By referring to Fig. 1-5, which illustrate the preferred embodiment of the invention, the temperature regulating system in an apparel for maintaining the body core temperature of the users within the comfort limits comprises a reversible Micro Thermal Comfort Unit (MTCU) (100) attached to an inner thermally conductive surface (200) of the apparel, wherein the thermally conductive surface (200) is to provide adequate warm or cool environment to the user; plurality of air ducts (400) including supply ducts (401) and return ducts (402) channelled in the inner surface (200) of the apparel to distribute cold / hot air from the MTCU to various parts of the body; wherein said air ducts (400) are shielded by an outer insulation surface (300) of the apparel to prohibit heat gain or loss by said apparel; a portable control device carried by the user to control the temperature according to the user's comfort limit; and a server in wireless communication (150), with said MTCU (100) to automatically obtain temperature data of user's comfort limit and local temperature data to determine user's comfort limit, and with said portable device to manual control of the temperature according to the user's comfort limit respectively. It is illustrated in Fig. 1-5 that the preferred embodiment is a body wear jacket. However, such apparel may also be selected from bed sheet, blanket, hand gloves, socks, head cover and any similar articles.

Fig. 1 shows the body wear jacket having MTCU (100), and plurality of air ducts (400), including supply air ducts (401) and return air ducts (402). According to the user's / wearer's requirement, hot or cold air is blown by the MTCU (100) and thereby distributed to various parts of the user / wearer by means of supply air duct (401).

The flexible air ducts are placed inside the apparel at locations where there is high density of blood veins close to the skin. The air ducts are selected from thermoplastic materials.

In an another embodiment, which is illustrated in Fig. 2, a temperature regulating system is disclosed which comprises a reversible MTCU (100) attached to the apparel; at least one supply air outlet (403) and at least one return air outlet (404) provided to the apparel to circulate cool / warm air from the MTCU (100) to the user; a portable control device carried by the user to control the temperature according to the user's comfort limit; and a remote server in wireless communication, with the reversible MTCU to automatically obtain temperature data of user's comfort limit and local temperature data to determine user's comfort limit, and with said portable device to manual control of the temperature according to the user's comfort limit respectively.

The embodiment illustrated in Fig. 2 does not include air ducts. The warm or cool air from MTCU (100) is freely circulated inside the apparel through the supply air ducts (403) and the return air ducts (404). In view of these modifications, there is no need of the inner thermal conductive surface. However, the outer insulation layer (300) is retained which is useful in insulating the temperature of air circulated inside the apparel.

Fig. 3 illustrates various components of MTCU (100) which consists a scroll compressor (109), a condenser coil (108), a thermal expansion valve (110), a 4- way reversing valve (not shown); an evaporator coil (111); and a communication module (150). The micro scroll compressor (109) consists of brushless DC motor with a speed range between 2100 and 6500 rpm. The speed command linearly ranges between 0.7 VDC for 2100 rpm and 4.5 VDC for 6500 rpm. The speed between 0 VDC and 0.6 VDC is considered zero. The 4-way reversing valve is used for changing the operating mode of the refrigeration unit between cooling mode and heating mode.

Working of MTCU (100) may be understood with reference to Fig. 3. The MTCU (100) operates in a cooling or a heating mode based on temperature of the on-coil air in the evaporator. If the air is cooler than the saturated refrigeration temperature, the reversing valve (no shown) reverses its direction and converts the an evaporator (111) into a condenser (108) and vise versa to turn the MTCU in a heating mode. The reverse operation of the four-way valve is executed when the on-coil temperature of air in the condenser increases beyond the condensing temperature. The MTCU finally either dissipates the heat to the open ambient in the cooling mode or source the heat from the open ambient in the heating mode.

The air is either cooled or is heated in the MTCU and is pushed by either the condenser fan (106) or the evaporator fan (107), depending on heating or cooling mode operation of the MTCU (100), inside air ducts in the apparel. The air either absorbs the heat from the body if the MTCU is in a cooling mode or dissipate the heat to the body if the MTCU is in a cooling mode.

Fig 4 illustrates the components of apparel used in body wear jacket. The apparel consists of an inner thermally conductive surface (200) made from highly conductive polyester or similar material, air ducts (401, 402) encapsulated in a finned structure made from the same thermally material as the inner surface and an outer insulation material layer (300). The insulation material layer reduces external heat gains. The apparel is constructed to form a tight envelop of conditioned environment within the apparel.

Fig. 5 illustrates a sectional view of the apparel. The air ducts (401,402) are seen to be sandwiched between the outer insulating surface (200) and the inner thermally conductive surface (300).

