WEARABLE HEAT FLUX DEVICES AND METHODS OF USE

摘要

Wearable heat flux devices are disclosed that can detect heat flux based on evaporative cooling for determining a core body temperature of a user, and that can heat or cool a surface of a user for reaching a steady-state heat flux to determine the core body temperature of the user. Exemplary heat flux devices can include a heat flux sensor and a wicking layer. The heat flux sensor can be configured to detect heat flux at a location on a user. The wicking layer can be configured to absorb moisture at the location and to transport the moisture above the heat flux sensor. The heat flux subsequently detected by the heat flux sensor includes the evaporative cooling from the evaporation of the moisture.

主权项

1. A heat flux device wearable at a location on a user, the heat flux device comprising:
a heat flux sensor configured to detect heat flux at the location; and a wicking layer including a first portion and a second portion, the first portion surrounding at least part of vertical sides of the heat flux sensor and the second portion covering a top surface of the heat flux sensor, the wicking layer configured to absorb moisture at the location through the first portion and to transport the moisture to the second portion for evaporation above the heat flux sensor, wherein the heat flux detected by the heat flux sensor includes evaporative cooling from the evaporation of the moisture.