ELECTRICALLY-POWERED THERMAL-REGULATED APPAREL AND CONTROL SYSTEM THEREFOR

摘要

The present inventive concept relates to electrically-powered, thermal-regulated apparel or heated garments and a controller and related methods of operation thereof. The thermal-regulated apparel item includes a heating assembly having a substrate and shielding layers with an electrical resistance heating element located therebetween. The controller is linked to the heating element and receives measured electrical resistance values from a thermistor or a voltage level of a thermocouple positioned along the heating element and in response, varies an electrical power output to the electrical resistance heating element such that the measured or monitored resistance value of the thermistor, or voltage level of the thermocouple, is maintained relatively constant with respect to a predetermined resistance value or voltage level.

主权项

1. A thermally regulated garment, comprising:
a garment body including first and second body portions; an integrated heating element assembly applied to at least one of the first and second body portions of the garment and comprising a substrate, and at least one layer of an electromagnetic interference shielding material substantially covering and attached to the substrate with an electrical heating element extending in a desired pattern located therebetween; a controller coupled to the heating element assembly, the controller having an electrical power connection for receiving and transmitting electrical power from a power supply to the heating element assembly, and configured to control transmission of electrical power to the heating element assembly sufficient to maintain an electrical resistance value or a voltage level measured along the heating element substantially at a predetermined value or within a predetermined range for the electrical resistance or voltage level.