Fig. 6 illustrates another embodiment of the present invention. It comprises an inner surface; an outer insulation surface to prohibit heat gain or loss by said apparel; a reversible MTCU (500) attached to the apparel; at least one air nozzles (510) at the said outer surface of the said apparel forming air fountain (520) to control the temperature of the occupants; a plurality of return air ducts (530) to distribute cool / hot air from said MTCU and redirect the cool / hot air; and a server in wireless communication with the reversible MTCU (500) to obtain temperature data of user's comfort limit and local temperature data to determine user's comfort limit. In this embodiment, the apparel may be, but not limited to, a table top apparel. Additionally, the apparel may be kitchen cloth and similar other articles. As table top apparel, the apparel is provided with return air ducts and a MTCU with air nozzles (510) mounted on the apparel that can form air fountain (520) to cover only a particular area around the table. The air is supplied and air distribution is managed in such a manner that air picks up heat from individuals sitting round table and returns back to the system for heat dissipation. The system in table top mode can also be used to provide comfortable environment limited to a bed or to a kitchen platform or any such application. The contour of the air fountain could also be adjusted by the user by changing angle of the air nozzles to suit the round table beneficiaries. Fig 7 illustrates the remote charging station. The remote charging station is meant to keep the micro-refrigeration unit charging constantly. In this embodiment, the remote charging towers will be set up in important public places similar to mobile towers. As the user will come in the range of the tower, the micro-refrigeration unit battery will automatically start charging. A series of such unit set up across the city will help user seamless battery charging without having to worry about battery draining out. The remote charging stations will be powered either with state provided power supply or through any renewable energy means such as solar power and wind power.

Fig. 8 illustrates operation of the system of the present invention in a heating mode In a heating mode, the reversing four way valve places the evaporator on the outdoor environment front and places the condenser on the user body front. The condenser provides adequate heat to the body, whereas evaporator extracts part of the heat from the surrounding environment. The outdoor environment in the heating mode becomes heat source, whereas the user's body becomes the heat sink.

Fig. 9 illustrates working of the system of the present invention in cooling mode. In a cooling mode, the reversing four way valve places the condenser on the outdoor environment front and places the evaporator on the user body front. The evaporator extracts heat from the body, whereas condenser dissipates the heat to the surrounding environment. The outdoor environment in the cooling mode becomes heat sink, whereas the user's body becomes the heat source.

In summer, the apparel works in a cooling mode. The evaporator fan in the refrigeration unit pumps cold air in the air ducts distributed throughout the apparel. The air ducts are placed inside the clothes in strategic locations where body has high density of blood veins much closer to the outer layer of the skin. The heat transfer surfaces constantly extract heat from the body and channelize the heat to the heat pump unit. The heat pump unit makes use of the refrigeration cycle to dump the extracted heat to the outdoor environment.

In severe winter season, the unit refrigeration cycle reverses. The summer time evaporator becomes condenser and source of heat. The warm air from the condenser coil is pumped through supply air ducts to the heat transfer surfaces within the body wear. The heat transfer surfaces give heat to the body. The heat is absorbed by the blood and is carried to the core areas of the body to maintain the core temperature.

In mild winter, the unit need not reverse. The insulated clothing prohibits the body heat from escaping to the cold outdoor environment and help maintenance of the body temperature. In the mild winter, the heat produced by the body, if contained within the apparel, can provide comfort. In such a case, the system need not operate. The system has its own intelligence to decide whether it should operate. The sole objective of the system is to provide comfort to the user. Therefore, the system by itself chooses not to function in case of no such requirement.

The temperature of the apparel of the present invention is controlled manually and/or automatically.

The MTCU has the following functions:

(A) Internet cloud account connectivity

The control unit may be connected to internet account. The internet account may be connected to a cloud platform for similar other units worldwide. The MTCU may be operated from a mobile application through the internet account.

(B) User interface with a Smartphone mobile app

The user can set the compressor speed from a Smartphone mobile app. The user is able to see battery level, coil inlet and outlet temperatures, ambient dry bulb temperature and ambient wet bulb temperature on the mobile app. The user is also able to see other health related parameters, such as ones available on tit-bit. The mobile app connects with the MTCU/ control unit either through Blue Tooth or through internet cloud.

(C) Learning from the user

During initial manual operation of the MTCU, the control unit records coil inlet and outlet temperatures, ambient dry bulb temperature, ambient wet bulb temperature and compressor speed. After making available a data of one day, the control unit analyzes correlation of ambient dry bulb and wet bulb temperatures and compressor speed with the coil inlet and outlet temperatures. After completion of the analysis, the control unit will operate the MTCU automatically by varying compressor speed to maintain coil inlet and outlet temperatures in relation with the ambient dry bulb and wet bulb temperatures.

