US-20260126057-A1 - PERSONAL TEMPERATURE CONTROL DEVICE

US20260126057A1US 20260126057 A1US20260126057 A1US 20260126057A1US-20260126057-A1

Abstract

A personal temperature control device is provided. In some aspects, the personal temperature control device includes a housing having a body with a bottom surface, a top surface, a front surface, and a rear surface defining a body interior, a fan that provides air flow, wherein the fan is arranged in the body interior, and a power source that powers the fan. The personal temperature control device also includes a curved conduit that extends from an opening in the bottom surface and along the rear surface of the body, the curved conduit comprising a main channel connected to an output of the fan, wherein the curved conduit directs air flow from the fan and secures the personal temperature control device to a wearable item on a person.

Inventors

Gareth Ambrose Woods

Assignees

BLUHALO LLC

Dates

Publication Date: 20260507
Application Date: 20241107

Claims (20)

1 . A personal temperature control device comprising: a housing having a body with a bottom surface, a top surface, a front surface, and a rear surface defining a body interior; a fan that provides air flow, wherein the fan is arranged in the body interior; a power source that selectively powers the fan; and a curved conduit that extends from an opening in the bottom surface and along the rear surface of the body, the curved conduit comprising a main channel connected to an output of the fan, wherein the curved conduit is configured to direct air flow from the fan and secure the personal temperature control device to a wearable item on a person.
2 . The personal temperature control device of claim 1 , wherein the curved conduit is rigid.
3 . The personal temperature control device of claim 1 , wherein the wearable item is a protective vest.
4 . The personal temperature control device of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the curved conduit is angled relative to a plane defined by the rear surface of the body.
5 . The personal temperature control device of claim 1 , wherein a cross-section of the curved conduit proximal to a channel inlet is less than the cross-section of the curved conduit proximal to a channel outlet.
6 . The personal temperature control device of claim 1 , wherein the curved conduit further comprises a plurality of ribs positioned proximal to a channel outlet, the plurality of ribs forming a number of secondary channels, each directing air flow in a different direction.
7 . The personal temperature control device of claim 1 further comprising a spring clip attached to the rear surface of the body.
8 . The personal temperature control device of claim 7 , wherein the spring clip is configured to provide a force against the wearable item sufficient to hold a weight of the personal temperature control device when the curved conduit and the spring clip engage the wearable item, and revert to an original shape when the curved conduit and the spring clip disengage the wearable item.
9 . The personal temperature control device of claim 7 , wherein the curved conduit and the spring clip engage the wearable item to secure the personal temperature control device to the wearable item, and direct air flow underneath the wearable item.
10 . The personal temperature control device of claim 7 , wherein the spring clip comprises a metallic shim or strip.
11 . The personal temperature control device of claim 7 , wherein the curved conduit further comprises a spring clip slot that receives the spring clip.
12 . The personal temperature control device of claim 7 , wherein the spring clip extends along an axis defined by the top surface and the bottom surface of the body, the spring clip comprising a first curvature and a second curvature along the axis.
13 . The personal temperature control device of claim 12 , wherein the first curvature of the spring clip facilitates an insertion of a portion of the wearable item between the spring clip and the curved conduit, and the second curvature of the spring clip secures the portion of the wearable item between the spring clip and the curved conduit.
14 . The personal temperature control device of claim 1 , wherein the power source comprises at least one rechargeable battery, at least one removable battery, or at least one solar cell.
15 . The personal temperature control device of claim 1 , wherein the body interior comprises at least one compartment that holds the fan.
16 . The personal temperature control device of claim 15 , wherein the at least one compartment further holds the power source for powering the fan.
17 . The personal temperature control device of claim 1 , wherein the personal temperature control device further comprises a conduit ring that extends from the curved conduit and interlocks with a pair of body rings extending from the body, wherein the conduit ring and the pair of body rings are secured together using a pin.
18 . The personal temperature control device of claim 1 , wherein the body further comprises a receptacle for attaching a lanyard.
19 . The personal temperature control device of claim 1 , wherein the body further comprises at least one opening, a grill, a mesh, or a slot for supplying air to an input of the fan.
20 . The personal temperature control device of claim 1 , wherein the personal temperature control device further comprises a Peltier cell for controlling a temperature of the personal temperature control device.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD This disclosure relates generally to portable electronic devices, and more particularly, to a personal temperature control device. BACKGROUND Activities performed by law enforcement officers, construction workers, military personnel, firefighters, plant workers, chefs, security personnel, and others, often necessitate specialized clothing, vests, body armor, and so forth. However, such protective items tend to be heavy and bulky, and are often made from materials of limited breathability. Insufficient ventilation from heavy, bulky, and/or non-breathable items can cause significant discomfort to personnel and workers, as well as raise risk for overheating or heat stroke. Thus, a need exists improved technologies that can achieve personal cooling. SUMMARY In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, a personal temperature control device is provided. In one embodiment, the personal temperature control device includes a housing having a body with a bottom surface, a top surface, a front surface, and a rear surface defining a body interior, a fan that provides air flow, wherein the fan is arranged in the body interior, and a power source that powers the fan. Further, in some embodiments, the personal temperature control device also includes a curved conduit that extends from an opening in the bottom surface and along the rear surface of the body, the curved conduit comprising a main channel connected to an output of the fan. The curved conduit is configured to direct air flow from the fan and secure the personal temperature control device to a wearable item on a person. In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, a personal temperature control device is provided. In one embodiment, the personal temperature control device includes a housing having a body with a bottom surface, a top surface, a front surface, and a rear surface defining a body interior, and a fan that provides air flow, wherein the fan is arranged in the body interior. Further, in some embodiments, the personal temperature control device also includes a curved conduit that extends from an opening in the bottom surface and along the rear surface of the body, the curved conduit comprising a main channel connected to an output of the fan, and a spring clip attached to the rear surface of the body. The curved conduit is configured to engage with the spring clip to secure the personal temperature control device to a wearable item on a person, and direct air flow under the wearable item. In accordance with yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a method for manufacturing a personal temperature control device is provided. In some implementations, the method includes forming a housing having a body with a bottom surface, a top surface, a front surface, and a rear surface defining a body interior, and a curved conduit extending from the bottom surface along the rear surface of the body. The method also includes arranging, in the body interior, a fan that provides air flow to a main channel in the curved conduit, arranging, in the body interior, a power source that selectively powers the fan, wherein the curved conduit is configured to direct air flow from the fan and secure the personal temperature control device to a wearable item on a person. The foregoing and additional aspects and implementations of the present disclosure will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of the detailed description of various embodiments and/or implementations, which is made with reference to the drawings, a brief description of which is provided next. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The foregoing and other advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an example personal temperature control device, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 2A is a perspective view of an example of the personal temperature control device of FIG. 1, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 2B is a front view of the personal temperature control device of FIG. 2A, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 2C is a rear view of the personal temperature control device of FIG. 2A, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 2D is a first side view of the personal temperature control device of FIG. 2A, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 2E is a second side view of the personal temperature control device of FIG. 2A, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 2F is a bottom view of the personal temperature control device of FIG. 2A, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 2G is a top view of the personal temperature control device of FIG. 2A, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 2H is a perspective view of the personal temperature con