(D) Learning from other MTCU worldwide

The control unit may be connected to the user's email server and learns about the user's travel plans. The control unit searches for operating information of the other MTCU systems from the provinces where the user is likely to travel. The operating information is obtained from the MTCUs of the users with similar metabolic rate from the other provinces. After obtaining operating information from the other new province, the control unit starts operating as per the operating information as soon as user visits the new province. If the user feels uncomfortable, the user he/she has an option of operating the unit by using the mobile app. The intelligent MTCU will give preference to the user's manual operation in case the user prefers to operate the MTCU manually.

(E) Communication with the user

The MTCU communicates with the user through the mobile app. The user can select whether the communication should be a voice communication or a message communication. The information the control unit provides to the user includes weather conditions, metabolic rate, calorie burn, number of manual interventions by the user in MTCU operation. The MTCU also identifies the wireless charging availability in the surrounding and updates the user whether the system is self- charging or not. The MTCU also provides information about whether the unit is charging from the solar panels on the back pack. Additionally, the MTCU provides information about amount of electricity the user has potentially saved by operating the MTCU and savings in terms of carbon footprint reduction. Further, the MTCU provides information on the positive environmental impact the user brought by operating the system.

The present invention also discloses a method for automatic control of temperature value of the apparel for maintaining the body core temperature within the comfort limits comprises setting a temperature value to be maintained, measuring auxiliary temperature, measuring body temperature, providing a feedback of the said temperature values, and controlling output temperature value near the said set value based on feedback values of said auxiliary temperatures and body temperatures.

Manual control

The user may be able to set the temperature manually by using portable control device.

Automatic control

For the auto mode, adequate data about the user's body core temperature and temperature sensitivity to the changing outdoor conditions is gathered. To gather the user specific information, the invention uses a temperature sensor to measure axillary temperature. The sensor is mounted in the apparel at auxiliary strategic area. Several data points and scenarios are collected by the temperature sensor which are analysed by an intelligent PID controller. The core objective of the device will be to maintain body core temperature in the range of 36.5 °C - 37.5°C. In an example of automatic control, When the user makes travel plan to travel in another geographical location, the system gathers information from the fellow apparels in the new travel zone and downloads statistical information on relationships between several weather parameters and best match metabolism rate and configures to operate in the new travel zone. Again, the core objective of the device will be to maintain body core temperature in the range of 36.5 °C - 37.5°C in the new travel zone.

In yet another embodiment, the temperature regulating system includes any nano- tube materials to distribute cold or hot air from the reversible MTCU to various parts of the body. The carbon nano-tube has a significantly thermal conductivity.

The nano-tube material replaces the need for air duct. The nano-tube material is sandwiched between inner and outer layers of the apparel.

Advantages:

The invention eliminates all the above problems associated with traditional air- conditioning systems.

The invention requires only about 10-15% electricity. While the system can be charged by connecting to a power source like charging of contemporary mobile phones, the system can also be remotely charged by charging stations installed in various locations. The invention allows the user to modulate the system manually or in an automated mode to ensure thermal comfort in various scenarios.

The invention is easy to carry by the user. The system can be carried in a waist pouch or a backpack. The system can be connected to head-to-toe dressing options such as jackets, hand gloves, socks, mufflers and head wear. The system may also be easily detached from the head-to-toe apparels and may be connected to a pullover sleeping time blanket or to the table top apparel.

Claims

I claim,

1. A temperature regulating system in an apparel for maintaining the body core temperature of the users within the comfort limits comprising a reversible Micro Thermal Comfort Unit (MTCU) (100) attached to an inner thermally conductive surface (200) of the apparel, wherein the thermally conductive surface (200) is to provide adequate warm or cool environment to the user;

plurality of air ducts (400) including supply ducts (401) and return ducts (402) channelled in the inner surface (200) of the apparel to distribute cold / hot air from the MTCU to various parts of the body; wherein said air ducts (400) are shielded by an outer insulation surface (300) of the apparel to prohibit heat gain or loss by said apparel;

a portable control device carried by the user to control the temperature according to the user's comfort limit; and

a remote server in wireless communication (150), with said MTCU (100) to automatically obtain temperature data of user's comfort limit and local / geographical temperature data to determine user's comfort limit, and with said portable device to manual control of the temperature according to the user's comfort limit respectively.

2. The temperature regulating system according to claim 1, wherein said MTCU (100) is detachable from the apparel.

3. The temperature regulating system according to claim 1, wherein said air ducts (400) are placed inside the said apparel at strategic locations where body has high density of blood veins present much closer to the outer layer of the skin.

4. The temperature regulating system according to claim 1, wherein optionally a nano-tube layer is sandwiched between an inner thermally conductive surface and an outer insulated surface of said apparel that provides adequate warm or cool environment to the user

5. The temperature regulating system according to claim 1; wherein said MTCU (100) comprises a scroll compressor, a condenser coil, a thermal expansion valve, a 4-way reversing valve; an evaporator coil; and a communication module.

6. The temperature regulating system according to claim 1; wherein said MTCU (100) is operated on a rechargeable battery.

7. The temperature regulating system according to claim 1; wherein said battery is recharged through a remote charging station.

8. The temperature regulating system according to claim 1; wherein portable device is selected from a mobile phone, a tablet, a smart phone and any other similar device.

9. The temperature regulating system according to claim 1; wherein said automatic control, by obtaining temperature data of user's comfort limit and local temperature data to determine user's comfort limit, is provided by plurality of temperature sensors, plurality of thermal sensors and a PID Controller provided within MTCU (100).

10. The temperature regulating system according to claim 1; wherein said air ducts are selected from thermoplastic materials.

11. The temperature regulating system according to claim 1; wherein said apparel is selected from jacket, bed sheet, blanket, hand gloves, socks, head cover and any other similar articles.

12. A temperature regulating system in an apparel for maintaining the body core temperature of the users within the comfort limits comprising a reversible MTCU (100) attached to the apparel; at least one supply air outlet (403) and at least one return air outlet (404) provided to the apparel to circulate cool / warm air from the MTCU (100) to the user;

a remote server in wireless communication, with the reversible MTCU to automatically obtain temperature data of user's comfort limit and local temperature data to determine user's comfort limit, and with said portable device to manual control of the temperature according to the user's comfort limit respectively.

13. A temperature regulating system within an apparel for maintaining the body core temperature of the users within the comfort limits comprising a reversible MTCU (500) attached to the apparel;

at least one air nozzles (510) situated at an outer insulated surface of the said apparel forming air fountain (520) to control the surrounding temperature of the users, wherein said outer insulation surface to prohibit heat gain or loss by said apparel;

a plurality of return air ducts (530) to distribute cool / hot air from said MTCU and redirect the cool / hot air;

a remote server in wireless communication, with the reversible MTCU (500) to automatically obtain temperature data of user's comfort limit and local temperature data to determine user's comfort limit, and with said portable device to manual control of the temperature according to the user's comfort limit respectively

14. The temperature regulating system according to claim 13; wherein said MTCU (500) comprises a scroll compressor, a condenser coil, a thermal expansion valve, a 4-way reversing valve and an evaporator coil.

15. The temperature regulating system according to claim 13; wherein said MTCU (500) is operated on a rechargeable battery.

16. The temperature regulating system according to claim 13; wherein said battery is recharged through a remote charging station.

17. The temperature regulating system according to claim 13; wherein said portable device is selected from a mobile phone, a tablet, a smart phone and any other similar device.

18. The temperature regulating system according to claim 13; wherein said automatic control, , is provided by plurality of temperature sensors, plurality of thermal sensors and a PID Controller provided within MTCU (500) by obtaining temperature data of user's comfort limit and local temperature data to determine user's comfort limit .

19. The temperature regulating system according to claim 13; wherein said return air ducts (530) are selected from thermoplastic materials.

20. The temperature regulating system according to claim 13; wherein said apparel is selected from table cloth, kitchen cloth and any other similar articles.

21. A method for automatic control of temperature value of the temperature regulating system claimed in any of the claim 1, 13, 13 for maintaining the body core temperature within the comfort limits comprises setting a temperature value to be maintained by the user; measuring surrounding temperature of the user by the MTCU (100,500); measuring the system operating temperature based on the user's comfort level by the MTCU (100,500); providing a feedback of the temperature values to the remote server by the MTCU (100,500) via the wireless communication (150); and controlling output temperature value near the set value based on feedback values of the auxiliary temperatures and body temperatures.

22. The method according to claim 21, wherein the surrounding temperature as well as system operating temperature is measured using plurality of temperature sensors contained within the MTCU (100,500).

23. The method according to claim 21, wherein the output temperature is controlled by MTCU.

24. The method according to claim 21, wherein said controlling of output temperature value near said set value depending upon the feedback of temperature values of auxiliary temperatures and body temperatures are controlled by MTCU (100,500).

25. A method for adaptability of the temperature regulating system claimed in any of the claims with changing geographical conditions for maintaining the body core temperature within the comfort limits comprises learning the user's travel plan from the portable device by the remote server, downloading by the remote server a statistical information of auxiliary outdoor ambient conditions and standard deviation of the user's metabolism data from a mean value from a fellow apparels in the travel zone, and configuring an operating logic for the new travel zone to control output temperature value near the set value based on feedback values of the auxiliary temperatures and standard deviation of the user's metabolism rate from the mean value metabolism rate by the remote server.